We'll Start with the first round series.
Eastern Conference
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic
I'm just waiting for the media to start playing up Darko's return to Detroit. Wouldn't it be great if he hit a game winning shot or two?
The Big Question: Will the Pistons sleepwalk through a few games and give them away?
The Pick Pistons in 6. (So, yes, they will sleepwalk and give away two games)
(2) Cavs vs. (7) Wizards
A rematch from last years first-round, only
a) LeBron is no longer a playoff rookie
b) Some key members of the Cavs have developed nicely (Gibson, Andy, Sasha)
c) The Wiz are without some key players
The Big Question: How will Mike Brown handle his bench in the playoffs?
The Pick: Cavs in Five (Mike Brown uses Eric Snow too much in one game, and the Cavs lose ... probably game 3)
(3) Raptors vs. (6) Nets
Did you know that Vince Carter used to play for the Raptors, and then tanked his way out of town? Or that the Raptors have vaulted from #1 draft pick status to division champion status in one year? If you didn't, you'll know it soon after the media hypes it for a week.
The Big Question: How did a team as talented as the Nets only get the #6 seed in the Eastern Conference?
The Pick: Nets in seven (and Vince Carter hits the game winning shot in Toronto)
(4) Heat vs. (5) Bulls
(Bulls have home-court advantage)
Another rematch from last years playoffs. This one just as interesting as it was last year.
The Big Question: Will the hot/cold shooting of the Bulls and their lack of interior scoring kill them in this series, or in another series?
The Other Big Question: How's the shoulder, Flash?
The Pick: Bulls in 7 (after Big Ben hurts Flash' shoulder in game six)
Western Conference
(1) Mavs vs. (8) Warriors
Did you know that the Warriors are the only team the Mavs didn't beat this regular season? You will, by the time you watch five minutes of any coverage of the Mavs this week.
The Big Question: Will the Warriors, after more than a decade out of the playoffs, simply be happy to be there?
The Pick: Mavs in four (that happiness won't last long)
(2) Suns vs. (7) Lakers
Yet another rematch from last year. If the Lakers were fully healthy and fully gelled, this would be a good series. That's not the case.
The Big Question: How many games can Kobe win by himself?
The Pick: Suns in 5 (Kobe goes for fiddy in game three, and the Lakers win)
(3) Spurs vs. (6) Nuggets
This is the second-most intriguing match-up of the first round for me. The Spurs are a veteran team, with championship experience, and are built to succeed in the playoffs. The Nuggets are up-and-coming, and their terrific two-headed monster is finally starting to gel.
The Big Question: Can Marcus Camby be effective on Tim Duncan?
The Pick: Nuggets in six (I'm not betting against AI in the first round)
(4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets
(Rockets have home-court advantage)
I hate Carlos Boozer.
The Big Question: Can T-Mac get out of the first round?
The Other Question: How long until we're sick of that question?
The Pick: Rockets in 5 (T-Mac will leave no doubt, and I really hope Yao neuters Boozer)
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