1. The West had more teams over .500 than the East this year
2. The West has a big return home in the first round
3. The West sees some very old foes matchup against one another in the first round
Quarterfinals
(1) Thunder vs. (8) Rockets
Why you should root for the Thunder
I am only slightly biased in this matchup because the Thunder are my favorite team but why wouldn't you want to root for such a young, athletic team that will put on a great show night in and night out. The Thunder are one of the most exciting and energetic teams in basketball. They are also trying to prove they can win without James Harden who has become a mainstay in the Rockets lineup. Kevin Durant has put up MVP numbers this season as he has went 50/40/90 on the triple slash.
Why you should root for the Rockets
They are a franchise that is starting to move in the right direction. They have young talent that they have pieced together very well (even if they did overpay). How can you not root for that beard on James Harden that created the crazy of "Fear the Beard" out in Oklahoma City last year. With Jeremy Lin added as a starting point guard and not just a publicity stunt, Linsanity can always happen in the playoffs. This team is young and full of different weapons especially with the emergence of two foreign bigs in Omer Asik and Donatas Montiejunas.
Why the Thunder will win
Now onto the real reason the Thunder will win... Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the most dynamic duo in basketball. They combined for just over 51 ppg this season and do not look like they will be stopping their scoring run for the playoffs. Another factor will be Russell Westbrook's speed. He can blow by almost any defender and loves to play above the rim. Sometimes he gets antsy and shoots too early in the clock without looking around. If he learns to look more rather than shoot the ball nearly 19 shots per game. Who guards Kevin Durant? Chandler Parsons? Durant will be able to destroy Parsons with his lank and ability to shoot over anyone. Parsons poses a pretty fair height matchup with Durant, but Durant's quick shot and knack for scoring will be to much for Parsons.
Why the Rockets will win
Linsanity. Jeremy Lin is going to have to play like he did during his Linsane run with the Knicks for him to pull ahead of Russell Westbrook and help an emerging franchise win the first round of the playoffs. James Harden is going to have to take advantage of the times in which Kevin Martin will be guarding him. The big men of the Rockets are too much for the Thunder to handle, especially with Kendrick Perkins not at 100%
Verdict
The Thunders high octane offense is too much for the Rockets. James Harden is limited to 22 ppg and Jeremy Lin has 4 Turnovers per game in his shaky first playoff experience. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are clicking on all cylinders as the Thunder offense looks just as good as last years.
Thunder win in 5
Why the Rockets will win
Linsanity. Jeremy Lin is going to have to play like he did during his Linsane run with the Knicks for him to pull ahead of Russell Westbrook and help an emerging franchise win the first round of the playoffs. James Harden is going to have to take advantage of the times in which Kevin Martin will be guarding him. The big men of the Rockets are too much for the Thunder to handle, especially with Kendrick Perkins not at 100%
Verdict
The Thunders high octane offense is too much for the Rockets. James Harden is limited to 22 ppg and Jeremy Lin has 4 Turnovers per game in his shaky first playoff experience. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are clicking on all cylinders as the Thunder offense looks just as good as last years.
Thunder win in 5
Why you should root for the Spurs
Tim Duncan and Tony Parker play basketball in a very classic way and are still great at doing so. You root beat LA in every sport or just against the Lakers. Greg Popovich is a great coach and knows how to teach players the fundamentals.
Why you should root for the Lakers
You love watching star power. You think Dwight can become Superman again. You can not wait to watch Dwight make huge dunks on his way to victory. You truly think they are an underdog now that they do not have Kobe. You do not like the old fashioned, slow pace that the Spurs play with.
Why the Spurs will win
Tim Duncan is still the best power forward in basketball and the amount they rested him during the season will make him healthier during the playoffs. Tony Parker is playing incredible for his age and will pose a mismatch against any guard on the Lakers active roster. The San Antonio guards will be too much for a Lakers team without Kobe.
Why the Lakers will win
BIGS!! Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol will establish themselves in the post both on offense and defense and show that they are a force to be reckoned with. Without Kobe, the offense will run through the post more smoothly. Dwight Howard will show that he is back to his old self again. Pau Gasol will show that he can play with anyone in the league. The Lakers bigs pose great mismatches against the Spurs.
Verdict
The Lakeshow does not have enough guard play without Kobe. Tony Parker controls the pace and keeps it slow on his way to victory
Spurs in 7
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Warriors
Why you should root for the Nuggets
The nuggets are one of the deepest in basketball and are able to shoot the three ball with great strength. If you like cheering for Danilo Gallinari's 3-pointers you should root for the nuggets. They are very underrated and many of their players go overlooked. Ty Lawson is flash. You love watching Ty Lawson run up and down the court with ease.
Why you should root for the Warriors
Steph Curry. He makes magical runs. First at Davidson, now breaking the NBA 3-point record. This team can shoot the lights out of a gym with Curry and Klay Thompson smashing the record for most 3s by a guard combo. David Lee is a double-double machine. David Lee poses a mismatch against almost any big in the NBA with his high basketball IQ and his size. If you like watching heads up plays David Lee and the Warriors are right for you.
Why the Nuggets will win
Kenneth Faried is too athletic of a big for David Lee or Andrew Bogut to handle. Faried also plays a lot bigger than he is advertised as. The depth of the Nuggets allow them to push the floor and tire out the Warriors defense. Ty Lawson goes off and shows that he can be a premier floor general.
Why the Warriors will win
Its all about the 3 ball. Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, and Harrison all shot over 35% from downtown and showed no signs of slowing up. They also have two great rebounders down-low to grab the boards and make put backs. The warriors are one of the most versatile teams I have seen.
Verdict
Steph Curry is magic from beyond the arc like he was all season and averages over 25 ppg. Klay thompson joins him on a shooting parade and takes down the Nuggets.
Warriors in 6
(4) Clippers vs. (5) Grizzlies
Why you should root for the Clippers
LOB CITY! How do you not root for a show to be put on by Blake Griffin. Chris Paul was born to assist and that he does. He and the two bigs, DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, will connect on a plethora of alley oops and excite the crowd. Sixth man Eric Bledsoe can spark any crowd with his high flying plays and his quick transition baskets.
The Grizzlies are ferocious. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol are two of the best bigs in the game and are able to dominate the painted area. Mike Conley Jr. is an exciting young point guard that knows how to run an offense through its bigs from working with Greg Oden.
Why the Clippers will win
The clippers backcourt is much stronger than the Grizzlies. Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA right now and is able to play to his full potential with the Clippers. The Bigs matchup well creating a battle of the backcourts
Why the Grizzlies will win
Z-Bo and Gasol dominate the glass and create ample amounts of second chance points. Mike Conley Jr. emerges by competing with Chris Paul. Tayshaun Prince shows why he was one of the best defenders in the league and is able to take Caron Butler out of the scoring equation.
Verdict
Lob City is too deep in the back court which Memphis lacks and shows that they can play not only in the air.
Clippers in 6
Semifinals
Thunder over Clippers
Warriors over Spurs
Finals
Thunder over Warriors
- Chad
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