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| Somehow Paul Millsap has the Jazz in the playoff picture. Note: With teams now approaching the 33-game mark, we will be taking this week to do a mid-season review. Stay tuned for analysis of the standings, MVP, ROY, DPOY, MIP, 6th Man and more. Mid-Season Review Part 2: MVP Race Mid-Season Review Part 3: Rookie of the Year-What will become of this year's class? |
At
the start of the season I debated whether youth or experience would prevail at
the end of the season. As we approach the mid-way point, it seems that a little
bit of both is resulting in success.
In the East we’ve
seen the younger teams in the league, such as the Bobcats, Wizards and Pistons,
struggle to a degree that at times has been unwatchable. But a few other young
teams, including the 76ers and the Pacers, have gelled and are off to their
best starts in a decade. Boston, one of the oldest teams in the East, struggled
to find their legs early and were on pace to finish at the bottom of their
division until Paul Pierce played his way back into shape and Rondo returned
from an injury. The Heat and the Bulls were once again expected to rise to the
top of the conference and thus far they have not disappointed. But the Knicks,
who many predicted to grab a top seed, looked as though they’d wind up being
the leagues biggest disappointment until Jeremy Lin came to their rescue.
Out West 13 of the
15 teams in the conference are separated by 9-1/2 games. And yes, there are
still only eight playoff spots in each conference. The Thunder have been using
their talent and youth to run away with the Conference. Meanwhile, the Clippers
have been battling with the Lakers for the rights to the Staples Center. The
crafty Spurs are still hanging on to a top seed and the defending Champion Mavs
have played their way into shape and currently sit in the middle of the playoff
picture. Then we have Rockets, Nuggets, Jazz, Blazers, Grizzlies, Wolves, Suns
and Warriors fighting for the last three spots. Most people expected the
Nuggets, Blazers and Grizzlies to be in position to make the playoffs, but the
rest of the bunch, especially the Jazz, were assumed to be lottery bound.
If the season were
to end today, here is how the playoff picture would look along with my
predicitons:
Eastern Conference
1.
Chicago
Bulls (23-7)- The Bulls hold the best record in the East, but the Heat are
right on their heals. Rose has been managing injuries, but what worries me most
for the Bulls when it comes to success in the playoffs is that they are still a
one-trick pony, even with the addition of Richard Hamilton. Prediction: Lose in the 2nd
round to the Pacers
2.
Miami
Heat (21-7)- The Heat have been perfect on any night where they aren’t
playing the Milwaukee Bucks or getting slaughtered with 3’s by the Magic. They
now sit only a game back from the Bulls and I think this year they claim the 1st-seed.
Prediction: Win the NBA Finals
3.
Philadelphia
76ers (19-9)- One of the surprise teams this season, the 76ers have relied
on teamwork and defense to rise to the next level. I think they can hold on to
the 3rd-seed, but experience will cut their playoff run shorter than
fans expect. Prediction: Lose in the 2nd
round to the Heat
4.
Atlanta
Hawks (18-10)- The Hawks are not as good as their record suggests. Now that
Boston and New York have found themselves, I expect the Hawks to drop a few
spots in the standings. Prediction: Lose
in the 1st round
5.
Indiana
Pacers (17-10)- Another Surprise team, the Pacers not only will wind up
with a top four seed, but they have the potential to even steal the Central
crown from the Bulls. Just the potential though, I expect them to grab the 4th-seed
when all is said and done. Prediction:
Lose in the Conference Finals to the Heat
6.
Orlando
Magic (17-11)- Despite the Dwight Howard turmoil and the uninspired play of
Jameer Nelson, the Magic are fairing a little better than I expected. The sad
part is that if Howard were to commit to the Magic, they might actually be a
contender. The lack of unity will cost them in the playoffs. Prediction: Lose in the 1st
Round
7.
Boston
Celtics (15-12)- Once again I thought the Celtics were done and age had
finally caught up with them. Turns out Paul Pierce was playing himself into shape
and Rondo was injured. They won’t win the East, but they won’t be an easy out
either. Prediction: Lose in the 1st
Round
8.
New
York Knicks (13-15)- A week ago the Knicks look doomed. Then the Linsanity
ensued and things look a lot different. Hopefully when Melo and Amare return
the chemistry sticks. At the start of the season I had the Knicks making it to
the Conference Finals. They will wind up with the 5th or 6th
seed, but I doubt they go as deep as I predicted. Prediction: Lose in the First Round
Western Conference
1.
Oklahoma
City Thunder (21-6)- The Thunder
have a healthy lead atop the West at the moment, but concerns are rising about
the relationship between Durant and Westbrook. Many are predicting them to make
it out of the West, but their lack of experience and maturity might get the
best of them. Prediction: Lose in the
Conference Finals to the Clippers
2.
L.A.
Clippers (17-8)- The Clippers have a hold on the Pacific Division crown and
the Big Brother Lakers. It has taken them a bit to gel with the newly acquired
Chris Paul, but he is now making a case for MVP and the Clips could be a
favorite to make it out of the West. Prediction:
Lose in the NBA Finals to the Heat
3.
San
Antonio Spurs (19-9)- This season is just another example of why Greg
Popovich is one of the all-time great NBA coaches. Tim Duncan is well past his
prime, Ginobili has been out with injuries and Parker has been playing like he
always does. Add in some crafty coaching and the Spurs are just as dangerous as
ever. In the end though, I expect similar results in the playoffs from last
year. Prediction: Lose in the First
Round
4.
Dallas
Mavericks (17-11)- Dirk was not being Dirk until about a few days ago. The
Mavs also got rid of several key pieces from their title run. Despite
positioning themselves for success in future season, the Mavs have been coached
to the middle of the Western pack. They will go down in the first round. Prediction: Lose in the 1st
Round
5.
L.A.
Lakers (16-12)- The 5th, 6th and 7th seeds
all have the same record. The Lakers will most likely wind up with one of those
spots. Their playoff run will depend on matchups and how together they are at
the end of the season. When running on all cylinders, Kobe-Bynum-Gasol could
win that elusive 6th-ring for the Mamba. Prediction: Lose in the 2nd Round to the Thunder
6.
Houston
Rockets (16-12)- The Rockets off-season plans were vetoed by David Stern.
Fortunately their GM is not incompetent and they still have a team that can
compete. For a team like the Spurs, the Rockets could be a first round
nightmare. Prediction: Lose in the 2nd
round to the Clippers
7.
Denver
Nuggets (16-12)- The Nuggets were playing some of the best basketball in
the league a couple of weeks ago and have since come down to Earth with
Gallinari’s injury. If they can stay afloat without him and then return to form
when he is healed, I would not be surprised to see the Nuggets find a way to
win the West. Prediction: Lose in the 1st
Round
8.
Utah
Jazz (14-12)- Arguably the biggest surprise this year. The Jazz were forced
into trading their best player in Deron Williams last year. Turns out it was a
good deal. They aren’t quite as good as they were with Williams, but they are
having success playing as a team. I don’t expect them to stay in the playoff
picture, but Jazz fans have to be happy. Prediction:
Lose in the 1st Round
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