Playoffs predictions and my regular season awards picks!

This is how the 2014 NBA Playoffs bracket looks like. I will breakdown and pick the winners of each of the 1st round matchups.

Western Conference

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (8) Dallas Mavericks

I wonder whether or not this will be the last time that two of the greatest power forwards of all time will face each other in the Playoffs. The epic duel between Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan lasted for a very long time, but I'm afraid this will be the end of it. One of the matchups of the last games of the regular season was Dallas Mavericks against the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams had the same record and the winner of that game would end up being the 7th seed and the loser the 8th seed. I think the goal for each team was to not face the Spurs in the 1st round, avoid them at any cost, as matching up against San Antonio is definately not an easy task. Mavs have the opportunity to pull off an upset, but I don't think it will take place, Popovich's troops will battle with Carlisle men but ultimately the Spurs will win the war. The trio of Manu, Tony and Tim will easily beat the lonely deutschman, he may recieve some help from Monta or the rejuvinated Vince Carter and steal away one game, but that is it. Sorry Dirk, you tried your best.

Prediction: San Antonio wins 4-1

(2) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (7) Memphis Grizzlies

Hmm who will win this series? The team that has KD on it. Nobody in the league can guard this guy, maybe except for LeBron. The Grizzlies don't have a legit scorer on their team but OKC still had a problem with this team in the previous years. 

Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder wins 4-2

(3) Los Angeles Clippers vs (6) Golden State Warriors

This is the best 1st round matchup of these Playoff games. Two rival teams will face off each other and fight to the death. This is going to be a tough series for both teams, especially for the Warriors, since Andrew Bogut is out at least till the end of April with an injury. David Lee and Jermaine O'Neal are going to have a bad time trying to contain Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, both improved drastically on offense. I wonder if Mark Jackson will go small and put Harrison Barnes at PF, like last year, when Barnes really blossomed and shined the whole Playoffs. In that case, the Clippers are going to have a problem. But honestly I think this is the year Chris Paul takes over. This guy wants to win, he is tired of losing, he wants that ring. With the help of the improve Blake Griffin he might actually get into the finals. The splash brothers will still fight and win 2 games, but that won't matter as CP3 and Blake close out the series with an even bigger splash.

Prediction: LA Clippers win 4:2

(4) Houston Rockets vs (5) Portland Trailblazers

This is the series which could go either way, both teams have one of the highest scoring offenses in the league, so don't expect to see good defense when watching these games. The key will be Damian Lillard and whether or not he will stand up to the task. This is just his second year in the league so the Playoff pressure may take a toll on him. Plus most of the Portland team will taste the Playoffs for the first time, so if they lose, don't be surprised. If think this will be a tough matchup for both teams and it could end up with a game 7.

Prediction: Houston Rockets win 4:3

Eastern Conference

(1) Indiana Pacers vs (8) Atlanta Hawks

The Indiana Pacers are struggling, Roy Hibbert can't get his head together, Paul George has been off lately, the balance of the whole team is shaken. It seems as if Andrew Bynum is a team cancer, that destroys team chemistry even if he's not playing, he can affect a team only with his presence. Still, despite their struggles, I don't see Atlanta Hawks winning a 4 game series against the Pacers, but I do pick them first as my potential Playoff upset.

Prediction: Indiana Pacers win 4-2

(2) Miami Heat vs (7) Charlotte Bobcats

The team with the best player in the world wins. Nothing more needs to be added. The Bobcats will win one game, probably behind Al Jefferson's monster game, every big man plays well against Miami.

Prediction: Miami Heat win 4:1

(3) Toronto Raptors vs (6) Brooklyn Nets

This is interesting. Both team are new to the Playoffs and both have coaches which never expierienced the Playoffs, so it is important how will they manage their lineups in different situations. We are still to see if KG and Paul Pierce have anything left of them, this series raises a lot of questions. But I pick the Raptors to win. The highflying duo of DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross (the remix of Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter) will outduel Pierce and Johnson, and they have a near all star on their team in Kyle Lowry, who is a great playmaker, and in my opinion a better player than Deron Williams who doesn't seem to get back to his glory days in Utah. But my opinion may be compromised by my hatred aimed at the Brooklyn Nets, no offense Nets fans, I just don't like your players, sorry.

Prediction: Toronto Raptors win 4:3

(4) Chicago Bulls vs (5) Washington Wizards

I'm a big Bulls fan so you already know who I have winning this series. The main problem for the Bulls is their scoring, they just can't score. Without DRose or Deng they have to rely on Augustin and Dunleavy, since Noah isn't exactly a scorer and Boozer is out of form. I would like to get something out of Jimmer Fredette, but I doubt that Thibbs will put an inexpierienced player out on the court in the Playoffs. The Wizards have everything they need to beat the Bulls, but their still young and new, they may lack the heart and intensity that Joakim Noah brings every night out on the court. Remember, he is capable of winning whole series by himself, just like he did last year against the Nets.

Prediction: Chicago Bulls win 4:2

Regular season awards:

Coach Of The Year- Jeff Hornacek

Even though the Suns haven't made the playoffs (which is a damn shame) Jeff stil did an amazing job with the team, that was supposed to win no more than 20 games this season and ended up winning over 45. Phoenix future is bright with Hornacek.

Rookie Of The Year- Micheal Carter-Williams

Despite losing 26 straight games, Carter-Williams still should win Rookie Of The Year honors. This guy put up Magic Johnson-type numbers,that's amazing. The reason he shot so purely outside the arc (26% lowest in league history) is because he was the focal point of the Sixers offense.

Defensive Player Of The Year- Joakim Noah

Beast on defense, just watch a Bulls game and see for yourself. I refuse to give that award to Roy (aka Mr. Overrated) Hibbert because of his rebounding numbers. I know that doesn't really have much to do with defense, but that is just unacceptable for a 7 footer to rebound jus 7 boards a game.

Sixth Man Of The Year Award- Jamal Crawford

I'd give this award to Nick Young, but his Lakers' record is too low. 

Most Improved Player- Gerald Green/ Goran Dragic

I just have to award the Phoenix Suns in any way I can, espacially since they didn't make the Playoffs. Both of these guys made a huge leap and were a big reason why the Suns came that far. 

Most Valuable Player- Kevin Durant

KD is this season's best player, no doubt about it. Broke MJ's record with most consecutive games with 25+ points, won another scoring title and kept OKC alive without Russell Westbrook.