Now that another Warriors season has come and gone, and the typical feelings of associated anguish and despair are concordantly permeating through the GSoM community, it's time for us to collectively begin the healing process. That's what my intention is by launching this post. No, this will not be one of the myriad bitter/depressing/self-depreciating/nihilistic/cathartic fanposts I've noticed GSoM heads traditionally like to indulge in like clock-work at this time of year. This will NOT be the archetypal thread where GSoMers will come to piss, moan, curse, and cry on each other's shoulders about their misplaced faith in, and mental/emotional abuse inflicted by the hands of their beloved ever-fledgling basketball franchise. Rather, what I propose to put forth here is a more ambitious cleansing of emotions; a productive approach to picking up the pieces of our wounded spirits; something that can help us forget about the past, by challenging ourselves to predict basketball events in the near future (accurately). And the winner(s)... would get a cookie! Ladies and gentlemen, I am presenting to you: THE SEMI-OFFICIAL GSOM PLAYOFF BRACKET POOL!!!!

Now, for those of you who have never taken part in a playoff bracket pool before, they are no joke. Each participant gets the chance to publicly portend the outcome of every single playoff series, from the first round all the way to the championship. Where it gets tricky is that each participant is also required to forecast the length of each series (for example, Celtics over the Knicks in 6 games). This ensures that a very elaborate point system is allocated to the participating parties, wherein those who ultimately accumulated the most points at the end of their pool when the playoffs have all been said and done, emerge victorious. In real life, the stakes are high and this "point system" translates directly into $$$. But, since GSoM is governed as a family place (sorta), such high stakes will not apply here. Indeed, the winner will instead have to settle for gaining PRIDE!!! (and/or a cookie). As the founder of this Krazee post, I will take the liberty of throwing the first pitch!!  

Footnote: Semi-Official GSoM Playoff Bracket Pool Point System works as follows:

Quarterfinal: 2 points if their team advances, 2 points for calling the right amount of games.

Semifinal: 4 points if their team advances, 4 points for calling the right amount of games.

Conference Finals: 8 points if their team advances, 8 points for the calling the right amount of games.

NBA Finals: 16 points if their team advances, 16 points for calling the right amount of games.

*You only get points for calling the amount of games if your predicted team wins in said amount of games.

*Note that predictions may be subject to change only up until the Playoffs tip-off. After that point, your last prediction prior will be considered your final answer.

*Also, I will provide updates after each round of the playoffs as to the participating GSoMers' stats. The sad reality is that, some of us will get left behind. This is No Boys Allowed. Good luck to all! :D

Quarterfinals:

Spurs Vs Grizzlies: Spurs in 4                                                                                                                                                            

Thunder Vs Nuggets: Thunder in 5

Lakers Vs Hornets: Lakers in 4    

Mavericks Vs Blazers: Blazers in 7

Bulls Vs Pacers: Bulls in 4

Magic Vs Hawks: Magic in 5

Heat Vs Sixers: Heat in 4

Celtics Vs Knicks: Celtics in 5

Semifinals:

Spurs Vs Thunder: Thunder in 6

Lakers Vs Blazers: Lakers in 6

Bulls Vs Magic: Bulls in 5

Heat Vs Celtics: Celtics in 6

Conference Finals:

Thunder Vs Lakers: Thunder in 6

Bulls Vs Celtics: Celtics in 7

NBA Finals

Thunder Vs Celtics: Celtics in 6

And that's my pool!! Good luck to all, and MAY THE BEST BASKETBALL GENIUS WIN!! ;p

To quote John Cleese in Rat Race: "GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"