I don't think it's a stretch to say that this has been the most exciting playoff round since the Pistons were still starting Chauncey and Rasheed. This first round saw the unfortunate exit of our hero Antonio McDyess, and we should all shed a collective tear for our friends (and I mean that) at PoundingTheRock. But honestly, my pants tend to tighten when crappy sports writers get stuff wrong, mostly because the community here is far more intelligent and educated than your average sports writer. But without surprise (to us) a team with Carmelo and Amar'e on it was swept in the first round. What is a bit more surprising is that Memphis and Atlanta crushed two prospective contenders in San Antonio and Orlando.
As a result, the coming semi-finals are going to be more exciting to watch than any conference semi-final series ever has. Miami and Boston? I know who I will be rooting for have preference to win. I'm voting Fuck Lebron 2011, and you can too. Chicago and Atlanta? Chicago is my finals favorite in the East, but this will not be an easy series for either team. Memphis and OKC would be a lot more exciting if (and I can't believe I'm saying this) Rudy Gay were healthy. That said, the Thunder should have this one under control, so long as they can handle Memphis' frontcourt nastiness. Last, the Lakers meet the Mavs in what might end up being the best match-up of all of these conference-semi battles.
Wow. Excitement. Drama. Animosity between teams. Frankly, I don't give a shit. The only things I'm really looking forward to are the news bits that include "Gores Signs", "Lottery Results", and "With the Xth Pick".... and beyond that, as you all know quite well, "Dumars Relieved".
This, friends, is your second round open thread. Talk about the game with the round ball and the circular thing here.