Buster's NBA Playoff First Round Matchups and Predictions

We have made it through all 82 games of the regular season, and it is finally time for the payoff. There is nothing more exciting to watch in the sports world than the NBA Playoffs, unless of course, your team didn’t make it.(Sorry once again Bobcat fans)

Here is a quick breakdown of the first round match ups with predictions. My buddy CGilmartin and I will be going head to head throughout the entire playoffs. The winner of each round will be announced on our Twitter page.


Eastern Conference:

#1 Miami (66-16) vs. #8 Milwaukee (34-44)
Anyone who says that the Eastern Conference is better than the West should just take a look at this matchup to realize that they are wrong. When the eighth seed in your bracket has lost ten more games than they have won, something is seriously wrong. Miami will have no problem winning this series, but will give up one game in Milwaukee. It is bound to happen, its Miami, they always give up one! Miami wins 4-1.

#2 New York (54-28) vs. #7 Boston (41-40)
Wow, so much to say about this one and the city of Boston. Such a tragedy where it is very difficult to find any good out of what happened. The entire city will want to show to the world that they are going to overcome this. There isn't a better chance than to make a run in the playoffs. However, without the leader in assist in the NBA, Rajon Rondo, it will be difficult for this team to find that offensive spark they once had. Carmelo Anthony is showing no signs of slowing down his offensive pace and will run right through Boston. I hate to say it, but New York wins in a sweep 4-0.

#3 Indiana (49-32) vs. #6 Atlanta (44-38)
The Pacers are the team that I predicted to be in the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the beginning of the season. Despite the adversity and injuries this team had to overcome, I am going to stay with that prediction. Josh Smith and Al Horford will give Indiana all they want on the boards and through scoring, but Paul George and Roy Hibbert won't be having any of that as they defeat Atlanta in six games. Indiana wins 4-2.

#4 Brooklyn (49-33) vs. #5 Chicago (45-37)
This series has the potential to be one of the sloppiest series of the entire first round. Chicago has proven to be a team who can win without D Rose, and will have to continue to do so in order to win. Because there is no sign of his return anytime soon. Keep an eye out for Nate Robinson to continue his hot steak off the bench. He will give Chicago that spark they need to make it through this series. Brooklyn will look for their big man Brook Lopez to lead them with his 19.4 points per game. Joakim Noah is listed as doubtful for the first game of this series, however, this will not be enough for Brooklyn to make it through this one. Chicago wins 4-2.

Western Conference:

#1 Oklahoma City (60-22) vs. #8 Houston (45-37)
Isn't it crazy that here we are one year from last year playing against once our very own, James Harden? If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that we would be playing Houston in the first round against James Harden, I would have said you're crazy! I am not a big believer in "Linsanity" but I do think that Harden and Lin are good enough to steal one from the Thunder in Houston. This should be a very easy series for the Thunder to manage, they win 4-1.

#2 San Antonio (58-24) vs. #7 LA Lakers (45-37)
The Lakers had one of the worst starts to a season in a long time. Bringing in Dwight Howard and Steve Nash should have solved all of their problems from last year right? Well it obviously didn't as this team had to win their final games to qualify for the playoffs. The tragic loss of Kobe Bryant due to his torn Achilles, kill all chances of the Lakers even winning a game this year in the playoffs. I wish for a speedy recovery for Kobe Bean, because he will be needed, next season. San Antonio wins in an easy sweep 4-0.

#3 Denver (57-25) vs. #6 Golden State (47-35)
Golden State is one of my favorite teams to watch in the NBA. The Warriors will give Memphis all they want in this one. Stephen Curry and David Lee will provide real problems for Denver. They combine for one of the best duo's in the league. The Nuggets will be led by Ty Lawson and the defense over Kenneth Faried. Denver will barely escape from this one, and win the series 4-2.

#4 LA Clippers (56-26) vs. #5 Memphis (56-26)
These teams having the same record had pretty much an identical season. Both teams looked like they could win the Conference at times, but also had times of being one of the worst teams. The high flying and explosive Clippers will be a great match up for the outstanding defense of Memphis. Memphis will give the Clips some struggles, but Blake Griffin and Chris Paul will take care of this one in six. The Clippers win 4-2.

There you have it, the very simple predictions of the first round. We will get more into detail as the playoffs continue. But right now this is all you get. I really do believe that the Thunder have what it takes to get back to the Finals again. Miami on the other hand, they will have to turn their game up to make it back. The Pacers WILL beat the Heat and make it to the NBA Finals. Make sure you subscribe to our blog for updates throughout the entire playoffs. You won't want to miss anything!

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.