THE SUN RISES IN THE EAST

Regular Season is for chumps. The NBA playoffs is where stars are born, the survival of the fittest where only the strong survive. Unlike the Super Bowl or NCAA tournament where you’re one and done, here is where the better team usually comes out victorious over a grueling 7 game series. This is the second season, what happened during the regular season no longer matters.

Regular season records and stats don’t matter, every team starts the second season 0-0. Experience matters. Talent matters. Chemistry matters. Momentum matters. Most importantly, strategy matters. When the same teams are playing each other one night after the next, there’s but so much they will learn about each other as each day progresses; adjustments by coaching staffs become imperative to wins while constant film study by the players will most definitely dictate the outcome of these series.

So finally here we are, the start of the 2011 NBA playoffs. This week we’ll preview the Eastern Conference first round match ups which feature at least one historic rivalry that could be revitalized over the next week and change. To put it more bluntly, someone is liable to get punched in the face, elbowed, kicked, chin checked, pretty much bodied in some shape or form. The Chicago Bulls, led by who is widely considered MVP of the league, Derrick Rose, has claimed the top seed and will face off against a very average Indiana Pacers team.

While the Pacers are no slouch featuring one of the better young players in the league in Danny Granger, they lack the depth and athleticism it will take to overcome the Ballin Bulls outta Chitown.  The Bulls’ first year coach Tom Thibodeau is proving his worth credited by his team’s defense ranked second in the league overall, trailing only his former team the Boston Celtics, whose defense he helped build into the powerhouse they have been in recent years but who have also struggled lately (we’ll get to that later). Look for the Bulls to advance rather easily into the second round.


The Orlando Magic, who have been perennial contenders for the Eastern Conference title in recent years having actually made it to the Finals in ’09 will face the Atlanta Hawks, a dangerous team on some nights, and an absolute pushover on others. The Hawks are probably the hardest team in the East to figure out due to their lack of consistency which is no surprise seeing arguably their best player Joe Johnson fades in and out of games more than Neyo’s hairline sitting court side. 

Although Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and All Star Al Horford are formidable front court players that would give most teams fits, the Hawks for some reason have problems sustaining any respectable momentum and will struggle against a Magic team that’s battle tested and well coached. Expect the Magic to win a competitive series as long as Dwight Howard avoids the stupid technicals and foul trouble that always seems to plaque his stellar efforts while hindering his team’s self imposed, lofty expectations.

The match up most critics believe could be the upset (not including yours truly) in the East features the defending Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics versus the revamped, rejuvenated and no longer laughingstock New York Knicks. If you’re looking for star power and marquee match ups, look no further. Garnett vs Stoudemire, Rondo vs Billups, Melo vs Pierce, like I said earlier someone is getting snuffed and it’s most likely happening in this series with so many trash talkers involved. While it’s unlikely the Knicks win this series, the unlikelihood isn’t as far fetched as it was to begin the season when the Celtics still had Kendrick Perkins on their roster, and the Knicks had yet to acquire Melo and Billups.

Since losing his bff in Perkins, Rondo hasn’t been his usual aggressive self, and their suddenly vulnerable defense has been exposed by below average teams looking as if they actually belong in the same stratosphere. While we’ve come to expect a lack of defensive intensity from the Knicks, defense has always been a staple of the Celtics so it will be interesting to see if it returns in time for what could be their final stand.  Are the Knicks poised for their first playoff series win in over a decade, or will the Celts do like they normally do and turn on a different gear when the lights go on? This is one playoff series that could actually go the full seven games.

The final Eastern Conference match up features the widely heralded Miami Heat who will have the brightest spotlight and bulls eye on their back of any team in either conference this year, including the defending champion LA Lakers. The Heat will begin their quest of validation for their off-season acquisitions by facing off against a much improved Philadelphia Sixers team which lacks the star power and hoopla, but make up for it with a team first attitude using their scrappy style of play as the fuel to their fire.

The Heat will be looking to avoid what would be the biggest embarrassment in league history as some of the best players in the league decided to join forces to establish world domination, led by Pinky and the Brain, Lebron James and Dwayne Wade respectively. With two superstars and one “celebrity” in Chris Bosh, many still question whether the Heat have enough depth specifically at point guard and center to compete all the way to a NBA championship victory. 

They have however managed to at the very least meet unrealistic expectations to some degree thus far. Their defense ranks near the top of every statistical category, but who will take the last shot in the biggest games of the year will be a consistent theme that will either make, or break this fantasy concocted in Pat Riley’s slick-backed, greaseball  head.

Ok so you want some predictions? Take this to Vegas and tell em KnowledgeXL sent cha, if it goes down like I said don’t be shy at giving me my p’s, and if I’m off I’m cool with the criticism too. Knowstradamus has spoken. Western Conference First Round Playoff Previews up next.

KnowledgeXL’s Picks

Chicago over Indiana (4-0)

Orlando over Atlanta (4-3)

Boston over Knicks (4-2)

Miami over Philly (4-1)

Poll Question:
Who do you have advancing to the Eastern Conference 2nd Round?
Poll Results:
Chicago
Boston
Miami
Orlando

Who DID advance to the 2nd Round:
Boston
Miami
Atlanta
Chicago