Its Fantastic!

With the NBA season concluded, it is time to look forward and look back just a little. The beloved hometown Sonics finally achieved something at the end of the year. They tanked almost perfectly.

Ray Allen went out with ankle issues and the Sonics followed by going 5-11. They actually won 4 out of 6, then did the full on tank job. Earl Watson (who apparently is Mexican? He is going to play for their national team this summer. Huh?) and Luke Ridnour both went down for the season and the Sonics lost 9 out of the last 10. Impressive.

I am still not sure why they decided to come back and win against Utah. Could have been a cool 0-10 stretch which would have tied them with Atlanta for 4th worst in the league. More ping pong balls that way.

Ah the ping pong balls. As a Sonics fan that is our “Medellin”. A chance to grab the #1 or #2 overall pick. What would #3 do? Nothing really. It is all about Oden or Durant. But Durant is all for show. Oden will help you win a championship. I am not even sure why there is debate about who to take. Here is a list of all the NBA champions in my lifetime courtesy of NBA.com.

2005-06 Miami Heat
2004-05 San Antonio Spurs
2003-04 Detroit Pistons
2002-03 San Antonio Spurs
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers
1998-99 San Antonio Spurs
1997-98 Chicago Bulls
1996-97 Chicago Bulls
1995-96 Chicago Bulls
1994-95 Houston Rockets
1993-94 Houston Rockets
1992-93 Chicago Bulls
1991-92 Chicago Bulls
1990-91 Chicago Bulls
1989-90 Detroit Pistons
1988-89 Detroit Pistons
1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers
1985-86 Boston Celtics
1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers
1983-84 Boston Celtics
1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers
1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers
1980-81 Boston Celtics
1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers
1978-79 Seattle SuperSonics

The only possible teams that won a championship without a good big man were the back-to-back Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. Obviously Jordan changes everything.

But Dominique Wilkins, Tracy McGrady, Clyde Drexler, Vince Carter….where are their championships?

Unless you are ready to put Durant at the Jordan level, you have to take Oden. Even if he just does what Ben Wallace did for the Pistons (I think he will be better), it is worth it.

Speaking of NBA champions, the playoffs start tomorrow. Most people think it is really just a race out west with the winner between Phoenix, San Antonio, and Dallas. It is hard to disagree with that.

The Pistons could do something and the Bulls would be interesting, but the champ has got to come from the West. With that said, here are my predictions:

WEST
1. Dallas (4) vs. 8. Golden State (2)
A highly entertaining series to watch with Baron Davis trying to dunk on everyone. Plus Stephen Jackson might just kill someone. I think Devin Harris will frustrate Baron with his incredible on ball D. And Nowitski will score enough. Watch for Josh Howard to sprain his ankle, he seems to do that every other game.

2. Phoenix (4) vs. 7. Los Angeles (1)
I really don’t enjoy Kobe. He might win one game in this series though. Phoenix is just too much. Watch how much easier Nash makes the game for everyone; they just run around and look for open spots and he hits them. Love Barbosa by the way.

3. San Antonio (4) vs. 6. Denver (2)
Some people are picking Denver in the upset. Pretty sure there is no way that happens. Carmelo and AI both need the ball in their hands to play effectively. They can’t move without the ball well. And who else plays for Denver? Linas Kleiza, Nene? Spurs have too much still.

4. Utah (4) vs. 5. Houston (3)
McGrady and Yao should win this series. Except Tracy McGrady has been to the playoffs five times and never won a series. See you don’t win with wing players. They don’t give Yao the rock. Utah runs a great pick and pop and I love Deron Williams. Plus Jerry Sloan is an awesome coach. Utah wins.

EAST
1. Detroit (4) vs. 8. Orlando (1)
Don’t you think Orlando should just give Dwight Howard the ball every time down the court? Why don’t they? Detroit will win and bore us all. Chris Webber will be rewarded for being a douche in Philly.

2. Cleveland (4) vs. 7. Washington (0)
Horrible series. Washington could not be more boring now without Hibachi and Caron Butler. The only thing that could salvage it is the Cavs wearing the orange jerseys.

3. Toronto (3) vs. 6. New Jersey (4)
Vince Carter against the Canadians. Bill Simmons claims the Raptors fans care. Are there really Raptors fans? New Jersey probably wins, but I hope Chris Bosh dunks a lot. Man I hate the East.

4. Miami (2) vs. 5. Chicago (4)
Miami shouldn’t have won last year, but D-Wade took them on his back for a few games. And Shaq was the presence to prevent teams from keying on Wade. Although I am not sure why. The Bulls are fun with Ty Thomas hopefully dunking a lot and Ben Gordon shooting the highest arced shots ever.

I really like the NBA playoffs for the match ups and the changes coaches make over the course of a series. These non-superstar players will make a big impact in the first round:

Devin Harris
Leondro Barbosa
Deron Williams
Luol Deng

And draft Oden. Always.