The teams mostly everyone expects to win during the series won today, leading 1-0 in the first round of the NBA playoffs as the Cavaliers stopped the Bulls 96-83 and the Hawks downed the Bucks 102-92.

CHI-CLE

The Cavaliers were just simply better than the Bulls if you look at it. They got LeBron, Shaq, and Antwan Jamison. They have more depth, more strength, and are just simply better team all-around.

The Cavaliers look to not fail this time. They made it to the Finals before, but choked. They got swept by San Antonio.  And they haven’t been dominant in the playoffs since. Yeah, they had a good year last year, but they just choked against Orlando.

But the Cavs are trying to prove people wrong this time. They just have to be. LeBron James said after the game the Cavs look like a chamopionship squad.

Of course they do.

This marks the tenth straight win for Cleveland for the first two rounds of the playoffs. LeBron James finished with 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists. James announced the Bulls will see a different monster of him. We might. Today, not so much. It was a team game. It probably might happen throughout the whole playoffs. It might be the only way to succeed due to that last few years of choking with just LeBron doing all the work.

But I can see LeBron turning into a giant monster, considering he averages 31.6 PPG all-time in the first round of the playoffs. Anderson Varejao played well, bringing in 15 rebounds and Mo Williams had ten assists. Meanwhile, Antwan Jamison had 15 points and ten rebounds along with Shaq playing like his old self.

But this series isn’t over. The Bulls could do something maybe. Derrick Rose (who delivered 28 points, seven rebounds, and ten assists) is the key. And Joakim Noah (8 REB) needs to play better. Won’t be surprised. But I still got the Cavs winning this.

Oh well…we’ll see.

MIL-ATL

The Hawks got a nice start here in the playoffs, no doubt about that. Though the Bucks didn’t play well, they had a good fight in the second half and made a good run, outscoring Atlanta 52-40, including 30-19 in the third quarter.

But the Hawks need to watch out for that. And Josh Smith wasn’t effective in the second half. Hawks probably got lucky maybe. They need to fix that in order to win this series against Milwaukee.

Joe Johnson finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists; bringing the most production to Atlanta and was the key towards Atlanta’s victory. Brandon Jennings produced a nice performance with 34 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

People started getting a little angry since the Hawks had a big lead but won with a ten-point victory. Take it easy, fans. A win is a win. But the Hawks need to get more aggressive. I still have them winning this.

The question is for Milwaukee: Can Jennings deliver by himself? He’s the leader. Can he do it?

Okay, this is the postseason coverage for right now. More games tonight. Heat-Celtics, Nuggets-Jazz. Commentary coming up.

It’s hard to feel sorry for anyone who gets paid millions of dollars to play professional basketball. Seriously.

But I started thinking about TJ Ford today and honestly, that guy’s had it rough (for a millionaire who’s probably never had a REAL job).

Here’s a quick recap of the rollercoaster ride that’s been Ford’s basketball career:

After winning two state titles in high school, Ford was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a degenerative disease that narrows and compresses the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.

He played two phenomenal seasons at Texas U, winning both the Naismith AND the Wooden Awards as a sophomore.

He turned pro and was taken eighth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. He was in the midst of a productive rookie season when Mark Madsen delivered a hard foul that slammed the little guy into the hardwood. The result was a contusion of the spinal cord, a life-threatening injury that kept him out of action for almost a season and a half. When he finally returned, the team had moved on without him, building their plans around Mo Williams. Ford was traded to Toronto for Charlie Villanueva.

As a Raptor, Ford flourished, guiding the team to a division title and playoff berth in 06/07. Then he hit the deck again, this time on a flagrant by Al Horford. He didn’t get up or move for a loooong time. They carried him off on a stretcher. Jose Calderon played well in his absence and Ford returned from his latest injury to discover he’d lost another starting job. He sulked. He refused to be a backup. The Raps traded him to Indiana for Jermaine O’Neal.

Again, Ford was handed the starting job. He played well for a while then lost said starting job to Earl Watson (yes, Earl Watson) in the beginning of January and hasn’t appeared in a game since. The Pacers readily admit that they’re trying to trade him.

Whew. Crazy.

I’ve never been a TJ Ford fan. He’s always seemed like kind of a self-absorbed dick. But I have to give him credit for courage and perseverance. And I hope this whole story ends well for him, I really do. I’d like to see him redeem himself like Chauncey Billups did, prove he belongs in this league. More likely is the possibility that his career ends with another crash to the floor.

Pictured: a paralyzed Ford