The Stakes are Raised as #NBAPlayoffs shift to Conference Finals

By Ethan Brisby
@ethanbrisby

Just 30 days ago, Mark Jackson was still the head coach of the Golden States Warriors, and anybody living outside of Indianapolis believed the Pacers were more hype than anything else. Now, Mark Jackson will be calling Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals as ESPN’s newest recycled analyst when the Pacers faceoff with the Miami Heat on Sunday. While in the West, the Oklahoma Thunder, once more bit by the injury bug will look to dethrone the San Antonio Spurs as the cream of that conference.

These playoffs have been filled with surprises. Not the least of them being the leaked audio recordings of embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling beseeching his girlfriend not to bring black men name Magic to his games. Aside from this ongoing saga, these playoffs have been a thrill. We have seen three game sevens in one day, the talent poor Hawks make Roy Hibbert look like fragile man, and I’m still trying to figure out when and where Zach Randolph threw a punch disqualifying him for the Grizzles Game 7 first round game against OKC.

The stakes are raised even higher now with only four teams left standing, but in order to be a champion you have to be the lone team in the ring. Let’s take a look at some interesting match ups that will make or break the teams still vying to be the 2014 World Champions of Basketball.

In the West, Russell Westbrook and his surgically repaired knee will have to go through yet another point guard in the argument when you talk about best floor generals in the NBA in Tony Parker. Albeit, Parker tweaked his hamstring in San Antonio’s Game 5 clincher against Portland. However, Westbrook clearly outplayed Chris Paul last round by averaging nearly 25 points 8 rebounds and 8 assists. He continues to get a bad rap for being a shoot first point guard, which is something basketball purists frown upon, but what can anyone question about his will to win and athletic prowess? If Westbrook can get past Parker, he may very well go into next season rated as the number one point guard talent in the NBA.

Even with league MVP Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder front court is not as nearly as deep as its backcourt, after it loss Congo native, Serg Ibaka to a calf injury for the remainder of the playoffs. This means the Thunder will need Kendrick Perkins to do more than look mean as he will attempt to slow Tim Duncan, and the rest of the Spurs big men. Duncan, the future Hall of Famer continues to be a double double threat every night, and he seems to get better as the Spurs get deeper into the playoffs. The Thunder have a big void to fill in scoring, rebounding, and defense with the loss of Ibaka or the regular season sweep of the Spurs will be nothing, but a blip on the radar.

In the East, the marquee match-up is between the established and reigning NBA King, Lebron James and the emerging star, Paul George. At 23, it’s a premature to think George is ready to take Lebron’s place as the league’s best player, but he will certainly be tasked with guarding the All-World James. If George can match Lebron’s intensity game after game, his teammates may be able to pick up the rest of the slack. Don’t count out Lebron’s supporting cast though, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, and Dwayne Wade are All-Stars in their own right.

I expect the San Antonio-Oklahoma City series to end in six games. I believe this is the year of Durant in the West, and with his running mate Westbrook playing the best basketball of his career, the Spurs simply will not have enough to tame the Thunder. In the East, I believe Miami is a team of destiny. Even if Indiana had breezed through its first two rounds, they just are not good enough to beat Miami at full strength. Heat in 6. Ultimately, the NBA will end up with its marketing dream, a rematch of the 2012 NBA Finals pitting the top two talents head to head for the right to be called a champion.

But don’t take my word for it. Just check back with me in 30 days…