Usually at this time of year, I'm, at laziest, a little immersed in the NBA playoffs. I'd sit at home and watch at least a part of one game per night, enthralled by the poetry of a late-game run, the artistry of a great dunk or block, and the intensity of the home crowd. The length of the postseason notwithstanding, keeping track of the Association at this time of the year is fun.
That hasn't been the case this year. Most of it is due to my move from the Pacific Northwest back to the expanses of the Great Plains. Along with that, I've decided to try an experiment of not owning a television for the next few months (we'll see how long that lasts). All this, combined with my current early morning work schedule, means I've had to catch a couple peeks of roundball at local bars and establishments.
While this does give me the chance to get out a little more in a strange city, it has limited my base knowledge of the playoff season to radio highlights and online statistics. I haven't had a chance to see all of the emotion that comes along with a box score. But even in my limited knowledge, I have noticed a couple things that are going on in this year's edition of the title chase.
1) It the Good Ship, Lopsided
Since the NBA went to seven-game series in 2003, has there ever been a year when the first round seemed this lopsided overall? (The actual answer is yes, but we'll stick with the jaw-drop factor for the moment.) Heading into Tuesday night's games, only the Utah/Houston series was within one game after four contests. By the end of all game fours, three series were already over.
It took Toronto's close shave against New Jersey in Tuesday's early game to help the '07 playoffs avoid the fate of the '04 postseason, where the first round was highlighted by three sweeps and four five-game tilts. Through the first quarter of the late game, Dallas looks to do the same against Golden State.
2) Central Powers Unite
The Pistons, Cavaliers, and Bulls have a couple more things in common than just residing in the Association's Central Division. All their cities rest on the shore of one of the Great Lakes. Those same locations are the largest metropolitan areas in their respective states. All these squads faced Southeastern Division teams in the first round. Oh yeah, and the last thing ... is 4-0.
As in sweep ... perfection ... utter domination ... no mercy ... you can stop me any time.
The Central Division has had its share of mediocrity the last few years. Other than Detroit, and Indiana in the past, there seemed to be an anticipation of something building, but not fully coming through. This year, the door burst open. And I understand that all of the opponents were inferior in several ways (injuries, fatigue, talent). But there's a reason why these guys wins were one, two, and three in the Eastern Conference.
3) Looking in the Mirror?
What happened to the Dallas Mavericks? They did win 67 games in the regular season, right? Didn't they have three different streaks of 10 or more wins and five different runs of eight or more victories? They outdistanced everyone by at least six games for the league's best record. Yet, that's the same number that haunts them before Tuesday's must-win. Six, that's one-third, of their 18 losses this season have come to the Warriors.
And this wasn't totally unforeseen. I'm not talking about these bloggers that think the Mavs are either a thorn in their side or too chic of a pick. Listening to Jim Rome's radio show last month, I heard him predict the future after speaking with midseason pickup Al Harrington.
"This is a scary team," he said. "This isn't a team I'd want to face in the playoffs."
Let's face it. This is basically a series of the old Mavs versus the new Mavs. The Warriors have former Avery Johnson teacher Don Nelson on their sideline. The City's team is playing a run-and-gun, care-free style of ball. And the news Mavs can't seem to keep up. We'll see if the top team can pull things together, but they'll have to do it quick to avoid their version of the "Perfect Barnstorm."
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that the Warriors are finally back in the playoffs. But why did it have to be at the expense at the team I'd like to see raise the trophy? Maybe I'll find a place to wash my misery away.
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