The best matchup in the playoffs? Not Wiz/Cavs. It's LeBron v. DeShawn Are you drunk?
Okay bear with me, this is a BOLD prediction...
I'm just putting this out there, because this was supposed to only be about the Wizards vs. Cavaliers.
Washington could conceivably wreck this entire playoff series in the East. Please look at the last game from the Wizards-Celtics. Here's the Washington Wizards road map to get to the Finals...
Washington v. Cleveland
Washington v. Boston (sorry Atlanta)
Washington v. Detroit/Orlando (DET-ORL split series 2-2)
Then, if you don't know about Washington's history versus the best team in the NBA, the Boston Celtics.
Washington won the series 3-1, winning the last three consecutively, and now they're fully healthy! Jamison has given KG problems in their entire career, Caron can lock down Pierce, and DeShawn gets Ray-Ray, but lets not get ahead of ourselves...
See, I told you 'Tawn gave KG problems. You thought I made it up?
Now, Cleveland and D.C. split the series 2-2 with Washington's starting five never being the same in all four games. Gilbert's amped up, DeShawn is amped up. Antawn and Caron are healthy and ready. Antawn's trying to get a new contract, they've got young talent, and Eddie Jordan is a very underrated coach.
Okay, so Washington can play "A little" defense. Not a whole lot, though...
Now the counter to this is "Oh, you just awakened a sleeping giant in LeBron." Eh, maybe. I'm just not sold on their team, pre or post-trade. With this series, it's LeBron vs. The Wizards, fully healthy. CLE 5-6 in their last 11 games. LeBron's hurting, Sasha Pavlovic is done for the season, Daniel Gibson's shooting 24% since his injury (16% from 3pt), and Big Z's back is iffy.
My point is...shouldn't we be paying more attention to this? Is it not a huge stretch to say that Washington gets to the Eastern Conference Finals? The NBA Finals?
The X-Factor is Gilbert Arenas. Will he be able to defer when necessary and be a facilitator vs. a dictator? A month ago, I would've said no chance, but when I heard that Hibachi would adjust his contract so they could resign Antawn Jamison, that was major. I've only heard of quarterbacks doing that for their team. Not "me first" point guards with a two-guard mentality. Maybe Gilbert's not so "me first" anymore.
The X-Factor will need to be "Hibachi Hot" but I have faith...
So here's my fearless prediction...
Wizards def. Cavaliers (4-2)
Wizards def. Celtics (4-3)
Wizards def. Magic(!) (4-2)
Wizards vs. Phoenix in the 2008 NBA Finals.
Wow...half of me says I'm crazy, and the other half of me says I am making a legitimate claim. What do you think? Maybe I'm drunk...they do have this guy named LeBron, anything's possible...
-Ed.
P.P.S. Just for kicks, who remembers Kobe vs. Gilbert?
Comments
8 Responses to "The Washington Wizards will make the NBA Finals..."*sigh* I'm gonna try, and make it through this entire thread without using profanity. With this post though, it's going to be very difficult. I'm about to undress this ENTIRE THEORY.
As much as I LOVE Gilbert Arenas, he has to be 100% for them to beat Boston, and he isn't. They have a puncher's chance, because they have pretty good players (Caron Butler is VERY UNDERRATED), and they have been playing together for a while now. With that said, they'll win one game, maybe two, before they are extinguished.
The Celtics are too hungry, too ready, and playing too well for them to go home at the hands of the Washington Wizards. I know it was 3-1 Wizards during the regular season. Cleveland swept San Antonio in the regular season last year, and we all saw what happened in The Finals.
Like I said earlier, I do like the Wizards, mostly out of my sheer love and admiration for Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, but there's no way they beat the Boston Celtics, unless KG is carried out on a stretcher. If both teams are at equal strength, then Washington won't have a chance in hell.
Ken, my brother, you can do better than that...
You identified that the Wizards have chemistry, and they have 3 high quality players in Arenas, Jamison, and Butler.
But you gave me no strategic reasoning behind why. I would say that the Wizards would win because they have chemistry. The Wiz have played together for 3-4 years now.
Also, the same thing that ails the Celtics against the Pistons would be an issue versus the Wizards. Can Rondo guard Arenas? Really questionable I'd say.
Now, the Celtics biggest strength is their depth. With Posey, Powe, Big Baby, Cassell, PJ Brown, Eddie House, Tony Allen, Scalabrine. I just named the entire Celtics bench, that's how you know if a team has depth.
Boston's strength is INTERIOR defense. Pierce and Allen don't play D, they filter down to KG and Perkins.
Ok, well who kills KG? Jamison. Jamison works from the outside in, thus leaving driving lanes for Caron, DeShawn, and Agent Zero.
The battle will be Ray, Paul and Rondo vs. Gilbert, Caron, and DeShawn. Trust me, Jamison will be a balancing act to KG.
This is all factoring that Washington beats Cleveland, who actually plays good perimeter defense. Also, Cleveland was ill-prepared for San Antonio. The Spurs use the regular season as practice. That's why I'm scared about Phoenix this year. I dunno, I picked the Suns in 7 but that's not a guarantee.
Boston has something to prove, because they couldn't afford to coast in the regular season, they have to work thru everything to know what kind of team they have. And Washington still beat them 3 out of 4? I dunno Ken. I dunno.
And Ken, like I said. The Wiz haven't been healthy all season. They've definitely got a punchers' chance, I'd say they going the full 15 rounds.
Remember this was a bold statement, lol...
-Ed.
Eddie, the Washington Wizards do not play D, and in this series, they are going to have to guard people.
There's no one player on the planet who kills Kevin Garnett, and even if there was, his name is not Antawn Jamison. I saw the dunk, and his line from that game, but it looks like KG will have to show you why he's about to get the Defensive Player of the Year award.
You just named me Boston's entire bench, and while Washington has a solid one as well, they don't compare, depth-wise, to Boston. If it was strictly Eddie Jordan V. Doc Rivers, then I'd be concerned, but all that veteran leadership the Celtics have will outweigh the coaching difference on the sidelines (no disrespect to Doc; I just think Eddie Jordan is a very good coach).
Rondo can't guard Arenas, I agree. Noone can guard Hibachi (even the Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, as evidenced by your youtube clip), but that won't really matter, if Arenas doesn't get others involved, which I don't know if he will do. People like Leon Powe, Glen Davis, Cassell, and House will be a HUGE factor in this series. Can you say the same for Antonio Daniels, Nick Young, and Brendan Haywood???
See, this is why the series could be beautiful...think about it. Arenas doesn't have to dictate anymore, I think that role has gone to Jamison.
Yes, I definitely realize that Boston's depth will be an issue. Depth is an issue when, one team gets the key players in trouble (via injury, fouls, performance, etc.) Washington and Boston can both impose their will offensively on people.
NOW HEAR ME OUT ON THIS...I'd say that because Washington struggles on defense it can be an advantage. What? Well, I did some research (82games.com) and it looks like because Boston is so aggressive on offense and defense, there are some defensive foul differences. Boston committed +173 fouls on the season compared to Washington. Conversely, Boston is +96 in drawing fouls.
I'd say that the depth is somewhat negligible in the playoffs because the rotation gets thinner in the big games.
Veteran leadership? I'd say that the Celtics definitely have it, but Washington's shown that they're not afraid of anybody. Thus the reason it becomes very interesting...
Again, this is a BOLD prediction...
-Ed.
(These are getting lengthy...)
When it comes to most sports, I am a die hard fan of a specific team. I think the reason I love the NBA, especially come playoff time, is the fact that I really don't have a favorite team. I find that I enjoy just watching good match ups. That said, being an Ohio native, I tend to follow the Cavs a bit more than the rest of the league. At first glance of your headline, I admit, I rolled my eyes. "Here goes another LeBron hater." But then I actually READ the thing...And I think you may be on to something! I can't wait to see how this plays out now! Nice piece.
i really like the wizards too, gilbert arenas is just insane. i think they can sneak up on some people too, i wouldnt be surprised if they did make it the eastern conference finals or even the nba finals. but the celtics are just too talented, i think the wizards will end up beating the cavs, but i do seem them taking the celtics to 7 games and losing.
That thud you hear is everyone jumping off the Wizards' bandwagon. I don't understand why the Cavs have their number either. Outside of LeBron, the Cavs have no one who scares you or even requires a double team. They play good team defense, keep games close and turn LeBron loose with six minutes to go.
I fell off the couch when Duncan hit that trey. Amazing. The Spurs are low on the excitement factor and we're all tired of seeing them but they're like a roach that you step on and it won't die.
These picks don't count 'cause I'm late to the game but Celts - Spurs appears to be the ticket.
JAG
What's up Ed.
Indeed your prediction was VERY bold, but calling out the Cavs for playing mediocre has been the cool thing to do lately (rightfully so). So you aren't totally alone on that. However, having the 'Zards going to the Finals is borderline loony.
This series has so far shown me a few things.
It does not matter what happens in the regular season when it comes to previewing the playoff serieseses. I mean, look at the fact that the Cavs (until their last meeting) have swept the Spurs in the previous 4 regular season matchups. Fat lota good that did in the Finals, yeah? We all know the playoffs are a different Beast, one that is more physical and requires knowing the system of how games are called by officials. The 'Zards can't handle the physical game (they don't know how to foul hard or react to matched intensity), and LeKing does.
Also, LeKing's leadership is reflected in his teammates. There was one point in last night's game where Gilbert was jawing at Delonte, and Delonte started talking back to him. But LeKing got in between and talked to Delonte, and Mr. West didn't appear to exchange words with Gilbert the rest of the night (it proly helped that they were winning by 200 or something). Although the makeup of the Cavaliers has changed quite a bit, the main pieces of the wine and gold puzzle are still in tact (LeKing, Z,Andy, some little guards that can hit 3's), and they have more experience in these playoff games than the 'Zards do. They got their shit swept by the Spurs in a series of close games, but I think the Cavs learned quite a bit about how to get some playoff calls along with some other intangibles that will help them sweep through the 'Zards. And after watching the first two games, I do believe they will sweep, which leads me to my next prediction...
The Cavs will make it back to the finals this year.
Oh yeah, I said it. The Celts collectively have never played a playoff game together. They are an amazingly talented team, but LeKing is the best player in teh league. And he can take Boston in a playoff series if his supporting cast can keep actually showing up like they have so far. Also, I am not scared of the Pisstons. The Cavs know how to break them down, and they still have #23 nightmares.
The only thing that would scare me if the Cavs do get by Boston would be if the Magic beat the Pisstons. I think the Magic has a much better chance at the Cavs, as I don't think we can handle Howard, but then again, it's different in the playoffs. But I do agree with you, I think the Magic can and probably will beat the Pisstons. I feel like Detroit always has this swaggar to them like they get a free pass to the finals, and that is their downfall.
Ok, I've written too much at work. Keep up the blog tho, I do like the good original insight.
-Jason From Musketeerblogosphere.com
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