It's time.  The Cavs lost the season finale to the Hawks, but the time for LeBron to rest is over with.  I must say, it kind of bothers me that we're "limping" into the playoffs on a 4-game losing streak.  Mike Brown decided he didn't care, since we've already locked up home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Cleveland, it is time for an NBA championship.  LeBron, in his 7th season, is poised to win it all.  This is the best supporting cast The King has had since he's been here.  There aren't any excuses that can be made this year.  Shaq Diesel has had a long time to get into playoff shape, and he's vowed his mission here is "To win a ring for the King".

Well, it all starts today.  Chicago beat out Toronto for the right to play the Cavs in the 1st round.  They probably think they have a chance to shock the world and upset the best team in the NBA.  Not happening.  Chicago doesn't have the depth or skill to match up with us.  Think about our bigs, there's just too many of them.  Zydrunas, Shaquille, Varejao, and Hickson.  Brad Miller and Joakim Noah aren't exactly on their level.

16 victories.  That's all we need to bring home the trophy.  This is the best chance a Cleveland professional franchise has ever had to win a championship since 1964.  We are considered to be the favorite, and rightly so.  A lot of people are saying the Bulls will steal at least one game in this series, but I just don't see it happening.  LeBron is on a mission.  Cavs sweep the Bulls, although a few games will come down to the end.

This is the best time of the year.  School is winding down, and the NBA playoffs are starting.  There are so many good playoff matchups in the 1st round alone.  In the East you have Chicago vs. Cleveland aka Rose vs. LeBron.  My next favorite matchup is Orlando vs. MJ's Charlotte Bobcats.  Orlando will likely win this series, but it won't be easy.  In the end, too much Dwight Howard for the Bobcats to deal with.  Orlando needs 7 games to win here.  

Then you have the Celtics facing Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.  Dwayne's a superstar in this league, but his lack of a supporting cast will equal a first-round exit.  On a team with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.. Rondo is still their best player.  Too much Rondo, not enough Flash.  Boston wins in 5.  Boston's cast of senior citizens live to fight another day.

Atlanta takes on the Bucks, who are without Andrew Bogut.  Atlanta is tough this year, and without Bogut the Bucks don't stand a chance.  I like Brandon Jennings, but they just don't have enough other pieces to contend this year.  The Hawks rely on Joe Johnson, Jamal Crawford, and Josh Smith to run over the Bogut-less Bucks.  Atlanta wins this series in 5 games.

In the West, things are a lot more wide-open.  The Lakers are not the team they were last year.  They miss Trevor Ariza.  They back into the playoffs losing 7 of their last 11, including losses against the LA Clippers, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City.

There are a lot of good matchups in the 1st round, but the most intriguing is obviously Kobe vs. Durantula.  Phil Jackson knows his team is on-the-brink of an early exit, which explains why he threw $35,000 down the toilet to try to get into Durant's head by saying he draws too many ticky-tack fouls.  The referees won't adjust their calls; I don't see that affecting this series.  As much as I'd love to see the Lakers lose this series, it's not happening.  Lakers win this one in 5 games, although the games will be a lot closer than the Zen Master would like.  Durant's time is next year.  He needs more than Russell Westbrook to take down the Lakers.

Denver vs. Utah is an interesting series as well.  Carlos Boozer will be the reason why the Jazz do NOT win this series.  He thinks he's way better than he actually is.  Had he stayed in Cleveland, he would have had a much better chance at coming away with a ring.  Too much Carmelo Anthony, and even without George Karl on the sidelines, the Nuggets take this one in 6 games.  The Nuggets are going to make a run this year.  You heard it here first.

Steve Nash and the Suns take on the Trail Blazers.  No Brandon Roy and no Greg Oden means no wins.  I'm taking the Suns in a 4-0 sweep.  The Blazers won't be able to keep up with Nash, Stoudemire, and Channing Frye.  Frye can knock down 3's with the best of 'em.  Sorry Blazers, better luck next time.

The Dallas Mavericks are a trendy pick to come out of the West.  They've been playing great, and with the addition of Caron Butler they add another degree of toughness.  Dirk Nowitzki is one of the game's pure scorers, and they look tough this year.  Jason Kidd is a playoff-tested point guard.  But for some reason, it takes them 7 games to barely hang on and beat the San Antonio Spurs.  Greg Popovich always seems to get the best out of players during the postseason.  Unfortunately, Richard Jefferson holds this team back and their defense can't hang.  They do win 3 games and take a 3-2 lead in the series, but lose the next 2 and are sent home.

So, let's recap my picks here.  Cleveland, Boston, Orlando, and Atlanta in the East.  No surprises there.  In the West, the Lakers, Nuggets, Suns, and Mavericks all make it to the 2nd round.

Playoff time is great.  All of these series are going to be competitive, except for Phoenix/Portland and Atlanta/Milwaukee.  If you think about it though, all of these teams are just playing for the chance to ultimately lose to LeBron and the Cavaliers.  I am convinced this is our year.  Too much talent and too much depth for any other team to win a series against us.  LeBron's bringing the championship to Cleveland this year, the next year, the year after that, etc..  The Cavaliers are poised to become a dynasty.  It all starts today.  LeBron James is underrated


          

The Cavaliers play the Chicago Bulls tonight on national television.  Kind of odd that our last game was with the Raptors, who are currently engaged in an intense battle with the Bulls for the 8th spot in the playoffs (aka the right to lose to the Cavs.)  Since Cleveland has already secured the #1 seed and homecourt throughout the playoffs, the 8th seed will have to face LeBron and company. 

Currently, the 8th seed belongs to the Toronto Raptors.  They are barely holding on though, and their 1/2 game lead is in serious jeopardy.  Toronto has to be pretty upset about the fact that Bosh was critically injured during the last Cavs game, and they won't have him any time soon.  They lost again last night, and also lost Hedo Turkoglu to injury, adding to their misery. 

This is why tonight's game could have a significant impact on who the Cavs face in the first round of the playoffs.  If Chicago can somehow beat Cleveland tonight, they will tie the Raptors for the 8th and final seed in the playoffs.  They then play New Jersey tomorrow night, and expect to win.  Toronto is off tonight; they face an always-tough Atlanta Hawks squad on Friday.

Who makes the playoffs will ultimately be decided Sunday night when the Raptors face the Bulls head-to-head.  After that all-important showdown, Toronto's last two games are against Detroit and then New York.  Chicago will finish up vs. the Bobcats and Charlotte. 

You might be asking, does any of this really matter?  The answer is obvious and was already stated; these teams are essentially fighting for the right to be swept and embarrassed by the Cavaliers in the first round.  From the looks of things, it will probably be Chicago, since Toronto has to finish their season without their star and leader Chris Bosh.  The matchup I'm looking forward to most is Varejao vs. Joakim Noah.  Is Noah one ugly-looking scrub or is it just me?

Personally, I would much rather face the Bosh-less Raptors than Derrick Rose and the Bulls.  It doesn't look likely that Toronto will hold onto their lead however.  Their only hope is that the Cavs dismantle Chicago tonight and then they win the head-to-head matchup on Sunday.  Again, let me reiterate, that none of this matters.  If Atlanta and Milwaukee hold onto their 4th and 5th seeds, respectively, then we will have to face them in the 2nd round.  After we beat the Hawks, it will likely be the winner of the Magic/Celtics 2nd round series facing the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Playoff hypotheticals are always tricky, because who can say that Orlando will beat Charlotte, or Boston will get by Miami in the 1st round.  One thing is for certain; LeBron and the Cavaliers will be waiting for whomever in the Eastern Conference Finals.  From there it's only a matter of time until the Cavs play for the championship.  LeBron is on a mission this year, and with home-court throughout the playoffs, it doesn't look like anyone else stands a chance.  LeBron will be the MVP (and finals MVP).  LeBron James is Underrated