The sprint for the playoffs is underway as Western-Conference teams 1-6 are seperated by only 2 games with a handful remaining
The Western-Conference this season has been arguably the best group of teams the NBA has ever assembled. The Western-Conference has been a battle since the opening game, with no clear-cut favorite to win the conference title. There have been several changes and additions in the Western-Conference this season. With Shaq joining the Suns, Jason Kidd being traded to the Mavericks, Chris Paul's emergence as a super-star and the addition of Pao Gasol and progression of Andrew Bynum in L.A., the Western-Conference has more questions than ever before. With a handful of games remaining, seeds 1-6 are seperated by only 2 games, and the final playoff spot is still up for grabs.This season, the Western-Conference could feature eight 50-win teams, which would be a first for the NBA. This should be one of the most exciting playoffs in recent memory, with every team capable of advancing. The deciding factor in who emerges from the free-for-all could be home-court advantage. Currently, New Orleans is sitting in the number one spot with the Spurs right on their heels and playing their best ball of the season. Despite New Orleans' record, not many experts are giving them a chance in a 7-game series, due to their lack of a dominant big-man in a conference full of low-post beasts. The Lakers, who are sitting in the middle of the pack could end up as high as the one-seed or as low as the sixth-seed. L.A. is hoping to see the return of Center Andrew Bynum Sunday in a game against the San Antonio Spurs that could be a preview of the Western-Conference Finals. Kobe Bryant is in position to earn his first MVP Trophy, but certainly he would gladly trade it in for a 4th NBA Championship. There are so many questions that could decide the fate of each team, but without a doubt it will be exciting to see how everything plays out. Will Dirk Nowitzki be 100%? Can Shaq get the Suns over the hump? Will Yao Ming's absence ruin the Rockets chances? Can Baron Davis and the Warriors make the playoffs and shock the top seed for a second-straight season? The Eastern-Conference has been the inferior league this year with only two teams legitimate threats to the Western-Conference throne. Everyone expects the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons to meet in the Easter-Conference Finals for a chance to challenge one of the many Western-Conference power-houses. Boston has had an incredible turn-around this season with the additons of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. It will be interesting to see if they can get by a veteran Piston team,who have consistently made the conference finals.
