As for the western conference, I think game 1 was a wake-up call for the Lakers. All the hype before the playoffs of a possible LeBron vs. Kobe final I think had them overlooking the Rockets, but not anymore. Between Kobe and Phil Jackson I'm certain we will see a much more determined team come game 2, and Kobe will be the one to take Artest sailing. I don't think Denver will have much trouble with the Mavs, but Kidd has started to come into his own over the past month or so and is playing some good ball, but I don't think Dirk will be able to get anything going against the tight D that the Nuggets can throw his way. Kenyon Martin has long since been my favorite player in the league and he is not afraid to bust some skulls with a hard foul or three, and that will discourage Disco Dirk from attacking the lane and as good as a 7' foot tall jump shooter as he is, that's not going to get it done for them.

I still see little reason to think that LeBron and Kobe won't meet in the finals, but I am looking forward to the conference finals first. Magic/Cavs and Lakers/Nuggets offer some good match-ups that should lead to some entertaining games if all goes as predicted by GOAT.

The second round match ups offer up a lot more excitement, at least on paper. The sexy series is obviously the Capitals vs. Penguins featuring three of the premiere players in the league. I think the pressure of the NHL playoffs might get to the Caps' rookie goalie, if he even understands enough English to comprehend his situation.

I am most excited to watch the Canucks and Blackhawks series. I am a HUGE Toews fan and they were my rooting favorite from the beginning of the playoffs. I think the winner of this series has the potential to take out the Red Wings in the conference finals. It's damn near impossible to bet against a team with Luongo in net, and they have just looked to be a fresher team this time of year. Canucks games just seem to be played at a bit quicker pace than all the others, anyone else notice that?

Howard should have been ejected from that game immediately after throwing that bow, clearly the referees did not see the clear intent he had. If he had been removed from game 5 there would be no need for the league to take further action, especially because it was fairly early in the game. But since he continued in the game it seems a suitable punishment that he miss game 6.

The Rondo foul blows my mind. I don't understand how that was not called a flagrant foul? He says he was making a play on the ball but I guess he thought his arm was 3 feet longer than it really was and instead of hitting the ball he got all head. The play won the Celtics the game, but if it was correctly ruled as a flagrant foul who knows what would have happened next. He clearly deserves a suspension for it, you can't just be open handing dudes in the face. Seriously when Charles Barkley is calling for a flagrant foul you know it ain't pretty.