Let the GAMES begin!

Cavs beat Wizards, Spurs beat Suns in double OT, Chris Paul gets loose on Mavericks
for those who didn't notice, the NBA Playoffs started with a sonic BOOM saturday...
the first round matchup of the last three years set it off: Cleveland hosted the Washington Wizards in what will probably be a barn-burner of a series between teams that know each other well, with two of the best stars in the league Lebron "King" James, and Gilbert "Agent Zero" Arenas.
the Cavs won game 1 the way i expected: they leaned heavily on Lebron. conversely, Washington did what i thought they would do to lose it: they leaned on Arenas a little too much. Arenas missed most of the season with an injury, and during that time Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler held it down just fine. it would be stretching it to say they are better without Arenas, but they certainly play better! the Wizards are gonna hafta learn to gel as a team to beat Lebron and company, which i think can, and will happen. if Arenas can accept that Lebron is better than him, but that his Wizards are better than Lebron's Cavaliers, he will lead Washington into the second round. but he didn't find that truth in game 1... so they lost. so anyways, it starts with a very good, close game...
now, i would have called the east opener between the Cavs and Wizards a great game, if it wasn't for the Suns trip to San Antonio... a double-overtime nail-biter that probably caused heart attacks in the greater San Antonio AND Phoenix viewing areas! there were too many big shots in this game (including when Tim Duncan spotted up for a 3 point bomb to send it into a 2nd overtime!) from both teams, but when the smoke cleared, it was Ginobli's slashing layup that sealed the two point win for the Spurs, in what was EASILY the day's best game. Phoenix coach, Mike D'antoni said "if all the games go like this, people will definitely get their money's worth!"
moving along, Chris Paul gets the Grown Man Award for his 35 point, 10 dime smashin' of the Mavericks, at one point beating his chest and proclaiming "He can't guard me!" repeatedly... this was the first time many people in America got to see the 3rd year point guard really play (the all-star game doesn't really show it), and i think it's safe to say, a star is born! if ESPN radio is any indication, he's a lock for MVP. cats are not ready for the way this cat handles the ball!
so far, the NBA playoffs have been SCORCHING, and that's just the first day!!!
holla!
samax.
-gM