Playoffs, playoffs? -By Girish Mirchandani

Finally, the playoffs are here.  It should be a good one and there isn't a team that looks like a sure lock.  Before we get into the playoffs, let's review some regular season thoughts....Philly was horrible this year and so were the Bucks.  They clearly wanted to tank and I hope that their game plan works out...The Knicks should be embarrassed.  How can you not make the playoffs with Melo, Chandler, and Stat?  So the Hawks have a better lineup?  The Knicks came together too late and they started winning when Woodson inserted his best 5 players and stopped being so cute.  The rumor is that Steve Kerr is the next coach, he has no coaching experience but has a great pedigree....The Suns were awesome and the West should be scared.  They have a young team, a great coach, and lots of draft picks. They could be on to something....Poor Kevin Love.  He deserves to be on a good team.  He is scary good and a freak.  I wonder what the Wolves can do to turn things around.  Their lineup is actually really good. Maybe trade Rubio to a team like Orlando who has young assets?  What about Rubio and some fillers for Nelson and Aflallo?  Then the Wolves can draft a young PG and have some proven playoff vets on their squad.  For the Magic, Rubio and Oladipo backcourt is one that could create havoc....The Cavs are a mess.  I mentioned that in my earlier blog.  They have no real identity, they made bad trades playing for the present, and have no vision. If Bennett is their man, they should trade Thompson for a young SG or picks.  Thompson would look good in a  Suns uniform and can fit their style.  Mike Brown clearly needs to go...Now the playoffs.  The Spurs did it again.  Everyone loves to write them off and all they did is win.  Pop is a genius and they have a system unlike no other...Despite all the bad press and their recent woes, the Pacers did manage to win the East.  They did not finish strong but they do have homecourt.  I wonder if trading Granger was the root cause for their recent gloom.  Granger could have been the leader in the locker room (my theory)....Remember when everyone wrote off the Bulls and I wrote about how they will be fine.  Trading Deng was the best thing to happen to the Bulls because it forced Noah to take over the team.  What a season by Noah, huh?  Joakim has clearly elevated his game and his energy is contagious.  Augustin is another great story...Good to see the Mavs back in the playoffs although they got the Spurs...The Clippers Warriors should be a fun series.  I completely agree with Stephen A Smith who claims the Warriors should be better without Bogut as they will move the ball better.  Bogut is a decent defender but I think the Ws are better in a faster paced system.  I hope Mark Jackson starts Barnes at the PF spot and Lee plays the 5 spot.  Speaking of Mark Jackson, what's up with all his assistant coaches either leaving or getting fired?  Bizarre, and not a good sign.  He might be done in Oak-town...  Good to see the Nets come together, the Raptors back in the postseason, and the Heat...I don't feel like talking about them, they still really annoy me...The Rockets Blazers is a toss up and should be a high-octane shootout....Lots of good games today with my Bulls tomorrow night vs the Wizards...The Wizards are a young team and they have  a very good backcourt but my Bulls should take it in 5....Playoffs here we come although not looking forward to watching a thousand Cliff Paul State Farm commercials!