NBA Playoffs: It’s Great to be No. 1
It’s great to be number one. Everyone wants to be on top. Except out West.
This years playoffs have been great. Only one opening round series has ended in a sweep. Tonight the Orlando Magic closed out Jordan’s Charlotte Bobcats. Yes, the only sweep in the playoffs is from the defending Eastern Conference champions over the extremely young and first time playoff attendees the Charlotte Bobcats. But don’t let the series talley fool you. It was a much tougher fought series than anticipated. At least it got Jordan’s blood boiling, causing him to yell at Dwight Howard after reaching his 6th foul in Game 3. D.Wade and LeBron continue to show us why teams have been clearing cap space for 3 years in the hopes of attaining one of them this summer. Speaking of LeBron, for all the show-boating, dancing, and trash talking he does, if he doesn’t win the championship, he’d better shake hands with the opposing team this year. I don’t mind the extra-curricular activities, I actually think it makes it fun and reminds us that it is still a game. But if you’re gonna flaunt it, be man enough to show humility when you get it handed to you. Oh.. sorry. I saw a soap box there and decided to step up. Where was I…
Every other series has been pretty competitive. Kevin Durant has played out of his mind and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a series tie with the defending champs. But, I don’t know if that’s an indication of how well they’re playing or how bad the Lakers are. As a matter of fact, each top seed out west seems to think it will just cruise to the Western Conference Finals, or the NBA Finals. The Lakers earned that number one seed, and they’re lucky they did. Every team, aside from the Nuggets who are leaderless without George Karl, would have them in, at least, a 2 game hole right now. Hell, the Thunder should be up 3-1 but for a couple of infamous L.A. whistles. But, that’s why they play the regular season. The Lakers earned that top spot, and deserve it. All champions had a bit of luck go their way. They’re also champions and led by one of the greatest players ever, if anyone can turn it on they can.
So, what is the excuse for the Mavs, Suns and Nuggets? Sure, the Nuggets, don’t have their coach due to his battle with cancer. But the Jazz are the walking wounded. No AK-47, no Mehmet Okur, injured Carlos Boozer and Melo, Chauncey and K-Mart can’t put them on ice? Props to the Jazz, where you at Nuggets?.
Neither of those other two teams have championship pedigree or Kobe Bryant. Again, I ask “Why do they think they’re entitled to the championship?” The Mavs got a tough draw. The Spurs are the best 7-seed ever. Injuries to their big-3 along with trying to incorporate newcomer Richard Jefferson into the lineup meant they struggled all year and gelled with 10-games left in the season. But, no excuses. If you want to be the best, you’ve got to take on all comers.
I’m very interested in seeing how this turns out. The West is wide open. All year long, everyone thought we were just waiting to see Kobe v. LeBron. And maybe that’s the case. But, it’s going to have to be earned. So, who wants to be number one out West? Anyone?
