Dez's 1st Round NBA Playoff Predictions

THE WEST

Golden State Warriors (1) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8)
I know that Playoff basketball is a different animal from the regular season, and the Warriors are built more for the regular season. But the talent is so strong, and although only in his first year I think Steve Kerr will prove a fantastic NBA coach. They have to be a favorite to win it all.
Dez Says: Warriors in 5.

Houston Rockets (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7)
As a Houstonian always at heart and longtime supporter of The Rockets, I just have not warmed to this latest incarnation. The Beard is certainly one of the great talents of the league, but I find him selfish, and I don't like selfish players. And I DESPISE Dwight Howard. I love the Rockets, but I cannot root for Howard as a player (or a person). I stand by what I said when The Rockets got him: Dwight Howard will never win a championship. And now the Rockets are without their point guard. Still, it's just the Mavericks.
Dez Says: Rockets in 6.

Los Angeles Clippers (3) vs. San Antonio Spurs (6)
By far the most intriguing series of the first round. It is a real shame that one of these teams will be knocked out in the first round, because both could really contend for the title. Poor Clippers. You work hard all season and secure the three seed and you get...The Spurs in the first round. If the Spurs had won the final game of the season instead of losing it, they would have had the second seed. That is how crazy the West was this season all the way until the end. This will be a tougher series for whoever wins than the next round will be (winner will get Rockets or Mavs and defeat whichever one it is). The Spurs have made a pact with Lucifer at the crossroads, because year after year they are ready to go. This regular season they played even more half-assed and rope-a-dope than usual, but turned it on at the end when it counted. Tim Duncan is having his best season in years, and Kawhi Leonard has emerged as the superstar Spurs fans knew he would be.
Dez Says: Spurs in 7.

Portland Trailblazers (4) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (5)
Who cares? Both of these teams looked more formidable earlier in the season than they do now. Portland is only here because their division is so weak.
Memphis in 6.

THE EAST
Remember what I said about the Portland and Memphis series? It applies to most of the Eastern Conference. There are only about three real playoff teams in this whole damn Conference.

Atlanta Hawks (1) vs. Brooklyn Nets (8)
Sorry, I still don't believe in The Hawks. I like their Spurs-like team mentality and their streak was amazing. But they are not playoff tested. I've got to see them win a couple of rounds before I even consider them a threat for a championship. They should get through this round, though.
Hawks in 6.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2) vs. Boston Celtics (7)
Cavs in 5.

Chicago Bulls (3) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (6)
I'm glad I'm not a Bulls fan. The Derrick Rose saga would drive me nuts if I cared about the team. Fans keep hoping he will return to MVP form, but it ain't happening. He is out so much that the team gets really good without him, and then the Emperor With No Clothes returns and they've got to shake up their mojo. Then he gets hurt again. But the Bulls do have the ingredients to challenge.
Bulls in 5.

Toronto Raptors (4) vs. Washington Wizards (5)
SEE Portland/Memphis discussion above.
Washington in 6.