2007 NBA Playoffs (Round 1)
By Jake Bailey,
TheSportsStand.com (4/21/07)
The NBA Playoffs are upon us now, and it's time to analyze some important matchups and their key players. Let's take a look.
Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers:
Kobe Bryant, Lakers: Kobe's a one man team.
The lone bright spot on a te
am that would otherwise be nowhere. He has
played well recently and had a great month of March. Lakers need to
support him. They need to give him a reason to trust him. He
can't do it all on his own. If Kobe tries to pass it to everyone, the
Lakers will be nowhere because everyone else does absolutely nothing but
whine. Wah wah wah.
Steve Na
sh, Suns: He is the ultimate team
player. He makes everyone around him better, and is a pivotal point of
the Phoenix offense. MVP again? He's won it again multiple
times, and after watching him play, anyone can see why. He moves up
and down the court with ease and slices through zone defenses. Try to
double team him and he'll pass to the open guy. Hard to stop him like
that.
Winner: Phoenix Suns: Both defenses are quite suspect. However, the offense of the Suns is much better and will be able to outscore the Lakers. In order for the Suns to be successful further down the line, the defense has to step up. It's not a big deal now.
Houston Rockets Vs. Utah Jazz
Tracy McGrady, Rockets: It's no secret that
T-Mac has struggled in the first
round of the playoffs (0-5 in series to be
exact). He has put the team on his shoulders. He must step up,
but he may be putting a lot of pressure that will eventually get to him.
He can do it.
Yao Ming, Rockets: Will he support T-Mac? This combination will determine the success of the Rockets here and down the line. Yao has figured out how to be a star and will hopefully let that success carry into the playoffs.
Winner: Houston Rockets: The Jazz probably don't even deserve to be in the playoffs. They proved that when four of their team members basically missed a lay-up. Thus why they don't have any key players listed here. Should be an easy win for the Rockets, T-Mac's streak will end.
Chicago Bulls Vs. Miami Heat
Shaquille O'Neal, Heat: Shaq is no doubt a great
player, and a great inside presence. The only question
is, "Will he
show up?"
Dwyane Wade, Heat: He is a great speedy player.
He has great ability and is quite clutch. The problem here is his
injured shoulder. Since he has come back, he hasn't been the same.
This could present a proble
m if Shaq decides not to show up.
Ben Wallace, Bulls: He is a great defender, probably one of the greatest. The Shaq Diesel vs. The 'Fro situation is a familiar sighting. His inside presence will be key if the Bulls want to stop Shaq.
Winner: Chicago Bulls: For some reason, the Bulls always give some trouble to the Heat. This time, they will get them when they matter.
Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs
Allen Ivers
on, Nuggets: Allen Iverson is the
newest weapon in the Nuggets offense. He has great ball control and is
quite fast. He can take the beating despite his size, so there is no
problem there. His talent has been key to the Nuggets success.
Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets:
A great shooter, him
working together with AI will be imperative. If the Nuggets want to
get anywhere, they must work together.
Tim Duncan, Spurs: One of the classiest and best players of all time. He's been in the playoffs before and won multiple championship, so this is no new environment.
Winner: Denver Nuggets: I'm calling on the upset here. I think the AI and Melo combination will be deadly here and could go on.
The NBA Playoffs will provide us with some great match-ups and I'm looking forward to watching it.
Copyright (C) the Sports Stand