2011 NBA Playoff Predictions

Jaye's bracket

Arn's Bracket

It's that time of the year again! The 2011 NBA Playoffs has it all: the upcoming hero (Chicago), the villain (Miami), the old timers (LA, Boston, San Antonio), the question marks (Orlando, Dallas), the dark horses (Oklahoma, Portland, Oklahoma) and a couple of first round fodders. Each team is flawed in some way and so we have so many possible outcomes from each series. So many questions too: Are the Bulls for real? Can Miami with just 3 players win it all? How many minutes before Shaq injures something again? Are the Lakers really struggling or just bored? Can Dallas beat this tough Portland team? In what game will Lebron "hurt" his elbow again? Wait, Shaq is still in the league!?

Every basketball fan will now have their NBA knowledge tested. Last year, we didn't have this luxury of overanalyzing each series. Everyone picked Cleveland and Los Angeles in the finals and the only real debate was who was better: Kobe or Lebron? Until of course, the Celtics beat up the Cavaliers when Lebron "quit" the last couple of games, the Lakers beat the Celts in the finals, Artest thanking his psychiatrist and Lebron ended the whole Kobe vs Lebron debate himself with the Decision.

This year is really really really really interesting with all the ifs and buts. In the East, I'm picking the Heat over the Celtics in seven. I think Miami will cruise through Philly in the first round too easily that they won't be tested until the second round. Boston will regain some of its swagger for the playoffs until Shaq's body crumbles, Rondo goes disappearing again and father time closes the window on them. I picked the Bulls over Heat in the East final because I trust Thibs knows the formula on stopping the Big 3 and that by then, one of the big three will be hobbled after a physical series with the Celtics.

In the West, I say Portland beats the Mavericks despite being the lower seed, Oklahoma and Durant heats up and beats the aging Spurs setting up an exciting Durant vs Kobe in the West final. I wanna go with OKC on this one but I'm guessing the Lakers will find a way to stop Durant and overpower their already big frontline.

Then again, I could be wrong.