Kenny Chang is a 20-year old writer for eSports. He attends the University of Southern California. Kenny's quirky sense of humor comes in handy when cheering for the abysmal Seattle Mariners and Oakland Raiders. Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks
* I have never seen anyone attack the rim (literally) like Amare Stoudemire. Now if he could only harness his aggressiveness on the defensive end. Amare?s emphatic shot swats electrify the fans, but last time I checked, goaltending gives the opponent free points. Although his defensive errors didn?t significantly hurt his team in the semifinals, Amare can?t afford to give freebies against the Spurs.
* The guys on "NBA Fastbreak" were dead-on with their criticism of Dirk Nowitzki. His belittling of Jason Terry at the end of regulation during Game 6 was unprofessional and unacceptable. Terry carried the Mavericks for much of the postseason, while Nowitzki?s mediocrity further perpetuated the myth that European players wither during the playoffs. Put up or shut up Dirk.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Seattle Sonics
* The Spurs defense exposed Jerome James for what Jerome James really is: an underachieving big man that demonstrates brief flashes of brilliance. Ten percent of the time Jerome is a beast: crashing the inside, peeling off pick-and-rolls, jamming home the ball. The other 100% of the time he?s a stiff. At least he gives 110%, and that?s enough for some team to pay him $20 million too much this summer.
* If Tim Duncan is option 1, then Manu Ginobli is 1A.
Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards
* The two most important stories from this series have already been written about ad nauseam: Shaquille O?Neal is hurt (but he sure can dance!) and Dwyane Wade?s great (better than Lebron James perhaps?).
* I never understood the purpose of advertising the "Star Wars series." It?s not as if watching a Burger King or Diet Pepsi promo will make a person suddenly decide to go see the film or buy an action figure.
* Charles Barkley needs to have his own reality show. Four hours of live television with Sir Chuck doing and saying what he wants. Think that wouldn?t destroy "Grey?s Anatomy" in the Nielson ratings?
Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers
* Assuming Jermaine O?Neal was significantly injured, his lack of inside presence handcuffed the Pacers. That being said, they were resilient throughout the series and are primed to be serious contenders next year. Although Reggie Miller will be missed, the return of Ron Artest should make Indiana a more complete team. Artest bolsters an already impressive defense and before the season-ending suspension he was average over 24 points per game.
With No. 1 and 2 seeds advancing from both conferences, it?s going to come down to experience and execution. From this point forward there are no excuses. As the ESPN promos tell us: "It?s on!"