A quick pre-season look at the postseason, with predicted conference ranking and predicted record in parentheses.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Lakers (#1, 57-25):  Best conference record against the West (37-15) says something, so let the dynasty begin.

New Orleans (#2, 56-26):  Surprising Hornets could be prime candidate for postseason letdown, but they're led by former Lakers champion Byron Scott, which says something.

San Antonio (#3, 56-26):  Many believe Spurs are old, but Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker aren't, so don't be surprised if defending champions reach conference finals.

Utah (#4, 54-28):  Jazz horrendous on the road all season long, but they won Game 7 in Houston a year ago with Derek Fisher on the roster, so we'll see what they're all about in the rematch.

Houston (#5, 55-27):  The value of the big man - if it weren't for Luis Scola and the ageless Dikembe Mutombo, the Rockets would be out and the Warriors would be in.

Phoenix (#6, 55-27):  Suns' poor head-to-head record against West playoff teams says a lot about their ability, or lack thereof, to compete with the best of 'em, but the arrival of Shaq and the re-emergence of Amare Stoudemire have made the Suns legitimate contenders once again.

Dallas (#7, 51-31):  Not that it's possible, but the Mavs could do to the Hornets this year what the Warriors did to the Mavs last year.

Denver (#8, 50-32):  It's obvious to me that Carmelo Anthony's desire to be in Denver in the future is not in his plans, as poorly timed DUI charge indicates, therefore Nuggets have zero chance of winning a game against the mighty Lakers.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston (#1, 66-16):  Leading the league in defense and wins and 25-5 record against the Western Conference says something, so let the dynasty begin.

Detroit (#2, 58-24):  The Spurs of the East keep winning with balance and chemistry and they're deeper and younger, so don't be surprised if Pistons reach NBA Finals.

Orlando (#3, 52-30):  Magic have been better on the road than at home all season so home-court advantage in the first round could actually hurt them.

Cleveland (#4, 46-36):  Lebron of 2007-'08 looks like Kobe of 2005-'06, which means one-and-done in the postseason.

Washington (#5, 43-39):  The Nuggets of the East - all that talent and firepower but not enough in quality decision-making to win big games.

Philadelphia (#6, 41-41):  Even if overachieving Sixers get swept in the first round, young team has already made believers out of tough Philly fan base.

Toronto (#7, 41-41):  Underachieving team can't seem to solve point guard situation and Bargnani is a bust, which means Raptors will be one-and-done against the Pistons in the first round.

Atlanta (#8, 38-44):  Even if the Hawks were to pull off an upset and win game one of their series against Boston, they still don't have enough big-game experience to close out the Celtics in a seven-game series.

Conference Finals Prediction

West - Lakers over Spurs in six        East - Detroit over Boston in seven

NBA Finals Prediction

Lakers over Detroit in seven

Alright ladies and gentlemen, it's time to play some basketball! In less than a week, the NBA suddenly became a lot more interesting, providing sportsfans a seamless transition from football.

So I start to wonder...

- Now that new Suns center Shaquille O'Neal has decided he wants to be the one responsible for keeping the great Kobe Bryant from having another shot at a title, where does this put Phoenix in the grand scheme of things? And what is Shaq's real weight these days?

- Which team would win in a seven-game playoff series? The Young Guns with the best closer in the game, who has a supporting cast consisting of two All-Star caliber seven-footers and lengthy multi-position players who hustle and play defense? Or the runnin'-n-stunnin' veteran bunch with a former champion past his prime, who'll screen-and-roll alongside arguably the best PG in the league and who will join a high-fly act and an assortment of long range gunners?

- Now that the NBA is beginning to really shape into form and the stars are properly being aligned, who becomes the favorite to capture the O'Brien Trophy?

- As we undergo the makings of a fairy tale season, what team now possesses the most potent core unit?

In the east, you've got "The Boston Three Party." Cleveland has King James and the Knights of the (Mike) Brown Table. Detroit has a bad boy and a bunch of princes in a palace, while a magical kingdom called Orlando has something "big" to brag about. But let's not forget about The Flash and The Matrix, coming soon to a theater near you.

Out west, the Young Guns of Hollywood continue to be the story of the year and the blazin' Suns look to get even hotter by switching to diesel. The defending champion Spurs have the luxury of knowing how to win at the highest level while their Dallas neighbor is keeping a close watch nearby. Byron Scott has the Hornets buzzin', and it's the same ol' jazz tune being sung in Utah.

- Since blockbuster trades seem to be the theme for 2008, are we going to see Yao and T-Mac team up with Jason Kidd? Or will Kidd wind up in Portland, so he can lob passes to Greg Oden, Travis Outlaw, Brandon Roy, and Martell Webster? Either way, Kidd wouldn't mind having a center who could actually play like a center.

- The disgusted Dwyane Wade and Miami Heat continue to experience a long and disappointing campaign, as losses keep mounting. In his new reality commercial, Dwyane Wade similarly grows frustrated as Charles Barkley's annoying calls to him begin to mount. Funny how life works sometimes.

Whatever happens in the next few months, one thing is certain: the next five years are promising to be the greatest period of competition the NBA will have ever experienced. It is so competitive in the Western Conference that a two game losing streak could drop you from second to seventh in a matter of hours. Just ask the Los Angeles Lakers. They were atop the conference standings for two days, then quickly dropped from first to sixth after one loss!

And there is balance between youth and veterans around the league, there is parity between teams, and above all there is a significant amount of All-Stars, SuperStars, and SuperDuperStars that are on contending teams.

The National Ballers Association is primed and ready for topnotch action. It's where amazing things happen, so let's get ready to rumble!

Since THE BIG DREWSKI, Andrew Bynum, hurt his knee on Sunday everyone west of the Atlantic Ocean has begun to talk about "it" once again and the Lakers' chances of success.

What in the heck is KOBE BRYANT going to do now? Many believe he will complain and start hogging his way to 35 points and 40 shot attempts a game if The YOUNG GUNS go on a mini-slump.

Many more believe that BRYANT won't trust center KWAME BROWN enough that he'll go away from the one part of the triangle that makes the KILLER B's tandem of Bynum and Bryant so dangerous - the pick-n-roll- and revert back to jacking up three-pointers all day.

Many, including 24-year veteran sportswriter MIKE KAHN, believe that KOBE still possesses a high level of egotistical selfishness that he'll continue to place himself above the team despite the Lakers' quiet yet convincing rise to the top of the Western Conference standings.

It seems to me that the more KOBE does, the more KOBE is hardpressed in earning the respect of the many so-called NBA fans out there, simply because of his past transgressions on and off the court.

Perhaps those same fans who hesitate in giving KOBE the much-deserved reverence are also the same fans who once questioned Michael Jordan's leadership but are now calling MJ the greatest who's ever played on that "94 x 50 hunk of wood" (to quote the legendary Chick Hearn).

Whatever Bryant does or does not do, he will never get the admiration he deserves until he wins a title as the leader of the Lakers. That's a fact.

A wise man once told me, "THE THINGS YOU DO and THE THINGS YOU DON'T DO, THEY ALL SEND A MESSAGE." Never has this statement ever applied to any NBA player as much as it has with Bryant. You either love him or hate him, there's no middle ground. 

But what irks me the most is when KOBE makes great strides to show improvement in his game, personality, vocal leadership, and maturity level, yet so-called NBA experts continue to doubt him and say, "Not to worry, he'll be the same old ball-hog KOBE once his team loses a game or two in a row."

Notice I didn't say "hate." But it sure is close.

Everyone in the world respects his ability and his game. But why not respect the man?

Every year since Phil Jackson took over from Rudy Tomjanovich the Lakers have improved. Those who have watched every single Lakers game (preseason, regular season, and playoffs) can attest to this. Those who have analyzed the roster from the top down and assessed the moves Kupchak made and didn't make will all know where I'm coming from.

Like Mr. Kahn, I, too, have been a proponent of keeping this nucleus together and not parting with KOBE or BYNUM.

But unlike Kahn, I don't have reason to believe Kobe will revert back to his old ways. In fact I'm glad Kobe was what he was. Simply because when it's all said and done, his legend will tell an even greater story. 

Don't get me wrong, I have doubted Kobe's leadership abilities in the past because I always believed he wasn't being vocal enough with his teammates in the same way Magic, Larry, Isiah and Michael were with theirs. But beginning last year, I started to see a change in the man. An evolution wherein I knew it would lead to greater heights for the Lakers and their young team.

And we're beginning to see them blossom right before our eyes, much to the chagrin of the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and the rest of the Western Conference including Tim Duncan and the aging San Antonio Spurs.

Despite the overall progress of the Lakers the last couple of seasons (most notably this year), "experts" like Kahn nonetheless repeat what has constantly been repeated in the past without giving it much thought. He questions the Lakers resolve, mental toughness, and will to win.

He says about THE BIG DREWSKI, "the concern is how [the knee injury] will affect the growth and confidence he has developed this season as he has begun to dominate the interior at both ends of the floor", obviously questioning whether or not Bynum has the mental strength  and work ethic to overcome adversity and indirectly implies that Bynum may wilt under pressure when it's time to return to the floor because he may be tentative with his left knee.  

What I've got to say is this: Andrew Bynum is no chump. First of all, he's no Shaq because he's hungry enough to want to be in shape and physically capable enough to want to dominate. Secondly, take a look at his statistics and one will see that he has vastly improved every year he's been in the league and that speaks volumes. Thirdly, he is being taught, mentored, tutored, coached, guided, and led by the greatest big man ever to play the game in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 'Nuff said.

I have every bit of confidence in the world that Andrew will come back stronger than ever and the Lakers will be even better. But I don't blame people for doubting them because when you're a great franchise, it all comes with the territory just like the New York Yankees and now the New England Patriots. And also because in years' past the Lakers have given critics and skeptics every reason to doubt. Go ahead and favor the Phoenixs and Dallases of the world, teams who don't win titles. It's all good, because after all The Young Guns will need a little competition.

The bottom line is this: No other franchise in the history of the NBA gets to the FINALS as consistently as the Lakers do EVERY DECADE.

The reason? Because Jerry Buss and the Lakers front office know exactly what it takes to reach and triumph at that level.

Besides San Antonio and maybe Detroit, the rest of the NBA are just a bunch of pretenders who make the sport a fun game to watch.

Now getting back to KOBE...

The fact of the matter is... KOBE has begun to mature and that alone is lifting himself to the next level. Obviously, it has already rubbed off on the rest of the team (Bynum for one) and we are seeing the evolution of THE YOUNG GUNS, much like we saw in Chicago during the late eighties with Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright and co. after they got sick of losing to the Bostons and Detroits of the world.

Bryant is such a winner that two years ago, he HAD TO average 35 because he did it for the team in order for them to stay competitive. He realized (and so did Phil) that he had to take on that role because no one else could step up. No one else was ready so KOBE took over in Jordan-like fashion. If Kobe doesn't score that much then the team doesn't even make the playoffs, and how bad would that look for the city of L.A.?

And between 2000-2004, KOBE could have averaged 30+ if he wanted to, but SHAQ was the number one option so he understood that and kept the peace for the betterment of the team. It was Shaq who couldn't deal with KOBE's ascension to legendary status.

Why else did the INSECURE O'Neal keep saying, "The offense needs to go through me" or "I need touches" if it wasn't for his jealousy of Bryant's impending stardom?

Shaq basically knew that KOBE would potentially threaten his position as the leader of the Lakers. Shaq couldn't deal with it. Period. It wasn't Kobe because if it was, Shaq would still be here. And when O'Neal screamed at Buss to pay him, the final string was drawn. It is my hunch that Shaq took his final year with the Lakers for granted and that's why he didn't get in shape.

All the while, Kobe played within the confines of the system and held back in order for the team to be ultra successful while still being able to take over games when the situation called for it.

Yes, Kobe had his share of moments when he tried to do too much by himself during certain stretches of games. But he was also in his early twenties and he still had a lot to learn about the nuances of the game.

Nevertheless, he played his cards right. If he didn't, I guarantee the Lakers don't win three titles.

Fast forward to the present day...

Kobe bashes Bynum and since then the team has responded and is now first place in the WESTERN CONFERENCE.

The Lakers have defeated Phoenix twice, Utah twice, Denver twice, Detroit, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, and Golden State.

The team is responding to Bryant's leadership and tonight's OT win against Seattle was another perfect display of how far Bryant has come along.

Did you see all his teammates give him a hug after the game? Did you see how his teammates supported Bryant by playing hard the entire game, after seeing the total effort Bryant gave to his team the previous two games while being sick?

Like many people say, only time will tell. But I'll bet my BMW that Kobe has indeed evolved and does trust his troops. He'll go to battle with them and die for them, because he's already done so.

And Mr. Kahn... if Kobe, who has three rings, is not a championship caliber leader, then why don't you tell me who is.

A follow-up to the 2007 NBA Pre-Camp Power Rankings, here is the current power list as we approach the halfway point...

**In parentheses (pre-season rank, overall record, home record, road record, and record against teams in their respective conference)**

POISED FOR THE POSTSEASON...

1. Boston (#2, 30-5, 16-2, 14-3, 20-5 vs East):  Why are the Celtics the best right now? They are tops in the NBA in points allowed per game, opponent FG%, and are beating opponents by a 12-point margin. And they recently went 4-0 on a West Coast road trip, temporarily silencing all critics.

2. Dallas (#6, 26-11, 17-3, 9-8, 17-5 vs West): The Mavs' recent 102-86 shellacking of Detroit and current seven-game win streak puts defensive minded Dallas ahead of the Pistons in the power rankings, for now. And Detroit has already lost twice to Chicago, whom Dallas defeated last month.  

3. Detroit (#7, 28-9, 13-3, 15-6, 19-3 vs East):  Still contending, the Pistons now feature a younger and deeper bench than in years' past. They're second in the league in points allowed per game, opponent FG%, and they lead the league with fewest turnovers per game. The key to their success thus far has been their overall balance and efficiency. Detroit wins on the road just as much as they do at home.

4. L.A. Lakers (#8, 24-11, 14-5, 10-6, 15-5 vs West): The Young Guns' ascent in the rankings is due to their ability to consistently beat the top teams in the West. The Killer B's (Bryant and Bynum) lead the way for the Lakers, considered by many as the deepest and most dangerous team in the NBA. L.A.'s well-balanced machine can score and play defense with the best of them. Case in point: #3 in the NBA in PPG and FG%, #4 in the NBA in opponent FG% and steals per game. And their average 7-point margin of victory is third in the league and tops in the mighty Western Conference.

5. Phoenix (#3, 26-11, 13-4, 13-7, 12-9 vs West) : Amid talk of discord, the Suns continue to remain competitive despite their serious lack of size, depth, rebounding, and defense. The most telling stat about Mike D'Antoni's bunch, however, is that they only feast on the east, where they are 14-2, but have lots of trouble against their western counterparts. Although they once again lead the league in scoring, they are still 28th in points allowed and 18th in opponent FG%. This is a disturbing trend for a team with serious talent, but one that also finds it difficult to keep up with opponents who possess that rare combination of size, athleticism, balance, and championship-caliber coaching. Against the top eight teams in the Western Conference, Phoenix is a paltry 2-6 while the Lakers, on the other hand, are 7-3 against the same competition.

6. San Antonio (#1, 24-11, 18-3, 6-8, 17-9 vs West): There is absolutely no reason to panic as the defending NBA champions have lost two in a row, gone 5-5 in their last 10, and are seemingly sliding. Why so? They are 20th in the league in opponent FG%, a defensive category they usually lead the NBA in. The reality is they are pacing. They go through this every year and despite talk of getting old, they remain third in the NBA in points allowed. It's the same old San Antonio Spurs come playoff time, when they'll be number one in most people's minds. For now, they are sixth because they lost to the Suns last month while playing without this year's team MVP Tony Parker.

7. New Orleans (#18, 24-12, 10-7, 14-5, 17-8 vs West): The Hornets should not be a surprise to people, only because we know that Byron Scott is their coach and Chris Paul is running the show. Coach Scott has instilled defense into this young nucleus and his players are responding much like the New Jersey Nets responded to his leadership on their way to the Finals earlier this decade. Now the key is... can they stay healthy, particularly veteran sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic?

8. Portland (#24, 22-13, 17-3, 5-10, 16-7 vs West) : It appears the Blazermaniacs have resurfaced. The red-hot Blazers have won 17 of their last 18 games and along the way defeated Utah three times, Denver twice, Golden State twice, New Orleans, Toronto, and appear headed for the playoffs without Greg Oden. And imagine if Oden comes back this season. Btw, Brandon Roy is the real deal and so is Coach Nate McMillan, who is my midseason Coach of the Year.  

9. Denver (#11, 22-13, 15-5, 7-8, 13-10 vs West) : The Nuggets' dynamic duo of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson keeps them in games offensively and their team defense isn't too shabby either (first in the league in steals per game and eighth in opponent FG%). However they are extremely thin at center, and their lack of depth at the point guard position could spell doom for the Nuggets come playoff time, where they will try to compete against the likes of Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Baron Davis, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Derek Fisher. That is not a very good sign for an inconsistent team.

10. Orlando (#19, 23-16, 7-8, 16-8, 14-6 vs East): The Magic started off strong but have tailed off lately, losing 12 out of their last 21, primarily because they are a jumpshooting team. Dwight Howard continues to be a monster, but besides him there isn't much else to be excited about. High-priced Rashard Lewis isn't even averaging 20 ppg and is shooting a disappointing 38% from three-point range. What baffles me about Orlando's management is why they picked up Lewis, who is essentially the same type of player as Hedo Tukoglu. Their stats and percentages are similar, making me wonder why they didn't go out and get a point guard like Steve Blake or Mo Williams instead.

11. Cleveland (#5, 19-18, 12-6, 7-12, 10-12 vs East): Don't let that .514 win percentage fool you. The defending Eastern Conference Champions got off to a slow start this year because of the holdouts of key players, Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. Now both are back playing their customary roles, and the Cavs have quietly won seven of their last ten with King James putting on MVP-type performances. More importantly Cleveland is 9-6 against the mighty West, with wins against the Lakers, Dallas, Golden State, and Utah. 

12. Golden State (#14, 21-16, 10-7, 11-9, 14-10 vs West): The run-n-shoot Warriors, led by quarterback Baron Davis, continue to pile up the points and play nonexistent defense. Because of their style, they are last in the league in points allowed. However their depth keeps them in most games and the solid all-around play of Andris Biedrins has been a pleasant surprise for Nellie's rag-tag bunch.

 13. Utah (#21, 21-17, 15-3, 6-14, 11-10 vs West): Before the season began I specifically said  that Jazz fans will be wondering if Derek Fisher was really the difference maker. Three months later D-Fish has proved my point, making a huge impact on both the Lakers and the Jazz. Utah sorely misses the leadership and locker room presence that Fisher provides, not to mention his defensive savvy and toughness on the court. Ronnie Brewer has done an admirable job replacing him at shooting guard, but there is no replacement for chamionship experience and this is the main reason why the Jazz, despite their overall efficiency, have slipped in the West after making it all the way to the West Finals last year.

14. Houston (#10, 20-17, 9-6, 11-11, 10-11 vs West): The Rockets are currently on their longest winning streak of the season at five games and seem to be on a roll without their leading scorer, oft-injured Tracy McGrady. Although they are fourth in the league in points allowed and third in opponent FG%, something remains missing in the grand scheme of things for this underachieving ballclub. Some say that Yao Ming is too soft, yet others say inconsistencies in their rotation is what has caused the inconsistency in their record. Whatever it is, they need to figure it out fast or else a huge trade may be on the horizon. 

15. Toronto (#12, 19-17, 9-8, 10-9, 12-9 vs East): The absence of point guard T.J. Ford for half of the season has really hurt the Raptors thus far. Despite missing his leadership on the floor, they are sixth in the NBA in points allowed and second in steals per game. Notable wins so far have come against San Antonio and Dallas, and once Toronto gets Ford back in the lineup expect them to make a run for either the third or fourth playoff spot in the East. 

16. Washington (#16, 19-16, 11-8, 8-8, 13-10 vs East): The Wizards have been a mild surprise as they currently hold the four spot in the East despite being without top scorer Gilbert Arenas for most of the season. Former Laker Caron Butler has done a tremendous job leading the way, averaging 22 ppg while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from long distance. Antawn Jamison has also pitched in by averaging 21.6 ppg and 11 boards. Maybe they're better off without Arenas, whose commitment to winning an NBA title has been questioned of late.

POISED TO BATTLE 'TIL THE END...

17. New Jersey (#15, 18-18, 9-12, 9-6, 13-12 vs East): When Jason Kidd trade rumors seem to always persist, something is bound to happen. Kidd for Pau Gasol and Mike Conley? Kidd for Arenas? Kidd for McGrady? Kidd for Mike Bibby? If I'm Rod Thorn, I choose one because either way I won't go wrong. Unless a move is made, the Nets will continue to hover around mediocrity.

18. Atlanta (#29, 15-17, 10-8, 5-9, 9-13 vs East): The fact that the Hawks are 6-4 against the West seems promising. With the emergence of Josh Smith as a bonafide potential All-Star player and Marvin Williams as a consistent scorer, there is hope in Atlanta after all. Now to see if they can develop team chemistry and defensive consistency with Joe Johnson as their leader. A playoff spot is definitely within reach.

19. Chicago (#9, 14-20, 7-10, 7-10, 11-11 vs East): With all that talent, the struggling Bulls still lack a strong inside punch. Looking on the bright side, they are 5-3 under new coach Jim Boylan. Now to see if they finally structure a deal to pick up Pau Gasol or Amare Stoudemire.

20. Indiana (#20, 17-21, 8-9, 9-12, 9-11 vs East): How is it that the Pacers are ranked seventh in the league in scoring and fifth in opponent FG% yet they're only 2-8 in their last ten games and are playing terribly of late? Maybe it's because Jermaine O'Neal has lost interest. His averages of 15 points and 7 rebounds are not typical of the All-Star forward and his style of play doesn't seem to fit Coach Jim O'Brien's system. You can expect O'Neal to be dealt by the trading deadline, especially if Indiana continues to slide.

POISED FOR THE LOTTERY...

21. Milwaukee (#25, 15-22, 10-5, 5-17, 10-12 vs East): There is no question that on paper, the Bucks have talent. Then why is it they can't seem to get over the hump? Because they are 28th in the league in opponent FG%, while only 22nd in scoring.

22. Sacramento (#23, 14-21, 10-9, 4-12, 6-13 vs West): They have been without Mike Bibby, Ron Artest, and Kevin Martin for most of the season. Martin is back, with Artest and Bibby soon to follow. But the big question is still whether or not Bibby and/or Artest will be traded. Chances are they'll be shipped out, especially since young players like Francisco Garcia, Mikki Moore, and John Salmons all have done fairly well in the Kings' youth movement.

23. Philadelphia (#26, 14-23, 7-11, 7-12, 8-12 vs East): Losers of six in a row, the 76ers are insisting they won't part with either Andre Igoudala or Andre Miller. Philadelphia is acting as if they're both franchise players, and if they continue to believe that they won't be winning anytime soon. At best, Igoudala is a third option on a contending team and Miller is a starter on only a quarter of the teams in this league.

24. Charlotte (#22, 13-23, 11-11, 2-12, 9-20 vs East): The story of their season will be beating the Celtics in Boston and Michael Jordan's return (to the practice court).

25. L.A. Clippers (#30, 10-23, 5-13, 5-10, 6-14 vs West): GM Elgin Baylor says he is extremely disappointed with the Clippers' performance this year despite the injuries to Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston and the All-Star caliber play of center Chris Kaman. What else is new?

26. Memphis (#17, 10-26, 6-12, 4-14, 5-17 vs West):   The Grizzlies hired a new coach in Marc Iavaroni, who came from Phoenix, a team that doesn't have the word 'defense' in its vocabulary, and what is the result? 29th in the NBA in points allowed per game and 29th in opponent FG%. With all that talent in the lineup, there is no reason why Memphis should be this bad.

27. New York (#13, 9-26, 7-13, 2-13, 6-13 vs East): Hmm... now what to do with Isiah, Stephon, Eddy, Jamal, Quentin, David, Nate, Renaldo, Fred, Malik, Zach, Jared, Wilson and Mardy?

28. Seattle (#27, 9-27, 5-12, 4-15, 3-16 vs West): On to Oklahoma City we go...

29. Minnesota (#28, 5-31, 4-13, 1-18, 3-21 vs West): The Timberwolves recently beat Miami by 10, one of the few bright spots (along with Al Jefferson) in a year when they could possibly break the all-time record for futility. The only thing else worth looking forward to is February 8th, the homecoming of Kevin Garnett. Will the fans boo or show their appreciation? My guess is they won't respond the way Jazz fans jeered when Derek Fisher returned to Utah as an opposing player.

30. Miami (#4, 8-28, 4-11, 4-17, 3-17 vs East): 10 losses in a row and counting. When it rains, it pours. Led by The Big Everything Shaquille O'Neal, the Heat have shown that although they can fool us all by buying a championship it's just a matter of time until the true colors begin to reveal themselves. Now Little Pookie and Riles have come to find out what Kobe, Phil and Jerry have known all this time about the Big Liability - he's only there for the money.  

With another new year on the horizon and just about a third of the NBA regular season in completion, bloggers will continue to blog, haters will continue to hate, fans will continue to watch, trades will continue to be rumored, and NBA players will continue to play.

What we will all be saying to ourselves in 2008, a year that promises to shell out a ton of surprises:

"It's about time Isiah Thomas did something."

"All the Miami Heat did was buy the most expensive championship in pro sports history because it was worth it even though they knew all along that they would get nothing from Shaq in the long run. No surprise that he is strongly hinting at retirement."

"Shaquille O'Neal is not as great as I once thought he was because guys like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Patrick Ewing, and Moses Malone were still averaging well over 17 points and 10 boards a game when they were over 35 years of age."

"Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak are geniuses."

"Kobe Bryant is GOD dressed up as a basketball player."

"I knew all along that the Los Angeles Lakers were more of a championship contender than the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets."

"Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash are the next Karl Malone and John Stockton. All that talent with nothing to show for"

"See, I told you Jason Kidd would end up playing in Dallas again."

"Utah's Western Conference Finals appearance last year was a fluke. I really can't believe the Jazz missed Derek Fisher and his leadership that much. "

"How is it that Smush Parker is still playing in this league?"

"David Lee needs way more playing time."

"Dwight Howard is going to need a point guard to get him the ball."

"Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are solid All-Star caliber players but don't possess the killer instinct that can make an impact to take their team over the top."

"The teams that everyone loves to watch - Utah, Phoenix, Golden State - have finally made me realize that it takes defense and bigs to win games of importance in this league."

" I sure hope Greg Oden doesn't turn out like Sam Bowie (cringe)."

"The Houston Rockets are softies and Rick Adelman is not as great a coach and innovator as I thought. He's like Mike D'Antoni and Mike Dunleavy."

"It was just a matter of time before Pau Gasol ended up where he is now."

"I can't believe I once thought that Lebron James and Dwyane Wade had better supporting casts than Kobe Bryant."

"Nothing ever changes with Don Nelson and how he loves to tease all of us only for us to be disappointed in the end."

"It's the same old Los Angeles Clippers."

"It's the same old San Antonio Spurs."

"Somehow I'm getting the feeling that David Stern really wants the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals instead of the Detroit Pistons."

"It's the same old Pistons."

"What ever happened to Mike Conley? Oh I know... Juan Carlos Navarro."

"Why isn't Damon Stoudamire representing the Miami Heat, where old,  washed up PG's love to congregate?"

"That Carmelo Anthony-Allen Iverson tandem is getting old."

"Air Jordans are just not what they used to be."

"Michael Jordan's been practicing a lot with the team lately. I wonder if he's..."

"Kobe is the next MJ. Period."

"Bryant-Bynum-Odom is the next Magic-Kareem-Worthy in Lakerland, and it's not called the Lake Show either. It's the Young Guns, like Estevez-Sheen-Sutherland."

"I shouldn't have underestimated the Lakers and overestimated the Suns."

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year.

With all the stars back from injury and healthy, the madness begins. Here are the culprits...

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Dallas - They made it look easy all season long, as the Mavericks set out to prove that last year was no fluke. Dirk Nowitzki played MVP-caliber ball all year but still has to prove that he can make free throws when it counts most. Defensive-minded Dallas has something to prove so we'll see, as they open up against a team they've lost to six out of their last seven games. Grade: A+

2. Phoenix - With the number-two seed already locked up, the Suns still played their starters deep into the 4th quarter in their loss to the Clippers this week. Something's telling me that Mike D'Antoni doesn't have too much confidence in his bench. The Suns' lack of depth may cost them against the deeper and bigger L.A. Lakers, especially if Kobe Bryant and co. can play defense the way they know they can. On the flip side, Phoenix can still score whenever they want to, with two-time MVP Steve Nash spearheading the attack. Grade: A-

3. San Antonio - The most battle-tested team in the playoffs is also the league's hottest since the All-Star break. You can't count them out because Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are as healthy as they've ever been, and Tony Parker had Eva Longoria to keep him well-oiled throughout the postseason. And we can't ever fail to mention Robert Horry, who is also on a mission of his own: ring #7. Grade: A

4. Utah - They surprised us all with a fast start to a turn-around season. They defeated Phoenix three out of four. They won 50 games. They overachieved once again under Jerry Sloan. They are as cohesive as any unit in the NBA, but their lack of a legit two-guard may cost them in the long run. T-Mac should have a huge series against the Jazz. Grade: B

5. Houston - If Yao never got hurt and missed all those games, he'd be in the running for MVP. If McGrady never had back spasms, he would be in the discussion for MVP. One thing is for sure. Jeff Van Gundy is a favorite for coach of the year. The Rockets can potentially go as far as the conference finals if they play consistent defense and pound the ball inside to Yao who, in turn, has to dominate. Grade: B+

6. Denver - The big question isn't whether Melo and AI can play together. The key to the Nuggets' playoff success depends heavily on the contributions of Marcus Camby and Nene. If they play big and stay out of foul trouble, they have a chance to extend the Spurs. But once they allow Duncan to own the paint, it'll be all over in five. Grade: B-

7. L.A. Lakers - Just another season in Tinseltown. Kobe won another scoring title and Phil Jackson was inducted into the HOF. Lamar Odom's son died unexpectedly, Kwame Brown threw a cake and got fined, Vladimir Radmanovic became known as Slalom after he decided to take up snowboarding and lied about it, rookie Jordan Farmar dispatched Smush from the starting PG position, and Luke SkyWalton was rumored to be linked to Britney Spears. The only story Lakers fans are really concerned about is whether the role players will be mentally prepared to butt heads with the fun-n-gun Suns. The roster is finally complete. L.A. has depth. The Lakers will be ready. Grade: B for Bryant

8. Golden State - If Nellie had never pulled off the trade that brought over Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson, maybe the Clippers would be playing Dallas. Instead, Nelson goes up against his former team with something to prove. Unfortunately, the Warriors' best big man happens to be  80-year old Adonal Foyle. Grade: C+

Please check out my Eastern Conference report card in a separate post coming soon to a blog near you...

The All-Star break is over, there are only about 25 games left, and some trends are starting to develop between the contenders in the WILD WILD WEST.

I will refrain from talking about the "MILD MILD EAST" since everyone knows the DETROIT PISTONS will reach the NBA FINALS once again.

PHOENIX SUNS: They started out on a roll with that ridiculous 17-game win streak and going undefeated against the Eastern Conference until Philly beat them the other night. They are still the league's most explosive offense but the question of durability will be brought up over and over again until the playoffs start. Bell was out for a while. Nash's back problem is acting up again, and now the MATRIX is out. It seems like that 8-man rotation that D'Antoni has been using the last two years is catching up to them. The Suns may not be able to force anyone to play their tempo in the postseason because in the playoffs everyone knows that it becomes a half-court game. Plus in a seven-game series the SUNS become predictable. Great coaches like Jackson, Popovich, Sloan, Van Gundy, Johnson (all have been to the NBA FINALS) know how to PACE and MAKE ADJUSTMENTS. It will be interesting to see how the SUNS fare against some of the elite teams they will face as the regular season winds down. Special mention: SUNS are only 21-10 against the West, an unsettling sign for Suns fans given what I have mentioned above. Grade: B

DALLAS MAVERICKS:  Hands down the best team in the NBA. They are the favorites to reach the FINALS for the second straight year, mainly because they are coached by a stud who knows what it takes to play tough defense and control the tempo. They haven't slowed down, they're fairly healthy, and they are led by the future MVP in Dirk Nowitzki. Dallas has not shown a sign of slowing down leading me to believe that they will be primed and ready for the postseason. The Mavericks will probably win between 68-70 games and will likely face the lowly CLIPPERS in the first round and the ROCKETS in the second. Dallas is 32-6 against the West. Grade: A+

SAN ANTONIO SPURS:  They are on a six-game streak and are showing signs of what championship teams do during this time of year. The SPURS are getting healthy while pacing themselves to take the #3 seed. Indeed the team to watch out for. They will be fresh and prepared and their veterans know what it takes to pace a 100-game season, something Phoenix doesn't  have at their luxury. POPOVICH is a HOF coach and this is the greatest intangible a team can have when it counts the most. Spurs are 23-11 against the West. Grade: A-

HOUSTON ROCKETS: They are possibly the sleeper in the postseason. The only concern here is how quickly they will generate the right chemistry once Yao returns. The ROCKETS have been bugged by injuries and inconsistencies all year but are managing to have a very good record. Again, I will credit the coaching expertise of Van Gundy, who has been the unquestioned leader of that franchise. He has done an admirable job and should be in the running for coach of the year. Rockets are 19-17 against the West. Grade: B-

UTAH JAZZ:  The JAZZ started off strong but are tapering off a little bit. With a full and healthy squad, Utah can be trouble for many teams because they are arguably the best coached and most cohesive unit in the league. Given the fact that Kirilenko has underachieved this year they are still #4 in the West. That says a lot about Sloan's ability to keep his players motivated and ready to play despite the fact they have no shooting guard. They will most likely play Houston in the first round but that's about as far as they will go. Once they get a two-guard who can score and play Sloan-style defense, they'll be able to go deeper in the playoffs. Utah is 22-12 against the West. Grade: B-

L.A. LAKERS:  Los Angeles is slowly getting their key starters back and that's a great sign for a team who can lose to the worst and beat the best at any given time because of KOBE BRYANT and PHIL JACKSON. The Lakers are slowly hitting their stride and have been playing better defense of late. Player and coach are both gearing up for the stretch run, they've been there before, and it is safe to say that the recent success will continue. Because I am a homer and because I know what this team is capable of, I will wait until the entire team is fully healthy and until they play 15 games together before saying that they will meet the DALLAS MAVS in the WEST FINALS. The LAKERS will most likely meet PHOENIX in the second round in what will be the most exciting seven-game series of the playoffs. Lakers are 19-11 against the West. GRADE: B+

If the postseason began today, Dallas 1 would be hosting Denver 8, and Utah 4would host Houston 5.

Phoenix 2 would host the Clippers 7in a rematch of last year's seven-game thriller, and the LAKERS 6 would play San Antonio 3 on the road.

In the East Detroit 1 would meet Miami 8 in the first round although this would be considered by most to be the real East finals, while Toronto 4 would have home court advantage against Chicago 5.

Washington 2 would get homecourt against slumping Orlando 7, and Cleveland 4 gets a tough test as they host Indiana 5.

Barring any significant player movement between these teams, it is highly likely that it will end up just like this by the time the playoffs actually begin.

The Mavs have proven to be just as dominant all around as they have been consistent. They beat the elite teams and pounce on the noncontenders. I see them handling the Nuggets in five games and taking care of the winner of Utah-Houston in six.

The Suns continue to run up the score but in the playoffs the nature of play changes.  Phoenix should run all over the helpless Clips who will be swept out of the playoffs. The best first round series in the West will be between L.A. and S.A., with KOBE coming out victorious with a buzzer beater in game 7.

This is where everything becomes interesting. Phoenix vs. the Lakers. Seven Games. Round Two. Nash-Kobe. Run-n-gun vs. The Triangle. Offense vs. Defense. Mike vs. Phil. Cactuses vs. Palm Trees. Take your pick. You can't go wrong with either one because everyone will watch this series.

Who will deserve the right to face the defending Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks? Will Nash prove once and for all that he is the real MVP? Or will Bryant shut everyone up and show why he is the ultimate scorer and team player in the game today?

Meanwhile, the East is best summed up like this: De - troit Basket - ball! 

If all holds true to form and if everyone continues to play how they've been playing, and if the Heat and Lakers continue to stink it up and disappoint me, then the NBA Finals will be DALLAS vs. DETROIT. This one will go seven games but you pick the winner. 

Everyone likes to talk about how important statistics are in determining which players and teams are the best in the league.

Now let's talk intangibles, the reason why guys like Dave Cowens, Bobby Jones, Rick Mahorn, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Fox, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Steve Kerr, Ron Harper, Horace Grant, and Brian Shaw have all these rings. Aside from stats, other factors like size, experience, preparation, game plan, defensive awareness, health, mindset, clutch play, luck, and coaching have to be strongly considered.

You can put up a hundred points with ease, but when it counts in the playoffs, how will the Suns compensate for their lack of size on the boards with the Lakers fast-improving bigs of...

Ronny Turiaf (who fared really well against Amare this year), Bynum (7-1, 285), Brown (6-11, 275), Cook (who with his shooting range will pull Amare or Thomas away from the lane), and maybe even the shot-blocking Mihm (7-1, 265).

We can throw fast and athletic lineups at the Suns (Smush, Kobe, Evans, Odom, and Brown)

Or pound the Suns to submission inside and slow it down and control tempo (Bynum, Turiaf, Odom, Kobe, Evans)

Or we can throw our clutch lineup (Kobe, Smush, Walton, Odom, and Bynum/Brown)

Or we can go to a shooting lineup (Vujacic, Kobe, Walton, Radmanovic/Odom, Cook)

Each and every game the Lakers are improving. With Odom and Brown due back the Lakers can start to work on getting that third seed. The defense will be at full strength, and the fact that Jackson is playing a variety of lineups will make it difficult for opponents to read us once we completely gel as a team.

What gives Lakers fans confidence about this year's team is the fact that we have depth on the bench. L.A. can play physical with the big teams like the Spurs, Pistons, Heat, Rockets and Mavs. We can also run with the athletic teams like Phoenix, Denver, and Golden State.

Phil Jackson is the master at getting his players prepared for the moment much like Belichick is with the New England Patriots. While the Suns go with that same 8-man rotation every game, come playoff time they'll be so predictable people will wonder why the Lakers beat them so convincingly.

Going against all the current power rankings and regular season records, the true #1 team in the league given that all players are healthy and in that playofff mindset - Miami. The #1 team in the West is Dallas. The Lakers are the true #3 in the NBA. The legit #4 would have to be San Antonio simply because of Popovich. Finally  I've got the Phoenix Suns as #5 because you should be when you have  All-Stars in Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion and another Olympian in Boris Diaw.

hyping them up like they are the next great piece of showtime just because of a 30-8 regular season record.

Let me tell you guys a little something about regular season records and why they don't matter. Look at the Miami Heat. Didn't they have like the third or fourth best record in the league last year?

Look at the Detroit Pistons when they won in 2004. How about those Bulls teams in the 90's when other teams like New York, Portland, Utah and Phoenix had better regular season records but Chicago ended up winning it all?

How about the San Diego Chargers? They had the MVP (Nash are you listening?) and still couldn't hold off the Patriots because of Tom Brady's clutch play and Belichick's Zen-like coolness.

Allow me to repeat to all the fans who think they know a lot about basketball: records only count for seedings. What matters is what the Suns do against the other elite teams. Last I checked, they're record against the Lakers, Mavs, Jazz, Spurs, Pistons, and Heat is 3-6. The Lakers, meanwhile, are 6-5 against those same teams. So Suns fans, how do you feel about your team now?

Don't get me wrong. The Suns are perhaps the most exciting team to watch. But please, Phoenix fans, don't start crowning them already or start to compare them to the Lakers Dynasty of the eighties because it ain't even close.

First of all, Mike D'Antoni is no Pat Riley because Riles preached defense.

how dare people try to even compare the Suns to the Showtime Lakers?! 

We had a defensive player of the year in Michael Cooper, a ####er in Kurt Rambis, a veteran defensive presence in Kareem, another ####er in Mychal Thompson, and another defensive gem in A.C. Green, who the Suns signed because of his defense.

And I haven't even mentioned Magic who regularly averaged 2 steals a game. Or James Worthy, who could still score 30 while locking up the Kevin McHales, Larry Birds, and Mark Aguirres of the world.

The SUNS are a regular season sensation. That's it.

Night in and night out, they play a seven or eight man rotation (Nash, Amare, Matrix, Bell, Thomas, Jones, and Barbosa) and that's it. I guarantee that by playoff time, the momentum will die down because they will be so tired that they won't have the defensive stamina to stop teams like the Lakers, Mavs or even the Spurs.

We're only 40 games in and people are already over-hyping the Suns. The way I look at it, it's 100+ games to the Finals. And nobody is more well-equipped to survive the journey than Phil Jackson or Greg Popovich

Right now Dallas is obviously the frontrunner in the West, with the Lakers a close second when Lamar and Kwame return. With Shaq at 100%, I'd have to say Miami would be the team to beat in the East., with Detroit or Indiana not that far behind.

Am I right about the Suns or what? Or am I smoking some of the best ganja that California has to offer? You tell me...

The Dallas Mavericks are on top right now but can they keep it up in the postseason?

The fun-n-run-n-gun Phoenix Suns keep scoring but will they tire out defensively by season's end?

The Spurs are winning despite Poppovich calling this year's team his "worst ever" and will their age show in their legs as the postseason gets longer?

The Jazz, Rockets, and Nuggets are sleepers in the West and could upset any of the top three in a seven-game series.

THE LAKERS, on the other hand, have KOBE BRYANT, the one man who is the only capable 30-point scorer in the league to literally will his team to the top night in and night out. The LAKERS. FINALS. I keep saying it, but people don't want to listen.