NBA playoffs

After playing 82 games each, the NBA’s top 16 teams are getting down and dirty. It’s time to separate the men from the boys, and everyone is now switching to high gear. The NBA playoffs are finally on and it’s showtime! This year’s playoffs brings with it a mix of predictables, pleasant surprises and twists. This is reality basketball at its best.

The 2009 playoffs is already being predicted to be a show between Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Many analysts are already forecasting an LA-Cleveland finals in a soap opera climax that will cap the season. Both are expected to lead their teams as they plod through the playoffs although it looks like an easier ride for Kobe and the rest of the Lakers. The Cavs have an interesting first round clash with the Detroit Pistons, a team rich with playoff history that’s out to prove that they’re not yet out of the count even if they’ve slipped to the #8 seeding. The Lakers should be able to cruise past Utah in the first round of the playoffs before facing tougher resistance from either Portland or Houston in the second round.

One of the biggest twists this year is Boston ’s drive to defend its championship without Kevin Garnett who’s out with a knee injury. With KG’s absence, Boston ’s chances of making it to at least the Eastern Conference Finals dropped from good to slim. Right on top of this, albeit on a more minor but also significant twist, has been the hospitalization of Boston GM Danny Ainge who reportedly suffered a heart attack last week. Talk about a double whammy at the wrong time. No team wants to go into the playoffs without its spiritual leader and top executive on the “injury list.”

Surprises of the playoffs are the rise of the “other” teams to the top. Making it quietly to the #2 seed in the West were the Denver Nuggets. Another pleasant and welcome development has been the recovery of the Portland Trailblazers who are #4 in the West and the Atlanta Hawks, #4 in the East. While the NBA fans kept their eyes on the Lakers, Celtics, the Cavs, and the Kobe and Lebron show, Denver , Portland and Atlanta quietly did their jobs away from the basketball spotlight that is usually trained on the media-rich traditional cities and ballclubs that also feature a marquee player.

Was it the George Karl magic? Chauncey Billups? Whatever it is, they’re the #2 seed in the West, a great achievement over the likes of traditional powerhouses San Antonio (#3) and, Dallas (#6). Karl has done a great job of fusing Billups into their system that already boasts of a Melo Anthony and Kenyon Martin. It’s interesting, though that they have to face Chris Paul and the rest of the New Orleans Hornets. In Portland , you’ll see a band of young and hungry upstarts led by Brandon Roy. They’ll be tested by Houston in an interesting first round clash between youth and experience. Atlanta Hawks at #4? Did you even think they’d make it this far? Give all credit to the Hawks ballclub and Coach Mike Woodson. After stretching Boston to seven games last year as the #8 seed, they’re now hosting Miami with the home court edge, something they haven’t enjoyed in a long time. The troika of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Mike Bibby have brought the Atlanta fans back to the games and have made the city alive once again.

Orlando is a special mention in this list, but it really hasn’t been a surprise anymore that they’re playing well. Like San Antonio , they’ve been consistent even if they haven’t been able to match up well against the top teams. I like Orlando ’s underdog chances of making it to the Eastern Conference Finals once they get past Philadelphia . With KG out, the Celtics will be vulnerable in the next round, that’s if they can get pat the Bulls.

And then there is what I’d like to call the sunset run of the teams that were great once but have fallen. Mightily or slightly, it doesn’t matter. They’re look like they’re on the way down and could be out cold before they know it. Top team in this bunch is Phoenix , a team that is out of the playoffs. We simply can’t think of a playoffs without Steve Nash and Shaquille O’Neal. Detroit , Dallas and Utah are other teams on this list. I’m sure that this year’s playoffs will serve as a crucial element for their preparations for the next season. They’re all due for a major change in direction if they want to get back to where they were before. Utah has a mountain of a foe in the Lakers. Detroit doesn’t want to be a stepping stone for the Cavs, and Dallas is out to exploit the absence of Manu Ginobili in a battle of Texas teams.

Other interesting things to look out for will be the spotlight on the rookies who are expected to be the future of their ballclubs. Derrick Rose may not be a Michael Jordan, but so far so good. He has stepped up to jell with his veteran teammates. His battle against Rajon Rondo and the Celtics will be a sight to watch. Ditto for Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers of Miami who are learning the ropes from another former rookie-expected-to-do-it-all prospect named Dwyane Wade.

NBA Playoffs na gyud! Let’s get it on!

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Time-out: The Cebu Milo BEST Basketball Clinic will be held May 18-23, 2009 at the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit Mango Campus Gym. For more information, please contact 516-9036, 0918-939-4846 or 0923-342-8193. You can reach me at [email protected].