Since you all come to this site for our expert opinion on everything, we figured we’d give you our opinions on the 2009 NBA Playoffs. BP will be covering the West, while I will be covering the East. So enjoy, and when you win various bets because you trusted me, feel free to buy me a cheeseburger.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
I am of the belief that the Detroit Pistons have been one of the most overrated teams of our era. They won one championship against the most dysfunctional team in NBA history. One could argue that a healthy Dwyane Wade would have beaten them in 2005 as well. The fact is, they are old and their players aren’t that particularly good anymore. As good as Rodney Stuckey is, he might not even be the best point guard on his team. I think Joe Dumars knew he wasn’t winning a championship and in a sneaky salary dump, cleared up about $20 mil for this coming offseason.

Old school meets new school in this series. No one on the Pistons can cover LeBron. Despite not having a real All-Star as a second option (Sorry Mo Williams, I’m not counting you), their supporting cast is enough, and works well enough together to get them past the aging and annoying Pistons.

Prediction: Cavs in 5

Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat
The pesky Hawks drove the Celtics to seven games last year. Can they make it to the second round this year? I say no. Al Horford hasn’t improved to the point many were expecting. They lost Josh Childress to Euroriches. Josh Smith is clearly not a very good basketball player at this point. If Mike Bibby were still the Sacramento Mike Bibby, I might think of him differently.

At the same time, Miami’s roster isn’t exactly Garlic Bread Pizza good. Beasley has been good, though he’s not winning you a playoff series. After him, you’ve really got a poo poo platter of players. Chalmers is good, not great. Jermaine O’Neal needs to rebound. Are you really getting scoring from Jamario Moon and Udonis Haslem. The wild card here is Dequan Cook. Pooh Bear. Wade is obviously going to get his, so it’s not even worth writing about. If Cook can get in there and hit his threes and play solid defense, I think this series tips to Miami. At the end of the day, you have the best closer in the NBA with Wade. Do the Heat make it to the end of the day? I sure hope so.

Prediction: As much as this hurts me, Hawks in 7.

Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The only person who can stop Dwight Howard, is Dwight Howard. Huh? What I mean by this is, in a close game, can Dwight Stay on the floor? The fact of the matter is that he can’t shoot free throws. With him in the game during a close one, you’re playing offense with four players. I’ve seen the Magic treat Dwight like offensive Kryptonite at the end of games, not even giving him a chance at a bucket, for fear of him missing two free throws, which essentially, equal a turnover. Knee injuries to Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu will be huge factors.

If I would have told you that you could sign a free agent to a huge contract and only get about five games out of him the first year, is that something you’d be interested in? The fact that the Sixers are even here speaks volumes of Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala. Yes it’s the East, but still. Playoffs are playoffs, and they weren’t in this position a year ago. I don’t think they have enough firepower for the Magic but at least this is progress. The better question is will Elton Brand impede or further their progress next year?

Prediction: Magic in 5

Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls
Everyone who knows me knows where I stand with Boston teams. If not a Miami team, I’m going hard core for the Celtics, Red Sox, and (gulp) Patriots. Unfortunately with the news coming out today that Kevin Garnett may miss the entire playoffs, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to cheer for them this season. Though they still have a very solid core in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, the loss of Garnett might be what keeps them from repeating. At the same time, they’ve been playing just find without him. I don’t think the Bulls series matters much, but they’re going to need the Big Ticket to advance past Orlando in the second round.

Right now, who would you rather have for your particular team, Rajon Rondo or Derrick Rose? Rondo (but only for this season). Ray Allen or Ben Gordon? Ray Allen. Paul Pierce or John Salmons? Paul Pierce. Leon Powe (assuming no KG) or Tyrus Thomas? Debatable. Joakim Noah or Kendrick Perkins? I’m going Perkins.

Prediction: Celtics in 5

Tune in for second round analyses next week.

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