NBA Playoffs

Before the playoffs began, we predicted San Antonio and Detroit would meet in the 2007 NBA Finals. We actually felt that way back in October. As the remaining teams battle it out in round #2, we see no reason to change our view. The post-season in the NBA is all about experience and stopping people. The games slow down, execution, and mental/physical toughness become paramount, and weaknesses are exposed.

That's why Dallas was ousted by Golden State. The Mavs were a jump shooting team that didn't knock down enough shots in round #1, didn't defend at all and generally played "soft" against the Warriors. How many times did we see Warrior players finish around the basket at will without any interference - or a body check for that matter?

It is the same reason we do not see the Suns winning a title with that style of play - although they have one piece of the puzzle the Mavs lacked - a strong inside presence in Amari Stoudamire. We still like San Antonio out west until proven wrong even though the Suns put on a better show.

Nothing that has taken place in the playoffs to date has surprised this observer - except for one thing. Folks around the league are finally starting to figure out how good LeBron James REALLY is. It has taken some media types the fact that James has scored 20 points or more in all 19 playoff games he has appeared in, seven shy of Kareem's record (26), to get noticed. These are some of the same people that continue to put the likes of Carmelo Anthony and James in the same sentence when referring to the NBA's young stars. Hopefully, that nonsense will soon stop. Unfortunately, it won't until James wins championship(s).

Here's something 95% of basketball fans and media types don't understand - LeBron James, Jason Kidd and Steven Nash are in the same league when it comes to making everyone around them better. The difference is James does it with less touches. That is amazing!

As for what is to come - unfortunately, I see the a repeat of last year taking place, just one round farther up the line than in 2006. The Pistons have too much experience and should edge the Cavaliers again in a hard-fought series. They will, as Rasheed Wallace has said time and time again, "Make those other guys beat us," in reference to the Cavaliers.

I hope I am wrong and "those other guys" step up and give James enough help to overcome the Pistons. They will get their opportunities because the Pistons will NOT allow James to beat them in a seven-game series. They have too high a basketball IQ as a team to let that happen.

Had the Cavaliers added another quality piece of the puzzle before the trading deadline, I would feel better about round #3. But we've been there before. The Cavaliers will hopefully address that issue in the off-season if they fall short.

Heck, who knows, this isn't an exact science. For all we know, Chicago and/or New Jersey could come back from 0-2 and reach the conference finals. The teams are that close in talent these days. Ask the Miami Heat - last year's champs oustet in round #1.

But as a basketball purist, I continue to marvel at James' brilliance at age 22. He is truly a once in a generation player. He doesn't need to catch Kareem. He's already sold me.