The NBA Playoffs starts Saturday and the 16 teams are all but decided. For the fun of it, I split the 16 playoff teams into four tiers and forced myself to pick one team from each tier that will the most games. Let me know what you think of my picks and make your own.
Tier 1: Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Antonio
My Pick: Boston
-- The top tier is likely to be where the NBA champion arises. San Antonio will have a rough second round series (no matter what), but if they can make it to the championship round in the West, they'll be a very tough out. Los Angeles appears to be a year away from being a real legit contender. Andrew Bynum might not help even if he does return and with Phoenix, Utah and New Orleans also trying to make it out of the West -- choosing an Eastern Conference team out of the top tier might be a wise decision. I'm going to take Boston because I'd love to see Kevin Garnett win it all. I'm also taking them because I believe in coach Doc Rivers and I also have faith in the Boston bench.
Tier 2: New Orleans, Utah, Phoenix, Orlando
My Pick: Phoenix
-- Orlando might have the best shot at winning some first round games out of this group, but if you want to risk taking a team from this tier that could win it all (not just a couple games), you have to go with Phoenix or Utah. I'll avoid New Orleans because the more I watch them, the more I think they've made a nice regular season out of it, but I don't think they're made for the playoffs. I'm also going to pass on Utah, even though they have been stellar to close out the season. My pick is Phoenix because of the big three Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire and Shaquille O'Neal. The Suns are starting play together and I like the quiet, yet talented bench containing Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa and Grant Hill. As much as I could see young up-and-comers Chris Paul and Deron Williams leading their teams out of this tier, I have to go with veteran leaders Nash and Shaq to collect the most victories from this bunch.
Tier 3: Houston, Dallas, Cleveland, Denver
My Pick: Dallas
-- The Mavericks have plenty of motivation heading into the 2008 playoffs. After being the Goliath who got Davided last year by Golden State, this season as the seventh seed Dallas will look to do the Daviding. It's hard to ignore what LeBron James is capable of doing for the Cavs, but I just don't like his situation in round one. Cleveland looks like they are going to have to play their first round series against Washington for the third straight post season. And with Gilbert Arenas back, the Wizards could be a tough out. Houston might have their hands full against Utah in round one, even if they do end up with home court advantage. Denver might actually be a sneaky pick in this tier. If the Nuggets play defense (big if), Allen Iverson's experience coupled with Carmelo's desire to be compared with Wade and James along with his passion to win under pressure, could amount to a nice little run for the Nuggets. But I'll put my money on last year's MVP and his new running mate Jason Kidd to tally the most wins out of these four teams.
Tier 4: Washington, Toronto, Philadelphia, Atlanta
My Pick: Washington
-- In the final tier, all Eastern conference teams, I have to pick the Wizards. As much as I like the idea that the Sixers and Hawks could make for a tough out against Boston or Detroit, who won't be expecting to face real competition in round one. And as much as I think Chris Bosh and company could overcome a rough ending to the regular season to give thier round one opponent a scare -- I still like Washington. Besides the fact that Gilber Arenas just got back into the lineup and has played well, I like Washington because I don't like Cleveland. I think that the Wizards are underrated and are oozing with talent. DeShawn Stevenson, Antonio Daniels, Brenden Haywood, Daruis Songaila, Andray Blatche and Roger Mason make the Wizards big three look great. If Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas can up the tempo and keep the chemistry going -- the Wizards will take pride in playing spoiler.
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