This was the first time I have not seen the playoffs live after 6 years. Yet reading and looking at stats still keeps this sport a special place in my life. Here are so far my observations
Eastern Conference:
Toronto Raptors: Sam Mitchell is the coach of the year. After the era of vinsanity the Raptors have grouped themselves back into playoff mode. Three people involved in this process: Colangelo, Mitchell and Bosh. Chris Bosh has become the ultimate leader for this team. The man has risen from a scrappy highschool kid to a leading offensive power. The more Toronto molds its team, the coming years they are going to be one of the prominent playoffs team to watch out for.
New Jersey Nets: The team that eliminated Toronto in the first round in my opinion is standing on a thin fine thread. The trios of VJK (Vince, Jefforson, Kidd) I think are at the last straws for the team to change eventually. Mainly the effective change from NJ to Brook line might make the management to rebuild this team after playoffs. I don't think this trio can hold the fort anymore if they don't get deep in the playoffs which I think is doubtful with the King playing phenomenal.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Lebron is the Next Jordan? Well he certainly is playing like it. Cleveland over the last few years has risen from disappointments to Knighthood. Gone are the days of the reign man (aka Shawn Kemp), the disappointing run of the big Z trying to make any impact as a big man. The never endless trades and the jersey color changes. Now this team is making the buck count and they are playing serious basketball. Cleveland I am hoping will make the finals of the Eastern conference. Will they make it to the finals, I don't know.
Washington Wizards: The wizards started with the magic and ended with a witch up 
their ass. Loosing the big two Arenas and Butler, they were smothered to pieces by the Cavs. In honesty you can't blame them. They were geared to enter the playoffs with a great mode, but the end injuries really cost them. Jamison has proven to be the player that cannot carry the team single handily, mainly with the emergence of Arenas who has become the Team main leader. Perhaps next year they will be able to group and get players who can compensate with injuries.
Detroit Pistons: Detroit is going to the finals!!! In my 
opinion Detroit has risen to an extra level this year. The loss of Ben Wallace (aka the machine) hasn't affected their team chemistry. Adding Webber and Mohammed; plus the emergence of Maxiell and old man Davis, they have compensated the losses and created the victory. No team I feel in the east really can push Detroit to the brink. It will interesting how Detroit will do in the finals.
Orlando Magic: Magic should have been the number one team in the east, instead they chirped along to become the last playoff spot team. After having a great start in the regular season, they seem to be dilly dolling around the entire season. Of course the old curse of Grant Hill’s injuries came to haunt the team. Howard was the plus point, and he has become a monster on the boards. JJ Reddick was more in the bench than on the court. Even though they had Hill, I felt they were an inexperienced team for the playoffs. Hopefully they will do better next year. Even though I was disappointed with this team, they have certainly improved a lot. They just need to tighten the ends and build themselves to a strong team.
Chicago Bulls: Bulls Pistons rivalry is back. Bulls’ edition of Ben Wallace has been effective. Injuries have only created friction in the team's losses. Their run and gun way of playing will get better and the young ones (hinrich, Gordon, 
Deng) are getting better every year. The Trashing of last year champs the Heat proves how good this team has become. It will be interesting to see how Chicago bounces back from the 2-0 loss to Detroit.
Miami Heat: seven times fall and the eight time Miami did not get up. Injury of Wade was no excuse for this team. Shaq and crew could not compensate Wade's Injury. Perhaps the toughest heart break to take was the old timers trying to prove their worth. Payton and Walker could have been on the Phoenix suns and still would have not been able to contribute anything. Jason Williams and Wade’s injuries were more costly to the team than ever and Shaq being out of the season far too long hurt this team’s morale. They were not the same Miami Heat as last year. They were withered and even with the return of Eddie Jones who was the only plus point, in my opinion were not even credible to make the playoffs. The exit and re-entry of Pat Riley was even more confusing, and this team just fell apart in the playoffs. Perhaps next year the team will start rebuilding and bringing in fresher talent.
Western Conference:
Dallas Mavericks: The Mavs may have had the best season in their history. The Mavs may have a MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs may have Mark Cuban, but what Mavs never had was the Baron and his Warriors to ramp through them with Nelson on their back. The biggest upset in playoffs history, maybe but I really think Dallas was playing the same kind of basketball from last year. It was just that Dirk stepped up his game and so did Josh Howard. Other than that they had the same problems of defense and holding the court. Avery Johnson might be surprised how the Warriors creamed them. But it was his mentor Donnie Nelson who led the group. Come on don’t you think the mentor will know how to take of his apprentice. Nelson put the puzzles together and broke down the Mavs. But credit has to be given to this team. They played their heart out in the season. Hopefully they will be able to show better success next year.
Golden State Warriors: Surprised!!! I don’t think so. The warriors should have made the playoffs last year. The injury of Baron put them out the spot. This year it was a different story. The exit of Jr. Dunlevy and Murphy, enter Harrington, Bad boy Jackson. The team turned into a defensive powerhouse. Equipped with three pointer ability this team went from the worst of the pacific division to a playoff contending team. All thanks should go to Donnie Nelson, who made use of the defensive capabilities adding his full court press techniques which he used in Dallas. Warriors can go deep in the playoffs if they play the way did against Dallas. Else Utah is going to sweep them
Utah Jazz: Has Jerry Sloan found his next dynamic pair? Boozer and Williams are starting the bring the old days of macho hardcore defense. Adding Andrei Kirilenko to the mix, and Derek Fisher finally in a team that is credible with his style and passion, the Jazz have stepped up the 
game. They are actually fun to watch now. The closest and the only tough series of the first round, the Jazz took care of the counter-texas parts into a seventh game victory. Now the Jazz seem to do the same with the Warriors breaking them down with defense. Sloan techniques may be old but so effective. Carlos Boozer has broken away from people mocking him after he left Cleveland to lead a team, and now has stepped up to prove his potential. The Jazz may shock us by reaching the finals, the way they are going.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets have had a see saw ride for the past two years. Last year it was Mcgrady who was injured. This year it was Yao. Plus the new editions apart from defensive horse Battier weren’t effective to prove themselves in the playoff arena. One plus point is that Mcgrady is starting to play better and better. He is starting to rock from the Magic days. Yao is starting to show signs of domination but needs to bring his game to a better level. Next year should be a year to think to the future mainly the fact I don’t know when old man Mutombo is going to fall of his back.
San Antonio Spurs: Same team, same chemistry, and same coach pop. The spurs have regrouped and are ready to take their opponents down. It will be interesting to see how long this team keeps trying and not reaching the ultimate goal. The Nuggets series was not that close for them to prove. Once they tightened the screws the Nuggets really didn’t stand a chance. Good move on putting Ginobili of the bench. He is playing once again a lot better. 
Will they reach the finals? it will be interesting to see. Jazz and Spurs for the western conference finals that will be really interesting.
Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets had everything to go for them. Defensive player of the year, entrance of AI into the mix, Nene healthy and playing alive, what went wrong? Perhaps it was the fact they were not gelling. Next year I feel this team will come a lot stronger and tougher. Playing a team which has consecutively been playing for the past 4 years together is difficult. The spurs just nudged their way into this team and broke them down. But I was impressed with AI influence into a new team. Next year I wish him better luck
Phoenix Suns: Nash is MVP for this year. "More than anything, I just try to not lose my motivation. Sometimes, you have to be creative. Sometimes, you have to fight through it. Sometimes, you have a lot of fun. The basis for everything is working 
hard, making a plan and setting goals for yourself. Not just working and hoping that your improvement is made. You have to work with a purpose."—Steve Nash. Suns have ramped through his season and have looked better and stronger. I think they have the potential to take the trophy. Only problem, how they can handle teams such as SA and DP.
LA Lakers: Kobe can score how many points he wants. Phil Jackson can sit on his ass and contemplate on his old days. 
Odom can cry that his shoulder hurts. Only thing the Lakers have for them is their flashy trends and their gay entourage. Luke Walton needs to think of joining a team like Miami and Detroit where he will be of more value. The Lakers have the looked the same from last year, depending on only man that is Kobe Bryant. Phil Jackson needs to step aside and retire. The organization needs a revamp. You can’t blame Kobe for trying so hard, because the others can’t pretty much do squat on the team. It will be interesting to see what changes occur next year.
So far the Playoffs have been going with unexpected twists and turns. But some teams seem to be constant from last year: Pistons, Suns and the Spurs. We just have to see who will win this year.
*Pictures courtesy of NBA.com
