NBA playoffs - 'Yippie ki yay'

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

The NBA Playoffs this year are like an "old-school", pre-1990 action movie, i.e. "Die Hard," "First Blood" or "Death Wish." Great films, but they put you through 45 minutes of "character development" before getting to the good parts.

'King James' hopes to take his team all the way.

For this year's playoffs, just like with those movies, let's fast forward to the good part.

Yeah, there are 16 teams, all vying for that Larry O'Brien Trophy. Good for them. Let's got to the big inevitable finish. Kobe vs. LeBron, in what should be the most anticipated finals' match up since Bird vs. Magic.

No city is more starved for a championship than Cleveland. The last time "The Cleve" saw a pro team hoist a trophy was the Indians winning the World Series in 1948. That's over 60 years folks! That means over half of the people who live in that greater metropolitan area have NEVER experienced a championship.

The Forest City fan bases have had their hearts ripped out so many times it's a wonder they can still find the strength to cheer. From Michael Jordan’s famous shot over Craig Ehlo in the '89 playoffs to John Elway's "The Drive" over the Browns two years earlier.

They call LeBron "The Chosen One." Maybe it's time for him to lead his people out of the sports desert?

Then there's Kobe salivating over proving his critics wrong and finally winning a title without Shaq. "Zen master" Phil Jackson is not-so-Zen about the possibility of becoming the all-time winningest head coach in NBA history. One more ring puts him ahead of legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach with 10 titles.

Unlike the NHL playoffs where getting there will be just as fun (Go Blackhawks!) sadly the NBA's first three rounds look like a waste of time.

No two teams can match up with Cleveland and LA–who both won their first games in their opening rounds this weekend. The Cavs have the best record in the NBA and LA–alone atop the Western Conference–just got even better with center Andrew Bynum back from injury.

Sorry Boston Fans. Part of my accused "anti-Boston agenda" (tongue is in cheek here). Your star forward Kevin Garnett is not healthy and without him you may not get past Chicago. The Baby Bulls surprised everyone by taking game one in the Gah-den Saturday—their 13th win in their last 17 games.

Point guard Derrick Rose is blossoming while becoming a thorn in the Celtics side. He tied Kareem Abdul Jabar for the rookie record for most points in a playoff game at 36. But Kareen didn't have 11 assists.

San Antonio? Sorry kids, but you're not kids anymore. Tony Parker is the only legitimate starter under 30 now that Manu Ginobili is out. Dallas was able to outlast the former world champs with a deeper bench. The Spurs may be put out to pasture after one series.

Portland celebrated just GETTING to the playoffs. After ending their regular season Wednesday, confetti streamed from the stands and a rally was held. A rally?! You can't win if you don't act like you've been there before. Which is why Houston–who has been there before–spanked them in game one.

Orlando's Dwight Howard is probably the third-most exciting player in the league today. But with point guard Jameer Nelson out with a shoulder injury "Superman" doesn't have enough help. Right now, he's "Superman II" going against Zod, the mute guy and the British chick with the go-go boots. The Magic's meltdown in game one against Philly is not a good sign for them.

Denver could make it interesting out West. Chauncy and Melo's 113-84 stinging of the Hornets in game one shows they are on a mission. And it's possible they could take the Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.

Doesn't the action hero always have to be tested and torn to the brink before coming back victorious?

And when it's all over, the Lakers probably do have the edge over Cleveland. They are the only team to have beaten the Cavs on their home floor this year. And they have more finals and playoff experience.

That's the final battle, the climactic ending. Highlander vs. Highlander. John McClane against Rambo.

That's the one that'll have me saying, "Yippee Ki Yay."