The genetic evolution of the NBA game is on stage, front and center, in the 2007 Playoffs. We are all witness to the growing dominance of guard play and the diminishing role of the traditional big man. The Raptors, Heat, Magic, all teams with an All-Star forward or center, have been eliminated from the playoffs. And Yao and his Rockets could soon be joining them. That leaves only the Spurs, with Tim Duncan, as the only remaining team with a strong low-post presence. Given this trend, who is to say that a Bulls versus Suns NBA Finals is not a distinct possibility?
To get there, the Bulls must first get past their all-time franchise nuisance, the Detroit Pistons. If you believe the regular season matters (Exhibit A: Golden State crushing the Mavs in the regular season and first round), then the Bulls should handle the Pistons in the playoffs. Whoever wins this series basically gets a free ticket to the NBA Finals since the winner of the Cavs/Nets series isn't going to beat either of these teams in a 7 game series.
That being said, the Bulls "have their work cut out for them" (where did that sports cliche originate?) in this series. Much like sitting through an hour-long depressive episode of "The Sopranos", followed by an uplifting half-hour of "Entourage", this series is going to get ugly before it turns good. With Hamilton, Sheed, Webber, and Billups barking at the refs after every call and trading barbs in the media, the antics surrounding the game itself could become most distracting. The challenge for the Bulls will be to keep their focus and edge on-court amidst all the peripheral garbage.
The only spectacle worse than watching the Pistons bitch and moan their way to a series win would be to witness a woman breast feeding in the stands (something I've actually had the privilege to see). Nothing wrong with it in the work place, but the only titties exposed at an NBA game should belong to the cheerleaders. And even then, only certain cities should be allowed. Have you seen some of the haggard team "dancers" around the league?
Anyway, where were we? Oh, yes, predicting the Bulls - Pistons series. Because the first round prediction wasn't exactly accurate, superstition holds that predicting a Pistons series victory assures the Bulls will make the Conference Finals. Well, it ain't happening here.
PREDICTION: BULLS over PISTONS in 6, with the defeated Detroit players showing a bit more respect than the last time we swept the Bad Boys out of the playoffs (see Isaiah Thomas).