Finally, The Playoffs Are Set

You know, for a regular season that, all told, was rather lackluster, the NBA first-round playoff matchups look rather compelling. The Raptors-Vince Carter reunion is self-explanatory, but we also have Kobe against the Suns again, the Spurs against Carmelo and Iverson, a truly solid and evenly matched Jazz-Rocket battle and we even to watch Warriors fans finally get to play an elimination series. (If Golden State wins one game, they're gonna be ecstatic, and they'll deserve it.) It almost makes up for the lament of a Cavaliers-Wizards rematch without Agent Zero.

And oh, to be a Bulls fan. With just one win last night, they'd play those Wizards in a rather pleasant first-round matchup. Instead, they have to face the Heat again in a series in which they're unlikely to be favored. Talk about a turnaround of fortune. It's enough to make a Bulls fan want to throw his hands up in despair, or at least wonder where the heck Ben Wallace went.

Our pals at Free Darko will be previewing each series over the next few days, and we cannot wait. The NBA matters again! Kind of!

Bulls Lose, Get 5th Seed, Face Miami, Season Not Over [Blog A Bull]