Too many people are saying it, and it looks too obvious. I see this a lot in sports... I think there is gonna be an upset somewhere, I can't really tell where yet. But something is going to happen. There are too many people confident in this one..... any ideas?
The problem with the upset theory is it is hard for it to happen in basketball since it is a 7 game series and not just a 1 and done situation. Here are the chances of a Lakers/Cavs finals not happening. A)KG comes back healthy(doubtful and he would be rusty) B)Orlando steps up to the plate and knocks off Cleveland (Don't see that happening) C)Jazz knock off the Lakers or wear them down for Portland or Houston C is the best chance IMO.
But I should add I don't see any of that happening. I think the Lakers and Cavs will end up in the finals.
I cant see an upset happening either, but it just seems so obvious to pick them in the finals, money wise.....and i think the NBA wants those 2 teams. I have a feeling we might seem some interesting games, officiating wise, like always.
I don't see it. The disparities between the best team and the second best team in both conferences is the biggest I can ever remember. It has usually always been only one conference had a clear cut favorite, and even then, there were still some serious challengers. It goes back to a point I've been making since the offseason. This is a turning point in the west and is the first time you don't have great veteran teams that have been around. there have always been great veteran teams hanging around, the rockets, jazz, blazers, lakers, spurs, and then you had the recent trio of phoenix, dallas, and the spurs. this is the weakest west i can ever remember, not in terms of parity, but strength at the top. 2-4 in the west would get obliterated by the 2-4's in most years. out east, kg's injury ended any real threat to cleveland. orlando is a joke - i'm still laughing at that article a few weeks back where the author fancied them a potential dynasty. and on the other side, the rockets' choke job the other night significantly reduced the slim chance that there was of the lakers being eliminated with houston now likely to beat portland, with portland being the only team standing a chance against LA. the rockets will be obliterated by LA in the semis. i would be absolutely shocked if its not LA-CLE.
it seems so obvious that despite the fact the odds are not that favorable to win a lot of money, bet the HOUSE on lakers-cavs final if you want to make some SURE money i agree that its always easy to pick a finals and upsets happen, but in the nba, especially in a year like this when there is a top dog in each league clearly, it happens. 2008 and 2005 also come to mind, though miami could have beaten detroit that year.
The only team i can see making a run to the finals is the Magic. Obvioulsy they would have to get VERY hot for 2 series in a row but i can see it happening. I actually expect them to beat the Celts this year, minus KG. They have the offensive power and a few different looks at Lebron which i think is vital. Pietrius, Lee, Turk and Lewis can all have a go Defendning Lebron. If they can somehow slow him down, or make him try and beat them by himsself, then i give them a chance. Oh and they have a guy called D Howard. He isnt bad either.
nonono, it's gonna be rockets vs cavs, and ron/shane are gonna lock down king james just like how they did in feb blowout at home. oops, isnt this a day dream?
Well.. some people said this last year also, but it never happened. The Lakers cruised through the WC and the Celtics had to play a lot of games but they still managed to get to the Finals. Sometimes, it is that way, but the team is really good and really determined to win a championship since day 1, it's hard to break that fire.
Great post and agreed entirely. Barring injuries to LeBron or Kobe CLE-LA does seem to be pretty much destiny at this point. If anybody is able to beat either team i'll be stunned. It just doesn't look like a possibility at this point. This, of course, creates an enormous dilemma for me. Root for LA to beat Cleveland and get another championship or root for a CLEVELAND team to win a championship. I like the latter sounds more sickening to me, as a Pittsburgher.
I think people are really underestimating the Magic. People forget the playoffs are about matchups,not the best team, and the Magic are a bad matchup for the Cavs. Not only is Dwight one of the few big men that have a chance at altering Lebron's shot at the rim, their offense can give the Cavs trouble. Packing it in the way the cavs do only hurts you against a team full of 3 point shooters like the Magic. I would probably guarantee a Magic win if it wasn't for Rafer's shooting.
