The field seems to be pretty balanced this year! Only Sacramento won in 5 games- all the remaining series will go at least 6 in the first round. This is shaping up to be one of the more competetive years.

I'm surprised that Detroit is doing so poorly. Although they won by 31 tonight, I still fear they won't escape the first round, which is a big disappointment considering how hard they worked for a No. 1 seed. However, the East is so weak this year that whoever escapes will be the doormat of the Western contender.

Boston is continuing to flash playoff brilliance. I think they are a serious threat to emerge from the East. Milwaukee is another team I wouldn't overlook at this point. Although down 3-2, I can see them upsetting the Nets.

New Orleans really surprised me with their win today in Game 5. I thought the injuries that have plagued them would cause another early exit in the playoffs, but they are turning out to be stubborn.

Portland upset me early, falling behind 3-0 to Dallas, but they have won 2 straight and return home with a lot of confidence for Game 6. Could they be the first team to overcome a 3-0 deficit? Probably not, but I'm proud of their resilient play.

I'm glad I got to see Stockton and Malone this year, because I doubt I'll have another chance now that they have been eliminated. It's been a monumental run for them- 18 straight playoff appearances for the duo. Kudos to them!

Phoenix is giving San Antonio a TOUGH battle, but I don't see them making much more noise.

I'm really happy that Minnesota has pushed the Lakers. Not only have they exposed weaknesses in the Laker offense, but they have shown that the Lakers are vulnerable at home as well. I don't think this is the year Minnesota will advance to the second round, but they have put forth a valiant effort.

What are your thoughts so far?

I can't wait for my copy of One Man Jam to arrive, either!!

I'm still praying for a miracle - that Minnesota can stop the friggin Lakers :X

And I love what Chris Webber said after the game - something like, "...and if it is Stockton & Malone's last time playing, I'm glad we were the ones to take 'em out..."

CalhounSq said:

Webber was saying that in more of an honorary tone, like he was privileged to be part of perhaps the last game that Stockton and Malone would play.

Moonbeam said:

I know He repeated over & over how honored he was, but when he used the phrase "take 'em out" I thought it was funny

Paul Pierce is the muthafuckin TRUTH

My Lakers going for the 4th-Peat.Shaq plays like Shaq&Kobe plays like Kobe we have nothing to fear or worry about.if our other Players step up then we can get a Broom out for others.I Loath the Queens.ain't worried about nobody but if Flopping is allowed then we have problems.as long as we don't get Bored than expect another Parade in downtown LA.I don't like the longer format&the truth is nothing has shocked me.the Pistons have no Offense,the East is still Least.Props to the Celtics because they are Winning with a true 2-Man Team.Blazers:if they come back&Beat the Mav's I'll Root Extra Hard for them to Beat the Sacremento Queens.tonight it's time for Shaq,Kobe&Crew to send the Timberwolves FIshing with Kenny,Charles&Ernie.

The East is TOTALLY WIDE OPEN.
The "seedings" in the East are just numbers. Literally any East team could be in the Finals. I expected the Pistons & the Pacers- especially the Pacers- to do better. The team in the Finals from the East will be someone few expected to see.


The West is Sacramento's to lose
(which is, in fact, just what they did last year.)

They have too much talent, they are too deep, the best passing team, & by now, finally, it can be said that they are "playoff battle tested." They ought to be MORE than "hungry enough"..

Sacramento has absolutely NO EXCUSE TO MISS THE FINALS THIS YEAR. Really, they are capable of sweeping whoever they'd play from the East.

Dallas plays very well most of the time, but I suppose even professionals slack off some, with a 3-0 lead, then a 3-1 lead headed back home. Portland's good enough to win game 6 back in Portland, but I don't see them having enough to win the last 2 games of the series. Dirk N is an AMAZING player. Right now, he's the best caucasian player in the NBA since Larry Joe Bird. When he's on, when he's unconcious, NOBODY can touch him. They are 1 more player away from dominating the league-
next year.
Maurice Cheeks MUST get props for coaching that rag-tag Blazer bunch (Pippen & Sabonis excluded) & I especially respect the way he went out & helped that teenage girl sing the National Anthem when she froze like a deer in the headlights.

Speaking of a deer in the headlights..
that violent thud of animal flesh to metal you heard was the T-Wolves getting run over by the Lakers- the night before, & for what's left of this series. Everyone had said it- & it was true- that game 5 would be the biggest game in T-Wolves franchise history.. & what did they do?
Got BLOWN OUT OF THE GYM-
their own gym-
by a team still trying to "turn it on for the playoffs" & missing 1 of their key "role men" for the rest of the playoffs. KG continues to prove he's 1 of the TOP 5 BEST IN THE LEAGUE, Hudson has had his moments.. but WHAT has happened to Wally? The T-Wolves are still getting their education in the school of hard knocks. Yeah, they've been on the WRONG END of some HORRIBLE calls, but they still had their chances. Like the Mavericks, the T-Wolves are 1 more solid, dependable player away from reaching "Championship Level." The Lakers got the best 1st round opponent they could hope for. After they finish off the Wolves, they'd probably get Dallas, over whom they also have some sort of magic voodoo spell.

The Spurs, I can't figure them out, except to say they will go as far as Tim Duncan can carry them. Whenever he has a (VERY RARE) off night, or whenever they don't get him the ball enough, the Spurs clearly struggle. I've respected & admired David Robinson's game for his whole career, but he is leaving at just the right time. Parker is solid beyond his years, but he's still succeptible to some sort of lapse(s).

There are definitely more close-fought, competitive games to come in the playoffs this year..
& though a small part of me would like to see the Mavs take out the Lakers..
I REALLY want to see

KINGS-LAKERS, Volume 5
(or whatever the number is)
it's the BEST rivalry in the NBA since Pistons-Bulls of the late 80's-early 90s
& the colossal, EPIC, ARMAGEDDON
Lakers-Celtics battles
of the 80s.

Like last year, the Western Conference Finals will essentially be for the NBA Championship.


NBA Action:
it's still FANTASTIC.