2008 Woodie Awards
Playoffs Promise Excitement
Steve Conoscenti
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: Sports
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One basketball tournament just ended, but another one is right around the corner and promises to be filled with just as much excitement and drama.
The NBA Playoffs aren't set to begin until this Saturday, April 25, but the excitement and drama has already begun.
Over the weekend, the Western Conference playoff picture was closer to being set when the Memphis Grizzlies clinched the eighth and final playoff spot, eliminating the disappointing Minnesota Timberwolves.
The other seven teams that clinched playoff spots in the Western Conference are the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Supersonics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets.
The Grizzlies may celebrate for now but they won't be celebrating come the second round when the players and coaches are watching it from their living rooms. The most likely scenario for the Grizzlies is playing the amazing Phoenix Suns.
The Suns currently hold the best record in the NBA and are a unanimous decision for the most improved team. The additions of Steve Nash, Quentin Richardson, role players such as Jim Jackson, the continuing improvement of Amare Stoudemire, and solid performances from Shawn Marion have made them literally unstoppable.
The San Antonio Spurs lost Tim Duncan for a few games but it hasn't stopped them from succeeding. The current scenario for the Spurs is facing off against a red-hot Denver Nuggets team that has played a lot better than a seventh seed team since George Karl took over midseason.
Don't let the Nuggets' 32 losses fool you. Some of those losses came during a drought where they were a confused team with an interim head coach and injuries to several key players. The Spurs and Nuggets split their season series - two games a piece - so both teams are pretty evenly matched.
The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings are flip-flopping as the nights go by on the standings. Currently, the Rockets would be facing off against the Dallas Mavericks, who also underwent a coaching change midseason and have been playing well since.
The NBA Playoffs aren't set to begin until this Saturday, April 25, but the excitement and drama has already begun.
Over the weekend, the Western Conference playoff picture was closer to being set when the Memphis Grizzlies clinched the eighth and final playoff spot, eliminating the disappointing Minnesota Timberwolves.
The other seven teams that clinched playoff spots in the Western Conference are the Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Supersonics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets.
The Grizzlies may celebrate for now but they won't be celebrating come the second round when the players and coaches are watching it from their living rooms. The most likely scenario for the Grizzlies is playing the amazing Phoenix Suns.
The Suns currently hold the best record in the NBA and are a unanimous decision for the most improved team. The additions of Steve Nash, Quentin Richardson, role players such as Jim Jackson, the continuing improvement of Amare Stoudemire, and solid performances from Shawn Marion have made them literally unstoppable.
The San Antonio Spurs lost Tim Duncan for a few games but it hasn't stopped them from succeeding. The current scenario for the Spurs is facing off against a red-hot Denver Nuggets team that has played a lot better than a seventh seed team since George Karl took over midseason.
Don't let the Nuggets' 32 losses fool you. Some of those losses came during a drought where they were a confused team with an interim head coach and injuries to several key players. The Spurs and Nuggets split their season series - two games a piece - so both teams are pretty evenly matched.
The Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings are flip-flopping as the nights go by on the standings. Currently, the Rockets would be facing off against the Dallas Mavericks, who also underwent a coaching change midseason and have been playing well since.