In a
much-needed change of pace, we here at Hoop Nut felt that giving just the usual
series-by-series preview/prediction would be, well, predictable, so we came up
with a novel idea. Well, not really THAT novel, but, still, something we felt
was a step in a bold new direction.
Instead of
Rolly and I simply going back and forth about how he thinks Miami will win it
all (and his silent hope of Chris Bosh being Finals MVP) and how I think the
only good thing in Miami is Filipino-American head coach Erik Spoelstra, we got
a few of our friends together and asked them several questions about the
Playoffs.
Now, these
guys aren’t exactly the people you’ll find on NBA TV’s Open Court or Basketball
TV. They aren’t sports journalists or media people by profession (neither are
Rolly and I come to think of it), but they are big time hoops fans. They are regular joes
like you and me who just want to share their unique takes on the 2013 NBA
Playoffs.
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| The Playoffs are coming!!! (image from the Chicago Bulls page on NBA.com) |
It is my hope
that this will be a step towards more concrete efforts to get “guys on the
street” or the “average fans” to weigh in on their favorite basketball teams,
players, and issues.
Oops, did
things just get serous there? I guess it’s time to begin…
But WAIT!!!
Rolly and I, because we’re crazy like that, will STILL post our
series-by-series previews. Haha papansin
talaga kami (we just love the attention).
So here are
the guys:
Rolly Mendoza (RM) – He raises hell for
Costco Canada and writes for Hoop Nut from his dark corner in Richmond Hill,
Ontario. Biggest Chris Bosh fan ever. Follow him @rollzter on Twitter.
Joey Puno (JP) – This IT pro and father
of one is the guy behind KickSpotting.com. He is famous for hitting a
championship-clinching shot in our school’s alumni league about a month ago. The
only thing bad about him is he’s a Heat fan through and through. Follow him
@kickspotting or @joesy138 on Twitter.
Julius Esquivias (JE) – He cracks the
whip as a lawyer by day, changes the sheets for his two kids at night, and is
maybe the biggest Jason Kidd fanboy this side of hoopdom. Where Kidd goes, he
goes. Follow him on Twitter @julzesq.
Jay Santiago (JS) – This corporate
juggernaut has conquered Denmark and Panama, and is a believer in the purity of
the San Antonio Spurs’ methodical basketball. Still hoping Tim Duncan’s
creaking bones have one golden run in them.
Alwin San Jose (ASJ) – He claims to be
a marketing slave by profession and that he is a Boston Celtic for life. He
likes the Miami Heat in pretty much the same way most folks like eating ampalaya. Follow him on Twitter @alwinsj
As for me,
I’ll just moderate the discussion and come up with a nifty synth at the end. J
That’s my teacher side coming to the surface!
Now for the
Question and Answer portion:
1) Which team will you root for?
RM: Heat Nut all the way! For the West,
I will be rooting for the Warriors although I dont expect them to go past the
first round.
JP: Miami Heat.
JE: I will be rooting for Jason Kidd's
New York Knicks.
JS: Hmm, maybe i'll choose a different
team this year?? (His way of saying – SPURS!!!)
ASJ: I know they are a long shot this
season and they are decimated with injuries but somehow, I still believe that
the Boston Celtics will make noise this post season. The KG-Bradley-PP-Jeff
Green combo will find ways to win (I hope) and I think getting past NY and
Indiana is still feasible given the right momentum and breaks in this season’s
playoffs. Another East finals trip would be a success for fans like me. Then again, losing Rondo and Sully might be
too much to overcome this season and might not have enough firepower in Round 1
alone (reverse jinx alert!)
2) Can Miami be beaten 4 times in a
7-game series?
RM: Anything is possible and I will not
declare Miami unbeatable but I dont think any team can beat them 4 times this
year. No one managed to beat them last year and Miami appears to be better than
last year. LBJ is playing out of his mind and their role players have been
solid.
JP: Yes, Miami has its weaknesses.
They're small and they give up a lot of 3-pointers. Teams like NY can make
their defense work with a team full of shooters and Melo playing at the top of
his game as of late. Indiana has always been a bad match-up with their height
inside and length with players like Paul George. They're looking for a rematch
against the Heat, who beat them in the second round last year. And don't count
out Boston. The last 2 games against them were without KG and Pierce and Miami
barely won. You know Boston likes to play against Miami, especially against
LeBron.
On the other
hand, Miami has been playing its best heading into the playoffs even with
starters Lebron, Wade and Bosh sitting out in recent games. The bench and role
players have totally stepped up with the likes of Norris Cole and Rashard Lewis
contributing solid numbers. Mike Miller looks fresh and has been shooting at a
high percentage. Remember when this guy was considering retirement just last
year? The addition of birdman Chris Anderson has somewhat filled the void inside
with his hustle, rebounding and scrappy defense. This team is confident and
they know what it takes to win it all.
Can Miami be
beaten? Yes. But the way they're playing now, I think they have enough to make
another run at the championship.
JE: The Heat can only be beaten by a
team who gets hot from downtown throughout the series.
JS: Yes, when they finally play against
a West team.
ASJ: The way Lebron is picking his
spots and scoring and the confidence that the supporting cast has gained this
past few games and the way the East now looks in the playoffs, Indiana might be
the only East team that can give them
fits in a series (Miami has had trouble with big teams this regular season –
i.e. Utah, Memphis). But does this mean that a team like Indiana can beat them
4 times? Until it happens, I doubt it
(begrudgingly admitting it).
3) Which lower seed/s will be the most
dangerous in the first round?
RM: For the East, the Bulls should
challenge the Nets especially if Derrick Rose plays. The Celtics might steal a
game or two from the Knicks but New York should prevail. For the West, the
Warriors could certainly upset the Nuggets especially if Ty Lawson and Kenneth
Faried are limited due to their injuries. If the Grizzlies win, it wont feel
like an upset.
JP: East - I think Chicago and Boston
have the best chance of advancing among the lower seeds. Chicago has proven it
can play with anyone, already stopping 2 streaks by the Heat and Knicks. Even
without Drose this team is deep and with coach Thibodeau's defensive sets,
Chicago is gonna bring it to the Nets. Boston has been inconsistent the whole
season but come playoff time look for Pierce and KG to step up. This team has a
lot of pride and if Pierce and Garnett are healthy this could be a long series.
West - Memphis
and Golden state. Memphis is big and they play defense. Gasol and Randolph will
be a handful for Blake and DeAndre. If Conley can somehow keep up with CP3 they
have a good chance of stealing this one from the Clippers. The Nuggets and
Warriors series should be an exciting one. Lots of running, lots of 3s and lots
of scoring. Curry has been lights out from just about anywhere and if he can
keep this up in the playoffs anything's possible. Denver is dealing with the
loss of Gallinari and though they haven't really struggled without him, his
leadership and clutch shooting will be missed in the playoffs.
JE: A Chicago team with a healthy and
productive DRose will be a nightmare against any team, Heat included.
JS: Chicago Bulls win over Brooklyn
Nets in 7 games (maybe 6).
ASJ: Suddenly, I had to look at the
playoff brackets for this one. After a quick glance, here are my picks:
· Golden State: Just because the way
Steph Curry is shooting and the way Denver is decimated with injuries (Gallo
being out for the season and Lawson/Faried not being at 100% percent entering
the playoffs)
· Chicago/Memphis: they are in 1st round
series matchups (vs. Brooklyn and LA Clippers, respectively) that could go
either way; technically, I don’t see any higher seed in this one and these are
two entertaining series that could go the distance
· LA Lakers: Similar to Denver, San
Antonio is entering the playoffs banged up and with their style of play being
much easier for the Lakers to cope up with, this has upset series written over
it
I did not
add Boston as a dangerous seed in Round 1 since I might be accused of a homer
and I said my reasons already in the 1st question for a “hit-or-miss playoffs”
for the Celts.
4) Which team/s will be the most negatively
affected by its/their injuries?
RM: For the East, it has to be the
Bulls because Noah and Gibson just got back from injuries while D-Rose has yet
to play a game. If everyone is healthy and Rose plays, the Bulls could make
some noise. Over in the West, the Lakers will miss Kobe a lot. How can they
replace his 27 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists? Steve Nash is also hurting.
JP: I think it’s Boston and San Antonio
who are really dealing with injuries and haven't been playing complete in the
last few games of the regular season. Manu Ginobili is still not back in the
line up and Tony Parker hasn't been as dominant since returning from his
injury. Pop will always have guys ready to step up, but you need a healthy
Duncan, Parker and Ginobili to go all the way. Boston's confidence is fueled by
its leaders. If Paul Pierce and KG are not 100% come playoff time, I look for
them to struggle a little bit.
JE: Boston would have been an absolute
monster had Rondo been healthy the whole season.
JS: Knicks (Sheed, Amare/Chandler/Kenyon
recovering) vs. Celtics (Rondo, Pierce/KG recovering) will be a grueling
match-up that may result in aggravating injuries, which for the Knicks could
completely endanger their first appearance in the East Finals since the
Houston/Sprewell days back in 2000.
ASJ: I mentioned already the teams that
might be affected by injury in my lower seed picks in Round 1 (GS and LAL), but
another team that is negatively affected by an injury is the Chicago Bulls. If
they get past the Nets in Round 1, they will just be another roadblock in the
Miami L-Train. This is where the what-if of Derrick Rose playing this season
would come in. Sayang.
5) Who will come out of each Conference
-- East & West?
RM: The Heat will meet the Knicks in
the East Finals and I expect Miami to advance. The Thunder will see the Spurs
in the West (both sides are 1s and 2s) with the Thunder advancing.
JP: Miami and I still think OKC will
win over the Spurs.
JE: The West will be brutal, but OKC
should eventually come out. (Though I'm wishing for a low seed like GSW to pull
an upset). I wouldn't mind seeing Denver in the Finals as well. Out East, Miami
seems to have a pretty clear path to the Finals.
JS: East - Miami Heat
West - I'm
with Reggie Miller on this...
Excerpt from
NBA Open Court S02E04:
EJ: In one
word: who wins the West, Lakers or Thunder?
Reggie:
Spurs!
ASJ: Again, I really hate saying this
(it’s equivalent to lighting myself on fire) but I have to say that the Miami
Heat would come out of the East. Too fast, too many shooters, D Wade still
being D Wade – and more comfortable being the sidekick - and having the best
player of the planet would not hurt their chances.
As for the
West, well it’s still OKC (unless Russ Westbrook pulls a Stephon Marbury in a
series)…but…it is a tougher road for OKC to get their shot at revenge vs. the
Heat. The Clippers, Grizzlies, Spurs and even the Lakers (all it takes is
getting out of Round 1 vs. the Spurs, and their Cinderella run is on) can be
capable West champions.
6) Who will win the NBA Championship?
RM: Thunder vs Heat: Part 2. Miami will
win again because they are a better defensive team and their cohesion and
chemistry as a unit are better than OKC.
JP: Gotta go with the Heat.
JE: I still think it's the Heat's to
lose. But if the NYK shooters get hot at the right time, look out!
JS: San Antonio Spurs over Miami Heat
in 6 games (Not the most unbiased of comments).
ASJ: I hate growing older in a time
that Lebron James stabbed Cleveland’s back, figured out how to play at his
fullest when he teamed up with two All-Stars, and playing at his apex right
now. I hate seeing another championship parade happening in South Beach this
year. But there is nothing that can be done about this. Unless some Boston fans
would do this to Lebron (of course I’m just kidding):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnQFSfapPl8.
7) Other comments? – Please take note
that in case the person didn’t put any additional comments, I took the liberty
of doing so on his behalf ;)
RM: Chris Bosh = Finals MVP. Believe
it. (okay, fine, I did this)
JP: Go Heat. hahaha
JE: I think Carmelo will have a big
series against his draft-mates, should they reach the Eastern Conference Finals
against the defending Champions. Tyson Chandler's help defense should prove to
be a big deterrent against the BIG 3's persistent attack in the paint.
Heat-haters should pray that the JR Smith show proves to be a big hit as well.
:)
You think
Lakers can bully the Spurs inside? Intriguing matchup between the two perennial
contenders. It's just sad we won't be seeing some Kobe drama in the playoffs.
Love him or hate him, we'll all miss his presence once he hangs up his
sneakers.
JS: Breakout Players for the 2013
Playoffs: Jimmy Butler (CHI) and Kawhi Leonard (SAS).
ASJ: Actually, I’m NOT kidding. Kidnap
LeBron NOW. (okay, fine, I did this, too)
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| Fill up your brackets! (image from NBA.com) |
My Synthesis:
It’s easy,
really. The Miami Heat are the heavy favorites to win. They’ll get booed in
every road game for sure, but they’ll end up with the last laugh most of the
time anyway. LeBron is just on another level. Ray Allen is pissed Curry broke
his record, so I’m sure he’ll be on Jesus Shuttlesworth mode. D-Wade will be
awesome. Chris Bosh won’t win Finals MVP, but he will be strong, too. All the
guys know this, though Jay wasn’t as upfront in admitting it (haha).
Right now,
however, the team I’m really excited to watch closely, along with many Pinoy
fans I’m sure, is Kobe’s Lakers, or, more timely, the Kobe-less Lakers. I think
they have a decent shot at upsetting San Antonio (sorry Jay) and then maybe another
decent shot at upending either DEN or GSW. IF they get to the West Finals, then
that’s SOMETHING already, but, hey, with maybe the best frontline in the whole
planet (because Dwight + Pau is can be the best, you know), anything can
happen.
Out East, my
pick is for the Knicks to be the biggest stumbling blocks to Miami. I love
Indiana and I think the Nets have the talent to give LBJ & Co. some fits,
but by and large I think the Knicks have the perfect combo of talent, relative
health, and timing (could they be peaking at the right time?) to make my
buddies Rolly and Joey really nervous.
What do YOU
think? Hit us up on Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/TheHoopNut
-- or Twitter -- @Hoopnut. We’ll be making some more posts featuring “regular
fans” soon, so tell us if you want to be featured! J
Don’t
forget: If you believe we deserve it, please do NOT forget to nominate Hoop Nut
as the BEST SPORTS BLOG in the 2013 Globe Tatt Awards. We would love for you to
show your appreciation for our blog and our pioneering indie sports coverage
spirit by doing this :) Cheers! Basketball NEVER stops!!!
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