Can LeBron James lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA title in his first season back with the franchise? As good as the Golden State Warriors have been during the regular season, are they equipped to be able to make a legitimate championship run?
Before we can get the answers to those questions, we must begin with the first round of the NBA playoffs. And with the first round tipping off Saturday, we took the time to predict every series. Hold us to these picks!
Western Conference First Round
(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans
This series features two of the NBA's brightest young stars in Golden State's Stephen Curry and New Orleans' Anthony Davis. Averaging 23.8 points and 7.7 assists, Stephen Curry led the Warriors to a 67-win season and top overall seed in the NBA and he did it with sniper-like shooting and ESPN Sportscenter-worthy crossovers. He just might be the most exciting player to watch in the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans are led by Anthony Davis, who perhaps had to put his team on his back more than any other player in the NBA this season. His stat line of 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game says as much. But the Pelicans just don't have the firepower to hang with the Warriors. Maybe, New Orleans behind a dominating Davis take one game, but that's being generous.
Prediction: Warrrrioooors come out and plaaaay...win in five games.
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks
James Harden, who averaged 27.4 points per game this season, made sure his Houston Rockets dominated the Dallas Mavericks, 3-1, this season. But the playoffs spell an entirely new season and we expect Dallas's veterans such as Dirk Nowitzki, Rajon Rondo and Tyson Chandler to not go down quietly.
Outspoken Mavs owner Mark Cuban even commented that the Rockets "are not a very good team" as part of a Grantland feature. In the end, though, the Beard's magical season will continue. Harden will see to it.
Prediction: Mavs fear the Beard, Rockets in six.
(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (6) San Antonio Spurs
