Eastern Conference
- Boston Celtics. The Celtics have had many injuries to their big population but Doc Rivers has a masterful job of nursing them straight through the quarterly season to be healthy for the playoffs. He is pushing them a microscopic harder this year to have the top seed in the east because he wants Miami and Chicago to beat each other up in the second round.
- Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have survived a major injury to Joakim Noah and still kept pace with the Celtics and Heat. Derrick Rose has emerged in the best point guard in the league and the Taj Gibson and the ageless Kurt Thomas played well in Noah's absence. The Bulls need Noah and Boozer need to play together because they have only played a handful of games together.
- Miami Heat. The big three are meshing well together and their last close lost to the Celtics proved they are getting closer to the Celtics. Looks like they will end up playing the Bulls in the second round, who look to be a playoff bad dream for them because they have more depth up front. They could use a serviceable big body like the Grizzlies Marc Gasol.
- Orlando Magic. The big early season trade took away their front court depth. Dwight Howard is playing way to many heavy minutes. Even Superman needs some rest. Gilbert Arenas has not fit in and has looked out of shape. The need him to get back to being the Gilbert Arenas of old or they will be one and done in the playoffs.
- Atlanta Hawks. They have two all stars in Joe Johnson, Al Horford and many good players, but lack chemistry and consistency. The Hawks seem to suffer from chronic knucklehead syndrome. It may be time to trade one Johnson or Horford to get better. Otherwise they will be a playoff appetizer for the Celtics again if they make it to the second round.
- New York Knicks. The Knicks are in a tough spot in the Carmelo sweepstakes. He wants them, they want him, but their city rivals in soon to be Brooklyn have a best offer and is forcing the Knicks to up the ante. Doesn't matter either way because they will be sitting ducks for the Heat or Bulls in the playoffs.
- Philadelphia 76ers. Jrue Holiday has made major strides this year and the 76ers will make the playoffs, which in truth they should be lottery team. Their only goal is hopefully the Knicks will hit the skids they can move up a spot in the standings.
- Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have an up and advent all star in Danny Granger and are balance offensively, but they will be first round road kill for the Celtics. Maybe they can catch a Red Sox in April.
Western Conference
- San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs have been the surprise in the league with the up tempo style. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker have flourished in this style and Richard Jefferson has found his shooting touch again. Their only concern is in the playoffs the games slow down to half court games and Tim Duncan is slowing down and can't be counted on to deliver in the post.
- Dallas Mavericks. Tyson Chandler has made the Mavericks tougher in the paint. Even Dirk Nowitzki is playing defense at times. They have a lot of depth and have survived a major injury to Caron Butler who may make it back for the playoffs. The Mavericks match up well with every team in the West and are a serious threat to make it to the finals.
- Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers ruined their last road after beating the Celtics then losing to the awful Cavaliers. Most of the blame is being put on Ron Artest can still defend like a mad man, but offensively he's a not a fit and teams don't guard him. Good news for the Lakers is Matt Barnes is advent back soon and Artest will be benched in fourth quarters again.
- Oklahoma City. The Thunder has not lived up to the hype but has not disappointed either. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have improved and are fun to watch, but on defensive they are not as good as they were last year. The will be threat in the playoffs again but will be more dangerous if they got a serviceable big man by the trading deadline.
- Portland Trailblazers. LeMarcus Aldridge has had a occupation year has singlehandedly kept the Trailblazers in the playoff hunt but he needs help. He and the Trailblazers desperately need Brandon Roy to return to condition and form otherwise they can drop to the dreaded eight spot.
- New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets have Chris Paul, David West and not much else. They could use a healthy and sufficient Emeka Okafor to stay in playoff contention. And of policy some fans to watch them play.
- Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets can have the talent to move up and enunciate in the west, but the Carmelo situation is retention the whole team on edge. This has to be resolved soon or the Nuggets who are evaporative to begin with, may crash and burn in a blink of an eyelash.
- Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are young and talented, with Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. They have played best since Oj Mayo got suspended. In reality, the Grizzlies being this high has more to do with the Utah Jazz falling back with the Jerry Sloan firing, I mean retirement.
