It happens every year.  I felt its onset again this week.  Its advance is inevitable.  I’m speaking, of course, of my post-NBA season depression.  Perhaps I should consult Brooke Shields on how to cope.

Yes, I know we’re smack dab in the middle of the NBA playoffs.  The action is (finally) starting to get good, and I should just enjoy it while it lasts.  But I still feel it coming on.  Nothing on television to watch until football season.  Ugh!!!  That’s right, I said it.  Baseball’s unwatchable.

Now, back to the NBA.  I was just one among many who was eagerly awaiting this year’s post-season.  With the parity and talent in the league and the intense competition, particularly in the West, these playoffs promised to be among the best ever.

So far it has failed to live up to the expectations.  Teams once thought to be on a par with one another have distanced themselves from the pack, often in impressive fashion, sometimes inconsistently.  While the Lakers look like the team to beat, the Celtics have yet to win on the road, dropping three in Atlanta and one in Cleveland… by 24!!!

Very few games have been memorable, if even competitive.  The majority have been blowouts (65% of the games so far have been decided by ten points or more!!!).  After the double overtime Game One of the Phoenix-San Antonio series, I thought for certain we were in for one heck of a ride.  As is turns out, that has been the only overtime game so far (until today... finally).  Game Three of the Spurs-Hornets was an instant classic with Parker battling against Paul.  Other than that, the playoffs have been relatively lackluster, particularly after the hype and anticipation surrounding them.

Let’s recap the inactivity to date, shall we?  In the first round, the Lakers seamlessly dispatched Denver, a talented, yet defenseless team in four straight games.  Few of those games were competitive, if even worth watching.  The smallest margin of victory was by six points in the final Game Four.  The Lakers won every other game by fourteen or more.

New Orleans dismissed Dallas, leading to the immediate firing of their head coach.  Three of their four wins came by double digits.  While Houston made every effort to give Utah a series, most fans knew that without Yao Ming, the Rockets would have a tough time advancing.  Once again, Tracy McGrady finds himself watching the playoffs from home in mid-May.  And a Suns-Spurs series that so many fans looked forward to saw the Suns set in five.   Their coach now works in Madison Square Garden.

In the East, Orlando handled Toronto who made Dwight Howard look like Wilt Chamberlain.  While the Wizards and 76ers both took their opponents to six games, the series favorites were never in serious jeopardy of being upset.  Same with Boston.  Although Atlanta took advantage of Boston’s inability to win on the road and took the Celtics to seven games (the only Game 7 we’ve had so far), Boston won that yawner by 34 points.

Similarly, the second round has been anti-climactic.  Only three games in this second round have been decided by single digits.  While Utah has played well at home, are Lakers fans really concerned about dropping this series?  Detroit has again created mismatches against the Magic and beat them without employing the services of their starting point guard.  The Celtics have more talent than Cleveland and have made LeBron look human… in Boston.  The only real watchable series is San Antonio-New Orleans and even those first three games have all been decided by ten or more points.  In fact, 37 of the 57 games played to date have been decided by double digits.  So much for TNT knowing drama!

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be watching regardless.  I got a basketball jones and I have to feed the mo nkey.  But I would like to see some more competitive basketball  (Note: As I write this, the Lakers have made a ten-point, fourth quarter lead disappear in the final minutes… finally!)  Maybe they’re weeding out the pretenders and saving the best for last.  Celtics-Lakers?  Could be.  As long as the Celtics don’t lost a game at home, they’ll be hoisting the O’Brien trophy.  Even that doesn’t quite seem as predetermined as it was a few months ago.

Regardless, I sure could use a few more Game Sevens thrown in there to postpone the summertime and get my heart racing a little bit.  I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.  Even though the games have been anti-climactic, it’s still better than the alternative.

Somewhere David Stern is smiling.

While the other two professional sports remain mired in scandal (see Spygate, steroids, etc.), Commissioner Stern has magically managed to make the Tim Donaghy scandal become a distant memory. Nothing can detract our attention away from negativity quite like a nice blockbuster trade or three. Well, recently the NBA has seen a slew of these like never before in its history. And they should all make for a VERY interesting playoffs.

This is undoubtedly the first year in recent memory where any one of nearly a dozen teams has a legitimate shot to win the title. The NBA has really taken on more of a college feel in that respect. Traditionally entering the NBA season, the league often lacks a touch of unpredictability as the usual suspects, i.e., Spurs, Pistons, etc. eventually find their way to hoisting the O’Brien Trophy come season’s end. But with the rich getting richer and several teams now boasting veritable all-star line-ups of their own, this year’s champion is anyone’s guess.

Let’s take a brief look at the contenders, shall we?

Boston Celtics (+275): All of New England was on Cloud Nine up until the New York Giants brought them back to reality with that Patriots smack-down. With the Red Sox World Series and an undefeated Patriots regular season, many thought the Big Three of Garnett, Pierce and Allen would continue that streak and keep Boston in Titletown mode. They still may. Despite a nagging abdominal injury to Kevin Garnett, which may cost him an MVP trophy depending on how many more games he misses, the Celtics are still poised to be the top seed in the East. They’re 23-4 at home and have still only lost nine games this season. Rajon Rondo is slowly answering his critics and Big Baby Davis has become a pleasant surprise in the post. The C’s have the best point differential in the NBA (double-digits) and, with a healthy Kevin Garnett, have a legitimate shot to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Who’s not geared up to see what this team can do in the playoffs?

Detroit Pistons (+315): Once again, the Pistons are competing and are the most, well-rounded team in the Eastern Conference. The same old cast of Billups, Hamilton, Prince and ‘Sheed continues to be a beacon of consistency. They are still among the league’s best defensive teams, all without Ben Wallace. And their bench remains solid. Most expect to see a Pistons-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals. They have so far split their season series with one more regular season game left to play at Boston on March 5.

Orlando Magic (+2200): Is it likely that the Magic win an NBA title? No. But the Magic consistently compete with the best teams in the league and hold their own. After all, they have already beaten the Celtics twice and they are leading their division. We have recently seen what an inspired Dwight Howard can do (see 24 rebounds against Denver). Hedo Turkoglu is playing the best basketball of his career and Rashard Lewis is averaging 18 and 5. If the Magic can get steady play from their point guard tandem, they could mess things up for the favorites in the East.

Cleveland Cavaliers (+3000): All signs point to a Celtics-Pistons Eastern Conference Finals, BUT… LeBron James had something to say about that last year. He just might again. Whether the Chosen One plays inspired come June remains to be seen after his franchise failed to make a big trade to match every other team in the league. But after watching what LeBron did to Detroit last year to win the Eastern Conference, can anyone really count this team out?

New Orleans (+1100): Do I honestly think New Orleans has a shot at the crown? No. BUT… they currently boast the best record in the West. They’re leading the Southwest Division. By the way, Dallas and San Antonio reside in that division. Chris Paul is averaging a double-double and is a strong MVP candidate, particularly if the Hornets end up with the number one seed in the west. Tyson Chandler is finally living up to his potential and David West remains the best player in the league nobody’s ever heard of. Landing the number one seed could potentially throw a wrench into the entire Western Conference.

Phoenix (+415): Most pundits initially criticized Steve Kerr’s move to land Shaquille O’Neal. And after his first practice with the team, the only reports I heard were how winded he was afterwards. Well, duh. The Suns practice with a :07 second shot clock. Even Lance Armstrong would be winded after a few minutes of that. The bottom line is this… Shawn Marion was disgruntled and the Suns weren’t going anywhere with that roster, especially with some of the other big moves in the West. Phoenix had consistently been labeled ‘soft.’ Well, the Big Aristotle should change all that. I have faith that D’Antoni will effectively work Diesel into the line-up and adjust their style of play accordingly. As an opposing guard, I ask you… would you really want to drive the lane only to find Shaq and Amare in the middle waiting for you? If Shaq can somehow lead the Suns to an NBA Finals, he’ll be the only player in league history to reach that milestone with four different teams. Think he’s not looking forward to a seven-game series against Kobe and the Lakers?

Dallas (+475): If the Jason Kidd deal ever goes through, add the Dallas Mavericks to the list of Western Conference teams that have reacted to the Pau Gasol deal. Last year’s meltdown against Golden State should be enough motivation to light a spark underneath Dirk’s britches, particularly if he now has Kidd leading the break. The Mavs still may have some problems at center, but this team will rise and fall with the mismatches Nowitzki creates. And with Jason Kidd at the helm, you just cannot count this team out.

Utah (+925): The Jazz continue to impress. Last year’s Western Conference runners-up have been playing solid and consistent basketball all season long. Deron Williams has become one of the league’s premier young point guards and his numbers rival Chris Paul’s. Carlos Boozer, is as always, a beast. And young Ronnie Brewer has stepped up nicely. Deep down inside, tell me you’re not rooting for Coach Jerry Sloan to finally win a title.

Lakers (+700): Many have claimed the Lakers have already won the title on paper. Their steal of Pau Gasol began a chain of events that made this year’s NBA contenders look like an NBA All-Star roster. The Lakers now start Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Gasol who is playing unbelievably well right now. He’s already adapted into the triangle offense and is throwing down on people with regularlity. When Andrew Bynum returns, the team has as good a shot as anyone to win the title.

San Antonio (+505): Will anyone really be surprised to see Timmy and the Spurs playing in the NBA Finals….. again?

Denver (+2000): Sure, this may be a stretch as they’re currently a bubble team. Technically, the rush to field all-star talent might be traced back to the Nuggets landing Allen Iverson last year. With ‘Melo by his side, a healthy Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby who’s second in the league in rebounding, would anyone be surprised if Denver snuck in as an 8 seed and then knocked off the top seeded Hornets? I didn’t think so.

So there you have it… a quick and nasty breakdown of this season’s 2008 playoffs. Be sure to watch as this year may very well take on a college feel, as a bunch of players who have never won a title, might just dig deep down inside to raise the trophy for the first time. Who will that be? Well, that’s anybody’s guess.

Museums exhibit priceless works of art.  The world boasts countless objects of near perfection.  Last night, fans were witness to one more: the Team USA’s first quarter against the Mexican national team.

Already boasting a 4-0 record in this year’s FIBA Americas Tournament, Team USA has been slowly reestablishing its international dominance…. and doing so with style and force.

For those unfamiliar with FIBA tournament rules, teams play four ten minute quarters (as opposed to twelve in the NBA) with fewer stoppages in play than the average NBA game as well.  Monday night, Team USA scored 45 points in ten minutes.

Briefly watching the sparse SportsCenter highlights does not do this team justice, for there’s no way to effectively capture the vertical dunk-fest that has become Team USA’s dominance of this year’s FIBA tournament.  So here’s an attempt to recap a near perfect first quarter, showcasing the world’s greatest basketball players playing an unbeatable level.

• Starting for Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups set the tone early scoring five points in the game’s first thirty seconds, first by launching a three-pointer and then, by converting a fastbreak lay-up off a LeBron James steal.
• Off a missed Mexican lay-up, Amare Stoudemire kicked the rebound out to Billups on the wing.  Billups took one dribble, fed the ball up-court to LeBron, who drove, drew a double team and one-handed it out to Kobe on the left wing.  Kobe spotted Carmelo Anthony (who’s been making a living in the paint this tournament) under the basket for the bucket and the foul.  All five players touched the ball in a possession that took only eight seconds, longer than it took to read that paragraph.
• At the 6:41 mark, Carmelo nailed a three-pointer, giving him eight of Team USA’s fifteen points.
• After turning the ball over the previous possession, Kobe Bryant rattled home a shot from about five feet behind the three-point line.
• At the 5:20 mark, Jason Kidd entered the game.  Cue the highlight reel.
• LeBron pulled down a strong, one-handed rebound from above the rim, found Kidd running up the floor, who then got it back to LeBron on the right wing.  LeBron then took THREE Mexican players to the hole and drew the foul.  That possession took another brief, eight seconds.  In response to LeBron’s dunk, Bill Walton muttered “We’re used to that very much.  The Mexican players… I’m not sure that they’ve EVER seen anything quite like LeBron James."
•  In the first five minutes of the quarter, Team USA missed one shot attempt.
• Quadruple-teamed in the lane, LeBron spotted an open Mike Miller, who, rather than opting for the three, immediately whipped the ball to an open Amare Stoudamire for a signature two-handed dunk.
• Mike Miller drove the lane, attracting double-team coverage, but found a cutting Jason Kidd, who threw a two-handed touch pass to Carmelo behind the arc.  Carmelo drained it.
•  Dwight Howard, after being fouled, missed his second free throw attempt, which was then rebounded by Carmelo Anthony, who out-hustled three Mexican big men for the ball.
• Then, perhaps the most obscene play of the half… Carmelo grabbed a rebound from an errant Mexican three-point attempt and kicked the outlet pass to Jason Kidd running up the right side of the floor.  Kidd took one dribble and from BEHIND THE HALF-COURT LINE, threw a strike to Dwight Howard who snuck behind two Mexican defenders, then seemingly jumped over them for the alley-oop.
• After consecutive dunks by Carmelo and Dwight Howard, Bill Walton appropriately proclaimed “this is getting out of hand quickly.”
• Michael Redd launched a three-pointer… and hit.  So far, Team USA has only missed two shots in the quarter.
• On a commercial break that could not come soon enough for Team Mexico, Better Basketball offers a video, giving viewers the opportunity to “learn shooting from perhaps the best shooter in basketball history.”  I’m excited about the possibilities until I learn they’re talking about J.J. Reddick.
• Deron Williams played the two-man game to perfection with ‘Melo in the post, who then proceeded to dunk over the man covering him.
• After another dunk, Carmelo finished the quarter with sixteen points on 6-6 shooting.
• Fittingly, as the clock wound down, Deron Williams threw another alley-oop to Dwight Howard, who flushed it emphatically at the buzzer.

Team USA finished the quarter up 45-23.  Ten minutes, forty-five points.  To my recollection, Dream Team Jr. missed a total of four shots.

Critics will say not to get excited, that Team USA has only played Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, Brazil and Mexico, and that Argentina still remains on the docket.  But after years of recent disappointment and underachieving, the Americans are playing as expected.  Coach Krzyzewski is effectively managing his players’ minutes, while simultaneously keeping their eyes on the prize.  Kobe Bryant is shutting down opponents.  The American players have all checked their egos at the door and are feeding off each other’s talent. 

Yes, the United States is turning the ball over, but that’s to be expected with their up-tempo style of play.  At this pace, Team USA is looking invincible and is one more blowout victory closer to their ultimate goal:  an Olympic gold medal.