April 17, 2009

The 3-Man weave focuses on the Association. Coach Alvin Brooks III and Bob Dwyer (WFAN Radio, New York) and college basketball coaches take a look at the teams, the players and the hot topics of the NBA.

It’s playoff time. Former Kentucky All-American who spent seven seasons in the NBA, CollegeInsider.com’s Kyle Macy joins the weave to look at the 2009 playoff picture.

Macy was a three-time All-SEC selection and a three-time All-America. He was part of Kentucky’s 1978 National Championship team and, as a senior, became the first Kentucky player to ever to be named consensus Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. Despite having one year of college eligibility remaining, Macy was selected with the 22nd pick of the 1979 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. Macy played out his last year of college, and started playing for the Suns in 1980. Macy still holds the career free throw shooting percentage record at the University of Kentucky, as well as the Phoenix Suns franchise record.

Macy played in Phoenix for five seasons, averaging 10.6 points and 4 assists per game. He went on two play two more seasons with the Chicago Bulls (1985-86) and Indiana Pacers (1986-87). Macy was also one of the original participants of the NBA All-Star Three Point Contest when it debuted in 1986. He went on to play two seasons in Italy for Dietor Bologna (1987-88) and Bennetton Treviso (1988-90).

Macy was a member of the 1979 USA team that participated in the Pan-American games and would have played on the 1980 Olympic team had it not been for the United States’ boycott of the summer games in Moscow.


Orlando has no Jameer Nelson and it appears Boston may not have Kevin Garnett for the playoffs. Are the first few rounds playoffs now nothing more than an under card for Cavs-Lakers NBA Finals?

KYLE MACY: Cleveland is clearly the team to beat, but I could see Atlanta being a really tough test in the second round. The Hawks pushed Boston to the limit last season and that Boston team was better than this Cleveland team and the Hawks are also a much better team now. I would expect Cleveland to have little trouble getting past Detroit, but the Eastern Conference semis and finals will be a challenge. Out west, I think Denver and Portland can push Los Angeles, but I would be surprised if the Lakers didn’t get back to the Finals.

BOB DWYER: I agree with Kyle. Cleveland is the class of the East but they do not have a clear path to the Finals. Out of the first round yes, the Pistons will be lucky to lead a game at the half. Even without Garnett, Boston has two future Hall of Famers and Championship swagger. In that same series, Chicago has a lot going for them and if they beat the Celts in the first round, they'll have every reason to push out their chests a bit. Orlando may have lost Jameer Nelson and his one-on-one ability will be missed, but they replaced him with Rafer 'Skip To My Lou' Alston, who is a more than capable floor leader. And no team can match up with Dwight Howard. And last but not least, the winner of the Atlanta-Miami series is going to be dangerous, Atlanta got invaluable experience last year taking eventual champions Boston to seven games and Dwyane Wade is one of the top three players in the world. So LeBron and the Cavs are certainly the favorite, the rest of the field is more than just an under card.

ALVIN BROOKS: Unfortunately, this is not March Madness where losing one game ends your season. In a series, the better team normally wins. With Kevin Garnett out, a healthy Magic team will have the best chance to keep the Cavs from the Finals. The Lakers will make the Finals.

How far can Boston go without KG?

KYLE MACY: Boston will have its hands full with Chicago. For the second straight season the Celtics get a tough first round opponent. Last year’s Atlanta’s length and athleticism really gave Boston fits, especially on the road. Chicago presents some of the same challenges. Without Garnett the Bulls should be able to hold their own on the glass and there Rose should be able to get the basket with some regularity. I can see Boston going out in the first round and I can see them finding a way back to the NBA finals. As Bobby pointed out, they still have two Hall of Fame players and Rondo is pretty good also.

ALVIN BROOKS: Without KG, I don't think they will get past the second round. I agree with Kyle in that it will be a tough test against Chicago and Orlando would likely be next. During the season Boston allowed Kendrick Perkins to play Dwight Howard one-on-one, with KG there for help. That allowed Boston to get out on the perimeter to defend Orlando’s three-point shooters. Without Garnett, Boston’s defense is not nearly as good.

BOB DWYER: Like I said before and Kyle confirmed, The Celtics still have two Hall of Famers and no other team in the East can make that claim yet so you give them a punchers chance. They have a lot of work ahead of them and could fail to make it out of the first round against Chicago. Their lack of depth is a concern, but you know what you get with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo and Glen 'Big Baby' Davis are both much better players than last year at this time. Stephon Marbury could be an x-factor if he plays the way he used to be capable of.

Can Chicago beat Boston?

KYLE MACY: Yes. Chicago is one of the top scoring teams in the NBA and Boston is not close to being the defensive team they were last season. Rose and Gordon will create problems and Chicago’s front line of Noah and Thomas are very active. The Rose-Rondo matchup will be fun to watch. Rondo isn’t the offensive player that Rose is, but Rose isn’t a very good defensive player and Rondo is a very good defender. It will come down to Pierce and Allen. As they go, so go the Celtics.

BOB DWYER: I do believe the Bulls can beat the Celtics. I really thought that the Bulls kind of flew under the radar after the trade deadline, when they added John Salmons, Brad Miller and Tim Thomas. They have size, with Miller and Noah, and four guys who could get you 30, with Ben Gordon, Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich and Salmons.

ALVIN BROOKS: I drove 2-and-half hours, with my Pops, to watch Chicago play the Raptors in the final regular season game. If Chicago play defense like they did that night, there is no way they will beat Boston. They can score, but can they have trouble stopping people. If Rose, Gordon or Salmons gets hot they can hang with and beat Boston on a given night. Boston will score so it will really be a matter of can Chicago simply out score the Celtics.

Will the winner of the Atlanta-Miami series be able to challenge Cleveland in the second round?

KYLE MACY: As I said earlier, I think Atlanta can be a tough a matchup for Cleveland. I don’t think Miami has the supporting cast to compete with the Cavs in a seven-game series.

ALVIN BROOKS: Atlanta will have a better chance to challenge Cleveland but winning and challenging are two different things.

BOB DWYER: I do believe who ever wins this series will be pretty dangerous and could give the Cavs all they can handle.

Who presents the biggest challenge for the Lakers out West?

KYLE MACY: Denver or Portland. Although it would be interesting to see how Houston would perform if they can finally get out of the first round. With Yao they have the presence inside to matchup with Andrew Bynum. That could be an interesting series. A month ago I would have said San Antonio could beat Los Angeles, but the loss of Ginobli is a crusher. They still have Duncan and Parker so I would expect them to challenge the Lakers.

BOB DWYER: There are two teams the Lakers need to look out for in the West, the Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers. Needless to say the addition of Chauncey Billups has been huge for this team. Carmelo Anthony is a big time scorer and to do that he needs the ball. Billups can be a scorer if needed, but he understands that Melo needs his touches. They have pretty decent size with Nene and 'The Bird Man' Chris Anderson and JR Smith offers that instant offense off the bench that every team craves, so watch out for the Nuggets. The Blazers have all the tools. They just lack the experience. If nothing else, I think these playoffs could be a coming out part of sorts for Brandon Roy, who is a superstar by the way.

ALVIN BROOKS: Plain and simple -- The Lakers present the biggest challenge to themselves.

Can San Antonio be a factor without Manu Ginobli?

KYLE MACY: Yes they can. Greg Popovich is one of the best coaches in recent history and they still have Duncan and Parker. Looking down the road, one thing that sometimes hurts the Lakers is the fact that Kobe gets jump shot happy.

BOB DWYER: If getting past the Mavs in round one makes them a factor, then yes. But even as good as Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are, this team was built as a three headed monster.

ALVIN BROOKS: San Antonio will not be a factor due to the injury of Ginobli and aging of the stars on there team. Duncan knees have kept him from being the un-stoppable player we are use to.

Can Portland make a run in the West?

KYLE MACY: They had better be focused in on beating Houston first. They have a lot of talent, but lack of experience could hurt them. Ultimately this team is much like Atlanta last year in that this year’s playoffs will serve them well for the next couple of seasons. Should they get out of the first round they could be dangerous, but they will be challenged to get out of that first round matchup with Houston.

ALVIN BROOKS: Portland can make a small run due to the youth and excitement the city may bring. At the end of the day, it will not be enough to advance past the first round against my hometown team.

BOB DWYER: I'd like to think Portland could make a run, but I think they are a year away from making real noise. With that said, if they get a couple of wins under their belts, confidence can be a crazy thing. I agree with Kyle. They could be tough if they can get a series under their belts.

First round upset alert (East or West or Both)

KYLE MACY: Look out if Boston goes to Chicago for game six, down 3-2 and I think Houston will finally get out of the first round, in a mild surprise.

BOB DWYER: With all of the parity it's tough to put too much stock in the seedings this year, but for the sake of the Weave I give you, the Bulls over Boston and the 76ers over the Magic. I know AB3 loves that last pick.

ALVIN BROOKS: I will give Bobby a pass because he is young and because his game is suspect. Orlando won’t lose to Philly. As for legitimate surprises, Dallas over San Antonio. Age is catching up to the Spurs.

First round winners in the East?

KYLE MACY: Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland and Orlando.

ALVIN BROOKS: Repeat what Kyle just said.

BOB DWYER: It should be noted that I didn’t really predict Philly over Orlando. I do think Chicago will beat Boston and I think Philly will push Orlando to 7 games. Most experts believe Orlando will cruise past Philly in a sweeping fashion. I don’t agree.

My first round winners are Chicago, Cleveland, Miami and Orlando.

First round winners in the West?

KYLE MACY: Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and San Antonio.

BOB DWYER: Denver, Los Angeles, Portland and San Antonio.

ALVIN BROOKS: Dallas, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles.

click here to submit your questions for AB3 and Bob Dwyer