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Eastern Conference, part 2

    4th and 26 is continuing the Eastern Conference Playoffs preview today. Breakdown of Caps-Flyers tomorrow or when I get around to it.

Washington Wizards:
HIBACHI! Seriously though, America just found out how much the Wiz need Gilbert Arenas. Two years ago, "Agent Zero" led the Bullets, ahem, the Wizards to a middling 42-40 record and a first round exit against LeBron and the Cavs. Last year, "Agent Zero" led the Wizards to a middling 41-41 record and a first round exit against LeBron and the Cavs. This year, Gilbert played in only 11 games. Caron Butler (20 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg) and Antwan Jamison (21 ppg, 10.5 rpg) stepped up and took over the team. Both are fine players and may be the cornerstones the franchise needs to build. However, if current playoff seedings hold, the Wizards will meet... LeBron James and the Cavs in the first round. I'm sure they're excited.

Philadelphia 76ers:
EVERYBODY left this team for dead through the first few months of the season. I remember Sports Illustrated's NBA preview, ESPN previews, and EVERY media outlet with the Sixers at the bottom of the Conference. I also remember shaking my head and saying to myself, "There's no way this team misses the playoffs." Crazy prediction of a hometown fan? Blind luck? Maybe. But look at the facts. Andre Iguodala, the team's alpha dog, has increased production steadily since his rookie season and averaged 20 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, and 2 spg, making the stat sheet his own personal novel. Sammy Dalambert, the self proclaimed "Hatian Sensastion", has his flaws (including, but not limited to: shooting, passing, holding on to the ball, complaining about minutes, ect.), but MORE than makes up for it with his defense and rebounding (10 pg). And he can dunk (51% fg). In fact, everyone on this team can dunk. Iggy, Rodney Carney and Thaddeus Young make this team's runnin', gunnin', wear you out athleticism and flashy swagger work. And without old man Andre Miller (17 ppg, 7 apg), they might just be running around in circles. Miller calms down the athletes, focuses them and runs a smooth fast break. This is one of the best teams in the league since the break (wins over SA, BOS, DET, DAL) and can DEFINITELY do some damage.

Toronto Raptors:
I truly believe Colangelo, their GM, is quite possibly top 5 in the league. He's built a team to last. Chris Bosh (22 ppg, 9 rpg, 1 spg, 1 bpg), the teams resident superstar, is, well, a monster. The rest of the team is built with good, not great players (Anthony Parker, TJ Ford, Jose Calderon) with nice contracts. Former no. 1 pick Andrea Bargiani is an OK player now, but may develop into something down the road. The problem with good but not great players and teams is simple: during the season, they may beat up on crappy teams and middle of the road teams, but when they're in the playoffs, they get blown out by the marquee teams. Oh well. As an Eagles fan, I've learned to appreciate making the playoffs but never winning the big one.  Get used to it, Toronto.

Atlanta Hawks:
No, that is not a typo. The Atlanta Hawks (yes, those Atlanta Hawks) are most likely making the playoffs. No seriously, I'm not lying. Don't get too excited; if the playoffs started today, they'd be the only team in the league to make the playoffs with a losing record (36-42). Their best player is a man whose best days are behind him (Mike Bibby had his glory days with C-Webb, Peja and that Kings team that should have beaten Shaq's Lakers) and someone who doesn't care about winning (Joe Johnson, who left the Suns for the Hawks. yeah, he stooped that low). The good thing about this team is the upside. Hey, if you're terrible every year, at least you get high draft picks, right? Al Horford, Josh Smith, Acie Law, and Marvin Williams will all be good one day. Just not good enough.

Predictions:
BOS over ATL in 4- Congrats, Atlanta! Your prize for making the playoffs-the right to play Boston! Enjoy!
DET over TOR in 5- Detroit's D smothers Bosh and the rest of the Raps.
PHI over ORL in 7- Usually, a 6-3 series isn't too exciting. But the Sixers are better than their record.
CLE over WAS in 4- Washington, meet Mr. James... oh, you two know each other already?

BOS over CLE in 5- The King was hoping to see the Pistons here, but ran into an angry KG instead.
DET over PHI in 7- A much improved Sixers team pushes the Pistons to the limit.

BOS over DET in 7- A battle for the ages. KG vs. Rasheed, Pierce vs. Rip and Chauncey, Tayshaun vs. Allen, can it get any better? I think not.
EC Champs- Boston.

By the way, I think either the Celtics or the Pistons can and will win the NBA Finals, no matter what allegedly superior WC team they have to beat.

Eastern Conference

While everyone at ESPN, Sports Illustrated and (insert national media outlet here) is going on and on writing the 50,485th story about how amazing the Western Conference playoffs are going to be, here at 4th and 26 the topic of discussion is the Eastern Conference playoffs (or the Leastern conference, as the "elites" in the West will have you believe). Let me remind you arrogant West Coasters that the east has taken two of the last four titles, and are primed to gather another one. 3 of 5 titles, or a superior out of conference record- which is more impressive? That's what I thought. On to the breakdown of the probable teams:

Boston Celtics:
What is there to say about Boston that hasn't been said? The Boston Three-Party (among other names) of Paul Pierce (19.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.6 apg), Ray Allen (17.9, 3.7, 3.9), and Kevin Garnett (19, 9.3. 3.9) is the favorite for the title. They have the best record in the league, a dominating record vs. the west, and a sweep of the fabled "Texas Triangle" (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio). Throw in some talented young guys (Rondo, Perkins, Big Baby) and the veteran presence of Sam Cassell, and what's not to like?
Well, for one, these guys haven't exactly performed spectacularly in the playoffs in the past. And Doc Rivers may have wore down his starters during the regular season. But those are minor concerns compared to the rest of the East. The Celtics are the definitive favorites.

Detroit Pistons:
The Spurs of the East- the team nobody wants to face. The team that lurks in the background, waiting to pounce and give you another ratings-killing finals and sound defense. This is without question one of the best and most experienced quartets in the league. Tayshaun Prince and his long arms and dogged defense. Chauncey "Mr. Big Shot" Billups and his rugged leadership. Richard "Rip" Hamilton (the one with mask, for all you non basketball fans) and his silky smooth jumper. And who can forget everyone's favorite ex- Jailblazer, your defending Technical Foul Champion for years running, Rasheed Wallace. They have some questions at center, but the supporting cast is filled with youthful future stars. I really feel Jason Maxiell is going to be a fantastic player someday. Watch out for this club- they can beat the Celtics. Emphasis on "can". Should be an amazing EC Final if they both make it.

Orlando Magic:
Dwight Howard is the best Center in the league. There is no contest. He has taken the mantle from the Diesel. 20.8 ppg and 15.4 rpg. make him the almost unanimous choice for All NBA First Team Center. Outside of him, they have the well-paid Rashard Lewis, who never really found his groove in Orlando, but is still a solid player. Hedo Turkoglu is a well-deserved candidate for Most Improved Player. Jameer Nelson, a Philadelphia hero, is a contributor as well.
(Oh, and on a side note: to all college basketball announcers and well-meaning friends of mine who told me JJ Redick was going to be a good player in the NBA: I told you so. 0 Games Started, 43 % FG, and 3.5 ppg. Speaking of which, whatever happened to Christian Laettner?)

Cleveland Cavaliers:
LeBron James. 30.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 7.3 apg, 1.8 bpg, 1.0 spg... I could go on, but that would just be because there's nothing to write about for the rest of the team. LeBron James is the team. Big Z is an OK player, but OK doesn't win championships. Wally Sczerbiak just hasn't looked comfortable since the trade. And Ben Wallace is probably telling Daniel Gibson that back in his day, he walked uphill both ways to the NBA Championship, and is struggling to remember whether he guarded Shaq or Kareem or possibly Mikan in the finals. Oh well. If Bron-Bron catches fire, this team can go places. If not, first round exit. Simple as that. Did I mention LeBron James plays for this team?

The rest of the playoff teams and predictions either after class or tomorrow.. whichever I feel like. Thanks for reading.

Intro

    Jim Rome? Skip Bayless? Stephen A. Smith? Honestly? This is what "journalism" is today? This is what we've become? I'm not one for taking unnecessary jabs at individuals I don't personally know, but as a devoted sports fan, and as someone who follows quality journalism and sound thinking, these people do not cut it. They just don't. Maybe I didn't graduate from the Bill O'Reilly school of journalism, but yelling as loud as you can and making witty quips doesn't qualify you as an expert. That's why I'm not going to consider myself an expert. I consider myself someone who is going to look into his subject, research information, and make informed an informed analysis on whatever it is I'm writing about. However, that's not to say I'm going to make this a dry, bland site; There will be opinion, and it will be strong opinion. You may think I'm an idiot for what I say sometimes. But I have reasons behind my thinking. And I will do my best to convey them as efficiently as I can. That is the point of this site: to give the reader an informed viewpoint from a passionate fan.
    This site will be based primarily on Philadelphia sports. If you don't like that, then that's a damn shame. My apologies for being blunt, but I feel as though it's necessary to put that on the table first and foremost. Yes, Mets/Cowboys/Giants fans, I know the amount of championships we've won since 1983. Thank you for reminding me of my traumatic childhood. Hope you feel better about yourself.
    Hopefully the title will come. Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young are going to lead the Sixers to a bright future, but I don't think they're quite there yet. And despite 3 MVP candidates and an ace pitcher, the Phils got swept in the first round last year. But just maybe they can swing it to at least a pennant in October. The Flyers begin their run this week against Ovechkin and his boys. Most experts I read tell me they have no chance. I'm not listening.
     And that leaves my beloved Eagles. Asaunte Samuel was good for a week or two of bragging, but a highly-paid corner alone doesn't bring you a championship; ask Clements and the 49ers. But we've got the best running back in the league, a solid offensive line, decent (maybe) receivers, LJ back at TE, and our defense is looking MONSTROUS this year, with the D-Line and secondary receiving upgrades (not to mention the young, rabid linebacking core). I also believe that Donovan has a few good years left. With some help in special teams in the draft, I truly feel that the Eagles are going to return to contender status.
     And that's what sports are about. Sure, the stereotype Philly fan is a pessimistic loser who chucks snowballs at santa (50 YEARS AGO, PEOPLE! DROP IT!). But really, we're optimistic. No matter how bleak things look, no matter how much we supposedly hate our players, we show up every year. We always are there for our team. We're united in our hatred for the Cowboys. And most of all, we'd gladly fight for our team. So yes, I believe the Eagles will be packing their bags for Tampa come February. And no, I don't think I'm crazy. I am not taking any mind-altering drugs. I just believe in my team. Like a fan should.