Wild Wild West

Now let’s head to the Wild Wild Western Conference, where even if you have a strong winning percentage, it does not guarantee you to claim a playoff spot, just liked what happened to the Golden State Warriors. They were raring to duplicate if not surpass what they achieve last year, but they fell short this year.

LA Lakers vs Denver. It was quite a surprise that Pau Gasol would blend easily with his new team and got the Triangle Offense effortlessly. Maybe this time, he’ll surpass the first round jinx, of course with the help of MVP contender Kobe Bryant. Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson should step up big this time in order to survive the onslaught of the mighty Lakers, otherwise their hard earned entry will go to none. Lakers in five games.

Utah vs. Houston. Tracy McGrady ,gets another chance to redeem himself facing Carlos Boozer and the rest of the Utah Jazz, a superstar with no first round success for his entire career. Without Yao Ming and Rafer Alston, the rest of the Rockets should go a notch higher in order not to waste their 22-0 winning game streak. Maybe Luis Scola should prove himself and supports T-Mac to avoid humiliation. This series is so tough, but I’m putting my money on Jazz in seven games. Without Rafer Alston, Deron Williams will easily dismantle Houston’s offense.

New Orleans vs. Dallas. New Orleans is probably the surprise team of the year, winning their first Division title and gaining Home court advantage in the playoff opener. This is also redemption time once again for the Dallas Mavericks, who seems to have no luck the past two years. Chris Paul will be having a hard time pitting his wares against the two Jason of Dallas, Terry and Kidd. The experience of Jason Kidd will probably guide the Mavericks past the Hornets. Experience will prevail over young blood in this series. It is not yet the time of Chris Paul yet. I’m pretty sure Dirk Nowitzki will reassert himselfand vanish the stigma of the last two years of the Mavs.

San Antonio vs. Phoenix. Big Diesel against the Gentle Giant. Shaq has always been known to be the a Champion, a Fighter. That’s the kind of spirit he’s bringing to the Phoenix Suns who just couldn’t reach the Finals. This one will be a long and tough series. It will be physical and always a close game, so whoever looses focus it’s bye bye for them. The Spurs will have a hard time defending their crown and they may just exit early. My choice is Phoenix in seven games. San Antonio is just so undermanned at this time, I don’t think they can match up with Phoenix firepower offensively.

SHAQUILLE O NEAL joins Phoenix Suns

Wise and brilliant move by Shaquille O Neal, I think before he retires he want another championship ring. He just packed his bag and left for Phoenix Suns to be sure that he have a big chance of getting that elusive fifth championship ring.

Although it’s not yet official, it would likely to push through. Shawn Marion will head to Miami Heat in exchange for the Big Man. These will be exciting for the Miami Heat since they now have two of the high flying wingman in the NBA. With Wade and Marion combining forces expect the Heat to change their basketball type, it’ll be like slam and jam type of game for the Heat.

As for the Phoenix Suns, their run and gun style will definitely take a backseat for now. It will be now the Two Towers play now since Amare Stoudamire and Shaquille O Neal will man the paint now, plus the slashing of Grant Hill and the no look pass of Steve Nash.

This will just spice up the Wild Wild Western Conference. I’m pretty sure that other teams like the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks will be worried. They might even think of reshuffling their team before the trade deadline.

I am sure that Shaquille O Neal will be unstoppable anew with his new team, remember when he was starting with Orlando Magic, L.A. Lakers and Miami Heat. He brought all this team to the Championship and he was successful with Lakers and Heat.

The questionsnow are, Can Shaq jell well with the rest of the Suns? Can he bring Phoenix Suns to the Promised Land?

After almost a month...

After almost a month, the Boston Celtics just dominated their first ten games with only a single loss coming form the hands of the Orlando Magic.

I was surprised that the Big Three of the Celtics would jell easily and lose only once. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen seems to be playing good music after all. But the question now, can they maintain good teamwork and lead the team to the Finals? Or will they falter just like the LA Lakers of 2004, with Shaq, Kobe, Malone and Payton?

Another surpise is Milwaukee Bucks whose leading his division now, same as with the Orlando Magic. Well of course, the Magic got Rashard Lewis from the Seattle Supersonic. And he has been a great addition to the team.

Over at the Western Conference, Defending champion San Antonio Spurs still dominate the West with a 12-2 record, followed closely by Phoenix Suns at 11-2 and the Utah Jazz at 10-4. Its no surprise that the Spurs dominate the West, of course most people still think they can win mist games. But the big question for them, can they finally win back to back title this time?

I can say that if the Big Three of the Spurs remained helathy, they can finally nail down that back to back championship.

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