2011 NBA Playoff Predictions: First Round EAST

Eastern Conference

                                                    

(1) Chicago Bulls (62-20) vs (8) Indiana Pacers (37-45) —> (Season Series 3-1 CHI)

The Chicago Bulls clinched the top overall seed in the entire league going by season’s end under first year head coach Tom Thibodeau. Derek Rose, the favorite to win the league’s MVP award, led his team to new heights this season winning 62 games. The Bulls hadn’t won 62 games since the 97-98 season, coincidentally the last time the franchise won a title. Rose, in his third attempt, will try to win his first ever playoff series since becoming a pro.

The Indiana Pacers and interim head coach Frank Vogel are in the playoffs for the first time since the 05-06 season. Pacers’ star forward Danny Granger was a rookie that year and now gets another crack at it as that team was bounced in the first round by the New Jersey Nets. Under Vogel the team went (20-18) to end the season and make the last seed in the east.

In a tough opening series the Bulls’ league best defense will be too much for the Pacers to overcome.

FQ’s Crystal Ball: Chicago Bulls in 6 games.

(2) Miami Heat (58-24) vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers (41-41) —> (Season Series 3-0 MIA)

The biggest story of the season all year long has been the Miami Heat and their “Big Three” of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. It was a bumpy first year at times for the “Miami Threet” but by the end of the regular season this team has been firing on all cylinders. The Heat have not made it out of the first round of the second season is the 05-06 season when the franchise won it’s last title.

First year head coach Doug Collins got the Philadelphia 76ers back into the playoffs after missing out last year. Collins next goal is to get out of the first round, as the team has not be able to do that since the 02-03 season.

The 76ers have some banged up stars in Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams that should be able to play. Even with a full strength squad, the Miami Heat will have far too much fire power with their big three.

FQ’s Crystal Ball: Miami Heat in 5 games.

(3) Boston Celtics (56-26) vs (6) New York Knicks (42-40) —> (Season Series 4-0 BOS)

The original modern day “Big Three” of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are back in the playoffs with only one thing in mind, winning a title. Unlike their opponent the Celtics have been consistent title chasers are their window of success is nearing a close with some aging veterans. While the Celtics did not close out the season with good play, this veteran team knows how to turn things up in the playoffs and will surely be a tough out.

The New York Knicks are in the playoffs for the first time since the 03-04 season. This season was also the first winning season for the franchise since 00-01 year. With the off-season star signing of Amar’e Stoudemire and the mid-year acquisition of Brooklyn native and NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony the Knicks come into the playoffs as a scary underdog looking to cause upsets.

In the past three years the Celtics have had their opening round series go to seven games twice and five games once. The Knicks are known for their 98-99 playoff run to the finals after entering as a super underdog 8th seed. In the best first round match-up of this year’s playoffs, the Boston Celtics outlast the scrappy Knicks after a blood bath.

FQ’s Crystal Ball: Boston Celtics in 7 games.

(4) Orlando Magic (52-30) vs (5) Atlanta Hawks (44-38) —> (Season Series 3-1 ATL)

It has been an up and down year for the Orlando Magic, but were able to finish the season as one of the top four seeds in the East. The Magic have leaned on their all-star center Dwight Howard to take them to the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.

The Atlanta Hawks were swept last year in the first round of the playoffs by the Magic and first year head coach Larry Drew looks to change that this year. The Hawks took a small step backwards this regular season but still have a very talented roster.

The Hawks remember very well what happened last year and will play with a little more fight this time around. However, the Magic and Howard will have it’s way down low and will kill the Hawks from the outside with their great perimeter shooting.

FQ’s Crystal Ball: Orlando Magic in 6 games.

Stay Tuned for the Western Conference First Round Predictions later tonight…

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside The Box

 

Melo Lucky Number 7

Carmelo Anthony suited up for the New York Knicks for the first time Wednesday night. There were many speculations as to what number the returning Brooklyn native would don on his new team.

Melo’s NBA number has been #15 ever since he was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2003. Melo also wore #15 while he spent his one year playing at Syracuse University winning the Orange a national title in 2003. And Melo sported #15 while playing on the USA National Basketball team during the Olympics.

So naturally people would assume Melo would stick with #15 once he joined the Knicks. Two BIG problems with that plan: Earl Monroe and Dick McGuire. Both of these Knick legends #15 were retired and their jerseys hang from the rafters at MSG. “I’m talking to Monroe to see if I can wear it in honor of him,” said Anthony after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night.

Next on the list of speculation was #30 for Melo. #30 is double 15 and also the number of Benard King who was Melo’s idol growing up. “I wanted to be Bernard King,” Melo has stated several different times. However, in the post-game press conference Melo said, “#30 is too big for me man.” So out went that.

Melo then pointed out in the presser that he thought about #22 because it was his High School number. However, once again #22 is retired by the Knicks in memory of Dave Debusschere.

So finally Melo uttered to Newsday’s Alan Hahn “I decided to wear #7 because it is my son’s birthday and 22 minus 15 equals 7.” So there you have it! Melo and LaLa’s son Kiyan Carmelo Anthony was born on March 7, 2007. So some family homage and convenient math answers the mystery of why Carmelo Anthony chose to wear #7 for the New York Knicks.

The Knicks are definitely lucky to have #7…and for it not to be Channing Fyre or Al Harrington.

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside The Box

Melo Square Garden

Madison Square Garden was filled to maximum capacity Wednesday night. It wasn’t a packed house because the Celtics or Heat came into the building, it wasn’t due to a Billy Joel concert, it wasn’t even for a St. John’s vs Duke game but in fact it was merely the return of one of NYC’s own sons . The return of the Brooklyn native who has been gone even before we ever had a chance to claim him. Wednesday night Carmelo Anthony returned to New York City, or as he stated, “I’m finally home”.

The NBA star who spent 7 1/2 seasons with the Denver Nuggets was officially a New York Knick after the 3 team swap, which sent Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov and a 1st round pick to Denver in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Anthony, was finalized late Wednesday morning. The Knicks also added Corey Brewer after trading Eddie Curry and Anthony Randolph to Minnesota.

“It is a dream come true to be here,” Anthony said about finally joining the team during the press conference before the game.

While many have gone back and forth on whether or not the Knicks made the right deal or gave up too much, the “Melo Square Garden” crowd let the team and ownership know exactly how they felt by showing up 19,000+ strong and standing an hour before and after the gaming chanting “MELOOO”.

“I’m pretty sure that any GM or owner would want me and Amar’e on the same team,” said Anthony when asked about the trade earlier before the game.

In his Knickerbocker debut Anthony had a rough night shooting from the field going 10-25 , but saved his best for the closing minutes of the 4th quarter after Amar’e Stoudemire fouled out of the game. It was Anthony’s baseline dunk and tough shot in the lane with a minute left in the game that sealed the deal for the Knicks, who defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 114-108. Anthony finished with a double-double scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 boards.

Several times through-out the game the Knicks clearly showed their vulnerability in the front court after the trade left New York handicapped when it comes to big men depth. The Bucks had 13 offensive rebounds which lead to second chance 3-pointers that kept Milwaukee in the game till the end. But every time Anthony got the ball and did something special, Knicks fans quickly dismissed their concerns about the overall team and watched in awe and joy.

Chauncey Billups had a nice debut as well posting a 21 point-8 assist-6 rebound line. Billups clicked well and showed some moves with his patented smooth no-look passes to Stoudemire and others for scores. Billups also got a warm reception from the crowd chanting his name late in the game when he went to the charity stripe.

The Knicks go on the road for their next three games as they travel to Cleveland on Friday for a game verse the Cavaliers then off to Florida to take on the Heat Sunday and the Magic Tuesday.

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside The Box

Walsh Waiting Game

New York Knick’s General Manager Donnie Walsh is a very patient man. Even with a packed Madison Square Garden chanting “We Want Melo”, a city begging for another superstar and an impatient owner making phone calls and visits with Denver to push through a deal, Walsh sits tight with confidence that his plan is for the best of the team.

There is no doubting that Walsh’s #1 priority is to bring in Carmelo Anthony. Walsh has mentioned ideas of bringing in a center or a back up point guard, however all of those projects have been pushed way aside now to bring in the Brooklyn native. The biggest question is will Walsh budge from his stubborn stance of not dealing away two of the three young stars (Chandler, Gallinari, Fields) on the Knicks team in order to close the deal with Denver?

As reported last week the Knicks have a 3-team offer in place with the Timber-Wolves and Nuggets that would send Wilson Chandler, Corey Brewer and Minnesota’s 1st round pick to Denver. The deal would send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry (and his joke contract) to Minnesota and Carmelo Anthony finally landing in NYC. Anybody who knows anything about the NBA or basketball in general, knows that this would be a STEAL for the Knicks. The Nuggets obviously are pushing Walsh to give up more with threats of not trading Anthony at all or to a team like the Lakers.

While seemingly all of Knicks nation is screaming “Give Denver Whatever They Want!”, Walsh believes that the Knicks are the only team truly in the running for Anthony. Along with Melo’s off the record profession of love for playing in NY one day, the Nuggets aren’t getting legitimate offers from other clubs because they are hesitant to pursue Anthony and then watch him bolt for NY in the off-season. So Walsh feels he has Denver and Stan Kroneke’s queen piece backed into a corner on the chess board.

The only thing that the unwearied Walsh may have not accounted for is the possible Ace up the sleeve of the Nuggets’ front office. While the New Jersey Nets said they were no longer dealing with Denver for the rights to Carmelo Anthony, it does not mean Nuggets’ GM Masai Ujiri is incapable of picking up the phone and calling the Prudential Center. Do we really think that Nets’ GM Billy King is not going to answer his phone if it rings? Do we really think Billy King will refuse to forget about the past and not focus on the possibility of Melo be just a flick of a pen away from being in the Garden State? King and Prokhorov will forget their pride faster than the Nets plummet in the standings the past few years for a chance to haul in Melo instead of their cross town rival.

So I guess the real question will be if Walsh’s patience will be a virtue or his downfall in the Carmelo Sweepstakes.

 

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside The Box

Lets Not Get Melo-Dramatic

There is no question that the Denver Nuggets have officially come to grips with the fact that they are losing Carmelo Anthony one way or another. Whether it is trading him before the NBA’s 2011 trade deadline on February 24th or watching him walk right out the door once the season is over, Melo is as “Gone” as a sappy N’nysc song.

After blowing things with the Russian Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and his blueprint New Jersey Nets, who undoubtedly had the best offer, the Nuggets are trying their best to up the price on any deal for the NY native. However, Anthony has essentially called the shots by turning down the option to sign a 3 year 65 million dollar extension, refusing to talk to the Nets (in-season) to finalize an amazing trade offer and on and off the record statements about only signing an extension if he were traded to the Knickerbockers.

Leaving no doubt in the public’s mind that as things currently stand the New York Knicks are the favorite to land Anthony. However, yesterday Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri and the team conveniently leaked information to the media about the Nuggets most recent talks with the Los Angeles Lakers about a possible deal that would send Anthony to the Hollywood scene. The potential deal centered around the Lakers big man Andrew Bynum.

The Nuggets are reportedly not interested in the recently lack lustered Ron Artest or veteran Lamar Odom and are only willing to do a deal if Lakers owner Jerry Buss’ beloved Andrew Bynum is involved. Although the story ran for most of Tuesday as a viable play for both the Lakers and Nuggets, by midnight the deal has been ridiculed and shot down by many NBA insiders and league officials including the Lakers front office.

Lets call a spade a spade. Denver publicizing its talks with the Lakers is only a ploy to get the Knicks to ante up and add more pieces to their current trade offer. Do the Nuggets really want to take on an often injured and not fully developed Andrew Bynum straight up for a bonafide superstar in Anthony? Do the Lakers really want to lose their only edge in the front court against the Spurs and Mavericks for the playoffs? Does Jerry Buss want to lose his favorite young player and/or upset Kobe Bryant by bringing in another superstar to take the ball away from him? You get the picture…Absolutely Not!

The Denver Nuggets are simply trying to create and illusion of competing bettors that are clearly not truly interested in making a blockbuster move. The fact is the Lakers and Nuggets already had this discussion about a Melo-Bynum swap months ago in the summer, however the Lakers’ front office declined Denver’s offer. Yesterday was just an attempt to rekindle something that really never had legs to begin with.

As Diddy says: “The Saga Continues”…

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside The Box

Never Never Knicks Land

Here we are 12 days since Lebron James announced his free agency decision to join the Miami Heat and complete the super trio with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in South Beach.

Since that day the the only big thing to occur (besides going from beloved to absolutely hated by everybody) after James’ announced his “decision” live on ESPN, has been the super trio introduction in Miami a day later. Amidst a crowd of merely 13 thousand (what a joke…NYC would have had 13 K in the first hour) Riley’s recently acquired stars were on display.

Now there were a million different reports about what Lebron James was thinking leading up to July 8th (most of them opinion and/or false statements), however after the fact nobody bothered to clean up the rest of the mess of questions about the whole process (who can blame them, every reporter and fan was wiped out from the Lebron watch). However, finally there has been some truths revealed about Lebron’s free agency process.

In the latest issue of Sports Illustrated a story author Ian Thomsen, How it all went down, states and confirms several truths from Lebron James about the entire process and the end result of the King landing in South Beach. Here are 6 revelations from the story about #6:

1. Knicks and Nets never legit options. According to the story Thomsen reveals that Lebron James never saw the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets as legitimate options to sign with. Even after meeting with both team’s, James never focused in on the possibility of playing for either franchise. In other words the Knicks and Nets were just as a long shot as the Los Angeles Clippers were.

2. Love Triangle Chicago/Cleveland/Miami. Before and after all the meetings with the six clubs, James was only deciding between the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. James liked the core of players more in Cleveland and Chicago above all the other teams. Even after the Knicks aquired Amar’e Stoudemire, James was said to have felt more confident joining on these three clubs and their role players verses NY, NJ and LAC. Lebron’s 1st choice was Miami from the beginning, but wasn’t sure if the contracts would be able to work with all three big players.

3. Wade The Mastermind. Following the 2005-2006 NBA season, James, Bosh and Wade all signed extensions with their clubs to later become unrestricted free agents in the summer off-season of 2010. It was Dwayne Wade who proposed the idea and planted it in the heads of Bosh and James (not like in the movie inception), his fellow draft mates in 2003.

4. There was a Summit and some! There were several rumors about whether or not the trio met up for a so called “summit” this summer to discuss the possibility of playing with each other. There were also talks about making the trio happen back in 2008 on the USA Olympic team. These three are good friends and have been talking about joining forces for years now.

5. Riley Ring Show. During the summer meeting with the Miami Heat organization during the process, James was most impressed by Pat Riley and his ideas and stories. Supposedly Pat Riley brought all his NBA championship rings and tossed them on the table in front of Lebron for effect. This Riley ring trick apparently really caught the eye of James and really pushed him over the top to join the Heat as the cap space opened up. James also has said to close friends and family that all he cares about is winning championships and by any means necessary.

6. Lebron Wants to be Magic, Not Jordan. While most of us now shout out at the top of our lungs  saying that Lebron will never be Jordan, the funny thing is Lebron doesn’t care. According to the story, James never wanted to be Michael Jordan (despite wearing #23 and tossing powder…hmm). Riley was able to unveil from James the truth that James honestly wants to be more like Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan. James wants to be a triple douible threat rather than the go-to-guy and scoring a bunch of points. James goal is to win championships and average triple double stats at the end of each season. So all those angry statements about Lebron not being MJ essentially mean nothing to #6. As weird as it may sound and a lot of people may not want to believe it, I do. If it wasn’t true, why is he on the Heat?

The full story by Ian Thomsen is available in the new issue of Sports Illustrated, which was released on July 19th. It includes more interesting revelations about Lebron James caring about becoming a billionaire and needing rings to do that. As well as James picking Greenwich, CT. to announce his decision rather than in Cleveland because he feared for his life.

It may have stung Knicks’ fans on July 8th when James picked Miami, but it should hurt them even more now to know that James had NYK fans living in Never Never Land thinking he was coming to take on a challenge in the Big Apple.

However, now that we know the truth about Lebron James’ decision we can all stop playing the what-ifs and Lebron is this and that. Time to put it to rest until the 2010-11 NBA season starts.

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside the Box

Common Sense Says…Lebron-NYK

I believe 1050 ESPN radio’s Robin Lundberg said it best when he posted on twitter, “Reports or sources don’t say Knicks, logic does”. Moving along with our “Lebron Watch” I come to the possibility of Lebron James joining the New York Knicks.

Focus: New York Knicks

While I have been going through the pros and cons for King James and joining each team, I strongly believe that there is only one con, and that is that the New York Knicks have not been a good team for a while now. Besides that all the signs point to the fact that the New York Knicks are arguably the best for fit for Lebron James and the big picture.

Reasons the New York Knicks is the best option for LBJ:

1. Cap Flexibility 2010 and Beyond. Besides the Miami Heat, the Knicks have the most money to spend in this off-season. Around 35 millions dollars to spend means that the Amar’e Stoudemire and Lebron James matrimony is all be ready to happen pending on the king. But the cap room doesn’t stop this off-season, the Knicks will have Eddie Curry and his 11 million dollars coming off the books to use in the future to better the roster.

2. Play Alongside Amar’e Stoudemire.

The Knicks and Stoudemire have reached an agreement on a 100 million dollar-5 year max contract. Contracts obviously cannot be signed until July 8th, but Stoudemire has met with the Knicks twice and also had breakfast with Head Coach Mike D’Antoni. This means that the big time player to complement LBJ would already be waiting for him in NYC. Chris Bosh may have been LBJ’s 1st choice but Stoudemire is just as good and just last year LBJ wants the Cavs to trade for Stoudemire at the deadline.

3. Young Stars.

Danillo Gallinari was a lottery pick and coming along very nicely and Wilson Chandler’s stats in his first three years in the NBA are above and beyond Joe Johnson’s first couple of seasons. Chandler is developing his game and will only get better. Gallinari similar to Chandler averaged 15 points a game and did it on a terrible Knick team with no star leading the group.

4. Bosh/Lebron Won’t Happen. The only two teams that currently can sign both Lebron and Bosh are Miami and New York. The Heat are cannot afford Wade, Bosh and Lebron all at the max (which I presume they all want) and the Knicks have a agreed to a contract with Stoudemire. This means there is no where else to pair those two up. Cle, NJ, LAC, Hou, Chi and others do not have the cap space and most likely don’t have the moves in them to make it happen. This mean’s Lebron’s best next option to have a great big man along side him is in NYC with Stoudemire.

5. Mike D’Antoni.

Lebron has played under coach D’Antoni on the USA Olympic team and the word is that James was very fond of Mike. Not to mention many players are very fond of D’Antoni and his high offense system. Lebron would love playing in that type of an offense and would flourish with the Knicks counterparts. Also there is the idea that D’Antoni wants to use Lebron like Magic Johnson was used as a big man handling the ball.

6. 3-Ballers. There is no question that Lebron joining this Knicks squad would have an array of shooters to kick out to that can drain from downtown. Here are the Knicks players career stats from beyond the arc: Gallinari-38%, Walker-42%, Chandler-30%, Douglas 38% and Andy Rautins-shot 37% in 4 years at Syracuse. There is no team right now that can say they sport snipers like that on the outside for Lebron to walk onto. Lebron is going to slash and penetrate and will have these shooters on the outside to kick out to be effective.

7. Madison Square Garden

Let’s be honest, no matter how bad the Knicks may have been the past couple of seasons, there is nothing like basketball in the Garden. There is also nothing like playoff basketball in the Garden. It is still the mecca of basketball and known as the world’s most famous arena. It is the biggest stage set for the biggest player and would be a match made in heaven.

8. Melo-Trio.

While it seems impossible for this upcoming season, The Knicks would have the cap space to go out and sign Carmelo Anthony next off-season. Anthony could opt out of his contract at the end of next season and would be a FA the Knicks can acquire. Amar’e Stoudemire is already saying that he is recruiting Anthony to the big city. Anthony and James are known to be good friends and they put on a show at the Rookies vs Sophmores game back in the day. The three players would be seemingly unstoppable but also unlikely to happen.

Conclusion:

If you ask me I think all the signs point to Lebron James heading to the New York Knicks. Lebron met with the Knicks on the first day of free agency and then on July 3rd Lebron’s people went to meet with the Knicks for a second meeting to clarify some things, including the Knicks going after Amar’e Stoudemire. NYC is a place Lebron loves to go to and visit and has the chance to live there now. Also if Lebron was staying in Cleveland why wouldn’t he already have announced it? Because he is clearly leaving and will not announce where he is going until after his Nike Summer Camp in Akron, Cleveland is done on Wednesday. He does not want to conduct his camp with reporters there to ruin it and the town turn on him before he’s gone.

Not to mention his love of the New York Yankees …

If you ask me to make a prediction right now on if Lebron James will go to The New York Knicks I would say…LBJ is on his way to Broadway.

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside the Box

Knicks Under Max Pressure

Well there is no question how much pressure is on the Knicks front office and mainly GM Donnie Walsh and Head Coach Mike D’Antoni (shown above) to deliver in this 2010 NBA Free Agency period.

The Knicks come into this offseason with 35 million dollars to spend on free agents. While there are several top players available in the FA pool, such as Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer and others, many analysts and Knicks’ fans share the same sentiment that it is:

LEBRON JAMES

OR BUST

The problem is Lebron James is being courted by almost everybody in the NBA. The recent top candidates to land “King James” have been the:

-Clippers, Heat, Bulls, Nets, Cavaliers and the Knicks

The Knicks front office, including owner James Dolan and former player Allan Houston, met with James on the afternoon of the first day of free agency and seemed semi-confident coming out of it. D’Antoni smilingly said after the meeting that he can finally refer to James when talking about their plans. “I can say that now without getting fined for tampering,” joked D’Antoni.

Walsh after the meeting went on to say, “There was no commitment; it was a non-committal meeting.” And while James declined to comment after the meeting, Houston said that he thought the Knicks had a good presentation.

The Knicks cleared all this cap space to be ahead of the game and the competition. Ironically enough sources continue to say that the Knicks are actually behind most of the candidates, even though besides them only the Miami Heat have enough cap space to sign two max free agents.

Experts continue to cling onto the statement that James made months ago about his priority going into the off-season, which was “winning”.  Along with this the majority of people believe that the Knicks “situation” (not Mike from the Jersey Shore) was not good enough for James to win now.

Regardless most Knicks’ fans will not be forgiving if Walsh cannot bring in the King. Across radio waves, blogs, social networks and throughout the streets of NY the feeling is that without Lebron James, the Knicks wasted the past two years clearing space and won’t be a championship team.

If James denies the Knicks’ pitch will Walsh and D’Antoni be on the way out? The man who won’t be gone will have to make that decision—-James Dolan. We shall wait and see…STAY TUNED!

Frank “Da Tank” Qasim

-Live & Think Outside the Box