A few observations...
I will have to see the Lakers game tonight before I am convinced they have "flipped the switch" - and I'm a Lakers fan (since 1990 - I remember the starting backcourt of Threatt and Tony Smith - yuk)! Yes, they went buzzsaw on Minnesota in Game 1 - but they went buzzsaw on Sacramento in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals last year, too, and they didn't exactly swamp the Kings the rest of the way.
San Antonio has its hands full with the Suns. (Duh). Of course, I hope Phoenix wins to clear the road a bit for the Lakers, but if I'm the Spurs, I am very worried about Parker's mindset, especially now that every time he does something wrong, he knows the front office is going "oh my gosh, we need Kidd!" Further, the Spurs must get more confident at the foul line or it's going to be a self-feeding problem.
The Kings' year is now. They have the Jazz, whom they know they can handle, followed by Dallas or the Blazers, whom they also know they can handle. It's the best possible scenario for the Kings, who should make the Conference Finals easily - provided the injury problems that killed them this season don't come back now. Instead of potentially having to play the Lakers then the Spurs, they only have to beat one of those two teams - ostensibly after they have beaten up on each other a bit first. You knew the three "favorites" were the Spurs, Kings, and Lakers and whichever one didn't wind up on the same side of the bracket as the other two would have the advantage.
Dallas should beat Portland, but Eduardo Najera is the only guy who knows Dallas is spelled with a "D." They are too soft to worry the Spurs, Lakers, or Kings.
Despite (or perhaps because of) AI's double-nickel, lok for him to shoot his team right out of the series with the Hornets. Philly may still win the series, but the law of averages tells me AI is due for one of his 7-for-45 shooting nights any time now.
Pacers v. Boston - I expect the Pacers' inside game to wear Boston down over the course of the series. The Celtics are too inconsistent scoring-wise to keep up with a steady Pacers team. And Isaiah Thomas is not that bright when it comes to coaching.
The Bucks are too distracted and are done. New Jersey rolls.
The Pistons should win their series with the Magic, but to do it, they'll have to do the unthinkable - double-team T-Mac to get the ball out of his hands. Nobody else on the Magic is going to beat you, though. Ben Wallace needs to get his knee right.
--The Sigil
