I am going to begin with the Eastern Conference in hopes that you read the entire article. Saving the West for last truly is saving the best for last. What follows is a quick summary of each playoff team and playoff contender in the order that they currently sit after last night’s games. Here goes.

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics: By far the most improved team from last year, but did you expect anything less from a team that added Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett? Keep in mind that the most playoff experienced Celtic is PJ Brown, which is why they Celtics best chance of getting to the Conference Championship is to drop to #2 so as to avoid the Cavaliers in the second round. I rank the Celtics 3rd in the Conference behind Detroit and Cleveland.

Detroit Pistons: The most experienced team in the East and this year the most under-the-radar team in the East. They are in the best position to have an ‘easy’ run to the Finals. The Wizards, 76ers, Nets or Hawks are their likely First Round matchup, with the Magic, Raptors or one of the previously mentioned teams waiting for them in the 2nd Round. I expect the Pistons to be in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Orlando Magic: Stan Van Gundy, my 2nd favorite Van Gundy and one of my favorite coaches, has done a great job with the Magic and Dwight Howard is a stud. The Magic can be dangerous but I see them as very beatable. The Magic are the most likely first-round upset victim.

Cleveland Cavaliers: The team nobody wants to face. It doesn’t matter what this team’s seed ends up being. The additions they made in recent weeks have strengthened an already very good team, and let’s not forget that unlike the Celtics, this team has won in the playoffs before. I expect the Cavaliers to face the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Toronto Raptors: Now we starts getting into teams that really have no chance. Biggest question for the Raptors is Chris Bosh’s health. If he remains out, the Raptors could fall out of the playoffs.

Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas may be back soon will help, and they are most likely to draw the Magic in Round 1. That being said, that is all the Wizards have to root for and let’s all pray that they stay away from the two-colored uniforms.

Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers are on a great run, and they work their tails off all game long. Problem is, they just don’t match-up with any of their possible first round opponents. Playing the Pistons in Round 1 will at least allow Rip Hamilton to play near his hometown of Coatesville, PA.

New Jersey Nets: The current #8 seed which I think will drop out of the playoffs. The Nets did a good thing by getting rid of Jason Kidd. Even with him they were looking at a first-round exit.

Atlanta Hawks: I find it somewhat exciting that the Hawks are in the playoff hunt. Not sure why to be honest. Perhaps it is flashback to the old days of Dominique Wilkins and Tree Rollins. Getting Mike Bibby was nice to see, nice because it shows that the Hawks may actually care a little.

The Rest of the Pack: Technically, the Pacers, Bulls and Bucks are still in the hunt but if you think I am going to write about those teams, you are sorely mistaken. Should they start to have more than a mathematical chance I will give them their props.

Western Conference

Only 5 games separate #1 from #8 and I am not sure if the Spurs or Lakers would be #1 if the season ended right now, but the following is the snapshot of the Western Conference playoffs as it stands right now. There are exciting matchups every where you look!

San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs just keep on keepin’ on. What can be said about them, other than they keep playing team basketball and matchup with every other team out there. The Spurs are my pick to win it all.

Los Angeles Lakers: Getting Gasol was the best move out of all the Western Conference trades. It proves that Kobe was wrong before when he thought he could win it all himself, and it also makes this Laker team great. People are excited about Andrew Bynum’s return, but I think they may be better off without him. Let this current group continue to gel.

New Orleans Hornets: The Hornets are the most likely team to be upset. They are having one heck of a year, but their lack of experience will do them in once the playoffs begin.

Utah Jazz: A very good team that plays very hard every possession. It is so nice to see this team do well and not have to see that jack-ass Karl Malone.

Houston Rockets: The Rockets have played great since Yao Ming got hurt, but the true tests are coming up this week. They have won 15 in a row which is very impressive, but I can’t see this team doing much more than getting to the second-round. That being said, getting to the secon-round should keep McGrady from crying at a press conference.

Phoenix Suns: They get Shaq and they go on a bad run. Here’s the deal. Once the playoffs start, this team with the addition of Shaq presents a ton of match-up problems for most teams. Losing Shawn Marion is going to take some getting used to, but expect the Suns to make a run in the playoffs, depending on when they have to face the Lakers or Spurs.

Dallas Mavericks: I understand the Mavericks desire to add Jason Kidd. But since he has joined them they are 4-4 and he missed a foul shot in the last seconds of the game against the Lakers that could’ve extended it to another OT. The only way the Mavericks are going to get better is for Dirk Nowitski to grow a set of nuts. In crunch time, he is more likely to take a fall-away jumper than go to the basket. Until that changes, nothing with this team will change.

Golden State Warriors: The Warriors only hope is to get the Mavericks in the first-round again.

Denver Nuggets: They are in it, but the Nuggets lack of an inside presence will haunt them. They can score, but they can’t defend. I believe they only get in the playoffs if a team above them gets cold and drops out.

The Rest of the Pack: The Trail Blazers have a shot, but their best basketball is behind them. They remain a nice story, having a great turn-around year, and they do deserve mention in this article, but don’t expect to see them in the playoffs.