Ok I will admit that I do have two favorite NBA teams! One is in the Eastern Conference (my beloved Boston Celtics). And . . . having been in Dallas for 5+ seasons has transformed me into a big Dallas Mavericks fan. The Mavs of course, play in the Western Conference.
The question is who will win the NBA Championship this year? Wow. To me I don’t believe it is an easy call. All eight playoff teams in the West have at least 49 wins and only 7 games separate the best record in the West: LA Lakers and Oklahoma City. An injury here and there and anyone can win. A team gets a great matchup or gets hot, the next thing they know they upset a higher seeded team. FYI – the Hottest team in the West is the Phoenix Suns who are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
In the East, wow. Would love to say the Celtics are going to do it. Some would say they have been coasting for a month and waiting for the playoffs to turn it on. Not sure I buy that. And, by the way, they will probably draw the toughest first round opponent–the Miami Heat–who happens to be the hottest team in the NBA with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games.
So here is what I think happens. In the East, Cleveland will play Atlanta in the Conference finals and in the West it will be The LA Lakers going up against the Dallas mavericks with . . . the Mavericks losing to Lebron James and the Cavaliers in 7 games! Yes, Lebron will win the MVP.
Now your turn:
- What do you think of my prediction?
- Which team do you think will get hot?
- Who will win the NBA Championship?
- What about the MVP award?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Jeff Adler says:
I agree Cleveland wins. They are much improved over the last two years, and they are playing with a sense of urgency. Antawn Jamison gives them another veteran scoring threat. Yes — of course LeBron is MVP.
I agree the Celtics have not been coasting. They are a .500 team since 2010 began. I think they get by the Heat in Round 1, but only because game 7 is in Boston.
I think Orlando, not Atlanta, is Cleveland’s opponent in the Eastern Finals. They are the defending conference champions, and Vince Carter made them a little better than last year.
In the West, the Lakers are clearly the best. I think each of the other 7 teams can challenge them in a 7 game series, but I don’t think any of them will actually beat the Lakers.
As for the other 7 in the West, I think Denver is in trouble because of George Karl’s health. They have not been the same team since he left the bench. I think Dallas, with the addition of Brendan Haywood and Caron Butler, could be the best of the rest. However, I think I recall San Antonio traditionally has proven to be a very difficult matchup for them in the playoffs. Beyond those teams, I like Phoenix’s chances. I don’t think Portland, Utah, and Oklahoma City are ready yet.
Rick Johnson says:
I agree that this is the Cavs year! I don’t watch basketball very since living in Houston. Have a great weekend Merrill!
Eric Brall says:
My money says that the Cavs don’t make the finals – the magic will beat them (again) in 6.
Lakers vs. Magic in a repeat of last years finals, it’s going to be more competitive than last year but ultimately the lakers take it not just because of the superstar power of Kobe of the twin 7-footers, but the real x-factor, whether they get the magic or the cavs, is the defense of Ron Artest.
If its the cavs in the finals – between Artest and Kobe (two all-world defenders) i think that Lebron is containable and the lakers take them – and between gasol and bynum, same goes for Howard and the ability to get him in foul trouble.
So, in summation – i think its lakers-magic in the finals, but whether its the magic or the cavs coming out of the east, the Lakers repeat.
Elisa Galloway, Galloway Research says:
Merill, oh Merrill,
Its our annual Texas rivalry….
Mavs have to get past the SPURS first!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Mavs lose game 6 and the series to the Spurs – ugh I was wrong again……
Merrill Dubrow says:
Yes I am excited that the Celtics beat the Cavs last night but I am very surprised! Next stop ….. Orlando – perhaps a Laker & Celtics Final. That would be GREAT!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Quick update.
Dream match up – Boston Celtics vs LA Laker’s!
WOW – I cant wait until the series starts!
Merrill