The NBA playoffs have started, and there's been plenty of drama
already. As usual, there's the assortment of horrific injuries, personal
problems, and the single-minded desire to win.
We've picked out seven of the most interesting storylines to develop so far. Enjoy!
What happens to the Bulls without Derrick Rose?
Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls were looking forward to finally playing together for an extended period of time. Fortunately for the Bulls, their star was back and looking to be in good shape as the playoffs started.
Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls were looking forward to finally playing together for an extended period of time. Fortunately for the Bulls, their star was back and looking to be in good shape as the playoffs started.
Unfortunately, he blew out of knee in game one of the
first round series between Chicago and Philadelphia, and is out for the
rest of the season.
Can the Bulls rally and still make a run? Or are they doomed without last year's most valuable player on the floor?
Will Kobe get his sixth title?
Kobe's still chasing Michael Jordan's six NBA titles, and this is the last postseason before his decline as an athlete begins. It's hard to imagine that Kobe should be in decline, but he's already 33 years old, and has been playing in the league since 1996. All of those miles on his joints, as well as the injuries he keeps shrugging off, are going to catch up soon.
Kobe's still chasing Michael Jordan's six NBA titles, and this is the last postseason before his decline as an athlete begins. It's hard to imagine that Kobe should be in decline, but he's already 33 years old, and has been playing in the league since 1996. All of those miles on his joints, as well as the injuries he keeps shrugging off, are going to catch up soon.
How far does Oklahoma City go?
Oklahoma City have won their first two home games against the defending champions by a combined margin of four points. This young, great, team has shown that it can win when it counts, but the Mavericks are also looking like a shell of last year's title-winning team. Can Oklahoma win more convincingly against the stronger teams, and especially who wins the eastern conference?
Oklahoma City have won their first two home games against the defending champions by a combined margin of four points. This young, great, team has shown that it can win when it counts, but the Mavericks are also looking like a shell of last year's title-winning team. Can Oklahoma win more convincingly against the stronger teams, and especially who wins the eastern conference?
Will the suddenly rejuvenated Spurs go to the finals?
Since 1999, the San Antonio Spurs have been perennial contenders who have won four titles. Every time someone days Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker have no longer got it, they decide to prove everyone wrong. Now, they've defied age and common sense by turning into a team that likes to score in droves, and have the best record from the West coming into the playoffs.
They might just have a few more title runs left in them yet.
Since 1999, the San Antonio Spurs have been perennial contenders who have won four titles. Every time someone days Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker have no longer got it, they decide to prove everyone wrong. Now, they've defied age and common sense by turning into a team that likes to score in droves, and have the best record from the West coming into the playoffs.
They might just have a few more title runs left in them yet.
Does Boston have one last run in them?
The 2008 NBA champions have aged, and it shows in their play. Ray Allen is dealing with bone spurs and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are a lot slower than they were four years ago. However, you can never trump an elite athlete's will to win, and so we can' count them out until it's all over.
The 2008 NBA champions have aged, and it shows in their play. Ray Allen is dealing with bone spurs and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are a lot slower than they were four years ago. However, you can never trump an elite athlete's will to win, and so we can' count them out until it's all over.
Where do the Knicks go from here?
The pairing of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire obviously isn't working, and Stoudemire's self-inflicted injury that occurred after game two of their series against Miami (he cut himself punching some glass) has taken him out of the playoffs. Without Stoudemire, and also Jeremy Lin (ailing knee), the present looks meek for New York.
It'd be fair to believe that Stoudemire or Anthony may leave during the summer. Two players who need to see a lot of the ball just aren't going to mesh with someone of Jeremy Lin's play-style.
The pairing of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire obviously isn't working, and Stoudemire's self-inflicted injury that occurred after game two of their series against Miami (he cut himself punching some glass) has taken him out of the playoffs. Without Stoudemire, and also Jeremy Lin (ailing knee), the present looks meek for New York.
It'd be fair to believe that Stoudemire or Anthony may leave during the summer. Two players who need to see a lot of the ball just aren't going to mesh with someone of Jeremy Lin's play-style.
There's been a well-publicized fallout between the Orlando Magic's star center Dwight Howard and head coach Stan van Gundy. Word is that Howard has asked for van Gundy's dismissal, something which the coach has admitted publicly.
Dwight Howard's also going to be a free agent after next season, and is suddenly facing injury problems after a career where he's averaged less than five missed games a season. It's hard to see what happens to them next season, and they don't threaten much during the current playoffs without Howard.
Source: msn.com
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