NBA Playoffs Preview

I'm going to say it. I like the NBA. Saying these words in Minnesota is nothing short of a crime, so I've had to keep my love of the NBA a secret. However, now I have a place to write about the NBA, so do that I will. I am going to start by giving you all a playoff preview.

West: 

1 - Spurs: You wouldn't bet against Pop and Duncan again, would you? 3 straight finals appearances are not only plausible, I would put them as the favorites to come out of the west. 

2 - Clippers: Russel Westbrook can only do so much for this first month and a half without KD, and these Clippers are the a much better "team" then the Thunder when healthy. Chris Paul is the 3rd best player in the NBA until Anthony Davis says otherwise. 

3 - Thunder: Too much Scott Brooks and KD missing 8 weeks with an injury puts these guys in the third seed. 

4 - Golden State: The Splash Bros are the leagues best back court and they can run some really small line ups with Draymond Green in at the 4, or do whatever really with Steve Kerr. I like what they bring defensively as well.  

5 - TrailBlazers: The healthiest team in the west last year. Potentially solved some of their bench issues adding Caveman Chris Kaman and Steve "I once put up 14 assists in a quarter" Blake. If they stay healthy again, This team could sneak into the top 4 seeds. 

6 - Mavericks: Dirk, Monta, Chandler Parsons, Tyson Chandler, Devon Harris.  Have you seen a less solid defensive lineup? This team will get theirs, but the question becomes can they stop others from getting theirs? In Carlisle we trust. 

7 - Houston Rockets: I really like the addition of Trevor Ariza. That being said, this team has 2 players to score, and unless Dwight hits some free throws they are leaving 15 points out in the open every game. One injury away from being a bottom 10 team? 

8 - Memphis Grizzlies: I would hate to play these guys as the 1 seed. A real grinder of a team, the addition of Vince Carter gives them a little more of an outside shot which really helps. Would be a top 4 seed in the East. 

East: 

1 - Cavilers: Might be a historically efficient team. Assuming that they stay healthy, I don't see how any team could compete with the amount of raw talent this team has. 

2 - Bulls: If Derrick Rose can play more than 60 games this team coasts to the 2 seed. Their trio of big men is the best in the league, and if Doug McDermott can come into his own pretty quickly this team is a real danger to the Cavs. 

3 - Wizards: Adding Paul Pierce gives this team another big shot guy behind John Wall which is needed. The second best back court in the league, and if John Wall can find a solid jump shot this team could be a contender. 

4 - Raptors: This team is in the worst division in basketball which is the only reason I have them number 4. A whole pile of free wins in this division, and Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan might both be all-stars this year. 

5 - Hornets: Kemba Walker is the iciest player in the league. The addition of Lance Stephenson gives this team 3 very reliable scorers, and if MKG can put up around 14 points a game this team could be very surprising. Oh, and they have the best post scorer in the league. 

6 - Atlanta: Remember this team was the 3rd seed in the east before Al Horford went down. The east has gotten a little stronger however, so unless we see remarkable improvement from Teague, I don't see just the addition of Thabo putting these guys too far up in the East.

7 - Miami Heat: Very little depth which is concerning when you look at Dwyane Wade's knees. I don't like the idea of having Chalmers off the bench either, but Spo seems keen on doing so. 

8 - Milwaukee Bucks: Hey, why not? Everyone Else in the east is bad and this team has some surprising  talent. Khris Middleton is actually not bad, Larry Sanders is back, and Brandon Knight might finally break out. Or not? Who cares, whoever ends up here loses in 4 to the Cavs anyway.