NBA Playoffs are here...are you ready?

The NBA playoffs are about to begin...(isn't this a great time for sports? NHL and NBA playoffs are on...only thing that would be better is if the NFL season was starting).

For all you non basketball fans avoid this post and just read the next one about the 2nd rd of the NHL playoffs.

But if you are a NBA fan you got to LOVE these 1st round match ups. Great stuff to talk about rivalry, intensity and some great ball is ahead. Let's check this out:

I love D.Howard and good for them to make the playoffs but to face the Detroit Pistons in the first round is BAD news for the Magic. The Pistons are going to use their magic to mesmerize Orlando. Detroit has too many weapons and too much playoff experience to lose a game to O-Town.
Detroit in 4

The Wizards are a popular team leading but Gilbert Arenas. This guy is incredible and can shoot the lights out. On the other side of the court, there is the real deal phenom LeBron James. The problem Washington will face is they can't just ride on Arenas to win the series. King James will trump the Wizards because he has a better supporting cast. AND LeBron personally sent the Wizards packing last year.
Cavaliers in 6

This match-up is going to be great. The past vs the present. This Raptors team is the best we have seen probably since Carter missed the buzzer beater vs the Sixers in game 7 of the East Conf championship. I still remember when the Raptors drafted Bosh when they had Carter at his position...I now understand why they did that. Vince took his high-flying, lights-out shooting to New Jersey while Bosh has taken the opportunity to become an all-star. As much as I am cheering for the Raptors I just have this weird feeling the Nets are going to take this series because Carter will not lose to his old team. I hope I am wrong but I highly doubt it.
Nets in 6

I am a Chicago fan ever since Michael Jordan tied his shoes with the Bulls. It's hard not to still hope for these guys and finally they put a team together to possibly make some noise in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they are playing the champs...Miami Heat. Shaq is not done yet and he gives the Bulls major match-up problems. With Dwayne Wade back and doing better health wise I think they are too strong for the baby Bulls. It's going to be quite the battle going the distance and home court wins. But the Heat are going to become cold in the East when they lose in the 2nd rd.
Heat in 7

I don't know what it is but I can't cheer for the Jazz...maybe Stockton and Malone killed it for me years ago, maybe because it's the home of the mormonsville, or maybe I just can't stand the jersey's. I think McGrady will be an unstoppable force and Ming will contribute as well. I am a Boozer fan but wished he played somewhere else. AK-47 is solid defensively but I can't see him out playing T-Mac.
Houston in 6

My two favourite players are King James and Tim Duncan. Hence I really like the Spurs. No one talks about them much as the Suns, Lakers, Mavericks, Pistons and Heat seem to get all the attention. They are not flashy but they get the job done. Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan are AMAZING and experienced. But this battle is going to be great as Iverson wants to win so bad after having freedom leaving Philly and landing in Denver. Carmelo is the real deal but I am not sure they have enough experience to face the battle tested Spurs.
San Antonio in 5

This series will receive the most media attention. Nash vs Kobe. Last year if you saw the Lakers - Suns series it was easily won of the greatest battles in NBA 1st rd history. This year the Lakers are better...but this year the Suns have a healthy Amare Stoudemire. And if you read my previous NBA post you will see I am picking Phoenix to win it all this year...but didn't Kobe have the Suns down 3-1 and lost 3 straight? No matter what happens this will be great.
Phoenix in 6

Finally I get to the Mavs vs the Warriors. Dirk Nowitzki lead these Mavs to put up almost Bulls record breaking numbers winning 66 games this season (9th-best record of all time). Did you know that "Ten out of the 11 teams with 65-plus wins in the regular season have gone on to win the title, but is the stage set for an upset?" (By the way it will be 10 out of 12 teams when the Suns upset the Mavs in the Western Conf finals). In other words, the Warriors will not win a single game or have NO chance to win this series.
Dallas in 4

Who will win league MVP? I wish I think it should be Kobe this year but I have a feeling Dirk is going to win it. Why? You might ask? Easy, tell me the last time some has won league MVP that has not been on a team that is either 1st or 2nd place in the league standings in the East or the West? So I guess it could be Nash but I highly doubt it even though he might deserve it.

I can't wait for this stuff to tip off on Saturday. The NBA playoffs always have memorable plays and stars. Suns beat the Cavs in the NBA Finals.

* What do you think? Am I right or wrong? I challenge you to step up and make your educated guesses to see if can prove your basketball intellect by leaving a comment.