stellathestud10: The Spurs have really surprised me this season. I had assumed that they were finally turning the corner of being a little too old to keep going at an elite level, now I find myself hoping and praying that the Spurs can be knocked out before the Thunder meet up with them in the playoffs. Aside from the Spurs, I like the Thunder in a 7 game series against any team.
Cameron: I agree on the Thunder front, they have a great squad. I think a big factor in the Spurs getting knocked out last year was that Manu was injured. He wasn't right so they pretty much had to rely on Parker and Duncan alone. This year Manu is healthy (hopefully no ill effects from that collision the other night) and Pop has really done a masterful job of managing Duncan's minutes. Duncan, is also quietly having a great season, with his numbers up across the board from last season. Not to mention the new blood like Leonard, Mills and Jackson, as well as the continued development of Blair and Splitter. If it's not the Spurs I hope it's the Thunder.
As for the East, I have to pick Miami. Rose and Deng have been too injured this season and if they drop to the #2 seed and face Knicks, the Bulls could be facing an early exit. My darkhorse pick for the east finals is the Pacers, but that will of course depend on where Miami finishes. Should be a good playoff and Orlando is pretty much going to get swept or be done in 5 now that Howard is shut down.
Total agreement about the Heat. Even with a healthy Rose, I just feel that the Heat is a tough matchup for the Bulls. With the Spurs, from what I've scene, Leonard might be the best pick this season besides Kyrie Irving. Also, with Tony Parker playing at an MVP-type level, they have some real explosion, but also the discipline from the older guys. That discipline is what gives the Thunder fits. The Spurs are able to break them down and get the Thunder out of position.
My dark horse in the East is probably the Knicks. I feel crazy for saying it, but when Carmelo Anthony is hot, he's good enough to beat just about anyone by himself. Whether he can do that for an entire series, I don't know, but the talent is there.
