Went to the NBA message boards, and the people there are way too childish for me to even consider writing a post for them. Name calling and references to anatomical parts are everywhere, and it's just too much. I'd much rather just write my sports editorial here.

Dallas is a threat to win the championship. Just like the Kings, Lakers, Wolves, and Spurs. No love for the east. 7 games against the West would probably kill (literally) half the guys on any eastern team. They are lucky in the way that they only have to play their western conference opponents twice per season.

The Kings are probably the biggest threat. Their window is closing, and desperation is about to kick in. If they feel that they are in a downhill slide, they will do everything in their power to counter it quickly. Whether it's benching Vlade in the 4th, or giving more minutes to Songaila, they'll find something. Add to that the probable number one seed, and it makes the road that much easier. They are top 5 in defending their court. You win your home games, you win the series.

The Lakers are a threat just because this may be their last real run at it. Kobe is leaving, GP wants out, and ol' Malone is falling apart. They are going to have to want it bad to get there. And if that becomes the case, the other teams better watch out. A motivated Lakers team is lethal.

The Wolves are also a threat because KG wants his rewards now. When you look at his current stats, your jaw drops. But just imagine how much he'll step it up when playoffs get here. It's no secret that the elite players of the game let it all out once the first game kicks off. Dirk was going 20 - 10 last year, and then stepped it up to about 30 - 15 during the playoffs. Two games against the Blazers had him over 40 points. KG will probably average 40 - 20. It sounds too good, but I definitely wouldn't be surprised. If he does accomplish that, there is no doubt the Wolves will win it all.

Before I move on to the Mavs, let's discuss the San Antonio Duncans. Spurs. This team is Duncan and company. Duncan is going to show up. I don't know if the company is going to show up. They might have the more recent experience, but experience is way overrated. If experience was such a heavy factor, expansion teams would never have a chance. But back to the Spurs, their defense is great and all. No doubt that they can stop a team if they play their heart out. Too bad they can't do the same on the offensive side of the game. 85 points a night doesn't cut it anymore. Maybe against college teams, but not real NBA teams. Sure, if you're playing Toronto or the Bulls. But if you look at the Elite 4 in the West, they all have guys who can put the ball in the hoop, usually more than one. Lakers have 4, Minnesota has 3, Mavs have 5, and the Kings have a bajillion. Spurs have one. One consistent player. That's it.

The Mavs can win it all. Last year, they were on injury away from getting to the Finals. People like to make the argument that Dallas got lucky because Webber went down. Newsflash. Spurs got lucky twice then, because Dirk went down, and Webber went down. Do you really think the Spurs would have made it to the Finals if Sac won the series against the Mavs? If on one side you had a healthy Spurs team, and on the other you had a healthy Kings and healthy Mavs battling over who gets to move on, do you really put your money on the Spurs?

The way things are shaping up, Dallas will only have to play two elite teams to make it to the Finals. One in the second round, and one in the conference finals. Take your pick. Any two. We don't have a losing record with any of them. Give us home court advantage, should we get the 2 seed, and it's pretty much gauranteed we are getting to the conference finals.

Don't count out any of the top five in the West. Well, pretty much count out whoever finshes at the 5 seed. Someone has to pull the short straw.

I dunno. Just felt like I should really lay down some concrete.