West Preview

NBA Playoffs Western Conference Preview

SA Versus Sac

The Spurs cruised to the number 1 seed in the west with an injured Duncan. He is still being hobbled by that injury, but don’t expect him to be that affected by it in this series. The Kings played great ball once they got Artest. He has been that shutdown defender they needed. But he won’t have the offensive firepower, or the defensive ability to shutdown Duncan. With that said they can still win 1 maybe a second so I have the Spurs in 6

Dallas versus Memphis

I originally had Dallas in 3 but that was when I thought the series was a best of 5, so I know have them in 4. Dallas has been playing the best overall basketball this entire season and Memphis won’t have a prayer in this series.

LA Clippers versus Denver

I loooove the Clippers. I have been a Clipper fan for a few years and I think this year they have a very well balanced team. They have Cassell at the point, Brand and Kamen inside, they have Cat at the wing, and they have Shaun coming off the bench with Radmonovich (who was acquired in a mid-season trade from Seattle). The Clippers haven’t won a playoff series since 1993, but they hold home court advantage in this series even though they are the lower seed. Cassell will pound the ball into Kamen and Brand, who should have been MVP, and hit the open jumper when needed. I have the Clippers in 5

Phoenix versus LAL

The Lakers have Kobe; Phoenix has everyone else that is worth mentioning. This should be an easy series for the Suns, but it won’t. Kobe will steal a bunch of wins for the Lakers, right now the series is 1-1. Kobe is very good. Kobe will show the world why people compare him to Jordan and why he wanted to lead this team without Shaq, because as long as Shaq was on his team he wouldn’t be help up as high without him. So he got rid of Shaq and now we will see why. In the end I have the Suns in 6.

Second Round

Dallas versus SAS

Like I said before, Dallas has been playing the best basketball all year. The Spurs are the defending champs, but their run will end here. The Mavs have the bodies to stop Duncan. I think Terry can shut down Parker. I think Manu will get some points, but it won’t be enough. Dirk is playing his best ball yet, and he will lead the Mavs into the conference finals with a huge game 7 victory.

LA Clippers versus Phoenix

The Suns know how to win in the playoffs. The Clippers don’t. The Clippers will have the advantage on the inside because Thomas can’t stop Brand. But the Suns have the advantage on the outside and with the fastbreak. This series will be very exciting to watch and very well played. In the end the Clippers will give a valiant effort, but they are still a year or two away from really contending in the West, and lose in 6.

Western Conference Finals

Dallas versus Phoenix

This will also be an amazing series to watch. The series has two very offensively talented teams who can also play some D. The Suns have the better guard play, while the Mavs have better big men, especially because Amare isn’t playing. This series will also go to the max and much to the dismay of some friends (Jon, Yosef, Yosef) I think Dirk will dominate the series and the Mavs can play D now with Coach of the year Avery Johnson that they will have the ability to pull out the series win. Also there isn’t a way the Suns can win the whole thing without Amare. Dallas in 7

NBA Finals preview coming later