By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. 2006 NBA Playoffs So the first round of the playoffs are over, and the scrubs have been moved out of the way. This is where the big boys: Spurs and Pistons distance themselves from the rest of the pack, right? Wrong, this is the NBA Playoffs you win or go home and if you let a young team like the Cavs' hang around or even a hungry team like the Mavs' build confidence they will take advantage, because in the playoffs all things in the regular season are forgotten and the moment is seized, whether you like it or not the two participants in '05 NBA Championship are facing elimination in the second round. Face it people there are "NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK." Western Conference First Round Losers: Grizzles, Nuggets, Lakers and Kings. Round 2 (1) Spurs vs. (4) Mavericks- (Mavericks 3-2) The Mavs have found out how to beat the Spurs without outscoring them, STOP them! With Jason Terry causing havoc at the top of the key, the Mavs' are allowed to stay at home instead of having to jump out on Parker or Ginobli. Jason Terry had the game of a lifetime scoring 34 in game 4 that propelled the Mavs to a 3-1 series advantage. But in game 5 it was too much Tim Duncan, who scored 36 points and at one point was 12-12 from the field. I still like Dallas in this series now that game 6 is in Dallas, but please watch closely the Spurs are still the champs until the Mavs prove otherwise. X-Factor: Jason Terry scored 34 points in game 4. Prediction: Mavericks 4-2 (2) Suns vs. (6) Clippers- (Suns 3-2) Phoenix has to be one of the toughest teams to figure out. They lose their best interior player in Stoudemire, then their backup in Kurt Thomas is injured and everyone thought the Suns would set. But players like Diaw, Marion, and Barbosa stepped up and filled their voids. But with Elton Brand being such an inside force coupled with the veteran leadership of Sam Cassell, it seemed as if the Clippers would be able to seek revenge for the "other" L.A. team. Game 5 double overtime was one for the ages, and even though the Clippers left Phoenix with a loss, they still have to feel like winners as they seem to continue to push the Suns to their limit. Assuming that L.A. wins game 6, can they get over the hump to knock off Phoenix, or will the Suns shine against the "other" L.A. team? X-Factor: Steve Nash has missed his last 13 three-pointers. Prediction: Clippers 4-3 Eastern Conference First Round Losers: Wizards, Pacers, Bulls and Bucks Round 2 (1) Pistons vs. (4) Cavaliers- (Cavaliers 3-2) After Detroit embarrassed Cleveland in Game 1 and seemed to do the same in game 2, LeBron and Co. stormed back to eventually lose by 6. Many felt as if that lost was a confidence booster, but Rasheed Wallace thought otherwise. As a result the Cavs' went home and suffered another loss, except this time it was off the court. Larry Hughes brother lost his life at the age of 20 due to a heart defect, and after the Cavs' lost two straight coupled with the departure of Hughes to be with his family, many people including myself thought the Cavs' would definitely be swept. But LeBron thought otherwise. James responded with a triple-double performance in game 3, and another spectacular fourth quarter performance in game 4. Both resulting in wins, but Rasheed Wallace still wasn't convinced. "They did what they had to do", said Wallace. "They took care of home court, but its no way in hell they can beat us in a series." I guess talk is cheap, because LeBron & Co. responded to his statement on the court in game 5 by winning in the Palace. With Detroit facing elimination, coupled with the fact that they are facing it in Cleveland, will LeBron and Co. send them to Motown singing the blues? Or will James have to prove whose "King" once again in a game 7 in the Palace? I don't know but I will be a witness! X-Factor: Ilgauskas 14 points 10 rebounds 6 blocks in game 5. Prediction: Cleveland 4-2 (2) Heat vs. (3) Nets- (Heat 4-1) In case you haven't noticed Miami has cut down the Nets. Now that they are at home obtaining some much needed rest here are three things that were impressive about Miami. 1. Shaq seems to be in tip-top form and as a result he is a FORCE to be wrecken with. 2. It's obvious that Shaq and D-Wade are the heart and soul of Miami but the key to their success is a third scorer. In their game 5 clincher that third scorer turned out to be Antoine Walker who scored 23 points. 3. Lastly, by defeating the Nets in 5 they will be able to carefully rest, plan, and execute for the Eastern conference finals. Now that the Cavs' have exposed the Pistons, regardless as to who advances the Heat would have seen enough examples of both teams strengths and weaknesses. Heat Won 4-1 Just My Thoughts... • Wednesday the NBA announced its 2006 All-NBA Team: The first team included, LeBron James (leading vote getter), Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, and Steve Nash. I find it interesting that LeBron, Kobe, and Dirk all received more votes than Nash, however Steve was picked as the league's MVP. I don't know about you but 2+2=4 and this scenario isn't adding up. All-NBA Second Team: Elton Brand, Tim Duncan, Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, and Dwayne Wade. • Addition By Subtraction: As I watch the Mavericks play better than ever before, I tend to ponder this question. What's the difference between the Mavs with Nash and the Mavs without Nash. Well, the answer is simple: JASON TERRY. As we all know Steve Nash couldn't stop a running faucet let along a NBA point guard, and as a result of his defensive liability, Terry has upgraded Dallas' point guard position. Once again ask yourself if Kobe weren't on the Lakers, LeBron on the Cavaliers, Elton Brand on the Clippers, would any of them be the teams that we know them to be? NO. But somehow Dallas was able to compensate for the loss of Nash....Some MVP! • LeBron James has played 143 of a possible 144 minutes in the series versus Detroit. Get in all in while you're young kid! • NBA Lottery: The NBA lottery drawing takes place on Tuesday. No this is not when the NBA draws numbers to pay back fans that sat through Knicks, Hawks, and Bobcats games. This is when teams like the Knicks, Hawks, and Bobcats, have the chance to get a high draft pick to help turn these franchises around. Sorry boys players like LeBron only come around once every decade. • NFL NEWS: Dolphins has signed Marcus Vick, but its not surprising that Miami took the risk. In the past they've signed David Boston, Ricky Williams, and most recently Daunte Culpepper in the midst of his "Boat Trial". Falcons Safety Lawyer Milloy has worn #36 his entire career, but when he joined Atlanta that number belonged to Jason Webster. In a mutual agreement, Webster gave Milloy the number in return for a donation (an undisclosed amount) to his church. Saints running back Reggie Bush is still making a push to be granted permission to wear #5, by stating that 25% of his profit for jersey sells would be donated to Hurricane Katrina Relief funds. But it seems as if the No Fun League isn't so giving, because it seems as if his access will be denied. • Bonds is still homer-less since hitting #713 in Philadelphia. What does this mean...nothing because he'll eventually hit 714, 715...and people will still think Babe Ruth has a record that he hasn't held in 30 plus years.