the playoff match-ups are out so I will pick em:

Conference Quarters

Spurs > Grizzlies

Lakers > Hornets

Blazers > Mavs

Thunder > Nuggets

Bulls > Pacers

Heat > 76ers

Celtics > Knicks

Orlando > Atlanta

Conference Semis

Thunder > Spurs

Lakers > Blazers

Bulls > Orlando

Heat > Celtics

Conference Finals

Lakers > Thunder

Heat > Bulls

Finals

Lakers > Heat

^ I actually completely agree with that except I'm taking the Mavs over the Blazers and Heat over the Lakers.

Probably the best defensive player in NBA history.

As far as the picks in the playoff picture im not going to try an predict every single game. I think in the end its going to be Lakers vs. Magic.

As far as The Heat im just really going off the fact that I detest them. I would hate to see them make it to the finals their first year, and win anything. I dont think they can keep up the level of play in the playoffs when every possession is 10 times more intense than the regular season. They still lack in the bench department, and Bosh will probally choke when the pressure hits.

Derrick Rose is having a phenomenol year, but he just doesnt have the help he needs around him. I like Rose and wouldnt mind a Bulls vs Lakers championship. Sadly for Derrick and company I just dont see it happening. Of course ive been wrong before.

Overall I think in the end with a Magic vs Lakers championship fans would be satisfied. They match up fairly well and could easily go 7 games to be decided. Again assuming Howard has no more tech issues, and Bynum for the Lakers stays healthy. I think the Lakers come out victorious in the end, and Kobe adds another ring to his existing 5.

I will say right now, anyone who is NOT picking the Lakers to win it all is a damn fool. I DO think Kobe is a bit over rated and their big men are under rated (well by the public casual fans anyways). People forget how bad Kobe sucked last year in the biggest game of the year (Game 7 of the Finals) but got bailed out by Gasol and Perkins getting hurt for Boston. Of course Kobe still gets all the glory, because he's Kobe... But there's my mini rant on Kobe. The media just loves riding his jock. But cmon, the Lakers have 3 great 7-footers, it's almost unfair. Kobe will take all the shots down the stretch because his ego is too big to not take them, and he'll get enough help to win another ring. There is no way anyone is stopping LA, they just dominate the boards and Kobe will probably get to the foul like 30 times each game. There is ZERO chance they don't at least win the west.

For the East, I'm not sure. Bulls have been so great all year, they will obviously be tough. Really hard for me to go against Boston given their track record and all those veterans. Heat are legit too. I don't think Magic have a chance, Dwight gets called for too many bullshit fouls and his fouls will cost them at least a game or two in a series. So, I'm going Lakers > Celtics in 7

I agree... but Ben Wallace??

He might be the most versatile. Tough to classify as the best though becuase of different positions/roles.

Perimeter Defender: Gary Payton (Pippen)
Interior Defender: Hakeem Olajuwon (Mutumbo, Russell)

Some great names right there. I'd definitely give versatility to Rodman. He could play pretty much any position and was always undersized in the post, but never backed down from anyone. You were gonna have to go through Rodman's sternum to get a bucket. Damnit I miss Dennis Rodman, he was awesome.

Two guys who might not get enough love for their defense is KG and Duncan. In my opinion two of the best post defenders of their generations. KG better guarding pick and roll type situations and Duncan better at guarding back to the basket guys in the post.

There's been a long running debate on an NBA forum I post on sometimes. Who is better: Duncan or Garnett Not specifically right now, just overall when you look at them as players and their careers, who is better? Use whatever criteria you want. It always seems to be split down the middle with opinions on this

^ It's lame, but I can't decide. I consider them equal. They're two of the best in history. I will say about Duncan though, that when I think of the word reliable, he's the first guy that comes to mind. You always know what you'll get. Of course KG is no slouch either.

a few thoughts on some contenders:

Bulls: they had a great regular season. however, they are too inexperienced(playoff-wise especially) to make it past the conference finals. really young teams don't win big in the playoffs. also, they are a jump shooting team after rose and boozer, which doesn't bode well for their chances.

Spurs: I did my picks before I knew Manu was injured. they could lose to the grizzlies if he can't play. this is another jump shooting team that will struggle to defend big teams(lakers).

Thunder: dark-horse title contender. with Perk, they match up with lakers much more favorably. the lakers still have the edge down low, but if the lakers can force Durant/Westbrook into being volume scorers, the lakers win(I assume Kobe and Artest will be able to). I know I'm being a big fat hypocrite because these are KIDS, but they went 6 with the Lakers just last year.

Heat: if LeBron doesn't have an absolutely phenomal playoff run, I would be astonished. he has the most to prove of any player considering how his last playoff series ended. the big question mark is whether or not Bosh wants to be the junkyard dog and rebound when things get tough. another is whether or not they can get bench production.

Celtics: they killed their chances with the Perk trade IMO. J O'neal is a corpse and Shaq can't give them big minutes. Big Baby will play ok, but I doubt he could shine. also, at this stage, would you really expect Boston to win the SG and SF matchups VS the Heat?

Lakers: I think they could actually win it without Bynum, because Barnes can solidly guard the 4. I would be really surprised if they don't win it.

I agree with a lot of that, but honestly I think the Bulls do have a good chance. They have solid big men in Boozer and Noah (as long as Boozer doesn't get hurt...), and obviously solid guard play mostly in Rose. Celtics did kill their chances, honestly, I think the Knicks might make it past them.

Personally I'm not a big Heat fan at all, and I doubt they'll make it past the conference finals, they're too inconsistent, and IMO too arrogant.

I'm predicting a Lakers and Bulls final, but that's just me.