2008 NBA Playoffs 1st Round Predictions

Western Conference

Lakers(1) vs. Nuggets(8)

The Lakers are well coached, play great defense and Bryant has bought in. What seemed like a season that was certain to playout like a soap opera turned out to be L.A.'s best season since Shaq was traded. The Nuggets are probably one of the best 3 offensive teams in the league. When they are hitting on all cylinders, it's light out. Problem is they play no defense. Coach Karl's shoot within the first 14 seconds of the shot clock philosophy is counter productive to them ever being a good defensive team. It'll be closer than a lot of people think. Iverson is made up of the same DNA that Bryant is. He'll do all he can to make it interesting. But the Lakers are the more polished, consistent team and will win in 7.

Hornets(2) vs. Mavericks(7)

This is a coming out party for my league MVP, Chris Paul. I hear chirps of inexperience and youth, along with disrespect of David West. In a nutshell, yes Paul has made West a better player but make no mistake about it, David West is a very good player and will be respected by series end. Dallas made a trade for Jason Kidd to put them over the hump in the playoffs. I'm still not co-signing this trade. Folks, Chris Paul will run circles around this Dallas team all series, and the world will see why the PG position is the most important position on the floor. He's the straw that stirs the drink. Maybe the youth of the Hornets will show up later on in the playoffs but not against this Dallas team. N.O. in 7.

Spurs(3) vs. Suns(6)

This is the most anticipated 1st round series of the playoffs. We have two legit title contenders in the first round! This is how crazy the West Conference is this year. We all remember Robert Horry shoulder checked Steve Nash into the scorers table. Amare Stoudamire was questionably suspended. And to hear anyone in Phoenix tell it, this was the only reason they lost. Aren't we all lucky, they get to play again and this time Shaq is suppose to close the deal for the Suns. Don't buy it people. The Spurs have the best PF ever. They have the best perimeter defender in Bowen. And they have the best one-on-one player in the series in Manu Ginobli. Mentally, the Spurs are the toughest team in the playoffs and have the coaching edge in this series. It'll be a great series and Amare might average 40 but we all know the bank is always open for Timmy. Spurs in 7

Utah(4) vs. Houston(5)

Can McGrady finally make it out of the first round? Somebody please let this man out of the first round of the Playoffs. It's sad to see someone so good have this question become his legacy. That's exactly what he's facing if he doesn't find a way. The sad part is that he won't make it past the Jazz AGAIN. You could use the fact that they don't have Yao as an excuse but that only sounds good. They lost with Yao playing last year. Ming is not the only thing the Rockets don't have. They don't have PG Rafer Austin, aka "Skip to My Lou," who is injured. Also, they don't have homecourt advantage. That is so vital against Utah, the most dominant home team in the league. Which only means that the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs is still a myth to T-Mac. Tis Tis Tis. Utah in 6