The NBA Playoffs: First Round Predictions

Eastern Conference:

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

When all is said and done the New York Knicks will win this series based on the performance of the scoring title champion Carmelo Anthony.  His three point shot is second to none, combined with his versatility within the perimeter; he will make it difficult for anyone to body him up with enough speed and oppressive consistency.  While Paul Pierce will provide some much needed sparks at the perimeter himself, and Kevin Garnett will battle valiantly for every rebound, without the dominance of Rajon Rondo at the point guard position, the Boston Celtics won’t be able to keep up with the Knicks high octane offense.

New York Knicks Win Series 4-2

Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks

 

This one is a no brainer.  Between the dominance of the Big Three (James, Wade, Bosh)

combined with an impressive bench line up which can play both defense and offense proficiently (Andersen, Miller, Jones), Milwaukee simply doesn’t have the depth or athletic ability to keep up with the swiftness and physicality of a Heat team that is valiantly seeking a second consecutive national championship.

Miami Heat Win Series 4-0

Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks

While the Pacers have lacked successful consistency down the stretch during the regular  Likewise, Atlanta has also had issues in the last dozen games of the regular season, particularly against teams that have solid defenses (San Antonio, Indiana, New York).  In the end, this game will come down to who can rebound the ball with continuity while also having the physical presence to drive the ball into the paint for either an easy lay-up or garnering a charge for two free throws.  In this type of defensive mash up, Atlanta simply doesn’t have the roster or depth to hold off this type of brutal onslaught.

season, Paul George, George Hill and especially Roy Hibbert have proven that overall they can not only be physical but also when the time comes they can play stellar offense on a fairly consistent basis.

Indiana Pacers Win Series 4-2

Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls

It would be easy to say that without Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls will once again be doomed to an existence of post-season irrelevancy.  However, when you look at their innate ability to not  While the Brooklyn Nets have proven to be dangerous offensively at times with Brook Lopez as an underrated center, they are even more proficient at the defensive side of the ball.  However, the Bulls are not only more athletically sound in terms of defense (3^rd in the league) they can also aggressively rebound more efficiently which gives them more opportunities to convert these relinquished possessions into point.  This series will come down to the wire, and may even be the most competitive series initially in the eastern conference.  However, the Bulls slightly better defensive effort combined with a stouter roster will prove too much for the Nets to handle

only demolish win streaks (Heat and Knicks) combined with their ability to prevent offensive heavy teams from getting on a hot streak, you have a recipe for success.

Chicago Bulls Win Series 4-3

Western Conference:

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets

Houston Rocket’s fans should be pleased that their team made the playoffs as a result of the acquisitions of Jeremy Lin and of course the always looming athletic super star James Harden.  However, this brief rejoice will come to an end when the Rockets realize that their biggest regret of the regular season was that they failed to defeat the Los Angeles in their final game, which would have them facing a banged up San Antonio team instead.  As it stands now though, the Houston Rockets will be subjected to an offensive powerhouse that contains two highly prestigious NBA superstars in Kevin Durant (3-time consecutive scoring champion) and the always ferocious and vigilant Russell Westbrook.  While the Rockets score better as team on a regular basis (2^nd in the league), their defense is simply atrocious (28^th in the league).  This lack of balance will end in Durant and company having their way offensively with the Houston Rockets.

Oklahoma City Thunder Win Series 4-1

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers

While the Lakers proved to that they could play somewhat effectively without the legendary   This isn’t to say that the Lakers will be simply steam rolled by the Spurs.  San Antonio is still recovering from several key injuries along with their lack of swiftness and speed that has proven to be effective in wearing down the Lakers half-court defense.  Gasol and Howard will also provide an oppressive front that should allow them to obtain several rebounds to keep things interesting throughout the series.  However, once Tony Parker and Tim Duncan comeback into prime form, the uphill battle the Lakers will have to contend with down the stretch will be simply too much to handle for this team.

Kobe Bryant, they simply don’t have the know-how or the versatile skill set to defeat the Spurs without Bryant as the guiding force.

San Antonio Spurs Win Series 4-3

Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets

Two Words. Stephen Curry. This young wunderkind has not only proven he deserves a place in   He can shoot the three.  He can hit his mid range jump shot with fluidity and poise. He can even drive to the basket with the elusiveness and skill of a long time veteran at the same position.  While the team lacks a strong defensive identity, the Nuggets also suffer from this standpoint as well.  In the end, as long as Kenneth “the manimal” Faried is not 100%, Curry will be simply unstoppable and will ultimately give the Warriors a chance at the conference semifinals to prove that they are more than just a one hit wonder.

the NBA, but that he is also one of the most dominant offensive forces that has graced the court this season.

Golden State Warriors Win Series 4-3

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Despite the Clippers internal strife, and their sub par performance in the latter half of the regular season, they still have one of the most imposing and ruthless big men in Blake Griffin   However, if anyone can give this team a run for their money it’s the Memphis Grizzlies.  They have the most dominant defense in the nation and have the ability to work the glass with a solid degree of aggressiveness and awareness.  Even with these attributes working in their favor, Memphis still has to contain Chris Paul while preventing him from dishing out the ball to his teammates, especially to the ever-ubiquitous Blake Griffin.  This type of persistence will overwhelm the Grizzlies just enough to prevent them from advancing to the next round in the playoffs.

along with a highly respected point guard in Chris Paul.

Los Angeles Clippers Win Series 4-3

The Lakers Without Kobe Bryant: A Necessary Transition

Without question, Kobe Bryant is one of the best to ever play the game.

His ecstatic display of pure athleticism was nothing short of mesmerizing. Especially over the last couple of weeks when it became abundantly clear that every game was essential to the Lakers dwindling chances of making the post season.  Day in and day out, Kobe battled adamantly against the critics and against the unbeatable force of nature that is time.  However, it appeared that Kobe had the potential to overcome this impossible obstacle by going out on the court and not only playing at an unprecedented level, but also in his ability to simply dominate the competition which has garnered him several prestigious accolades along with the notoriety of being one of the most prolific and gifted players of all time.

However, as quickly as these attributes became essential to the Lakers playoff survival, it all came crashing down when Kobe realized that not even he could overcome this newfound disabling injury which effectively ended his aspirations to play in the post season which he single handedly made possible for a team that was seemingly on the verge on being the biggest bust in sports history.

While these sentiments may seem pessimistic at first glance, it shouldn’t necessarily be viewed this way.  Rather, the realization should be that while Kobe’s absence may seem detrimental at this point in the season, the fact of the matter is that #24 can’t be around to bail out the Lakers forever.  Even for someone as determined and physically resilient as Kobe, the end of the road was becoming undeniably visible for a man who has valiantly competed in the NBA for over seventeen years. 

In light of this situation, Laker fans need to understand and accept the fact that a new era is dawning upon them.  While there are currently more questions than answers as to how this inconsistent roster will be shaped and used come next season, ultimately the Los Angeles Lakers organization needs to prepare for an existence where Kobe is no longer the dominant leader.  As blasphemous and disgraceful as this may sound to anyone who was watched the Lakers dominate with this man in the line up, we must find others who are willing to step up and become the new voice of unwavering encouragement.

If the Lakers are able to clinch a playoff berth then we will see some glimpses of potential candidates that will at least alleviate some of the concern as to how the Lakers will move on from this unthinkable loss.  It won’t be easy, and will definitely be awkward from the standpoint of long time players who have become utterly reliant on Kobe’s ability to control the game both on and off the court.  Nevertheless, if the Lakers want to continue being a reputable force to be reckoned with, then like it or not, someone must step up to the throne and have the courage to not only lead this team to continuous success but also to be an athletic freak nature that can single handedly win game after game without batting an eye.

There is no doubt, that this is a tall order to fill, even for the most experienced and agile of professional basketball players.  However, if the Lakers want to win then they must come together as a team and look in the mirror to realize that their long time security blanket is all but drained of all of us gifted luster. Whether it takes one year or ten, the Lakers, one of the most inspiring basketball organizations to compete in the NBA, will find a way to revitalize this crippled franchise come hell or high water.

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1.     Orioles Finish First In AL East

Despite the Blue Jays making ideal acquisitions from the Miami Marlins, the Baltimore Orioles were able to retain the majority of the 2012 team that contributed to their first playoff berth since 1996.  While some may consider the Orioles flakey or even right out lucky due largely in part to their clutch win ability in one run games (29-9) and their uncanny ability to maintain a level of heightened endurance during extra inning games (16-2).  However, it can’t be denied that the Orioles have the potential within their young bullpen in Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and Adam Jones.  While the Yankees have championship veterans in Derek Jeter and the legendary closer Mariano Rivera, both of these players are on the verge retirement (this is Rivera’s last season) and no longer have the youthful presence necessary to excel in the latter half of the MLB season.  If the Orioles can develop a proficient and persistent defense, especially at the closer position, then they have chance to the win the division for the first time since 1997.

2.     Cardinals Win NL, Reach 2013 World Series

You can never sleep on the St. Louis Cardinals.  You would think that winning a World Series in 2011 as a wild card team that just snuck into the playoffs and proceeded to beat the best team in the NL, wouldn’t be underestimated time and time again.  Yet, when you look at the upcoming predictions none of them even mention the Cardinals as a potential threat.  Not only was this team able to compete last season without their former scoring superstar Albert Pujols, they were able to once again make the playoffs while beating the Washington Nationals despite their superior regular season record (Sound familiar?) They were one game away from beating the San Francisco Giants that would have landed them in their second consecutive World Series.  However, even with this heart breaking loss the Cardinals proved two things: 1. They have incredible depth and post-season poise and 2. They should never be underestimated.

3.     San Francisco Giants Miss Playoffs

While the Giants impressive sweep of the Detroit Lions in the 2012 World Series was the epitome of a dominant performance, you have to wonder if such a display of timely athleticism is possible to duplicate in consecutive seasons, especially when the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing second half of regular season play.  On top of that, the Giants didn’t make many moves during the off season and retained much of their squad from last season, which either could be a devastating detriment or a dominant force to be reckoned with. 

4.     Texas Rangers Finish 3^rd in AL West

Without Josh Hamilton it’s hard to see the Rangers making another run at a playoff berth and attempt to capture a seemingly elusive world series victory.  While the Houston Astros don’t appear to be an intimidating division opponent, teams such as the Angles and Athletics aren’t going to be pushovers.  If anything, both teams look to be much improved which is bad news for a Rangers team that seemingly lacks the consistent skills to go all the way.

5.     Orioles Win 2013 World Series

That’s right, I said it.  A team that was considered to be a walking disappointment since the departure of Hall of Famer and Orioles legend Cal Ripken Junior, has once again entered back into world of baseball relevance.  Sure their methods are unconventional and admittedly it’s possible that some of the Orioles regular season wins were due to luck and stamina rather than innate baseball talent.  But, given how other teams have been underdogs in the past and have been able to pull off upsets of epic proportions (2011 Cardinals, 2004 Red Sox,  etc.), is it really so hard to believe that this young and revitalized Orioles franchise could pull off something this monumental? Maybe so. Yet, after watching the Orioles nearly give the New York Yankees a run for their money in last year’s playoff series, and observing how this team defied the odds to be a competitive icon in one of the most difficult divisions in the league, anything is possible.

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5. Baltimore Ravens   2012 Regular Season: 10-6 2012 Post Season: Super Bowl Champions

            While history doesn’t typically favor previous Super Bowl contenders in being able to make a run at a second consecutive title, after a surprising display of heart and perseverance that was the hallmark of their Super Bowl run, the Ravens have a great shot at making it back to the big dance.  While this may be hard to believe considering their defense has been systematically picked apart since the start of free agency, remember that throughout most of the regular season the Ravens were able to overcome defensive adversity by allowing their offense to take over the helm.  If their superb performance in last year’s playoffs is any indication of how stellar this team can be during the regular season, then the odds of them winning the Lombardi trophy are not quite as farfetched as some may believe.

4. New England Patriots 2012 Regular Season: 12-4 2012 Post Season: Lost in AFC Championship

            As long as Tom Brady is at the crux of this powerhouse offense, you can never count the Patriots out as a potential contender.  While they have come up short in their last two appearances, since those disappointing and demoralizing loses, this team has incrementally improved on both sides of the ball.  Not only do they have an adequate secondary and a young imposing defensive front, but their ability to run the ball consistently and effectively has also improved drastically in the last couple of years.  The only disheartening aspect of this teams ability to make it back is the loss of the their go to slot receiver Wes Welker.  Over the past several years Tom Brady was able to develop a strong and reliable rapport with the highly touted receiver that has been quintessential to their regular season successes.  Still, the Patriots have been known for being able to effectively rebuild their offense and on top of that they still have arguably the best tight ends in the league in Hernandez and Gronkowski.

3.  San Francisco 49ers  2012 Regular Season: 11-4-1   Post Season: Lost in Super Bowl

This team is built to win championships.  Their offensive line alone is far and away one of the most versatile and consistent fronts currently in the NFL.  Couple that with a stellar set of receivers and reliable tight ends and it would seem that you would have all the necessary ingredients for a dominant NFC team.  However, the main concern that prevents the 49ers from being at the top of this list is their quarterback.  While this may seem extremely surprising given his innate talents in terms of running the read option, after watching the Super Bowl it is clear that even this dynamic offensive scheme has its weaknesses.  On top of that, teams across the NFL will have the entire off-season to study Kaepernick to make his fluid actions seem less unpredictably savvy.  However, if Kaepernick continues to build off his unexpected successes of last season, than he has the potential to be not only a confident and respected young quarterback, but also a future Super Bowl champion

2. Green Bay Packers 2012 Regular Season: 11-5 Post Season: Lost in Divisional Round

If you have one of the best quarterbacks in the league year in and year out, then chances are you will be a continual threat come post-season play.  Aaron Rodgers has more than proven that he is not only the best quarterback in the league but that he is clearly the face of this hopeful and passionate Green Bay Packers organizations.  While Rodgers’ individual accolades are nothing short of spectacular, the rest of teams isolated performances don’t quite meat this lofty standard.  The defensive front lacks complete consistency, and their running game, while improved, has never been a reliable component of how the Packers run their high-octane offensive attack.  If this team can fully utilize not just Aaron Rodgers, but also the other essential aspects that are required for a definitive championship run, then watch out folks because we’ll be in for a hell of a ride.

1. Atlanta Falcons 2012 Regular Season: 13-3 Post Season: Lost in NFC Championship

Offensively, this team has it all.  They have a superb quarterback in Matt Ryan along with two of the best and reliable wide outs in the league in Julio Jones and Roddy White.  On top of that, one of the most prolific and battle tested tight ends in the NFL (Tony Gonzalez) has decided to forgo retirement for one more year to come back and valiantly compete for a championship.  While the Falcons running game has been relatively non existent as of recently, that looks to change with the advent of their recent acquisition in Steven Jackson, a consistent 1,000 yard rusher who has at times single handedly carried the St. Louis Rams.  The only blemish that would prevent this team from reaching NFL stardom is a stifled and deflated defense that has failed to crack the top 20 in terms of effectiveness.  If the Falcons can address this issue by using its given draft picks effectively, then we could potentially be witnesses to one of the most complete and awe inspiring teams to enter 2013 NFL season.

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5. Steven Jackson   Position: RB   Former Team: St. Louis Rams   Current Team: Atlanta Falcons

After a much-improved 2012 Rams team went 7-8-1 and was able to beat the NFC Juggernaut San Francisco 49ers you would suspect that this team wouldn’t change their player dynamic all that much.  However, after losing Steven Jackson, one of the most formidable and explosive runners in the game, it would appear that this is not the case.  Combine that with the lose of Danny Amendola, who many claim is a underrated Wes Welker, and you have a Rams team that lacks any type of solidified identity.  However, there is still one ferocious running back to be added in free agency: Ahmad Bradshaw.  Not only did he rush for nearly the same amount of yards as Jackson (1,015 compared to Jackson’s 1,042) but he also managed to score more rushing touchdowns (6 compared to Jackson’s 4).  If the Rams can pick up this young and explosive running back, then they just might stand a chance of competing in the newly reinvigorated NFC West.

4. Shonn Greene    Position: RB   Former Team: New York Jets   Current Team Tennessee Titans

It looks like the Jets are in for a season of rebuilding.  Not only will the Jets lose arguably one of the best corners in the league and the crux of what held their defense together (Derelle Revis), but will also at the same time lose a key component of what kept their offense from being a complete joke.  Greene has been a consistent 1,000-yard rusher over the past two years and had a career high of 8 rushing touchdowns during the regular season.  While there are plenty of options at the running back position such as Ahmad Bradshaw, Peyton Hillis (Kansas City) or Felix Jones (Dallas Cowboys); none of these options garner the same prestige as Shonn Greene has been able to valiantly accomplish in the last two years. 

3.  Mike Wallace   Position: WR   Former Team: Pittsburgh Steelers   Current Team: Miami Dolphins

While some say the Dolphins overpaid for this prolific wide out (5 years, $60 million), all you have to do is see his overall production over the last few years to fully understand how dangerous of an offensive threat this man can be on the field.  While he admittedly had a lackluster season in terms of yardage (836 compared to 1,193 the year before) he was able to match his last season’s touchdown count with 8 individual scores throughout the regular season.  The Steelers may not be in complete turmoil as there are several efficient wide outs (Brandon Lloyd and Victor Cruz) up for grabs and have the potential to fill the void.  However, with the lose of the Steelers offensive powerhouse in running back Rashard Mendenhall, this team needs to make a decisive move before their team becomes an offensive enigma.

2. Dannell Ellerbe   Position: LB  Former Team: Baltimore Ravens  Current Team: Miami Dolphins

The Ravens defensive woes last season were nothing short of depressing.  Between injures to Terrell Suggs and future hall of famer Ray Lewis, all hope seemed to be lost in what appeared to be another disappointing season.  Until Ellerbe stepped up to the plate.  This defensive prodigy had over 69 individual tackles during the regular season combined with 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles that were crucial in keeping the Ravens post season hopes alive. Unfortunately, the heir to the proverbial throne that was left behind by Lewis still remains vacant.  Luckily, there are still a few solid linebackers left that have the potential and the overall experience to make this lose much more bearable.  Veterans such as Karlos Dansby (101 tackles) and Rey Maualuga (122 combined tackles) could be the efficient defensive leaders Baltimore needs at the linebacker position.

1. Wes Welker Position: WR   Former Team: New England Patriots   Current Team: Denver Broncos

Why and how the Patriots thought it was logical to release one of the best receivers in the league I’ll never understand.  In 5 out of his last 6 seasons he had over a thousand yards receiving while catching more than 5 touchdowns passes in 4 out of the last 6.  While Welker did have some critical drops at times, particularly against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game, at 31 years of age Welker had room to improve on these slight blemishes and has proved over the last several years that he is an overall reliable and quick slot receiver.  Not only is it a travesty that the Patriots lost this offensive juggernaut, but what makes this move even more palpable is the fact that he went to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos who are definitely looking to redeem themselves after a heartbreaking lose to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.  The Patriots organization will be kicking themselves when they end up playing the Broncos in the AFC Championship game and once again end up losing a close one because Wes Welker will give the Broncos the slight edge needed to pull out a decisive victory.  At that point, all anyone will have to say is “we told you so.”

Manti Te’o: Scrub or a Potential Defensive Legend?

According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, in his mock draft he has Manti Te’o, the once hyped and respected linebacker out Notre Dame, going to the Baltimore Ravens as the 32^nd overall pick in the first round.

While some are willing to give Te’o a pass because of his undeniably consistent resume throughout his college career (aside from his atrocious performance at the BCS National Championship); between his questionable naivety when it came to his involvement with a fake love interest to his lack of physical prowess at the NFL Combine, it’s hard to justify why Manti Te’o should be allowed to join an organization that takes pride in maintaining a dominant defense.

Any opportunity of Manti Te’o garnering any sort of attention because of his intangible leadership qualities has gone out the window.  Worse still, whoever Te’o goes to in the draft will continuously ridicule him for his ill advised mistake which as a result could effect Te’o’s mental psyche in a negative way that prevents him from being a stand out defensive force.

While it can’t be denied that the Ravens need to bolster their defensive front with a reliable linebacker since the departure of future Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis, the fact of the matter is that Baltimore already has numerous free agents that are not only proven successes at the same position, but are also young enough to build upon their triumphs to become even more reliable.

Instead, the Ravens need to focus on securing a dominant free safety as Ed Reed will most likely depart ways with this franchise due to lack of financial space in which to secure him.

Even if he were to remain a Raven come next season, at some point (sooner rather than later) this team is going to at least want a new defensive force that can hold down the secondary just as effectively if not better than Reed once he finally does retire.

Eventually, Manti Te’o may be able to endure the constant verbal bashings, and may even be able to overcome his recent athletic shortcomings and prove to be a severely underrated draft pick just like Ray Lewis was back in the 90’s. 

However, until Te’o is able to unquestionably and adamantly prove that he has what it takes to overcome the critics disappointing perception of his physical abilities while crafting a mental fortitude that doesn’t bring his character into question, he is not only a waste of a first round pick, but quite frankly, a waste of time.

A New Legacy: Alex Smith Traded To Kansas City

One thing is for sure: Kansas City will no longer be the worst team in the league.

Say what you will about the coaching inadequacies, the inconsistent offensive line or how great quarterbacks transform into players depressing of mediocrity; but at the end of the day it can’t be denied that Alex Smith brings inspirational hope and drive to a team that needs it desperately.

In a move that was frankly unsurprising, the Kansas City Chiefs sacrificed their 2^nd round draft pick for this years NFL draft, along with relinquishing a mid-round pick for the 2014 draft to obtain the highly touted and effective Alex Smith.

Not only did Kansas City get this under appreciated player at a bargain, but also San Francisco was able to bolster its draft options by retaining over 12 picks for this year’s draft.  This will allow them to bolster their offensive line even further, while allowing them to effectively bring in young defensive talent.  As a result, the defensive legacy of the 49ers will continue to flourish and will be the prominent crux for how tough and consistent this team will be in the coming years.

However, while this deal would appear to be a match made in heaven for the Chiefs, consider how their most recent quarterback acquisition, Matt Cassel, fared after leaving the New England Patriots.

In his first year with the Chiefs, Matt Cassel posted lackluster numbers with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions respectively.  However, in his second year Matt Cassel flourished as the centerpiece of the Kansas City offense by throwing 27 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions in a highly successful season that allowed the Chiefs to gain a wild card playoff berth (which they subsequently lost to the Baltimore Ravens).

Unfortunately, Matt Cassel proved less than stellar in the 2011 season by not only failing to maintain consistency from one season to the next, but was also forced to relinquish his responsibilities to the back up Tyler Palko at the time after he injured his hand in week 10 of the regular season.  This effectively ended the Chiefs aspirations of being professionally relevant and ultimately, plunged them back down the rabbit hole into an everlasting state of tragic mediocrity once again.

Now, with the a new quarterback in town which undoubtedly brings a new sense of confidence and hope comes the possibility of an unmitigated disaster that fans simply can’t deal with anymore.  This is a city that takes pride in their sports teams despite lacking any recent accolades.  They have an unwavering faith that is a borderline religious commitment of the highest order.  While this may put tremendous pressure on Alex Smith to not only succeed but to ultimately excel where many others have failed, the fact of the matter is that it should.

 

Being a successful quarterback is more than just getting the necessary wins or throwing the game winning touchdown to clinch a playoff berth; its about being able to overcome adversity and to be self confident enough to shake off the bad moments in order to fight valiantly to gain the victories when they matter most. 

In San Francisco, despite the hatred and the malcontent Alex Smith had to deal with when it seemed he was the definition of a scrub, he was able to push through this pessimism to become one of the most accurate and well-poised quarterbacks in the league.

Whether or not Alex Smith can bring this solidified mentality to the worn and torn Kansas City Chiefs still remains to be seen.  But if any quarterbacks knows how to disprove the naysayers and can bring a competitive edge to team with great athletic potential, it’s Alex Smith.