Just a reminder that voting closes at 11:59.59 tonight
Oops, sorry, I was late to the party. I'm still going to explain my disregarded votes, if that's alright, since I agonized over them for
so too long.
Honestly, these are all great first round series in my mind.
1/8 Matchup - Utah is a terribly tricky match up for 1st seed Buffalo. Nowitzki can go shot for shot with Jamison, has the same taste for perimeter play, but with a size advantage and better court vision. Duhon is solid, Billups is a post season star. And the Jazz can throw a lot of different looks at Howard.
Buffalo seems to be running away with it, so I'm going to honor Utah with the upset vote, although I'm also on board with the Braves and love their core.
2/7 Matchup - I left Golden State out of the playoffs but that was a tough decision, and they present a tough match up for Portland, playing an uptempo style with a lot of firepower in the backcourt to prey on the Blazers' defensive problems. Okur vs either O'Neal is also an interesting match-up. And to further confuse matters, both teams have starters who have yet to return to the basketball court.
In the end I don't trust G.S.'s bench to handle the Crotornats Cavalry. (Please nobody ask me what's going to be different about Portland/Houston.)
3/6 Matchup - The Southwest is the best.
4/5 Matchup - I read a ton of takes on the Suns/Sonics playoff series. (Best debate thus far?) And almost swung my vote to Phoenix, on the strength of IP's arguments. I do prefer the Suns at three positions, but not their chances against Ben Gordon, or their bench, or Jefferson over Duncan despite the numbers (which might make me irrational. But that's hardly the only evidence...).