The opening rounds of this years playoffs have been lame. So far the most entertaining matchup for me has been rockets-jazz b/c the rockets hustle like nobody else(too bad Utah is up 3-1). I had high hopes for Wizards/Cavs but that series’ trash talk has not translated to intensity on the court. This years playoffs so far is like last years but without the warriors shaking it up. But from the look of things, a Laker/Celtics finals matchup seems likely. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with the conference finals if the Spurs and Lakers end up matching up (which is the most likely scenario). It’s like watching the Joker fight Lex Luther.

I really would have preferred to see the GSW match up with the Lakers. In fact, it seems Bill Simmons at ESPN.com agrees. Check out his article on why the Nuggets are losing so horrendously (I don’t have a link but it was front page on Sunday, 4/27). He suggests that they are not spreading the floor enough with, get this, good three point shooters. When Denver goes small (and quick, and good at hitting the three, sound like any team you know?), they spread the defense better which opens up lanes for Iverson and ‘Melo to drive. In fact, it’s not at all surprising to me that Denver is getting routed by LA – the same thing happened in the regular season. Not so with the Dubs… alas. It’ll have to wait until next year, after the Nugs are exploded.

And it looks like the teams with a little more depth or experience are coming out ahead. I’m really bummed about how the PHO-SAN matcup has played out, I think they get swept today. Barbosa has been uninspiring and Nash is bothered by all the double teams. And they have no answer for Parker or Manu on the perimeter, though I’d like to see Diaw and Bell guard those two, instead of trying to matchup Nash on parker, I mean he’s mediocre in man-up D anyway and Parker is too quick for the best. The Nuggets just look apathetic, it’s really a bummer, especially with how well they played at the end of the year in must-win games. I agree, the Warriors would not have been swept but the Lakers are looking very strong, other than San Antonio I don’t see a real threat for them going on to the Finals.

even the hawks got a victory over the celtics. I only saw the last quarter of the celtics-hawks game, but I am quite surprised that the suns and nuggets couldn’t take a victory out on their respective home courts against teams we’d think would be closer in skill than the disparity between the hawks and celtics.
the only thing that can save the storyline drama of the western conference playoffs is if the suns or nuggets can push it to game seven and maybe even win the series. if not i’m sure the league isn’t going to be pleased about squandered playoff storylines and sweeps (less ratings)

It would not have been a repeat of the last year’s Mavs series but it would have been a fabulous test of AB and Monta’s growth to see them up against the LAL, and KAz battled the prima dona pretty well when they went head-to-head … too bad Kerr’s trade may cost D’Antoni his job, but that’s the NBA … about now is the time we can expect someone to start moaning that another SA march to the ring will be boring – ignoring the fact that we are witnessing a dynasty making history and a Celtic – Spur Final series could be one for the ages ala Bird-Magic years. You aren’t a fan of the game if you don’t like SA, and this year’s Celtics.

The only sure thing is Celtics over Hawks.

Does anyone think they’ll pull what Golden State pulled last year!?

whoa see what i mean… the east is way more exciting than the west. But I still think the Celtics will prevail.. if only because they have homecourt.

Nuggets – struggling throughout the season and down the stretch to stay in the playoffs.
Mavs – Not used to each other, but the trade was stupid to begin with. Perennial underachievers.
Phoenix – They also weren’t completely used to each other, didn’t fit after the trade, and they’re focal points are all really old. And they had to play against the team that’s won 4 championships.

Bottom line, the West was tough. Phoenix and Dallas made stupid trades (but we knew that), and the teams at the bottom had to fight so damn hard just to get there, they were gassed when they did get there. The second round will be very interesting. I still say Lakers/Spurs in the WCF. The Warriors would have at least taken 1 game against them.