But were there surprises this round. With the depleted defending champions finally knocked out, and last year's runner-up taken to the brink of an elimination game, there are a lot of things we still learned from this enigmatic second round of the playoffs.
Let's take a look.
It's one thing to say the NBA is fixing games, but it's one thing to have refs that are clearly no longer incapable of making good calls. We have good veterans in Steve Javie and the like, but some refs are straight trippin'. I hope the NBA does something to make this better next year. It's absolutely terrible.
Eastern Conference:
Rajon Rondo
I put this guy up on a pedestal after the first round as he almost played a big role in why Boston got to the secound round. But then he disappeared this round, only showing up in spurts (like that's ridiculous dunk on Dwight Howard tonight). But alas, Rondo, Pierce, Allen and yes, Big Baby Davis were just not enough to get past the Orlando Magic. Not taking anything away from the kid; he still is young, but I was hoping to see more ridiculous Rondo throughout the playoffs, but D-Howard and Turkoglu definitely changed that plan.
Is anybody else glad that we don't have to see Kevin Garnett cussing the hell out of the world anymore?
Courtney Lee
The rookie definitely came back from an injury in the first round (which resulted from getting caught in the midst of one of Dwight Howard's own elbows) and showed his worth for Orlando. He hit some big shots, and hustled at all times. It's a tough match-up for the Magic in playing Cleveland, but Lee will be forced to see some time against the beast himself, Lebron James. After all, who else is going to sign him last year? Regardless, Lee has had himself a great post-season, and has definitely made a name for himself on this Orlando team full of guards as well as on the league.
Atlanta Hawks
Can they make some type of move to make the team better? This was, for the most part, the same team as last year, and they probably had better results last year. Taking the Celtics to an entertaining 7 game first round series was probably better for them than a I blow you out, you blow me out first round and then completely being dominated for four games right after that. They need to make some moves for a free agent or make a trade to get some thing new. Do they let Marvin Williams go? Do they make a run at Carlos Boozer?
Lebron James
One question. Can anyone stop him? Or even remotely slow him down?
Doesn't seem like it these days. Holding him to under 20 points is probably something that would be an accomplishment.
Western Conference:
Aaron Brooks
Welcome to the make your name in the playoffs group.
Aaron Brooks showed what was already known to be a Laker weakness, and showed it well. Last year, had the Lakers played the Hornets in the Western Conference Finals instead of the Spurs, we could've possibly seen a Hornets-Celtics Finals because Chris Paul would have ran circles around Fisher and Farmar last year. Aaron Brooks showed everybody that the little man is here to stay, and is going to be driving the Rockets for a long time. He did disappear in Game 7, but that surely will only add more fuel to his fire, and he will come out pretty jumping next year.
Only question is, who is coming out with him? Is T-Mac gone? Is Yao's career going to be filled with knee and foot problems? Is Ron Artest coming back?
Los Angeles
A couple thoughts here:
Jordan Farmar, congratulations. We know you're still alive.
To the Laker Fans at Staples Center, congratulations. We know you're still alive...for at least 1 quarter at a time.
Kobe and Phil... these guys are tough to read. And they love to give the media some of the most outlandish answers which turn out to be completely useless answers at times. What are they waiting for? And why did Phil put in Kobe with 5 minutes left in the game with them up 22?
Dallas Mavericks
Who's leaving, who's going? Dirk says he wants to stay. Is that enough? Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Erick Dampier and Josh Howard... where are they going to be come August/September?
I don't think they are all going to still be in Dallas.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony has arrived. That's all I have to say.
He's getting to the the hole, he's getting easy shots game in, game out. He's turned clutch, he's playing defense...and he finally has the partner to lead the team with in Chauncey BIllups. This team is scary. And it all starts with Carmelo.
For the longest time, those top 4 in the draft were always being compared. We had Lebron and Wade up at the top, and Carmelo falling behind. He's brought himself back up into that their level now. Can he go the next level?
On another thought...anybody think Darko will be the next to step up? Didn't think so.
Round 3. Let's go.
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