Dallas is the best in the West this year and should feast on the East in the 2007 NBA Playoffs, which begin this weekend with a pair of games in each conference on Saturday and Sunday.
The key word is “should” as this is a professional sport and there is no lock.
Most people gave the nod to the Mavs in the Finals last season, but Miami got the invitation from the White House.
Professional Handicappers League member Bill Fishman says that any team that comes out of the Eastern Conference this year, he prefers Cleveland, has a chance to take the crown because (1) he only has to beat one team in a series and (2) the Western Conference. The champion could well be beaten in his own conference finals, which appears to be a prolonged bloodbath.
However, Fishman goes with the flow and designates Dallas as the heir apparent to the league.
The Mavericks, who had a stratospheric 67-15, including four straight losses to welcome the season, open their Round 1 series on Sunday against Golden State, the eighth seed in the West, which reached the postseason for the first time. in 13 years.
Dallas overall was a 10-point option with a total of 214 1/2 on Thursday night, although the spread had dropped sharply to 9 1/2 on Friday morning.
Cleveland took the No. 2 seed in the East behind Detroit on the final night of the regular season and opens against No. 7 Washington, also on Sunday.
The Cavaliers were 11-12 point favorites, with 11 1/2 the predominant number; the over / under was 190, although there were 191 available.
Like many, Fishman believes it is simply the year of Dallas.
“Can’t say enough about how important it is for Dallas to have the top spot,” he said.
“This guarantees that they will only see the Suns or Spurs (rather than both).
“The Mavericks, in my opinion, came into the season with a mission to return to the Finals.
“Last year’s loss to Miami really left a bad taste in the Mavericks’ mouths and gave them an incentive for this year.
“It’s easy for anyone to take chalk, but I feel like the overall roster and the Dallas style can match any style in the West and be dominant.
“The defense the Mavs play goes unnoticed and they don’t get enough credit.
“Avery Johnson continues to do solid work on the sidelines and does not get enough credit for his leadership.”
Fishman believes the Eastern Conference is littered with burning questions.
“Detroit has the best record, but I don’t think the Pistons will win the conference,” he said.
“Miami, with less than 100 percent Dwyane Wade, won’t make it either.
“Shaq (O’Neal) isn’t what he used to be, although he still has his moments.
“Chicago has a lot of exciting young talent and the Bulls are fun to watch, but falling to the No. 5 seed hurt their chances.
“I think it will be the year for Lebron (James) to shine and make it to the Finals.
“I like the team, which kept improving and developing solid depth.”
However, Fishman doesn’t imagine the East winning the whole enchilada.
“Like I said before, I feel like it’s the year of the Mavericks,” he reiterated.
“I don’t see the East winning the Finals … but anything can happen, like last year, when Miami made many decisions when necessary.
“Just look at Wade’s numbers from the foul line.
“The biggest challenge for the West this season will simply be to survive the Western Conference and make it to the Finals.
“I like that Dallas wins in a short series.”
The “sleepers” aren’t as used to winning the NBA as other team sports are, but Fishman spotted some this year.
“You have to see the Houston Rockets in the West,” he said.
“They’ll have to be road warriors, though, coming from the No. 5 seed.
“The only other team that intrigues me is Denver.
“The Nuggets played well down the stretch and have been a solid team on the road recently.
“In the East, the latter teams are playing poorly and I don’t like anyone other than Cleveland, Detroit and maybe Miami.
“The NBA is probably behind the NHL when it comes to a sleeper team that makes it to the Finals.
“It never really happens.
“Nothing in the East looks good.
“The first-round series that interests me the most is Denver and San Antonio.
“It should be exciting.
“The Spurs have been there and they play solid defense, but can they keep up with Denver’s speed?
“I will also keep my eyes on Dallas and Golden State because of how hot the Warriors have been down the stretch and how they played well against Dallas.”
