Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Playoffs 2016 are finally here.

What a great NBA regular season, and with that said, it could have been so much better.  There were zero consequential trades, no fights on TV (all off camera), and a serious lack of good teams losing.  It was basically propped up on both ends by the unbelievable Warriors and the unbelievably dogshit LA Kobes.  In between, there were a lot of disappointing teams (Houston), newly minted fuckbois (D’Angelo Russel & Blake Griffin), and troubling developments in the world of Hip-Hop (Drake).  Drizzy’s performance (or lack thereof) in Toronto on All-Star weekend was a major Valentine’s Day letdown for all the Good Girls out there who know it.  Those who wanted his “hot love and emotion endlessly” had to settle for “sending out an S.O.S.”  Sigh…We’ll probably never understand Aubrey Graham.  2016 was a big transition year for @ChampagnePapi.  One year ago he was just a scrawny rudeboi running through the 6 with his woes, now he’s charged up on that Barry Bonds regiment.  One thing is for certain- Drake likes all his S’s with two lines thru them shits.  My 2017 Drake prediction is that his Dr. Dre steroid look is gonna transition into a slightly chubby, constantly wearing diaper butt sweatpants look, sort of like Kayne but more fashionable.  Ugh… Kanye… that’s a scary thought.  Let’s hope that unlike Kanye, Drake’s music stays on point, which should be easy for him if he avoids the Kardashian family, which should be easy for him.  Then again, avoiding the Kardashians should be easy for everyone.

Anyway, back to the NBA- If I had two 40’s taped to both hands, I’d pour them both out for Kobe.  As a fan of watching basketball that involves no torn ligaments or non-contact injuries, I’m happy to see him out to pasture.  He’s D-O-N-E, but at the same time his final season was a masterpiece.  Just a total eff-you to everyone: his current teammates, the media, Shaq, Nike.  The list goes on.  He even saved two giant middle fingers for his final game: one for the Utah Jazz and one for the people hating on his farewell tour.  He dropped 60 plus a game winner to push the Jazz one game below .500 on the season.  Plus, it was easily the most entertaining game of the season, maybe second to that Warriors Thunder game where Steph drained the game winner and did the Bernie.  Kobe was the best.  Why should he pass the ball?  GIVE IT TO KOBE!!!

So... with that said- Here are my first round predictions, with their standard 1-2 game handicap, like it matters.  Starting with the West:

Thunder vs. who are they playing again?
Oh, that’s right the Dallas Mavericks made the playoffs again.  I think Shawn Marion still plays for them?  I dunno.  I’m also ready to see Dirk “Turd” Nowistki out to pasture.  Can he still play at a high level?  Sure.  Was I ever a huge fan of watching him play at a high level?  Not really.  He’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for beating the Miami Lebrons in the finals, though. 
Even though the Thunder outmatch Dallas by a longshot, no series featuring Russel Westbrook will end in a sweep thanks to him discovering some weird spell of 4th quarter doo-doo magic.  At least twice per game, he’ll slash to the hoop, crush the rim, and scream at the crowd while the opposing point guard calmly pushes the ball back up the floor and hits a wide open jumper on the other end.  That kind of stuff is demoralizing.  Thunder in 5.

Dubs vs Rockets-
Bench Dwight Howard.  Just… bench him.  He’s opting out of his contract after the season.  He has sucked all year long, and Steph Curry steals rebounds from him.  Dubs in 4

Spurs vs Grizz
I really wish the Grizz could have played the Clips in the first round, just so I could watch Blake and Z-Bo get in phony brawls.  Unfortunately, we’ll have to settle for Lance Stephenson falling on loose balls he created while trying to dribble past Kawhi Leonard.  From a competitive sports standpoint, this series should be a snoozer.  It’s really a bummer to see the Grizz roster so depleted. But from an entertainment standpoint, the new Grizz lineup is, at least…interesting.  The Grizz lead the league in guys who look like they would let Master P be their agent.  Spurs in 4.

Clips vs. Blazers
One of the worst developments in the 2016 season was DeAndre Jordan.  His free throws are painful to watch.  If you could put a camera on DMV officer mailing it in day after day, but condense it into a 2 second clip, that’s what watching him shoot free throws is like.   
One of the best developments in the 2016 season was Dame Lillard.  One of the first things I would buy if I was drunk and on eBay would be a grey “Rip City” Dame Dolla throwback.  He’s one of the top 3 points guards in the league and yes he’s better than Russel “can’t make an open 3 in a tight game to save my life” Westbrook.
The Blazers are one of my favorite teams.  The Clips and their bandwagon LA sports fans are one of my least favorite teams.  But, the Blazers won’t have enough firepower and the Clips will win in 6.

The Eastern Conference:

Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets
Umm, Who gives a crap?  I just hope Jeremy Lin cuts his stupid helmet hair.  Good God, Jeremy!  That’s no look for a Harvard man.  You look preposterous!  Heat in 5.

The Drakes vs. The Pacers:
Paul George can ball OUT, and if I were a gambler, I would never bet money on a team that starts Luis Scola.  Pacers in 6.

Boston vs. Atlanta
This is probably going to be the only competitive series in the first round of the playoffs, for what it’s worth.  Talent level is close on both sides.  Both have exceptional coaches.  The Celtics lead the league in guys who look like they would let T-Pain be their agent.  The Hawks have a baby Rondo from Germany with a weird blonde streak in his wig that has never been replicated, which is surprising considering half the league is still rocking the stupid Mohawk/Honeybadger look.  I think Isaiah Thomas is come up….short.  The Hawks and their godawful lime green accent court design will advance in 7.

Cavs v. Pistons   
I’d love to see the Pistons prevail here, but it won’t happen.  Stan Van Gundy is a great coach but when people say that the Pistons could make a run like the 2008 Orlando Magic they’re wrong because Reggie Jackson is no Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston.  Also, Andre Drummond has nothing on young Dwight Howard.  It feels weird to say those last two statements.   Also, who is advising Aaron Baynes on his “Deliverance” haircut/beard combo?  What is that?   Anyway, I get so fucking pumped watching Stan Van Gundy coach against Lebron and the Cavs, mostly because he’s right about them being a bunch of hoes.

 “Lebron’s Lebron.  They’re not gonna call offensive fouls on him and he’s gonna do whatever he wants.  They have to understand that”- SVG

"They’re not gonna outfight us.. they’re not gonna outwork us, and they’re not gonna play better together.”- SVG. 

I can’t wait to see how much he owes the league after this series.  I hope he pulls a Larry Flynt and pays it all in pennies.  For the Cavs, the David Blatt firing and weird passive-aggressive Twitter behavior from King James has clearly turned them into a constipated bunch who need to let out some aggression on eachother.  This is a team that needs a Kobe Bryant type leader… someone who’ll sack tap you in practice, make fun of your girly headband and your man tits, then dare you to come at him.  Speaking of Kevin Love, glad he finally ditched the wavy hair soccer band look.  Now he reminds me slightly less of Anthony Jr. from the Sopranos when he was going through is depression phase. Cavs in 6

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