The NBA Playoffs - 4/19/11

"The Oklahoma City Thunder. An appropriate name: they bring the boom every night. This team presents match-up nightmares that leave opposing coaches sleepless. Kevin Durant is a superstar, no question. He's ready to take that next step and be a champion. His team's crowd is thunderous as well. Can the scariest and most brazen team in the NBA bullrush their way to a title? The quest starts now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Denver Nuggets are just that, a collection of golden nuggets. This team was built with very skilled yet underrated players. However, none of them qualify as 'stars.' Gold shines just as brightly as stars though, as the Nuggets rolled into the Playoffs with their new players. Can this team band together and play well enough to mine a championship out of their efforts? It all begins now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"New look, New York. The acquisitions of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups give the New York Knicks a newfound killer instinct. Amare Stoudemire is a one-man wrecking crew in the paint. This team was built to bring respect back to the Garden. Anthony and Stoudemire are now in prime position for a title. Will they bring swagger and the trophy back to the Big Apple? The quest starts here. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Boston Celtics. What more needs to be said? Much like the Lakers, the Celtics have a reputation that precedes them. When the Big Three came together in '08, they all got what had been pining for: a championship. Now, with different pieces in place, this team is primed to make a final run at a legacy that will place them in the conversation with Celtic teams of the past: trophy #2. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The paragon of pedigree. The Los Angeles Lakers are the original champions and the two-time defending champions. They've had both Hall of Fame coaches and players. Now in the midst of a second three-peat, they come into the Playoffs as a powerful 2-seed. Phil's looking for three-peat number 4, while Kobe's looking to equal His Airness. Will he tie MJ's six rings? It all starts now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Underrated, the New Orleans Hornets sneak into the Playoffs as a 7-seed. This is a team with shooters, rebounders, and playmakers, the ingredients of a champion. Led by perennial superstar Chris Paul, the Hornets can make plays and make them in a hurry. His control of this offense is what can take them all the way. Will Paul join Drew Brees as a hero of the Big Easy? The quest starts here. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Old legs? Experienced minds. The seasoned San Antonio Spurs are about as consistent as they come. The term dynasty has floated around their team for years now, and while they deny it, the rings tell another story. However, none of their core stars are getting any younger, and the conference is catching up. Can Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan deliver one last stand like the Alamo? It begins now. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Under the radar. That's the best way to describe the Memphis Grizzlies. However, stars such as Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol would blips on any radar. Another young team in the Playoffs, the Grizzlies are out looking for respect in the tough Western Conference. Most importantly, they are looking for something they couldn't find back in Vancouver: an NBA championship. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Rose City boys are surely budding. The Portland Trailblazers have a young core that is ready to rise and be among the elite in the West. Akin to roses, this team has players that are thorns in opponents' sides. LaMarcus Aldridge and new face Gerald Wallace lead an athletic and versatile team looking to revive the fervor of the Drexler days while capturing the hardware of the Walton days. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"A model of consistency, the Dallas Mavericks have very little to prove. However, they have very much to gain. A ring would provide a final substantiation to the great careers of their stars. Led by perennial all-star Dirk Nowitzki, this venerated crew is out to outdo the other Lone Star team, cap off yet another 50+ win season, and finally earn what they've been striving for: a championship. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The Highlight Factory is open yet again. After shocking the world in 2008, the Atlanta Hawks have been steadily improving year after year. Now, with Joe Johnson as the alpha male, Jamal Crawford as the reserve scorer, Josh Smith as the X-factor, and Al Horford as the consistent rebounder, this cast is ready for a new highlight: confetti falling as they bring the trophy home to the Big Peach. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Poof. The Orlando Magic appear in the Eastern Conference Playoffs yet again. Superman has had another stellar season, sending shots into the stands and leaping tall defenders in a single bound. After a mid-season swing of the wand, this team appears ready to run deep into the Playoffs with a revamped roster. Is Disneyworld ready for Dwight to bring a championship home? The cape is donned. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"Miami Thrice. The Heatles. No matter the name, the triumvirate of Bosh, Wade, and James is a force to be reckoned with. The King is as determined as ever to validate his throne, and Bosh is ready to be a champion. Flash already has a ring; now he's looking to turn Miami into Titletown. Sexy women? Check. Great weather? Check. Picturesque beaches? Check. Dynasty? The road begins here. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The boys from the birthplace of the Constitution: the 76ers. Emerging from the city of hoagies is the 7-seed, a team with few supporters but a lot of heart. With the resolve of Rocky Balboa and a star in Andre Iguodala, this team is out to shock the world. The current AI is out to do what the last AI, Allen Iverson, did for this team: singlehandedly guide them to the Finals. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"The United Center: the house that Michael built. These Chicago Bulls are trying to bring home the gift that MJ bestowed six times upon the Windy City. Led by presumptuous MVP Derrick Rose, this is a team that peaked into the best record and the number one seed in the East. Now is Rose's time to cement himself to be mentioned with, and maybe one day have a statue next to, His Airness. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

"And here are the Indiana Pacers. A brash young team with nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Their star, Danny Granger, has been under the radar for years, though he could be described as a poor man's Carmelo. With a nucleus of budding athletic scorers and a chance at a Bulls team that has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight and a number one seed, anything can happen. The 2011 NBA Playoffs."

-A. Lewis