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Sunday, May 01, 2011
SportsSpeak73: NBA Playoffs: Round 2 Breakdown
SportsSpeak73: NBA Playoffs: Round 2 Breakdown: "First up, the Thunder vs the Grizzlies. While the Thunder suffered a surprising Game 1 loss in this Conference Semi-Final match-up, I exp..."
NBA Playoffs: Round 2 Breakdown
First up, the Thunder vs the Grizzlies.
While the Thunder suffered a surprising Game 1 loss in this Conference Semi-Final match-up, I expect the scoring ability and tenacity of starts Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook, as well as the defensive intensity of C Kendrick Perkins to be more than enough to slay the Grizzlies hopes of progressing any further in this years playoffs. SF Shane Battier may be able to contain Durant, but I doubt he's able to stop him and the Grizzlies have no one who can stay in front of Westbrook for an entire game. Expect both Westbrook and Durant to bring the Thunder at both ends of the floor and lead Oklahoma City to the Conference Finals.
Lakers vs Mavericks
This series features two teams whom on paper seem nearly the same. Both flaunt large front lines (Bynum & Gasol vs Chandler & Nowitzki), effective wings (Bryant vs Marion), and go-to guys in the clutch (Bryant vs Nowitzki). While the Mavs appear to be significantly deeper than the Lakers, the fact remains that in the aforementioned comparisons the Lakers are slightly more skilled at every aspect. As such I give the edge to the Lakers who also have Kobe's indomitable will at their disposal.
Heat vs Celtics:
The Celtics ruined any shot they had of winning another championship when they traded away Kendrick Perkins, plain and simple. However, I dont think Perkins was a necessary cog to ensure the Celtics beat the Heat in a 7 game series. The Heat have two of the games most skilled players in LeBron James and Dwayne Wade but the Celtics are almost incomprehensible in their defensive tenacity. Bosh will likely be rendered useless against defensive stalwart Kevin Garnett, and James has been known to struggle against the Celtics. On offense, the Celtics have the luxury of knowing no on on the Heat can keep Rajon Rondo from going which ever way he chooses to get into the paint where his productivity will Chill the Heats chances.
Bulls vs Hawks:
Derrick Rose vs Jamaal Crawford, Luol Deng vs Joe Johnson, Joakim Noa vs Al Horford, this series could be one of the most competitive series in recent memory. However, I expect the Bulls to trample the Hawks in Six. Rose seemingly has no equal, definitely not in this series, and will run roughshod over a suspect Atlanta defense. Look for the Bulls to employ tough, suffocating defense on the Hawks in order to slow down the Hawks easy baskets. Rookie head coach Tom Thibodeau has an excellent defensive mind and drive the Bulls right into the Conference finals.
While the Thunder suffered a surprising Game 1 loss in this Conference Semi-Final match-up, I expect the scoring ability and tenacity of starts Kevin Durant & Russell Westbrook, as well as the defensive intensity of C Kendrick Perkins to be more than enough to slay the Grizzlies hopes of progressing any further in this years playoffs. SF Shane Battier may be able to contain Durant, but I doubt he's able to stop him and the Grizzlies have no one who can stay in front of Westbrook for an entire game. Expect both Westbrook and Durant to bring the Thunder at both ends of the floor and lead Oklahoma City to the Conference Finals.
Lakers vs Mavericks
This series features two teams whom on paper seem nearly the same. Both flaunt large front lines (Bynum & Gasol vs Chandler & Nowitzki), effective wings (Bryant vs Marion), and go-to guys in the clutch (Bryant vs Nowitzki). While the Mavs appear to be significantly deeper than the Lakers, the fact remains that in the aforementioned comparisons the Lakers are slightly more skilled at every aspect. As such I give the edge to the Lakers who also have Kobe's indomitable will at their disposal.
Heat vs Celtics:
The Celtics ruined any shot they had of winning another championship when they traded away Kendrick Perkins, plain and simple. However, I dont think Perkins was a necessary cog to ensure the Celtics beat the Heat in a 7 game series. The Heat have two of the games most skilled players in LeBron James and Dwayne Wade but the Celtics are almost incomprehensible in their defensive tenacity. Bosh will likely be rendered useless against defensive stalwart Kevin Garnett, and James has been known to struggle against the Celtics. On offense, the Celtics have the luxury of knowing no on on the Heat can keep Rajon Rondo from going which ever way he chooses to get into the paint where his productivity will Chill the Heats chances.
Bulls vs Hawks:
Derrick Rose vs Jamaal Crawford, Luol Deng vs Joe Johnson, Joakim Noa vs Al Horford, this series could be one of the most competitive series in recent memory. However, I expect the Bulls to trample the Hawks in Six. Rose seemingly has no equal, definitely not in this series, and will run roughshod over a suspect Atlanta defense. Look for the Bulls to employ tough, suffocating defense on the Hawks in order to slow down the Hawks easy baskets. Rookie head coach Tom Thibodeau has an excellent defensive mind and drive the Bulls right into the Conference finals.
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