Last year's playoffs weren't short on drama. The Dallas Mavericks put together an improbable playoff run that culminated with their victory over the Miami Heat. As we fast forward to '12, there's plenty to look forward to.
The 2012 “Zach Randolph” player-
It’s not always a complement to be mentioned in the same breath as Zach Randolph, especially if you’re an overweight big man who plays some indifferent defense; but in this rare case, it’s a good thing. If you watched even a second of the playoffs last season (if you didn’t I don’t know why you’d be reading this column anyways) then you probably noticed some chubby, undersized power forward tear through the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Randolph went from obscurity to basketball stardom. This year Al Jefferson is primed to do the same. Ironically enough, Jefferson, who quietly averaged 19 points and 10 boards this season, will matchup vs. the Spurs first round. Prepare for Jeffersonity.
Player to watch-
Player A: 29.5 PPG, 5 APG, 7 RPG
Player B: 30 PPG, 3.6 APG, 7 RPG
Which one of these players is the favorite to win MVP this season? Hard to guess from these numbers, huh? (Yes, this is all part of the plan). I’ll give you time to think…and times up. Player A is LeBron James’s averages for the month of April, Player B is Carmelo Anthony’s. The Heat have a tough draw first round against the Knicks, especially with Anthony bustin’ out some vintage Melo as of late. Melo vs. LeBron is easily the most star-studded first round player matchup, and it will be a fun one to watch on both ends. If Melo continues his hot streak into the postseason, the Heat may face an early exit.
Dark Horse Team- Los Angeles Lakers
I know what you’re gonna say. How can the Lakers, who constantly shine under the glamour of Hollywood and receive globs of media attention, be a dark horse team? Well, for once, they’re simply underrated. And they’re success starts in the middle. For the first time in his career, Andrew Bynum has played a complete season (besides the early season suspension), and put a career high 19 PPG and 11 RPG. His season has been, dare I say, Shaq-like. This was the formula to the Lakers success earlier in the decade, feed the big man early in the game and start kicking out to Kobe once he draws double teams. Of course Bynum isn’t Shaq, but there aren’t many big man in the league who could body up his 7 foot, 285 pound frame. Factor in the Ramon Sessions acquisition, which filled the empty hole at point guard also known as the decrepit Derek Fisher, and you got yourselves a contender.
Most intriguing first round match-up- Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Storylines. This matchup is chock-full of them. It’s the new team in Hollywood’s first playoff go-around, and Chris Paul’s first time playing with an actual capable team. I already mentioned the Zach Randolph Resurgence of 2011, and this time the Grizzlies have their star Rudy Gay in full form. This matchup has the makings of a surefire slugfest. If you scroll down, you’ll see Mikey already analyzed this matchup in depth, so need to explain any further. Just watch it.
Most intriguing potential match-up- Bulls vs. Celtics/Heat
Let's call this game the "Scalabrine Bowl."
As you know if you’ve read my past columns or know me personally, I am a diehard Bulls fan. So of course I picked two potential 2nd and 3rd round matchups for Chicago. The Celtics matchup has some nostalgia to it; no one could forget the 2009 seven-game series that included seven total OT periods and countless clutch time moments (probably a little more than desired, I nearly had a heartache on several occasions). Much has changed since the last time these two went at it in the playoffs; the Celtics are aging and underdogs, and the Bulls have a revamped roster with experienced talent. Regardless, the result may be eerily similar. The same could be said for the potential Heat vs. Bulls matchup. Last season the Heat beat the Bulls in 5, but the series was a lot closer than it looked. This Bulls roster adds a year of playoff experience under its belt, but unfortunately, the Heat do as well. Will Derrick Rose return to full form and put on a show? Could other players contribute around him? Can anyone put so much as a hand in LeBron’s face as he shoots? I guess we’ll find the answers to those questions and many others as we enter the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
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