2013 NBA Playoffs: The Eastern Conference Finals

Was this matchup destiny, it sure appears so.  The Miami Heat and the Indiana will clash for the right to  represent the Eastern Conference in the 2013 NBA Finals.  These two proud franchises met last season in the Eastern Conference Semi's and the Pacers gave an injured Heat team all they could handle but this time may be different.  Despite the fact that the Miami Heat are more healthy entering this series than they were last season, the Pacers are a better unit than last season's squad.

In losing Danny Granger, the Pacers have gained a confident Paul George, a first time All-Star and current NBA Most Improved Player of the Year.  For George, guarding Carmelo Anthony is one thing but guarding LeBron James is on a completely different level.  George Hill has been an exceptional floor general for the Pacers and has a knack for creating open shots for his teammates but when necessary he is fearless when it comes to attacking the rim.  The biggest advantage that the Pacers will have in their battle against the Heat will be David West and Roy Hibbert.  The Pacers will try to use their size to wear down the Miami Heat and create foul havoc.  

The Miami Heat have one thing on their mind and that's repeating as NBA Champions.  The Chicago Bulls did a great job preparing the Miami Heat for another tough round of play and the dangers of the Pacers due to the Bulls being so "big".  The Heat have made being out rebounded but still winning a habit, one of the few teams that has ever accomplished this feat.  Despite the versatility of the Pacers, the Heat have more and this series will be one of the rare match-ups where one will see LeBron James play all five positions on the court.  Since last season's playoffs, Heat G Dwyane Wade has average 28 ppg versus the Pacers but his scoring output may be drastically different with his recurring knee issues.  I have a sense that the Heat will utilize Wade more on the defensive end and let James and Chris Bosh carry the load offensively.

The Pacers have taken the traditional Championship steps the last few years to reach their destination this season but sadly it will come to an end.  The defending NBA Champion Miami Heat will move on in 6 games and participate in their 3rd straight NBA Finals.  With that being said, this will not be the last of the Indiana Pacers and they have one more step to take in their journey.........2014

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2013 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals

It's a known fact that 90% of the time teams that feature great half court sets and true big men will win the NBA.  The 2013 NBA Western Conference matchup is a throw back of sorts with the San Antonio Spurs facing the Memphis Grizzlies.  The match-up will feature two great guards in Tony Parker and Mike Conley but make no mistake about it, this battle will be won in the paint.

The Spurs dispatched the Goldenstate Warriors by using a veteran guile, consistent play that never swayed even when the Warriors pushed the Spurs to the brink.  It's that guile that has allowed the Spurs to win 3 NBA titles in the last 10 years with their core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.  The Memphis Grizzlies have taken those "Championship Steps" the last 3 NBA seasons rolled past the Oklahoma City Thunder who have actually suffered losses in the playoffs to the last 3 NBA Champions.

The Spurs can match the size of the Grizzlies down low but at this point in time, the Grizzlies have the more skilled big men between Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.  The San Antonio Spurs will always have a coaching advantage as Gregg Popovich is a hardwood wizard with that being said lets not overlook the terrific coaching job that Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins has done despite having their "Franchise player" traded away earlier in the season.  It's no secret that Tony Parker isn't 100% healthy and Mike Conley will make Parker work on the defensive as it tends to be Parker's weakness from time to time.

The NBA Finals will feature new blood this year as the Memphis Grizzlies will move past the veteran Spurs in 6 games.

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2013 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

The Indiana Pacers played down to their opponents when they faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round but they will rise to the occasion against the New York Knicks were almost upset by a proud Celtics team. The Pacers are seemingly healthy and emerging star Paul George continues his ascension. The Pacers can battle with the Knicks down low with Hibbert and West but West can also step out of the lane and knock down the 17 foot jumper which will be an advantage for the Pacers.

Amar'e Stoudemire may return to the Knicks once this series begins but despite the franchise trying to spin it otherwise, there has been chemistry issues between Carmelo Anthony and Stoudemire. The Knicks would be wise to bring Stoudemire off of the bench and play him as little as possible to work him slowly into the lineup. At this point in time no one knows how serious Anthony's left elbow injury is and that could affect the series for the Knicks in a negative manner.

George Hill is an emerging point guard for the Pacers but the Knicks have the advantage here with Raymond Felton and backup Jason Kidd. Both are "big" guard who will cause issues for the Pacers smaller guard lineup. With that being said, Paul George will have to take his game to a higher level to combat the relentless scoring of Carmelo Anthony and average MVP like numbers across the board in order for the Pacers to move past the Knicks. The Knicks have the home court advantage and will move past the Pacers in game 7.

The Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat split their season series 2 games apiece and the Bulls stopped history when they stop the Heat's 27 game winning streak. Playing the entire year without former MVP Derrick Rose, no one gave the Bulls a chance against the Brooklyn Nets in the 1st but they prevailed. The Bulls are a hard nosed bunch and are very well coached. By the time Game 1 begins, the Miami Heat would have had 7 days off. Rust could be a factor during Game1 for the team as a whole and also for guard Dwyane Wade who hasn't played since game 3 of the Heat's 1st round match up with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bulls have the size advantage in the post to pound the Miami Heat and the Heat has the size/skill advantage on the perimeter.  Both teams are great defensive units with the slight edge going to Chicago.    The Bulls are riding a wave of confidence coming off of their upset win over the Brooklyn Nets but the Heat will pose a far more dangerous threat.  Soon to be named MVP LeBron James is at playing at a all time great calibre and Dwyane Wade should have recovered from his knee pain with the time off that the Heat enjoyed.  Despite the fact of the whispers that Derrick Rose will make his triumphant return in this series, the Bulls will not survive with Nate Robinson being the go to guy late in games versus the Heat defense.  It will be a very difficult 5 game series but the defending champions will move on and face another old foe in the form of the New York Knicks.

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2013 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Semi-Finals

Coming off of two 6 game series, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies are going to collide for the second time in 3 years.  The Thunder are suffering a bit from the loss of Russell Westbrook for the remainder of the playoffs and the Grizzlies are at full strength.  A healthy Thunder team would have problems with Memphis but this hurt Thunder team will fall short. Kevin Durant is a great singular talent the Grizzlies are the more complete team at this time.  The Grizzlies will prove too big in the post and their defense rose to another level against the Clippers.  Despite the fact that the Thunder will have the home-court advantage the Memphis Grizzlies will move on to their first ever Western Conference Finals.

As they've said in the NBA for years, you can't teach big.  The San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors will prove to be an exciting series via their conflicting playing styles.  Stephen Curry has been the darling of the NBA playoffs thus far as he's continued to ascend along with the media coverage that he's gotten.  Guard play will be at a premium here as Tony Parker will battle against Curry but the Spurs will have the advantage with inside play.  Even at this advanced age, Tim Duncan can still be a threat in the low post and at this time the Warriors have no one that can counter.  David Lee has returned to the lineup for the Warriors but he's no where near 100%.  Mark Jackson is an excellent that's on the rise but he's no where near the class of Gregg Popovich.  The Warriors will put up a good fight and there's no doubt that they have the best home court in the league but the San Antonio will move on in 6 games and return to the Western Conference Finals.  

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