Looking ahead to 2010 NBA finals

We’re finally here. After a grueling stretch of 82 games, the top 16 teams in the NBA this season have been established and the contenders have separated themselves from the pretenders. However, each remaining team has work to do as they compete to become the sole survivors when all is said and done with the 2009-2010 season. So as we march our way to the finals I will do my best, for you faithful readers, to narrow down series winners round by round until the championship. Let’s start things off with the first round in each conference.
East:
(1) Cleveland vs. (8) Chicago
The Bulls will get only as far as Derrick Rose carries them. That might be only one victory this round if Cleveland falls asleep for a game. The Bulls do not have a big enough frontcourt to contain Shaquille O’Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, or J.J. Hickson and they do not have enough athletes to tame Lebron James, Antawn Jamison and Jay Williams. Cavs take the series 4-1.
(2) Orlando vs. (7) Charlotte
This is an interesting match up. Charlotte proved after the first game that they can compete with Dwight Howard. With a rotation of Theo Ratliff, Tyson Chandler, and Nazr Mohammad, they can pester Howard and force someone else on the Magic to step up. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, Jameer Nelson did just that and torched them for 32 points in game one. With other options in Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis, the Bobcats will not be able to keep up, especially now that Stephen Jackson is hobbled with a hyperextended knee after colliding with Gerald Wallace early in the first game. Magic 4-2.
(3) Atlanta vs. (6) Milwaukee
This would have been a bit tougher to pick if Andrew Bogut did not suffer the most disgusting knee injury since Shaun Livingston destroyed his knee. Hawks 4-0.
(4) Boston vs. (5) Miami
Say all you want about how much of a fool Kevin Garnett was for elbowing Quentin Richardson. I will defend the action no matter how much you think a veteran should learn to restrain himself. Garnett may be suspended for one game but he might have lit a much needed fire under the proverbial butt of the Celts. Dwayne Wade will put up a fight but he does not have a supporting cast good enough to compete. Celtics 4-2.
West:
(1) Los Angeles vs. (8) Oklahoma City
The entertaining young up-and-comers versus the perennial power of the Lakers. As the Lakers proved in their first game, they just have too much fire power on offense and are a very solid defensive team as well. They are the most well-rounded team in the league. The Thunder will have to wait a few more years until they can compete with the likes of these Lakers. LA 4-1.
(2) Dallas vs. (7) San Antonio
San Antonio has too many players with too much mileage on the odometer. While they played well at the end of the season, thanks to a certain Argentinian, they are no match for a well-rounded Mavs team. Dallas 4-2.
(3) Phoenix vs. (6) Portland
Portland is going to miss Brandon Roy and not make it out of the first round for his return. While they took game one, the Trail Blazers cannot contend with Phoenix if Stoudemire stays out of foul trouble. However, it is already apparent how much the Suns are going to miss Robin Lopez. Phoenix wins in seven 4-3.
(4) Denver vs. (5) Utah
Denver has not been the same since George Karl had to step down due to throat cancer. However, injuries to Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko are too much to overcome for a once promising Jazz club.
Denver 4-3.
East Round 2:
(1) Cleveland vs. (4) Boston
Boston’s age will definitely show; Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins will not be able to carry Boston in this one. Cleveland has too much talent and energy for a semi-lethargic Boston club. Cleveland 4-1.
(2) Orlando vs. (3) Atlanta
This will be a great showdown. Yes, I know the Magic manhandled the Hawks in all but one game during the regular season and won the series 3-1, but I like Atlanta’s chemistry. They are a deeper team than the Magic in my eyes, and I believe Al Horford can bang around with Howard. Hawks win a close one 4-3.
West Round 2:
(1) Los Angeles vs. (4) Denver
This will be a tough matchup for the Lakers. However, they have more scoring options than the Nuggets and don’t have to rely on a couple of their players to score points; they have at least five options in Kobe, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom. Lakers win 4-2
(2) Dallas vs. (3) Phoenix
This is the series where the Suns will definitely miss Lopez. With Gordon Haywood and Erick Dampier to shut down Stoudemire, the Suns don’t stand a chance. They’ll compete for a few games, but in the end it won’t be enough. Dallas 4-2.
East Conference Finals:
(1) Cleveland vs. (3) Atlanta
The Hawks steal another one. Josh Smith is long and athletic enough to keep up with Lebron. James cannot win this one on his own and I do not think Jamison or Mo Williams will help bail him out against a deep Hawks team. Jamal Crawford will be the x-factor with his ability to create his own shot and Atlanta wins another hard fought series. Hawks 4-3.
West Conference Finals:
(1) Los Angeles vs. (2) Dallas
Dallas will prove to a difficult matchup for the Lakers. They matchup well at every position. This one comes down to two of the game’s best clutch performers in Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki. However, I feel as though the Lakers have the edge in Kobe, and are overall the better team on defense.
Finals:
Lakers vs Hawks
As much as I hate to say it, the Lakers take the cake. I hate the Lakers, I do not like Kobe, and I especially do not like Ron Artest, but I just don’t see them losing this one. They are a deep team with so many options they’re almost impossible to defend against. LA has finals experience which trumps a less experienced Hawks team. Lakers easily defeat a worn out Atlanta team 4-1.