Today was a big day in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies in the 7th game of the Western Conference Semis to advance to play the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls defended their homecourt advantage and defeated the Miami Heat in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
I have always felt that the Conference Finals are the best part of the NBA Playoffs, even better than the Finals. I believe this is the case because the teams that meet in the Conference Finals usually have a rivalry established by the time they play each other just because they play each other more during the regular season.
My NBA Finals prediction: Heat vs. Mavericks
Who I want to see in the NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Mavericks
When it comes to the Eastern Conference Finals, I feel that the Heat will take the series even though they are currently down 0-1 (I predict Heat win the series 4-2). Honestly, the Heat are just too stacked. Coming into this series, Miami was 8-1 in the playoffs. That is dominating. I feel the Heat will manage to win at least one game in Chicago before everything is all said and done and of course I believe they will take care of business in their home arena. Again, the Heat are just too good and Lebron James gets EVERY SINGLE CALL. The Heat will advance. However, I am really pulling for the Bulls to come through. Derrick Rose is so much fun to watch play. I am also a Carlos Boozer fan. Most of my desire for the Bulls to represent the Eastern Conference though is my dislike for Lebron. There is no doubt that he is one of the best players in the league (Top 3). When he took over in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semis, I looked on in amazement. However, how he conducted himself this last off season was straight up bush league. After “The Decision” I told myself I could never cheer for that guy. Also, his pre-game chalk ritual rubs me the wrong way,
For the Western Conference Finals, I simply think the Mavs are too rested, too experienced, and too good for the Thunder (Mavs win 4-2). What a ride the Thunder has given the city of Oklahoma though. Hopefully it will be the end of that ride. Being a lifelong Seattle Supersonics fan it is hard to see your team get stolen and then implanted over 2,000 miles away by some sleazy, bush league businessman. I have loved Kevin Durant since he played college ball for Texas and I would not mind if he made it to the Finals and had a chance for a ring but I do hope Dallas prevails. Besides, I am a Dirk guy. That guy can play and has paid his dues. He has been a mainstay in the NBA Playoffs for many years now. He deserves a championship (not so much Mark Cuban).
So I expect to see a Mavs-Heat championship series. When that happens, I will have a prediction for you. Don’t Blink.
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First, I agree with the Eastern Conference Finals prediction, however, last night the Bulls played what some would like to call “defense”, which is a sight for sore eyes to the usual NBA onlooker. And yes, LeBron gets every call. If you watch him drive to the hoop, his travels are so fluid, they never get called.
As for the Western Conference Finals, I agree almost totally, the only difference is I’m a Mark Cuban fan (read his blog at blogmaverick.com) but yeah… if my life was on the line over a 16-foot-jumper, I’d have Dirk take it.
I expect Heat to win in 7, and Mavericks to win in 5.
Ps I don’t know how commissioner Stern still has a job… that guy is a joke.
You know, I actually just wanted to kind of make a joke at Mark Cuban’s expense. I must admit, Cuban is a real owner. Hard to criticze his passion and commitment to his team. Have you seen that show “Shark Tank”? He is pretty good on that.
As for Stern, I think the jury is still out on him.