Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
May 7, 2004, Washington Post

Round 2, Looking for No. 1

Finally, the National Basketball Association playoffs have begun. Sure, we're into the second round at this point but did anyone really think that the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks or Boston Celtics (all first-round knockouts) were going to make a run for the NBA championship? No way. Now, pro hoops gets serious. Every team, except maybe the Miami Heat, has a chance for the title. So every game, every series, every rebound and loose ball are going to be hard-fought.

Who will come out on top?

The Favorites

San Antonio Spurs. With all the talk about the Los Angeles Lakers, sometimes people forget that the Spurs are the defending champs. Led by all-everything forward Tim Duncan and underrated guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs have the talent, experience and toughness to go the distance. They are the team to beat.

Indiana Pacers. Indiana had the best regular-season record (61-21). The Pacers, along with the Minnesota Timberwolves, also had the best road record (27-14). That means Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest and ageless Reggie Miller (okay, he's 38) know how to win tight, tough games. They will be in plenty of those in the playoffs.

The Contenders

Minnesota Timberwolves. Kevin Garnett, the league's Most Valuable Player, is a man on a mission. He's been unstoppable so far in the postseason. If the Timberwolves can get Wally Szczerbiak (bad back) healthy enough to help out, Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell and the incomparable KG might take the T-Wolves all the way.

Detroit Pistons. In the 1980s, the Pistons won two NBA titles with tough-as-nails defense. They might do it again this year. Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace aren't related but they give Detroit twin rebounders and shot blockers. If the Pistons can squeeze enough points out of Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton, Detroit will be tough to beat.

The Pretenders

Los Angeles Lakers. With all their fighting and distractions, the Lakers are more like a TV show than a basketball team. Any lineup with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant in it is dangerous, but Kobe takes too many wild shots and Shaq can't hit free throws. As for the Lakers' other big names, Karl Malone and Gary Payton (combined age: 75) are too old to cover anybody. The Lakers will be off the air soon.

Sacramento Kings. The fun, fast-breaking Kings are my favorite team to watch. Sharpshooting Peja Stojakovic, Chris Webber and Mike Bibby will score plenty of points. But the Kings can't stop the other team from scoring when it counts. Sorry, no defense, no championship.

New Jersey Nets. The Nets are one of two teams still in the playoffs (Miami is the other) that had a losing road record (19-22). Road games in the playoffs are even tougher. The Nets won't win enough of them to move on.

The Prediction

The Spurs and the Pacers will play for the championship. They may not be the most exciting teams, but they are the best.