NBA Playoffs

[Crimson_Hero]

The 08 regular season has seen a historic level of play, the playoffs are around the corner, and yet there is no discussion? For shame ZU, for shame.

Granted, after the way the fans were robbed last season, I can understand your weariness. But take heart. Though there are no guarantees against poor/malicious officiating, there is always the silver lining that the Sports Gods will bring us a legit champion like they did with the NFL this year.

Just remember, even if you're not an NBA person, there are plenty of
respectable bandwagons to jump on this year, even more so than last year.

My thoughts on 1st round Matchups:

Boston Celtics vs. the Atlanta Hawks - I'll just give Atlanta this little vote of confidence: If they even manage to win ONE game, they have every right in the world to play the "Nobody believed in us" Card. Either way, I doubt this will play out like the Warriors/Mavs series last year, or be nearly as competitive. Boston in 4.

Clevland Lebrons vs. Washington Wizards - This is turning into be an annual thrashing, but with the return of Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas/Agent Zero/East Coast Assassin/The Accumulator of Badass Nicknames, it should be interesting again. Wizards in 6.

Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz - Its weird, I've been a Rockets supporter (but not fan) ever since the Hakeem the Dream made jumping on their bandwagon cool. But I kind of want them to lose, if only to give their fans more fire to create threads like this. Rockets in 7

Denver Nuggets vs. LA Lakers -


No comment, Lakers in 5.

Dallas Mavericks vs. The New Orleans Hornets - Last year, Baron Davis said it best: "We Hungry." That hunger seems to have finally contaminated the Mavs, because they're finally playing with that 3rd world look of utter starvation in their eyes. Too bad for Chris Paul, this year's Main Protagonist, he must be the one sacrificed to appease the Sports Gods. Mavs in 7.

Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs/Refs/David Stern - Every sport needs their good guys and bad guys. But like the most interesting of conflicts, each side has different shades of grey, so who to root for isn't really all that clear. The shining Suns's grey spot: They sold their soul to El Diablo Riley, in exchange for the newly dubbed Purple Moses, Shaqman Cactus. The one aspect of the rotten Spurs that makes wishing for them to die horrible deaths that much more difficult? The thought of this Goddess crying:

Suns in 4.

The other 2 matchups aren't worth mentioning. But look at it this way: Last year, there were only 2 matchups worth watching in the first round. This year however? High drama, nearly all across the board.