It is now past the All-Star Break and nearly a month and half before the beginning of the playoffs.

Currently in the Eastern Conference there are only two true contenders for the title while young teams like the Magic, Raptors, and Wizards going to make a buzz in the playoffs by making some heroic plays. Teams like the Hawks and Nets maybe able to sneak into the playoffs and showcase their newly acquired talents. The Caveliers will be excluded from the talk ever since the trade the Cavs made for shooters and interior defenders like Big Ben, the Cavs haven't been any better if not worse. This just simply proves that LBJ is NOT making his team better with his constant touches with the ball as Charely Rosen stated. With so much touches LBJ needs, the teammates become spectators and they do not do their jobs. So the Cavs may make it to the playoffs, but don't expect that miracle again.

Then there's the stacked Western Conference that has about 8-9 teams (depending on Rockets' reaction to Yao's injury) that are contending for 8 spots in the playoffs. Out of those 8 teams that make the playoffs, the LA Lakers, San Antonio Spurs seem like the only true contenders while teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns haven't exactly adjusted to their newly acquired players completely yet. Perhaps after couple of weeks the Mavs and the Suns will show life with their new leaders, but unitl then the Lakers and the Spurs are the only true contenders in the Western Conference. Teams like the Jazz will certainly be dangerous to contenders, but due to Jazz's inability to defend the paint, players like Bynum, Gasol, and Duncan will bring them to their demise. The Hornets will ultimately fail somewhere between the conference finals and the second round mainly because of their lack of experience. Also selfish players like Bonzi Wells will probably affect the chemistry with the players and the coaches, so don't expect any NBA Final in the Big Easy.

Now, for the true contenders...

Currently, the Spurs have the best chance of winning it all since their "backbone" Tim Duncan is averaging a 20-10 a game still. The only problem is their age; it doesn't seem like a problem now, but when the grind in the playoffs come, it might haunt them. The Pistons likewise have some aging problem along with Rasheed Wallace coming in and out of the zone in games. Celtics have three all-stars and probably will meet the Piston in the Eastern Finals, but their true task is whether they can prove that star power can beat the team-oriented play of the Pistons. The Lakers are pretty strong with Kobe unaffected from his injury. Gasol is still averaging his usual numbers, and Odom is coming along with the boards to give the Lakers another chance at the offensive end. Given Andrew Bynum comes in and plays like he did before his knee injury, Phil Jackson's team will be truly the biggest test for the Spurs.

Although the Spurs have the best chance to win it all, I give my pick to the underdog the Lakers mainly because of the match up against the Spurs. Time Duncan will be against either Bynum or Gasol, both playing decent post defense. Kobe Bryant will keep both Finely and Ginobili to their minimal or vice versa, but higher the chance Manu being terrorized by Bryant. Point Guard Parker will have a festival against Derek Fisher and his aged body, but when in clutch time, expect Fisher to make more intelligent moves against the younger Finals MVP. Both Bruce Bowen and Odom are defensive specialists with Odom dominating the boards, while Bowen comes up with the steals. Both can shoot the 3 ball decently, so expect a boring matchup in the Small Foward spot.

In the Finals, given that the Lakers make it to the finals according to my prediction, they will face either Garnett or Wallace that both dominate the post, while Bynum and Gasol vice versa. Allen or Hamilton will face Kobe, with the latter proabably keeping the formers quiet. Pierce will have may chances to exploit Odom, while Prince VS Odom matchup being a boring one offensively. Fisher will school Rondo with his IQ. Billup VS Fisher will seem more interesting given the fact that both have excellent basketball IQ and the former being more clutch. All three teams have subpar benches with only the Lakers having a consistent 12point performance from Farmar, while Celtics and Piston needs one of their rookies to step up every game, which seems unlikely.

It will all come down to the Western Finals either Spurs or the Lakers, depending on who wins, that team will probably have the best chance to cream the weak Eastern Conference Champs in a 7 game series.

What I want is though a 7 game triple overtime Finals with the teams' best players putting on the best show with the dunks, blocks, crucial rebounds, clutch 3 balls, and the buzzer beaters. Only available in the National Basketball Association.