With each of the NBA teams having only two games left in the regular season, the playoffs are right around the corner. I can say we actually have a lot to look forward to this playoff season. However, I seriously doubt if any match up will be as intense as the ’96 Bulls vs. Jazz.
Or the Bulls vs. the Pacers. Or the old school Bulls against…well, anybody.
Don’t get me wrong; I am sure the playoffs will be worth watching. I’m just an old school fan.
If the playoffs started today, the match-up in the East that would be the most intense would be the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards. Although the Cavaliers did make it to the finals last year, they cannot sleep on the Wizards.
Gilbert Arenas has the potential to lead his team pass the Cavaliers. During the regular season, both teams split the wins 2-2. In the playoffs, Lebron James is going to shine (as if he doesn’t do it any other time of the year). Be that the case, I believe the Cavaliers will win that series 3-2, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they fell short. After all, the NBA’s motto this year is: where amazing happens.
All NBA analysts seems to agree that the West – which ever team makes it to the final – will ultimately take the ring. The Miami Heat was the last team in the East to win a championship just two years ago. Although considering now they are neck and neck for the worst record of the year, I don’t know if they are even worth mentioning at the moment.
So if the playoffs started today, the match-up that will have the most viewers watching would be the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns. Shaq is ancient history according to NBA terms, but he and Tim Duncan also put on a show. Plus, the Suns’ Amare Stoudemire is really the lead center; Shaq is just a back up.
Let’s not forget Steve Nash. The Spurs have the better record for home games so their home court advantage could very well play in their favor. But I, for one, am tired of seeing the Spurs win! They are arguably the most efficient, fundamental, three-passes-before-you-shoot team in the league, but they are also one of the more boring teams in the league.
During the regular season, Phoenix won the match-up 3-1, but everyone knows all the records are in vain once the playoffs began. Plus, the Spurs have proven time and time again that they are more than capable of winning a playoff series and winning a championship. I would love to see Duncan and Tony Parker going fishing with commentators Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
My pick for the East is the Celtics and the West is the Lakers. All I ask is whichever team makes it to the finals, let the games be worth watching.
It would really hurt to have to watch golf in the post-season.
Keara Jones is a junior broadcast journalism student from Orlando. She can be reached at thefamuansports@hotmail.com