Ahh, the NBA playoffs.
I don't remember the last time I was this excited for a league's postseason. There's just something thrilling and addicting about the NBA breakdown, competition and players.
This week, I probably slept a total of 20 hours. Between end-of-semester projects, papers and tests, and the late-evening start of Western Conference games, there was no way sleep was going to be a priority on my agenda.
Though many of the games have been blowouts, it's only the first round, and the real fervor is yet to come.
It's nice to see that the Eastern Conference finally has woken up and, though still a bit groggy, managed to play some exciting games.
We all knew Detroit was on its way. The question was when and how it would get there. The answer is obviously - as much as I despise the infamous "trail-gangster, jail-blazer" - Rasheed Wallace.
Indiana is seemingly unstoppable and, despite its shellacking in D-town just before the playoffs, likely will sail to the championship game. (Sorry kids, after that loss to the Bucks and the lack of offensive confidence, even if the Pistons do make it to the conference finals, that's about as far as they'll go).
But that's all the East has got.
The Celtics and the Knicks have their perks, Paul Pierce and Stephon Marbury, respectively, but not enough depth. Though many would like to see these two get back to previous years' stature, it's just not going to happen.
Why the Nets make it to the playoffs every year is beyond me. Don't get me wrong, with Kidd, Martin and Jefferson, they're a talented squad, but they never seem to make a game past the first round interesting and always choke in the games that matter.
Point is: The West is where it's at.
And where it has been. And where it will stay - for now.
Since Michael Jordan's three-year reign, the dominance of the NBA Championships has been split between two Western Conference teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.
While the Sacramento "Queens," Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks all have stepped up, none have been able to reach the top.
As of yesterday, the top five leading scorers in the playoffs all hail from the West. Led by Dirk Nowitzki's 30-point average and followed by Sam Cassell and Kobe Bryant tied at 26, the offensive prowess is relentless. Kevin Garnett is right behind at 25, with Tim Duncan edging in at 24.5.
Now, how will the West be won? Let's see.
Props to KG who, with long-awaited help found in Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, more than likely will get his team out of its seven-year, first-round elimination rut. The should've-been-Rookie-of-the-year Carmelo will put up decent numbers, but the newly upgraded 'Wolves will sink the young Nuggets fast and likely whomever they play following, be it Dallas or Sacramento.
The defending champion San Antonio Spurs lost some talent this season and, in addition to Duncan, will need to rely on Radoslav Nesterovic and Tony Parker to make things easy. The up-and-coming Memphis Grizzlies led the regular season series, 3-1, and won't be easily overcome, but lack of playoff experience will put the Spurs ahead.
The Lakers undoubtedly will see the Spurs in the semis after taking out Houston.
All you haters might be thinking, "Not so fast … ," but the reality is, the Lakers play hard when they need to, and harder when they want to.
With four surefire hall of famers - Karl "The Mailman" Malone, Gary "The Glove" Payton, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant - a helpful bench and an A-class of rookies, who really could stop them?
Los Angeles will face Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals. Indiana will face Detroit in the East.
With the forward duo of Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, the Pacers ultimately will get by the Pistons en route to a 2000-like final against the Lakers.
Yes, L.A. will stay hot and healthy; no, Kobe won't be "distracted" or selfish, and the Lakers' Fab Four will take the 2004 NBA title in six - just as planned.
Janet Harp, a State News sports reporter, is obviously from California and a die-hard Lakers fan. She loves to hear from the haters at harpjane@msu.edu.
