SB5-22: NBA Conference Finals

Sports Section I: NBA Conference finals

So one of my intended majors this upcoming fall is journalism--sports journalism.
To begin to delve into what that might be like, I would like to entertain you all with some beginning writings. Feel free to make commentary and constructive criticism.

This first entry covers the NBA Conference Finals; the West between LA and San Antonio, and the East between Boston and Detroit.

I will brief you on how each team got here.

The Los Angeles Lakers and the MVP Kobe Bryant have ridden a relatively easy wave into the finals, defeating the lowly 8th seeded Nuggets in a 4-0 sweep, and out improvising the Utah Jazz and Carlos Boozer in a 4-2 series with. Their team is the West Favorite; the Pau Gasol trade at the trade deadline has definitely provided LA with some momentum. The Lakers with Kobe came back from a 20 point Spurs lead in the 3rd quarter to defeat the Spurs 89-85 in Game 1 in LA.

The San Antonio Spurs have been in this situation many times before and being the defending champs look to get to a second straight NBA Finals appearance. An interesting thing to note in this series is the fact that the Lakers have only one player over thirty whereas the Spurs have only one player under thirty.

Talent vs. Experience; that is the key in the West.

The Boston Celtics had a league best 66-16 record for the 2007 season and were the owners of the biggest league turnaround in history. Their road record in the regular season was 31-10, meaning that for every loss they had three wins. Unfortunately, they have not fared that well in the post season. An 0-6 road record has plagued the Celtics in the postseason. But they haven't lost a game at home, something that will ensure success; their record ensures them home court throughout, meaning that they could win the finals without winning a road game. But are the Celtics tired? Two straight seven game series led them into the East Finals, but they still won at home 88-79.

The Detroit Pistons have by far had the second easiest road to their conference finals behind the Lakers; no seven game series. They won their rounds 4-2 defeating the 76-ers handily after Philadelphia stole a Game 1 win in Detroit. The Pistons then dominated Dwight Howard and the Magic in Round 2 winning the series 4-1. Their experience—six straight conference finals appearances—have proven beneficial in their case.

Talent vs. Experience will reign supreme also in the East.