Since supposed experts of the NBA and sport NEVER look back after they publish something, we at East vs. West always are forthcoming about how our picks panned out. That said, Round #1 of the 2007 Playoffs are finished ... how'd we do?
Dirk looking better here than trying to take any Warrior off the dribble
Pistons Sweep Magic (East: Pistons over Magic in 5. West: Sweep)
Neither of us gave the Magic much of a chance, but Mr. West gets kudos for being aggressive with the "sweep" prediction. I thought that Howard and company might play well enough to make a little dent in the awe-inspiring Pistons, but it wasn't to be. You have to think that the Magic will need some serious changes in the offseason to have a real chance at the Finals while Howard is young.
Cavs Sweep Wizards (East: Cavs over Wizards in 4. West: Sweep)
This one was too easy. No Arenas and no Butler meant no chance. Simple. The NBA is too tough to predict anything but a sweep when 2 of the 3 star players on a roster are injured. This is not the NCAA Tournament or the Lake Placid Olympics and we don't believe in miracles.
Nets beat Raptors in 6 (East: Nets over Raptors in 6. West: Nets over Raptors in
6)
We both pegged this one, too. 6 games seemed about right. The Nets are good, but they are thin up front. In the playoffs you can't pick a team with such little frontcourt talent to dominate, regardless of how good the backcourt is. The Raptors were too green. The only exception I can think of to that rule is the Jordan Bulls, who used MJ in the post during the best years.
There it is, Fat-Ass. That is the exit. Please, take it.
Bulls sweep Heat (East: Bulls over Heat in 6. West: Bulls over Heat in 7)
We both made the pick, so give up credit. We also thought it would be a little competitive, which it wasn't. I suspected that the Heat would lose because Wade and Shaq didn't have enough time on the floor together this season to mesh. They were also less than healthy. Both of those factors meant that the team would have to rely on Antoine Walker, James Poser, Jason Williams and the rest of the has-been cast. Expect big changes in Miami this summer.
GS over Dallas in 6 (East: Golden State over Dallas in 7. West: Dallas over
GS in 6)
The feather in Mr. East's cap, picking the fucking Warriors to win. He saw this one coming a mile away. Dirk is a great player and he probably deserves the MVP. Butt it also shows that the regular season doesnlt mean too much. He needs to look at himself in the mirror for the loss in this series, but let's all be honest: Baron Davis is MUCH better than Jason Terry. Jason Richardson is MUCH better than Stackhouse or Harris. The GS supporting cast of Barnes, Harrington, Ellis, Biedrens and Jackson is MUCH better than Diop, George, Croshere, Dampier, Kevin Willis, and Ronaldo Blackmon. The Warriors finished the year hot and healthy. That's the only reason they weren't a 5 or 6 seed, instead of an 8.
Suns beat Lakers in 5 (East: Suns over Lakers in 6. West: Suns beat Lakers
in 6)
We both picked this one as well. The Lakers put up a bit less of a fight than either of us thought, but is the outcome at all surprising? Kobe is bizarrely gifted, but everyone else is crap. He should have gone to the Clippers when he had the chance. Speaking of which, the Clippers kinda sucked this year, huh?
Spurs over Nuggs in 5 (East: Nuggets over Spurs in 6. West: SA over DEN in
6)
Where Mr. East hit on Golden State, he blew it on the Nuggets. Iverson is by far the best player on that team, but he deferred to Carmelo a bit too much. And Mr. West thinks the Iverson-Denver dream will now end. The Spurs' defense pisses off its opponents, and it pisses off anyone who cares about entertaining quality basketball. We hate watching Bruce Bowen. They'll probably win it all. Dicks.
Oh my god! McGrady lost in Round 1 again? I'm SOOOOO shocked.
Jazz over Rockets in 7 (East: Rockets over Jazz in 4. West: Rockets over
Utah in 7)
Ooph. At least West picked this series' games correct. One thing Mr. East kept thinking to himself was, "Van Gundy's got T-Mac and Yao. He's got the 3-point shooters to spread the defense, and he's got the role players to do the dirty work in Battier and company. How can he lose?" He lost because he doesn't understand how to let players blossom. He tries to control everything so tightly that his teams habitually play to the level of whatever opponent is in front of them. The Jazz are a good team, but the best two players in the series were on Houston. As soon as the series went to 7, we knew the Jazz could win since the Rockets are so mentally weak. We also suspect that Van Gundy would be out. Good riddance.
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