The NBA Playoffs first round of competition has already ended. Half of the teams were already eliminated and the playoff battleground is only down to 8 teams, all of which were strong enough to beat their first round opponents. 8 teams are left. Detroit, Phoenix, San Antonio, Chicago, Golden State, Cleveland, New Jersey and Utah all battle it out for spots in the NBA’s final four - the Conference Finals.

There were a lot of action in this year’s playoffs, but sure there were many more surprises. None of them can dwarf the early exit of the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. After winning 67 games in the preseason, the playoffs were a tougher road to cross because of the Golden State Warriors, who also swept them in the regular season series. And Dallas was never able to cross the road. Baron Davis torched the Dallas defense with daredevil drives and eye-popping plays that shocked the Mavericks. And Golden State’s shoting was superb, their frantic pace was just too much for Dallas. I, myself got shocked by the turn of events. This was the biggest playoff upset in NBA Playoffs History. Dirk was a mess all along, never living up to the MVP billing that has been rumored to be his MVP this season. Only Josh Howard was consistent. Even Harris and Terry were on a struggle. The feat of the number 8 seed beating the number 1 seed last happened in 1999 wherein the Knicks beat the Heat in 5. This was the first time a number 8 seed beat the number 1 seed in a best of seven series.

And Houston and the Rockets lost again. Tracy McGrady, as good as he is, again did not make it past the first round of the playoffs. They lost their composure down the stretch against Utah. They made stupid plays that eventually cost them the game. It’s sad to think but I think T-Mac has a jinx inside is body that never allows him to enter the conference semifinals of the NBA. It’s just painful for superstars like him to never get past the first round. He has his help in the presence of Yao Ming, but it just pains to see him not to go past the first round. Another playoff surprise was the Chicago Bulls’ sweep of the Miami Heat. I knew Chicago could beat Miami but I just did not expect that the “Baby Bulls” could sweep the defending champions. I was delighted. Miami got swept. No more Wade-flopping and Wade FT-ing in the playoffs. It’s great to know that we’ll have new NBA champs for this year.

Vince Carter also got away with his personal series, winning against the Toronto Raptors. The Raps just struggled all along, taking ill-advised jumpers and jumpers and jumpers. They struggled against the zone defense of the Nets, which became their ultimate pitfall. In other series, The Spurs beat the Nuggets in 5. After losing Game 1, the Spurs racked 4 straight wins against the listless Nuggets. The Suns beat the Lakers in 5. The Lakers could just not match up with Phoenix’s sheer power and speed. They were still able to find points even if the Lakers made it a deliberate-paced game. The Cavs also swept the Wizards. No chance for the Wizards, who were playing without Gilbert Arenas. Detroit also swept Orlando, in what has been the most mis-matched playoff series in the 2007 Playoffs.

So the stage is set for the Conference Semifinals and we will shed light on the series, marquee matchups, side stories and a bold prediction on who will win.

EAST

(1) Detroit vs. (5) ChicagoStoryline: This was supposed to be the rightful Eastern Conference Finals. But sadly, Chicago lost its last regular season game, paving way for the Cleveland Cavs to snatch the second spot. This is Ben Wallace’s personal series as he tries to outdo his former team whom he left for monetary reasons. The Pistons have been cruising all along and they have been turning it on when it’s needed the most, Chicago, on the other hand, is coming off its best playoff performance in years, sweeping the defending champions Miami Heat. Marquee matchups for this series will be the battle of the guards. Guard play is important for both teams and it will be the tandem of Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton versus the pair of Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon. The centers will also be at notice because it will be Ben Wallace vs. Rasheed Wallace. The former Wallace connection of the 2004 championship team is now a rivalry to watch in this playoffs. The bench play of the two teams are also very good and the bench which will come up with more productive things for their team will have the upper hand in the series. And oh, by the way. the matchup of Tayshaun Prince and Luol Deng should also be interesting to watch. This series is gonna be very exciting and very interesting to watch.Prediction: The Bulls are very good but the Pistons have been in control all year long, and they have turned it on when needed to. The Bulls can also do the same but I think Detroit can manage because of their championship experience. Detroit in 7.

(2) Cleveland vs. (6) New JerseyStoryline: The New Jersey Nets are a team which has found their lost touch in the regular season. Cleveland, on the other hand, is a team that has been on some kind of a rampage all season long. Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson have found a way to get it going. Lebron James has got it going all season long. He’s been the man for the Cavs. He’s been scoring, making plays, issuing passes, and new to us and as impossible as it may seem, he’s defending. His teammates, also as surprising as it is, are also now up to the challenge of contributing to help Lebron and the Cavaliers’ cause. The Nets have another crack at it, they have another chance to enter the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland, on the other hand has the relatively easier route to the East Finals as compared to Detroit and Chicago who will square it out in a war. Bench play will also be key for this series because this team relies on their superstars very much. So the team with the better bench production will also have the upper hand. Cleveland should watch out for a break-out game from VC15 or JK5. The Nets, on the other hand, will have all their eyes and hands full on one Cavalier: Lebron James.Prediction: New Jersey can sure match Cleveland but the Cavs are just too much for the Nets. Lebron and the Cavs will prevail. Cavs in 6.

WEST

(4) Utah vs. (8) Golden StateStoryline: After shocking the Dallas Mavericks with a 4-2 upset of the number 1 team, Golden State tries to look for more playoff succes as they battle the Utah Jazz. The last time Golden State was in the Playoffs were 13 years back. The last time that Utah went this far in the Playoffs, the combination of John Stockton and Karl Malone were still playing again. Both teams are coming from great playoff upsets and they are both looking to enter the Western Conference Finals for the first time in many years. This semis bracket is kind of weird because it lacks the number one seed and the team that will enter to the West Finals will be relatively new. Golden State will be bannering their “organized chaos” offense led by the super guard Baron Davis and a bunch of athletic guys. This team will sure be up for high-octane and high-scoring games. Utah, on the other hand, will try to slow the pace down and make it a deliberate and physical series. Defense is Utah’s motto this series with Andrei Kirilenko leading the way. The Jazz will also depend on post offense courtesy of Carlos Boozer. The Warriors will surely speed it up and rely on their firepower to try and beat the Jazz.Prediction: Utah will play a deliberate pace, but I think Golden State can also play their physical and deliberate game. Plus Golden State can really turn it on and run away. Golden State in 6.

(2) Phoenix vs. (3) San AntonioStoryline: This is the most awaited semifinals series of the four - not to mention the most interesting to watch. This series is the epitome of the defense versus offense debate. It has been predicted that the winner of this series will be the ultimate winner of the 2007 NBA Finals so winning this series is very important for both teams. The Suns are on it again, and so are the Spurs, who are gunning for their fourth straight title in seven years. The Suns, on the other hand, are looking for their third straight conference finals appearance. The marquee match-up in this series is the battle in the middle: Amare Stoudemire going up against Tim Duncan. It’s the rising superstar versus the seasoned and multi-titled superstar. Phoenix and San Antonio also banner defensive stoppers slash irritators in the form of Raja Bell in Phoenix and Bruce Bowen of San Antonio. The point guards are also a marquee matchup: the multi-titled Tony Parker versus the seasoned veteran and MVP Steve Nash. The Suns, as everybody knows, banner their high-octane offense, with much similarity with Golden State. The Spurs bring in their patented deliberate, physical and boring pace in the series. Control of the tempo will be much key in this series because the team that will do that might actually win out the series. So the tempo of the game is key and the point guards are important because they are the ones who will try to setup the tempo of the game. Prediction: Phoenix will hold their own in this war with San Antonio but the Spurs are long due for another Finals appearance. As boring as they are, they are bound to do something special this season. Spurs in 7.