NBA 2009 Playoffs:Second Round

With the exception of the clash between the Baby Bulls and the battle tested Celtics, two teams that treated us to one of the best series of all time, the first round was pretty uneventful. Detroit was by far the worst team in the playoffs, and the whole A.I. situation flat out pissed me off. I'm glad they got swept so they couldn't continue to blame my boy the "Answer" for their woes as a team. Utah never really had a shot with my squad no matter how many leads they blew, (another thing that's pissing me off by the way). Philly and Orlando had some moments, but overall it was a pretty dull series. Spurs were done once the news of the Manu injury hit the airwaves, Portland/Houston never really lived up to the hype, Miami and Atlanta just took turns blowing each other out and New Orleans lost by 58!, whoa. Obviously I couldn't wait for round 1 to end. But I really don't think we're out of the woods of mediocrity just yet. The second round match ups aren't that great either. Now I can say I always worry about my Lakers no matter who they're matched up with. Houston should give them a tough series with two of the best defensive players in the game, Artest and Battier, to throw at Kobe, and lets not forget that they have the "Great Wall" to anchor the D. They will be very physical with the Lake Show, and the Laker toughness has been questioned all year, but they won't beat us. Judging from today's game between Denver and Dallas, I don't think this will be much of a series. Dallas has always been soft to me and Denver has been very impressive(Buh Buh Buh Billups!) Billups has turned this team around, Nene is finally healthy and leading a trio of three of the most active big men in the league with Birdman and K-mart. Their D has improved a whole lot and say what you want about Anthony Carter, but the boy got D. In the East, the match ups look a little more enticing on the surface, but sadly I think they will flounder under the expectations. Orlando is a three point shooting team who suddenly forgets they have a big man in the fourth quarter when they need easy buckets. I don't care how many free throws Howard misses, give him the damn ball! I got Boston in 5, even without KG. On the other side, the Hawks might be able to take the Cavs to 6 because Atlanta is very very very hard to beat at home. But realistically, they wont beat the Lebrons, sorry ATL. I love the NBA so I will be watching regardless, but we are all just anxiously anticipating the match up of the century between Kobe and Lebron. No disrespect to the other teams in it, but these other games are all just blemishes before a absolute masterpiece!