Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Dec 17, 2006 17:43:15 GMT -5
The Wild Wild West
I don't think there could ever be a year where the western conference has had this many talented teams currently holding the top eight seeds. The Utah Jazz and the Portland Trailblazers both sit comfortably ahead of everyone else however one cannot say that the rest of the teams are pushovers. If the playoffs were to start today - here's what the matchups look like:
Utah vs. San Antonio
Portland vs. Dallas
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Utah would definitely have the toughest fight in the first round if they were to face San Antonio. Yes - we know that Utah has an amazing starting five but consider the fact that San Antonio has been playing without one of the best defenders this league has ever seen in Ben Wallace for practically the entire season with a torn ACL. Doctors have given their opinion on Wallace's condition and have diagnosed his ACL tear as mild. They have said that it is possible for Ben to possibly come back just in time for the playoffs. Bringing back a guy like Ben Wallace into the mix to go with Tim Duncan and Kobe could spell trouble for the Jazz or whoever winds up playing San Antonio in the first round.
The Blazers too would have a very tough matchup if they were to meet the Dallas Mavericks who still have the reigning MVP, Stephon Marbury, on their squad. Portland would have their hands full with Dallas' very big frontline that has Nenad Krstic, Carlos Boozer, and Zaza Pachulia. Granted, Carmelo Anthony is an MVP candidate and Darius Miles is no pushover as defensive player but for them to handle Boozer or Krstic would be a huge mismatch for the Trailblazers.
The Lakers and Clippers would be the matchup that would definitely bring the stars in attendance. The Suns facing off the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves would also be an intriguing matchup to see as well. With the way the playoffs have gone in the west the past couple years, its anyone's ball game. Utah and Portland maybe on top right now but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw another 7 and 8 matchup in the conference finals. No one is safe in the west.
I don't think there could ever be a year where the western conference has had this many talented teams currently holding the top eight seeds. The Utah Jazz and the Portland Trailblazers both sit comfortably ahead of everyone else however one cannot say that the rest of the teams are pushovers. If the playoffs were to start today - here's what the matchups look like:
Utah vs. San Antonio
Portland vs. Dallas
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Utah would definitely have the toughest fight in the first round if they were to face San Antonio. Yes - we know that Utah has an amazing starting five but consider the fact that San Antonio has been playing without one of the best defenders this league has ever seen in Ben Wallace for practically the entire season with a torn ACL. Doctors have given their opinion on Wallace's condition and have diagnosed his ACL tear as mild. They have said that it is possible for Ben to possibly come back just in time for the playoffs. Bringing back a guy like Ben Wallace into the mix to go with Tim Duncan and Kobe could spell trouble for the Jazz or whoever winds up playing San Antonio in the first round.
The Blazers too would have a very tough matchup if they were to meet the Dallas Mavericks who still have the reigning MVP, Stephon Marbury, on their squad. Portland would have their hands full with Dallas' very big frontline that has Nenad Krstic, Carlos Boozer, and Zaza Pachulia. Granted, Carmelo Anthony is an MVP candidate and Darius Miles is no pushover as defensive player but for them to handle Boozer or Krstic would be a huge mismatch for the Trailblazers.
The Lakers and Clippers would be the matchup that would definitely bring the stars in attendance. The Suns facing off the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves would also be an intriguing matchup to see as well. With the way the playoffs have gone in the west the past couple years, its anyone's ball game. Utah and Portland maybe on top right now but I wouldn't be surprised if we saw another 7 and 8 matchup in the conference finals. No one is safe in the west.
