Ineligible Man Downfield

You know those “most likely…” scenarios commonly found on high school yearbooks.  I thought it would be fun to translate such scenarios to our current NBA playoffs and see what we can find.  For your enjoyment fast in a dash:

Most Likely to Succeed:  Lebron and the Cavs

Not too long ago we thought about Lebron James leaving Cleveland due to the horrific nature of his team.  Who knew that all he needed was a drop of cough syrup in the form of Mo Williams.  With that addition with better team play others, Lebron is poised to possibly capture his first NBA title.  I know this is blasphemy from a Laker fan, but objectively speaking, King James is ready to rule.

Most Likely to be a Drama Queen:  Los Angeles Lakers

Not too far from Staples Center is the headquarters of the movie capital of the world, Hollywood.  Being situated so close to the stage, does it make you wonder if they had some pointers in manufacturing drama during the Western Conference Semis?  If you ask me, they were probably trying to generate ticket sales from forcing and yes I said forcing a game seven.  Why else do you think the Rockets could make it this far without Yao Ming even with Aaron Brook’s stellar play.

Most Likely to Surprise:  Denver Nuggets

With a frontline sported by the likes of the Birdman Chris Anderson, a healthy Nene and a sick-nasty Kenyon Martin, the Nuggets have the opportunity to do what they’ve never done ever, which is make the NBA Finals.  The calming and gentile influence of Chauncy Billups has gotten this offensive machine a rhythm to be reckoned with.  I hope the Lakers have their eggs all in a dozen or they will be scrambled by Carmelo Anthony.

Most Likely to Threes:  Orlando Magic

If Dwight Howard and the Magic are to have any chance of making the NBA finals (which is highly unlikely in my book), they need to shoot threes like nobodys business.  JJ Redick is the key.  They need a third powerful three point shooter other then Hedu Turkoglu and Skip to my Lou Rafer Alston.  With Dukie basketball not translating well into NBA basketball, my guess is the King will kill the Magic in 5.  Give the Magic credit, they’ll finally get a win against the untouchable Cavaliers.

Courtesy of mmksportbasketball from Webshots.com

Why did he take that shot?  Why the double screen?  Phil should’ve drawn up a different game plan for the last shot!

Oh hey!  Its me and I guess I’m back again.  If you don’t already know, both jadamusss and Iare diehard Lakers fans.  So you might think that this blog posting might be a tad bit “biased,” but whose really objective in their analysis of sports these days.  Most of analyst make their decisions based on their gut and then throw in stats that fit their agenda.  Like I said, Kobe should’ve taken a better shot!

Since we’re on the subject of shots, I thought we’d go over the West and do a subjective analysis.  It should be consensus that the Western Conference plays better basketball and with a style that is easy on the eyes.  The Eastern Conference is all about scrappy and sometimes ugly play marked by stout defense.  The West plays for great shots, aka finesse plays and generating these shots through fastbreak generating defense.  Let’s see which games are must see and who is predicted to win by yours truly (again, in order of worse to best; see The Beastly East):
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