Out all the first round matchups I find it very suprising that the Atlanta Hawks took the Boston Celtics into game seven. I was suprised the Hawks made the playoffs in the first place. Was this a collapse by the juggernaut Celts or did the young Hawks play some of the best basketball of their life?
I tend to lean towards a collapse. Eighty two games is enough for a team to prove itself and the Celtics showed to be the best team in the east, while the Hawks displayed average at best basketball. The playoff atmosphere got to the Celtics and they started to gaze into the future while Joe Johnson was draining basket after basket and giving Boston a run for their money.
If the Celtics don't step it up in this next series they will not last as long. They were barely able to contain Joe Johnson and the not so lethal Hawks lineup, what will they do to contain LeBron James? The overall lack of defense is the primary reason that LeBron was able to take the Cavs into the NBA Finals. And who stopped them? The defensive minded Spurs.
More out of the first round is the stellar play of the New Orleans Hornets. David West looked solid in the first game of the second round against the Spurs, and the Hornets defense held Tim Duncan to a mere five points and three rebounds. I expect the Spurs to comeback and make this a series, but the Hornets are continually underestimated.
My pick for the finals: Pistons v. Hornets
