The 2006 NBA playoffs (Western Conference)

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Wow. That's all I have to say about what was been happening in these playoffs. I was analyzing everything that's going on and I thought I'd talk about it here...

First, the Western Conference. In the first round we have the defending champs, the San Antonio Spurs going at it with the 8th seeded Sacramento Kings. I don't think anyone gave the Kings much of a chance when this series started. Now the series is tied and going back to San Antonio. The Spurs need to start playing some championship basketball here. They look confused out there with the Kings. The Kings are doing a great job of exposing what little faults the Spurs have. They key to this series for the Spurs has to be Tony Parker, and to a lesser extent, Manu Ginobli. Tim Duncan has had a subpar year, so I'm not expecting too much from him. Tony Parker needs to step his game up. The way things have been going for the Spurs, the Kings are in good position to take this series, unless we see the Champs step it up and show everyone in the NBA why they are the Champs.

Prediction: Spurs in 7

Next in the first round we have the no. 4 seeded Dallas Mavericks, lead by all-star Dirk Nowitzki, against Mike Fratello's Memphis Grizzlies, who were the number 5 seed. The Mavs lead this series 3-0 and are the only team without a loss in the playoffs. Alot of people have said that Dallas may very wall go all the way to Finals this year. Many belive that this is the best they have ever played and that they're in good position to take it all the way. Well, those thoughts may be solidified tonight in Game 4. There's really nothing the Mavs need to change in Game 4. They have been playing tremendous basketball, especially Dirk Nowitzki, and have been able to keep the Grizzlies at bay. I have to give credit to Memphis though, they've been playing some good ball, just not good enough to stop the Mavs. If the Grizzlies want to have a shot at this series, they need to tighten up their defense and get their offense going. Mike Miller and Pau Gasol, I believe are going to need to be the key players in order for Memphis to have a shot. Miller is this year's Sixth Man of the year, time for him to come off the bench and show why.

Prediction: Mvas in 4

Basketball fans in the city of Los Angeles have alot to be happy about. Clippers fans are especially happy. Not only have the Clippers made the playoff's for the first time in a long time, but it seems like they might be en route to winning this series against the Denver Nuggets and move on to the 2nd round. Denver is facing elimination and seems to have no answer for Clippers. The Clippers are an exciting team this year. They're playing with heart, dedication and excitement. Things that Denver really isn't playing with. Denver has struggled this whole series. As George Karl himself put it, they're just not playing playoff basketball and are lacking confidence. Elton Brand, Sam Cassell, Chris Kaman, Cuttino Mobley, Shaun Livingston and Corey Maggette, on the other hand, have been playjing with all the confidence in the world and seem to be moving in for the kill. Denver's stray player, Carmelo Anthony, needs some help out on the floor, whether it be Marcus Camby or Andre Miller, it doesn't really matter, these Denver players need to make something happen here or they'll be on their way home soon.

Prediction: Clippers in 5

Even though reports seem to indicate that Steve Nash will be the league's MVP again this year, Laker fans, including myself, think that the real MVP is Kobe Bryant. He did things this season that we probably wont see ever again. Aside from his 81-point game, I think his biggest accomplishemnt this year was proving everybody wrong and getting the Lakers into the playoffs. As a result of making the playoffs, we've seen the rest of the Lakers grow as players right before our eyes. Phoenix maye have come into this series a little too confident, after all, in the last 2 regular seasons, the Suns have won 7 or their last 8 meetings. In Game 1, I don't think the Suns expected the Lakers to be in their face the whole way. In Game 2, the Lakers implimented their game plan, almost to perfection. Phil Jackson's same game plan wroked again in Game 3. Game 4 was a closer battle, but thanks to some key plays by key players, the Lakers came away with the victory and now lead the series 3-1. Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw had better games in game 4, so expect Game 5 to be an even closer battle. The Suns got some good looks at the basket in Game 4, but were not abke to make anything happen. In order for the Lakers to take this series, they need to continue to play the way they have been, maybe even a little better. Phoenix needs to make less mistakes in order to catch up to the Lakers.

Prediction: Lakers in 6


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your Thoughts?

[Teddy Roosevelt]

Spurs vs Kings: Most surprising series in the western confrence. I'm very impressed with what the Kings have done. They've proved doubters (like me) wrong so I got to give them props on that. None the less the Spurs are a championship team and they have home court advatage so I think they'll prevail.
Spurs in 7.

Suns vs Lakers: Can't say I'm too surprised, but I expected more from the Suns. I though this series would go to 6 or 7 games with the Lakers coming out on top, but I was obviously wrong. The Lakers have been more phenominal then there 3-1 record shows considering Kobe hasn't even scored 30 points in a game yet. If the Spurs don't prevail they (along with the Mavs) are the new favorites to win the western confrence.
Lakers in 5

Mavericks vs Grizzlies: The mavericks are hungery and it shows in this series. They refuse to give th Grizzlies anything and I don't think they're going to slow down going into the second round. With the Spurs the way they are, the Mavs are the new power house of the west.
Mavericks in 4

Nuggets vs Clippers: Was anyone surprised by this? I wasn't. Maybe it was the fact that the Nuggets had the same number of wins as the 8th seeded Kings. They had the advantage of playing in the worst divsion of the league and are lucky to be here. This shouldn't take anything away from the Clippers though. They are playing well against a weak team, but they are showing that they are a force in the playoffs. Although I don't see the Clippers going past round 2.
Clippers in 6

[WestCoasta]

Lakers vs. Kings - WCF


just like 2002

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Lakers vs. Kings - WCF


just like 2002

LOL, would be great, but I highly doubt the Kings will make it that far, though I gotta give credit where credit's  due, they are steppin' up, but they always have at home. Lets see if they can steal one in San Antonio, I personally doubt it...PeACe

[Juronimo]

Well the Clips won their first playoff series, congrats to them, looking forward to facing them in the 2nd round. It will be a fun series and a tough, hard fought series. They're definitelly superior to the Suns, with their tough inside presence. I predict the Lakers in 7, Phil and Kobe will find a way to make it happen, no doubt.

[7even]

can anyone say "sweeeeeeep" as fast as the Mavs swept the grizzlies? 

[wcsoldier]

Denver is the weakest team I've seen so far in these playoffs.. horrible, they didn't win a game... Clips lost it

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

can anyone say "sweeeeeeep" as fast as the Mavs swept the grizzlies? 

I actually thought Memphis would perform a lot better than they did, they've always been a decent playoff team. But like I said, I gotta give credit where it's due, and this year the Mavs came to play...PeACe