CMan's NBA Playoff Second Round Matchups and Predictions

The second round in the East looks like I thought it would. The West is another story. This could get interesting as several key players remain out and others return. There is even a rumor that Derrick Rose might suit up in Chicago..we will see.

Now my predictions for the second round.

Eastern Conference:

#1 Miami vs #5 Chicago

The Bulls gutted out a 7 game win over the Nets in Brooklyn, the Heat burned past a Bucks team that should have started summer vacation two weeks ago. The Heat are rested and ready to play, the Bulls are tired but battle tested. I think Chicago will test Miami but I don't think they have enough left in the tank to out last them in 7 games, even with Derrick Rose in uniform. The Bulls are resilient, especially in the post season, but the Heat are too strong and in the end, should close out Chicago 4-2.

#2 New York vs #3 Indiana

This should be an entertaining series. The Pacers toyed with the Hawks and finished the series when they decided too. The Knicks have home court in this series but they struggled at times with a very old Celtics team. Carmelo is having shoulder problems and you never know which JR Smith will show up. If the Pacers can steal one of the first two games in New York then they should have enough to turn the series in their favor and win it in 6. if they don't it should be a 7 game series. Either way, I like Indiana to win, 4-2.

Western Conference:

#1 Oklahoma City vs #5Memphis

This is why you play for home court advantage. The Thunder lost 2 of 3 to the Grizzlies in the regular season. Two of those games were in OKC. Memphis is a scary team and they play angry. The Thunder are a finesse team, playing without their most dynamic player, Russell Westbrook. Both teams played last night and have little time to prepare for each other. I don't know who has the prep advantage at this point, but I do know it's going to take a team effort to win by the Thunder. Reggie Jackson has played well in the absence of Westbrook but the rest of the starters are still feeling their way. The reserves are the ace in the hole for OKC, they are still pretty much intact and, if Derek Fisher continues to play like he did last night, the Thunder have a fighting chance. It will be a long and hard series but if OKC can play 4 games at the level they did against Houston in game six, they should come out on top. They are the better team. Thunder win, ugly, 4-3.

#2 San Antonio vs #6 Golden State

The Spurs come in well rested, the Warriors come in with a ton of confidence. This is the old Spurs against the New kids on the block. No one gave them a shot against the Nuggets and few will give them a chance against the Spurs. If the Warriors shooters get hot this could be a long series. If they can steal a game early in San Antonio they will have a chance, however, these are still the Spurs and they still have Duncan, Ginobli and Parker and as long as "Pop" is drawing up plays, I can't bet against them. Spurs win, 4-2.

There you have it good people. Good luck to all the teams! Check back after round two and we will get you prepped for the Conference finals.

For Buster.

Sunday Biography: Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher was drafted in the 1996 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Fisher was selected just nine picks behind Kobe Bryant who was by far the more popular rookie that season. After winning three consecutive Championships with the Lakers from 2000-2002 Derek left to play for Golden State. After playing in Golden State for two years Fisher went to the Utah Jazz. After playing in Utah for one year Derek went back to the Lakers where he was reunited with Kobe Bryant. Derek Fisher played in Los Angeles until the 2012 season, when he then went to the Oklahoma City Thunder. After helping the Thunder to the 2012 NBA Finals he was let go as a free agent. Fisher then signed with the Dallas Mavericks where he played the first part of the 2012-2013 season. After the Thunder traded Eric Maynor moments before the 2013 trade deadline to Portland it opened a spot for a third point guard on the team. Sam Presti could think of no one better than veteran point guard Derek Fisher.

Derek Fisher was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on August 9, 1974. His mother, Annette Fisher, worked at a bank, and his father, John Fisher, was a retired military officer who worked as a post office administrator. Derek gives all the credit to his parents, especially his father, for the drive necessary to be successful in both basketball and in life. Fisher was first exposed to basketball at a young age by his older half-brother, Duane Washington. Duane played for his high school team while Derek sat court side watching because he was too young. His older brother made it all the way to the NBA before getting suspended for substance abuse. Derek Fisher made a vow at that moment to never use any type of drug.

Fisher did not disappoint as he followed in his brothers footsteps as a basketball star. Fisher went to Little Rock's Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School, where he was known as the star point guard. He led his high school to a state championship, and was nominated as a McDonald's All-American. Derek was also an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) All-American where he also led his team to a National Championship. Fisher graduated from Parkview High School in 1992. Despite all the success Fisher had at the high school level, no major college offered him a scholarship. Fisher did get a full ride scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which wasn't too far from his home as a child. Fisher was one of the greatest basketball players to ever suit up for UALR, as he finished second in all time scoring at UALR. Derek Fisher recorded 1,393 points, 372 assists, and 189 steals. During Fisher's senior year he was awarded the Sun Belt Player of the Year award.

Being listed as one of the better point guards in the 1996 NBA draft, Fisher was selected as the 24th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was selected just nine picks after soon to be Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. Later on that season the Lakers picked up the superstar center, Shaquille O'Neal. This would be the beginning of the team that would go on to win three straight Championships. Kobe Bryant and Shaq were the superstars of the team, but Fisher became known as the guy who would always knock down shots when needed. Fisher left the Lakers in 2004 and signed with the Golden State Warriors as a free agent. His two seasons at Golden State proved to be somewhat of a let down as he was not able to stand out with out a superstar such as Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O'Neal. The team struggled for those two years, although Fisher averaged 13.3 points per game which was the highest of his career. In 2007 Fisher was sent to the Utah Jazz in a trade that sent Keith McLeod, Andre Owens, and Devin Brown to Golden State. During his one season in Utah he played in all 82 games, putting up an average of 10.1 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.01 steals while scoring in double figures 40 times. Also while in Utah Derek was voted in as the President of the National Basketball Players Association. Fisher would return the next year to the Lakers in 2008 where he won his fourth and fifth title.

After the waivers cleared at around 6 P.M. Fisher signed a contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the remaining of the 2011-2012 season. Fisher wore number 37, his age at the time, because his number 2 was taken by Thabo Sefolosha. Derek was a big part of the run to the Finals that the Thunder made, not only by his performance on the court, but mainly by his leadership and experience. After the conclusion of the 2012 season he was let go as a free agent where he signed with the Dallas Mavericks. Fisher played nine games before receiving an injury to his patellar tendon on his right knee. Two days later his request to be released was granted. On February 25, 2013, Fisher re-signed with Oklahoma City for the remainder of the 2012–13 season. After looking back at his career in the NBA Fisher decided to pursue an opportunity to win his sixth NBA Title. Perhaps this is the reason he chose to wear number 6 instead of the number 37 that he wore last year. Fisher did not contact the Dallas Mavericks before signing with the Thunder which greatly upset Dallas officials.

Despite your opinion on the ability of Fisher to still play the game, he is still going to go down as one of the greats. Although he has his slumps, he brings some valuable minutes and leadership to this Thunder team, but most importantly he brings not only playoff experience, but NBA Finals experience.

Thunder Update 6

The Oklahoma City Thunder are now on a five game winning streak heading into tomorrows game against the San Antonio Spurs. Oklahoma City now has a record of 47-16, and things are only going to get better this season. Earlier today the Thunder defeated Kendrick Perkins former team the Celtics. The Thunder won 91-79, which is a way better outcome than the last time they played in Boston (Boston won 108-100). Kevin Durant recorded yet another double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, which was complimented by Russell Westbrook's 15 points in this double digit victory. The Celtics limited the Thunder's average of 107 points per game (an NBA best) to 91, but the outstanding defensive effort throughout the game made it enough to get a comfortable win.

Monday nights game will be no easy win, but will most likely be the deciding matter to whether or not the Thunder get the first or second seed in the West. The Thunder will come into the game only being behind one game for the number one spot in the West. Winning this game will not only tie up the race for first, but also give the Thunder a huge mental edge heading into the post season. Oklahoma City does have one thing going in their favor as they head into the house of the best home record in the NBA... San Antonio's leading scorer Tony Parker will not be playing due to his ankle injury a few days ago. There is a debate about whether or not having home court advantage effects the Thunder considering they didn't have it last year and defeated the Spurs in six games. When asking Kendrick Perkins about the situation he states "It's important, no matter how guys try to look at it". Tomorrow will be the third matchup between these two teams this season (the fourth will be played on April 4th), the Spurs won the first game 86-84 in San Antonio, and the Thunder took the second one 107-93 in OKC. It is clear that this is a must win for OKC. Kevin Durant is only averaging 21 points per game this season against San Antonio (which is a Western Conference low). Russell Westbrook will have to have a huge game giving lots of helpers (as CGilmartin likes to call them) to the outside shooters, and the trees inside the paint.

Oklahoma City seems to be meshing well with the new comers on the team. Derek Fisher has proven that he can give valuable minutes to the team. Am I saying he is a guy who deserves first half playing time? No, not at all! He brings great experience and leadership to the team, but he is not a guy who needs to be in a tight first half situation. Fisher is averaging 4.6 points per game to go along with 2 rebounds per game and 1.6 assist. Fisher could give us that push that lead us to the finals last year. Ronnie Brewer is only getting 8:30 minutes per game, which is a lot less than I personally expected. Brewer is bringing 1.7 points per game and 1.3 steals per game to the table. Now to our franchise players... Kevin Durant is still doing what he does leading the league in scoring with 28.5 points per game. Durant recently recorded his second career triple-double although it did come as a Thunder loss. Russell Westbrook is still holding his ground at fifth in the league in assist with 7.7 per game. Our defensive player of the year candidate Serge Ibaka remains in second place for blocks per game with 2.95.

Here are the current standings through 63 games:
*3/11/13 Note Worthy: Oklahoma City moves within one game behind the Spurs for best record in the West
Eastern Conference Standings:

Atlantic:
New York(38-22)
Brooklyn(37-26)
Boston(34-28)
Toronto(25-39)
Philadelphia(23-39)

Central:
Indiana(39-24)
Chicago(35-28)
Milwaukee(32-29)
Detroit(23-41)
Cleveland(21-42)

Southeast:
Miami(47-14)
Atlanta(34-28)
Washington(20-41)
Orlando(18-46)
Charlotte(13-50)

Western Conference Standings:

Southwest:
San Antonio(48-15)
Memphis(42-19)
Houston(34-30)
Dallas(29-33)
New Orleans(22-42)

Northwest:
Oklahoma City(47-16)
Denver(42-22)
Utah(32-31)
Portland(29-33)
Minnesota(21-39)

Pacific:
LA Clippers(44-20)
Golden St.(35-29)
LA Lakers(33-31)
Phoenix(22-41)
Sacramento(22-43)