MVP!
We had the typical names listed as MVP candidates: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki. Some did speak of Davis but not very much. As the Mavericks rolled, the Suns ran teams off the floor, and Kobe Bryant continued to amaze those three ascended to the top of the talk again.

But after watching this series I believe Baron Davis should be the MVP. Without him this team probably does not make the playoffs. Without him they definitely don't beat the Mavericks.

He got hurt early in tonight's game and it looked like he might not come back. Even when he first entered the game he looked like he would be totally ineffective, a liability even. Instead, he reached within himself and played a beautiful game leading his team to a convicing victory over the hapless Dallas Mavericks.

Baron Davis, who I think is a jerk make no mistake, has tremendous heart. He did everything he could to will his team to victory (not just in the playoffs but in the late part of the season). The crowd rang out with chants of MVP and I couldn't agree more.

Golden State Warriors
There seems to be a stereotype that plagues the NBA, two actually. First, if you have a run-and-gun offense you can't or don't play defense. Two, if you are coached by Don Nelson you aren't concered with defense. Both are false. While Nellie certainly emphasises offensive production he did a good job of stopping the Mavs. The Warriors played swarming, attacking defense that forced the Mavericks into mistakes.

That's a big deal; you don't have to take the ball away, you just make them give it up. That's what the Warriors did. They attacked the ball handlers so fast they got flustered and lost composure, especially Dirk Nowitzki. Warriors basketball is fun basketball, high scoring and high pressure. High intensity on both ends of the floor. The Warriors have a lot of heart and it will be fun to see how far that heart takes them.

Dirk Nowitzki
Wow. Just wow. Talk about a guy with a ton of talent and absolutely no heart. Rather than responding with aggression and confidence when challenged he just curls up with a David Hasselhoff tape and some ice cream. Dirk Nowitzki is in no way a leader and should not be handed the reigns of a team.

Dirk needs a new home; the Mavericks need a new focus. How can the team collectively have heart if their so-called leader has none? Perhaps Josh Howard can turn things around. He was the Mavs best player during the series and maybe his desire can fuel the Mavericks to victory?

Whatever happens it's time for Dirk to move on. It was a good run, but he clearly doesn't have what it takes to take the Mavericks home. The Mavericks should look to get a true big man who can get on the block and beat some people up. I thought they made a good choice in keeping Dirk and not trading for Shaq, but I guess I was wrong.

In a related matter I'm selling two Dirk Nowitzki jerseys. One home and one away, both in mint condition as they are far too big for me to actually wear.

Mavericks Next Step
First, they must trade Dirk Nowitzki. The longer they waste time on him the longer it will be before they get to the Finals again. They can still get some good value for him and he'll make a great role-player on another team.

Perhaps they should send him to LA? Kobe Bryant basically gave the organization an ultimatum: get me some help or I'm out of here after next year. Dirk would provide some great help. Get him back on the perimetter where a weak player like him belongs and watch the threes drop.

The Mavericks could get maybe Lamar Odom and Luke Walton in return or maybe Vladimir Radmanovic? I think they should definitely go after Odom. Another possibility could be to send him to the Timberwolves but I fear what else they'd have to give up for Garnett. I'd rather keep Dirk on the roster, maybe as a 6th man?

How Far Will They Go?
Back to the Warriors. I think they'll beat either the Jazz or the Rockets. Phoenix versus San Antonio will be a good one. I like the Spurs (and will root for them) but part of me hopes/thinks Phoenix will win and we'll have Phoenix vs Golden State in the Western Conference Finals. Now that will be some exicting basketball!

I'm calling Chicago over Detroit. Chicago's playing well and I really like their dynamic. Ben Wallace has given them a real presence in the paint and their roster is solid. It's going to 7 games but I'm picking da Bulls. Cleveland over which ever team they face ultimately to fall to Chicago!

Phoenix over the Bulls in the Finals (6 games tops) and Steve Nash gets himself a title.

Final Thought on Mavs-Warriors
They say it's all about matchups, well I guess it's true. The Warriors had the Mavericks number all season. The Mavericks showed they were afraid of them by sitting the starters in the last regular season game against them. They said they were resting them but I'm pretty sure Avery only wanted the subs to lose so he's team wouldn't be traumatized. Turns out they were anyway.

The Warriors showed heart and deserved to win this series. But I hate Matt Barnes. Mostly for the hair, and I think he's a punk. I hate Stephen Jackson, cause he's a punk and nothing but. And I don't really like Baron Davis, just cause I think he has a bad attitude. But they played with heart and won the series. For that I give them credit and I really do like watching Warriors basketball. But now that my Mavs are out my loyalty shifts to the steady Spurs. Let's go San Antonio!

Who will win the Western Conference Finals?

A few months back it looked like the Spurs and Mavs were near locks for the Western Conference Finals and the Rockets looked to go deep in the playoffs.

Now, only one of those three teams has one and it's not one of the two you'd expect.

Houston Rockets
The team that was the most questionable during the season is now the only one with a victory under its belt.

Tracy McGrady lead the Houston Rockets to a solid victory over the Utah Jazz. The Jazz started the season strong, then faultered a little, only to end the season playing well. Jerry Sloan is a hall-of-fame coach with real talent on his team. Carlos Boozer, Andre Kirilenko, Memhet Okur, and, of course, Matt Harpring anchor a strong team. But, this time Tracy McGrady wanted it more.

T-Mac played the way he's supposed to play and lead the Rockets over the Jazz. For the first time in his career he has homecourt and is hoping that will help propel him beyond the first round for the first time.

The Rockets and Jazz are both good, evenly matched teams. Either team could really win this series but I'm expecting the Jazz to turn it up. I just don't believe in the Yao Ming-Tracy McGrady connection and think it will break down again this year. Houston's been hot at times but I expect given time Utah will emerge triumphant.

San Antonio Spurs
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Mavs Set NBA Record

There's no question the best conference in the NBA is the Western Conference. And chances are nine of anyone's top ten teams will hail from the other side of the Mississippi. With the possibly exception of the Detroit Pistons, I would be completely shocked if an Eastern Conference team took home the title.

With that said there's been a great deal of debate about who the Best team in the Western Conference, and therefore the NBA, is. I've seen people arguing about how this team or that team is better than their record suggests. Or how they'll #### up the heat in the playoffs. Or how their winning streak is the deffinition of greatness.

Specifically, I've heard about how the Phoenix Suns are going to be the NBA champions after this season is over. I've heard about how their "historic" winning streak is a message to the rest of the NBA. I've seen people outright pick the Suns over the Mavs in the playoffs. But after this how can you really believe that?

I know some will be cute and will say, "they beat the Hawks. The Hawks suck, this is meaningless." What about the 19 other teams they've beaten on their home court? Or all the other teams they've been in their 12-game winning streaks? The Suns have been included in one of those streaks. The Mavericks have also beaten every team that they could face in the playoffs. That's something the Suns can't claim.

Personally, I can't wait for the Western Conference playoffs. There are some great teams out there. The Spurs are heating up, Rockets are battling, Suns are awesome, Jazz, Nuggests, Clippers, and Lakers are all making some noise.

But it's undeniable the Dallas Mavericks are the best team in the Western Conference and the Best team in the NBA. No one can challenge them and I'm fully confident they will beat any of those teams in the playoffs and beat their opponent from the East to finally capture the trophy.