Let's Get Ready to Rumble: 2014 NBA Playoff Preview

@EthanBrisby 

Bryan, Texas- Eighty-two games of the NBA regular season are all but behind us. Now it’s time for the 16 teams that had the best regular-seasons to play for the right to be called Champions. Going into the 2014 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat are the first team in pursuit of back-to-back-to-back titles since Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011 when they were swept by the eventual Western Conference Champion Dallas Mavericks.

Lebron James, and the Heat will be challenged this year in the Eastern Conference by the Indiana Pacers and the Brooklyn Nets. If they make it through those likely foes, the Oklahoma Thunder or San Antonio Spurs are projected to be waiting for them in the NBA Finals. Kevin Durant is coming off an MVP season, and seems poised to push himself to the crowning moment. He will first have to take the Western Conference throne from NBA Living Legend, Tim Duncan, and the Spurs.  

A champion will not be crowned until June. Before then, sports fans will be treated to six weeks of elite level basketball as teams fight to extend their seasons, and players looks to elevate their game to super star level. Some players that will have to take their game to superstar status in order for the teams to advance deep into the tournament are: Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers, James Harden and Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets, and Chris Paul and Blake Griffin of the LA Clippers in the Western Conference. These players are stars in their own right, and a few of them at current pace are locks for the Hall of Fame. However, in order for them to be the last man standing come June, these players need to hit the extra gear by elevating theirs' and their teammates' production. On court leadership, playing through injury, nailing clutch jump shots, and staying focused on days with no games are just a few examples of how a player has to elevate his game in order to make it into the championship ring.

In the Eastern Conference, Paul George, David West, and Roy Hibbert have to keep their Pacers on one accord if they expect to be successful in the anticipated Eastern Conference Finals rematch with the Miami Heat. George is the lead man in Indiana, and at 23 years old he has his hands full in trying to lead a less experienced Pacer team past the proven Heat. The two teams split four games this season, but basketball fans will tell you, the intensity is raised in the playoffs and minor lapses in focus can cost you a season’s worth or preparation.

John Wall, Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards are making their first playoff appearance since losing in three straight playoff series (2006-2008) to Lebron James when he was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wall and Beal were in high school during those days. Now Wall is an All-Star and Beal will be in the next two years. Wall, the highly decorated 2010 #1 overall pick is establishing himself as a force in the league. The world will find out soon enough if he is ready to lead a team past the first round. 

The Brooklyn Nets are a veteran laden team that who fear no man or no team. They will not blink if they find themselves down 2 with five seconds to play in a game seven situation. Led by Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, and Brook Lopez, the Nets also get toughness from sure-fire Hall of Famers, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Coached by Jason Kidd, these Brooklyn Nets will make a serious run for the Eastern Conference Finals. If either the Heat or Pacers were to be upset in route to their rematch, it will be the Nets or Chicago Bulls as the likely conqueror.

Also making an appearance in the 2014 NBA Playoffs is the Charlotte Bobcats, a team most famous for having Michael Jordan as it's owner. Yes, that Michael Jordan. Basketball analysts have questioned Jordan’s recent drafts picks, but his roster management worked this year as his Bobcats will play beyond the 82 game regular season. Ten-year veteran, Al Jefferson is the Bobcats leading scorer at 22 points per game. He will need to up that number closer to 30 a night if the Bobcats even want to begin thinking they will advance past the first round.

One of the biggest surprises of this year’s playoffs is the Atlanta Hawks. After trading or losing most of the parts of their most recent playoff teams, they were expected to be in rebuilding mode. However, young Jeff Teague helped the Hawks to remain relevant this year by leading them into the postseason. Do not expect the Hawks to be at the party for long. They are just not explosive enough to play with the competition they will face as a lower seed in this year’s playoff tournament.

Speaking of surprises, the biggest surprise of this season may very well be the New York Knicks not making the playoffs. Carmelo Anthony is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s 3-7 best players, so how and why a team he was playing on does not make the playoffs is concerning. He will become a free-agent this summer, and as of now many signs point toward him leaving New York unless the Zen Master, Phil Jackson can tame Anthony, a Baltimore native and convince him the Knicks franchise will become a serious contender for championships for the next 2-5 years. Nevertheless, Carmelo is gone fishin' early this season. 

After an exciting regular season, the level of play is about to be raised. The cheerleaders will yell a little louder, fans will pay closer attention to their superstitions, and someone will be crowned a champion when it is all over. The NBA Playoffs are here, which means summer is approaching!