NBA Playoff Preview & 2009-2010 Season

    
    THE 2010 NBA PLAYOFFS


EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Chicago Bulls
Prediction - Cavs in 4

--The Bulls are an up-and-coming team led by great young talent in Rose and Noah, but they're certainly not ready to challenge Lebron and the Cavs. I don't see this series having many close games even. Maybe the Bulls make a game out of Game 3, their first home game, but that's the closest they'll come to winning one. The Cavs are too talented, too experienced, and too bitter about losing to the Magic last year. Lebron is focused and ready to begin his assault on Jordan's 6 rings. Memo to the rest of the league............Watch the fuck out!


(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Miami Heat
Prediction - Heat in 7

--By far the most compelling of the first round matchups in the East. It will be billed as Dwade vs. the 3 headed monster of Boston, but really, it's Wade vs. Rondo. Rajon took over as the best player on the Celtics this year and they will need him to bring his A game to knock off the surging Heat. As we saw last year, Rondo can elevate his game in the playoffs when his team needs it most. He isn't good enough to hang with Wade all by himself so he better get major defensive contributions from KG and Pierce and even more major offensive contributions from Pierce and Allen. When it comes down to it, this C's team is over the hill and is about to get blown up this summer. Wade takes em down in a thriller of a series. 

(3) Atlanta Hawks vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
Prediction - Hawks in 5

--It's a real shame that the Bucks won't have Andrew Bogut, their leader and best player, available for this series. This team took a giant step forward this year outperforming anyone's expectations. With a core of Jennings and Bogut, watch out for them in the future if they add a couple more pieces. And most importantly, they need to resign John Salmons. As for this year though, they're finished. Joe Johnson and company will be too much for them to handle in round 1 without Bogut. Even with him I think the Hawks win the series, but without him it won't be close. 

(2) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Charlotte Bobcats

Prediction - Magic in 6

--The defending Eastern Conference Champs are back and ready for another run at this thing. Dwight's still not the dominant offensive force that he will need to be in order to win a title, but that doesn't mean he can't knock off Charlotte. And unlike last year, Jameer is healthy this post-season. The Bobcats have some serious talent and had a nice run this season. S Jax and Wallace will put up a fight and win a couple, but in the end the Magic will prove to be too much. If only they had MJ playin' rather than watching from the Owner's booth, they may have a shot. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction - Lakers in 5

--Regardless of the outcome of this series, I for one am extremely excited to watch it. Kevin Durant is now the most entertaining man in the league not named Lebron James. He has it all. Every shot in the book. He can score at will, and when he catches fire, you aren't beating him that day. I think he will do that once in this series. He may even go for 50. However, Kobe, Pau, Artest and crew are just a little too good for the Thunder at this point. At least KD will get his first shot on the National stage. He and his young nucleus of Westbrook, Green, and Harden will definitely be here to stay. 

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Utah Jazz

Prediction - Jazz in 7

--Prior to George Karl's second battle with cancer, I really thought the Nuggets had a chance to ruin the Lakers quest for a repeat. They can do it all. Chauncey is their leader. Carmelo is their scoring machine. Kenyon, Nene, and Birdman control the low post. They have wings, they play D, and they're very well coached. Well, they were very well coached. Ever since Karl left for treatment they haven't been the same team. They still are tremendously talented, but they lost whatever motivation they had I think. They'll put up a hell of a fight, but I just don't think they'll be able to gut it out against a very talented Jazz team led by the big-little combo of Boozer and Deron. 

(3) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Portland Trailblazers

Prediction - Suns in 5

--Damn she's hot, kinda like the Suns are right now. A few weeks ago it looked as if the Suns were fighting for the 6 or 7 seed. Now they're headed into the playoffs as one of the three hottest teams in the league. Terrific time to peak. With that said, I don't think they could take down the Blazers if Brandon Roy was playing. He's a premier go to guy and crunch time scorer. Without him, the Blazers will surely struggle to score down the stretch. Scoring is a must when you play the run-and-gun Suns. Looks like another unlucky end to the season for the Portland fan base. 

(2) Dallas Mavericks vs. (7) San Antonio Spurs

Prediction - Mavericks in 7

--This has to be the most anticipated series of the opening round. Who would have thought the mighty Spurs would be the 7th seed in this year's playoffs. The addition of Jefferson was supposed to take them back to the top of the hill out west. He hasn't really lived up to his talent level. As for Dallas, the mid-season addition of Butler and Haywood has elevated this team to another level. They are no longer a three-man circus. Butler gives them added scoring and great perimeter D. Haywood has really shored up the post on D. Role players Marion and Terry are always dangerous. Even JJ Barea and Beaubois are explosive off the bench. Dirk's squad goes 9 or 10 deep now and rarely has a lineup on the floor that can't compete with the best. And oh, did I mention they have J Kidd playing like he's 25 again? Duncan, Parker, and Manu will put up a fight. They always do. But, this time, it won't matter. 

Beyond The First Round

I will write matchup previews for the next rounds once we know who makes it there. For now, if my first round predictions go as planned, here is how I believe the rest of the Postseason will play out:

Second Round

Cavs over Heat in 5

Magic over Hawks in 7

Lakers over Jazz in 6

Mavericks over Suns in 6

Conference Finals

Cavs over Magic in 6

Lakers over Mavericks in 7

NBA Finals 

Cleveland Cavaliers over Los Angeles Lakers in 7

-A battle for the ages. Lebron wins his first ring and Finals MVP to go along with it. 

2009-2010 Regular Season Awards

MVP - Lebron James

29.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 8.6 apg, 1.6 spg and 1.0 bpg. Yep, just another year at the office for King James.

Runner up - Kevin Durant (picked him to win scoring title and he did) 

Honorable mention - Dwight Howard

My preseason Pick - Lebron James

Rookie of the Year - Tyreke Evans

One of three rookies ever to average: 20 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg. Well on his way to becoming an All-Star

Runner up - Stephen Curry

Honorable mention - Darren Collison

My preseason Pick - Blake Griffin

Defensive Player of the Year - Dwight Howard

Again led the league in rebounds and blocks, and just flat out dominates on the defensive end for the otherwise soft Orlando Magic. 

Runner up - Gerald Wallace

Honorable mention - Rajon Rondo 

My preseason Pick - Dwight Howard

6th Man of the Year - Jamal Crawford

Huge scoring boost off the bench for the Hawks this year. Top 12 in the NBA in points per 48 minutes played. 

Runner up - Manu Ginobili

Honorable mention - Jason Terry

My preseason Pick - Jason Terry

Coach of the Year - Scotty Brooks, OKC

Who in the world would have thought the young Thunder would be ready for the playoffs this soon? Most of it is due to Durant and Westbrook, but gotta give props to Scotty too. 

Runner up - Scott Skiles

Honorable mention - Jerry Sloan

My preseason Pick - Definitely not Eddie Jordan

Most Improved Player - Andrew Bogut

Turned into a legit top 3 Center this year. It's a shame he got hurt because he had the Bucks playing at a level that would've threatened even Lebron's crew. 

Runner up - Andray Blatche

Honorable mention - Channing Frye 

My preseason Pick - Thaddeus Young

Comeback Player of the Year - Zach Randolph

Granted he came back from being a lazy asshole and not an injury, but it's a comeback nonetheless. Randolph is an elite scoring big man and even plays a little D now. 

Runner up - Monta Ellis

My preseason Pick - Greg Oden 

First Team All-League

G - Steve Nash & Kobe Bryant

F - Lebron James & Kevin Durant

C - Dwight Howard

Second Team All-League

G - Deron Williams & Dwayne Wade

F - Carmelo Anthony & Dirk Nowitzki 

C - Amare Stoudemire

Honorable Mentions

G - Rajon Rondo

F - Chris Bosh 

C - Pau Gasol 

2009-2010 Fantasy Basketball Awards

MVP - Kevin Durant

30.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.6 threes, 1.4 spg, 1.0 bpg

Runner up - Lebron James

Honorable mention - Dirk Nowitzki

Rookie of the Year - Stephen Curry

Runner up - Tyreke Evans

Honorable mention - George Hill 

Biggest Bust - Gilbert Arenas

Runner up - Chris Paul 

Honorable mention - Devin Harris

Best Sleeper - Stephen Curry 

Runner up - Channing Frye

Honorable mention - Danilo Gallinari

Best Waiver Wire Pick Up - Andray Blatche

Runner up - Roy Hibbert

Honorable mention - George Hill 

First Team All-League

PG - Jason Kidd & Steve Nash 

SG - Dwayne Wade & Steph Curry

SF - Kevin Durant & Lebron James

PF - Dirk Nowitzki & David Lee

C - Al Horford & Brook Lopez

Second Team All-League

PG - Chauncey Billups & Deron Williams

SG - Manu Ginobili & Kobe Bryant

SF - Gerald Wallace & Josh Smith

PF - David West & Carlos Boozer

C - Amare Stoudemire & Dwight Howard

Honorable Mentions

G - Ray Allen 

F - Nene

C - Pau Gasol

Categories Leaders

FG% - Dwight Howard (.612) 

FT% - Steve Nash (.938) 

Threes - tie, Aaron Brooks & Danny Granger (2.5) 

Rebounds - Dwight Howard (13.2) 

Assists - Steve Nash (11.0)

Steals - Rajon Rondo (2.3) 

Blocks - Dwight Howard (2.8) 

Turnovers (most) - Monta Ellis (3.8)

Points - Kevin Durant (30.1) 

2010-2011 First Round Picks

1. Lebron James

2. Kevin Durant

3. Chris Paul 

4. Dwayne Wade

5. Dwight Howard

6. Steph Curry 

7. Dirk Nowitzki

8. Amare Stoudemire

9. Pau Gasol 

10. Chris Bosh 

11. Deron Williams 

12/13. Brook Lopez & Kobe Bryant