SLAM’s Finals Predictions
What SLAM staffers say in print looks good-or more often, bad-forever.
By Ben Osborne
As the Dwight issue trickles across the country, people will be reading our staff’s annual predictions for the Finals. I thought I’d run this year’s as much for entertainment as “expertise.” I make light of it because last season we were a whopping 0-for-8, with six of us picking the Mavs and two picking the Suns. And in ‘06, nine people made picks and not a one had the Heat. In our defense, we turn in our picks in mid-March, more than a month before the Playoffs start. There is a little diversity amongst the choices this year; hopefully enough that at least one of us is right. And if we’re not, I’m sure some of you will be quick to remind us.
Russ Bengtson, Contributing Editor
Boston Celtics: I don’t believe in first-year teams. Nor do I believe in the absurd theory that a team from the East will win because the Western Playoff bracket is more difficult. And I definitely don’t believe that the team with the best record is always the best team. But I do believe in the Celtics. I believe in their offense, I believe in their defense, and, most of all, I believe in Kevin Garnett. Rings all around.
Ryan Jones, Contributing Editor
Boston Celtics: I said before the season that these Celtics had the potential to be the best in the L, and so it has proven. That doesn’t guarantee anything in the Playoffs, but I still like the way the Cs are rolling. The veteran leadership, offensive balance and team D are all as strong as we thought they could be, the supporting cast surpassed all expectations, and no team is hungrier. Having to get past (most likely) Cleveland and Detroit won’t be easy, but it’s very doable. And then they’ll beat the Lakers in six.
Ben Osborne, Editor-in-Chief
Detroit Pistons: I can’t believe I’m saying this, since they have such a big reason why not leading their team (Flip Saunders), but I’m going with the Dee-troit Pistons. These guys like to say they play angry, but that Bad Boys rep can often be bullshit. In the wake of last year’s LeBronimation, however, the motivation is real. Everyone’s got their contract, everyone seems healthy. Before Sheed and Dice get any older, and before the core gets sick of playing together. For the Pistons, the time is now.
Susan Price, Managing Editor
San Antonio Spurs: When I got into basketball, the only rivalry I knew of was between the Knicks and Bulls, which usually ended badly for my team. I was too young for the ‘80s wars between L.A. and Boston, so I’ve been anticipating the 2K8 version this year. Unfortunately, Kobe won’t be able to will his way past the Spurs. And the Celtics? Sorry, Kevin. I want you to win, but you can’t always get what you want. Spurs in six.
Konate Primus, Editorial Assistant
Boston Celtics: I said Boston will win it all then and I say it now. I’m picking the Lakers to come out of the West because they have so many options: Lamar, Pau, Fisher and KB24. They can post up with the best, run with the fastest and what can’t Kobe do? Will they have enough juice to battle the big three after getting out of the Wild Wild West? No. I’m no psychic, but I’m sure these Finals will bring back feelings from those classic Bird vs. Magic days.
Sam Rubenstein, Online Editor
Los Angeles Lakers: Process of elimination: New Orleans is too young. Dallas desperately brought in the worst shooter ever to a team that can’t hit the big shot. Phoenix? It’ll be good to have Steve Kerr back on TV next year. Golden State plays no D. Houston will be led by Rick Adelman. The Spurs are a logical pick but they never repeat, those chokers. Utah? Could be, but… Phil Jackson running a talented, hungry team with the best player, a star second banana, role players who do their jobs, and it’s a done deal. The East don’t matter.
Khalid Salaam, Senior Editor
San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan has never won back-to-back titles, though I doubt that’s much of a bother for a player with four rings and top-10 all-time status. But it does give incentive, and after all the games he’s played, that is something to strive for. Couple that with a career year from Ginobili, a healthy reigning Finals MVP in Parker, Pop’s overwhelming intellect, an old but still nasty supporting cast and the fact that this is the NBA (not the NFL) and I won’t doubt them. Are they beatable? Yep. Are they beatable four times in a series? Nope.
Lang Whitaker, Executive Editor
San Antonio Spurs: What a long, strange season it’s been. Anyone remember Gasol on the Grizzlies? Kidd on the Nets? Someone took the NBA and threw it in a blender, and now nothing is the same. That said, I think one franchise will stick to their plan and grind out a Finals win. The Spurs will beat the Pistons to win the title. And then we’ll party like it’s 2005.
77 Responses to “SLAM’s Finals Predictions”
Apr.9 at 3:41 pm
Bigi says:
I’m with Mr.Rubenstein…
Apr.9 at 3:42 pm
Bigi says:
First!And so will the team from the Hills be…
Apr.9 at 3:48 pm
ciolkstar says:
Spurs back to back !!!
Apr.9 at 3:49 pm
J-Bo says:
Khalid is so right…the Spurs have gotten hungry to win back to back titles, and with Ginobili having a career season, the time seems right for a repeat…but then again, don’t sleep on the Pistons. They’ve been quiet all year, but I have a feeling they’re poised for a deep playoff run this year.
Apr.9 at 3:53 pm
ciolkstar says:
Seriously though, The Celtics are not a good match up for the Spurs. KG and tim cancel each other out. Ginobili vs Pierce is almost a wash. Rondo is an atheletic on ball perimeter defender (ala Devin Harris) The Celtics are basically a younger, more atheletic version of the Spurs. The only thing they lack is experienced role players ( except Sam Cassell)
But still I gotta say “SPURS in 6″
Apr.9 at 3:55 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
I was surprised I was the only one that took the Lakers. If Denver takes Golden State’s spot it changes nothing. I have a little more faith in both Dallas and Phoenix since then, but not really championship faith.
Apr.9 at 4:04 pm
Carmel says:
smart people… susan, khalid, and lang.. “we’ll party like it’s 2005″, yes we will! go spurs go! GINOBILI!
Apr.9 at 4:05 pm
Jukai says:
PHOENIX 4 THE RING BABY
Apr.9 at 4:05 pm
Jukai says:
Honestly though, Celtics.
Apr.9 at 4:33 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Rubenstein.. you are a smart man. This is the year of the MAMBA.. MVP, Finals MVP, Olympic gold. There is no way the Celtics win it all. GO HAWKS!
Apr.9 at 4:34 pm
d.Y. says:
Thanks Slam, for jinxing all of these teams. Enjoy the Utah/Cleveland series.
Apr.9 at 4:35 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I hope you’re wrong, d.Y., but it went down a little like that last year when so many of us picked the Mavs…
Apr.9 at 4:46 pm
Konate says:
KG for President of the WORLD!
Apr.9 at 4:46 pm
Joey says:
wheres the hornets
Apr.9 at 4:48 pm
Tom says:
Sam, I wish I was as confident as you are with LA’s playoff chances. The way they’ve been playing D lately is almost nugget-esque, which has me very worried for the playoffs…If spurs make it to the finals, i’m saying Ginobli for Finals MVP. I think it’d be cool if all three of there core guys had a finals MVP to their name.
Apr.9 at 4:55 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
I picked the Lakers about 8 hours before Pau got hurt… my bad. Obviously the match-ups can keep getting shuffled but the Lakers vs. Suns in the first round would be off the charts for storylines in one series.
Apr.9 at 5:07 pm
James says:
Sorry Ben but the Pistons ‘time’ was 4 years ago…because the present is when Sheed and Dyess HAVE got too old
Apr.9 at 5:12 pm
Tom says:
I still think Pistons chances are as good as the Celts. The cavs will be the biggest hurdle for detroit after what Lebron did to them last year. If they can get past the cavs then i think they take down boston in a tough series, and they have the weapons to handle any team that comes out the west.
Apr.9 at 5:16 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
This is why I’ve got love for Mr. Sam (and SLAM!!).
Apr.9 at 5:29 pm
Paps says:
Suns
Apr.9 at 5:31 pm
Allen says:
Why is everyone dismissing Houston? Houston gets no respect!
Apr.9 at 5:36 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Hard to call Sheed too old when he can still take over games at both ends of the floor. Dice I’ll give you, but they also get a lot more out of Jason Maxiell now.
Apr.9 at 5:39 pm
Allen says:
Sheed does not get old … he gets angry.
Apr.9 at 5:48 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Denver Nuggets
Apr.9 at 5:57 pm
Eazy-Yi says:
Philidelphia to sweep every series
Apr.9 at 5:57 pm
Eazy-Yi says:
*Phila
Apr.9 at 5:58 pm
Eazy-Yi says:
Kevin who?
Apr.9 at 6:11 pm
Cheryl says:
You know what, as much as I want the Spurs to repeat, at last, I am more amped about a Suns/Lakers series. Once LA beat up on the Suns, the Spurs/Boston final will be icing.
Apr.9 at 6:55 pm
The Biz says:
Eazy Kevin Garnett and everybody knows the Cavs are going to win this year
Apr.9 at 7:04 pm
AB_40 says:
I’m with Lang, Khalid and Susan. Spurs beat whoever comes out of the east in 6 or 7, or LeBron his 2 testicles and the rest of the cleveland cavs get out of the east then we’ll see it in 5 or 4 like last season. Lakers and Nawlins ain’t ready Dallas is soft Utah is a weird team just like phoenix they are wildcards but still I see the spurs repeating for the first time. And after 2011 When TD is dunzo another assistent will take over accidentaly get a first pick and take a dominant big… history repeats itself over and over and o… ah you get the point
Apr.9 at 7:19 pm
John E. Sanford says:
Utah is playing some great basketball right now. They are definitely a darkhorse to win the ‘chip.
Apr.9 at 7:28 pm
David says:
I find it kind of funny that everyone’s excited about the possible nostalgic Lakers-Celtics series even though there’s the strong possibility of the underwhelming modern rivalry of Spurs-Pistons.
Apr.9 at 7:37 pm
Balling NZ says:
If the Spurs win it’ll be such a shame- a terribly inappropriate ending to a magical NBA season. But they won’t, the Celts are waaaaay too hungry.
Apr.9 at 9:04 pm
tealish says:
Haha as much as I hate it to go down the way Lang draws it up, that’s probably what’s gonna happen. Detroit and SA. It’s going to be wild!
Apr.9 at 9:12 pm
Robbi says:
Balling NZ: Indeed. I still think anyone can win it, though. Everybody’s got a reason to win the Championship.
Apr.9 at 9:16 pm
Joel O's says:
Spurs, man. A Duncan-vs-KG 7 game matchup would be one for the ages though… I think KG’ll go nuts in the finals, with all that pent up frustration.
Apr.9 at 9:57 pm
terrell says:
You guys have got to be stuoid you can’t forget about utah their playing great ball right now. They have an allstar caliber point guard in D.will and a low post scoring threat in Carlos Boozer killer combination (john stockton and Malone of the new age any one ?)And they have Okur and Kirelinko and Korver so yall need to get with the program.
Apr.9 at 10:08 pm
Dacre says:
LOL… NO ONE HAS PICKED THE SUNS… Come on. Russ….For starters your completely voided your WHOLE comment when you said you don’t believe in first year teams?!
Suns this year. You heard it here first….
WATCH TODAYS SUNS - SPURS GAME.. perfect example of what will happen…
Apr.9 at 10:27 pm
DP and Free Chilly says:
Lakers. don’t hate
Apr.9 at 11:33 pm
Simone Lawy says:
lakers and suns in 1st round.
Apr.9 at 11:35 pm
Simone Lawy says:
classic match up…kb24 vs Bell
Apr.9 at 11:38 pm
Simone Lawy says:
i’m with SAM, Lakers = the team to beat in wild wild west. East is nothing, Lakers and Boston in final.
Apr.9 at 11:47 pm
DP and Free Chilly says:
get me on this motha
Apr.10 at 12:26 am
Holiday says:
I just wanna say all the talk about TD being top 10 all-time??? now he’s great and all but alot of players could have dominated with the teams he’s had i don’t buy the top 10 ranking! Oh and Utah all the way, and if not Lakers and Boston like the old day’s!!!
Apr.10 at 2:47 am
Doc Fan says:
Ginobili=Spanish Sprewell
I like The celtics over L.A in 7
Apr.10 at 2:58 am
mackymols says:
for sam, i am.. it’ll be lakers time.. again.
by the way, how bout the entire lakers roster for slam’s post final cover?!
Apr.10 at 3:00 am
mackymols says:
celtics vs lakers.. can’t wait to see the lakers winning in boston’s home floor..
Apr.10 at 3:53 am
will says:
I’ll be happy if T-mac gets past 2nd round or further, hornets get to the finals and KG gets a ring.
Apr.10 at 3:54 am
will says:
*I mean if t-mac gets past 1st round not 2nd
Apr.10 at 3:56 am
matt the jazz fan says:
No one picking the jazz? Ben - did anyone even pick them to make the Finals (issue hasn’t made it out here in Europe yet)?
Apr.10 at 5:42 am
Dacre says:
DOC FAN… Manu isn’t Spanish. Learn. He is Argentinian. He’s the Argentinian Sprewell minus throat grabbing. SUNS TO WIN IT ALL THIS YEAR. Nash for MVP.
Apr.10 at 6:40 am
Mark Z says:
As much as I’d want to see the C’s match up and beat the Lakers, I can’t pick the Lake Show over Jazz/Spurs. C’s in 6.
Apr.10 at 6:48 am
joe says:
Did everyone forget about the suns????? They just manhandled the spurs, in san antonio. The lakers are good, but come on. Everyone needs to get off thier jockstrap, they havent gotten outta the first round since you know who left. They have to do something that every championship team does, PROVE IT. Have they done that yet………didnt think so.
Apr.10 at 8:08 am
d1n says:
whatever lang said…another case of history repeating…
Apr.10 at 8:41 am
TADOne says:
Like Frank Lucas, Ben Osborne is “my man”. People, there is a reason Mr. Osborne is the current Editor-In-Chief, and it is because he is wise beyond his years. Pistons in ‘08.
Apr.10 at 10:18 am
Ben Osborne says:
TAD, you have more faith in me than I do. And knowing who you support, your opinion is a bit biased. Still, I’d welcome any accolades that come with being right, and I just feel this group of Pistons were built well enough to deserve more than the one title they have. The thing that makes me the most nervous about this pick—by far—is Flip Saunders.
Apr.10 at 11:03 am
Tariq says:
Ryan didn’t pick Cleveland?! Or Orlando?!
Apr.10 at 12:04 pm
TADOne says:
Biased, smiased. No worries Ben, you shall be prophetic. If not, then I will be on the first plane to Detroit to put a “for sale” sign in Flip’s yard.
Apr.10 at 12:24 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
I can’t see the Lakers getting past Phoenix. Or the Spurs for that matter. I just don’t believe in them… The Celtics are for real too.
Apr.10 at 2:26 pm
Sam Mitchell's Conscience says:
You guys don’t think the Raptors have a chance?
Apr.10 at 3:18 pm
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
man, this year playoffs has everything to be remembered for a long time
i like the spurs and TEAM Duncan with Manu, but, i don’t know man, it would be unfair if they get the ring this year…
there are so many players that desearve this ring!
think about it… we have KG and Ray, Grant Hill, we have No-Shaq-Kobe… the best ball player in the planet, HANDS DOWN… not to mention Allen#3, but he has no chance… too bad for my little man… anyway, NBA Finals between KG and TEAM Duncan would be incredible… this is the year… The West will look like Elite 8… but we the best player in the planet. AMAZING.
too bad i just get East playoffs here in brasil. MAAAAAN, thah really SUCKS!
Apr.10 at 5:25 pm
Bostonian says:
Given your track record of accuracy of predictions and given I am a die-hard non bandwagon fan, your selections of Boston really make me nervous…
Apr.10 at 7:12 pm
Hasan Dara says:
SADLY, THE SPURS AND THE C’s, PS CP3 SUCKS
Apr.10 at 7:13 pm
CP3 SUCKS says:
AMEN HASAN, CP3 DOES SUCK
Apr.10 at 9:22 pm
Lucky07 says:
Lang didn’t pick the Hawks?! They’re in the playoffs for the 1st time in a decade and Lang ignores his team?! Incredible.
Apr.11 at 9:58 am
hursty says:
haha^ Sam.
Apr.12 at 1:21 pm
TemptAzn23 says:
I still got Lebron in the finals and he’ll play against the best player in the league KOBE.
Apr.15 at 12:41 pm
Nick Johnson says:
celtics kick butt
Apr.18 at 5:54 pm
francisco ibarra says:
spurs
Apr.25 at 10:44 pm
James215 Sixers says:
sixers watch out yall
Apr.26 at 8:28 am
Suns says:
I thought phoenix would have a chance but the way they’re going against the spurs down 3-0 they probly dont anymore.
Apr.26 at 11:26 am
kevin garnett says:
i’m scared of kobe..
Apr.26 at 11:27 am
kevin garnett says:
i wish pau gets injured..nyayahaha
Apr.26 at 11:31 am
kevin garnett says:
and andrew re injured..
Apr.26 at 11:32 am
kevin garnett says:
that would make my team, the celtics 2008 world champs!!! hooooooooraaaaah!
May.2 at 5:20 pm
Ash says:
WOW once again Slam doesn’t pick the champions.
I’ll tell you this right now
Utah Jazz(thats right Utah) will win the NBA championship
After the slow start have been playing great basketball. After Jan. 1,Utah went 37-12. They beat the Celtics by 18 (in Boston! + their worst lost). The Jazz beat New Orleans by 28, and then again by 22. They beat San Antonio by 26 and the Lakers by 24. They beat Phoenix by 22 and beat Denver by 27 twice.
They have a great bench and two all stars in Carlos Boozer and my boy Deron aka “Ice” Williams who can easily get them 20 and 10 (ast 4 williams rebs 4 Boozer)
They beat the best and once they beat Houston in 6, Lakers in 7, New Orleans in 6, and sadly KG and Boston in 7 They will finally be reconizged by SLAM
May.6 at 8:42 pm
3zazer1 says:
the cavs will make it all the way because of how the team is built.its going to be lakers vs cavs or jazz vs cavs