The NBA Playoffs: Rondo is a Beast Edition

This NBA player matters because his team is good and he is in the playoffs. Plus he is crazy talented. Just saying...

The second round of the playoffs are not nearly as exciting as the first round of the playoffs which is quite confusing. There is only one upset that looks plausible while the first round saw two with the Jazz beating the Nuggets and the Spurs beating the Mavericks. One sweep has occurred while there are two more potential sweeps lurking. The only series that has generated any interest is:

• The Cavaliers vs. The Celtics- The Celtics tied the series 2-2 yesterday behind the phenomenal play of the ex-Wildcat Rajon Rondo. The point guard had a triple double, his fourth in the playoffs as a Celtic. Only Larry Bird (10) has more. Each team has lost in a blowout at home and, in my opinion, this series is still up for grabs. LeBron James has looked human in every game except game 3, fighting a phantom elbow injury. The next game is in the Cleve. Let's see if they Cavs have an answer for Rondo. If the Celtics win then I think you can stick a fork in the Fighting LeBrons as the King will be wearing Knick orange next season


• The Suns look unstoppable. The combination of Steve Nash and Amare Stoudamire is the best in the NBA. They are Stockton and Malone with more speed. They dealt a rare sweep to the veteran 4 time NBA champs Spurs. If the Lakers get past the Jazz (and they will), there will be an epic match up between Kobe and Nash.


• Dwight Howard will be in his second straight NBA Finals series. The Magic have not lost a game in the playoffs (the lone team to do so) and will sweep the Hawks in tonight's game. The missing piece to the puzzle was Vince Carter. He looked old in New Jersey but has found second life with the young Magic. A healthy Jameer Nelson adds a missing gear that the Magic lacked last year when he was out for most of the playoffs. The Magic are the best three point shooting team in the NBA and if they are hot they are seemingly unbeatable.


• Game 3 was the death rattle from the Jazz. The Lakers are too big and too strong for them to deal with. The loss of Okur in the first round of the playoffs left the middle wide open for the Jazz and has forced Carlos Boozer to take on a bigger load in the middle. Kobe is still Kobe and with Gasol, Bynum, Odom and Artest, the Lake Show will be tough to beat.

I was perfect in my first round picks but was a lazy-ass and didn't make any second round picks. To make up for this I will predict the next round since 3 out of the 4 series are all but sewed up.

• Magic over the Cavaliers


• Suns over the Lakers

There you have it Sportsthat Nation! I fully expect to see the Suns and the Magic in the NBA Finals this year. I think this might be Steve Nash's year but I am definitely not counting out the Magic. Howard vs. Stoudamire will be a match up for the ages.

One final note: Watching Rondo, Nash and Deron Williams has led many in the NBA analyst business to question who the best point guard in the NBA is. You have to throw in Chris Paul's name as well. Who do you think it is? If I had to pick one point guard right now in this stage of his career to come in and lead my team I would have to pick Williams. I love the others but Nash is getting up there in age, Rondo lacks the shooting threat and Paul lacks the size. Rondon comes in a close second with his defense and his all around play making ability. He can take over a game with his passing, rebounding and his defense. If he had a shot he would be one of the best players in the NBA.