[jjgold]

Detroit only team that has a chance to lose in the finals 4-1

[Wheell]

Over the last 28 years there have only been two upsets comparable to the one we would be looking at this year in the NBA finals. Detroit over the Shaq-Kobe LA Lakers and a series in the 80's that is somehow escaping me right now. Last year the Heat over the Mavs was definitely an upset but nothing like we would be seeing this year.

[jjgold]

Detroit over Lakers was not an upset that year

Detroit was much stronger that year

[Tchocky]

It's going to be the Pistons & Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

[jjgold]

I say Detroit vs Phoenix or Spurs

[Wheell]

Detroit was an 8-8.5 point underdog in games 1-2 on the road, and was pick'em at home. LA had homecourt advantage. In HINDSIGHT it wasn't an upset, but then again the same can be said of Super Bowl 32.

[The HG]

It definitely doesn't look good now at all for the East. Chris Webber anchoring the middle for a team in the finals is absurd.

If Toronto stays healthy and continues to improve chemistry-wise, they might be the best shot the East has.

But expect the unexpected in the finals, especially if the team from the West comes off of a grueling 7-game series to get there. If Nowitzki or Howard goes down for Dallas, that will hurt them in a fundamental way.

San Antonio has well-known problems with durability and stamina, which their coach has managed well during the regular season, but which he will not be able to manage considering the very different structure of the playoffs.

Phoenix is the scariest team in the West to me. They are also the most capable of withstanding a major injury, IMO. Even though they're 2-4 when Nash has been out this year, two years ago he also went out and the team didn't miss much of a beat.

[Dark Horse]

East may be weak, but West is top heavy.

I'm a longtime PHX fan (I know, gamblers shouldn't be fans, but betting on them has paid off nicely for me), and I don't see them winning it all this year, even though they're probably the best team in the league. With the way things are lining up today, PHX will have to play Spurs, Dallas, and Pistons in the playoffs. Barkley sometimes still says a good thing: "Offense comes and goes; defense is the most consistent part of the game." I don't see PHX getting by three defensive juggernauts in a row. Unless the bench can get it together.

Depth. People are saying the Suns are the deepest team. Wrong. They have nobody to replace Nash. The offense falls apart when Nash is out, and more so when Barbosa has a bad day. PHX was deeper last year with House and Tim Thomas.

Dark Horse. Spurs are just now starting to get into gear. By comparison, Mavs and Suns have little room left for improvement.