Eastern Conference
(1) Cleveland vs. (8) Miami
What it will take?: Cleveland is going to lock up the number 1 seed with no problems, the complication could be Miami falling to the eight seed. Luckily, they did nothing at the trade deadline and could drop below Charlotte.
Why would it be appealing?: Would you like an entire series of LeBron vs. Wade? Yes, please. These are two of the most competitive guys in the league. I feel like Cleveland would most likely make short work of Miami, but there would be the chance that the two mega-stars would push each other to levels we haven't seen from them yet.
(2) Orlando vs. (7) Toronto
What it will take?: Orlando will be fighting off Boston and Atlanta for this second seed. They have the advantage currently, Boston is falling and Atlanta is middling as well. Toronto is playing well right now and are locked into the fifth spot. It isn't out of the question that they fall to seven as the bottom of the Eastern conference is a jumbled mess.Why would it be appealing?: Both teams have unorthodox playing styles that focus on outside shooting. Both teams have a dynamic big man (Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh). The match up could provide high scoring games if the teams are shooting well. While we saw this series last year in the playoffs, the new faces make this much more appealing. Toronto hates Vince Carter, now he plays for the Magic. Orlando got to the NBA Finals last year thanks in large part to Hedo Turkoglu, who is now on the Raptors.
(3) Atlanta vs. (6) Charlotte
What will it take?: Atlanta needs to vault over Boston (likely) and Charlotte needs to finish strong and stay above Miami and Toronto (less likely)
Why would it be appealing?: Atlanta and its fans still do not strike the fear of an established NBA threat into the opposition. Charlotte is the new kid in town, but they have a superb coach (Larry Brown), playoff hardened veterans (like Stephen Jackson), an All-Star (Gerald Wallace) and a 'take on the world' attitude.
(4) Boston vs. (5) Chicago
What will it take?: Boston will need to drop a spot, which is likely with their injuries and aging lineup. Chicago will need to gel as a team post-trade deadline shakeup. They are playing much better lately and it would not be a complete surprise to see them slowly rise from Eastern Conference also-ran (remember when they were going to fire Vinny Del Negro?) to the fifth seed.
Why would it be appealing?: My memory fails me sometimes, but I'm almost sure that last year these two teams got together and it was hailed as the 'Greatest NBA Playoff Series Ever'. I wouldn't mind adding a new chapter to the budding rivalry, this time with the seeds much closer.
Western Conference
(1) Los Angeles vs. (8) Houston
What will it take?: Los Angeles has a large lead and will glide to the number one seed. Houston is currently on the outside looking in at the playoff situation. As much as it would pain me not to see Portland in the playoffs, I think the injuries will catch up with them and Houston will make their way in as the eight seed.
Why would it be appealing?: Well, the Lakers are probably going to breeze through whoever they play. To make it watchable, we need some interesting elements. You never know what might happen with an Ron Artest return to Houston, Trevor Ariza might play with a chip on his shoulder and with Kevin Martin now on the team, the Rockets might have the best shot at making the Lakers push themselves.
(2) Denver vs. (7) Utah
What will it take?: Quite a bit. Denver has a good shot at holding on the the number two spot. The big leap of faith would be to see Utah (who is surging right now) fall all the way to the seventh seed. How would this happen? Carlos Boozer still sulking with the team he knows he will not be with next year, no improvements over the trade deadline and they are only five games separating the second seed from the eighth seed. Anything can happen in the West.
Why would it be appealing?: Chauncey Billups vs. Derron Williams: Old-guard team captain vs. new point guard challenger. Carlos Boozer and Carmelo Anthony: two mega-stars looking to cement their star status. Two good fan bases. For a 2 vs. 7 match up, this would be very even series.
(3) Dallas vs. (6) Phoenix
What will it take?: Dallas needs to leap Utah for the three seed. Phoenix needs to shore up its game and hold onto the six by fighting off San Antonio, Portland and Houston.
Why would it be appealing?: Hard feelings are still there between Steve Nash and the Mavericks since they refused to pay him before he went out an won two MVPs for a new team. Dallas made themselves better over the trade deadline and Amar'e Stoudemire is still with the Suns. Earlier in the season, the Suns looked like a team on a mission, they have dropped off a bit, but a first round match-up with the Mavericks would, hopefully, kick start the rivalry.
(4) San Antonio vs. (5) Oklahoma City
What will it take?: The old guys out West (San Antonio) need to get into their normal form while the young guys out West (Oklahoma City) need to hold strong. The Spurs would need to leapfrog Phoenix, Oklahoma City and Utah. It could happen.
Why would it be appealing?: Whenever you can have the veteran savvy ex-champions going up against the fast charging, new wave team, it can be special. This would be Kevin Durant's first time leading a team into the playoffs and the ceiling has no bound for what he could do. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are never going to go down easy, but it would sure be fun to see them trying to ward off Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green and James Harden.
I'll surely change these picks months from now, but here is how I see it going down:
Eastern Conference
Round 1: Cavs in 5, Magic in 6, Hawks in 6, Bulls in 7
Round 2: Cavs in 5, Magic in 6
Round 3: Cavs in 6
Western Conference
Round 1: Lakers in 4, Denver in 7, Dallas in 6, Thunder in 6
Round 2: Lakers in 5, Dallas in 7
Round 3: Lakers in 5
NBA Finals
Lakers over Cavs in 6 games
