Mojo's Finals Pick

The NBA Finals are here, after a 9 day wait. At least it felt like 9 days.

Here's how I see the matchups between the Celtics & Lakers. 

PG - Rajon Rondo v. Derek Fisher

Rondo is younger, faster and possibly even stronger. He's a better defender than Fisher and a better rebounder. He's also a real PG who can create and distribute. Fisher has more experience, but Rondo has become one of the best point guards since he beat Fisher on the way to his ring in 08. Advantage Celtics.

SG - Ray Allen v. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant continues to be the best 2-guard in the NBA. He's dominated the Thunder, Jazz and Suns in the playoffs so far. Ray Allen has improved his defense and is still a good shooter, but Kobe is a killer on the court and the best player in this series. Advantage Lakers.

SF - Paul Pierce v. Ron Artest

The Lakers did well to acquire Ron Artest in the off-season as he makes this matchup far more interesting than if LA still had Trevor Ariza. Paul Pierce is a difficult cover for all but the best defenders in the league. Artest's defense was effective against Durant and he will make life tough for Pierce. Yet Pierce should still get buckets and provide good defense as well. Advantage Celtics (barely).

PF - Kevin Garnett v. Pau Gasol

Garnett owned Gasol in the 2008 Finals with stronger physical play. Gasol has improved since then and Garnett's balky knee has slowed him. Regardless, Garnett's physicality already has Phil Jackson begging for calls from the refs and more toughness from his own team, mainly Gasol. Advantage Celtics.

C - Kendrick Perkins v. Andrew Bynum?

The Lakers plan to push the limit 4-7 more times and play Andrew Bynum on his injured knee. Kendrick Perkins will have a tougher time dealing with the refs than he will battling a gimpy Bynum. Perkins is stronger than Bynum and is a better defender than Bynum has seen in these playoffs. Advantage Celtics.

Coach - Doc Rivers v. Phil Jackson

Phil Jackson has won 10 championships as a coach. Doc Rivers won once, but that was over Phil Jackson. Jackson's 2 finals losses have come against defensively superior teams in the 04 Pistons and Doc's 08 Celtics. These Celtics are also defensively better than the Lakers. Doc has already found ways to eliminate Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Dwight Howard. Next in line is Kobe. Advantage Celtics.

Bench - The Lakers have the best player off the bench in Lamar Odom. The Celtics have the better bench with Rasheed Wallace, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Tony Allen and Nate Robinson. The Lakers will counter with Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic. Advantage Celtics.

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Kobe is a fantastic player and Artest is a strong defender. Yet the Lakers don't have the depth to match the Celtics and they have no answer for Rondo.

Pick - Celtics in 5.

    

Mojo's Conference Finals Picks

Eastern Conference

Magic - Celtics

Matchups

5: Dwight Howard - Kendrick Perkins -- advantage Magic

4: Rashard Lewis - Kevin Garnett -- advantage Celtics

3: Matt Barnes - Paul Pierce --advantage Celtics

2: Vince Carter - Ray Allen -- advantage Celtics

1: Jameer Nelson - Rajon Rondo -- advantage Celtics

 Bench:  advantage Celtics 

Coaching: advantage Celtics

Howard is a dominant force in the paint. The Celtics have enough bigs to throw him a variety of looks and get cheap fouls on him. Garnett is healthy and the Celtics are rolling, even getting more consistency from Rasheed Wallace. Rondo is easily the best guard in the series.

Celtics in 6. 

Western Conference

Lakers - Suns

Matchups

5: Andrew Bynum - Jarron Collins -- advantage Lakers

4: Pau Gasol - Amar'e Stoudamire -- advantage Lakers

3: Ron Artest - Grant Hill -- advantage Lakers

2: Kobe Bryant - Jason Richardson -- advantage Lakers

1: Derek Fisher - Steve Nash -- advantage Suns

Bench: advantage Suns

Coaching: advantage Lakers

Kobe Bryant is the best player in this series. Steve Nash, the best playmaker. The defensive hustle, length and athleticism of the Lakers will be more difficult for los Suns to operate as well as they did against the Blazers and Spurs. 

Lakers in 5.

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Mojo's Round 2 NBA Playoff Picks

Eastern Conference

Cavaliers - Celtics

Each game in this series should be an outstanding battle. Both teams have outstanding superstars, grizzly vets and rising your talent. LeBron is playing his best basketball and the Cavs have all their weapons clicking. Jamison, Shaq, Varejao and West are quite an array of talent and they should have plenty to get past Rondo and Garnett. Cavs in 6.

Magic - Hawks/Bucks

The Magic dominated and destroyed the Bobcats in round 1. Meanwhile, neither the Hawks nor Bucks seem to want to get to round 2 bad enough. The Magic are deeper and more versatile than either the Hawks or Bucks. Right now the only weakness on Orlando is Dwight Howard's inability to stay out of foul trouble. That hasn't slowed them one bit. Magic in 5 over either Hawks or Bucks.

Western Conference

Lakers-Jazz

The Lakers were tested mightily by Kevin Durant and the young rising Thunder in round 1. LA's veteran savvy prevailed and now they face a more experienced team in Utah. The Jazz have lost Okur for the season but continue to roll with outstanding play in the paint from Boozer and Milsap. Deron Williams is proving to be the best point guard in the NBA. However, the Lakers are just too long and deep with Gasol, Artest, Bynum and Odom. Lakers in 6.

Suns-Spurs

The Spurs have been the nemesis of the Suns since Marbury was in Phoenix. No matter who the Suns put on the court, the Spurs play more consistently and usually take the series. This year should be no different. George Hill & Richard Jefferson have found their niche with the Spurs offense and Popovich has them all playing shutdown defense. Amar'e and Nash are good, but they don't have the versatility to get past San Antonio. Spurs in 6.

    

Mojo's NBA Playoff Picks - Round 1

Western Conference

Lakers - Thunder

If mind games count, this series is already underway. Phil Jackson paid $35K in fines so that the refs wouldn't penalize Ron Artest for bodying up Kevin Durant with physical defense. The Thunder don't have enough to deal with Kobe's skills & savvy and the impressive length of LA. Lakers in 5.

Mavs - Spurs

The old school battle of these playoffs. All told, these teams have played a combined total of 17,000 playoff games- at least it feels like it. The Mavs have the depth & experience at each position to take advantage of the Spurs. With no Bruce Bowen to harass Dirk, the Mavs should advance. Mavs in 5.

Suns-Blazers

The Blazers have had serious injury problems all year. They lost 2 centers for the season and coach Nate McMillan even popped his achilles heel. Losing Brandon Roy will be too much for them to overcome against Steve Nash and company. Suns in 6.

Nuggets-Jazz

Home court and health will be the difference in this series. Jazz vet Andrei Kirilenko is out with a strained calf and Carlos Boozer is day to day with a strained oblique. The Nuggets are still without coach George Karl, but Kenyon Martin's return should be enough for them to get by Utah. Nuggets in 7.

Eastern Conference

Cavaliers - Bulls

The Cavs have the edge in experience and depth at every position. The Bulls gave us a thrilling round 1 series against the Celtics last year. Cleveland presents a bigger, better & tougher opponent. Hard to imagine LeBron going out in round 1. Hard to imagine Noah's Bulls getting swept. Cavs in 5.

Magic - Bobcats

The Magic have the most dominant defensive force in basketball in Dwight Howard. It took them months to gel with new additions Vince Carter & Jason Williams. They finished the season strong and will use experience to get past the Bobcats who are making their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Magic in 5.

Hawks - Bucks

The Hawks enter these playoffs with higher expectations than their last 2 appearances. They have quality bigs in Josh Smith and Al Horford, great guards in Joe Johnson & Mike Bibby, and the possible 6th man of the year, Jamal Crawford. The Bucks surprising season suffered a major blow with the loss of center Andrew Bogut. Rookie Brandon Jennings will be fun to watch, but the Bucks will have a tough time keeping up with Atlanta. Hawks in 5.

Celtics - Heat

The Heat enter the playoffs having won 12 of their last 13 games. The Celtics have gone 3-7 over their last 10. Boston coach Doc Rivers is talking retirement. The big 3 of Garnett, Pierce & Allen are giving way to the all around great play of Rajan Rondo. Can he keep the wheels from falling off Boston's ride? Dwyane Wade is outstanding and has willed the Heat to unlikely playoff successes in the past. Even so, home court advantage should save Boston once again. Celtics in 7.

2010 All NBA Teams - Mojo Picks

My First Team All NBA Picks:

C: Dwight Howard

F: Kevin Durant

F: LeBron James

G: Kobe Bryant

G: Dwyane Wade

2nd Team All NBA

C: Andrew Bogut

F: Chris Bosh

F: Dirk Nowitzki

G: Deron Williams

G: Rajan Rondo

C: David Lee

F: Gerald Wallace

F: Carmelo Anthony

G: Steve Nash

G: Jason Kidd

Honorable mentions: Al Horford, Tim Duncan, Marcus Camby, Derrick Rose