The Commish Playoff Preview (EAST)
Predicitions, ramblings and, of course, hatings…
I’m gonna leave the Xs and Os and stats and in-depth analysis to the SLAM slate of experts covering each series. These are my umbrella thoughts on the East as we prepare to get things poppin’… (West preview coming later in the week)
BOSTON (1) vs. ATLANTA (8)
Most Compelling Storyline: This is where the book gets good, people. Of all the leaguewide storylines this season, the most consistently compelling has been the C’s resurgence buoyed by KG’s arrival. So now that we’ve spent the entire season marveling and obsessing and wondering about how this will end, the meat of the story-arch is upon us. A lot of teams have won 60-or-so games recently (’05 Suns, ‘06 Pistons, ‘07 Mavs) and none of them have any jewelery to show for it. And, despite all the Bostonian dominance, there’s still a level of intrigue that borders on skepticism with this squad. No one is picking them as runaway champs, even though their record (when given close inspection to both the quantity and quality of wins) would point to that direction. Unless the Hawks — a crumby playoff squad (word to Lang Whitaker) — give Boston trouble, we should all be looking for Boston to do one thing with these customers: sweep the Phillips Arena floor with Josh Childress’ ‘fro and get out the gate with some swag.
What Will Impact This Series: The fact that Boston is better than Atlanta in an “NCAA 1 seed vs. 16 seed” kind of way. There’s no need peering into this matchup, searching for some insightful edge or variable that could decide the outcome.
I’m Just Sayin’: Atlanta and Indiana should have a play-in game, similar to the scrubiest NCAA tourney squads. Except, the winner of the Hawks-Pacers play-in game should be playing for a spot in the WNBA Finals and give up their Eastern spot to the odd-squad-out in the West. The Hawks…in the playoffs…preposterous.
The Commish Pick: A C’s sweep.
DETROIT (2) vs. Philly (7)
Most Compelling Storyline: If we’re being honest, we can conclude that Detroit, in reality, has been the best squad in the East each of the past four seasons, right? But they always implode and underachieve at the most inopportune time, right? Neither Miami, nor Cleveland offered better or more experienced squads than Detroit in their Finals runs. But those two sqads did offer singular, transcendent talents (DWade and ‘Bron) that bish-slapped the Pistons Collective and kept them out of the Finals. After they snagged that ‘04 trophy from the HOF Lakers, they were supposed to go on holding the torch for the concept of a team as a composite, right? So here’s what I’m looking at in ‘08: If the Pistons lose in any other fashion besides to Boston in a Game 7, ECS epic, then they’re going down as the biggest underachievers of this decade. It’s that real. They remain the deepest, most talented and experienced squad in the East. Un-enthrall yourselves with Boston, for a moment, and recognize that, in reality, Detroit — just like in ‘05, ‘06 and ‘07 — is the best team in the East. Whether or not that’ll translate to a trip to the Finals remains to be seen.
What Will Impact This Series: The Pistons like to navel-gaze and old habits die hard, which means Detroit will spend half of this series “getting ready” for the future-round wars. This should be a five-game series — max. But the Sixers are like a Destitute Man’s G-State Warriors, so they’ll give the Pistons problems and it’ll probably go longer.
I’m Just Sayin’: Does Mo Cheeks have “good hair” or is he rockin’ a perm.
The Commish Pick: The D in 6.
ORLANDO (3) vs. TORONTO (6)
Most Compelling Storyline: Remember my Franchise Player and Hater columns? They both included extensive Dwight Howard indictments. Well, this is where homeboy can show us something (OK, well, me). I’m talking about some serious, game-changing, impactful play from the manchild. To hear everyone tell it, Dwight is Moses Malone and Shaq — and not a Young Shaq or a Early Houston Years Mo’, he’s supposedly a full grown beast. (Some ESPN experts actually picked him ahead of Chris Paul as being the best player under-23, other than ‘Bron — which is so ignorant.) So, it’s show-n-prove time. This shine-time. He’s the supposed-Franchise Guy on the favored team. I want him to get his King Kong on and carry the Magic like the white girl in the posters. That’s right, I wanna see him pick up Arroyo, Hedo and the rest of the squad, beat on his chest and put-back-jam the Magic into the conference semis.
What Will Impact This Series: Not Bosh or the corny Raptor fans, that’s for sure. Softest superstar and fans in the league.
I’m Just Sayin’: You can’t win with all those Euros playing big minutes…not if Bosh is your pseudo-Franchise Guy. That’s not me being jingoistic. That’s me being factual and honest. This is not FIBA.
The Commish Pick: Orlando in 6.
CLEVELAND (4) vs. WASHINGTON (5)
Most Compelling Storyline: Was the LeBron Effect just a fluke? I remember kickin’ it with Khalid last Fall, rappin’ about the East. He called the Cavs appearance in the ‘07 Finals “bullsh*t.” And who’d argue with that? Certainly not me. I still contend that they were the worse Finals squad in the modern era of the NBA. But the general consensus is that LeBron and a squad of schmoes could contend in the East, simply because of LeBron. In other words, every playoff game is a potential — maybe even probable — “Game 5″ just waiting to happen. And it’s not just us scribes that echoe this sentiment. Even KG bestowed Contender status on the Cavs when he mentioned them along with Detroit and Boston as the three teams that were capable of winning the East. This is interesting because Cleveland features a far less talented, cohesive and experienced squad than the two real contenders. So we enter these playoffs and this series — one that features THE Eastern Darkhorse (the Wiz) — looking to solidify the notion that LeBron sports the broadest and most capable shoulders in the East (maybe league). My guess, though, is that homeboy and his squad are gonna get made for what they really are — D12 with Eminem.
What Will Impact This Series: Karma. I don’t believe in it, but I do believe in something more simple and less abstract; something like, “a squad can’t masquerade forever.” Cleveland has been prancing around like a light-heavyweight based on its BS run in ‘07. This Wizards squad is the perfect team to show them what’s what. They have three legitimate All-Stars (Butler, Jamison, Arenas) and I’d even go so far as to predict that there will be one or two games when Holy Caron will be the best player on the court. The Wizards are deep, with Haywood playing very solid center, Blatche coming into his own and a number of perimeter wild cards (Mason, Stevenson, Young). And, the Wizards are motivated by a number of galvanizing emotions, like pride and vengence. This first round exit is what Cleveland deserves, after they made us suffer through last year’s Finals.
I’m Just Sayin’: Gil is not truly a superstar. I know we should commend him for coming back as a bench player, but there’s something odd about how he’s been marginalized in his return. There is no top tier player in the league, no matter how gimpy, that would still be riding the bench after eight games. This strikes me less as caution and more as a concession, like his comeback is welcomed but also conditional.
The Commish Pick: Wiz in 7.
63 Responses to “The Commish Playoff Preview (EAST)”
Apr.15 at 11:10 am
Vincent Thomas says:
Had some seeding issues with an earlier version…
Apr.15 at 11:22 am
Gerard Himself says:
The most interesting series in the first round to me will be the Wizards vs the Cavs. (with a healthy Caron, may I hope).
LeBron feels like he has something to prove against these guys, and the Wizards are tired of losing to the Cavs. Can’t wait!
Apr.15 at 11:24 am
hursty says:
that was really good. I never get tired of the awesome smart @ss slam writers. As always insightful and funny at the same time.
Apr.15 at 11:26 am
hursty says:
detroit story should be ‘commish slapped’ since stern loves that class to much.
Apr.15 at 11:32 am
maio says:
Atlanta can win a game. But I guess they can also get swept.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Washington made the finals. They deserve it after being ravaged by injuries in 2007.
And Craptors win two only if Calderon goes loco.
Apr.15 at 11:34 am
hursty says:
@ maio- calderon is too passive. Good set up guy not a game breaker though.
Apr.15 at 11:40 am
Joel O's says:
Why’re you calling Raptor fans soft…! That’s mean. ;(
Apr.15 at 11:41 am
don alberto says:
There You go believing in that ‘ZERO MY HERO’! Wizards blew it with ZERO’s,”We want Cleveland speech! Over-rated ZERO and his crew are GOING HOME…
Apr.15 at 11:43 am
Joel O's says:
Truth be told though: Bosh is really good but he got shoved around last year by the likes of New Jersey’s plodding frontcourt. He’s done great against Dwight in the regular season, but unless the Raps start to show some bite they don’t stand a chance.
Apr.15 at 11:46 am
Joel O's says:
I wholly agree with Vincent about the Wiz beating the Cavs though.
Apr.15 at 11:48 am
Allenp says:
I like the Wiz/Cavs series. Bron should be pissed and the Wizards have a better team. But, if Detroit couldn’t stop a motivated Lebron, I don’t think the Wiz can either.
Apr.15 at 12:01 pm
TADOne says:
Great stuff Vince. I have followed the Wiz all year, and I believe they have the horses to pull off a 1st round upset of the Cavs. Bron is going to get his, but they should be able to handle the rest of the Cavs and keep them in check. The Wiz had the best record in the East at the All Star break last year, when their squad was fully healthy, so it isn’t a stretch to say they have a good squad. They also have a bench now, since they were forced to play their young guys earlier in the season. Should be the best 1st round series in the East.
Apr.15 at 12:36 pm
steve says:
Raps in 7. Rasho will give DH problems. He’s a big body who is very smart. It won’t be as easy as you think. If Raps lose its not because of DH but due to Rashard.
Apr.15 at 12:40 pm
ynneb says:
the raps, stumbling into the 6th seed, have no one to guard howard & are clearly the underdogs…that said, your analysis boils down to ‘howard better carry the magic…the raps are wack’…can’t wait for your book deal, dude!
Apr.15 at 12:41 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
From what i can tell, Mo Cheeks has “good hair”….Vince the hawks are just glad to be there so them getting swept isn’t a let down for them or hawks fans. To put it in perspective, the hawks last playoff appearance predates the Ipod…..Cavs in 7, bron’s just that good (even tho he travels all the time)….magic in 5. the raptors are the most boring of all the playoff teams…..pistons in 5 but the sixers will make it interesting
Apr.15 at 12:50 pm
DP says:
celtics boys and girls. the cat in the hat. tom and jerry. roadrunner and coyete. Celtics are the cats on the prey right now and cannot be stopped. play wit it.
Apr.15 at 12:56 pm
JP says:
Wiz over Cavs?! You must be snorking some heavy stuff.
Apr.15 at 1:19 pm
Co Co says:
Khalid, I am not just happy the Hawks got in. And, what’s an Ipod????
Apr.15 at 1:37 pm
Myles Brown says:
Mo Cheeks has Indian in his family. But dont quote me on that.
Apr.15 at 1:50 pm
maio says:
@CoCo: An “ipod” is a point in judo I believe.
Apr.15 at 1:55 pm
BETCATS says:
Clevland sweep
Apr.15 at 2:02 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
betcats is buggin….co co, be honest, u R glad just to be in the playoffs. what else can u really ask for?
Apr.15 at 2:06 pm
Ken says:
Love your writing. Hilarious and true.
Apr.15 at 2:27 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
BOS 4, DET 5, ORL 6, WAS 6. I hate seven-game first-round series.
Apr.15 at 2:31 pm
Bimbo Coles says:
How exactly is bosh the softest superstar in the league? The guy is top 10 in the league at going to the charity stripe averaging 8.5 FTA’s a game. I dont see how he’s soft.
Apr.15 at 2:43 pm
tealish says:
You’ve got the right teams moving on, but I’m giving Detroit more credit than that. They’ve learned. And Cleveland is more of a masquerade than you think.
Pistons in 5
Wizards in 6
Other than that, C’s sweep is pretty obvious and Toronto winning a couple at home sounds about right.
On a side note, I always wonder how you guys get away with dissing Euros on the daily?
Apr.15 at 2:45 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Niiice Vincenzo!!! I like this better then the mind numbing Xs and Os and stats and in-depth analysis that make them look like a bunch of nerds anyway. (word to the Farmer) Stop hiding behind that “stats factual BS” and say what you got to say. Btw, Toronto is getting swept..don’t be so generous. They couldn’t beat a wheelchair team.
Apr.15 at 3:13 pm
ynneb says:
‘wheel chair team’?? damn, that’s genious. keep ‘em coming. you’re brilliant!!
Apr.15 at 4:04 pm
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
after all that, i just feel happy to read about about how soft and NOT-franchise bosh is…
i lived in Toronto for 3 years and watching those crappy fans chanting even MVP for him… goodness, you can’t hate carter or mourning for rejecting them.
i bet they win only 1 and IF.
and i liked the cavs part too. but notice that they are not as bad as they look. lebron is just not a leader. they are, for exemple, waaaaaaay better than the past 2 years lakers.
Big Z, Gooden, … gibson is not that good? no, he is not, but he helped A LOT when they needed. Larry hughes just played 1 year, so i’m not even counting him.
i hope the WIZ finish them in 5.
Apr.15 at 4:31 pm
overtime says:
yeh those dam euro’s,lets face it, non-american’s can’t play. Its a good job the last three M.V.P’s and the last finals M.V.P are all american huh?
Apr.15 at 6:53 pm
this is a throwdown says:
raps = soft yes
but please dont be throwing the word soft this way to the fans
but seriously though, boston and phoenix (please) in the finals, and ur right bout detroit, best in the east
Apr.15 at 7:08 pm
Jeronimo says:
@ overtime: You’ve hit the spot, fella!
Apr.15 at 7:43 pm
David says:
I believe the Spurs give big minutes to non-USA-born players. Although Duncan is clearly on a different level from Bosh.
Apr.15 at 7:55 pm
AB_40 says:
about that last thing about gilbert… what you are saying is that players coming off the bench can’t be superstars? How do you explain manu ginobili he’s a top 5 sg in this leauge and he’s coming off the bench. Would I start a franchise with one of those dudes hell no but would they scare me if they would come off the oposing teams bench hell yeah. Gil will give Gibson and West a whole lotta trouble or none at all
Apr.15 at 8:59 pm
JoseLuva says:
Corny fans eh? You’ll be eating your words in a fortnight from now. Punk. Raptors in 6.
Apr.15 at 9:52 pm
Tim Duncan says:
Shooter: I’m agreeing with you all the way, except a little bit about Toronto. The fans chant MVP because they need one. Carter screwed em’ over big time, and Bosh is pretty much just a distraction from that. He does have game though, unlike his little friend they call the magician. He is the biggest dissapointment that team has had this year. All in all, I think “crappy fans” is a bit harsh. Maybe just call them… unpleasant LOL.
Apr.15 at 10:30 pm
vmcb says:
Toronto’s fans suck. The team has been pretty bad the past two months or so, as well. But, even when the team was playing well, the fans in the ACC have been pretty awful.
Apr.15 at 10:32 pm
MeloMan13 says:
OK honestly SLAM….
who is this Vincent guy??
he clearly hates on the raptors because he shares names with the most hated player in the city.
how cud u guys have such a biased reporter
if this guy knew anything about ball, he’d realize tht the Raptors probably have the best fans in the east besides (boston and detroit)
Apr.15 at 10:33 pm
MeloMan13 says:
THIS GUY IS A GOOOOOOF!!
FIRE HIS ASSSSSSSS!!!!!
Apr.16 at 2:31 am
D-Boy says:
I know you’ve only discussed the first round here, but if the Wizards get past the Cavs this will set up a very intriguing second round against the Celtics. The Wizards beat the Celtics 3 times this year! Matcup issues?
Apr.16 at 2:49 am
will says:
spot on with the calls.
Apr.16 at 8:15 am
Red says:
Keep doubting Lebron…it never fails…
Apr.16 at 8:29 am
hursty says:
melo is a fu(king clown. Are you 13 years old? Cos melo is no. 15.
@dboy- i see rondo getting a lot of minutes against a slower, less effecient Gil. note: that win last week was against boston reserves in the 2nd half, while the Wiz badly needed that win.
@red-doubting LeBron is a bad idea but doubting his teammates is not.
Apr.16 at 8:41 am
DP says:
Meloman, who the hell are you dude? You just don’t come on here disrespecting one of the best columnists on this page. I don’t know if you came from DIME or SI or damn the NBA.com website but maybe you need to go back. you dont want no drama. but anyway great post Vincent. Look out for the Magic to make more noise than you guys think. play wit it.
Apr.16 at 9:50 am
yusuf (FROM TORONTO) says:
How are the Raptors fans awful? I don’t get it. We love our team. We’re loyal. Look at the Leafs, they’ve sucked for so long but they still sell out games. You Americans are just haters. Have any of you seen a Hawks or a Nets game? THERE’S NO ONE IN THE STANDS!!!! IT’S HEARTBREAKING!!! And as for Bosh being soft? I wouldn’t call him that. He has a nasty mid-range shot so he opts to go for that because the big men defending him are afraid to step out. He can dribble the ball and that also scares most big men. He’s more like a 3.5 than a 4 I would say. Plus he’s like 85% from behind the arc!!! You Orlando fans just watch. I’m calling the Raptors in 7. When this happens, I expect a free 1 year subscription or something. And one more thing, what happened to the world saying “Ford and Calderon” is the best PG team in the league? Ford played garbage when he first came back from injury but who wouldn’t? He lost his job to injury. That shouldn’t happen. But Calderon stepped up and told Sam Mitchell to bench him and start Ford and they blossomed again. Honestly, just stop hating on Toronto please. Brian Colangelo didn’t win GM of the year for nothing. And Sam Mitchell didn’t win coach of the year for nothing. Remember that.
Apr.16 at 10:12 am
thesubwayconnection says:
Cleveland needs to lose in the first round so that management can realize that LeBron NEEDS HELP.
Apr.16 at 10:26 am
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
don’t agree with the mvp calls, but great comment @overtime: “yeh those dam euro’s,lets face it, non-american’s can’t play. Its a good job the last three M.V.P’s and the last finals M.V.P are all american huh?” duncan - i agree. carter screw them up big time and mourning even more. mourning disrespected them in one of the worst ways i’ve seen, but, don’t they deserve it sometimes?
and bosh… bosh is good, kid knows the game, but come on… MVP???
you have to be very stupid to say something like that and i saw a lot of that there. he is not an MVP, not a franchise player and tell you that, he should not even be an all-star.
guy has ball in him, but thats way i think this guys should stay in college… he lacks MENTAL ATRIBUTES. toughness, passion, leadership… thats just a beginning for a real franchise player and think i most hate in the nba is the super overrated players such as bosh, lebron and nowitzki… all good players, lebron of course, even better than the other 2, BUT, if you never saw basketball and start reading now, you would think lebron is better than Jordan!
come on!!!!
i hope jamison, i guy that i like since college and didn’t got that respect in the nba, Gil, with all this doubters nowadays and caron beat cavs in 4. that would be awesome and would lead for a great series vs C’s lets forget Meloman… 13 y old guys… poor kid.
Apr.16 at 10:30 am
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
yes, lebron needs help… a psychiatrist (fu&^%, how do you spell it???)
Apr.16 at 10:53 am
roselynn says:
So what’s supposed to happen with the Lakers and all their FIBA Euros (Gasol, Radmanovic, Vujacic, Turiaf). And the Spurs? (Parker, Ginobili, Oberto). Hornets, Magic, Mavs, Rockets or Suns also have their share of FIBAs playing big minutes. I feel you just don’t know the Raptors game. Bad argument. ps - yes, i’m from europe
Apr.16 at 12:36 pm
Myles Brown says:
“I like this better then the mind numbing Xs and Os and stats and in-depth analysis that make them look like a bunch of nerds anyway. (word to the Farmer) Stop hiding behind that “stats factual BS” and say what you got to say.” So are coaches and players nerds too cause they run plays? You know what, youre right. F*ck having an NBA playoffs, lets just bring the whole lig down to Rucker Park and settle this. If theres anything I hate more than those nerds, its their pesky ‘facts’.
Apr.16 at 12:43 pm
Bine says:
Funny arguments about Euro Fiba…
You could put All NBA stars Melo, LeBron, Bosh, Howard… and they can not even win against Greece team whom not even one player plays in NBA. And you don’t know even one of them!!!!???
Apr.16 at 12:54 pm
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
it was bad argument, but, in some way, he had a point…
lakers and run by kobe with the help from odom, hornets are run by CP and david west, magic, howard, rockets = tmac, suns are nash and amare, ok, nash is canadian but, is he? really?
anyway, the spurs get the better contribution from fiba players, of course, they have the best of them in ginobili and parker has an unique style that he got playin for pop, but, they are TEAM Duncan’s mates!!! lets not forget that! TEAM Duncan is there and well, the mavs… franchise player, nowitzki, a german… ok, i don’t like him, but i give you this one… anyway, hat he meant was, you can’t win just based on fiba players, SPECIALLY those fiba players having just bosh as a franchise that he is not.
calderon, garbajosa, even il mago (sic) would be good role players somewhere else… but, having the lead of bosh, they are going nowhere.
i think, since the days i lived in toronto that, they should get 3 of these average players they have, and trade for an experienced leader
who? don’t have a clue…
i wish it was iverson just cause i wanted to see my man night in night out, but now that i’m here, forget iverson.
i dunno who, but colangelo should.
Apr.16 at 1:01 pm
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
to give you roselynn, another edge, i think Pau would have been a nice addition, but nothing that would take them to the chip, BUT, imagine if they had got Garnett and Pau and than redefined the game playin 3 all-around PF…
hahahaha
that would be fun to watch
Apr.16 at 5:02 pm
matt says:
CB4 was actually 7th in MVP voting and a 2cnd Team All-NBA last year so I wouldnt go calling fans stupid for chanting it. No one was handing him the award, they were having fun and supporting their star. Wow that really is corny isnt it. I guess some passion and fan interest is what you get when you are top 10 in the league in attendance despite a small stadium. But those are all corny fans so whatever they dont count. Well see in the playoffs again this year Toronto having sold out stands of red, and wtaching Orlando like NJ before them sell tickets for half the price and pump in artificial crowd noise, bu thats only cause thats what ‘hard’ fans do. My only hope is that you realize that a vast chunk of your readers are Canadian and so you put that pruposely to draw some hits from RealGM and the like. Shrewed business, craptastic loyalty.
Apr.16 at 5:54 pm
Ironside says:
Man your right about the raptors and the euro thing BUT toronto is a multicultural city hence our squad being so multicultural(not being racist but personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing a few more young, athletic black american players to balance out the roster) CB4 ain’t as soft as you think he is. He is our franchise. He improves every year with respect to his leadership,toughness, and overall game. He is also a matchup NIGHTMARE for alot of the bigmen in the league( ask dwight himself.Bosh gives him buckets everytime they play) You done pissed off some of the most LOYAL and BEST fans in the whole league. We are in no way soft or corny. We gon surprise YOU and the rest of the league when we beat orlando in 6 games
Apr.16 at 6:18 pm
Ironside says:
oh yeah tell me what happened when CB4 when out with an injury this year???? another point to solidify his franchise player status
Apr.16 at 10:20 pm
Shooter#9 - Brasil says:
whats the record for the raptors this season? yeah, i do think with an average roster like the raptors, a real franchise would do a lot more
of course he is not just a regular guy, bosh is a good player, but, well… i expect a lot more from franchise players. anyway, he is just a kid, can still grow mentally and thats why i think they should stay in school.
EASY GUYS, YOU ARE GONNA GET YOUR POCKETS FILLED!.
Apr.17 at 8:27 am
FLUXLAND says:
Ironside.. put the crack pipe down.. TO sux and Bosh is over rated. He wouldn’t be a franchise player anywhere but in TO.
Apr.17 at 3:47 pm
J says:
@ overtime… last 3 M.V.Ps aren’t Americans dude
Nash 2peat (Canada), Nowitzki (Germany)… I can see the confusion though coz they speak English…yall too ignorant to tell
Apr.17 at 7:15 pm
Ironside says:
fluxland….get off the commishs jock cuz i can already tell you don’t know anything about TO…if anything Bosh is underrated and there are other franchises where he could be the franchise player
Apr.17 at 9:38 pm
Melo Man TO says:
hes clearly askin for it wen he says stuff like TO fans are soft
if this guy said anything like tht at the ACC he’ll get destroyed
Apr.18 at 12:23 pm
Baller says:
What? Vince does someone actually pay you to do this job, or are you some pimple faced 15yr old typing out of your mom’s basement?? This is the very reason why blogs aren’t taken serioulsy; The Commish = The Softest blog on the internet
Apr.22 at 10:10 am
J says:
Yes Baller, I like it!
The Commish = The Softest blog on the internet.
I’ll pay a 15 yr old to send them a new logo and tagline.