Things we've learned from the NBA playoffs (so far)
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Sports
With the NBA playoffs fully underway, it's time for some notes and observations from the association.
The champs are in trouble.
The Boston-Chicago series has all the makings of a seven-game classic. The Bulls aren't going to go away, and the Celtics are going to go down without a fight. The history of success between the two teams is astounding, and the first two games have been spectacular. From Vinny Del Negro's lack of coaching ability (running out of timeouts in both games!), to Kevin Garnett's injury, to Leon Powe's injury further crippling the Celtics, to Brian Scalabrine, to Ray Allen's 28-point second-half outburst in game two, to Derrick Rose's sensational playoff debut, this series is a good one. Which leads us to…
Every Rose has its thorn.
The NBA…where Derrick Rose happens. Rose was the runaway winner of the Rookie of the Year award, and his playoff debut was nothing short of spectacular. In game one against the Celtics, Rose scored 36 points, dished out 11 assists and grabbed four rebounds - and he's a ROOKIE! I'd say the sky's the limit for Rose, but I don't think it is. Maybe the Milky Way galaxy? Maybe the universe? Who knows? If you can expect anything from Rose, expect to be surprised.
As D-Wade goes, so go the Heat.
If Dwyane Wade can score 30-plus points, the Heat have a chance against the upstart Atlanta Hawks. If he doesn't, Miami is looking at a first-round exit. It's a shame to see Wade waste away with no talent around him.
Portland is fun to watch.
The young Trail Blazers are finally starting to tap into their talent, and are breaking away from the "Jail Blazers" stigma that plagued them for so long. With Brandon Roy healthy and playing well, the Rockets have their hands full with Portland. If Greg Oden can give the Blazers anything - besides fouls, of course - Portland should be able to advance to the second round, sending the Rockets to yet another first-round exit. Poor Yao Ming. Not.
Chauncey Billups is playing out of his mind.
Through two games, Billups is averaging 33.5 points, six assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. On top of that, the veteran point guard has connected on 12-of-15 three-point attempts so far in the series. If Billups keeps playing like this, I give New Orleans absolutely no chance of winning the series, especially since it's clear that the Hornets have given up on Byron Scott.
Cleveland and Los Angeles are the definitive favorites.
As the MVP campaign ad states, LeBron James is really, really, really, really, really, really good. Kobe Bryant is also worthy of six "reallys." Both the Cavs and the Lakers entered the playoffs as the prohibitive favorites, and nothing has really changed, except that I'd go ahead and call them the "definitive" favorites right now. Barring some otherworldly performance, the Cleveland and L.A. will meet for the NBA title, when two really, really, really…oh, you get the idea…good players will go up against each other on professional basketball's biggest stage. The Cavs have looked great in two wins over the Pistons, thanks in large part to Wally Szczerbiak, while the Lakers - led by Adam Morrison - have looked good against the Jazz. Oh, who am I kidding? It's all about LeBron and Kobe. Nothing's going to change that.
Unless, of course, you expect to be surprised.
Bart Pohlman is the sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler.
The champs are in trouble.
The Boston-Chicago series has all the makings of a seven-game classic. The Bulls aren't going to go away, and the Celtics are going to go down without a fight. The history of success between the two teams is astounding, and the first two games have been spectacular. From Vinny Del Negro's lack of coaching ability (running out of timeouts in both games!), to Kevin Garnett's injury, to Leon Powe's injury further crippling the Celtics, to Brian Scalabrine, to Ray Allen's 28-point second-half outburst in game two, to Derrick Rose's sensational playoff debut, this series is a good one. Which leads us to…
Every Rose has its thorn.
The NBA…where Derrick Rose happens. Rose was the runaway winner of the Rookie of the Year award, and his playoff debut was nothing short of spectacular. In game one against the Celtics, Rose scored 36 points, dished out 11 assists and grabbed four rebounds - and he's a ROOKIE! I'd say the sky's the limit for Rose, but I don't think it is. Maybe the Milky Way galaxy? Maybe the universe? Who knows? If you can expect anything from Rose, expect to be surprised.
As D-Wade goes, so go the Heat.
If Dwyane Wade can score 30-plus points, the Heat have a chance against the upstart Atlanta Hawks. If he doesn't, Miami is looking at a first-round exit. It's a shame to see Wade waste away with no talent around him.
Portland is fun to watch.
The young Trail Blazers are finally starting to tap into their talent, and are breaking away from the "Jail Blazers" stigma that plagued them for so long. With Brandon Roy healthy and playing well, the Rockets have their hands full with Portland. If Greg Oden can give the Blazers anything - besides fouls, of course - Portland should be able to advance to the second round, sending the Rockets to yet another first-round exit. Poor Yao Ming. Not.
Chauncey Billups is playing out of his mind.
Through two games, Billups is averaging 33.5 points, six assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. On top of that, the veteran point guard has connected on 12-of-15 three-point attempts so far in the series. If Billups keeps playing like this, I give New Orleans absolutely no chance of winning the series, especially since it's clear that the Hornets have given up on Byron Scott.
Cleveland and Los Angeles are the definitive favorites.
As the MVP campaign ad states, LeBron James is really, really, really, really, really, really good. Kobe Bryant is also worthy of six "reallys." Both the Cavs and the Lakers entered the playoffs as the prohibitive favorites, and nothing has really changed, except that I'd go ahead and call them the "definitive" favorites right now. Barring some otherworldly performance, the Cleveland and L.A. will meet for the NBA title, when two really, really, really…oh, you get the idea…good players will go up against each other on professional basketball's biggest stage. The Cavs have looked great in two wins over the Pistons, thanks in large part to Wally Szczerbiak, while the Lakers - led by Adam Morrison - have looked good against the Jazz. Oh, who am I kidding? It's all about LeBron and Kobe. Nothing's going to change that.
Unless, of course, you expect to be surprised.
Bart Pohlman is the sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler.
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