NBA Midseason Analysis

[TSIAS]

As we reach nearly 40 games completed in the intermitable NBA season, it's time to take a look forward and see which teams are poised to make a run deep into the playoffs in May/June.

You have to look at Dallas and see the premiere team in the Western Conference. While Phoenix is certainly closing in with the return of Stoudamire, Dallas returns most of the pieces from its 2006 run to the NBA Finals. They've added experienced reserve Deveon George from the L.A. Lakers. While I'm a huge Miami Heat fan, Dallas had that series won until Wade went bonkers in the 4th Quarter of Game 3. Dallas, if they can secure home court, is poised to make another run deep into the playoffs.

Phoenix will be a big mystery headed into the playoffs. Since Amare Stoudamire has returned to full health, that team has been nearly unstoppable. Unlike Dallas, Phoenix only uses a 7 man rotation. We might see one of the Jones's or Jalen Rose take over the 8th man in the playoffs. It'll be interesting to see how that high scoring, fast break team competes in the playoffs against top flight opposition. From a selfish perspective, I tend to hope that the Suns reach the Finals. They play the type of style that is great for television.

San Antonio still has to be given a shot. Recently, they haven't looked very sharp. Their bench of Horry, Barry, and Finley look very old. But I watched some of their recent games, and Parker + Duncan are playing at a very high level. SA will have to prove that they can do it without home court, as Dallas is +5 in the Southwest and show no signs of slowing.

The rest of the West is a crapshoot. The Lakers are playing very well with Kobe Bryant. I've never been a big Kobe fan, but I like the way he's been unselfish and incorporating Luke Walton and Smush Parker into the offense. Still, I don't see how they reach past the 2nd round of the playoffs.

The Utah Jazz have looked strong early on, but there appears to be tension between owner Larry Miller and star SF Andrei Kirilenko.

In the West, it's Dallas/SA/Phoenix. The rest will simply be fighting to make it past the 1st Round.

The East is so poor that it hardly is worth noting.

I'm a big Heat fan, so I make Miami a favorite to win the conference. I watched that abortion of a game versus Philly tonight, so I'm a bit deflated. Nevertheless, Miami is only 5 games out in the Southeast. When Shaq comes back, Miami should feast on weaker Eastern conference foes. All I care about is Miami getting in the Top 4 in the East. Last year they proved that they could win on the road in Detroit. Antoine Walker and James Posey are back in shape and shooting the 3 well. Once Jason Williams and Shaq totally recover from injury, they should be among the favorites to make the Finals.

The rest of the conference is completely pedestrian. I like the Cavs and LeBron James, but the rest of that team is average.

The only team I fear is Detroit. They remain intact with the exception of Ben Wallace. If Webber gets into the system, Detroit is definitely in the Top 2 of the Eastern Conference.

Washington and Orlando have been great regular season teams. But I don't see either of these teams going deep into the playoffs. I'd rank these teams below most of the top Western groups.

Chicago, with all the preseason hype, hasn't risen up to expectations.

On a preliminary basis, I pick Dallas to play Detroit in the NBA Finals, with Dallas winning in 6 games with home court.

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

1. I just want to add

Please, Indiana Pacers fire Larry Bird. He might be a legend as a player, but as an executive he doesn't have a clue. Ever notice mega star players make terrible executives, examples Isiah and Jordan.