2008 Woodie Awards
The NBA playoffs: where amazing happens (for one team)
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Sports
With the NBA playoffs looming this weekend, it's a great opportunity to take a look at each of the 16 teams vying for the championship.
Let's look at each of the playoff teams, in order of "first team out" to "last team standing."
16. Atlanta - The Hawks get the unenviable task of taking on Boston in the opening round, and rest assured, there will be no upset here. Atlanta simply won't be able to stop the Celtics "Big Three" - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. A No. 8 seed beat a No. 1 seed last year when Golden State upset Dallas, but rest assured, that won't happen this year. Or will it?
15. Denver - Actually it won't. Denver is one of the most intriguing teams in the league, and all signs point to the Nuggets being better than they actually are. After all, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby and J.R. Smith is a pretty good nucleus of a team. But with 'Melo's recent run-in with the law, their chances can't be too good - especially against the Lakers.
14. Philadelphia - After rolling off 19 wins in 24 games to get back into playoff contention, the Sixers stumbled to a 3-7 finish. Not a great way to enter the playoffs. Detroit isn't as good as it has been in years past, but the Sixers aren't the team to take down the Pistons.
13. Dallas - Yes, the Hornets are young. Yes, they're inexperienced in the playoffs. But no, they're not going to lose in the first round. Everyone is picking against them, and that's why I like them. They have the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul and a very, very strong supporting cast. The Mavericks, on the other hand, are an enigma. Why aren't they better than they are? Nobody knows. I'm still not sold on the Jason Kidd trade, and can't pick the Mavs to win.
12. Toronto - The Raptors aren't as good as last year, period. Andrea Bargnani has disappeared. Luckily, Jose Calderon emerged as a solid player, but they still have a ways to go. Dwight Howard will manhandle Chris Bosh, and the Magic will win. End of story.
Let's look at each of the playoff teams, in order of "first team out" to "last team standing."
16. Atlanta - The Hawks get the unenviable task of taking on Boston in the opening round, and rest assured, there will be no upset here. Atlanta simply won't be able to stop the Celtics "Big Three" - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. A No. 8 seed beat a No. 1 seed last year when Golden State upset Dallas, but rest assured, that won't happen this year. Or will it?
15. Denver - Actually it won't. Denver is one of the most intriguing teams in the league, and all signs point to the Nuggets being better than they actually are. After all, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby and J.R. Smith is a pretty good nucleus of a team. But with 'Melo's recent run-in with the law, their chances can't be too good - especially against the Lakers.
14. Philadelphia - After rolling off 19 wins in 24 games to get back into playoff contention, the Sixers stumbled to a 3-7 finish. Not a great way to enter the playoffs. Detroit isn't as good as it has been in years past, but the Sixers aren't the team to take down the Pistons.
13. Dallas - Yes, the Hornets are young. Yes, they're inexperienced in the playoffs. But no, they're not going to lose in the first round. Everyone is picking against them, and that's why I like them. They have the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul and a very, very strong supporting cast. The Mavericks, on the other hand, are an enigma. Why aren't they better than they are? Nobody knows. I'm still not sold on the Jason Kidd trade, and can't pick the Mavs to win.
12. Toronto - The Raptors aren't as good as last year, period. Andrea Bargnani has disappeared. Luckily, Jose Calderon emerged as a solid player, but they still have a ways to go. Dwight Howard will manhandle Chris Bosh, and the Magic will win. End of story.
Be the first to comment on this story