Like Mike

The NBA playoffs start tomorrow, and for me the season is just beginning. I was able to keep up with the NBA, but I didn't dig in and watch too many games from start to finish. Now that the field is pared down to 16 with the non competitive teams removed, I can get excited about upcoming games.

East

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

If it weren't for Kevin Durant, LeBron James might be the unanimous winner of the MVP. Cleveland had another excellent regular season in the LeBron era and added some interesting components for the playoff run. Antawn Jamison and Shaq could prove very valuable additions, especially when they meet Orlando. Guarding Dwight Howard is the only reason the Cavs signed Shaq who has been injured/resting most of the season. It doesn't look like much else can get in LeBron's way to the Finals.

Chicago is very young and a big underdog in this series. That status was set before reports surfaced that head coach Vinny Del Negro got into a "physical altercation" with vice president of basketball operations John Paxson. Doesn't look good for the Bulls. Derrick Rose and a host of talented young players overachieved, but it's not their time.

I like Cleveland to sweep this series in what probably is the most lopsided pairing of the playoffs.

Cavs win 4-0

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks

Doesn't it seem like the Hawks have become playoff veterans? After almost derailing the Celtics championship run two seasons ago, they won a playoff series last season and just finished their best regular season in 13 years, hearkening to the days Mookie Blaylock ran the point. The Hawks averaged the fewest turnovers in the NBA and enjoy a rebounding advantage over the Bucks.

I have to admit I don't know much about Milwaukee, but I do know they far exceeded their expectations this year. They seem to have a bevy of capable role players. Unfortunately they just lost center Andrew Bogut to injury, and while Brandon Jennings is capable of scoring 50 on a good night, he is way too young to lead an underdog.

Hawks win 4-1

Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics

It's no secret that Boston's Big Three have showed their age since their championship two seasons ago. Without point guard Rajon Rondo this team would be downright slow. But Kevin Garnett is finally healthy and the Celtics are full of star power and experience. There is some concern that Boston did not have a strong finish to the season, but they did go 3-0 against Miami this year.

The Heat were hot to end the season and hope to continue the momentum going into the playoffs. Dwayne Wade has been out of the best NBA player conversations since his injury two seasons ago, but he has quietly picked up where he left off after winning the championship in 2006. The problem for the Heat is the lack of quality role players and depth around Wade. The pivotal matchup will be Michael Beasley against Garnett. Advantage Celtics.

This should be a great series. The Heat are 19-2 lifetime in playoff games that Wade scores 30, and he had no problem scoring in games against Boston this year. In the end I think the series goes to seven but Boston is better.

Celts win 4-3

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Orlando Magic

Orlando won the East last year getting by Lebron and the Cavs. It doesn't look like there is much else that will stand in their way again this year. Barring a Vince Carter blow up (which has happened before), super center Dwight Howard and the Magic are destined to meet the Cavs again in the Eastern Finals.

Charlotte is a feel good story this year. Head coach Larry Brown continues to amaze everyone in basketball with his successful reclamation projects. Guard Steven Jackson has proven to be a weapon in the postseason and could help the Bobcats steal a game or two.

If the Magic play their game this shouldn't be too competitive.

Magic win 4-1

West

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

So the Thunder made the playoffs. Now what?

Oklahoma City has every reason to be proud of their team, and this season should have at least met every fans expectations. But after losing momentum via hard fought games late in the season, the Thunder have their backs against the wall against the world champion Los Angeles Lakers. The same Lakers that boast four rings on the fingers of Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson. The same Lakers that are basically the Bulls of the 1990s. Don't believe me? Take a look.

Phil Jackson = (100%) of Phil Jackson
Kobe Bryant = (90%) of Michael Jordan
Lamar Odom = (70%) of Scottie Pippen
Ron Artest = (80%) of Dennis Rodman
Pau Gasol = (120%) of Toni Kukoc
Andrew Bynum = (135%) of Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, Bill Cartwright, Will Perdue
Shannon Brown= (100%) of Ron Harper
Jordan Farmar= (80%) of John Paxson/Steve Kerr
Derek Fischer= (90%) of B.J. Armstrong

I'd say they're roughly 80% similar to the most dominating dynasty of the past 30 years. Bad news for the Thunder. In no logical way should anyone believe the Thunder have a chance to win more than two games in this series, yet I get the feeling this draw might be a blessing in disguise for OKC.

For every team but one the season ends in disappointment. Thunder fans should be happy that their young team provided some great moments this season and got themselves in the playoffs. But that's not enough for any true sports fan. No matter the circumstance, you want to see your team win the championship. If they are in the playoffs they have a chance, and if they're going to win it all, at some point it is going to go through L.A. Why not the first round?

There has been some disconnect in the Lakers locker room and the Thunder are one of the most cohesive teams in the NBA. The series has Lakers head coach Phil Jackson's attention enough to start lobbying referees while simultaneously trying to psyche out OKC's 21 year old superstar Kevin Durant by publicly saying Durant gets too many foul calls.

The Thunder are blessed with talent surrounding the NBA's scoring champion but lack playoff experience. It seems too early for this team, but the future is very bright. The only chance for OKC is to win early in L.A. and hope team Kobe implodes with frustration.

Lakers win 4-2

Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets

Most analysts have predicted this to be the hardest fought series of the first round. Denver has been fighting emotions with the absence of head coach George Karl due to cancer treatment. The Nuggets played poorly without Karl, but they were also playing without forward Kenyon Martin who will be back for the playoffs. Consistent playoff performer Chauncey Billups' leadership will be crucial and Carmelo Anthony will need to play up to his superstar potential.

Utah is the same team they have always been. Solid from top to bottom and competitive. They have been one of the most consistent franchises since the 80s. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer try to replicate the chemistry of John Stockton and Karl Malone. The Jazz have to start the series on the road and were 1-3 this season against Denver. Injuries also hampered Utah at the end of the season and health is a concern for Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko.

Challenges for both teams should make for interesting competition.

Nugs win 4-3

San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks

Every year looks like the year Dallas will finally rise up in the West and challenge the Lakers. This year is no different and they finished the season sharp. The addition of Shawn Marion with superstar Dirk Nowitzki and veteran Jason Kidd solidify the chances of the Mavs this season. They appear to be very deep with perennial sixth man of the year candidate Jason Terry adding points off the bench. Nowitzki and the Mavs have built a reputation of under performing in the postseason.

Just when everyone was counting the Spurs out, here they are back again with a solid core of starters that have won championships in the past. The health of Manu Ginobli has always been a big story and he appears to be ready for the series. Unfortunately, one team Dallas feels comfortable playing is the Spurs. I think San Antonio's lack of depth will cause them to fizzle early.

Mavs win 4-2

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns

Much like the Spurs, the Phoenix Suns are back in the playoffs riding momentum that most thought they wouldn't be able to capture. The talk about the Suns focused on trade rumors surrounding Amare Stoudemire. The two sides worked out their differences and perennial MVP candidate Steve Nash put together another brilliant season to lead Phoenix back to the playoffs.

Portland has steadily improved over the last few years despite whiffing big time on Greg Oden in the draft. They continued to build and add talent creating an excellent franchise. The bad news is they will have to play without superstar Brandon Roy. Without their anchor, Phoenix should be able to run over Portland.

Suns win 4-2

That's how I see the first round. The script usually reads according to plan in the NBA. With every series being seven games, it's hard for the underdogs to sneak past tough teams. While there will be several hard fought and interesting series, I would expect the elite teams to be there until the end. I will refrain from making picks beyond the first round, but I can't imagine many big upsets this season.

Good luck to the Thunder, I'll be rooting for you. But it's Kobe's world and the Lakers will have to beat themselves for OKC to move on.