Orlando and Brooklyn Make Early Statements In NBA Playoffs

The Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets were just supposed to be here for the fun of the NBA Playoffs, but apparently, neither team got the memo. The Magic stopped the Toronto Raptors 104-101 and The Nets beat Philadelphia by a score of 111-102. San Antonio stop the Denver Nuggets 101-96 as well which many people thought was an upset. Anytime you play San Antonio they can beat you. It's just the nature of the beast.

Now all three teams did come up with big wins, but the odds of them winning the series is still remote at best. Out of all three teams, Orlando has the best shot of pulling the upset. Why Orlando? Since the All-Star break, they have been playing very well. We all know how Toronto seems to shrink in the playoffs so I give Orlando the best shot.

Can Lebron James Will His Team To Victory?

Not too many players will be out practicing 10 hours before a game, but Lebron James is which is a testament to his greatness. After the Game 1 beatdown at the hand of the Boston Celtics Lebron James knows he must be a whole lot better if the Cavaliers are to win Game 2. Now Lebron James cannot do it alone as his supporting cast must step up in a big way. Boston will have the crowd behind them and Cleveland will have their hands full. Can James will his team to victory? Let's take a closer look at what the Cavaliers must do to win Game 2.

Look for Ty Lue to make some lineup changes in Game 2. Tristan Thompson will probably be inserted into the lineup to slow down Al Horford. In the past, Thompson has had good success against Horford and the Cavaliers hope he can keep it up. Other things the Cavaliers must do is hit shots when given the opportunity. Brad Stevens will make those looks tough as the Celtics are No.1 in team defense.  Cleveland must limit turnovers and also play sound defense. It won't be easy, but Cleveland can win, but it will take a team effort and a monster type game from King James.

Could Carmelo Anthony Be The Piece The Celtics Need To Be A Contender?

Carmelo Anthony could be a Knick all season, but he also could get traded to a number of teams. An interesting thought is Melo going to the Boston Celtics. Now the Celtics in recent years has been a team that has made some crazy moves in the past. When they brought in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen we all know how well that went. Could Carmelo give the Celtics what they need to compete with other teams in the East? Let's take a closer look at this idea and why it could become a reality.

Phil Jackson and The New York Knicks have been trying to move Melo for awhile now and without much success. They thought Cleveland would take him, but with Love going down that is very unlikely now. The Knicks now must look elsewhere and a interesting landing place could be the Boston Celtics.  Boston needs a player to help compete against the Cavaliers in the East and Melo could be that guy. He will give u 20 points a night which can be huge when playoff time comes.

The Celtics sit only 3 games behind the Cavaliers for best in the East. Isaiah Thomas has been carrying the Celtics, but I'm sure he would love some help against the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Like him or hate him Melo is an option that I'm sure Danny Ainge and the Celtics are looking real close at right now. With Brad Stevens as coach I'm sure he could get Melo to fit right in with the Celtics.

Kobe Tells SI Lakers Will Make Playoffs

Well you have to give Kobe Bryant credit he has a lot of confidence in himself and his team it seems. In an interview for Sports Illustrated Kobe Bryant tells the magazine that the Lakers will make the playoffs and he fears no team in the Western Conference. Is this idle talk or does Kobe really believe that his team is going to be that good later this season.

Now I will agree with Kobe Bryant that the Los Angeles Lakers will make the playoffs, but that is as far as my predicting will go with them. Yes, the Lakers have Kobe, but that is all really. Dwight Howard cannot be counted on and you do not know what you are getting with Steve Nash on a nightly basis. Howard disappears in games and when you get to the playoffs that cannot happen.

I admire Kobe for his confidence, but in reality they will be a first round loser plain and simple. You just cannot turn it on and off when you want in the NBA. There are two many good teams in the Western Conference and the Lakers are just average at best Kobe.

Dwight Howard Will Have Back Surgery Done For Season

The Orlando Magic got the kinda of news they did not want to hear as their superstar in the middle Dwight Howard will be done for the season. This is huge for the Magic who rely on Howard for many things, but now they must play without him in the playoffs. Orlando all season has shown they can play well, but have never put it together when they really need too. Now without Dwight Howard everyone must step up and that includes his replace Glen "Big Baby" Davis who has been play well as of late.

Others on Orlando such as Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson will also need to play big roles. Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick must provide offense in big numbers for the Magic. It will be interesting to see how deep in the playoffs that the Magic can go without Howard. It could be one and done for Orlando unless they come together in a big way. Only time will tell what will happen, but with playoffs approaching fast we will know real soon.

Atlanta Hawks 2011-12 Preview-Will The Hawks Soar Higher In 2012

The Atlanta Hawk last season proved a lot of doubters wrong and are looking for the 2011-2012 season to be even better for them. If they are going to improve on last season they will do it without Jamal Crawford who signed with Portland. He will be missed by the Hawks, but they will just need to get contributions from others. One guy that will need to step up will be Jeff Teague on the offensive end. He plays good defense, but they need more from him on the offensive end.

For Atlanta Joe Johnson will be the guy they count on in the clutch and when they need that winning shot. He should flourish with Crawford gone as he will get more shots. The frontline of the Hawks are solid and should give teams a lot of trouble. Atlanta has good depth and I look for the Hawks again to soar high this year. A well rested Tracy McGrady should give the Hawks instant offense off the bench as well. I look for the Hawks to be a major player come playoff time in 2012.