Shaq'a'Cav

It's time for the Shaq-haters to come out of the woodwork (not like they don't already voice their hate). But it's time to start the hating: "He jumps to the best situation" ... "He's too old" ... "He will never win again" ... "He's a bum"

We've heard them all.

I'm one of the biggest Shaq fans on the planet. Followed him while at LSU. Made sure I didn't miss a Magic box score or game (when I could watch them on the West Coast) when he was with Orlando. Dream-come-true when he joined the Lakers. Supported him when he was on the Heat. Still didn't hate on him when he was traded to the Suns. Laughed at his rap last summer.

My opinion will never change about him - he's accomplished too much on the basketball court. Numbers don't lie, and he has put them up.

However, anyone that thinks the trade puts the Cavaliers over the proverbial hump is delusional.

This never works. You don't trade for one piece and expect immediate results. Especially one of Shaq's age. Kareem at 37 - with his game - yes, it works.

Lebron is playing out of his mind right now, but pairing him with an aging Shaq will not give you a ring. Not with Orlando reloading today. And not with the Celtics getting healthy.

This last ditch effort to appease Lebron James will go up in flames. Shaq and Lebron will be giving their exit interviews after the second round next year.

The Celtics would not have won by acquiring Kevin Garnett alone. They needed Ray Allen to complete that team.

Yes, if Shaq was a few years younger I could see them getting the pieces around them within two years to get Cleveland a championship. But after this experiment fails, Shaq will be gone and we will have a summer of questions about where Lebron is heading.

Now, if the Cavs get Rasheed Wallace... then we're telling a different tale.
Mo Williams, Lebron, Insert Name, Sheed, Shaq. I take that team over the Celtics and Magic.

NBA Playoffs 2009

It has arrived... after the long grind of the NBA season, the NBA playoffs are upon us.

Where ignoring my girlfriend for almost three months happens...

What will happen? Will the Celtics put up a fight without Kevin Garnett? Will the Pistons put up a fight? Will Orlando get to the Eastern Conference Finals? Will Lebron return to the finals? Will Kobe do it without Shaq? Questions, questions, and questions.

The second season which begins at the end of April and concludes in June is upon us.

Here is what First2Third thinks will happen:

Part one - East

Eastern Conference First Round:
The 1-8: Cleveland Cavaliers v. Detroit Pistons-
Are the Pistons that much older? Did they age 20 years overnight? Can they remind themselves of the dogfights they had in the playoffs of recent years? No. Not with the soon-to-be MVP Lebron James in the way. The Pistons don't stand a chance. What was once considered a "team" is now a group of individuals, trying to get theirs.

The Cavaliers are taking this in 5. I'm giving one game to Detroit because Rasheed Wallace is going to have a game where he goes off.

The 2-7: Boston Celtics v. Chicago Bulls
Chicago is playing strong to end the season. But, we're talking about the defending champion *cringe* Boston Celtics. A lot of people are going to doubt the Celtics chances with an ailing and possible no-play Garnett. However, this is still a strong team with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and some strong inside presence players.

Celtics in 6. One game is going to be won by Eddie House—dude is a streaky shooter and when he's hot, it rains fire. Cue NBA Jam commentator.

The 3-6: Orlando Magic v. Philadelphia 76ers
No Elton Brand equals no chance. I like the 76ers in the next couple of years, but it's Orlando's time now (first and second round). Philly is young and will be exciting to watch in the playoffs in the years to come with Andre Igoudala and Thadeus Young. But it's the defensive player of the year, Dwight Howard, who will have his playoff coming out party.

Magic Skips to their Lou in 5. Shaq, Ron Jeremy's brother won't choke in this round.

The 4-5: Atlanta Hawks v. Miami
The most exciting first round matchup in the East. This series is going back and forth. Both squads will be putting on a show for the world to watch, I'm not going to miss a game of this one. Easy to say, but the difference will be Dwayne Wade. He has taken over a Finals series and will put the Heat on his shoulders for at least two victories.

Heat in 7. I can see Wade making the deciding shot in game 7 like he did in game 1 against the Hornets in 2004.

The Western Conference First Round shortly... laughs and beer break.