I'm not a big fan of predicting series. People have been proven wrong throughout the years on predictions. What I will like to do is focus on the top four teams of both the Western and Eastern conferences and explain why they have a chance to win and why there is a possibility that they won't win. I'll do it from the fourth seed down to the first seed of the conferences.
Starting with the East:
Fourth Seed: The Orlando Magic
Why they can win:
Dwight Howard, possibly the defensive player of the year, is a beast on the boards. He clogs up the paint so much so that teams who have players that drive to the basket a lot are often met by a brick wall at the whole.
Hedo Turkoglu is their x-factor no matter what team they play.
This team is a championship caliber team. They were there in the Finals just two years ago.
Why they can't win:
They have to go up against a tough Hawks squad in the first round and if their lucky to get out of that round, they then have to go up against the Bulls in the second.
In addition, they are not the same exact team that was there in 2009. This team that's in place with new additions Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas, has had a very hard time gelling together. It'll be interesting to see them get it together just in time for the playoffs.
Third Seed: The Boston Celtics
Why They Can Win:
Hello, it's the Boston Celtics. No matter how I feel about them, they are a ridiculously good basketball team. They made it to the Finals last year from just the fourth seed with 50 wins, losing to the Lakers in game seven. Rondo, Allen, Garnett and Pierce. With those names, how can you not think that they can win the dance?
Why They Can't Win:
These brothers are OLD! Not to mention, according to the Celtics coach last year, the only reason they didn't win was because Perkins was hurt for game seven. Well, the front office traded him away to the Oklahoma City Thunder and all of that confidence might have gone with him.
Second Seed: The Miami Heat
Why They Can Win:
Really, you don't know? Great players are good enough to get a team at least two playoff games by just carrying a team on their back. This team has two.
Why They Won't Win:
In my opinion, this is the worst team ever assembled that is also lined up to win a championship. It was thrown together with a bad supporting cast. It would shock me if they win. The crazy part is that they can.
First Seed: YOUR CHICAGO BULLS!!!!! (Born and raised baby)
Why They Can Win:
They have the home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. They have this years MVP Derrick Rose, who may also be the most improved player as well. Their defense is bar none. Not to mention, they're the most complete team in the east. The previous three teams mentioned are all missing something.
Why They Can't Win:
Aside from a thrilling seven game series against the Celtics in 2009 and last years bout with the Cavaliers, they haven't won a playoff series in a while. They will win at least one series this year, for sure. But, Boozer has been known to disappear in the playoffs. The three previous teams have more experience than the Bulls. They have a rookie as a coach with Thibodeau. If he leads the Bulls to a championship as a rookie, how cool would that be? The '91 Bulls were the least experienced against the '91 Lakers; You guys remember how that turned out right?
The Western Conference
Fourth Seed: Oklahoma City Thunder
Why They Can Win:
You see the picture up there. They also have a beast of point guard in Westbrook. They also have Perkins, apparently the key to all championships. They're young and energetic.
Why They Can't Win:
They're young and inexperienced. They have to dance against some pretty tough teams to get there. They can do it though. I'm just not sure if they will.
The Third Seed: Dallas Mavericks
Why They Can Win:
They are the most experienced at playoff losing. So at some point, they should know by now how not to lose. That aside, this team has weapons galore including a seven feet tall guard (I know, it's just how he plays). Their history in losing has got to get them over the hump someday. This team and the Miami Heat are the only teams that, I feel, have to win the whole thing to justify themselves. But this team is good and must not be over looked.
Why They Can't Win:
Because they can't win. No matter how great they play during the regular season and no matter what seeding they get in the playoffs, they always CHOKE! We'll see if they can get that monkey off their back.
Second Seed: The Lakers
Why They Can Win:
Two-time defending champions. They also made it to the Finals three years in a row. Kobe. Gasol. Odom. Bynum. ETC. This team is stacked with really good players, who all know what it takes to dance. Phil has never NOT Three-peated. Neither has Kobe or Fisher. This is Phil's last chance to dance and I'm pretty sure the Lakers are going to try and do everything to send him off properly.
Why They Can't Win:
The Western conference is designed to beat the Lakers. One day they will, this could be that year. This team has played over 400 games to date. They're kind of old. Winning takes a lot of focus and you can only focus for so long. Phil might have lost his chance to three-peat by losing the 2008 Finals.
First Seed: The Spurs
Why They Can Win:
Because they can and you don't ever over look a team like the Spurs. Yes they're old, but these guys win. Duncan is rested and has taken it easy throughout the entire regular season. I think he's about to go H.A.M. Ginobili and Parker are pretty good as well.
Why They Can't Win:
Injuries. They may be slower than the other teams in the field. Also, Dallas and Los Angeles know them very well.
Now that I have concluded my break down you may want to know who I think will their respective conferences this year and finally the Finals.
Well, I'm a huge Bulls and Lakers fan and this year looks like, to me, my teams will be dancing against each other in the Finals. Because I feel that the Lakers are passing their prime, I would like for them to cap off the run with one final championship, especially for Phil Jackson. Plus, it's a fitting story for Phil to beat the franchise that he started his NBA coaching career with. A rule I always had: "You don't bet against Kobe." or Phil.
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