Can Danny?

The loss of KG for the playoffs (assuming he can't come back) and the season ending injury to Manu Ginobili basically makes the 2009 playoffs shape up to Cleveland vs. LA Lakers. I really can't see anyone sticking it to them in a seven games series. The Lakers have the tougher road but I still think they should come away from it unscathed.

ROUND 1

Cleveland in 4: Maybe the Pistons steal a game but I think LeBron and company are going to be too focused while the 'Stones are going to be too soft. Rodney Stuckey has been a disappointment this year but he's been downright invisible against the Cavs. 

Celtics in 6: Apparently John Salmons is banged up which is good news for the Celtics. The Bulls have been on a nice run of late, going 11 - 5 to close the season - a run that started with victories over New Orleans and Boston. I wouldn't be stunned if they were able to push the C's to a 7th game but I'd be very disappointed if Pierce, Ray, and Co. dropped a game seven at home. But the Bulls are a team full of wildcards and if Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Ty Thomas, and even Tim Thomas show up, the Celtics will struggle.

Orlando in 5: The Sixers have been terrible at the end of the season but I still like their matchup against the Magic. They have the big guys to throw at Dwight, Thad Young can play the PF spot against Rashard Lewis, and Lou Williams could be primed for a breakout series. In the end, it all comes down to Iggy and I'm just not sure he has what it takes to be The Man in the playoffs.

Atlanta in 7: I hate betting against Dwyane Wade but I think the Hawks just have the better lineup and they are going to come out with more fire IMO. The key matchup will be Jermaine O'Neal vs. Al Horford. If JO can step up, the Heat could take game 7. I'm just not seeing that happen. Also, with Udonis Haslem back, Michael Beasley's minutes will go back down and I really believe that he is the X-factor who would give the Heat their best chance of winning.

Lakers in 4: Maybe the Lake Show loses one in Utah but I think this team is going to come out with a chip on their shoulder.

Denver in 6: CP3 is going to have his hands full with Billups. Melo is the reason the Hornets got a guy like James Posey. David West is going to have to deal with the Birdman and K-Mart. And in the end, I have more faith in Nene beating up Chandler and JR Smith going off. It's the Nuggets' series to lose but, then again, if there was ever a team capable of shooting themselves in the foot...

San Antonio in 6: Dallas could put a scare into the Spurs but even without Manu, San Antonio is too much. Tony Parker is going to show why he's the most underrated PG's in the NBA as the Mavericks really have nobody who can stop him. Roger Mason Jr. should be able to run circles around Jason Kidd while Bowen beats up Dirk.

Houston in 7: I really want to pick Portland but one thing really bothers me: the Blazers have looked AWFUL when they've been on the big stage. There were a couple of marquee games this season in which the Blazers just looked like deer in the headlights. Maybe they've gotten past that but I think playoff experience is worth at least two wins in this series and that's two wins the Blazers can't afford to give up.

ROUND 2

Cleveland in 4: LeBron vs. Josh Smith should be an interesting matchup but I just don't see the Hawks having enough to win more than one game. Mike Bibby is going to have to step up for them to have any chance but I think the only way they win is if the Cavs come in unfocused for one game.

Boston in 7: Yeah I'm biased. Still, I think too much of the Magic's game depends on the three point shot and I like the Perkins vs. Howard matchup and I LOVE Rondo vs. Rafer. The X-Factor is Mickeal Pietrus. He's a player who could make the Magic a legit contender if he D's up and plays to his potential. Still, I just have no faith in Orlando and won't until they show me different.

Lakers in 6: Unfortunately for the Lakers, the winner of the Houston/Portland series is going to be a tougher matchup than the Nuggets or Spurs. Throwing Artest and Battier at Kobe could slow him down a bit but this is the kind of series in which Yao would need to step up and establish himself as a superstar and I just don't think he has that personality.

Denver in 6: Melo is going to be the key to whether they win or lose and I'm going to say that he rises to the occassion. I also think the Nuggets big men are all crafty/dirty enough to get Duncan to spend more of his time whining to the refs than focusing on the game at hand.

Conference Finals

Cleveland in 5: Without KG, it's not a contest. The Celtics would have to play at their best to get three games and then they'd just find themselves in Cleveland for game 7.

Los Angeles in 5: The Nuggets only real shot at slowing down Kobe is either sticking Billups on him (which is going to take a lot out of their PG) or to roll the ball out for 'Melo and JR Smith and tell them to outscore the Mamba. The Nuggets could blow the Lakers out one game but LA is just too good for George Karl's squad.

Finals

Lakers in 6: The Cavs fate rests in the hands of Mo Williams. He's really the only guy they have that could step up and help take out the Lakers. LeBron vs. Kobe is a draw and Odom, Gasol, Bynum give the Lake Show a heavy advantage. And when you look at it, the Lakers have more people to throw at LeBron in Odom and Ariza (as well as Kobe) whereas the Cavs really have nobody to slow down Bryant. In the battle of the men who wish they were Michael, LeBron would have to put forth a Jordan-esque performance to get his squad the championship.