Bracket boys Joe and Champy ponder the post-season

Way Out There in the Blue
Eastern Conference
Finals - (Best 4 of 7)
Joe: Honestly, I like Philly vs. Miami. Could be a war - if 'Zo can play 25 + minutes per game against Dikembe, this could be one tough, physical series.
Champagne: I call "Philly vs. Bucks Excitement." Would go a long way towards bolstering E.C. pride.

Eastern Conference Champ
Joe: Philadelphia. No stopping Iverson and Brown, the oddest couple since Elton and Renata. Or Elton and Eminem.
Champagne: "Philly Equals Fun."

Western Conference
Finals - (Best 4 of 7)
Joe: Whew. Tough, tough call. I think this is the year that Sacramento takes a giant step - unfortunately, San Antonio is standing in their way. I like Sacramento vs. San Antonio.
Champagne: I'd like Kings vs. Spurs (or better still, Kings vs. Wolves). Betting against the Lakers is crazy, and I know that, but I'm desperate for my Dream Finals...

Western Conference Champ
Joe: San Antonio. Hard-fought Western Division crown goes to the Spurs. Duncan, Robinson, and Anderson, plus the rest of the crew, bring home the bacon for Gregg Popovich.
Champagne: Kings! Pollard and Webber scare pants off uptight Robinson and pull off an upset. It'd take seven.

NBA Finals
Joe: Philadelphia vs San Antonio. This would be a finals to remember. Iverson taking on the Twin Towers. Lots of defense, lots of tough, physical play. I'm betting that Iverson, having been pounded all season, will be exhausted by Finals time. Does he have it in him? Will the lack of a second, proven scorer doom Philly? I think so. In the end, a classic, in Joe's opinion. Let's see if I'm right. San Antonio in 6.
Champagne: Philly vs. Sacramento. The Utopian Finals that will restore the NBA's reputation for exciting play. Peja, Vlade, Turkoglu, and Dikembe hold hands across the globe, peace breaks out, and no child goes hungry. Glory be to basketball; all hail the Kings, winners by the sixth. Ringed, Webber stays in California and greets the dawn of the NBA's new era.

April 20, 2001
Playoff Prognostications –
1st Round (Best 3 of 5)
Finally! Playoff time. This is the season where everyone turns it up a notch, where the superstars take over, and the team that has the most effective role players usually wins. I know sometimes that watching the playoffs without your favorite team being involved can be a lot like kissing your sister, but trust me, this promises to be the most exciting playoff season since long before Michael Jordan entered the league. Which conference is better? Are the Western Conference's superior big men a better bet than the Eastern Conference's wonder guards?

Here now Champagne and Joe bring you their first annual playoff picks. Round One:

Eastern Conference
(1) Philadelphia vs (8) Indiana
Joe: Indiana couldn't beat Philly without Iverson the other night. No chance they can beat them with The Answer. Sorry Isiah, maybe coaching ain't your thing. Philly in 3.
Champagne: Crazy me, I think the Pacers will win a game. Even when they were good (last year) they seemed shakily dependent on the alignment of too many stars, health-wise and Reggie-wise. Unplug a few dominant players from that delicate balance and you get this year's 1st seed to 8th seed fall. I wouldn't put the onus on Isiah. Philly in 4.

(2) Milwaukee vs (7) Orlando
Joe: Milwaukee's got great firepower and Coach Karl, but Orlando is my surprise pick to go to the next round. McGrady's that good. Orlando in 5.
Champagne: The one first round Eastern Conference series I'm really excited about. With any luck it'll be the most fun to watch. I like Allen, I like Cassell, I like Big Dog Glenn Robinson, I like George Karl's savvy and experience, I like the Bucks. Magic will wilt quickly if Bucks win first two, otherwise, this one goes down to the last minute.

(3) Miami vs (6) Charlotte
Joe: Miami's got their swerve on with 'Zo and Eddie Jones back in the lineup. Riley-coached teams always best at playoff time. Charlotte? Well, Paul Silas is a nice man. Miami in 4.
Champagne: Heat bore me, Hornets irritate me. Heat sweep. Hornets don't have it. Derrick Coleman is an albatross.

(4) New York vs (5) Toronto
Joe: Odds on this one ought to be pick 'em. New York always tough at playoff time, but the injuries to Camby and Johnson don't help. God Squad-ers find that Van Gundy is the devil. What is Toronto after Carter? Promises to be one tough series. Guess is Toronto in 5. Only because they're the Knicks.
Champagne: The ascension of Vince Carter continues on pace. Raptors in 5. Would be worthwhile watching for Oakley retaliation dramas, if only I could imagine any Knick other than LJ inspiring them. I mean, is Charlie Ward welching on dice bets or making moves on the Oak Man's bitch stable?

Western Conference
(1) San Antonio vs (8) Minnesota
Joe: I'm a huge Kevin Garnett fan, but realistically, what chance do the T-Wolves have? San Antonio appears to be the class of the NBA right now. San Antonio in 4.
Champagne: Heart says Wolves, head...well, head gets sleepy when it thinks of Spurs. Tediously good. Have to go with Spurs.

(2) Los Angeles vs (7) Portland
Joe: Again, Phil Jackson-coached teams always do well in the playoffs. Now is the time you don't want to bet against Shaq. Portland is sagging quickly - only hope is for Wallace to keep himself under control and outplay Shaq. Los Angeles in 5.
Champagne: I've seen the great Phil Jackson/Michael Jordan Bulls wander as groggily through a season, losing interest, as these Lakers have. Discount the internal combustability of Rider (is he really going to play?), or the Kobe/Shaq contretemps, they could go all the way.

(3) Sacramento vs (6) Phoenix
Joe: This might be the most exciting first round draw. Williams vs Kidd, Webber vs Marion; two running, frenetic teams scoring at will. Sacramento has more horses and more experience. Showdown most eagerly awaited by Joe. Sacramento in 5.
Champagne: Webber, Williams, Peja, Vlade, Christie, Pollard and The Turk? Are you kidding me? Kings will crush the Suns, mark my words. Phoenix has no hope.

(4) Utah vs (5) Dallas
Joe: Another potentially great series - old vets vs new blood. I think Utah is done as a playoff force, but how can you completely count out Malone and Stockton? This is Nowitzki's time to shine. Dallas in 4.
Champagne: Do you remember that great Sacramento/Jazz playoff series two years ago? Could be as freewheeling...but this time Utah plays the patsies. Behind Finley and Nowitzki, I'll take Mavs in five.

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