This year’s NBA playoffs are muddled with uncertainty on one side and set in stone on the other. The wild Western Conference has been crazier and more unpredictable than ever, while the Eastern Conference’s windup appears to be far less dramatic.

The Western Conference has six teams who have clinched playoff births: the Hornets, Spurs, Lakers, Rockets, Jazz and Suns. These spots did not come easy to any team and seeding will be a guessing game until the final buzzer of the last game.

The New Orleans Hornets are riding high on the wings of their leader, Chris Paul. They are atop the West right now and figure to threaten the established hierarchy of playoff teams we expect from the West each year.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a favored team going into the postseason. Injuries have hampered them, but many consider them dangerous with Kobe Bryant on their side.

The Mavericks, Nuggets and Warriors are all vying for the final two spots on the Western side. If we have learned anything from the West it is that they are good. Very good. This year could be the first time a team with fifty wins doesn’t make the playoffs.

In the Eastern Conference, there are three realistic contenders to challenge the crown that the West has owned seven of the past nine years.

The star-powered Boston Celtics are poised to dominate the postseason in the same way they have dominated the regular season. And theirxz solid play hasn’t just come against Eastern Conference teams; the Celtics have won several key games against western powers.

The Detroit Pistons are always a threat with Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace. They have the most experience in the playoffs of any Eastern team, which means a great deal in clutch situations.
Lastly, there is his highness, King Lebron James, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last year Lebron and company proved that the Cavs are not a one-man show and can play with anyone, with the lone exemption being the San Antonio Spurs.

This year James is even better than before and can take over any game at any time. A team has to have that in order to succeed in the postseason.

Although many have already started designing their championship rings for the West, the 2008 playoffs will feature a slew of hard-fought contests on both sides, and will more than likely be the most watched in the comings months than at any other point in the past decade. Everyone will focus on the West, and perhaps this will be the Eastern Conference Champions best advantage. The finals will be a great and entertaining series. Predictions are difficult, but the action and excitement will be as good as any we have seen.