NBA Playoff Preview

Many experts have been going through all the questions surrounding the NBA Playoffs in a lot of detail.  They have examined each and every factor which could (and will?) play a part in one of the most free wheeling playoffs in the history of the sport.  There are five to six teams that could come out on top.

Astounding – but a pretty accurate reflection of lockout ball.  In my opinion however, it all comes down to one simple question:

Can LeBron James win his first NBA Title?

The answer to this question will determine the entire postseason.  Miami is a terrible team when LeBron, Wade and Bosh are not on the floor (see their losses to Washington and Boston’s bench) and they come into the playoffs against a hot Knicks team, led by the even hotter Carmelo Anthony.  This is a borderline nightmare scenario for the Heat…but it gets much better when you realize the following: they will not see Boston or Chicago until the Eastern Conference Finals.  The two defensive juggernauts will pound the hell out of each other while Miami gets to play Indiana (a team they own for the most part) in the second round.

Yet it all comes down to this: How badly does LeBron want the ring?

In the history of the game a handful of players (Bird / Magic / Walton / Jordan / Shaq / Kobe / Duncan / LeBron / Wilt / Russell) have ever impacted the title race as much as LeBron has, they and their play pretty much dictated what happened (win or lose).  Last year we saw what LeBron could do in two series against the Celts and Bulls.  He destroyed them.  At points he single-handedly won games.  Against Dallas?  We all know what happened there.  He can win or lose the playoffs for his team.  If he is on, the Heat are Champions.  Will OKC or Memphis or the Lakers be a formidable opponent?  Of course they will, but LeBron will make or break the season with his D and clutch play.

I think it will go down thusly: Bron and boys get to the Eastern Conference Finals while Rose outduels Rondo.  The Heat beat the Bulls in a six game series.  The other side is a virtual crapshoot – Memphis, OKC or either LA team could take it.  I am discounting the Spurs because it is essentially an older version of last year’s one seed that was humiliated by Memphis.  If the Lakers get through the finals becomes like the ’91 contest where MJ played against an over the hill Magic.  If OKC gets through we might have the most entertaining Finals in recent memory.  Memphis just might be deep enough and strong enough inside to make it.  Barring some kind of head case breakdown.

I think LeBron wants it.  I think he wants it badly enough that he will do whatever it takes this year.  LBJ and the Heat will win the NBA Title this year.