Rumors always abound that David Stern has a little extra influence over what happens in the NBA. Granted, a San Antonio vs. N.J. finals demonstrates that he is not in complete control, but here are my picks for how the early playoff mix will shake down ... if it happens, you know who to thank.
#1 Indiana vs. #8N.Y.: Indy has locked up the #1 seed, but the Knicks occupy the #7 spot, by ½ a game. Look for them to slide to the 8th spot so we can have one more go around of Reggie and Spike.
#2 N.J. vs. #7 Cleveland: After a post All-Star break surge, the Cavs have fallen back, now 2 games out of the playoffs. But LeBron NEEDS to be in the playoffs for Stern and for NIKE, so look for the stars to align (and for them to pick up the extra ½ game on the Knicks so we can see Reggie at the Garden). Shit, LeBron and Co. might even beat the slumping Nets.
#1 Sacramento vs. #8 Denver: It is a three team race for the final playoff spot out West and the Jazz (who seem immune to all “outside” influences) somehow occupy the last spot with a bunch of nobodies. But Melo also needs to go to the playoffs, so look for the Nuggets to back door in. While the Lakers are surging and closing fast on Sacramento, now that CWeb is ruining the Kings chemistry, look for Sacramento to hold on to the #1 seed, so the NBA can at least pretend that someone might be able to stop L.A. from romping to another title.
No conspiracy stories to tell in the rest of the seedings.
Read Less...
Rumors always abound that David Stern has a little extra influence over what happens in the NBA. Granted, a San Antonio vs. N.J. finals demonstrates that he is not in complete control, but here are my picks for how the early playoff mix will shake down ... if it happens, you know who to thank.
#1 Indiana vs. #8N.Y.: Indy has locked up the #1 seed, but the Knicks occupy the #7 spot, by ½ a game. Look for them to slide to the 8th spot so we can have one more go around of Reggie and Spike.
#2 N.J. vs. #7 Cleveland: After a post All-Star break surge, the Cavs have fallen back, now 2 games out of the playoffs. But LeBron NEEDS to be in the playoffs for Stern and for NIKE, so look for the stars to align (and for them to pick up the extra ½ game on the Knicks so we can see Reggie at the Garden). Shit, LeBron and Co. might even beat the slumping Nets.
#1 Sacramento vs. #8 Denver: It is a three team race for the final playoff spot out West and the Jazz (who seem immune to all “outside” influences) somehow occupy the last spot with a bunch of nobodies. But Melo also needs to go to the playoffs, so look for the Nuggets to back door in. While the Lakers are surging and closing fast on Sacramento, now that CWeb is ruining the Kings chemistry, look for Sacramento to hold on to the #1 seed, so the NBA can at least pretend that someone might be able to stop L.A. from romping to another title.
No conspiracy stories to tell in the rest of the seedings.
Read Less...