Post by IanBoyd on Jun 26, 2014 19:34:40 GMT -6
Bringing back my annual playoff preview articles, starting with the West.
Round One
#1
vs
#8
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Jazz
Series Overview:
Even after losing one of the premier post defenders in the league and fellow block brother Caldwell Jones in free agency during the summer, the Utah front office has remained steadfast in their pursuit of another championship. Filling the void left by Jones is a duo of unheralded bigs named Angel Profit and Jim Brewer, both of whom despite being on no one's awards list, has put in solid minutes. Led by perhaps the best outsider scorer and perennial scoring title contender George Gervin, Utah battled emerging powerhouse teams from LA and Dallas in the West and ended the season with a league best 67 win record and 36 wins at home. Armed with home court advantage and the best home record in the league, the Jazz look to avenge last season's loss in the Finals in homes of capturing their 2nd franchise title.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, they are not the aforementioned power house team in LA that challenged the Jazz for the best record. Following a year in that saw a lottery win and drafting the potential future face of the franchise in Grant Hill, the Lakers are stuck in the dreaded 8th seed limbo due to an early season indecision weighing their options between tanking for another year or seeking immediate help to try and contend. Perhaps in a few years the Lakers will have a chance at winning this series; however, in the year 3002, it is unlikely GM buster will be moving on to the 2nd round.
Prediction: Jazz win 4-0
#2
vs
#7
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Clippers
Series Overview:
Gm of the other team in LA, sir joedirt is no stranger to making big time moves and giant splashes. Capitalizing on the turmoil of the Bob Lanier departure, the Clippers front office wasted little time in striking a deal that sent Marvin Webster, a talented young big man acquired with a hefty bounty of draft picks and star point guard Lione Hollins to the Cavaliers for all league center Artis Gilmore with the idea of hoping to bolster the starting center position and freeing up Magic Johnson to run the offense. Although Artis hasn't provided as much production as Clipper nation would have hoped, the move that allowed all world youngster Magic Johnson to play PG has been nothing sort of a meteoric rise in Clipper fortunes as Magic led the team to a 62 win season, a division crown and winning a MVP in the process. Now entering the first playoff games in Clipper history of 4.0, Magic and the dirt show face off against some familiar races in the opening round.
Upon returning to America from the land of rock penises and mosques that work out, gm dilworth immediately jumped in with both feet into trade talks around the league. In a mega three way deal that had GMs questioning the sanity and the sobriety of Miami's front office, the Rockets acquired Bob McAdoo for pennies on the dollar then promptly packaged Bob and Billy Knight to the Cavaliers for the rights to Marvin Webster and Lionel Hollins just in time for a series that pits teammates against former teammates. Though the Rockets are now much deeper from last year in which they upset the Timberwolves, Magic Johnson remains a match up nightmare for Houston on top of the daunting task of playing on the road 4 times in 7 games.
Prediction: Clippers win 4-2
#3
vs
#6
Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
Of all the franchise changing trades made during the 3002 season, the Mavericks perhaps pulled off the biggest moves. Following a round one exist to a lower seed, the Dallas staff spent the majority of the offseason on the development of young Jimmy Paxson; whom despite a mid season injury that has relegated him to 6th man duties has all the looks of an emerging difference maker and newly acquired Larry Kenon, the converted power foward turned wing man that opponents now fear as much as MVP winner David Thompson. An early season blockbuster that sent fan favorite defensive star Mark Eaton and draft picks to rival Minnesota to acquire veteran all league big man Elvin Hayes has given the Mavericks now the most devastating trio in all of TMBSL as they open the playoffs against another Midwest opponent.
Not satisfied with the track record of losing in the first round in creation season and missing the playoffs entirely in 3001, Thunder front office in any attempt to strive for above mediocrity, traded what little remaining draft picks in stock to a depleted Suns team for forward Bobby Jones. An early season sputter prompted the drastic measures that few GMs would attempt: trading for a bad contract offered by Golden State Warriors gm devine. Though now back in the playoffs and winning 50 games again, the Western conference landscape has drastically changed since the days of that creation 17-3 initial run as they face perhaps the most talented roster in the league, another round one exist seems all but certain.
Prediction: Mavericks win 4-1
#4
vs
#5
Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
With the development of young Robert Parish blossoming into an All star caliber center and one of the best rebounding bigs in the league, Sonics fans find themselves in the foreign position of hosting a playoff series. Unfortunately for the Sonics faithful, an ACL tear to starting forward Kermit Washington late in the season all but ends Seattle's chances at a miraculous playoff run as they look to focus on upgrading their medical training staff.
Due to the ascent of the Clippers as the Pacific winners, Portland for the first time will open the playoffs playing on the road. Fortunately for the Blazers, a short travel distance in the opening round should allow for plenty of time for newly acquired guard Bob Dandridge and forward Dan Issel time to gel with the talented center Bill Walton against an injury depleted Sonics team as they look forward to facing off against a familiar foe in the second round.
Prediction: Trailblazers win 4-2
Conference Semifinals
#1
vs
#5
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Jazz
Series Overview:
Following what should be a relatively easy opening round dismissal of a young and inexperienced Lakers squad, the Jazz despite front office posturing, will likely feel the absence of Caldwell Jones as an experienced defender against Bill Walton. To advance to the conference finals, Utah will need to rely on their winning pedigree from the previous years against Portland as the basis for their game plan: attack the guards and wings to exploit mismatches for Gervin, Barry and Don Buse and hope that the duo of block offsprings Angel Profit and Jim Brewer will be able to still provide solid minutes as they have all year long.
For the Trailblazers, a playoff series against the Jazz brings unpleasant memories of one sided beat downs and bitter tastes of defeat. To avoid suffering the same fate, Portland will need to rely heavily on the new additions to the wing and guard positions and try to limit what Utah is able to do on the perimeter. This could be a series that easily goes 6 or 7 games that could be decided with one or two monster games from either team's star players.
Prediction: Jazz win 4-3
#2
vs
#3
Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
Perhaps the most evenly matched series in either conferences, the 2 seed 3 seed series feature a battle of roommates in which both GMs know the other like the back of their own hands. For the Clippers, the usually dominant SG Pistol Pete will likely more than meet his equal against the previous year's MVP David Thompson. To advance to the conference finals, Magic Johnson will need to prove his worth and dominant the entire series as Artis Gilmore will also have his fair share of burden to carry against the beastly Big E, Elvin Hayes.
From the Mavericks standpoint, their game plan is much simpler: exploit the mismatches in talent with skywalker, Larry Kenon and the depth of front court and hope to contain Magic Johnson with help for Lucius Allen, whom despite being as talented as a play maker as Magic, possess not nearly enough defensive prowess to stop Magic by himself. This series will likely go 6 or 7 games; however, while Magic might explode for a few monster games in this series, the overall quality in starting talent should give the Mavericks the edge in the series in which they also hold home court advantage.
Prediction: Mavericks win 4-3
Conference Finals
#1
vs
#3
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Jazz
Series Overview:
Lauded by many as the likely de facto championship series, the winner of the Jazz/Mavericks will hold home court advantage over every Eastern Conference team that emerges from the playoffs. Needless to say, much is on the line for both Midwest squad. Utah's game plan will be no different than that of the Clippers, to exploit the lack of scoring talent from Mavericks PG Lucius Allen. After battling for much of the season atop the scoring leader boards, George Gervin will need to press his advantage as an outside threat against Larry Kenon, who employs a mostly interior game.
For the Mavericks, the road to the title is within striking distance should they advance this far, though suffering a losing record in the regular season against Utah, the Mavericks' overall offensive talent and bench depth is much higher than the Jazz. The trio of backcourt David Thompson, Lucius Allen and young Jimmy Paxson need to at least play evening against the Utah guards in order for their front court advantage to manifest. If the Mavericks can get George Johnson and Jim Brewer, both of which are among the league leaders in fouls per game into early foul trouble, Dallas will have a good chance at advancing to the Finals.
Prediction: Mavericks win 4-3
Round One
#1
vs
#8
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Jazz
Series Overview:
Even after losing one of the premier post defenders in the league and fellow block brother Caldwell Jones in free agency during the summer, the Utah front office has remained steadfast in their pursuit of another championship. Filling the void left by Jones is a duo of unheralded bigs named Angel Profit and Jim Brewer, both of whom despite being on no one's awards list, has put in solid minutes. Led by perhaps the best outsider scorer and perennial scoring title contender George Gervin, Utah battled emerging powerhouse teams from LA and Dallas in the West and ended the season with a league best 67 win record and 36 wins at home. Armed with home court advantage and the best home record in the league, the Jazz look to avenge last season's loss in the Finals in homes of capturing their 2nd franchise title.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, they are not the aforementioned power house team in LA that challenged the Jazz for the best record. Following a year in that saw a lottery win and drafting the potential future face of the franchise in Grant Hill, the Lakers are stuck in the dreaded 8th seed limbo due to an early season indecision weighing their options between tanking for another year or seeking immediate help to try and contend. Perhaps in a few years the Lakers will have a chance at winning this series; however, in the year 3002, it is unlikely GM buster will be moving on to the 2nd round.
Prediction: Jazz win 4-0
#2
vs
#7
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Clippers
Series Overview:
Gm of the other team in LA, sir joedirt is no stranger to making big time moves and giant splashes. Capitalizing on the turmoil of the Bob Lanier departure, the Clippers front office wasted little time in striking a deal that sent Marvin Webster, a talented young big man acquired with a hefty bounty of draft picks and star point guard Lione Hollins to the Cavaliers for all league center Artis Gilmore with the idea of hoping to bolster the starting center position and freeing up Magic Johnson to run the offense. Although Artis hasn't provided as much production as Clipper nation would have hoped, the move that allowed all world youngster Magic Johnson to play PG has been nothing sort of a meteoric rise in Clipper fortunes as Magic led the team to a 62 win season, a division crown and winning a MVP in the process. Now entering the first playoff games in Clipper history of 4.0, Magic and the dirt show face off against some familiar races in the opening round.
Upon returning to America from the land of rock penises and mosques that work out, gm dilworth immediately jumped in with both feet into trade talks around the league. In a mega three way deal that had GMs questioning the sanity and the sobriety of Miami's front office, the Rockets acquired Bob McAdoo for pennies on the dollar then promptly packaged Bob and Billy Knight to the Cavaliers for the rights to Marvin Webster and Lionel Hollins just in time for a series that pits teammates against former teammates. Though the Rockets are now much deeper from last year in which they upset the Timberwolves, Magic Johnson remains a match up nightmare for Houston on top of the daunting task of playing on the road 4 times in 7 games.
Prediction: Clippers win 4-2
#3
vs
#6
Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
Of all the franchise changing trades made during the 3002 season, the Mavericks perhaps pulled off the biggest moves. Following a round one exist to a lower seed, the Dallas staff spent the majority of the offseason on the development of young Jimmy Paxson; whom despite a mid season injury that has relegated him to 6th man duties has all the looks of an emerging difference maker and newly acquired Larry Kenon, the converted power foward turned wing man that opponents now fear as much as MVP winner David Thompson. An early season blockbuster that sent fan favorite defensive star Mark Eaton and draft picks to rival Minnesota to acquire veteran all league big man Elvin Hayes has given the Mavericks now the most devastating trio in all of TMBSL as they open the playoffs against another Midwest opponent.
Not satisfied with the track record of losing in the first round in creation season and missing the playoffs entirely in 3001, Thunder front office in any attempt to strive for above mediocrity, traded what little remaining draft picks in stock to a depleted Suns team for forward Bobby Jones. An early season sputter prompted the drastic measures that few GMs would attempt: trading for a bad contract offered by Golden State Warriors gm devine. Though now back in the playoffs and winning 50 games again, the Western conference landscape has drastically changed since the days of that creation 17-3 initial run as they face perhaps the most talented roster in the league, another round one exist seems all but certain.
Prediction: Mavericks win 4-1
#4
vs
#5
Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
With the development of young Robert Parish blossoming into an All star caliber center and one of the best rebounding bigs in the league, Sonics fans find themselves in the foreign position of hosting a playoff series. Unfortunately for the Sonics faithful, an ACL tear to starting forward Kermit Washington late in the season all but ends Seattle's chances at a miraculous playoff run as they look to focus on upgrading their medical training staff.
Due to the ascent of the Clippers as the Pacific winners, Portland for the first time will open the playoffs playing on the road. Fortunately for the Blazers, a short travel distance in the opening round should allow for plenty of time for newly acquired guard Bob Dandridge and forward Dan Issel time to gel with the talented center Bill Walton against an injury depleted Sonics team as they look forward to facing off against a familiar foe in the second round.
Prediction: Trailblazers win 4-2
Conference Semifinals
#1
vs
#5
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Jazz
Series Overview:
Following what should be a relatively easy opening round dismissal of a young and inexperienced Lakers squad, the Jazz despite front office posturing, will likely feel the absence of Caldwell Jones as an experienced defender against Bill Walton. To advance to the conference finals, Utah will need to rely on their winning pedigree from the previous years against Portland as the basis for their game plan: attack the guards and wings to exploit mismatches for Gervin, Barry and Don Buse and hope that the duo of block offsprings Angel Profit and Jim Brewer will be able to still provide solid minutes as they have all year long.
For the Trailblazers, a playoff series against the Jazz brings unpleasant memories of one sided beat downs and bitter tastes of defeat. To avoid suffering the same fate, Portland will need to rely heavily on the new additions to the wing and guard positions and try to limit what Utah is able to do on the perimeter. This could be a series that easily goes 6 or 7 games that could be decided with one or two monster games from either team's star players.
Prediction: Jazz win 4-3
#2
vs
#3
Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
Perhaps the most evenly matched series in either conferences, the 2 seed 3 seed series feature a battle of roommates in which both GMs know the other like the back of their own hands. For the Clippers, the usually dominant SG Pistol Pete will likely more than meet his equal against the previous year's MVP David Thompson. To advance to the conference finals, Magic Johnson will need to prove his worth and dominant the entire series as Artis Gilmore will also have his fair share of burden to carry against the beastly Big E, Elvin Hayes.
From the Mavericks standpoint, their game plan is much simpler: exploit the mismatches in talent with skywalker, Larry Kenon and the depth of front court and hope to contain Magic Johnson with help for Lucius Allen, whom despite being as talented as a play maker as Magic, possess not nearly enough defensive prowess to stop Magic by himself. This series will likely go 6 or 7 games; however, while Magic might explode for a few monster games in this series, the overall quality in starting talent should give the Mavericks the edge in the series in which they also hold home court advantage.
Prediction: Mavericks win 4-3
Conference Finals
#1
vs
#3
Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Jazz
Series Overview:
Lauded by many as the likely de facto championship series, the winner of the Jazz/Mavericks will hold home court advantage over every Eastern Conference team that emerges from the playoffs. Needless to say, much is on the line for both Midwest squad. Utah's game plan will be no different than that of the Clippers, to exploit the lack of scoring talent from Mavericks PG Lucius Allen. After battling for much of the season atop the scoring leader boards, George Gervin will need to press his advantage as an outside threat against Larry Kenon, who employs a mostly interior game.
For the Mavericks, the road to the title is within striking distance should they advance this far, though suffering a losing record in the regular season against Utah, the Mavericks' overall offensive talent and bench depth is much higher than the Jazz. The trio of backcourt David Thompson, Lucius Allen and young Jimmy Paxson need to at least play evening against the Utah guards in order for their front court advantage to manifest. If the Mavericks can get George Johnson and Jim Brewer, both of which are among the league leaders in fouls per game into early foul trouble, Dallas will have a good chance at advancing to the Finals.
Prediction: Mavericks win 4-3
