I'm back! I've been off the writing block for over a month, and it feels good to be back. Speaking of being on the shelf, this year's NBA playoffs starting tomorrow is loaded with players on the shelf. I'd like to take a look at each of the teams with injury woes, and how it will affect their chances.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
L.A. Lakers - The prohibitive title favorites were on a roll the whole year, finishing with the West's best record and homecourt advantage at least until the NBA Finals. What makes this playoff run even more exciting for them is that Andrew Bynum is back and looking healthy. That means that their line up is at full capacity and the rest of the NBA should watch out.
San Antonio Spurs - The seemingly ubiquitous Spurs managed to win the South West Division via a close victory on their last game. The playoff run, though, is going to be rough as they not only face the dangerous Mavericks, but they will miss spitfirish guard Manu Ginobili for the playoffs. Another problem for the Spurs will be Tim Duncan and his bum knees as even the usually silent superstar has commented that he's playing on "half a knee."
Portland Trail Blazers - The young Trail Blazers are back in the playoffs and Rip City is ablaze. The line up looks good with young and now healthy players and they will only miss high-flying guard Martell Webster who has barely played this year anyway. Of course, they should take care and not let Greg Oden sneeze too hard, lest he injure himself again.
Houston Rockets - The always dangerous but oft-injured Rockets were a hair away from the number 2 spot but will now open their playoffs on the road in Portland. Tracy Mcgrady, the team's go-to-guy for the past few seasons, has been declared out for the season and while even the Rockets admit his absence is a big hole, the 5th seed has shown they can play without T-Mac. In the playoffs though, will they miss him?
New Orleans Hornets - The surprise season of last year can also be considered a surprise team this year, limping into the playoffs as a 7th seed. While Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler will play as the Hornets attempt another run at the Western Conference, they have not looked 100 percent in their last few games. Even James Posey is playing with a bad left hand and the Hornets bench is not exactly over pouring with talent. Can Chris Paul be that good and carry them all with his good legs?
Utah Jazz - The Jazz are quite disappointed with finishing 8th, but they could give the Lakers trouble when healthy. It looks like everyone will be in the line up for the Jazz, but Mehmet Okur will still be battling a nasal infection going into the first round. The up and down play of Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko have not exactly inspired confidence in the success of the recovery of their surgically-repaired legs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Cleveland Cavaliers - The NBA's best team is riding high on their franchise best winning record, and more importantly, Lebron James, Mo Williams and Zydrunas Ilgauskas good health. The Cavs expect a long playoff run as their only injured player is Ben Wallace who has a bum leg. The Cavs, however, have barely missed him with the inspired play of Anderson Varejao and Joe Smith.
Boston Celtics - The Big Three is now the Big Two, with KG out for the season. While the defending champions are still quite formidable, Garnett was the heart and soul of their defense, which was what they used to beat teams. Will Kendrick Perkins, Leon "the Show" Powe and Big Baby Davis step up to cover the gaping hole KG left? If they don't, there will be a new champion in the NBA.
Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard may be Superman, but too bad he couldn't spread the health. Jameer Nelson is out for the season with Rafer Alston trying to replace him. Meanwhile, the heart of the Magic's vaunted three point shooting, forwards Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are not 100 percent. Lewis seems to be mostly fine, missing the last two games more as a precaution, but Turkoglu's sprained ankle will limit him in the first round. Can Howard be dominating enough to carry the Magic until the forwards get healthy?
Philadelphia 76ers - People can talk all they want about how Elton Brand did not fit into their system, but battling Dwight Howard would have been more doable with Brand patrolling the lane. While attention will be on Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala, the health of Thaddeus Young who just came from the injury list, may be a key to the 76ers playoff hopes. Will he be healthy enough and play well enough to offset Rashard Lewis' presence?
Chicago Bulls - The Bulls seemed to have been headed to the lottery, but a late run has gotten them the 7th seed in the playoffs, playing a KG-less Celtics. For them to pull off the upset, they must disregard the absence of Luol Deng, who is out for the season. Meanwhile, they must pray for a quick recovery for John Salmons, who is one of their best players, as he seems slow to recovery from his groin injury. Will Salmons be healthy enough to give Paul Pierce a run for his money?
Detroit Pistons - Oh how the mighty have fallen. After 6 consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearances, the end may be near for this core group of players. Not only will they battle the red-hot Cavs, they must do it without Allen Iverson, whose on and off-court troubles have led Pistons fans to miss Chauncey Billups. Another question mark is the health of Rasheed Wallace, who seems to be a step slow this whole season. Whether or not the slowness is due to a physical or mental injury, the Pisotons will need 'Sheed to have a chance.
The playoffs start tomorrow and time will tell if these injury issues will help decide the outcome of the Finals. Will injuries lead to the NBA's preferred Lakers-Cavs match ups, or will this year's version of the playoffs produce more than its fair share of upsets?
