The second round of the NBA playoffs begins today, so it is time to review our predictions from the first round and make further foolish predictions for the upcoming games. First, let's review the first round.

1. Celtics/Hawks. This one is yet to be decided and I was dumb enough to say that Atlanta had absolutely no chance. My only saving grace is that absolutely everybody else said the same thing. No one expected this series to be competitive and certainly no one expected it to go seven games. Like a moron, I boldly predicted that the Celtics would sweep. I would possibly have been more accurate if I had actually listened to my own keys for success. First, I said that better coaching is a key, and yet I ignored the painfully obvious fact that Doc Rivers is a bumbling idiot. Secondly, I said that mental toughness was a key, and I was thinking that Kevin Garnett was indeed mentally tough. Now I realize that Garnett has mistakenly decided that he should automatically be coronated as champion without going through the difficulties of the playoffs because the poor baby had a difficult time in Minnesota. I still think that Boston will win game seven, but I would be very happy if I were wrong.

2.  Pistons/76ers. I predicted that the Pistons would win this series in either five or seven games, with the deciding factor being Rasheed's desire. The Pistons won in six, and Rasheed did not disappoint those of us who were looking for his consistent inconsistency.

3.Magic/Raptors. I predicted that the Magic would win in five and they won in six.

4.Cavaliers/Wizards. I predicted that the Wizards would win in six, but the Cavaliers won in six. I expected LeBron's childishness to be a bigger factor, and while he did play the part of the cry-baby, there was probably more childishness on the Wizards side. Agent 0 proved once again that he can not be trusted to stay healthy.

5.Lakers/Nuggets. I predicted that the Lakers would win in five and they swept.

 6.Hornets/Mavericks. I predicted that Dallas would win in seven, and New Orleans won in five. I am astounded that the weak side defense of an Avery-Johnson-coached team could be so bad. Paul feasted on blown coverages, and as a result, Avery is looking for a new job. There is one good thing to come out of Dallas' early exit: Josh Howard can get back to the important work of smoking weed.

7. Spurs/Suns. I have a confession to make. I am one of the biggest San Antonio Spurs fans that exists, even though I live 1200 miles away from San Antonio. I picked the Suns to win this series in an effort to soften the blow if the Suns had indeed won. In that event, I could always console myself by saying, “Well, that's what I predicted.” I know: That sounds a bit sociopathic. Sometimes, there is a very fine line between being a dedicated fan and being a sociopath. I am very happy that I was wrong, but to be absolutely honest I expected the Spurs defense to take control and win it. I am surprised that the series lasted only five games, and I attribute that to the terribly inept coaching of D'Antoni. He is a horrible coach, and I do not understand the efforts by Kerr to keep him. Send his sorry, cry-baby butt packing. Additionally, on the mental toughness issue, no one could have predicted the numerous mental mistakes that Phoenix made during crunch time. My only disappointment concerning the series was that not every game was like the first game. That was basketball at it's best.

8.Jazz/Rockets. I predicted the Jazz in seven, and they won in six.

And now for my foolish predictions for the second round.

1. Jazz/Lakers. I think that Jerry Sloan is a slightly superior coach, but his slight superiority is due to the fact that, even though Phil Jackson is old enough to know better, at times he still falls into the trap of believing that he is more important than his players. In addition, I think that Utah is more mentally determined, and will take this series in seven games.

2. Magic/Pistons. Flip Saunders is a worthless coach. Stan Van Gundy is the hardest working coach in the NBA. Based solely on the coaching inequity, I pick the Magic to win in six.

3. Celtics/Cavaliers. Mike Brown is a better coach than Doc Rivers, but LeBron is still a distraction. Celtics in six.

4. Spurs/Hornets. Spurs in six.

    

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