NBA Player Awards and Playoff Predictions
It’s been a while, but there’s a good reason for this: I’ve been busy (smile!!!). Between Sportscenter, ESPNews, First Take, ESPN Radio, re-designing my own website, pursuing a multitude of new ventures and fatherhood, life has been a bit hectic. But I’d have it no other way.
Still, I hope none of you thought I’d neglect to reach out to you before the NBA playoffs. It’s my favorite time of the year, folks, and I don’t like to enjoy myself all by myself. So let me share the wealth a little bit and talk about these playoff matchups. First, though, I’ll dish out a few NBA Awards:
League MVP: LeBron James – This was really tough because I love what Dwayne Wade did this year. But LeBron’s numbers were right up there with him, plus he won 23 more games. It’s his time! Just like it was Kobe’s time last year.
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard – He’s the best big man in the game and plays like it. And he has no help defensively on Orlando’s frontline and the Magic are still a stellar defensive team when they need to be.
Sixth Man of the Year: Jason Terry – This kid averaged 19.6 points a game in just 33 minutes, and propelled the Mavs into the playoffs while making sure they avoided
the 8th seed –and a date with the Lakers in the first round. Dallas would not be where they are without him.
Most Improved Player: Danny Granger – Maybe if Granger was in LA instead of Indiana, Kobe would’ve had another title by now. Granger would’ve been Kobe’s Scottie Pippen-like complimentary piece, and who can argue. Granger averaged 25.8 points. His mid-range game is evident. And he wants to be a star. The kid is special. No contest for this award, as far as I’m concerned.
Coach of the Year – George Karl – The man has cried for years over the need for a point guard in Denver, and from the moment Chauncey Billups arrived, the Nuggets were the team Coach Karl swore they could be. They play together. They play defense. And, for once, they’re not a lower-tiered seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Karl deserves credit for this. But they had better not lose to the Hornets in the first round.
Now onto the playoff matchups:
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Cavs/Pistons: Cavs in 5. Pistons are not what they use to be. Good news is, they know. No big deal here. Detroit’s better days will return. Just not right now.
Hawks/Heat: Hawks in 7. I’m not comfortable with this pick for two reasons: The Hawks immaturity – too many problems to get into right now –and Dwayne Wade. He’s a stu
d, a superstar, who never fails to rise to the occasion. But it’s going to be very difficult for this Heat’ team to win a game in the ATL.
Celtics/Bulls: Celtics in 4. Please! I won’t even waste my time discussing this.
Magic/76ers: Magic in 6. The Magic have best rebounder and most dominant big man in the game in Dwight Howard, surrounded by a bunch of perimeter shooters, even the injured Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. The Sixers have length, athletes and hunger, but no shooters at all, evidenced by being the worse 3-point shooting team in the league. They could fall to the Magic in 5, but I’m being nice.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Lakers/Jazz: Lakers in 6. Originally, I was inclined to pick the Lakers in 5 because they’re just too good. But the Jazz are really tough at home, Deron Williams is a stud and the second-best PG in the game, and if Utah loses a game at home, I don’t think it’ll happen before Game 6.
Blazers/Rockets: Blazers in 7. Folks can talk all the nonsense they want about Tracy McGrady, but I’m not convinced the Rockets are better without him. Plus, Brandon Roy is the real deal. If Artest doesn’t get away with being physical with him, Portland is not losing this series.
Nuggets/Hornets: Hornets in 6. Love Chaucey Billups and Carmelo Anthony. It wouldn’t surprise me if they won this series in 7 games, at all. But I’m not betting against Chris Paul. I just can’t do it.
Mavs/Spurs: Mavs in 6. San Antonio has the championship pedigree, and I would’ve picked them if Manu Ginobili were healthy. But he’s out, and the Mavs have their own version of him in Jason Terry. That will make the difference.
I think the Bulls/Celtics matchup is not going to be a sweep. The Celtics are not that good without KG. The matchups are equal in this game. KG makes the players around him better, but without him the Celtics are no better than the Bulls. The Bulls can win this series if the are able to run and make Boston run with them. Derrick Rose is going to be the key to the Bulls winning this series.
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From Stephen A: I guess you’re a prophet
“Celtics in 4. Please! I won’t even waste my time discussing this.”
“This will be a sweep, no need to discuss it.”
How about you get over yourself. I’ve never seen anyone who has so successfully convinced himself that you are the greatest thing in the world. You are probably the cockiest, most irritating, prideful public figure I have ever seen.
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From Stephen A: Maybe! But I’m also man enough to admit when I’m wrong….and clearly I was about the Bulls. I stand corrected. It was a sports prediction. Relax! It’s not like I’m raising your taxes or screwed up your mortgate loan. Chill out!
By the way, I realize you probably won’t agree to post my comment because you wouldn’t want anyone to see it. But I’ve said the truth– I’m happy.
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From Stephen A: Ofcourse I’ll post your comments. I don’t care if people disagree with me. I’m right 95% of the time…..not 100% of the time. It’s cool.
Denver will beat New Orleans. Chris Paul just doesn’t have enough help. Forget about Anthony and Billups, JR Smith is the most important player on the Nuggets roster. He’ll take over the series, just watch!
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From Stephen A: You may be right. It would be nice to see Carmelo get out of the first round. He deserves better. But I’m still not betting against Chris Paul until I see it happen.
Boston will stoop any body that gets in their way from them reaching the top of the mountain. Kobe ain’t shit any mo he iz washed up like an old bum on the streetz or on a corner drinking a 40. Lebron and Co. will do the same as boston don’t stop get it get it man! Kobe needz to retire now before Lebron makes him look bad and never get a chance to eva see the M.V.P. again! Do you feel me! Leave a comment.
Celtics in four, huh?!? I heard you say the Bulls had a 0% chance in winning this first round series… To me it looks more like a toss up now, huh? George Karl coach of the year??? Wrong again… How come you didn’t mention your pick for Rookie of the Year. Is it because you’re a Bulls hater? Do you hate Jordan, also? Are you a Bulls hater, because you’re like everyone from New York holding a grudge, because Patrick never got a ring? Yeah, well I don’t blame you, (I’m a Cubs fan), and I don’t hate you even though I never heard you say anything objective about the Bulls… I’ll miss your idiotic pro-New York point of view on ESPN, because I was always laughing at you just like Michael, Scottie and the rest of the Bulls were laughing at Patrick and the rest of the Association!!! lol
Mr Smith! I’m just a humble college kid studying in Scotland. I wanted to let you know that I kept up with US sports through ESPN.com and the podcasts from my favorite shows: PTI, and Quite Frankly. I didn’t know what to do with myself when I couldn’t get my fix anymore! Now, we both know the Bulls aren’t going to get swept. Having seen two close games in Boston, where the Cs were unbeatable in the playoffs last season, do you give the Bulls a chance?
Did you say fatherhood?
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From SAS: Yes Maam
Thats great Mr. Smith your a great man, a great role model, and I know you will be a great father. Congrats. Have fun in Miami.
Nice pick on that Hornets series.
Good to see you “just can’t” pick against Chris Paul.
Mr. Billups, has done quite a little number on “you’re boy”.
Oh, and you might probably should have “wasted” a little time taking a closer look at the Celtics/Bulls series Mr. NBA.
Stephen A….what’s good my man? Mr. NBA, are you at all impressed by the Nugs? I know you said you didn’t believe in them as a legit #2 seed, but after they’ve dismantled the Hornets, you might want to reconsider. Oh yeah, they’ll beat the Mavs in 5 as well. (I live in the Dallas area) You heard it here first. After the Lakers have to battle the Rockets, don’t be surprised if they push your beloved Lakers to the brink! I’ll HOLLLLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Smith, sorry to hear you are leaving ESPN, hopefully you will be available for viewing on NBA TV, Best Da,, show, or something. Your insight is always welcomed. Can you verify if there is any truth to the fact that Kobe gave Spike a really hard time regarding the documentary coming out on him? Is Kobe that bad of a guy? I have been taking up for him for years, always blaming Shaq for most of the issues that went on behind the scenes, as Kobie was straight out of highschool, and getting dogged out daily by Mr. O’Neil.
Thanks,
Adrain
Great post! Just wanted to let you know you have a new subscriber- me!