Tuesday Special: On Sunday!

Welcome to the UBAS Playoff Preview!

The second season is ready to kick off and let's hope it's half as good as the end of the season; personally can't wait to see some of the NBA powerhouses banging for 7 games and some real underdog heroes out of the ABA showing that on any given Sunday..

These predictions below are based on not running and sims or knowing anything really, I've decided to go with my gut feel based upon the season, the coaches and some good old fashioned guess work.  Feel free to disagree and leave comments on the blog - I reserve the right to mock your opinion if I disagree ;)

We'll start with the NBA because that's where I know best!  8 Strong.. yes..

New York Knicks (1) v Seattle Supersonics (8)

This matchup was determined at the last minute with the Knicks knowing that they would be opening at the Garden against anyone from Wilt and his Packers through to Kwame's Warriors.  The Knicks finished on a surge helped by a soft ending schedule and the Sonics looked out of it until the Warriors dropped the ball at the end of the season and the sneakily slid back in.  Shawn will be very happy to make it to the dance, but he knows his team can cause a giant killing upset if they can get by the Knicks.  Actually the Knicks pursued one of the Sonic's players hard at the start of the season - could that one player make a big difference?  The Knick's strong starters would seem to much though and the Knicks should get by in 6.

Los Angeles Lakers (2) v Anderson Packers (7)
Yikes at the start of the season these two were both in the top 6 predicted finish by expert Tosh so it's a surprise to see them meet in the first round.  Actually the Packers have looked very ordinary in the second half of the season whilst the Lakers have again found their stride and looked like the best team in the UBAS to finish the season (11 game win streak).  Somehow I can't see this one going that far unless there's a way to turn the Pack around.  Expect the depth of the Lakers to see of the Pack in 5.  The only chance of an upset is a loss of focus by the Lakers or a superhuman Wilt series.

Akron Firestones (3) v Milwaukee Bucks (6)
My oh my, it just doesn't get any better than this in the UBAS.  Akron were my equal number one with LA at the start of the season with Milwaukee oh so narrowly at 4 so again I'm somewhat surprised to see these two matchup in the first round.  This has to be THE toughest call and I think we're looking at a 7 game barnstormer!  I was just about to write how the Bucks were going to upset the Firestones.. then I don't know!  Yeah, go with your gut Nige, the Bucks will stun Akron in Akron in game 7 and go through to meet the Lakers.  Of course, the Firestones will definitely want to prove me wrong here.

Fort Wayne Pistons (4) v Buffalo Brave (5)
The Braves really did well this season and would have won their division without the great streak for the line by Adam and his Lakers.  Coach O'Donnell has done well to position them, but the slip at the end could cost them their chance at the second round and playoff success.  No matter which way I look at this I can't see the Braves getting by.  I call the super strong Pistons in 5.  Robert's Pistons will be finished before the Knicks/Sonics series and eagerly awaiting the victor for a shot at the NBA Conference Finals.

Over to the ABA.. two strong teams, a couple of fighters and..

San Diego Sails (1) v New York Rens (8)
The Rens are outmatched in most departments by the mighty Sails of the ABA (who I called out as ABA champs in pre-season prediction).  This won't be close but I think the Rens will get one behind Super Chuck and one of those lapses the Sails sometimes have.  4-1 Sails barring a major major upset.

Texas Chaps (2) v LA Stars (7)
There's no way I see the Stars getting past the seasoned (well.. you know what I mean) Chaps.  I think the Stars will try (quite rightly) to hang on to the coat-tails of Mr O'Neal - he is the best in the league right now but I think the Chaps just have too much depth.  Coach Sullivan will need to try some lineup changes and maximize the Diesel's effect but I think this only goes 5 too.  Chaps 4-1.

Trenton Tigers (3) v Hawaii Chiefs (6)
Man I didn't see the Chiefs here but make no mistake this will be the battle of the ABA and neither team wants to lose.  I think this will be a series of twists and turns with plenty of away wins and I think it has to go 7 games.  Coach Kik has seen his PER leading team sink but still somehow someway I see him pulling off the game 7 upset to win.  If he does that will pitch him against Texas in a rematch that both coaches, players and fans would like to see.  Chiefs 4-3

Chicago Crusader (4) v Kansas City Steers (5)
The 4th and 5th seed games are always hardest to pick and this will be no different.  The teams are quite evenly matched and I see this one going 7.  Int the end I'm going to differ from BBJ and Tosh's prediction and go with the home-court advantage winning out.  Crusaders 4-3.

Add a comment to the blog.. go on.. try and do it that way rather than league wide emails I dare you!!

;)

Nige