Playoff Plunkers.

By Migs

The 2009 NBA Playoffs began over a week ago. As with any edition of the NBA Postseason, there come plunkers, and klunkers.

Here are some which I've noticed.

1) The San Antonio Spurs knew that they were in knee deep trouble when they lost Manu Ginobili to an ankle injury, but no one expect them to be shredded like they have been by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round.

After being held to a season low 67 points in game 3, the Spurs have looked a tad one dimensional, with anything and everything on offense going through Tony Parker. More glaringly, is the 2007 NBA titlist's lackadaisical defense. Maybe it's their age, but whatever the reason, the Spurs had better get their act together quick. As of this morning, Manila time, they had fallen behind 3 games to 1 in their first round series against their inter-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have just looked more athletic, motivated, and downright nasty. It hasn't been all Dirk, and rightfully so. They've looked less predictable that way. Kudos to Josh Howard, JJ Barea, and JET for good support play.

2) The Utah Jazz got the short end of the stick when they drew the Lakers as opening round pugilists. Hey, it could have been New Orleans, or Dallas, at the eighth spot, but the Jazz did stumble into the playoffs on an ugly losing skid, and now they're paying the price. Kobe's been running circles around competent defenders such as Andrei Kirilenko and Ronnie Brewer, and while Deron Williams is an all-star, Carlos Boozer has seemed a bit lackluster for most of the series, and Mehmet Okur has not provided that much additional support. The Lakers' chemistry- and the Jazz's lack thereof- will prove to be the pivotal factor in determine the winner, and the loser, in this matchup.

3) The Orlando Magic, for all the hype surrounding them, have faltered against the Philadelphia 76ers thus far because, despite having Dwight Howard, have failed to put up much defense against Andre Iguodala and the Sixers' other fleet-footed youngsters. Hedo Turkoglu has had a horrible series, and Rashard Lewis, while has been decent, hasn't quite been the player who made the Eastern Conference All-Star team back in February. Maybe they've been lucky at times, but Philly's uptempo style has seemed to fluster the Magic, and help keep D-Ho out of position on offense. The team with an interim coach, no all-stars, and a lot of pride has a shot at winning this series, contrary to what many pundits predicted coming into the postseason. Boy, does Orlando miss Jameer Nelson now. Rafer Alston has filled in nicely, but Jameer was, overall, just a more explosive innovator on offense, and could be, if he put his mind to it, a lock down, muscle-you-aside defender. Andre Miller's looked like a schoolyard bully at times because of Nelson's absence.

4) The Boston Celtics are the defending NBA champions- but for how much longer?

From Kevin Garnett's shaky health, to the recent injury to forward Leon Powe, to a totally bizaare security situation surrounding guard Tony Allen, the Celtics have had a lot on their plate- maybe more than they had bargained for. They will most probably get past the Chicago Bulls in round 1 (barring a Derrick Rose fireworks display that can last 3 more games), but once Cleveland comes around, I wouldn't expect green to reign supreme. The Cavs simply have more firepower from top to bottom, and the Celtics, despite being one of the most cohesive units in the league, have a bench that can tend to be shallower than a boring conversationalist on a date you find yourself forced into by a conniving friend. Boston will have a chance if Garnett can come back at even 60% strength. Otherwise, the kings will have to cede their lofty throne to another would-be basketball monarch.

5) Twitter is all the rage now amongst NBA players, and if we were to lump up all the Twitter messages that the Detroit Piston cagers were to send out, we may end up with a litany of bad vibes. The Motor City kids have been so severely outclassed by LBJ and the Cavs that viewers have been led to ask, "Is it over yet?"

Would this 1:8 tiff have been different if Allen Iverson hadn't gotten a lobotomy, uhm, I mean, advice to rest his back and potentially prepare for surgery? Who knows. All I'm aware of right now is the fact that Joe Dumars, who doesn't necessarily believe in rebuilding might have to change his views on the said topic. This team looks old, vulnerable, and scattered. Time to shell out some dough, fire Michael Curry, and get serious about winning again.

6) The New Orleans Hornets were stellar in the playoffs in 2008, but everyone then knew what we all know now more than ever- this team has NO bench. CP3 can get 50 and 20 every night and still not win because a supporting cast of guys like Hilton Armstrong, Melvin Ely, and a seemingly over-the-hill Mo Pete just won't cut it. Add a Leandro Barbosa type and a cager in the mold of a Nene to your reserves' list and things might turn out different. Too bad they'll have to wait until Chauncey Billups and the Nuggets beat them black and blue before they can do a personnel revamp.

and finally...

7) I think the Atlanta Hawks are beginning to look like the Hawks of the late 80's and 1990's more than they'd like. Back in the day, Michael Jordan routinely torched them with amazing all-around performances.

In this era of basketball, it's Dwyane Wade whose picked up the blowtorch and singed feathers.

After being held to 19 points in Game 1, Wade's looked more Jordanesque than ever, making fadeaway 3-balls and letting his 'mates in on the show for good measure. Can anyone say "upset?".

I wouldn't necessarily consider the Heat winning over the Hawks an upset, but I do know that after working so hard to grab the 4th seed in the East, and after showing such promise in stretches over the past season, the word, "upset" ought to still apply to those in Atlanta- in more ways than one. While the series isn't over, their confidence has been shattered, and fear resides in these Hawks' psyches now more than ever.

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