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It’s Anybody’s Game

Another NBA regular season has come to a close, which means we only have five more months until we can get some football actions.  The 2006-07 NBA regular season was definitely one to be remembered.  But this year’s cast of playoff participants should make for an even better postseason.  Once again we have a couple of new faces in the picture as Don “Nelly” Nelson led his Golden State Warrior team to the playoffs after a 13 year hiatus.  While the Orlando Magic snap a 4 year playoff drought as they reach the postseason.  The rest of the cast remained pretty much the same.  In the East, the Detroit Pistons, the Cleveland LeBron’s /Cavaliers, the new and improved Toronto Raptors, the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards, the New Jersey Nets, and the defending champion Miami Heat.  Out in the West, the juggernaut Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns, the overlooked Houston Rockets, the Utah Jazz, the San Antonio Spurs, the up and coming Denver Nuggets, and the Los Angeles Kobes.I decided to take a different approach this year in analyzing the playoffs.  Welcome to The Guru’s first annual NBA playoffs award show, sponsored by Joey Crawford’s school of officiating.

“Roger Federer Award” – Team Most Likely To Be Dominant

The Dallas Mavericks have steamrolled the league this season.  They finished with a regular season record of 67 – 15 and have overall number one seed through the entire playoffs.  Dirk Nowitzki was the best player in the league, on the best team in the league, Avery Johnson did another magnificent coaching job and they also have the “unfinished business” mantra working for them.  Statistically, they averaged 100.8 points per game while only allowing 92.8.  They have the talents they have the depth, and they have intangibles, I like this team win it all.

“Swiffer Sweeper Award” – Team Most Likely To Get Swept

The Washington Wizards started this season off great.  Gilbert “Hibachi” Arenas was having a season that garnered MVP consideration, Caron was having a great season and Eddie Jordan was doing an above average coaching job.  But the injury bug has bitten this team hard.  Agent Zero is out, Butler is done, and Antawn Jamison is no where near the caliber player to carry a team.  Expect the Wiz to have a quick first round exit.

“Tara Reid Award” – Hot Team With One Major Flaw

Just as the hot chick mentioned in the award, the Denver Nuggets are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now.  But they have one major flaw that will end up being their demise.  They don’t play any defense.  Bringing in AI to pair with Melo was the best thing that could have happened to both of their careers.  But the pastel blue Nuggets have given up an average of 103.7 points per game and allow opponents to shoot 46% from the field.  Their first round match with the Spurs will be tough.  They will try to push the tempo but the Spurs will but the clamps on them when its winning time.  Expect a good show, but a first round exit.

“The Chick You Meet In A Dark Club Award” – Team Most Likely To Be Ugly Under Bright Lights

The Toronto Raptors get this award.  They’ve have a good season, finishing 3rd in the East with a 47 – 35 record.  They have a major player in Chris Bosh and two nice complementary players in T.J. Ford and rookie Andrea Bargnani.  But they have yet to sell me on their chances to get out of the first round.  They had a 14 – 12 record against the other seven playoff teams and they lack depth.  And after Bosh, they only have one player that averages over 13 points per game.  Their first round series with the experienced Nets is not a favorable match up.  Expect the Raptors to be exposed.

“Heavy Lifting Award” – Player Most Likely To Carry His Team

Okay, did you honestly think this award could go to anyone else but Mr. 81?  As Kobe goes, so goes the Lakers.  If Kobe doesn’t show up and score 1000 points per game (yes I said 1000), the Lakers will be “gone fishin” real quick.

“Big Cojones Award” – Player Most Likely To Come Up Big

Well this was a tough one to decide.  But the player that needs to finally show up in the playoffs is Tracy McGrady.  T-Mac has had three first round exits in the playoffs, each more heart jerking than the last.  The Rockets should defeat the Jazz in the first round, but T-Mac will have a lot to do with it.

“Don’t Believe The Hype Award” – Most Overly Hyped Team

For some odd reason, many experts and pundits have gone on record saying that the Golden State Warriors will beat the Dallas Mavericks.  Okay, once again, “the Golden State Warriors will beat the Dallas Mavericks.”  Ha ha, sure Nellie and his Warriors beat the Mavs all three times this year, but just as the Mavs showed us last year (4 – 0 against the Miami Heat in the regular season), the regular season and the postseason are two different monsters.  And in the words of Magic Johnson, “Also too” one of those games were late in the season and didn’t really matter.  This one might go six games at the most, and I’m being generous.

“Flip The Light Switch Award” – Team Most Likely To Turn It On In The Playoffs

The Miami Heat get this award.  They limped and slumped through the regular season as they finished with a 44 – 38 record and a nabbed a four seed in the East.  They’ve battled against injuries all season as D-Wade, Jason Kapono, J-Will missed 77 games combined.  While they also had to endure Shaq’s numerous paid “sick” days.  But this team full of veterans feels they can turn it on when it counts.  I like the Heat to turn it on and beat the Bulls 4 – 3 in the first round and have yet another epic battle with the Pistons in round two.

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