NBA: Where "The First Round's On Me" Happens

Western Conference

OKC vs. HOU

I deserve this series, I talked all year about how the Thunder would be okay without Harden. I discussed at length about the success story that is the Thunder's bench, which went from atrocious to almost watchable. The Rockets, as a franchise, have had a couple of my favorite players of all time, including Hakeem Olajuwon who is the center that I would want to start a franchise around. This year's model is a lottery team without James Harden and despite his improvement, they'll be a first round out with him. The Rockets also have Chandler Parsons who gives KD fits occasionally, and Carlos Delfino who's an enjoyable threat on the wings. On the other hand, Kevin Durant isn't having it. He pummeled Harden in the first two matchups of the season. 

OKC in 5

SAS vs LAL 

Which Lakers team is it? Is it the dysfunctional team that relies on a center with no discernible offensive game and is an easy target for fouls in the clutch? Perhaps it's the new team that centers around it's big men and lets the guards spread out for 3 point shooting. On the other side of the court, the Spurs are a deeper team, with better guard play (when healthy), and a better coach. And they still have that Tim Duncan guy. He's still pretty good. I also believe the atrocious refereeing that helped the Lakers get here will stop.  (Yes, 50-16 foul shot differential against Golden State, I haven't forgotten about you).

SAS in 6

DEN vs. GSW

I don't know. On one hand, the Warriors are filled with players who have never seen the playoffs before. Ever. Denver is injured in many key spots. Golden State probably has the best player in the series in Stephen Curry. I just can't say no to Denver. The coaching matchup here, with all due respect to what Mark Jackson has done this year would seem to be an ant versus a sledgehammer. 

DEN in 7

LAC @ MEM

I'm glad that this matchup is happening again, mostly because there's so much bad blood between the two squads. I love the moves the teams have made to get better. I love how Rudy Gay has been replaced by a past his prime Tayshaun Prince. I love the @JCrossover show in L.A. I love that this matchup features the best point guard in the league and the best center in the league. But, my philosophy is that defense beats offense, and the Grizzlies have defense in spades. 

Grizzlies in 6

Eastern Conference

MIA vs. MIL

Miami in 4. Miami is a better team in every way than Milwaukee. How's that for analysis. 

NYK vs BOS

The Knicks are a better team. The Celtics have emotion and experience on their side. Emotion and experience can only take you so far, though. The last time the Knicks won a playoff series they beat a Miami Heat team that featured a young Bruce Bowen and Anthony Carter as a rookie. The last next year, they lost in the first round to the Raptors. That Raptors team featured Ty Corbin and Mark Jackson, who are now coaches. The team also had Dell Curry, whose son is now the best player on an NBA team. It's been a long time. 

NYK in 6.

IND vs ATL

It's not fair to these teams that everyone has spent the last week saying that no one cares about this series. The Hawks have a solid inside presence in Horford and Josh Smith. Korver's been fun to watch this year. Indiana just got crushed by the Danny Granger injury. I really like the Pacers team, though. The Pacers almost beat the Heat last year and they've improved quite a bit. They still won't go far in this playoff run.

IND in 6. 

BKN vs. CHI

It must be nice to leave New Jersey. All of a sudden Brook Lopez is playing defense. Deron Williams looks like the old DWill again. I feel really bad killing the Bulls off in the first round. The Bulls have achieved greatly without Derrick Rose and despite all of the distractions that have been caused by Rose's injury and recovery.  Well that achievement stops here. 

BKN in 6