The Show Must Go On

It’s been hard to write about basketball since the Bulls lost two weeks ago, but as they say, the show must go on. And it has. The Clippers beat the Grizzlies in game 7 last Sunday, the 13^th and were just swept by the Spurs in game 4 last night. The 76ers beat the Bulls Thursday the 10^th and are tied 2-2 against the good, but aging Celtics (game 5 tonight). The Pacers beat the Magic in game 5 two weeks ago and have been battling it out with the Heat since then (Pacers lead the series 2-1 with game 4 tomorrow night). I never thought I would say this but Go Pacers! The Lakers beat the Nuggets in game 7 (an excruciating series to watch) last Saturday, the 12^th and are on the verge of losing to the Thunder, who leads the series 3-1 (game 5 tonight). Sorry LA fans, but I think OKC has this one.

Injuries in the regular season and especially in the post-season have had major effects on all NBA team standings. Dwight Howard's back injury destroyed the Magic's hopes for the post-season before it even began (Magic lost in the first round to the Pacers). Chris Paul's injured hip and Blake Griffin's sprained knee were contributing factors to the Clippers' defeat against the Spurs in the second round. Chris Bosh's abdominal strain has made it difficult for the Heat to stay ahead of the Pacers, who are currently leading the series in the second round. And probably the worst of all the injuries was Derrick Rose’s torn ACL with just under two minutes remaining in game 1 against the 76ers—we all know how that turned out for the Bulls. There are many more players who have been injured in this 2011-2012 NBA season, but listing all of them would turn this post into a short novel. My point is all of these big players’ injuries have made huge (and obvious) negative impacts on the outcome of their team’s ability to make it to the finals. What’s the cause for all of the injuries this year? Shortened season? Accidents? Fate? Let me know your thoughts.

The only teams who seem to be healthy are the Spurs, Thunder, Pacers and 76ers. I think it’s safe to say that on the West, San Antonio will face OKC for the final spot. Although the Thunder has the best fans in the NBA (Have you heard how loud they get from tip-off to the end? They’re crazy loud.), my money is still on the Spurs. Honestly, I would be happy with either team making it since both teams have had phenomenal seasons and beyond talented players, who have played consistently and proven themselves over and over again this season. But I’m still thinking Spurs. San Antonio has been the most consistent, most healthy and most excitingly boring team in the NBA this year. Between their Big Three (Parker, Duncan and Ginobili) and Gregg Popovich’s coaching, I think they have championship written all over them. Either way, I’m hoping the West wins because I don’t like the looks of any team in the East. Although the Pacers currently have the lead in the series and Bosh’s injury definitely impacts the Heat’s chances to make it to the finals, I have a horrible feeling that the Heat will somehow press on and defeat the Pacers. As for the 76ers and Celtics, both teams look the same to me: the 76ers are fast and young(er) and the Celtics are experienced and old, so it evens out. It really can go either way in my opinion, but I believe whichever team wins will lose to the winner of the Pacers-Heat series.

In the end, I think it’s going to come down to the Spurs vs Heat. Like I said earlier, I would love for either the Spurs or Thunder to make it to the end, but I think San Antonio is stronger and has a better chance of beating Miami than OKC or any other team in the West does. Why pick the Heat for the East? Because the Pacers or 76ers vs the Spurs or Thunder will result in the NBA losing more money than it already has lost with the reason being ‘extremely boring championship match-up’. And everyone is just sick of the Celtics being in the finals. I could be wrong, but either way, I’m hoping the West takes this one.

Who do you think will make it to the finals?