Lets get started with the second round match-ups. In the Denver and Dallas series you have a Denver team who probably has more players with a hunger to win than anyone in the playoffs right now. Their star Carmelo Anthony has lived his etire career in the shadow of Lebron James. From the same draft class and therefore drawing many early comparisons, Lebron could always do no wrong while Carmelo was criticized for his lack of playoff results. Now, with more games of playoff experience, Carmelo has come out with more intensity, drive, and focus than I have ever seen him play. Their team leader, Chauncey Billups, is also playing with a high level of determination as he was traded from a team whom he took to a NBA championship and was named finals MVP. Billups and anyone who follows him knows that he is still just as capable as he was when he won in 2004 and is playing as such. Nene is a guy who exploded in to the league but was set back by a knee surgery and is now back in full effect. Guys like J.R. Smith, Chris Andersen, and Kenyon Martin are 110% pure energy and will leave it all out on the floor every minute of every night. They are not just energy guys though. They are very talented players and have come to play and contribute what they do best on both ends of the floor. Dallas has some weapons but are not fearless like Denver. Dirk can score but has never shown me that he is the leader he needs to be for Dallas to win the big games. Now it seems there is not enough consistent help for him to be able to carry his team past Denver.

In the Boston and Orlando series I see two teams that are going to have a tough-grind-it-out series but both lack a few key elements that will take them beyond the next round. Boston had the best starting five in basketball, with KG. Without KG they don't have the same fire that his presence brought on the floor. He not only was their leader mentally and emotionally, but he commanded the inside and was a threat on the outside. His presence got everyone else on the floor better looks on offense and better help on defense. Boston beat up everyone last year because of their strong defense. If you listen to the pro analysts they always say good defense leads to good offense. Well, it is hard to get going sometimes when you can't get stops on defense. Defense is where you begin to control the tempo of the game and build momentum for your team. Momentum builds that confidence that everyone needs to play their game comfortably. Orlando has stars but not killers. Dwight Howard is the only killer they have. He seems to be the only one who wants to get up on a team and then play the way they need to in order to put the nail in the coffin. This showed in the Philly series as well as game one with Boston. Orlando needs to put the ball in Howard's hands EVERY SINGLE TIME DOWN THE FLOOR if they want to go far. He will either get a good shot or get someone else a good shot. I wish they would at least try it just to see how that would work.

I only got to watch the first half of the Lakers and Rockets game last night because I was tired from the flight home from MAO. What I did see early we can learn from. The Rockets have drive, they do not fear the Lakers, and they are not content with anything less than a championship. Everyone on the Rockets is playing hard every night. Yao is stronger, more physical, and playing smarter than he ever has before. Not to mention he has size all around him. Artest, Battier, Scola, all guys that play hard nosed basketball and are very intelligent players. The Lakers are going to have to play harder if they want to dictate the tempo of the game. They have all the tools they need to be NBA champions but have to take it one step at a time. They have to worry about the Rockets before they can think about who is coming out of the East. They played from behind early and that can also take you out of your game.

Cavs vs. Atlanta game one tonight. Atlanta better show up ready to play.

So what did we learn? Play hard. In a game of inches, if you give that extra effort, more often than not you will get the inch you need. Have confidence. Believe in yourself and in your teammates. Let your teammates know that they are doing a good job and you have faith in them. Cutting them down will destroy chemistry needed to win. Be prepared. Don't show up with a knife to a grenade fight. You have to be strong in all aspects of the game or your opponent will take advantage of where you are weak. Play your game. Do what you do best and it won't matter what they do. Get on a roll and put your opponent away as early as possible. Playing with momentum makes everything else fall into place so that you can play comfortably. Dishearten your opponent. Beat their ass into the ground until they give up. Fear nothing.

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