2013-2014 NBA Preview: Awards, Playoffs, and More
By Brad Rowland
Oct 23, 2013; Wichita, KS, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher (6) during the first half at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
It’s time to crown a fictional, hypothetical NBA Champion…
Eastern Conference First Round
#1 Miami over #8 Detroit — Too much talent from Miami.
#4 Brooklyn over #5 Atlanta — Joe Johnson’s revenge!
#2 Chicago over #7 Washington — Derrick Rose > John Wall
#3 Indiana over #6 New York — Paul George contains Carmelo Anthony; Indy D cracks down on 3’s
Western Conference First Round
#1 San Antonio over #8 New Orleans — Really think Pop, Parker and Duncan are losing in the 1st round?
#4 Oklahoma City over #5 Golden State — Westbrook at full-strength = OKC as an elite team
#2 Houston over #7 Minnesota — No stopping the Harden/Howard combo by April.
#3 LA Clippers over #6 Memphis — Not enough scoring/shooting for Memphis to keep up.
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
#1 Miami over #4 Brooklyn — Incredibly intriguing series; Miami survives in 7
#2 Chicago over #3 Indiana — Chicago’s offense takes another gear to win defensive battle
Western Conference Semi-Finals
#4 Oklahoma City over #1 San Antonio — Durant and company knock off the defending West champs
#2 Houston over #3 LA Clippers — Dwight Howard arrives (for the 2nd time) in full; decimates Clips frontcourt
Eastern Conference Finals
#2 Chicago over #1 Miami — UPSET!!! I’m pulling the trigger and calling my shot. The worn-out Heat will hit a road block in the form of Rose, Thibodeau and that defense. Bulls in 6.
Western Conference Finals
#4 Oklahoma City over #2 Houston — Harden against OKC should make for big-time drama; the “Dwight stopper” (Kendrick Perkins) makes an appearance, but Durant emerges as the best player on the floor and carries OKC.
NBA Finals
Chicago over Oklahoma City — This is a really, really tough one to call, but I’m going with the Bulls at full-strength. They have two different bodies (Luol Deng and Jimmy Butler) to throw at Kevin Durant and they have Westbrook to match up with Rose. Chicago will own the front-court edge (no matter what Ibaka does), though, and that along with the coronation of Rose leads the Bulls to a surprising title.
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There you have it! The NBA tips-off on Tuesday night with a double-header, and we’re off and running. Enjoy!