NBA: Race to the Finals Validate Pre-season Predictions

It's off to the races as the NBA playoffs begin this weekend with sixteen teams competing for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. David Stern showed just how unprofessional he can be with the Stan Van Gundy situation and should be forced to step down. At any rate, it was an up and down season for all of the elite teams, and big trades generated more chatter than ever for much of the campaign. I made pre-season predictions that were pretty much on point. See my article entitled "NBA: Nasty Basketball Authority" http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5850216/nba_nasty_basketball_authority.html?cat=14 .

The playoffs match ups are set. Let's see who will be the last team standing come late June.

Eastern Conference.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are the league's new sensations led by a crafty and now feared Derek Rose. The Bulls earned the best record for the close of regular season. The eastern conference was the Bull's china closet for much of the season and opponents on both sides of the Mississippi are left scratching their heads. They got stronger and better game after game. Chicago is back.

Miami Heat

Will the Miami Heat prevail as NBA champions or will they be remembered as the three stooges? The Heat kind of be-bop bopped around during several stretches this year, but are confident that they can do it when it counts.

Boston Celtics

An ailing and still angry Boston Celtics bunch after the Kendrick Perkins trade have big man issues as Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal can't seem to maintain healthy bodies. The shamrocks will need more than a leprechaun's magic to get past the first round.

Orlando Magic

A bewildered Orlando Magic team could not recapture that spark of two years ago. Now that Dwight Howard can't get a break from the refs, hopefully that childish smile is gone for good on the battle field of play to find him in the right frame of mind to join the Lakers in the off season.

Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers

None of these teams deserve to be in the playoffs. The Hawks showed promise after the first month of the regular season but finished the way they started - a barely over .500 team. The Knicks will need good mental health against the Celtics, but can beat them in the first round. The 76ers and the Pacers, enjoy your 1^st round playoff bonus check.

Chicago Bulls versus Miami Heat in the eastern conference final; Bulls win in 7.

Western Conference.

San Antonio Spurs

You always believe it could happen and now it did. These guys are quiet assassins.The San Antonio Spurs owned the best record practically all season then suffered a string of losses due to late season injuries to one game behind Chicago's best. In a seven game series they will fall to the youthful and very confident OKC Thunder in a later round.

Los Angeles Lakers

The throne can get too comfy after you've owned it for a while. The two time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers team could be poster children for Duncan, manufacturer of some of the world's best yo-yos. Suffering from hypomania, they were up and down all season, showed world conquering dominance after the All Star break, but closed the season with manic tendancies. Andrew Bynum's knee scare and Kobe's regretful gay slur will be early distractions for the champs. The Lakers will have difficulty reaching the finish line.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks believe in themselves. I think. Not many NBA teams are afraid of them in a 7 game series. What will they bring to the playoffs besides a pretty good regular season record? We shall see.

Oklahoma Thunder

The Oklahoma Thunder are some bad mamma-jammas. They have runs, hops, shots, and now ferociousness with the mid-season addition of Lakers hater Kendrick Perkins. These guys are a cohesive unit with eyes on the prize. If the Thunder can knock down the 'Hollywood' sign they might get the prize. The OKC team is in for an exciting playoff run.

Denver Nuggets, Portland Trailblazers, New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies

This quartet is better than they're eastern counterparts. But, how 'bout them Nuggets! They seemed to get better after Carmelo and Chauncey defected to New York. Look out OKC. Coach Carl is a playoff guru and will have his team ready to take care of business. The Blazers still have life after huge injuries to start the season. The Hornets don't stand a chance against LA, while the Grizzlies will bang up the Spurs even more and have them limping into the 2^nd round.

Los Angeles Lakers versus Oklahoma City Thunder in the western conference final; Lakers win in 7.

Chicago Bulls versus Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

The Bulls spoiled the Lakers only Finals appearance in the '90s with a 4 - 1 series win for the 1991 NBA title. The Lakers organization and Los Angeles fans want payback.

Bulls win in 6.