SPORTS: ...AND SETS IN THE WEST

KNOWLEDGE XL

While the Eastern Conference features some extremely explosive, dangerously talented squads, there is simply no comparison when considering the depth of squads in the Western Conference. To put it into better perspective, the #8 seed in the Western Conference finished 10 games over .500, whereas the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference finished 8 games below .500.

Some would argue with the departure in recent years of such perennial Western Conference All-Stars as Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony, the East is a tougher conference now, hence the weaker records. But there’s a legitimate argument to be made that such stars left for the East because they viewed their road to the NBA finals as an easier route than what the West provides annually, specifically having to go through Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan every year to even sniff the promised land.
In any event, the Western Conference remains a very competitive one, featuring the two time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers led by the previously aforementioned Bryant. The Lakers first round opponent is the New Orleans Hornets whose star Chris Paul could soon be following his predecessors in traveling East once his contract expires in 2012. The Hornets suffered a major blow when their star forward David West went down with a knee injury. But when you have arguably one of the top 3 point guards in the league in Paul, you’re going to be a tough out no matter what.

The Lakers are an older team riddled by a key injury to their front court anchor Andrew Bynum, and teams continue to exploit the aging and less mobile Derek Fisher who struggles when attempting to defend elite guards in the league (then again who doesn’t). Even with these issues, they still have the man many compare to a modern day Michael Jordan in Bryant, whose tenacity, competitive spirit and game closing showmanship should carry the Lakers to a first round victory.

Another aging team, the San Antonio Spurs, has had one of it’s best regular seasons in recent years, finishing one game behind the Chicago Bulls for best overall record in the league. However like the Lakers, the Spurs have also suffered a loss to a key member of their core, Manu Ginobili who will miss the first game of the series. The Spurs will be challenged by a long, young and athletic Memphis Grizzlies squad looking for their first playoff victory. The Grizz are turnover machines having led the league in team steals all year. While they are an 8th seed, they are as dangerous as it gets when it comes to threatening to upset a top seeded opponent.

Mike Conley, OJ Mayo, and Marc Gasol are youthful spirits surrounded by old school veterans Zach Randolph, Shane Battier and even Tony Allen who really came on as of late when the team’s best player, Rudy Gay went down with a shoulder injury that will in all likelihood sideline him from early playoff action. While the Grizz are a formidable, balanced opponent who could give an unusually small Spurs team fits down low, look for the experience, bench depth and proven playoff grit of the Spurs to rein victorious over 6 games.

Another intriguing matchup in the West once again pitting youth versus experience is the Dallas Mavericks against the Portland Trailblazers. The Mavs are arguably the most underachieving team in the last decade, killing the regular season but often failing to advance early in the playoffs. It’s hard to forget the implosion suffered a few years ago when the then #8 seeded Golden State Warriors upended the Mavs for one of the biggest upsets in playoff history, sending Mavs owner Mark Cuban into a furious frenzy looking to gut his entire team worst than a Saw flick.

However, they have managed to stay together for the most part making small acquisitions here and there, and they remain a team few want to face as the playoffs progress with core players Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and 6th man of the year contender Jason Terry in place. Their opponent, the Trailblazers are not a good match up for them for some of the same reasons as the other series, a young, quick, athletic squad that is deep all across the board. Led by Brandon Roy who finally appears healthy, and LaMarcus Aldridge who’s a beast both inside and outside the paint, the Mavs could be facing another upset sending Cuban into yet another twitter rage.

The final Western conference match up features a team I feel could make it to the Conference Finals, the up and coming Oklahoma Thunder featuring one if not the best tandem in the league in Kevin Durant and the speedy Russell Westbrook. Having recently added the discarded and disgruntled former Celtic Kendrick Perkins, this team is poised for an extended playoff run. Their opponent, the Denver Nuggets have been on a tear of its own as of late since trading their franchise player Melo to the NY Knicks.
Playing with a more balanced attack, the Nuggets are more unpredictable on offense while still providing tough interior defense courtesy of Nene and Keynon Martin. This will be a highly entertaining series I fully expect to go the length. Expect high flying dunks, perfect execution from beyond the arc, and excellent team play from both teams down the stretch.

Here are my picks for who will advance to the Western Conference Second Round;

San Antonio over Memphis 4-2

LA over New Orleans 4-1

Dallas over Portland 4-3

Oklahoma City over Denver 4-3

Once again, Knowstradamus has spoken.