Post by 2 years left on Jul 31, 2020 21:16:13 GMT -8
First Round
1. 
Sacramento Kings (65-17) vs 8. 
Golden State Warriors (44-38)C: Ben Wallace vs Theo Ratliff
PF: Chris Kaman vs Shawn Marion
SF: Corey Maggette vs Antoine Walker
SG: Kobe Bryant vs Kevin Martin
PG: Milos Vujanic vs Steve Nash
The defending champions brought their core back for another run and still look as dominant as ever. Kobe Bryant continues to improve every season and they took advantage of a desperate Bucks team to fill out three starting positions with players that fit their roster very well. Kareem Rush was a nice addition and Carlos Arroyo is good now? Hard to find any flaws here. The same can not be said for the Warriors who also have a key starter injured in Shawn Marion. I have been vocal in the past about not being a fan of him or Antoine and after they barely held on to the 8 seed my opinions have not changed much. On paper this is easily the most lopsided series and it is hard to see it going longer than the minimum games necessary.
Prediction: Kings in 4
4.
Los Angeles Clippers (46-36) vs 5. 
Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36)C: Shaquille O'Neal vs Mehmet Okur
PF: Antonio McDyess vs Chris Bosh
SF: Adrian Griffin vs Lamar Odom
SG: Dimitris Diamantidis vs Caron Butler
PG: Jason Kidd vs Mike Bibby
Two teams that have suffered a bit thanks to GM inactivity match up for the right to get swept by the Kings. How exciting! The Clippers starting Adrian Griffin is pretty embarrassing. The only move they made worth mentioning this season was signing Antonio McDyess to the MLE. They have a very solid trio but the lack of depth after that and lack of a GM makes it easy to doubt them holding homecourt here. On the other side you have the Timberwolves who sent Zo packing after he reset CY for them for Lamar Odom. Not exactly a surprise that they fell off a bit. They have a solid starter at every position though and some depth which is why I am picking them to steal at least one on the road and close this out without much drama.
Prediction: Timberwolves in 6
2.
Utah Jazz (54-28) vs 7. 
San Antonio Spurs (45-37)C: Andris Biedrins vs Alonzo Mourning
PF: Emeka Okafor vs Gary Trent
SF: Tayshaun Prince vs Tracy McGrady
SG: J.R. Smith vs Jamal Mashburn
PG: Lebron James vs Jamal Crawford
I just want to start off by saying that I understand why the Jazz are hoarding their youth and not looking to upgrade to vets that will help win now. Not sure they can make enough moves to beat the Kings so why bother? As is I do question their wing duo though and their first matchup with TMac McGrady will be a solid test for them. The Spurs are another team with a great trio and a lack of depth which is why they barely held on to their playoff spot. They do have three of the four best players in this series so I would not be surprised if they did pull off the upset. At the very least I think they will push the Jazz and make this a tough seven game series. I want to pick the upset here but the lack of depth will likely cost them in the end.
Prediction: Jazz in 7
3.
Dallas Mavericks (50-32) vs 6. 
Portland Trailblazers (45-37)C: Anderson Varejao vs Jermaine O'Neal
PF: Kris Humphries vs Eddy Curry
SF: Zach Randolph vs Josh Howard
SG: Andrei Kirilenko vs Joe Johnson
PG: Dwyane Wade vs Jose Calderon
This Mavericks team has changed a lot this season but they finally found a line-up that works. They box out as well as anyone and have enough scoring to allow them to stay competitive in every game even with the lack of shot blocking. Brian Grant and Kyle Korver are solid players off the bench. They got a bit lucky here and are facing the team I view as the weakest of all the playoff teams in the Blazers. An injury to Raef Lafrentz that will keep him out long-term is brutal and will expose their lack of big man depth. That is where the Mavericks are weakest so a real bailout for them here with Andray Blatche having to play big minutes. harold was/is? a gentleman though so a clean sweep is unlikely.
Prediction: Mavericks in 5
Second Round
1.
Sacramento Kings (65-17) vs. 5. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-36)C: Ben Wallace vs Mehmet Okur
PF: Chris Kaman vs Chris Bosh
SF: Corey Maggette vs Lamar Odom
SG: Kobe Bryant vs Caron Butler
PG: Milos Vujanic vs Mike Bibby
Meh. We all know the Kings are great blah blah blah. With no true star on the Timberwolves there is no position where they can try to match the huge advantage Kobe provides over Caron Butler. Will they be more competitive than the Warriors? Probably. Odom has received a lot of hate around the league and I am not a big fan of him but his rebounding maybe provides an edge there that is enough to erase some of Ben Wallace's domination. Mike Bibby is pretty good. Maybe Chris Bosh will prove why he is valued as a top 5 asset. Really reaching here but I'll give them a game.
Prediction: Kings in 5
2.
Utah Jazz (54-28) vs. 3. Dallas Mavericks (50-32)C: Andris Biedrins vs Anderson Varejao
PF: Emeka Okafor vs Kris Humphries
SF: Tayshaun Prince vs Zach Randolph
SG: J.R. Smith vs Andrei Kirilenko
PG: Lebron James vs Dwyane Wade
The most exciting series in the West that we will see! These two teams are very similar. They have Lebron and Wade at PG obviously then a scoring wing / defensive wing duo to go with role player big men. It can go either way and the advantage Lebron has over Wade may be enough in the end. I am going with the Mavericks based off their recent play. Have read that they have been boxing out at an elite rate and with Zach Randolph on the wing that does not surprise me. Lebron is a triple double threat every night but as a whole I am a bit disappointed that they are under +3 as a team when it comes to rebounding. While they have never had a great roster, the Mavericks have made some runs in past playoffs and I think this year is set up for them to make another one.
Prediction: Mavericks in 7
Conference Finals
1.
Sacramento Kings (65-17) v. 3. Dallas Mavericks (50-32)C: Ben Wallace vs Anderson Varejao
PF: Chris Kaman vs Kris Humphries
SF: Corey Maggette vs Zach Randolph
SG: Kobe Bryant vs Andrei Kirilenko
PG: Milos Vujanic vs Dwyane Wade
Unlikely to be much drama here. The Mavericks just can't compete with the big men duo on the Kings. Their recent success with boxing out is a good sign though so maybe they can make this closer than most would expect. I'm not betting on that. There is always a chance for FBB shenanigans or a Kobe injury but on paper the Kings should probably just sweep through the West. I am going to be respectful and give the Mavericks a game here and argue that like Odom in the last series, Randolph provides a nice rebounding advantage at SF that should lift them at least one game to victory. Maybe Wade will abuse Milos enough to make it more competitive than that. Until the Kings actually show weakness I'll keep picking them to win every series they play.
Prediction: Kings in 5
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