So, as we are already several weeks into the 2009 NBA playoffs, and some teams have been eliminated, I thought I would use this post to shed some light on my predictions.
First and foremost, the Cleveland Cavaliers are my pick to run the table and be crowned this year's champs. Why you ask? Lebron James of course. Why Lebron over Kobe you ask? Time. Meaning it's King James' TIME to shine. Kobe has clearly had his time to shine when Shaq was in LA, but now it's time for a new breed. I'm not saying that in a game of 1-on-1 Lebron could shut down Kobe and take him to the cleaners or vice versa. This post isn't about who could beat who in a game of 21 on the blacktop. Rather it's about which player does more for their team and gives them a better chance to win on the hardwood. The Cavs have yet to lose a playoff game and are on the verge of sweeping their second straight team in the Atlanta Hawks. In fact, last night, Lebron went for 47, almost half of the team's points. In my opinion, he is the most athletic and gifted athlete on the court. Kobe only had 15, in the Lakers 12 point loss to the Rockets. That type of performance is unacceptable when you're an all-star who has clearly shown you can produce during the regular season. Now is not the time to fizzle out. So my position here is that Kobe is showing some inconsistency while Lebron still has the pedal to the metal and the trophy in sight. Not to mention Kobe has much better role players on his squad than Lebron does which makes James more of a standout. #23 has to bring it every night because he knows if he doesn't, that's all she wrote and the Cavs will be wondering if LBJ is headed to the Knicks next season!
Needless to say I'm picking the Cavs to come out of the East and play the Nuggets in the Finals come next month. Denver is much like the Cavs minus Lebron. They are a team that is peaking at the perfect time and playing great basketball out west. Sure they have Carmelo Anthony, but these guys play as a team and don't let one player be the focal point. I said in a previous post that Chauncey Billups would do nothing but make this team better, and it turns out I was right. He has been racking up the points, minutes and assists and has been a very important piece to this team's success. If the Nuggets and Lakers were to hold a series right now, my money would definitely be on Denver.
There is still much to be determined in these playoffs. But I think it's safe to say the Cavs and the Nuggets in the championship would make for some good matchups and would, quite frankly, be an NBA Finals that no one expected.