Early Playoff Look

As of now, the NBA playoff race in the Western Conference is very tight. With a record of 34-22, the Golden State Warriors are currently the eight seed, only 1/2 game ahead of the Denver Nuggets. The Eastern Conference isn't quite as impressive. The Philadelphia 76ers are sitting in the eight spot with a record of 26-32 three games ahead of Atlanta.

The last three playoff teams in the East have a record below .500, while only five teams in the entire Western Conference have a sub .500 record.

With the additions of Jason Kidd and Shaquille O'neal, the west has become a force to be reckoned with. It seems as years go by, the west just keeps getting stronger and stronger. When you look at the contenders in the Western Conference, you come up with names like LA, San Antonio, Dallas, Pheonix, Utah, and New Orleans. In the East, there is Detriot, Boston, uhhh...well there is umm....and theres....Clevel....maybe????

The point is, besides for the proven team in Detriot, the JV league of the Eastern Conference have only possible contenders. Boston you would have to assume is a contender, but they are not time tested.

Personally, besides for Detriot I think that the west has a lock on the finals for the next three to four years.

As for my predictions, I think that Boston and Detriot will meet in the Eastern Conference finals, with Detriot advancing to the finals. In the west, it will be Los Angelas and San Antonio, with San Antonio moving on to face the Pistons.

In the finals, it will be another clash of the two best teams in the league (in my opinion). The Spurs (while they may on the way out because of age) will reign supreme again in the NBA this season. They will have secured their 5th championship in the last nine years, making them a dynasty the league will never forget. This would also mark the 7th championship by the west in the last nine years.