Quest for the Best: 2011-12 NBA Playoff Predictions – Conference Finals

As Skip Bayless said last night on Twitter prior to the Spurs, OKC game--"The NBA playoffs are about to start". I honestly thought the Lakers and Bulls (caveat), would've put up more of a fight, but nevertheless, here we are. Some familiar faces, and some fresh faces. Some teams have hall of fame coaches. Each team has multiple champions. Every team has future hall of fame players. So I guess it's only right that these four teams meet in the middle.

West
Oklahoma City Thunder v. San Antonio Spurs

I can't lie--I couldn't pick the winner of this series until the closing seconds of the 1st quarter when Ginobili drained a fall-away three-pointer with the buzzer going off. I always pegged the series to be at least 6 or 7 games, but every time I said out loud "Spurs in 7" or "Thunder in 7", I felt uncertain. It's an uncertain pick all the way around, but when I saw that shot go down it reminded me of a key in this series. Whomever performs the best overall and at the right moments between Ginobili and Harden will earn a trip to the NBA Finals. At that moment, I was reminded that Harden is still 22, and Ginobili is still one of the best players this league has to offer. Oh, not to mention Greg Popovich.

San Antonio Spurs in 7

East
Boston Celtics v. Miami Heat

The Boston Celtics are on their last hoo-rah! This is it for "The Big 3 + Rondo". (Just sounds better than the big 4. If everyone's big, no body's big). Rondo has gained a ton of my respect, despite lack of ability shoot with Ray Allen on his team in practice for the last ~5 years. His bravado alone has been impressive.

But then there's the issue of Wade--playing his role of Batman admirably as expected. Will he keep it up? I think so. But how much does Boston want retribution on their last journey as one? Certainly more than they're willing to speak about.

Bosh or no Bosh--I actually think Lebron wants a ring more than anybody. The monkey on his back is a full-grown gorilla at this point. Maybe Wade and company can help him pry it off.

Miami Heat in 6

Quest for the Best: 2011-12 NBA Playoff Predictions – Semi-Finals

The conference semi-finals are here--and if the first round was at all a sign of things to come, this round is going to be insane.

West
San Antonio Spurs v. Los Angeles Clippers
Game 7 against the Grizzlies ended with Chris Paul closing the 4th quarter with four bench players--(Reggie Evans, Eric Bledsoe, Kenyon Martin and Nick Young). The Clips wrapped up the series after a historic rally from down 24 with 8 minutes left. All the while, CP3 had a hip flexer, Blakey Blake with a hyper-extended knee, Caron Butler with a fractured hand and Billups on the sidelines. Impressive series against a gritty Memphis team.

But then there's the Coach of the Year, Greg Popovich and the savvy, still extremely talented Spurs--Parker, Duncan and Ginobili. There's no denying they're on a mission, either. Deeper than ever before, and with a major coaching advantage (in my humble opinion), home court advantage should be the final difference in this series.

Oklahoma City Thunder v. L.A. Lakers
Unless OKC meets Miami in the finals, this just might be the best playoff series this season.

Oh, the storylines.

Perkins back again versus the team that took the Celtics' Championship hopes away back in '09. James Harden versus Metta World Peace (MWP) after their "encounter" earlier in the regular season for which MWP was suspended for 7 games. An angry (assumed) Kevin Durant after losing out to Lebron for MVP--he's got something to prove. Not to mention all the Laker storylines, with Kobe's legacy, Bynum's attitude and Gasol's toughness. And oh, Derek Fisher is playing against the Lakers in a playoff series.

East
Boston Celtics v. Philadelphia 76ers
This series could very easily be over in 4 games. I'm predicting five because the Celtics are old, (even though Rajon Rondo doesn't think it matters).

...It should've been Chicago...They could've been contenders...they could've been somebody.

Miami Heat v. Indiana Pacers
Lets get on with it already...

Well, lets give Indiana some credit first. They're pretty good. Hibbert and West is the kind of match up down low that could give Miami some trouble--but this is Wade, LBJ, Bosh and company. Save any injuries on Miami and this series should end accordingly in 5 games or so.

West			East
(1) San Antonio	V	(5) L.A. Clippers	(4) Boston	V	(8) Philadelphia
San Antonio in 7			Boston in 5
(2) Oklahoma City	V	(3) L.A. Lakers	(2) Miami	V	(3) Indiana
Oklahoma City in 6			Miami in 5

Thanks for reading.