although the Boston won long ago I have been so busy in school that I had no time to conclude my previous posts regarding the playoffs. Well, as I expected, the Boston was too much for the Lakers. I am a bit dissapointed considering there were games that the Lakers had control but became careless in the second half leading to a loss (games2 and 4). It’s so sad to say that the Lakers were embarassing during the last game: Boston wins the title with a 130something-90something (sorry can’t remember, too disgusting info)??? WTF???  . A lot thought that with Kobe Bryant in the Laker’s team they would be the first to win the finals from a 1-3 situation BUT in the contrary, they held a record for having letting the Boston take a 30+ lead during an NBA finals.. awww.. *I want to cover my face for them* Too bad Phil Jackson is still number 2 from Red Auberch..  I guess Bryant is still so far away compared to with what Jordan achieved. And the meeting of the past rivals for the 11th time wasn’t that exciting (no buzzer beaters and few great play). Well, from the positive view, it’s will serve as experience for the young Lakers team. Surely we will be seeing more from them BUT then again, we will also be seeing tougher teams. What I’m trying to say is, BIG trades can happen which will create a “Boston-like” teams that will blow everybody else. If the Lakers are contended with having their team as is, then they have to work exta hard.. I guess this the end for the NBA era, we have to wait for another 100+ days for the next season..:)

as for Pierce, he deserves it. He wanted it ever since he first played as a Celtic. All this time, he just neede KG and Allen to back him up. As for Allen.. Wow! hands down the best and fastest 3-point shooter.

As the majority predicted, history repeats itself. The league’s MVP this year brought the young Lakers to the top of the West while the craving Celtics says it’s their time again. I am surprised by the public’s prediction of who will win. I feel that there is a great bias when predicting that the Lakers will win the championship just because Kobe is the greatest player in the NBA as of now. Although I want my favorite team, the Lakers, to win, the Celtics still have the best record in the regular season this year. Plus the Celtics’ Big Three namely Garnett, Pierce and Allen is having their first appearance here in the Finals making them crave it more! This will be a fight till the end.. Game 1 is done and the Celtics got it fair and square. We’ll just have to see tomorrow how Bryant and the Lakers respond to their first game1 lost this playoffs. I’m stll 70% Boston as of now but if the Lakers get Game2 with a blow out performance by Bryant i’ll give my whole 100% that they will get the championship trophy.

PREDICTION

BOS 4-2

Kevin Garnett MVP

Truth hurts…but i’ll still have my hopes up..

BEAT LA CELTICS

Since the series has already started, it might be a little too late to share my predictions but i’ll do it anyway..

regarding my past predictions, i was 2 out of 4 correct,.. honestly, i am disappointed with the CAVS vs BOS game 7. I thought it would be another history in the making kind of game but James was left behind by his teammates. And I also have to give credit to the Celtics captain, Paul Pierce, for overcoming LeBron James. I absolutely underestimated Boston and after defeating the Cavs seeing them in the finals will be no surprise at all.

As for Chris Paul and the Hornets, this was less suprising game 7 since experience is still a major factor in the playoffs and the Spurs have tons of it. The defending champs would never give up a fight so a lot of big guys stood up.  The Hornets is a young team and for a young team to make it this far in the playoffs is something. I’ll be looking forward for Chris Paul again and next time, they will definitely win.

Here’s my predictions:

BOS vs DET – BOS wins 4-3 (BOS currently 2-1)

LA vs SA – LA wins 4-3 (LA currently 2-0)

The Pistons and Spurs are fresh from winning championship games so it will definitely be a fight till the end. The Lakers and Celtics on the otherhand have rebuild their team to reach the top spot in their conference gaining home court advantage. So far, home court advantage is a question in ths series knowing the Lakers were down 20 in the first half while the Celtics lost in game2. But if big players like Kobe and KG goes on fire, their team is going to win this. History is going to repeat itself when this happens,..

**I’m back here in Baguio Ciyt, hurrah!**

so far the teams that continue in the second round were the expected top seeded teams. I am in sorrow with the Suns, Mavericks and Rockets for losing when we all know that all the teams in the West that entered the playoffs were definitely great. It is a loss to see the Jason Kidd and Shaq although traded wasn’t enough to keep them alive for the next round. But What was surprising was the Boston and Atlanta game7 story. However, Atlanta wasn’t really getting close to a win at Boston home, luck just didn’t last for the Hawks but it did make a commotion in the NBA… Now the second round is continuing and now any team can win from the other. They all have equal chances in getting to the semifinals and i’ll be expecting 2 out of 4 series to play up to game7 namely

NO and SA

and

BOS and CLE

Cleveland has it chances, and i’ve realized this by their performance in game3. Lebron James can do the impossible and is not intimidated whatsoever, they did it last year with the Piston, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they did it with the Celtics.While the young Hornets with Chris Paul didn’t get to be 2nd in the west for nothing. They have it in them.

Almost all teams are 2-2 in the regular season except for the Pistons and Magic. Every home game would be a crucial one. Kobe won the MVP, there will definitely give a positive impact in his game.

My bet that will advance for the next round would be the Lakers, Hornets, Cavs and Pistons.

that’s right.. i’m sure this time it will be very unpredictable especially on the case of the West where almost all of the teams considered are equally brilliant.. On the East side however, it has got to be among the 4 top teams: Boston, Detroit, Orlando and Cleveland..

Here are my bets for the first round..

NO beats MAVS

PHX beats SA

HOU beats UTAH

LA beats DEN

BOS beats ATL

CLE beats WAS

DET beats SIX

ORL beats TOR

Of course this bets are bias with my personal favorites…

It would be a thrill to think that Boston and Lakers would match up in the finals, but Boston is too tough for the Lakers.. so i’m hoping Lebron’s team will do the job in annihilating the best team for the Lakers to win the championship.. ^_^

Here’s a glimpse of the impressive game of SA hosting the PHX in game 1 of the NBA playoffs 2008