Catch of the Day.

No time to cover everything in sports today, but I need to go on record for the NBA playoffs.

ATLANTA/ BROOKLYN

I am on record saying I am not a believer in the Hawks.  I don’t believe they will make it to the Finals.  Nice story, sad ending.  But, it won’t happen in this round against a pretty weak Brooklyn team.  Too much balance, too much talent, and just a better team.  If the Pacers would have made the playoffs, I would have gone with them.

CLEVELAND/ BOSTON

What a FANTASTIC story it is that Boston MADE the playoffs.  Incredible job by a new coach and a miserably talented squad.  Nice story, sad ending.  They don’t have the shooters or talent to advance against a Cavs team that has flashed contender form.  LeBron will get this series done quickly.

CHICAGO/ MILWAUKEE

Here is the deal.  We don’t fully trust Derrick Rose’s health yet, but it doesn’t matter in this series.  Close your eyes and picture Milwaukee making the playoffs in the West.  You smiled/ laughed, didn’t you?  Chicago has superior talent and NBA series filter out the weak.  Too tough, too much.

TORONTO/ WASHINGTON

Interesting series.  I stared at the rosters and stats for a bit before making the call on this one.  I think Washington makes a mild playoff run, and I think their guard play wins this series.  You have to gain playoff experience somehow, and this is it for a mildly talented Washington team with experience inside with Nene.  Washington advances.

GOLDEN STATE/ NEW ORLEANS

Anthony Davis will give the Warriors all they can handle and put on a show.  What the other four guys do is the problem.  The Warriors have a top offense, top defense, and are deep as heck.  They will throw too much at New Orleans even WITHOUT shooting well.  And if they shoot well/ normally?  They will smoke them.

HOUSTON/ DALLAS

Dwight Howard is NOT championship material.  Parsons has injury issues.  Harden is not a guy you can ride to the Finals without help.  He has shooter help, but not Finals help.  Dallas is offensive…defensively.  Dirk is older.  Houston advances in one of the best early round series.

LOS ANGELES/ SAN ANTONIO

Tough one, and one of the best first round matchups in years.  Hack a Jordan will occur, Blake Griffin will realize there is another level of player to ascend to, and the supporting cast is not there yet.  I love the Clippers at the start of the season, don’t think they are ready yet, and this first round matchup is no bueno for them.  San Antonio advances.

PORTLAND/ MEMPHIS

I am glad I slept on this.  Here is the deal.  I liked Cleveland from the start of the season.  I even went back and read my preseason blog.  Stars win in the NBA, not teams.  Look at history.  Now, who has the path of least resistance?  Cleveland (and anyone in the East).  Who has the guns to BEAT one of the better West teams after they cannibalize themselves?  LeBron?  He will be well rested, and whoever comes out the other side will be exhausted and hurting.  I had the Spurs until 10 minutes ago.  Why did I change?  Because they will be the road team in every series, and the Clippers, Rockets, and Warriors ALL have the guns to beat them, but not the smarts.  Do I think the best team is either the Spurs or Warriors?  Yes.  But this NBA playoffs single handedly will change how the NBA playoffs are done.  When Cleveland wins after beating the low lifes in the Least, things will change.  The Clippers, Grizzlies, and Rockets are close, but they ALL have glaring weaknesses.  My biggest choice was the Spurs over the Warriors.  Give me the Cavs over the Spurs in 6.  Questions?

That’s it for today.  Enjoy the first day of NBA games.  Talk to you this weekend.  The long, fun blog is tomorrow and list is being kept.  Peace.