Looking at the next slate of NBA playoff series, I have to be excited for the countless hours of basketball I will be watching over the next week and a half. Yes, the Boston Celtics are playing the Miami Heat, the Atlanta Hawks are playing the Chicago Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks are playing the Los Angeles Lakers, the Memphis Grizzlies are playing the Oklahoma City Thunder, and this could not be a better postseason.
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
This has been the series the basketball community has been awaiting since the regular season began back in October. The Big Four are playing the Big Three in a battle for the best collective of stars in the Eastern Conference. The Heat took the first game behind the superb shooting of James Jones and the phenomenal play of Dwyane Wade. Still, the series is far from over, as Paul Pierce is sure to be enraged after his ejection in the fourth quarter. I definitely wish I had Miami Heat tickets for Game 2!
Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls
This is not the best series, but it is interesting because this series will demonstrate if the Chicago Bulls are really ready to compete for a spot in the NBA Finals. History is on the Bulls side. Every time the Bulls have won more than 60 regular season games they have made it to the finals and have emerged victorious. Also, that first Bulls team that one 60-plus games came into the playoffs heavily doubted. Of course, those Chicago Bulls had Michael Jordan. If this Bulls team is able to play a team game in the fourth quarter and Rose is not carrying this team on his back, then history just may repeat itself.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Did you know that Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant have playing each other in the regular season since 1998? Did you know Dirk broke down barriers for international prospects, leading to over reaching in the drafts for years? Did you know Kobe broke down barriers for high school prospects, leading to overreaching in the draft for years? Yet, this is the first time these future hall of fame basketball players will meet in the postseason.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Meet two young teams that have played some of the best basketball in the first round. The difference is that the Thunder are supposed to be in the semifinals and the Grizzlies were not supposed to be in the playoffs. Yet, the Grizzlies have managed to take Game 1. This is going to be fun to watch.