Playoffs!
It’s not so much a word as it is an exclamation. It’s so entrenched in our vernacular — most people reading “playoffs” in this column are hearing the high-pitched pronunciation by former NFL coach Jim Mora. It’s a synonym for “hope,” an antonym for “Avalanche” and an explanation for why, this Friday, your co-worker will wear a Nene jersey to the big meeting with the clients.
Yes, mercifully, the NBA playoffs are near. And so, here are eight reasons to get excited about this year’s unpredictable postseason.
I chose to honor the No. 8 because there are eight playoff teams in each conference (and eight overall first-round matchups); because it’s the first postseason appearance for Denver’s No. 8, Danilo Gallinari (born, no joke, 8/ 8/88); and because of the Indiana Pacers, who snatched the eighth seed in the East despite having a losing record.
Here we go . . .
• 8. It’s possible that Miami could face New York in the first round, re-energizing the rivalry from the 1990s. (Remember Jeff Van Gundy trying to break up the Alonzo Mourning-Larry Johnson fight?) Also, the Knicks could nab Chris Paul or Dwight Howard in the near future and, frankly, these teams could be conference finals foes for years to come. And what wattage! It’s LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh vs. Carmelo An- thony, Amar’e Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups. Finally, it’s a reunion of the NBA’s 2003 draft, with No. 1 James, No. 3 Melo, No. 4 Bosh and No. 5 D-Wade.
• 7. Bulls guard Derrick Rose likely will win the league’s MVP award. In the eyes of many, he already has earned some cred by not strongly recruiting LeBron last summer, knowing that he, himself, could (and would) be “the man” in Chicago.
Well, the Bulls are No. 1 in the East. It will be a thrill to watch Rose rise.
• 6. Enough of Andy Garcia. I’m ready for Staples Center A-listers who come out for Lakers playoff games, be it Kim Kardashian, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne or Victoria Principal. (Quick aside: We once played a game where we asked, “If you could date one celebrity, from any year, who would you pick?” One person said, “Victoria Principal, 1981.” A female friend said, “Brad Pitt, 1994.” And my buddy William said, “Pocahontas, 1615.”)
• 5. Can Portland win a first- round series? The Trail Blazers have won 13 of their last 19 games and have meshed well since the acquisition of Gerald Wallace. The Blazers could play the Lakers, whom they beat two nights ago. The Lakers traditionally have struggled at Portland.
• 4. Remember Shaquille O’Neal? He’s the one-time all-star and star of the Oscar-snubbed “Kazaam.” It’s possible Shaq will play important minutes in the postseason for Boston. But he’s been hurt, essentially, all season. Can he be a difference maker? Can he make it through a playoff series? He might need a little “Kazaam” magic. (Frankly, “Kazaam” could have used a little “Kazaam” magic at the box office.)
• 3. Many folks feel that the Lakers, once again, will win the West.
Yeah, sure, they have been slipping since the loss to the Nuggets a week ago. But with Andrew Bynum healthy and hearty, they have a fearful frontcourt and a coach, in likely his final season, looking for his fourth three-peat. Fourth! Oh, and they also have Kobe Bryant, who plays shooting guard and is very good. Will the Lakers defend their title? Asked about the best in the West, Nuggets coach George Karl said, “Right now in the Western Conference, does anybody really know? If someone gave you a million dollars, would you feel good about betting on who’s going to win the West? There’s L.A., San Antonio and Dallas, and I think the next three teams are scary as heck.”
• 2. Hate it or hate it, the Miami Heat is pretty good. The villains made history last July; can they make history this June too?
• 1. Just how good are the Nuggets? Can a team without one all-star make a playoff run? Is this a “Moneyball” situation, in which Denver’s unique, strategic makeup wins a bunch of games in the regular season but can’t advance in the matchup-oriented playoffs? Or is this a team of destiny? All along, Carmelo wanted to leave Denver. But maybe, looking back, was it Denver that should have wanted Carmelo to leave?
Spotlight on …
Serge Ibaka, Thunder forward
Meet Serge Ibaka, the surging blocker (blocka?). He ranks fourth in the NBA in blocked shots, averaging 2.3 per game. And since becoming a starter in late February, he’s surged onto the scene. He’s averaging 10.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks after the all-star break. During a four-game stretch in March, he had a total of 23 blocked shots.
The Thunder traded power forward Jeff Green to Boston and nabbed center Kendrick Perkins, thus giving Ibaka an opportunity to be a starter in the low post.
“Perkins gives them a defensive presence that they didn’t have. And the combination of Ibaka moving in a good direction and him coming in, defensively that’s a strong play,” said Nuggets coach George Karl, whose team likely will play the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Ibaka is a dunking dynamo who embraces defense like a savvy veteran. Sure, he’s had some problems with foul trouble — and he’s only 21 years old — but he has risen to the occasion since the Thunder started pairing him with Perkins.
The Nuggets’ rebounding has improved since their own trade in late February. And with Nene and Perkins part of two altercations last week, the low-post battle between these teams will be fun to follow in the playoffs.
