Playoffs... Round 1

I'm going to make this as simple as possible... below are my first round picks:

EAST

1. Detroit vs. 8. Orlando - let's put it like this... if Orlando wins even one game, I'll consider it a success. Detroit in 4.

2. Cleveland vs. 7. Washington - I have tried to talk myself into Antawn Jamison carrying the Wiz for a couple of games, but the cast of characters he'll have to roll with doesn't give me much hope. Can you imagine how dangerous Washington would be if Arenas and Butler were healthy? My goodness. Cleveland in 5.

3. Toronto vs. 6. New Jersey - I would love to pick T-Dot, but they're young and quite frankly New Jersey is playing much better now than they have been all season. I'm going to go with the hotter team: I like New Jersey in 6.

4. Miami vs. 5. Chicago - Purely a respect pick for the Champs. Chicago matches up really well with Miami, but for some reason I see Shaq carrying the Heat in this series. Miami in 6.

WEST

1. Dallas vs. 8. Golden State - Dallas is better this year than they were last season. That is what we call scary. Dallas in 4.

2. Phoenix vs. 7. LA Lakers - Kobe is good for one game in this series, but with Amare and Kurt Thomas healthy this time around, this isn't going to be much of a series. Phoenix in 5.

3. San Antonio vs. 6. Denver - This won't be the wipeout that everyone predicts, but how can you pick AGAINST San Antonio? Spurs in 6.

4. Utah vs. 5. Houston - This is an extremely even series, so when in doubt I take the team with the best player. In this case, I am taking the team with the two best players: T-Mac and Yao. Sorry, dude. Houston in 7.