Friday Fire: Who Wins The 2007-2008 NBA Championship?
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Are you looking at the legs or the block? KG validates his MVP past and leads Boston to the title over the Lakers
Damn it seems like the regular season just started. This has been one of the most competitive seasons in quite some time and it all comes down to this:
Who gets the June confetti shine and raises the Larry O’Brien Trophy as 2007-2008 NBA Champion?
Participated in a web playoff survey conducted by Ryan McNeil of Hoops Addict. Click on the pic to check it out.
Here’s my answers:
1. Everyone is enamored with the Western Conference. What’s one aspect about the Eastern Conference that you’re going to follow during the playoffs?
The only true “team” I’ve personally seen in the West is San Antonio–not saying there aren’t other close teams. I love the genuine camaraderie showcased with Boston, Orlando, Philly and Detroit. You can feel how close these teams are in the warm ups. If you ever get a chance, check out Adonal Foyle of the Magic pre-game. He’s a showman who gets the kids in the front rows involved with unexpected bounce passes and the kids love it. We all know about Rasheed with his left handed threes from the corner and his ball tricks pre-game as well. It sets the tone for a nice atmosphere.
2. What lower seed in either conference has the best chance of pulling off an upset in the first round?
The Washington Wizards (lot of trash talk) in the East and the Phoenix Suns (is San Antonio healthy?) in the West.
LeBron can’t do it alone.
3. Last spring LeBron James used Cleveland’s run to the playoffs to cement his status as one of the NBA’s top young players. Who do you think will grab the limelight this spring?
Chris Paul will lead New Orleans to the Western Conference Finals where they’ll lose to the Lake show in seven on an off balance three from Kobe from the elbow (swicup!) at the buzzer.
4. Two seasons ago a lot of basketball fans let out a collective groan when Antoine Walker shimmied his way to a championship. Are there any players this year who it would pain you to see win a ring?
I loved when Antoine shimmied. I miss him and Mark Jackson (the next Knicks coach) just for those antics. Straight old school. I gotta say Bubba Chuck but Denver plays no defense so it ain’t happening.
5. Most basketball fans and writers are conceding that a Western Conference team will hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this season. Can Boston or Detroit win a championship this season? If so, what will it taken for an Eastern Conference team to “upset” a Western Conference team in The Finals?
Boston wins the championship and it won’t be an upset. People are underestimating the match up problems the big three will cause in the 4th quarter half court with Jesus Shuttlesworth being the most compelling factor with his consistent shooting out of the double down on the blocks. I think the West is a little overrated given there are a lot of teams that don’t play defense.
6. What two teams will play in the Western Conference Finals?
LA and NO. The MVP’s go at it.
7. What two teams will play in the Eastern Conference Finals?
Boston and Detroit. Sheed and KG cancel each other out but Boston just has too much.
8. What team will be crowned NBA Champs?
The Boston Celtics over the Lakers in true Boston 7th game 1980’s reminiscence. Kobe wins regular season MVP, but KG gets the June confetti shine and validates his previous MVP trophy in the process.
April 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Lakers vs. Celtics would be great. I’ve been a Laker fan for years, and would love to see it, if only for nostalgia’s sake. I don’t think it’ll happen, though. The Lakers are still a year (and Andrew Bynum having close to a full season) away from being able to win it all. The West is really wide open for at least the top seven teams. Celtics have the big three. But I think Detroit has a better team. It would be interesting to see who would win that one. I think Rondo vs. Billups would be the real key to that match up.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Honestly I can’t see the Lakers making it past the 2nd round. I also don’t think Boston will get the East from Detroit.
My finals are Detroit vs. Mavericks.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Just one question for everyone. How the hell are you going to stop Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce enough possessions to win 4 games in a series? Are we forgetting just how good each of these players are? I know everyone is underestimating Rajon, but don’t sleep on his game at either end. Detroit has gotten younger, but the team LeBron ran through singlehandedly will be on the floor in the fourth. So…a team with three of the best players of this era that won 66 games is not winning it all? I just can’t see it and I love Detroit. One thing to look at when watching Celtic games is their shooting percentage out of double teams. If they are hitting with anything close to 50%, no one in this league can stop them.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
The one concern that I had when this team was assembled was that they would burn out from logging heavy minutes. That has not been the case. Compared to recent seasons Garnett’s “monster games” are down that’s not just because of Pierce and Allen. Doc Rivers has done a good job of playin them in only necessary situations. These three healthy for the most part and rested.
What were going to see in the playoffs is how the came out of the gate to begin the regular season, they still have to be careful that these are potential 7-game series and there is no need to burn them out.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Mizzo people said the same thing about the Patriots, no way they can be beat.
I don’t know how it will be done, I just believe that Detroit will be the champs in the East.
April 18th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Boston can win the title, but I’m not handing it to them. I don’t think Ray Ray will get open looks in the 4th, because who is gonna double Garnett? He doesn’t want to shoot the ball!!! lol How many of the Big Three have come through consistently in crunch time? Reg season wins mean nothing. Look at Dallas and Detroit for recent confirmation.
April 18th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Detroit is the only chance the league has of beating the Celtics. I give you that.
Man stop hatin’ Laker fan. KG, Ray Ray and PP together yeah you know you in trouble…
April 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I’m not hating. But can you give me examples of them coming through in the clutch? **crickets**
Now all of a sudden, it’s a given that they will dominate in 4th quarters, while being coached by a guy who’s NEVER WON A PLAYOFF SERIES? I’m not saying the C’s won’t win. But I can’t say it’s a gimme. And no, I’m not banking on the Lakers winning either. Pau’s never won a series. How will Farmar, Sasha, and Ronny come through with the heat is on? Will Bynum and Ariza come back, and if they do will they be productive?
You see Mizzo, I talk trash. But I’m also objective. Now, if the C’s falter and the Lakers cruise, you’ll see more talking and less objectivity:)
April 18th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Diallo, if KG won’t shot it Paul Piece will. They are scary. But, luckily Detroit has Rasheed for KG, Rip for Allen, Tayshuan for Prince, but who got Chauncy and and McDyess
April 18th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
If a big shot is needed in a Celtics game it will be taken by Sam I Am with little to no hesitation. PP, KG, and Jesus are cute, but when the game is on the line the opposing team better watch out for Cassell.
Anyhow, I only make predictions based on the round that’s being played. That being said,
Detroit, Atlanta (yeah I’m still saying it) Cleveland, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Antone, New Orleans, and Utah advance.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I say Kobe wins Both MVP awards!
April 18th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Co Co get ‘em girl! Take ‘em to skuuul. Have fun with Rev Redd Foxx yesterday?
April 19th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Mizzo you’re insane!!!! LOL
April 19th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I agree brotha mizzo. Remember I told you and everyone at the begining of the season I said the celts would win the championship. I think you were the only one brotha that believed me. I even picked them to beat the suns in the finals. But then I changed it when the lakers got the Gasol. But without Bynum the lakers will lose.
If no Bynum we will have to wait till next year to see lakers vs celts in the finals.
Oh yeah and I do believe that the celts will win 2 championships with this squad.
Now let me go in a corner and cry because my bulls are the most poorly ran team in the NBA.
April 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Yeah i picked the C’s as well O here.
Celts and the Nuggets. Wow. We’ll see…