NBA Playoffs Preview

After 66 games in about 123 days, the NBA regular season has finally come to a close. With the playoffs just around the corner, 16 teams have a chance to win it all. The Spectrum's NBA experts, Matthew Parrino and Nathaniel Smith, are here to break down the storylines, the upsets, and the break out players in the 2012 playoffs.

Storylines

- Is Derrick Rose healthy enough to lead the Bulls on a deep run into the playoffs?

- Is this the year LeBron finally wins that elusive first ring?

- Are the Spurs for real, or are they doomed for another early exit?

- What Knicks team shows up in the playoffs?

- Will the 2010-11 demon of Westbrook-Durant show its face this postseason or will the Thunder take the next step?

- Will Kobe pull even with Michael Jordan and win his sixth ring?

- Can the Clippers shake off their 'loser' label and make a run in the Western Conference?

Upset Alert

When discussing the upset possibilities here on the committee of two, we had trouble committing to one team we thought could pull off an upset. As a matter of fact, we have come to the conclusion that we don't feel any lower seed is going to advance in the first round. But what good is that? This is the upset portion of our program.

Nate thinks the team most likely to upset its opponent is the New York Knicks. He feels they have the better bench and that Carmelo Anthony is capable of putting a team on his back in a seven game series. The key is Amar'e Stoudemire. If he is able to allow Anthony to do his thing on the offensive end and pick up the effort on the defensive end, New York has a prayer.

While this is a complete stretch, Matt thinks the only team that could pull off a miracle upset in round one is the defending champion Dallas Mavericks. Playoff experience is so important in the NBA, and Dirk Nowitzki finally knows what it feels like to reach the top of the mountain. Dallas beat Oklahoma City last season in the Western Conference Finals, and even though the Mavericks lost all-world defender Tyson Chandler, history is a good friend to have in the postseason.

Most Likely to Sweep

This one was easy - the Indiana Pacers. Look at the matchup first of all. The Orlando Magic are reeling ever since we found out Dwight Howard would miss the rest of the season. The Magic are 5-8 in April and they are about to take on a team in Indiana that's gone 12-3 in the same time period.

Indiana is on a mission and one of the teams in this year's playoffs looking to take that proverbial next step - just ask Danny Granger. "We take it a little personal," Granger said in an interview with slamonline.com when asked about Indiana being an afterthought in the East. "But we're a small market. A thing about being a small market is that you don't get the national media coverage like some of the other teams."

Last season the Pacers gave Chicago all it could handle in the postseason with rookie coach Frank Vogel at the helm and a struggling superstar in Granger. This season, and especially lately, the Pacers have turned into a dangerous young team that is starting to believe in itself. Ever since George Hill was moved into the starting lineup the Pacers have looked unbeatable at times. Also look for youngsters Paul George and Roy Hibbert to have a huge impact this postseason.

Must-Watch Player

We know everything you're about to say when we write down this guy's name, but we have to do it anyway. LeBron James. Nobody is more must-see TV in this year's playoffs than The King himself. Whether you love him or hate him you have to watch him.

There will be those vehemently cheering against James, still scarred from his legendary Cleveland jailbreak. Then there will be those who still cheer him, Miami fan or not. But no matter what side you're on you will be watching.

It's simple: James has to win a ring. If he doesn't this year the pressure to win one will reach historic levels. After he claimed to want to win at least five when he signed with Miami, LeBron-haters have been waiting every season to be able to yell it from the rooftops that James is still ring-less.

The factor that all fans should be watching is the demeanor and attitude of the best basketball player on the planet. In the past - mainly against Boston while still a member of the Cavaliers and last season against Dallas - LeBron has shrunk when the lights shined down on him the brightest, or so his critics claim. If the Heat are going to bring the title back to Miami, it's going to have to be because of James and the leadership this team is so desperate for.

Wade can do it, but it's time for LeBron to live up to the hype and fulfill the prophecy leading up to his arrival.

Coming Out Party Player

Arguably the most electrifying point guard in the NBA, Nate and Matt agreed that Russell Westbrook is poised to be this year's breakout star. On the heels of a forgettable postseason a year ago that saw the young talent get benched late in a game against Dallas, Westbrook has answered all his critics this season.

The relationship between Westbrook and Durant has blossomed because of the public perception that the two can't coexist. On the contrary, they seem to be flourishing side-by-side. Westbrook has the ability to score from anywhere and in any fashion. He finishes around the rim and many forget sometimes that he makes seven-footers look like guards in the paint because of his quickness.

If the Thunder win it all or even make it to the Finals, Westbrook's performance will be one of the main reasons. He has a chance to elevate his game to All-League levels this postseason and we think he's going to do it.

The Rundown

TONY PARKER AND THE SPURS

Nate brought up a great point as we discussed the Spurs and their chances in the playoffs: Tony Parker has to be considered an elite player, right? It's been sort of a redeem-type performance this season. Now removed from titles of year's past and Housewives past, Parker has garnered little run this season despite being the best player on the best team all season.

Parker is averaging 18.3 points per game (up over a point and half from his career average) and is averaging a career-best 7.7 assists per game. To put it in a nutshell, Parker has been unstoppable this season. He's the man in charge of one of the most potent and high-scoring offenses in the league and he really involves his teammates and allows them to be effective.

Here's the bad news: The Spurs aren't a young team. In fact, they're old. Tim Duncan may be in the midst of his last hoorah and Manu Ginobili is one injury away from missing the rest of the season. Last year is now a distant memory but losing in the first round, as the one seed, has to creep into the minds of the players.

Another question facing the Spurs is the young players on the squad. Is Kawhi Leonard, Daniel Green, DuJuan Blair, and James Anderson ready to step up in the playoffs? Guys like Boris Diaw and Stephen Jackson are veterans and have the experience, but the Spurs have morphed into an offensive juggernaut and are going to need those young guys if they plan to make a run.

DERRICK ROSE'S HEALTH

The Bulls are one of the top teams in the NBA and have been impressive this season when superstar Derrick Rose hasn't played. John Lucas III has provided some of the most memorable moments this year with his strong play and whether or not Chicago has Rose, it's going to be a tough team to beat.

But Rose seems ready to go and the question now is if he's healthy enough. The Bulls fell short of the Finals last season and unless something unexpected happens, they're going to have to go through Miami to get there this year. They're going to need Rose at the top of his game if they plan to compete.

The problem is Rose has only played in nine of his team's last 25 games and hasn't been his usual self. He's only averaged 15 points per game in his last five. In those games he's turning the ball over four times a game (one more than his career average) and he's shooting a dismal 32 percent from the field. Things are very shaky in the Windy City heading into the playoffs.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES ARE A SLEEPER - OR ARE THEY?

Yes, the Memphis Grizzlies. Last year they shocked everyone, upsetting the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs and challenging the Thunder before falling short. This year, not only do they return nearly all of their stars, but also they add Rudy Gay who was injured just before the start of last postseason.

They have a favorable matchup in the Clippers, who may not be ready to make a deep run. If all goes to plan, Memphis will go up against the Spurs in a potential second round matchup. Zach Randolph is back, and has been dominating off the bench; Tony Allen is an elite perimeter defender and capable of shutting down Durant and Kobe Bryant; and Gay is a consistent scorer that has the ability to win games in the fourth quarter.

If those guys can simply repeat their performances from last year, and Gay can remind people that he is a big-time player in this league, then the Grizzlies are a more than a tough out - they are a contender for the title.

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com, matthew.parrino@ubspectrum.com, nathaniel.smith@ubspectrum.com