Its been a minute, yes, and although I know I promised my readers I would keep up with the Playoffs and do daily reports, life simply got the best of me. However, I have not forgotten about this blog, far from it in fact, and will take every opportunity I have to check in and update basketball fans out there with what has been going on in the championships (followed by off-season rumors of course, but lets not get ahead of ourselves).
Jumping right back into things, the Playoffs are now officially (and have been for a few days now) in the second round, with the last of the matchups, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks, ending shortly after my last post. Sadly the Bucks were knocked out (but should be proud of themselves as they put up quite a fight and really made a name for themselves this season), leaving the Hawks to face the Orlando Magic.
Currently most of the second round series are 3-0, with the Phoenix Suns leading over the San Antonio Spurs, the LA Lakers leading over the Utah Jazz and the Orlando Magic leading over the Atlanta Hawks, but the Cleveland Cavs and the Boston Celtics are currently 2-1, thankfully with the Cavs holding the lead. Honestly this year's second round has me less on the edge of my seat than previous years did, but besides the Suns/Spurs matchup (which for the record, isn't because I'm against the Suns, I think they are an amazing team and love watching Steve Nash, but rather because I am still so floored by the Spurs knocking out the Dallas Mavs that I don't want their streak to end), so far I am not complaining. I will admit that the Cavs/Celtic series has me a little nervous (yes I was hoping for a sweep, don't even act surprise) but at the end of the day, I put great faith in Cleveland and know they will get it done. The Celtics have been playing hard, don't get me wrong, but Rondo's blossoming skill and KG's motivating anger can only get a team so far. The Cavs are clearly more stacked (though Mo Williams really needs to be on point night after night, not just once here and there, as I see him to be an incredible player and certainly adds to the Cavs threat level when having a good night) and due to their last minute elimination last season, probably want the ring just that much more.
So there you have it. Eight talented teams (Suns, Spurs, Lakers, Jazz, Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Hawks) all battling their way to the ring. But who is going to get it?
Well, although the 3-0 series still have time to change, just based on the teams themselves, and the way they have been playing, whether or not the series will be extended beyond four games, I still see the dominant teams, that is, the Suns, Lakers and Magic, coming out on top. Out of those teams, I then have to put aside the Suns, as even though they have put on a great show thus far, and in theory, with no other teams more experienced than them in the running, could potentially take it all, simply don't match up to the remaining choices, leaving the Lakers and the Magic (2009 Playoffs ring a bell?) As for the Cavs and the Celtics, I believe the series will extend to seven, but in the end the Cavs (and seriously, Lord help me if I'm wrong because I may not be able to get out of bed for the next couple of months) will take it, adding them into the mix as well. Predictions from there? None yet. I have my rankings (I wish the Cavs would win first, then the Magic, then the Lakers) but having not watched enough of every series (this is going to sound awful, but at this point, the Utah Jazz put me to sleep, and therefore I have not seen a Lakers game since the first round) as well as a handful of crucial deciding games coming up (one being the Suns/Spurs later today), I am going to hold off on making any guesses just yet.
Round two has been a tad slow so far, but with three series at 3-0, things could (and hopefully will) get a lot more interesting, and soon. Drama? Upsets? Stay tuned.
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