Who's your pick? I made mine

Last week, we all just witnessed one of the craziest, if not the craziest trade deadline in recent years. A ton of movements made by different teams. This only goes to show that teams are looking forward to rebuild or get ready for a serious playoff push. Power is already shifting to the eastern conference with all the trades, which only means that it'll be much harder for the Celtics, Heat, Bulls to come out of the Eastern Conference. But it doesn't mean that there is lack of competition in the West. If anyone is forgetting, let me remind you that the San Antonio Spurs holds the best record in the league. Dallas has become efficient on defense and OKC got something to say with the addition of Kendrick Perkins. Oh, let's not get started with the two-time defending champions, the Lakers. With less than 25 games left, the playoff picture would be pretty much the same until april. So if the playoff started right now, who's your pick to come out in the East and West? I made mine.

The Eastern conference is very much stacked right now. The top four teams may have a sure shot in the second round regardless of positioning. Competition is lacking for the top four teams in the first round, yes I mean it, even if Stat and Melo are already in NYK. They may be one of the highest scoring duo but with MVP candidate D-Rose in the helm for the Bulls, it would be difficult for the Knicks to get past these guys. Oh, the Bulls play defense and the Knicks are sporadic in it. The second round would give the Bulls problems though, especially in the middle. They are facing D12 and the up-and-down Magic. The Magic have showed that they're a team who haven't found their identity yet. It has been up and down so far for this team this season. Howard is only the bright spot on this team which would be easier for Rose & company to dissect. If the Magic doesn't play good basketball for two halves, evidently showed in their 2 come from behind wins lately, it would be an early summer for them. The other half of the 2nd round is what interests me the most. The Super friends from South Beach will be facing the new look Celtics.
LeBron & D-Wade will surely be looking for redemption against the team that sent them packing last season, this time together. I've been very much skeptical with the trade of Kendrick Perkins. The Celtics were built on defense and Perkins was one of the reason why these Celtics were good on it. When they traded him for Green, it was like taking away a critical piece. I guess the C's were confident with the 2 O'neal's down low and also Kristic, who showed that Serbian's are tough with the infamous brawl in the Fiba World Championship. Maybe Danny Ainge was right when he said that he doesn't want to lose in the offseason seeing Perkins go without a clear substitute to fill his void. But if the trade was a pure gamble, I think the C's may be lucky enough. Perkins never suited in the 3 wins against the Heat and  they won't be facing the Magic which means no D12. The Celtics will make a run for the Heat's money and in the end the Heatles will be sent back to the beautiful beaches of Miami wondering what went wrong. Which leaves the Bulls & Celtics as the two teams buying for a seat in the NBA Finals. Doc Rivers against Tom Thiboedou. Rose versus Rondo. Remember two years ago when this teams balled for 7 games. This is going to be a heck of a match up. I'm not counting the Bulls out on this one. D-Rose is playing MVP basketball, they got Boozer and Noah down low which would be nightmare for KG and Big Baby. They play good defense too. But I still like the chances of the Celtics. Yes, you read it right, the Celtics will be back in the NBA Finals for the 2nd straight year, 3 times in 4 years. The Bulls may be young and athletic but nothing fuels a team more than a game less of being crowned champions. The Celtics were a game  close of being champions, had they not lost Perkins to injury, it would have been a different scenario. Plus, the C's are healthy. KG is playing good, Pierce is still Pierce, Allen is still clutch beyond the arc and do I need to mention their best player in Rajon Rondo.

The Western Conference has a little bit of flavor in their playoff picture. The question is can the two time defending champions make their fourth straight appearance in the finals and threepeat? Currently they are 3rd place in the conference and if it stays that way, they would be forced to play home court disadvantage in two or three series depending if they make it to the finals. The only series that they'll be playing with home court advantage is against the Hornets which is a no brainer for the end result. So the road to a threepeat would be very much difficult if they play a lot of road games in the playoffs. Especially when they have a potential 2nd round opponent in the San Antonio Spurs. Owner of the best record in the league, the Spurs have emerged as a championship team once again, having lost 11 games only so far. They got their own big three playing healthy and better in recent years. Plus the got youth in Blair, Neal, Hill, etc. This team is ready to wreak havoc in the playoffs and maybe in the finals too. Having to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round would be a walk in the park for this team. A dogfight against the Lakers would be anticipated and this would really be a good series. Guess what, the last team to dethrone the Lakers in their quest for a fourth straight finals appearance was the Spurs. So far this season, the Spurs have beaten L.A. twice, so they have their number. But I wouldn't count the Lakers yet, not Kobe. This team was built to win, and win now. Kobe is on his quest for his sixth title that would tie him with MJ. I'm sure he wants to give Phil his fourth 3peat if ever he leaves the game after this season. A lot can be said about this series, but I still like the defending champs to emerge in this round. I say in 6 or 7 games, L.A. would win even if they have to do it on the road. The Dallas Mavericks is the hottest team right now in the NBA. With the addition of Tyson Chandler, this team have already added a dimension lacking in years, Defense. This Mavs ain't no fluke. They are for real, beating top teams in both conferences. While they're 2st round opponent, the Blazers, have something to say to that, the Mavs are heading to the 2nd round in this one.

Facing a team that can impose problems, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yes, KD, Westbrook, and Perkins are going to make life miserable for Nene and the Nuggets, as well as the Mavs. Moving forward, Nowitzki will be harrassed by Ibaka, Perkins down low which could make life miserable for him. Let's face it, Jason Kidd will be beaten at every aspect by Westbrook. What about KD35? Scoring champion period. As much as Mark Cuban will hate me for this, I'm putting my money on the Thunder. Which would give us an exciting Western Conference finals showdown between the Lakers and the Thunder. Remember last year? Well, expect more of it this year. The Thunder are poised to make it to the finals with the addition of Perkins. Good thing they won't see the Spurs because that's the only team not intimidated by Perkins. As for the Lakers, Bynum and Gasol crumbles in the presence of Perkins. They got also Ibaka the shot blocka, so I expect a fight underneath with these big men jocking for position. But that's all I can say about the Thunder. Westbrook will be a nightmare in the perimeter as usual but he can't take this team past the Lakers. Durant can but guess what, Ron Artest will always be under his skin and it's pretty much documented that Durant struggles when Artest is in his jersey. I still feel the Lakers will win because number 1 they got Kobe and number 2, they got home court advantage against the Thunder.

So for the 2nd straight year, the Lakers and the Celtics will face in the finals. The Rubbermatch. Ain't that a good story to build on? Kobe vs Shaq. The Celtics looking for revenge from last year's defeat. The Lakers looking for a 2nd three peat. Kobe chasing Jordan's 6th title. Shaq tying Kobe's 5. The Lakers tying the Celtics for most NBA titles. So much on the line but I ain't predicting who's gonna win, not just yet.