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Author: Quinton “Q The Question” Hatfield

Q The Question is a die-hard sports fan, whether it NFL, MLB, NBA, and yeah even NHL. I watch it all my people, after hip-hop sports is my heart as well. Now I’m about to get my Stephen A. Smith on [laughs].

The NBA Playoff’s kickoff today with the first round and I’m here to give my first round predictions. There are some good series in this first rounder and some series will be easy for a team to run through. It’s great players in the playoffs as always too. Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, and you can’t forget Kobe Bryant and Lebron James.

Let’s start off out west with the dominant Western Conference!

(1) Los Angeles Lakers V.S. (8) Utah Jazz

The Lakers have been staying on top of the west all season. Though some teams like New Orleans, and most definitely Portland gave them trouble Bryant and the Lakers can make it happen. The loss of Andrew Bynum didn’t hurt the Lakers as much as many would thought. Lamar Odom stepped his game up, Paul Gasol is consistent playing with heart, and even Ariza been stepping up in crunch time. By the way you can forget about Kobe Bryant in the 4th Quarter.

The Utah Jazz honestly have been playing kind of average. With the talent they I believe they should be a better ball club. Deron Williams continues to be a strong leader of the team and with Carlos Boozer back helps their chances extremely. Jerry Sloan is a great coach and one of the best on NBA history, but that’s not enough to stop the Lakers right now. In order to WIN in the playoffs you have to win the road and that’s something that hurt Utah this season. Taking at home along won’t get the job done and it never has.

Prediction: I got the Lakers in 5. The team is just too much for Utah and the supporting cast of the Lakers will wear them out. As said earlier the reason why such an early exit is, because Utah CAN’T WIN ON THE ROAD!!!

(2) Denver Nuggets V.S. (7) New Orleans Hornets

The Nuggets is one of the NBA’s most surprising teams this year. With the acquisition of Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson these dudes been playing team ball. Chauncey brought over that leadership mentality he had in Detroit and the team just loves him. Carmelo Anthony has been more aggressive, Kenyon Martin is still beasting on the front court, and J.R. Smith has been a solid role player hitting big shots when needed. Don’t sleep on Denver should be a message for the whole west.

New Orleans is a good team, but not great. This team is not even as good as they were last year when they won over 50 games. I will still respect Chris Paul for his ability to go hard and take it to the rack anytime he wants. David West is an animal and proves New Orleans with a good inside presence to match up against Kenyon Martin, especially with his mid-range jumpers. Rasual Butler is very consistent and when he gets hot he can be dangerous. This will be a interesting series to watch and I expect to see some high flying action in this one.

Predictions: Denver in 6. Denver has been exited of out the first round I believe the last three years. This year it’s time for a change and they made the right move getting Chauncey to make it happen. New Orleans is good and they match up well against the Nuggets, but experience along with handling pressure is the fact of the matter.

(3) San Antonio Spurs V.S. (6) Dallas Mavericks

The Spurs still had that championship caliber team that could take on the Lakers anytime when they had Ginobli. Ginobli is gone for the ENTIRE playoffs and that will hurt the Spurs. Not saying that San Antonio can’t win without him, but the chemistry gone I believe with him not in the line-up. Tim Duncan is strong, Tony Parker’s confidence level is at all time high when the pressure is on. Bruce Bowen is still going to be that defensive lockdown when needed and big shot Michael Finley will be a key factor. Don’t forget Mason as well coming off to be that three point threat.

The Dallas Mavericks have been on fire lately and you know owner Mark Cuban is proud. Dirk have just been killing the game playing like a MVP he was not too long ago. Jason Terry is just incredible down the stretch playing like an all-star taking matters into his own hands. You can’t go wrong with veteran Jason Kidd dishing out the ball either. Yes Kidd has gotten older and have been said to not been able to keep up with the games younger point guards, but he’s a vet that’s wise. To the younger PG’s Jason Kidd has forget more than you know, so keep that in mind

Prediction: I’m taking the Mav’s in 6. As said before Ginobli is gone and the only reason the Spurs have a higher seed is, because they won enough to stay on top. Home court advantage is really not a factor in this series. Dirk and the gang just have too much momentum for the aging Spurs.

(4) Portland Trailblazers V.S. Houston Rockets

This is my favorite series in the west conference this year. Portland is young team that’s hungry, athletic, and honestly the 2nd best team in the western conference. They even beat the Lakers 3 times this season. Brandon Roy is just phenomenal, playing ball like a all-star should. Alridge has been shutting it down too, giving Roy some help and room to work with. Greg Oden may be inconsistent at times, but his presence on the inside does give them a little edge over Houston. Portland brings toughness which is very rare with a lot of young teams in the playoffs.

Ever since the lost of Tracy McGrady the Rockets just went on a run. Ron Artest, Yao Ming, just took their game to another level. Just watching gives you the idea that Houston can finally make it out the 1st round this year. Doing it without McGrady will even be shocking to some. Kyle Lowry is playing good ball too being a good solid point guard that doesn’t screw up. That is a must in the playoffs! Yao Ming is going to have to be the man to takeover in crunch time, especially against this young Portland squad if they want to win.

Prediction: Portland in 7. This series is going to be a battle, but for the fact that it will go to 7 games and Portland has home court is the reason they get the edge. The Rockets will show up and won’t be a pushover, but Portland’s overall talent gets by Houston in a close one.

That was the Western Conference now let’s head out East and see what’s good.

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers V.S. (8) Detroit Pistons

I told people this and it just has to be true. What Jordan did for Cleveland is what King James will do for Cleveland. Lebron is going to get at least two NBA championships if he keeps playing at this level. For a dude to come out of high school is over living up to the expectations. Mo Williams was just a damn good move for Cleveland and with the games I watched this year is a scary man. When Lebron couldn’t come through there was Mo Williams to save the day. Even with the supporting cast of Delonte West, Big Z, Varejao, Wally, these dudes can’t be stopped. Beating them at home will be difficult man and if you want to go deep in the playoffs it’s no question you have to beat Cleveland at home.

Don’t get me wrong the Detroit Pistons have talent, but team chemistry is just not there. With the loss of Chauncey Billups, no disrespect but these dudes have been just AWFUL. Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, can win games just with Allen Iverson NOT on the court. I find it funny that when A.I. realizes he’s coming off the bench for the playoffs he has a injury all of a sudden. Anyway Stuckey is fun to watch and I respect his game. But like I said with the Spurs-Mavs Series, Detroit is aging and Cleveland is a bunch of young-gunners that’s aiming for the big dance.

Predictions: Cleveland in 4. Lebron and the Cavs will sweep through these dudes as Detroit for the fact they lack chemistry just don’t stand a chance, pretty much simple and clearly understood.

(2) Boston Celtics V.S. (7) Chicago Bulls.

Before the injury of Kevin Garnett I actually picked Boston to go back to the finals. Now I’m not so sure. Yes, the Celtics are still a great team with Pierce, Allen, and Rondo in the backcourt. The thing is though the whole team has to be dominant without Garnett. The Celtics can still put up points, but without KG’s defense they will also give up more, I don’t even think having Marbury is that much of a difference. That can be bad too as Chi-town has players that can SCORE for real.

The Chicago Bulls as of lately has been going hard. Coach Vinny Del Negro has made these dudes go from a disappointing team last year to playoff contender like they should be. Derrick Rose that kid is going to be a top-notch point guard that makes moves as his game will improve. Ben Gordon is a new Ray Allen who can shoot your head off and the trade for John Salmons made the Bulls that much better. With that being said the Bulls will not be a pushover to the Celts, a fight will be going down.

Prediction: I got the Celtics in 7. Yes Kevin Garnett’s injury is questionable whether he will play or not, but the Celts still have the big two. That’s Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, two all-stars that compete and will get the job done. The Bulls is good, but on the road they often struggle which will hurt them. I will say the Bulls is going to surprise some though for the run they will give the Celtics.

(3) Orlando Magic V.S. (6) Philadelphia 76ers

Now some might think I might be bias in this series since I’m from Philly and I’m 76ers fan. But I will keep it real. The Orlando Magic is quick, fast, powerful, and been a problem for my Sixers. Dwight Howard is just a force on the inside and with the guidance of Patrick Ewing he will only get better and more monstrous. Rashard Lewis is the raw talent to take pressure off Dwight along with Hedo Turkoglu. Jameer Nelson is gone, but that’s where Alston steps in to manage to game help Orlando clinch the series.

My 76ers are good, but there where times where they have been very inconsistent. In the last few game of the season the team has struggled. Andre Miller is one very UNDERRATED point guard, but he has been playing great lately. Andre Igoudala has been moving much closer to being that number one guy for a team. The Sixers play team ball and will continue to evolve into a dominant franchise in the future. Thaddeus Young is effective in which he can give you a solid 20 points per game. Lou Williams is a outstanding player off the bench that could be a problem for Orlando. The 76ers have the chance to put up a show against the Magic. The problem for the 76ers is they still can’t find a way to defend the three point show which killed us all season and is a weapon that Orlando is deadly with.

Prediction: I hate to say it, but the Magic in 6 is it. Orlando beat us three times this season and those three point plays down the stretch in each game hurt us. Dwight Howard inside game is too much for Philly, especially when they lack a front court game with Elton Brand gone.

(4) Atlanta Hawks V.S. (5) Miami Heat

This is a one of my favorite series in the Eastern Conference this year. Atlanta I expected them to be a much better team then they were last year and they are too. Al Hortford game is getting better by the day, Joe Johnson is a game changer, and Mike Bibby is that must needed playoff point guard. These dudes can put up points which is a problem for any team. Defensively their okay, as it seems at times they can lazy down the stretch. Going against Wade and the Heat I don’t recommend being tired as them guys will go on a run and it won’t stop. Overall the team is evenly matched up against Miami, and I like the match-up of Al Hortford V.S. Jermaine O’neal.

Dewayne Wade you can make an argument that he deserves to be this year’s MVP. With the amount of 40 point games he’s had what more can you say. Without Wade I don’t honestly thing Miami stood a chance. Mario Chalmers is a great role player too, that will help out Wade in the backcourt. Jermaine O’Neal posting up in the inside is good too, that way Wade can get 2nd chance shots. Miami is looked at sometimes as a one man team, but against the Hawks with a player like Wade that shouldn’t be a problem.

Prediction: Heat in 7. Reason why is Wade is just too much superstar for the Atlanta Hawks. I’m not saying that the Hawks won’t contain him, but when you got a guy like Wade who is fierce on the court that gets his when he wants that a problem. Atlanta’s on the defensive end might be suspect. Joe Johnson is going to showoff and do his thing too, but if A-Town wants to win STOP WADE which will not be easy at all.

That’s it for now and when 2nd round starts you will get more.

Filed under: Columns