It’s heady stuff, but the balloon could pop any time.

I’m not ready to talk about that “final step” until we see what two teams are left standing in those finalist slots. I’m not even ready to talk about the second round.

I am ready to talk about the first round.

It is hard not to predict the Lakers over the Nuggets. We seem to be their kryptonite. The Nuggets have proved a great deal by getting into the playoffs and winning 50 games. I hope that the L:akers feel that they have much more to prove.

The Jazz had their way against the Rockets with Yao last year in the playoffs. It’s hard to see the Jazz losing against the Rockets without Yao. But. . . .yes, I said but. . . consider this factoid: “Houston won 35 of its last 43 regular-season games.” They will have home court advantage. Their bouncebacks from adversity follow and even surpass a seasonal roller coaster ride of a certain purple and gold team we love dearly. We must admire the Rockets.

I favor the Jazz (and here comes that “but” again) but I’m prepared to be surprised. I hope that the Jazz are equally prepared.

The Hornets learned why Dallas made that crazy trade for Jason Kidd–and the playoffs haven’t even started yet. MVP candidate Paul was 20-10-3. Old “washed up” Jason was 27-10-10.

The Hornets should be scared–very scared. I’m even scared for the Lakers-because the Mavericks are not going out in the first round.

I’m sure that Spurs are still revelling in the stomping they delivered to those Suns last year in the playoffs. Warning to the Spurs: there’s a new sheriff in town–and he’s been to San Antonio before.

Note to San Antonio: Don’t break Steve’s nose again. Don’t even think about it.

The Suns have got a passion for redemption in their hearts. I believe that the trade for Shaq was in preparation for this matchup at the Alamo. A first round loss wouldn’t surprise many of the pessimistic bloggers in San Antonio. If the Laker’s need to face the Suns, it’s better that they work that “redemption” out of their system first.

That Shaq/Duncan matchup will be great, with the two pillars of the league both trying to make one more run and be the first to 5 titles

That NO/Dal series will be entertaining with J.Kidd and CP3 going at all game every game

Any series with T-Mac is great because he tends to have a moment where it looks good, followed by wilting like a flower without sun

This playoffs will bring the leauge back even more than the regular season has, there will be epic Game 7′s, ratings will be up, and best of all, the Lakers will be playing a starring role.

I did have the best BDay gift by landing the bracket I envisioned in my head. I have my perfect bracket. While a few of the guys including Kurt prefer the SPuRs over the Jazz in round 2 (really?!), I keep my position that what we have before us, is the best case scenario. No if and buts, we need to perform.

Round 1

Lakers – Nuggets
Denver is an offensive team. Don’t ask me about what they do on defense because apparently they don’t have that in theur resume. They play “cute” defense from time to time but offense is their speciality. George Karl will enjoy breakfast with Coby but he will have dinner and nightmare with Kobe.

Prediction: Lakers in 5.

Jazz – Rockets
I still say the 23-win streak is a fluke. I mean, if they had to do it all again, I seriously doubt they’ll get 15 in succession. It was a case of making history in a very unlikely manner. But that’s all there is. Utah is a much stable team and they have everything.

Prediction: Jazz in 6.

Hornets-Mavs
I know some “experts” and “in-the-knows” believe in New Orleans as I say they are a very good team, but I just don’t think this is their year. I will make a bold prediction and it won’t be NOH coming out of this series.

Prediction: Mavs in 7.

Spurs-Suns
This is a series to watch, and a bracket to remember. For me there are no underdogs, No not even Phoenix without homecourt against San Antonio and even with Dallas not having one against NOH. All four teams have the potential to exit early or get to the WCF. Only 1 thing is certain, this bracket will be brutal and I’m glad we’re on the other side of the fence.

Prediction: Spurs in 7.

Side comment: I know all you guys are marking out SA (really?!) as the “upset” but I think both squads are dead even. Suns have their number in the regular season but the playoffs are a totally different story. I give the Spurs the victory sheerly because of them being defending champs and playing better D.

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Round 2

As the Lakers and Jazz cruise through “easier” victories, the Spurs/Suns and Hornies/Mavs continue to grind it out on the bracket of death.

I predict the Lakers to win against the Jazz. There is no denying. Deron can kill us single-handedly but with a possible sighting of Drew coming off the bench (yes, I predict that too) Utah simply cannot defend our bigs. It will be another shootout 230s scoreboard and it will be fun.

The bracket of death will feature my “underdogs” as the matchups. I say underdog because many of you here seem to like NOH and PHX over SA and DAL. They are rather dull to watch, I agree but they are the “better” teams. I stick with that one.

And so the WCF. I shall root for Dallas though I have reason to believe the Spurs will get them. In spite of that, I want to face either Dallas or SA in the WCF. We have Dallas’ number and we have something to prove against SA.

Bring on Boston!!

What are your brackets??

after that NY checkup last week its been all quiet lately.
hopefully he could get back to us in the second round, i mean, what we have now is nice, but with him we could REALLY be special.

With how the playoff matchup play out, i think we have more than a decent chance to go far this year! if we get bynum back, man, its ovER!!!

1 lakers
8 nuggets

4 jazz
5 rockets

2 hornets
7 mavs

3 spurs
6 suns

We got what we (the apparent majority) hoped for in playing the Nuggets in the first round. Lets hope that Vlad can play some good defense on Carmelo. In the 4th quarter, do you think that Kobe will switch and guard A.I. or Carmelo or neither?