2008 Woodie Awards
Face-off: Pete Lorenz vs. Kevin Hess
Pete Lorenz, Kevin Hess
Sports | 4/21/08
Who will make the NBA conference finals?
Kevin: I'll start with the easier- to-predict Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics were the most consistent team in the regular season and are playing with a chip on their shoulder, and have plenty of star power to boot. They should meet up with the Detroit Pistons, who are battle-tested in the postseason, but may be a little too long in the tooth to keep up with the Celts. In the West, I like the Lakers to meet up with the Suns. Kobe Bryant is playing basketball reminiscent of Michael Jordan in his prime (yeah, I said it) and finally has the supporting cast he needs. Meanwhile, Shaq gives the Suns depth up front and the championship experience they've lacked.
Pete: The Celtics are a no-brainer; the Hawks will go down in four, and the Wizards-Cavs winner will be eliminated within five games. However, the Magic will contribute to the Pistons' slide out of playoff prosperity. Out west, I'm taking a few young teams to make deep runs here. I love watching good point guards, and Chris Paul and Deron Williams are two of the best. The Hornets will take care of the Mavericks in five games and the Suns (they have a point guard too, right?) in six. The Jazz, who are the most underrated team I have ever watched in the NBA, will beat the Rockets and Lakers en route to the conference finals.
Should Cincinnati trade Chad Johnson?
Kevin: Ocho Cinco needs a fresh start. It's not that he's no good - Johnson set a franchise record in receiving yards last season with 1,440. He's got a similar competitive drive to Michael Irvin, has caught at least 85 passes in the past four seasons, and has six straight years with at least 1,100 yards receiving. But just ask Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Tom Brady: The most important relationship on the field is the one between quarterback and receiver, and Carson Palmer and Johnson just do not co-exist. Johnson has never been in legal trouble, so he will have plenty of value on the market.
Kevin: I'll start with the easier- to-predict Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics were the most consistent team in the regular season and are playing with a chip on their shoulder, and have plenty of star power to boot. They should meet up with the Detroit Pistons, who are battle-tested in the postseason, but may be a little too long in the tooth to keep up with the Celts. In the West, I like the Lakers to meet up with the Suns. Kobe Bryant is playing basketball reminiscent of Michael Jordan in his prime (yeah, I said it) and finally has the supporting cast he needs. Meanwhile, Shaq gives the Suns depth up front and the championship experience they've lacked.
Pete: The Celtics are a no-brainer; the Hawks will go down in four, and the Wizards-Cavs winner will be eliminated within five games. However, the Magic will contribute to the Pistons' slide out of playoff prosperity. Out west, I'm taking a few young teams to make deep runs here. I love watching good point guards, and Chris Paul and Deron Williams are two of the best. The Hornets will take care of the Mavericks in five games and the Suns (they have a point guard too, right?) in six. The Jazz, who are the most underrated team I have ever watched in the NBA, will beat the Rockets and Lakers en route to the conference finals.
Should Cincinnati trade Chad Johnson?
Kevin: Ocho Cinco needs a fresh start. It's not that he's no good - Johnson set a franchise record in receiving yards last season with 1,440. He's got a similar competitive drive to Michael Irvin, has caught at least 85 passes in the past four seasons, and has six straight years with at least 1,100 yards receiving. But just ask Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Tom Brady: The most important relationship on the field is the one between quarterback and receiver, and Carson Palmer and Johnson just do not co-exist. Johnson has never been in legal trouble, so he will have plenty of value on the market.
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