Wizards vs Cavaliers - Playoff Series Preview

The Wizards defeated the Piston's reserves last night, so they clinched the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference, which means that we'll be facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. This looks to be an exciting series, and so, like any fledgling sports blogger, I wanted to post my thoughts about the upcoming series (before Frank has the opportunity to upstage me).

My 10 Reasons why I think the Wiz will win!

1.) Season Series - Wiz 3, Cavs 1 - The only win the Cavs have over the Wiz came early on, while Washington was working out some chemistry issues (this was before Caron Butler was starting). Since their slow beginning, the Wizards have picked things up in the second half of the season, despite a 5 game losing streak near the end of the season, where Caron Butler was out. This brings me to point 2....

2.) Caron Butler - Frank's Blog the other day hit the nail on the head; We need Caron Butler to win. He brings the hustle and intensity, and 3rd scoring threat that Washington completely lacks without him.

3.) Lebron James - is completely untested. At times during the year, he's been terrible down the stretch (totally not clutch). When the playoff pressure is on, do you think he will be able to stand the test? Who knows? Let me just say though, he is probably one of the five best players right now. So, he could destroy us single handedly....but do you think he will? NEITHER DO I!

4.) Larry Hughes - Instead of staying with the team that he grew into an All-Star with(I know Larry Hughes has not been an All Star, but just go with me on this one), he took the money and ran to Cleveland. Do you think it is purely coincidental that his first playoff game for the Cavaliers is against his former team? NEITHER DO I!!

5.) Gilbertology 101 - Being known and loved as one of the quirkiest NBA stars today, Gilbert makes me proud to be a Wizards fan. Sure, he's a scoring point guard, which is semi-out-of-fashion these days...But I still love him. Reasons: He throws his jerseys out to kids in the stands after every game; he's 4th in the league is scoring; he rescued our franchise by getting us to the playoffs 2 years in a row (something that the greatest basketball player to ever live couldn't do); he plays online poker at half time to stay sharp and competitive; he adopted a 10 year old kid who lost both of his parents in a fire; He's really good! I mean, the list probably goes on. My favorite thing is when he goes like a whole game without shooting because a teammate had called him selfish the night before. He'll get like 18 assists and the Wiz typically wins those games! Do you think that is purely coincidental? NEITHER DO I!!!!!

6.) The Cavs - The pieces don't fit. They have chemistry issues! Z is a slow, bulking center who thrives in the halfcourt game. Lebron James should be their point guard, and he thrives in a fast paced, up and down game. Larry Hughes, Up and Down game...Donyell Marshall, Half court game; Damon Jones, the only reason anyone thought he was good was because he played a year with Shaq, getting to shoot all of his 3 pointers completely uncontested; ...You see, there are issues. Do you think it is purely coincidental that they are having these chemistry issues? NEITHER DO I!

7.) The Wizards are better coached. Who is the Cavs' coach anyway? Mike Brown? Isn't he like their 3rd coach in 3 years? That's not good. The Wiz are coached by Eddie Jordan, who took over the year after the failed Michael Jordan experiment. Do you think it is purely coincidental that Eddie, who has enjoyed 2 years of success, and Michael, who suffered through 2 years of failure, both have the SAME LAST NAME!!! JORDAN!!! NEITHER DO I!!!!!!!

8.) Experience - The Wiz were there last year, and had success, the Cavs weren't and didn't. Coincidence? NO SIR!!!!

9.) The Curse of Wes Unseld - During James's senior year of High School, he was suspended for a few games for receiving free a Wes Unseld Bullet's Jersey. Do you think it is purely coincidental that his first playoff games will be against the team that Unseld used to play for? NEITHER DO I!!!

10.) The B and O Railroad - The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) is one of the oldest railroads in the United States, with an original line from the port of Baltimore, Maryland west to the Ohio River at Wheeling, West Virginia and Parkersburg, West Virginia. It was built to connect the Baltimore Harbor to a suitable port on the Ohio River. Now, the Washington Wizards used to be the Washington Bullets, who used to be the Baltimore Bullets. Do you see where I'm going with this? No...OK, I'll explain...You see, the B and O Railroad never went through Cleveland. It only went to West Vriginia! NO ONE REMEMBERS THIS! So, what I'm saying is, that railroad DID go through Baltimore, and Washington DC, the 2 cities in which the Wizards Franchise has resided, but despite having OHIO in its name, has NEVER gone through Cleveland, where the Cavs reside. There wouldn't even BE A CLEVENLAND, if not for Washinton DC leading the way! DO you think this is all PURELY COINCIDENTAL? NEITHER DO I!!!!!!!!

Wiz in 6!