NBA 2010 Playoffs Prediction

It’s been a while since I wrote something about basketball. Usually at this time when the NBA Playoffs are about to start, I would turn into a Nostradamus trying to predict winners in the Conference match-ups, only to end up always with the Detroit Pistons – obviously my team – winning the Championship. I am convincing no one with my predictions though. I am just a fan who loves to watch and analyze the game.

So with a heavy heart (because the Pistons fumbled it this season due to bad acquisitions), I present here my forecast for the 2010 NBA Playoffs. I would do away discussing each potential match-up and just focus on the teams that I think have chances of winning it all the way.

My list only has two: the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Half of me is saying this is LeBron James’ year, while the other half says Kobe Bryant could rain on his parade.

The Cavs have the regular season’s best record (61 wins as of today) because it assembled a solid supporting crew for King James. Now Cleveland has one foot in the Finals and it needs the other one to step up to get them the Larry O’Brien trophy. This means Cleveland has to show something more in the Playoffs where the teams become a lot stronger and more competitive. The Cavs’ success would depend on LeBron asserting himself more as the leader of the team without trying to impress too much (like making unnecessary jump shots and dishes) and on the other players effectively playing their roles as back-up when he is on the court.

I see Cleveland dominating the East Playoffs in big fashion. But the Cavs should be careful not to show a slight weakness against any team because it would give the West contender a tactical edge, especially if it’s Kobe and the Lakers who have been through ups and downs in the Finals.

LA is the only team, I think, that can give the Cleveland a good challenge. Kobe does what LeBron can do, even better sometimes. The Lakers became a tougher team with pesky Ron Artest who can definitely hound James to displeasure until he loses his focus. A healthy Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum will be daunting for O’Neal and the other Cavs big men to match up with. I believe LA’s only weakness is at the pointguard position though Derek Fisher cannot be discounted as he always carries a surprise in his pocket.

Unlike the Cavs, however, the Lakers face a stiffer challenge in the West. Dallas, in particular, worked up its roster well and can give the Lakers a serious threat for the Conference crown. Denver is a danger in the second round. And even Kevin Durant’s much-improved Oklahoma City is capable of upsetting LA in the first round.

The key for LA is not to tire out. The Lakers are not a young team but they have enough arsenals to outduel opponents. They just have to spread them out evenly through four quarters and they will be fine. The Lakers will always be doubted but Kobe would carry them on his shoulders each time the team would be down.

As for the other teams: Orlando and Boston have not improved despite significant changes in their line-ups. One of the two can only go as far as the Conference Finals. Denver and Dallas have many individual talents but their prowess as a team is not yet enough to bring them to the NBA Finals. Oklahoma would be exciting to watch but they will only be learners in the Playoffs.

So will it be LA or Cleveland?

The smart choice to win the Finals is the Cavaliers. But I’m picking the Lakers to repeat because they remain strong and they KNOW how to win a championship.