April 19 Thoughts: It's Playoff Time

It's playoff time. Always my favorite time of the year. And despite Isiah Thomas' firing by the New York Knicks -- which left me working about 13 hours non-stop on every-and-all things ESPN, it personified Heaven for me. Being a part of the action. Reporting. Getting my information from the sources themselves, then pontificating in a fashion I enjoy best, which is to say straight-forward, informative and in-your-face.
    I even took time out to have some fun, joking around with my colleague, Jalen Rose, about the Toronto Raptors' playoff series vs. the Orlando Magic on ESPN's NBA Shootaround show. When Jalen talked about Bosh needing to toughen up, I said, "It's too late for all of that. He's Manute Bol with short dreds" -- alluding to Bosh' slim physique. That's all I was doing. I swear.
    Unfortunately, Bosh took it personally and, from what I've heard (I haven't seen it yet) called me out on his website.
    For the record, I'll take whatever he says. I'm a genuine fan of Chris Bosh, from my personal interaction with him to all the wonderful things I've heard about him from coach Sam Mitchell and President/GM Bryan Colangelo. I think he's a phenonmenal young player and one of the most humble people I've ever known in the NBA. I was just having fun and didn't mean to offend him in anyway.
   Sorry Chris!
   Now get over it and let's get back to talking about the playoffs.
    I'll take it series-by-series, keep it real simple, and get into specifics as the playoffs progress.

   EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

   Celtics vs. Hawks: This series ends in 4 games.
       *Boston has the talent, experience and the common sense to avoid talking trash to a superior foe, which is more than anyone can say about Josh Childress and Josh Smith. Their vows about "making history"  officially goes down as the dumbest comments of the postseason.

   Pistons vs. Sixers: Pistons in 5
        *Detroit is too focused, too motivated and much too tired of watching others play in the NBA Finals. Whether they get there or not is irrelevant at this time. Just know Philadelphia won't do a thing to stop them, other than having one good night.

   Magic vs. Raptors: Magic in 7
         *This will be a highly competitive series. Toronto has a lot of skilled players, although they are a bit too soft for comfort. Problem: They don't have Dwight Howard, nor do they have home-court advantage.

   Wizards vs. Cavs: Wizards in 6
          *LeBron...LeBron...LeBron. I'm just not feeling it this year. Of course, it's not because of him. I'm just not sold on the idea that Ben Wallace, Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak have gelled well enough yet.
           Plus, I truly believe Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison can be lethal, especially against the Cavs. And don't sleep on Brendan Haywood. If he gives you anything in this series, it's enough.

   WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS

   Lakers vs. Nuggets: Lakers in 7
           *Based on the way the Nuggets have played defense for a majority of this season, they don't deserve the benefit of anyone assuming they'll last 7 games vs. the Lakers. But when you have Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony averaging 53 points per game, how can you not? Still, Kobe is Kobe. Pau Gasol has helped elevate everyone, and the Lakers are just a more disciplined bunch. Besides, we all know where I want to be once June rolls around.

   Hornets vs Mavs: Mavs in 6
            *Chris Paul is my runner-up for league-MVP honors. Byron Scott is my runner-up for Coach-of-the-Year honors, and New Orleans has had a great year. But they're still young and unproven, totally reliant on perimeter shots, and the Mavs -- especially with the arrival of Jason Kidd -- should be too experienced to fall to these Hornets this year.

    Spurs vs. Suns: Spurs in 7
            *Once upon a time, it was practically a religion to bet on Shaq. That was my rule: never bet against the Big Fella. But this is a different day. The Spurs, with all their offensive problems, can D-up anybody. They still have Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. And a Game 7 would be on their home floor. If I'm wrong, I won't cry about it, but I've got to pick San Antonio here.

    Jazz vs. Rockets: Jazz in 6
             *I'm convinced some kind of black cat is following Tracy McGrady around. There's no other explanation for all the bad luck he's experienced throughout his career, and there's no other excuse as to why his bonafide superstar talents have never been displayed anywhere beyond the first round of the playoffs. Yet, despite Utah's atrocious road record, Houston doesn't have Yao Ming, which means they, virtually, have no chance. So McGrady's season will end in April. Again!

Comments

[ernestmac]

TMAC is just cursed to be the Domonique Wilkins of this NBA generation. Great talent, but not transcendent. My picks for the upset are the Mavs and the Wizards. Being from Chicago, I can't ever root for the Cavs but Lebron is starting to grow on me. I just wish more teams would hard foul him on those forays to the basket. I think that Detroit is up to the challenge if they make it that far. I know that Boston is. Boston vs. LA in the finals. It's going to be great.

[luvmesmsas]

Hello Stephen, glad to see that you are back! I missed your last blog and did not get a chance to respond, my mother had passed on to see her maker on April 12th, and was busy with all the home going things.

I am so glad that now you are able to do the things that you love best. It is better for me now that you will be on the TV more cuz like my name says "luvmsmsas" Love me some Stephen A Smith......

[khandor]

Stephen,

We agree on the outcome of all 8 first round match-up, except for the number of games each series will take, which is inconsequential.

Kudos on your explanation to Chris Bosh and the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. you have for him as a person and a player.

[khandor]

btw ... please feel free to take a look at my 'NBA Playoffs Preview' when you get a chance, and provide your feedback.

http://khandorssportsblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/18/nba-playoffs-preview-2007-2008/

Hopefully, I will find the time to be a regular contributor to the comments section of your blog. :-)

[tyrone63007]

Stephen A.... man U keep it real, espn have to have some cool ass bosses to give you a platform to be openly honest on all topics... Keep showing your intelligence.... Never put energy into haters, it takes too much energy to do that... To me you are more of a success than a sports athlete ever will be,Athletes aren't always respected, but i know when you enters a room that you are.... you made it because of your brain, and that is rarely made aware of in the public... will miss your radio show... but change is constant....

[oodank]

STEPHEN A., AFTER THAT "NOT ENOUGH EXPERIENCE" PERFORMANCE BY CP3 SATURDAY EVENING YOU MAY WANNA RECONSIDER YOUR MVP VOTE. KOBE THE MAN BUT.......

[Witness]

Stephen A., I enjoy listening to/watching your show, but sometimes you absolutely infuriate me. You take every opportunity possible to trash the Cavs. All I'm concerned with now is finding out who your inside source is or where you get your information when it comes to the Cavs? Because you were obviously misinformed. The Wizards prediction you made last Friday isn't looking so good anymore, is it? If the Cavs continue to play like they did last night, the Celtics better watch out. And you can laugh at that prediction if you'd like, but in my mind you've lost some credibility.

[lbj4mvp]

Screamin A. Smith. stop yelling so loud. i want to listen to you, but i also dont want to be hard of hearing before i turn 35. good call on lebron. you just werent feeling him this year. smart call.

[goodfamily]

Welcome back Stephen.

The playoffs have been excellent so far but, please Denver in 7...only if they pray really really hard. Denver = NO DEFENSE.

I really enjoyed the series between Cleveland and Washington. I do believe Lebron will win.

I wish the Suns could beat the Spurs but we all know if that goes to game 7 the Spurs will win. The Spurs have the refs in their back pocket. I really wanted to see the Suns vs the Lakers. That would have truly been the perfect match-up.

It looks like Detroit had a wake-up call from Philly. Tonight they are playing like their life depended on it...and it does. Did you see the look on Joe's face in the first game when Detroit lost. If looks could kill.

I want to see Boston and the Lakers in the final. With Boston winning. But, I do hope that Kobe gets MVP.

Miss hearing you on the radio.

[Apogeal]

Steve, you're not off to a great start. Though I wouldn't really have thought that the Hawks could take a game from the Celtics, they have. The Wizards are blowing it. The Lakers are blowing up Denver, and Detroit, well they must think 82 games is really more than they want to play already.

Suns and Spurs look like a series that could go 7, even with the Spurs up 3 - 1.

Hey, try giving my man Greg Anthony a little more respect! He brings the analysis!

[lbj4mvp]

steve-o, it looks like the only 1 series you have a chance of getting right is the jazz/rockets. you r probably praying to ala that jazz win in 6 to give you a very small amount of basketball respect. you hated on the hawks and the cavs. do u just write your columns in 5 minutes and not think them through? that is what it appears.

[MrBigShot1]

Wow, who would have thought the Celtics would be playing a Game 7 against the Hawks. Man, I don't know about you but I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Cavs beat the Celtics. Boston has a lot to proove.