First Round NBA playoffs 2011, What I've learned

The first round of the 2011 NBA playoffs have as always, made me more of a basketball lover. My beloved Lakers are caught up in a best of three with the Hornets, something I never would have thought, given the regluar season, could have occurred, but Chris Paul is playing just out of this world, the C’s have demolished the injury ridden and a lot less talented NY Knicks and the Grizzlies are up 2-1 against the Spurs. The Thunder-Nuggets series, although I haven’t been able to watch live, has lived up to a thrilling match-up between two very exciting young teams. The Trailblazers are taking it to the Mavericks, while the Bulls and Heat are sure to advance. The only series that I thought might be a toss-up in the east is going to the more team like play of the Atlanta Hawks, being led by a 6th man of the year candidate in Jamal Crawford.

One of the things that I’m really enjoying on NBA.com are the more extended stats. One can really see how some teams so totally depend on one, two or three players while others play more as a team with balanced stats. Granted the Knicks were quite banged up, but nobody else comes close to Carmelo Anthony in points, rebounds and assists. A one man show cannot beat a team such as the C’s. Ray Allen shot 31-54 from the field and an amazing 17-26 from behind the arc. Ok, so he wasn’t being guarded by a great defensive player, but never-the-less, just incredible. The Magic would be worthless without Dwight Howard, while the Hawks, led by Crawford, have had very balanced scoring. And it goes on, but you get the point. At the end of the play-offs it will be interesting to see which team wins, i.e. that of a team powered by superstars or a team.

My feeling so far from the first round is that the West has eight competitive teams while the east has four, i.e. C’s, Heat, Hawks and the Bulls, . The first round in the east is going somewhat as predicted, although I thought that the Hawks-Magic series would be a toss up. In the West, what if the final four were the Thunder, a definite, the Grizzlies, Hornets and the Blazers. At this point I wouldn’t be surprised. In fact it is truly great to see this. All of the teams in the West, as in the East have some outstanding players, but some of the teams have more team players and this is being reflected in the very competitive series to date.

My prediction at this point, is that if the C’s can get by the Heat they will again, unfortunately for Lakers fans, advance to the finals. I have no idea who will emerge out of the West, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Thunder. I’m looking forward to the second round to see who actually emerges and is part of the final four in the West

(Check out this video which the Hornets coach showed to his team before game 4 when they beat the Lakers, This truly shows how a team works!)