Who will cup Larry O’Brien’s balls in 2010?

Happy spring to all the loyal SU readers.  For those that don’t know me, I am a long-time reader, but first-time contributor to SU.com.  I hail from the mean streets of Cleveland, and I attended high school or college with the likes of Rodney Bailey, Mike Rupp, Ira Newble, and Wally Szczerbiak among others.  Though the only sport I was good enough (barely) to play in HS was baseball, but I was the sportswriter for my school newspaper.  I alternate between being a Cleveland homer and Cleveland hater, depending on which team up there is losing at the time.  Without further ado, here goes….

As one of the most intriguing offseasons in NBA history awaits, we are about to launch into one of the most exciting postseasons as well.  Some of the many storylines include… 

Will the Lakers’ internal struggle on the shores of the Vujacic Ocean carry over to the playoffs, or will Kobe and Pau be able to turn it on when it counts?

Has Kevin Garnett talked his last legit trash, or is another title run for Boston “GuaranSheed”?

Can young teams like the Hawks and Thunder make “The Leap” to legitimate contender status?

Will Cleveland’s injury issues cause yet another choke, or can they rely on better overall talent than in past years to prevail?

Will the key free agents’ final decisions on their future rest on how far their teams go?

I offer my picks below – feel free to fire away with comments:

East

Round 1

1 Cleveland vs. 8 Chicago – Bulls are playing well and get one in Chicago, but that’s it.  Cavs in 5.

2 Orlando vs. 7 Charlotte – Bobcats have had a great year, but lack experience and have no answer for D-Ho.  Magic in 5 (with apologies to StoneCold)

3 Atlanta vs. 6 Milwaukee – No Bogut spells doom for the Bucks, as the Hawks athleticism will rule here.  Hawks in 4.

4 Boston vs. 5 Miami – D-Wade will go wild, and O’Neal, Beasley, and Haslem can keep the Celts bigs in check, but in the end experience prevails.  Celtics in 7.

Round 2

1 Cleveland vs. 4 Boston – Boston will be a tougher out than some think, but Varejao and Jamison, who haven’t played in some of the prior meetings, will be key.  Cavs in 7.

2 Orlando vs. 3 Atlanta – Magic have dominated Hawks this year due to no inside presence for Atlanta.  That will continue.  Magic in 6.

Conf. Finals

1 Cleveland vs. 2 Orlando – An epic battle.  Magic could easily take this series, but Shaq will be the difference.  Cavs in 7.

 

West

Round 1

1 Lakers vs. 8 OKC – Thunder will be a force to be reckoned with; just not this year.  They’ll get valuable playoff experience though.   Lakers in 4.

2 Dallas vs. 7 San Antonio – Tim, Manu, and T-Park won’t go down easy, but Dirk and co. are too deep and too athletic. Mavs in 6.

3 Phoenix vs. 6 Portland – Blazers deserve a lot of credit for winning 50 with all their injuries, but Suns will run them off the court without Roy.  Suns in 5.

4 Denver vs. 5 Utah – Great matchup here.  If Jazz are healthy, they will push Nuggets to the brink, but Melo and Mr. Big Shot will step up.  Nuggets in 7.

Round 2

1 Lakers vs. 4 Denver – Similar to last year, this will be a tightly contested series, but the Nuggets have been in some disarray.  Lakers in 7.

2 Dallas vs. 3 Phoenix – Here is where the Suns’ lack of physical play typically gets exposed, and it will happen again in 2010.  Mavs in 6.

Conf. Finals

1 Lakers vs. 2 Dallas – If Bynum is not at full strength, the Lakers size advantage will be stunted.  The Mavs’ additions of Butler, Beaubois, and Haywood this year will move the needle.  Mavs in 6.

 

NBA Finals

1 Cleveland vs. 2 Dallas – I am an extremely jaded and pessimistic Cleveland fan, but I am cautiously optimistic here.  I lived through the Kosar/Schottenheimer gags in the 80s and World Series chokes in the 90s.  With LeBron’s uncertain future, if the Cavs don’t win it this year, it may never happen for the city.  Cavs in 6.