2008 Playoffs - Western Conference Preview
Utah @ Houston
Utah may be the 4th seed because of NBA rules, yet the Rockets have HCA cause they have one more win over the course of the season. But that’s pretty much the only thing going the Rockets’s way. With Yao Ming out everything rests on McGrady’s shoulders, and that can’t be a good thing with his bad back and all. Especially since they are facing a team who, unlike last year, is now playoff tested, having reached the Conference Finals in 2007. Jerry Sloan has them playing tough, physical, playoff-like basketball all year long, so they will come ready to bully the Rockets.
Utah won 14 of their last 20, with 9 of their 14 wins against playoff teams, of which only the Wizards and Raptors were below .600. The Rockets won 8 of their last 12, but the wins came mainly against cupcakes. The only playoff team they beat during that stretch was the Suns. Looks like the Rockets peaked mid-season, during their improbable 22 wins run, so at least they’ll have that to remember, cause the playoffs will be something to forget.
If the Jazz had HCA, they could have closed the series in game 5 at home, but considering their recent troubles on the road, I say Jazz in 6.
Phoenix @ San Antonio
a.k.a. The Big Decline vs The Big Fundamental. This might make or break Steve Kerr’s reputation as a GM. He acquired Shaq with one thought in mind: get over the Spurs. Since the trade, Shaq has been playing much better as evidenced by him grabbing 3 more rebounds per game while increasing his FG% and FT% and committing less fouls. Since rebounding is a good indicator of effort, this just proves what everybody knew: Shaq is a lazy piece of shit and he just didn’t care anymore in Miami. Once he got traded (and he got criticized in the media), he felt like he had something to prove again. So he’s trying again. For now he’s keeping his pie-hole shut about the number of touches he gets and just works on rebounding and moves his feet on defense.
As a team, the Suns could have used a couple more months playing together to further develop their on court chemistry, but they did a pretty good job in the short time they had. They finished 15-5, but the only really good teams they beat were the Rockets and Spurs (twice). But since they’re playing the Spurs, they’ll take that, thank you very much.
In previous playoff series, the problem for the Suns was that they had to double Timmy, which left open 3p shooters, and the Spurs have a bunch of those. Tony Parker gave them fits as well, since they had no one really able to stay in front of him. From this point of view Marion’s departure doesn’t hurt them much. He was usually quiet against the Spurs and although he was a very good defender, Parker was too quick for him.
Shaq, on the other hand, allows them not to double Duncan and gives them an offensive option in the half court. With Amare becoming a monster since moving at PF, the Suns seem to match better with the Spurs this time around. Throw in the fact that the Spurs are starting to show their age and this may be the year when the humans finally defeat the machines. Suns in 6.
Dallas @ New Orleans
The Hornets seemed to be losing steam towards the end of their amazing season, while the Mavs looked better with each passing game as they got more comfortable with Kidd running the show. Just like the Suns, the Mavs could have used more time to develop chemistry, but they did manage to send a message to the Hornets in the last game of the season.
The Mavs have a lot of experience in the post-season, even if some of those experiences weren’t too enjoyable. On the other hand, this is the first post-season for Chris Paul and there aren’t many players on their roster who seem likely playoff heroes. The Hornets will have to go through some growing pains and become playoff-tested before they can be considered real contenders. But before that, they’ll have to learn their lesson the hard way, being beaten by the lesser (record wise) but more experienced team. Just like the Raptors did last year to the Kidd led Nets. Mavs in 7.
Denver @ Los Angeles
This is gonna be a bloodbath. I don’t like Kobe as a person, but I can appreciate what he brings as a player. And he knows what it takes to win in the playoffs. He knows how important it is to have a few more days to rest. He’ll go for the kill and won’t give the Nuggets a chance. Phil Jackson will have the Lakers prepared, they’ll turn on the defense, you’ll see a couple of 6-22 games from Iverson, maybe a scuffle between Turiaf and Knee-Mart, and it will be over before you know it (or before Melo sobers up - whichever comes first). Lakers in 4.
