Playoff Predictions - January 17
* Hawks and Charlotte are my sleepers to sneak into the playoffs. Both are really talented, just have to continue to mesh well as teams.
* Eastern Conference is pretty straight forward. Boston and Detroit continue to be the elite, with Orlando's back court being a concern.
* I think this is the year the Wizards finally beat the Cavs in the playoffs. I was going to take them to upset the Celtics ala Dubs/Mavs.... (They did just beat them twice in a row) But I can't see that happening in a 7game series.
* Detroit over Celtics in 7 for ECF
* In the West, I honestly think the Warriors have what it takes to knock out the Suns in the first round...especially if the Suns keep looking like they do now.
* I've got Rockets and Blazers being the teams that don't make the playoffs in the West(I really would like to see Portland make it, though...but I see the Jazz steadying the ship)
* Lakers are good. They should have Bynum back by March, and add him to a back-court of Fish and Kobe...that's tough to beat. That's going to be a great series with the Nuggets.
* Mavs and Utah can actually go either way...and I can see the Mavs being 1 and done again.
* Ultimately, when it comes down to it...a lot of these games, and who advances will mostly be determined by who has the superior back court.
Fish and Kobe > Brewer and Deron
Chancey and Rip > Ray and Rondo etc...
We shall see how my picks stack up later in April!