The Playoffs are here!

And fuck I'm excited! There are some pretty exciting match ups in the first round! I'm pretty happy that the Rockets made it, pretty sad that the Warriors missed it. Nuggets are just kinda shit and no one really cares about them.

So, here are Jordan's 2008 Playoffs Analysis + Predictions!

WEST

Los Angeles Lakers (1) VS Denver Nuggets (8)

I say Los Angeles takes this one in 6.

Nuggets win 2 of the first 3, the haters start piling up on Kobe and then he closes the series out.

What to expect - Kobe Bryant with at least 1 40 point game. Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar stepping up big. Either AI or Melo having an off game while the other one gets it going on. I see Kenyon having some big games in this series.

What not to expect - Andrew Bynum? :(. Marcus Camby. He's just an overrated piece of shit on defense. A well contested shot is just as good as a block.

New Orleans (2) VS Dallas Mavericks (7)

Dallas with the upset in 5.

Hornets win the first, Dallas win next 4.

What to expect - Jason Kidd with some near triple doubles, hitting some big shots, Dirk Nowitzki averaging close to 35 Points a game. Chris Paul having some 20 point games but on 4-14 shooting with the bulk from free throws. Lots of assists. Bonzi stepping up big. Peja Stojakovic leading scorer for the Hornets. Hornets losing a few close games because they can't close the game out.

What not to expect - The Hornets to win. Not expecting David West to be any good. Maybe one good game.

San Antonio Spurs (3) VS Phoenix Suns (6)

Phoenix in 5. After the Shaq trade I think it's going to be Phoenix for the Championship. So here it is. Great match up here. I remember watching Game 6 where San Antonio won. That was some quality basketball. Shaq VS Duncan will be a great match up because they're both the winning-est people.

What to expect - Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker carrying the scoring load. Shaq coming up big, especially with free throws. Tim Duncan schooling Amare. Robert Horry hitting some big shots.

What not to expect - Tim Duncan won't be as good with Mr. O'Neal on him, but Timmy VS Shaq will be very interesting to see.

Utah (4) VS Houston (5)

Houston have home court advantage, but I just see Jazz winning this one. As well the Rockets have played, especially during that win streak, the Jazz will probably win. I remember that Rockets game against Suns, Rockets played really well but they still couldn't stop Nash and Amare pick and roll. If the Jazz keep going with the pick and roll the Rockets are going to be pretty fucked. If they try and pound Boozer down low, expect Chuck Hayes to be able to force him to maybe 50% shooting, but Rockets just won't have much scoring.

Their primary offensive weapons, McGrady and Rafer are both really streaky. T-Mac on fire owns Kobe on fire. He can hit every damn shot. Rafer can sometimes be really good but in the playoffs I just see him being normal Rafer again.

Battier can't create a shot for himself, Carl Landry's offense is off offensive boards, so Rockets are pretty fucked on offense unless there is McGrady.

This series really is on McGrady.

I say the Jazz win in 5.

What to expect - Another first round exit for McGrady.

What not to expect - T-Mac to bring it every game.

EAST

Boston Celtics (1) VS Atlanta Hawks (8)

Boston with the sweep. No explanation needed here.

What to expect - A few highlight reel plays from Josh Smith and Al Horford, plenty of ET.

What not to expect - Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby. When your real scorers are both jump shooters you're pretty fucked. Boston have the best defense in the league.

Detroit Pistons (2) VS Philadelphia 76ers (7)

Detroit in 4. People remember they are still in the league.

What to expect - Random Sixers stepping up. Iguodala is gonna get fucked up Dwight Howard style. Andre Miller will be the only guy with a clue of what to do but he won't be able to score too efficiently.

What not to expect - Iguodala. He will suck and people will be like yea he's a second option at best.

Orlando (3) VS Toronto (6)

Raptors in 7, someone hits a go ahead shot in Game 7 and Hedo or Shard come up short.

What to expect - RASHO NESTEROVIC.

What not to expect - Dwight Howard going crazy, Chris Bosh getting double doubles.

Cleveland Cavaliers (4) VS Washington Wizards (5)

Another exciting match up, they've met in the first round for like 3 years in a row, except last year the Wizards were missing Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler.

What to expect - LeBron going 5-20 but still scoring 30 points because of the ass kissing he gets from the refs. LeBron with some traveling big shots.

What not to expect - Gilbert being trigger happy. I think after this injury he's gonna stop being as cocky after all the hate he's received. He will play a lot smarter and involve Caron and Antawn a lot more.