NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview

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After long last, the second round of the NBA Playoffs is in the books, and we now know two things; Blake Griffin has become LeBron James' successor for biggest star unable to get over the hump (he gets this award after not showing anywhere near the fight his teammate Chris Paul did today in a dire situation), and the Conference Finals are going to be a doozy. So hey, let's not waste time and get to the predictions. As you'll see, my partner in crime Matt Mortensen isn't seen here, as the odds for the Conference Finals haven't been released yet. Never fear, for when they are, the column will be updated to include his analysis. Get it? Got it? Good. Let's get to this Eastern Conference Finals preview. ON WITH THE SHOW!

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview

Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Major Storyline: Can LeBron James alone lead Cleveland to the NBA Finals? I'm sure the King came into this season believing that question was irrelevant, what with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love surrounding him. Unfortunately Love is now hurt, Kyrie is banged up more than Charlize Theron in Fury Road, and the Cavaliers now look a lot like that 2007 team where Daniel "Boobie" Gibson was arguably the second best player. Yes, J.R. Smith is a capable scorer, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov know what they're doing, and Matthew Dellavedova will likely remain delightful while doing Matthew Dellavedova things. But with their other two All Stars either out or hobbled, the burden once again falls on LeBron to carry Cleveland's load. He's more than good enough to get his hometown squad back to the Finals by himself, but it will be no easy task. But hey, no pressure right LeBron? Skip Bayless will surely understand if the Cavs full short.

Secondary Storyline: Do the Atlanta Hawks have enough firepower? Even without Love and Irving at full strength, the Cavs will walk into this with one guy who definitely can and will take the big shots. Who is doing that with the Hawks? Atlanta did an admirable job this year winning games with team orientated play, but after struggling in the first two rounds against Brooklyn and Washington, it appears that style may not be suited for the postseason. They need someone who in the final two minutes can take a game by the horns and take it home? Do they have that? I don't know.

Hawks Player to Watch: Kyle Korver. While he may not be Atlanta's best player, the Ashton Kutcher look alike is by far their most important, his otherworldly shooting and excellent ball cuts provide Atlanta with some Cleveland just doesn't have. If the Hawks want to go to their first NBA Finals ever, Korver has to be the best guy on the floor for them almost every game. That means he'll have to improve his shooting quickly, after shooting 16% from the field and 10% from three in Games 5 and 6 against Washington. Hey, if anyone can do it, it would be Michael Kelso's stuntman.

Cavaliers Player to Watch: LeBron James. I mean seriously, there's no one else to pick from here. The Cavaliers are going as far as LeBron takes them. If he plays like the King, they'll advance. If he plays like the dude who fell to pieces against the Celtics in 2010 and the Mavericks in 2011, the Cavs will be hitting the links. In the end, it really does all come down to LeBron. I know, you're absolutely shocked. I mean, it's not like the entire NBA season always hinges on what the King and his court are able to do, right?

Gamblin' Matt and the Odds: Coming soon.

Winner: Cleveland in six. If the Cavs were playing one of the two teams in the Western Conference Finals, I'd simply tell LeBron to head home early and wait to make another go next year. But in the East, against a Hawks team that doesn't yet seem ready for primetime, the King can definitely get Cleveland to their first finals since 2007. Thus, that will be the final result. I'll give Atlanta this much though; they won't go down easily at all. People have been counting them out since the beginning of the postseason, and though they'll lose here, fans and media members will walk away seeing that the Hawks are merely one big piece away from being dangerous.

There you have it guys. I'll be back tomorrow to update this column with Matt's look at the odds, as well as a couple of Sega columns. Till then, let the sweet sounds of DUCHOVNY'S rage send you to sleep.

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