THE FUTURE, NOW

This is the other match-up I more look forward to simply because they are young, exciting, and the future of the NBA. Both teams have solid starting fives and reliable back-ups. Oklahoma City's combo of Durant-Westbrook has been their staple, but I think the biggest factor for this team is the play of Serge Ibaka. He has been a beast since he was slided to the starting lineup.  He and mid-season acquired Perkins should match up well with Memphis big men. Serge Ibaka - who leads the league in blocks - has to use his athletic ability to try and contain Zach Randolph who exploited Tim Duncan's old legs during the First Round. Together with Marc Gasol, Z-Bo will take advantage of their size against the Thunder.

Memphis will have to contain Kevin Durant and I think that is no problem having two of the top perimeter defenders in Shane Battier and Tony Allen. The Scoring Champ will have to work overtime in order to get his shots. Russell Westbrook may have a slight advantage over Mike Conley, Jr, but very slim.

I think there are two players that will have to step up bigtime for each team -- OJ  Mayo and James Harden. I think they are going to be the X-factor for their respective teams. I think this is going to be an exciting series as we are seeing two teams that is going to be the face of the NBA in the near future -- they may even arrived at a faster rate than expected.

OKC may try to out ran the Grizzlies, but I think that is solely their game. They have a very suspect halfcourt offense and that is were Memphis is good at with Randolph and Gasol inside.

I wonder what will David Stern do if one of these small market teams go into the Finals?

* As of presstime, the Memphis Grizzlies stole homecourt winning in OKC in Game 1.

2011 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Preview First Round

Yesterday I tackled the East. Now, we take a look at the other side of the fence.  As usual, the West has been tight all throughout the season. With San Antonio rolling though most of the regular season as the best in the West as well as the league, until their last game where they gave up the top seed overall to the surging Bulls. Lakers and Mavs fighting for second seed in the West through the last game of the season. OKC, Denver, the surprising Blazers, Hornets, and the Grizzlies round up our contenders in the Wild West.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (1) VERSUS MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (8)

Regular Season Series:  Tied 2-2

The Spurs practically rolled through the season being the league best until the last game. Their Ol' Big Three finally  playing together and healthy. Although Manu's late injury  could bring an impact to the Spurs. Meanwhile, Memphis have been a steady young team I expected of them. They could be a scary team to face for the Spurs. The eight-seeded Grizzlies have the size and athleticism --two things the Spurs don't have.

San Antonio in 7

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (2) VERSUS NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (7)

Regular Season Series: Lakers won 4-0

The Lakers avoided a match up against Portland. They will now take advantage of of David West-less Hornets. The Andrew Bynum injury may not hurt the Champs as Pau and Lamar could handle Emeka Okafor down low.  The Lakers just have too much firepower against the Hornets, and Chris Paul's 20ppg alone would not make the cut.

LA in 4.

DALLAS MAVERICKS (3) VERSUS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (6)

Regular Season Series: Tied 2-2

This series is going to be an exciting one as it features two of the best power forwards in the league. The addition of Gerald Wallace gave the Blazers the toughness and defense. Now, we will see how the paid off against a much better offensive team. I expect a very tight and intense series here with no clear cut winner. It could go either way.

Portland in 6.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (4) VERSUS DENVER NUGGETS (5)

Regular Season Series: Thunder won 3-1

I look forward to this series simply because they are the future of the NBA. The Thunder has leaped from a glad-to-be-in-the-playoffs team that gave a scare to the eventual champions last year to a legit contender this year. The Durant-Westbrook combination have been their back bone, but the acquisition of Perkins and Ibaka sliding into the starting lineup made then one hell of a young team. Meanwhile, the Nuggets actually played better post-Melo trade. They are now a more balanced, athletic team, plus they are younger. The only flaw I see is their lack of cohesion given their limited time playing together. But look out for them as I see bright future in their rebuilding process.

OKC in 5.

Are You Ready for the PLAYOFFS?

The whole season has been newsworthy asll year long, even before the season begins, but now it has come to this. All teams has at least 3 games left, and both conferences is almost set.  Hold on to your seats folks.

The East is almost done, with the Bulls beating the C's earlier, they are 1 win away to lock the number 1 seed. Led by MVP front runner Derrick Rose, The Bulls surprised everyone with their sudden surge through the top spot. With coach Thibs sick defense, the Bulls sure brought the wind back to the Windy City.

Boston and Miami is still battling the number 2 seed. The Heat Big Three has been up and down all season but enough spurt to land them here at this stage of the regular season. For me, I don't expect them to win the Finals this year the moment LBJ and Bosh decided to come down to South Beach, but sure got me excited.
The Celtics meanwhile though still at the top of their game, but I think age has caught up with them. Adding to that midseason trade of their starting center, the C's has to rely on an old, can't-seem-to-get-healthy Shaq to man the middle. The moment that trade was made, I told myself, Danny Ainge just threw away the season.

And then there's the Magic and Hawks. Well what can I say, they are reeling, as in reeling. The surprise in the East is the Sixers. Man, I love this team play. They are scrappy, gutsy, and just plain hard worker.  Without a legit "star," this team plays like a team. They are my sleeper, they are scary to match up with come playoff time. To sum it up are the Pacers. I like this team too, but they maybe a season or two away to really come up big. They coaching change did them well. 

We go now to the West, 85% of the season I though7, the Spurs are legit to come up with the championship. I mean before Timmy goes down late in the season, they are far away the league best. Their 4 stars played most of the season together and healthy. But injury bug struck them at the least favorable time. Tough still leading, they are now not locked up to win it all.

The 2-time defending champ has gone 15-1 since the All-Star break and just as we thought their getting ready for the playoffs, 3 game losing streak again. Still, if you have a guy named Kobe Bryant in your team, you can relax. Dallas is still battling the Lakers at the 2 spot, but  by the end of it, I think they'll stay at the 3.

Durant and Westbrook have gone a long way for OKC. After their first playoff appearance and grinding it out with the Lakers, now they are battling home court advantage. This young team is getting exciting every year.

After the Melo trade, everyone said, including I, they the Nuggets are going downhill, but wait, the all their acquisitions and getting contributions from all over made them winner of the trade.

It funny how Nate McMillan manages year after year of injury after injury to his team and yet, he still manages to get them in to the playoffs. Watch out for Portland because they can beat anybody here in the west.

I think Chris Paul is not getting the love he deserved. I mean with a rag tag team and a rookie coach, injuries to Meka and D-West, still Paul keeps this team afloat.

And theres Memphis, always dangerous, like the Sixers in the East, this is onbe scrappy ball club, I expect them to give San Antonio a headache if not an upset, but I'm just wishing.

NBA Trade Deadline Recap

IT has been a crazy trade deadline. I think it's the most busiest trade deadline in recent history of the NBA. Trades really shook the NBA landscape in just 2 days. Power shifted to the East headlined by Melo-to-Knicks. Here is a quick rundown of all the trades made before the trade deadline, and uhmm one that didn't make it.