The Western Conference Playoffs have been suprisingly less competitive than the Eastern conference. The West is generally regarded as the tougher conference, yet including the two series
that are finished, only one is headed for more than 5 games. I still regard the west as the better conference, but it makes you wonder? I think that the east has as many Championship contenders
as the west! LA is the favorite with Cleveland right behind, then theres Boston with Orlando and Denver behind them.
1)LA vs 8) Utah Lakers win 4-1
Despite what a lot of people thought, Utah did not provide much of a challenge to the Lakers in the first round. They struggled with injuries the whole year, and
even though their talent when healthy suggests they should have been a team to be reckoned with, the Lakers are just to good! The deepest and best offensive team in basketball, the Lakers didnt
even appear to play their best basketball. I attribute this to the fact that they are waiting on the Finals! They don't feel they have anything to prove, they beat Cleveland twice this year
without Bynum, and in my opinion will again with him in the NBA Finals!
4)Portland vs 5) Houston Houston leads 3-2
This is an example of experience, and chemistry being so important in basketball. Houston comes into this series not having won a first
round series in who knows when? Theyre playing without it's most talented player(Tracy McGrady), against a younger, more talented Portland team without homecourt, and they are up 3-2. I truly
believe Portland in their first playoff experience for most of these players, if they could get past this series would only gain more confidence and be tough to beat as they move through these
playoffs. Ultimately the winner of this series gets the Lakers, and Portland despite their success against the Lakers in the regular season, don't possess the playoff metal. The Rockets simply
don't have the fire power to handle the Lakers. Prediction Portland is a year away from being serious playoff contender. Houston despite their lack of sizzle plays good enough defense along with
their late game execution to win series in 6.
2) Denver vs 7) New Orleans Denver wins series 4-1
Even though this was a 2 vs 7, I thought this would be one of the more closely contested series. It turned out to be the
most lopsided 7 game series in NBA history, Denver beating NO by an average of 24 ppg. NO struggled with injuries during the regular season much like Utah, which it seems never allowed them
to find their stride. They performed pitifully, losing a game in the series by another NBA record 58 pts. With the success they had last year, and MVP candidate Chris Paul, I truly did not
expect it. Denver on the other hand has been tremendous since the Billups for Iverson trade, playing defense, sharing the ball, showing toughness! All things you need to be successful
in the playoffs. Players like Kenyon martin provide the toughness, role players like Birdman, and Donte Jones bring the intangibles, with the star power of Mello and Billups. Denver
actually has a favorable match up against Dallas who I do think they will get by. Ultimately the Lakers await, and they will not get pass them, but hats off to George Karl and Denver
for finally making it out of the first round!
3) San Antonio vs 6) Dallas Dallas wins series 4-1
Not really a surprising outcome to the series considering Ginobilli did not play in it,
Dallas actually is a talented veteran, healthy team who was playing really well coming into the playoffs. Basically the Spurs are nearing the end of a championship run, and to much age and
injuries to overcome! Dallas still has Dirk Nowitski who in my opinion is still one of the 5 best players in the league. They still have Jason Kidd, who even though hes not as good as he
once was, is experienced, and capable of playing with anybody for a series. Throw in 6th man Jason Terry and Josh Howard, and they are capable of beating Denver, and seeing
the Lakers in the finals. Rick Carlisle is a good coach, who has them prepared and focused, it's just a matter of will with Dallas. How bad do they want it? They threw away an NBA
Championship against the Heat 3 years ago, and have been pouting ever since. If they are motivated don't be surprised if Dallas makes a serious run at the end of these playoffs.
