Today I was, as I am sometimes prone to do, listening to The Ringer’s NBA Show podcast with Chris Vernon. Vernon had Tim Bontemps (FANTASTIC name, right?) on the show. Bontemps is a national NBA writer for the Washington Post.

The two of them were discussing who would be the frontrunners for the MVP voting this season. It’s conceivable, they agreed, that James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant could be the top-three players in voting. In case you forgot, those three guys played on the same team. Oklahoma City had ALL THREE OF THEM, along with Serge Ibaka, and couldn’t hold anything together.

The Thunder did go to the finals — in 2012. They lost to the Miami Heat and LeBron’s superteam four games to one.

The splitting of the drafted super-team (OKC), I have come to realize, started with their loss to the manufactured super-team (Miami).

If you were a 23 year-old Kevin Durant, how would you have felt? He put up a 28/8/3.5 stat line that season, only to be throttled in the finals by peak LeBron.

What if you were Westbrook. He averaged 23/5/6, and yet the Heat found a way to keep him out of rhythm and dictate the way he played just enough in the finals to disrupt the flow Scott Brooks’ team had managed to build.

How about James Harden? He was a 22 year-old BENCH player on this OKC team and would probably be the frontrunner so far this season for MVP. Harden averaged 17 points off the bench that season.

All three of them saw what happens when you choose your own superteam. All three of them knew they’d never be out of each others’ shadows in OKC. The Thunder tried to get ahead of the curve, trading Harden and paying Ibaka. Kevin Durant got hurt. Instead of growing into a great second-banana, Russell Westbrook decided he was going to be the prima ballerina, and the rest is history. At least until this season.

Sometimes radio or TV people play this game: “If you could build your team to win now with a player or three players or five players, who would they be?”

If you asked an NBA fan right now, LeBron would be there, probably along with the three former Thunder teammates (aged 28, 28, and 27 now) and maybe Steph Curry. KD and LeBron could play the four and the five. Don’t get too caught up in that part.

Russell Westbrook is flat-out putting on a show this season. By Erik Drost from United States (Russell Westbrook) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

But what if they had kept everything together? Would we be delighting in all that is Russell mania this season? Would Harden ever been able to run point forward like he is in Mike D’Antoni’s offense? Would there be a superteam like the Warriors to hate?

We wouldn’t have any of the fun that comes with the split-up Thunder WITHOUT LeBron, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh both crushing Oklahoma City’s soul and showing the youngsters in 2012 that super-teams work.

The last thought I’ll leave with is this: If you look at all the decisions Harden, Westbrook, and Durant (and Oklahoma City’s management) made since those 2012 finals through the lens of that loss, you start to see motivations for guys that are just under the surface at all times.

It was there when Durant signed his Golden State contract — you never know when you’ll get another chance at the finals, especially when you’re not always healthy. He just about guaranteed himself that with his decision.

It’s there every time James Harden has some crazy 45 point triple double. Like a middle child he’ll always be looking for attention and always have something to prove until the day he retires. He wants to show everyone that HE was the unicorn of the group.

In Westbrook, it’s more outwardly apparent. Everything that has happened over the past four years bubbles to the surface on the floor for the UCLA kid. Remember when Westbrook had to play behind Jordan Farmar in college? Remember when he had to defer to Durant all game and then to Harden in crunch time? Remember when Durant was out, and Russell thought he earned the right to be the top dog?

And remember when the Heat trashed their whole world?

Look a little deeper. Have a little context. This NBA season becomes even more fun and interesting than you thought. Maybe a re-watching of the 2012 NBA Finals is in order. I’ll buy the pizza and pops.

Over the course of the upcoming NBA season many people will be talking about or picking the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA title but I say hold on just a second. Yes, creating a team that combines LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love is very impressive. On paper, they may look like the best team but they still have to overcome some hurdles. Before we can proclaim them the NBA champions for 2015 we have to see them play together; remember it took LeBron, Wade, and Bosh a while to get it right, and that big three was much better than the one constructed now. Team chemistry is such an underrated aspect of basketball. Just look at the San Antonio Spurs and you will see why. I believe the Cavs will win one title with their current core players. It just won’t be this season.

Will this be the year Kevin Durant leads the Thunder to a title? By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

The Western conference finals will be the Spurs and Thunder again, but the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the 2014-2015 NBA champions. Kevin Durant has improved every season since he has come into the league, which is extremely scary for the rest of the league. Oklahoma City posted a record of 59-23 last season with Russell Westbrook just coming off a major injury. They battled the Spurs in the conference finals and that was without Serge Ibaka for the first two games of the series. The only thing that may hold back the Thunder is their bench play, but I think Jeremy Lamb has learned how to play in the NBA plus adding sharp-shooter Anthony Morrow, and rookie Mitch McGary should help them.

Durant and Westbrook create a dynamic one-two punch scoring option that no other team can match. I know many people have been critical of Westbrook and Durant playing together but I think that they compliment each other very well. Westbrook just needs to pass the ball to Durant a little bit more but that’s on the coach. I think that if the Thunder don’t win this year that Scott Brooks should be fired and OKC should get some new blood into their coaching position. Brooks is, without a doubt, on the hot seat.

Having a player in Durant who averaged 32 points per game in the prime of his career puts the Thunder in a prime position already and I expect for them to finally take that next step in 2015. Seattle fans may not like it but the Thunder looks ready to win their first title in the Oklahoma City franchise history. When all is said and done, this will be known as the “Year of Durant”.

The NBA western conference is a “whole different animal” compared to the East, and for good reason. Last season, there were nine teams over .500 and one of those teams, Phoenix Suns, were 14 games above .500 and missed the playoffs. Year-in and year-out at least one very deserving Western Conference team missing the playoffs due to the elevated level of talent and play added over the years. As of now, the Larry O’Brien trophy resides in San Antonio and the West looks as if it may be back to its pure dominance that it had over the East during the early 2000’s.

Will this be the season Anthony Davis leads the Pelicans to the playoffs? By Keith Allison (Flickr: Anthony Davis) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

San Antonio Spurs: The defending champs will try to go back-to-back this season but it will be difficult with the opponents they will have to face. They are still the Spurs, though, and I have learned not to count out this team until they are actually done. The Spurs will again be a top contending team in the West and I expect them to make it back to the conference finals if not the finals again.

Los Angeles Clippers: Oh the Clippers. Just when you think they might actually break through, they let you down. A historically bad franchise finally has some hope and light in it and will look to expand upon that again. Their time to win is now as Chris Paul isn’t the youngest point-guard in the league. Adding veterans Jordan Farmar and Spencer Hawes will improve the team but my head still says they will get bounced in the second round again.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Realistically, the Thunder are so young with Durant and Westbrook that it’s scary. One of the best one-two punches we have seen in the recent NBA but they can’t seem to get the job done. Durant is the reigning MVP and needs to break through in the playoffs to be put into the same category as the greats that have won and I look for him and the Thunder to make it back at least to the conference finals again this season.

Portland Trailblazers: If the Trailblazers can stay healthy, they can do some major damage in the Western Conference and they showed a glimpse of what they could do in the postseason. They are a gritty, young team that has an unusual confidence. They look as if they will make another postseason run and you never know what could happen. Watch out for Portland.

Golden State Warriors: No matter what their record is during the season or what seed they get in the postseason, they are as scary a team as any. They can shoot the lights out and maybe having a new coach in Steve Kerr may push this team to their potential. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are the best backcourt in the league and its time for them to prove it in the playoffs.

Houston Rockets: I really liked the pickup of Trevor Ariza after Chandler Parsons left, but the reports that Dwight Howard and James Harden think of themselves as bigger than the team worries me. Even the greats realized they needed help to win and I don’t see the Rockets getting by the second round this season. This offseason could have been epic for Houston, but losing out on Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony was huge.

Memphis Grizzles: Everyone always sleeps on small-market Memphis and I’m not sure why. They were one game away from defeating Oklahoma City in the first round and they played that game seven without Zach Randolph. I believe if he had played, Memphis would have advanced because they were the better team. This offseason, they signed Vince Carter, which will help scoring a little bit unless he turns back into the Toronto version of himself; then watch out NBA

New Orleans Pelicans: I am personally deeming this season the “season of Anthony Davis” assuming he can stay healthy. Davis is an absolute beast and is continuing to grow and learn. I expect the Pelicans to compete for a playoff spot this season and show people that they mean business in this league.

Dallas Mavericks: This team could either be really good or they could not be able to live up to expectations. Monta Ellis had a great season last year but he’s always had some question marks. Dirk is older and we don’t know how effective he can still be. I hope they play to their potential because after adding Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler they could end up being a top team in the West.

Phoenix Suns: So far Eric Bledsoe is still a free agent and they better change that fast; he is too good to not bring back. I just don’t see them contending. They overachieved last season, but I hope they can prove me wrong.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe is finally back and D’Antoni is out — what more could Laker fans want? Byron Scott was a good choice as the Lakers try and figure themselves out. Adding Carlos Boozer, Jeremy Lin, and draft pick Julius Randle will help the Lakers be somewhat relevant and if they can stay healthy they might be able to compete for a first round exit in the playoffs. I don’t doubt the Black Mamba and I think he can lead this team to the playoffs with an early exit. Only time will tell how he and the Lakers play though.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Losing Kevin Love hurts but it needed to be done. Adding Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young will help this team be a little more interesting. Give this team a good three years before they actually start competing on a regular basis.

Every NBA season some surprise teams jump up and contend for the playoffs. In the West those could be the Pelicans, Lakers, and Suns.

All season long, the two-time defending champion Miami Heat have been the favorites in the NBA. The San Antonio Spurs, who lost to Miami in the Finals last season, had the best record during the regular season and have looked like a team on a mission. The Indiana Pacers, who seemed determined to overthrow their rivals in Miami started off the season hot but have slipped lately. This was supposed to be the year that some team knocked off LeBron James and the Heat and stopped them from becoming a dynasty. Thus far in the playoffs that dream seems very unlikely.

Could the NBA Finals return to the Moda Center in Portland this season? By Another Believer (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

At this point, I think the only other two teams that could give the Heat some trouble out East are the young Toronto Raptors and the veteran Brooklyn Nets, who happen to be facing each other in the first round. With the Pacers struggling to find themselves, it almost looks like a lock for the Heat to meet up with a team like the Wizards in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In other words, it’s not turning out to be as challenging as many thought for LeBron and co.

In the West, it’s a free-for-all, with some of the top teams struggling so far in the playoffs. The top-seeded Spurs are playing their in-state rival Dallas Mavericks who so far are showing the Spurs they mean some business. The two teams from the Lone Star State have split the first two games in San Antonio and Dallas could have won both games in San Antonio if not for an impressive run to end game one by the Spurs.

The second-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder with MVP Kevin Durant seemed primed for another playoff run yet find themselves down 2-1 to the gritty Memphis Grizzlies. The Houston Rockets had a lot of hype after the addition of Dwight Howard in the offseason, but they are down 0-2 to the Trail Blazers heading into one of the loudest arenas in the NBA back in Portland. The Los Angeles Clippers are the only top seeded team looking like they should taking a 2-1 lead over the Warriors including winning a game in Oakland.

The NBA playoffs are far from over and anything can happen, but so far signs are pointing towards the Heat reaching their fourth straight NBA Finals and meeting up with any of the right Western Conference teams that clinched a postseason berth. Here is what I believe will happen over the course of the playoffs:

First Round:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Dallas Mavericks (Spurs in 7)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies (Grizzlies in 6)

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Golden State Warriors (Clippers in 7)

4. Houston Rockets vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

1. Indiana Pacers vs. 8. Atlanta Hawks (Pacers in 7)

2. Miami Heat vs. 7. Charlotte Bobcats (Heat in 5)

3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets (Nets in 6)

4. Chicago Bulls vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Wizards in 4)

Semi-Finals:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 7. Memphis Grizzlies (Clippers in 7)

1. Indiana Pacers vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Wizards in 6)

2. Miami Heat vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets (Heat in 7)

Conference Finals:

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (Trailblazers in 6)

2. Miami Heat vs. 5. Washington Wizards (Heat in 5)

NBA Finals: 2. Miami Heat vs. 5. Portland Trailblazers (TBA)

Nothing compares to a good individual rivalry in the NBA. Since one-on-one is the name of the game in the League, individual match-ups are analyzed and torn apart. Fans ask the age-old question of who is better than who? By the time a game is over, we sometimes even get a definitive answer.

Until recently, we hadn’t seen any huge individual rivalries in quite a while. While Kobe Bryant has won five titles over the past decade-and-a-half, other players have come and gone. But Kevin Durant and LeBron James have changed that. Since meeting up in the 2011 NBA Finals, Durant and LeBron have been known as the two best players in the league and everything they do gets compared.

Kevin Durant is a great player but will be second to LeBron until he starts to win. By Keith Allison, via Wikimedia Commons

Durant vs. LeBron has become a matchup that is an event each and every time that the two match-up. Since 2010, when LeBron joined the Heat, Miami has a record of 9-4 against Oklahoma City, including their NBA Finals matchup.

Now why is this? It is actually very simple in the fact that the Thunder just don’t matchup very well against the Heat. I believe that if the Thunder and Heat met up in the Finals again, it would be the same boring outcome that is was back in 2011 when the Heat won the series 4 games to 1.

People can talk about how the Heat aren’t as good this season and how they won’t win a third NBA title in a row, but I give them a very good chance to do so. Until the Heat no longer have LeBron James on their roster, I will probably pick them to win each season. In my opinion, there are only three teams right now that could actually beat the Heat in a playoff series based on match-ups.

The Pacers and Spurs have proven they can play with the Heat so I give them a realistic chance to do so. The third team may be of a surprise to people but I think that the Rockets could give the Heat a run for their money. Having James Harden, the size of Dwight Howard, and all the shooters they have could cause problems for Miami.

The debate of Durant vs. LeBron is just getting started and I am excited to watch these two great players go at each other over the next several seasons. For now, though, the debate needs to stop because LeBron James is the best player in the world and will hold that title for a long time. Until Kevin Durant starts adding some NBA titles to his resume he will be second to his rival and friend LeBron James.

I’ll say it again — it’s never too early for NBA predictions.

Since LeBron James (or Ray Allen depending who you talk to) led the Miami Heat their second straight NBA title, the other 29 teams have been making many moves to try and compete with the defending champs. While not all teams will even be given a chance to dethrone the champs, I thoroughly believe that most teams in the league improved from a year ago, which is going to make for a great NBA season.

Even with adding Dwight Howard, James Harden and the Rockets aren’t in the top 5 in the Western Conference. By Derral Chen derivative work: Bagumba via Wikimedia Commons

1. Los Angeles Clippers: Yes, you read that correctly. The Clippers are the number one seed in the Western Conference but that doesn’t always lead to a title. The additions of Jared Dudley, JJ Redick, Daren Collison  and of course coach Doc Rivers make the Clippers, in my opinion, the best team in the West right now.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: I think losing Kevin Martin and finding no replacement for him is going to be a huge loss for the Thunder whom basically traded away James Harden for nothing now. They still have Durant and Westbrook and nobody really wants to play those guys come playoff time, unless you’re the Miami Heat.

3. San Antonio Spurs: Meer seconds and one rebound away from another title, all the Spurs did this offseason was get even better. Marco Belinelli adds both shooting and toughness. Look for another great year from the ageless wonders.

4. Memphis Grizzles: People keep forgetting about the Grizzles and I don’t understand why. They are much like the Knicks in that sense. They made it to the Conference Finals — granted they beat a Westbook-less Thunder team — but still they are good. They play defense and Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are only going to get better.

5. Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry had an incredible coming out party last season and so did the Warriors franchise. Yes they lost Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry but they added Andre Igoudala. When Harrison Barnes is coming off the bench as a 6^th man, you know that your team is in good shape. Plus they gained much needed playoff experience.

6. Houston Rockets: For the people whom may be reading this and think I am crazy for putting the Rockets so low, think again. I know that they added Dwight Howard who will pair with James Harden to make a pretty good one-two punch. Aside from them though, who else do they have? Chandler Parsons? He can play, no doubt about it, but seriously who else? As we saw last year with the Lakers, having big names but no bench doesn’t equal success. We shall see how their top two mesh but for now they are at best my 6 seed in the stacked Western Conference.

7. Denver Nuggets: Losing Igoudala is a huge blow to this up-tempo team but I’m sure new coach Brian Shaw can figure out how to make it work. They will be getting Danillo Gallinari back from his injury and added Nate Robinson and J.J. Hickson. The Nuggets have one of the most stacked frontcourts in the league but they need to learn how to win on the road, which was their downfall last season.

8. Portland Trailblazers: I really like what the Blazers have done this offseason improving their horrible bench from last season. Led by rising star Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers should make the playoffs baring any major injuries like they unfortunately have had in the past.

9. Los Angeles Lakers: People keep writing the Lakers off and I believe that will just inspire Kobe to play even better. I think that they actually got better by losing Howard because now they don’t have to worry about him wanting the ball every time down the floor and the question whether or not he will stay or leave. Adding Nick Young, Chris Kaman, Jordan Farmar and Wesley Johnson aren’t season changing moves but its good enough for them to fight for a playoff spot again.

10. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves aggravate me so much because they have so much potential but never can live up to it because of constant injuries. I am done betting on them to stay healthy so I will put them at the 10^th spot in the West. The additions of Kevin Martin and rookie Shabazz Muhammad should improve the team but like I said, I am expecting some sort of injury that costs the hopes of makes the playoffs.

11. Dallas Mavericks: Dallas is a tricky one because they didn’t really get worse in the off-season but they didn’t get better either. Adding Monta Ellis doesn’t qualify in my opinion as getting better. For now they are 11^th in the West.

12. New Orleans Pelicans: Welcome to the NBA Pelicans, your 12^th best team in the Western Conference in 2014. I liked the moves to get Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evens but this team is still too young to compete. Give it a few years and maybe New Orleans will be back in the playoffs.

13. Phoenix Suns: I really liked the trade that sent them Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler. Bledsoe is an up-and-coming star point guard who will improve the team and Butler is a good SF to have on a roster. If Michael Beasley could stop smoking pot for once in his life, this team might be able to do something in the coming years in the West.

14. Sacramento Kings: The Kings are similar to the Magic in the East as they have a rising star in Ben McLemore, whom I believe will be ROY when it’s all said and done. They have done some good building in Sacramento but not for the present. Wait it out a few years and good things will happen in Sac-town.

15. Utah Jazz: It’s not normal that a team who was competing for a playoff spot a year ago drops to the bottom of the standings but its also not usual for a team to lose both its starting center and power forward in the same off-season and not bring anyone in to fill the holes. Trey Burke and Gordon Hayward are two good pieces for the Jazz but the rest of the team isn’t quite remarkable. Dark times again for the fans in Salt Lake City.

Last June, LeBron James was able to finally breathe and celebrate the fact that he had finally won the NBA championship that he had been chasing for years. An NBA Finals win over the Oklahoma City Thunder did the trick and it was James who propelled the Heat to the title, showing that he was the best player in the game. Going into the 2012-2013 NBA season, all eyes were on LeBron and the Heat to see if they could repeat. Now it is playoff time, in the middle of the second round to be exact, and from what we have seen so far this season, if the Heat don’t repeat as champions it should be considered as one of the biggest failures in NBA history.

Chris Bosh will be a free agent along with Dwayne Wade and LeBron James in a few years. Matt and other NBA fans are just counting down the days before the dynasty is broken. By Richard Giles, via Wikimedia Commons

When I say that this season should be considered one of the biggest failures in NBA history if the Heat don’t repeat, I am serious. Just look at their roster, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, the additions of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier, Mike Miller and so on. There is no excuse whatsoever that this current Miami Heat team shouldn’t win the championship. There are at least four future Hall of Famers on the team and one or two more that have a chance to make it there. Throughout the course of an NBA season, there are some teams that fail to win even 27 games out of the 82 that are played by each team; the Heat alone had a historic 27 game winning streak at one point. They finished the season with an astonishing 66-16 record, giving them the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and the playoffs entirely. The record was six games better than the second best team in the league and twelve better than the second seed in the East, the New York Knicks.

If the Heat don’t win, it was be the second time in three years that the “Big Three” don’t win the championship and that is just wrong with the roster they have playing on the court. I believe that if they don’t win the title the next two years, which would give them the first, three-peat since the Lakers did it in the early 2000s, they might change the team up in 2014 once Wade, Bosh and LeBron all can become free agents. Think about it. Wade and Bosh aren’t getting any younger. LeBron will just be 30. This is where all the LeBron leaving Miami rumors surface. It’s still years away, and this probably isn’t the time to talk about all that. For now, Miami should be excited about their present crash course with destiny and we should just be thinking about this season and how it turns out. For Miami’s sake, I hope they win the title and live up to the high expectation they’ve created for themselves.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir2TdfSwH8g

Predictions in sports can be just as fun as what actually happens and a lot of time many people do it. Every person has their own unique way of predicting outcomes, some go through the purity of stats or some use just the heart and will of a team or player. Either way, predictions can be a way for a fan, analyst or gambler to have and feel like they are involved with the actual games being played. As for me, I have made many predictions throughout my life, some that have come true and some that haven’t and I will be the first one to admit when I am wrong. On that note, here is my prediction for the Western Conference when the season comes to an end in April, a small breakdown of each team and some playoff predictions with a little over half the season complete:

I’m predicting Russell Westbrook and the Thunder losing to the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
By Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA, via Wikimedia Commons

1.    San Antonio Spurs:

The Spurs have been one of the best and classiest teams in the West for years and with the core of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili still together and still playing well, you can never count out the four-time champions

2.    Oklahoma City Thunder

The reigning Western Conference champs haven’t stopped dominating the West as they did a year ago. The move to swap James Harden for Kevin Martin was a highly talked about one but I liked the trade very much. Kevin Durant is now forced to control the ball more, something I feel the Thunder need to do if they want to get better.

3.    Los Angeles Clippers

I know we are all used to seeing the Lakers around this spot but the tables have turned this year and congratulations to the Clippers for that. I think they are the team with the most depth in the NBA and can be a scary matchup come playoff time.

4.    Golden State Warriors:

In the biggest turnaround of any team this season, the Warriors make my fourth seed in the West and I believe they can do some damage. They are a great shooting team and the health of Stephen Curry has boosted them to an unusual (for them) level. Could it be possible that San Francisco and its surrounding areas can get all three major sport titles? The 49ers play in the Super Bowl this Sunday and the Giants have already won the World Series.

5.    Denver Nuggets:

18-3 at home, that’s the first stat I will throw out for the Nuggets. This is one of the best home teams in the NBA and they can be one of the most dangerous. They took the Lakers to the brink last season in the playoffs and have learned from that experience. I liked the move to bring in Andre Iguodala as he adds defense and explosiveness, which was the strength of the Nuggets before the move.

6.    Memphis Grizzlies:

This team started out hot and has cooled down since. They are the best defensive team in the NBA with only allowing 89.5 points per game and have one of the best starting lineups with Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley. Look for the Grizzlies to make a run or even make my predicted Clipper matchup to be the best of the first round as it was last season.

7.    Houston Rockets:

The Rockets barely missed the taste of the postseason last year. Since then, they’ve traded for all-star James Harden and point guard Jeremy Lin. This is a very young team but the leadership of Harden and Lin will guide them to the playoffs. I don’t trust Harden in the clutch, something that is so important as the star player of a team. He is a marvelous player but needs to work on that aspect of his game.

8.    Los Angeles Lakers:

Yes, I know that this team has been in the gutter of the standings all season but I believe they will turn it around but only as the eighth seed. Led by Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard the Lakers will push their ways into the playoffs and from there you never know what can happen. They dug a steep hole for themselves but this is a whole new season especially for this team.

Notable Mentions: Utah Jazz, Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks

PREDICTIONS:

First Round:

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. 8. Los Angeles Lakers: Lakers in six (upset)

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 7. Houston Rockets: Thunder in five

3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. 6. Memphis Grizzlies: Clippers in seven

4. Golden State Warriors vs. 5. Denver Nuggets: Warriors in seven

Semi Finals:

4. Golden State Warriors vs. 8. Los Angeles Lakers:

Lakers win the Pacific division showdown in five games. The Lakers size and experience are too much for the young up and coming Warrior team. The Lakers take on the Thunder in a playoff series re-match from last season.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 3. Los Angeles Clippers:

The Thunder win this exciting and back-n-fourth playoff series in seven games. The Thunder make it to their third consecutive conference finals and look to go back to the NBA Finals but standing in their way is the 32-time conference champion Los Angeles Lakers

Conference Finals:

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8 Los Angeles Lakers:

This is where it gets interesting since I believe these are the two best teams in the Western Conference despite the difference in records. This will be a physical and fast-paced series, which favors the Thunder but I can’t count out Kobe and company. The Lakers match-up very well against the Thunder. If the Lakers can even mildly contain Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrok, they can win as they did the other night. I look for this to be the best series of the Western playoffs with the Lakers coming out on top in this hard fought and mentally draining seven game series.

2013 Western Conference Champions: 8. Los Angeles Lakers

I’m not saying the Lakers will win the NBA title but I do believe they will make it back to the NBA Finals after what seemed like a hopeless season. It won’t be easy as the West is scary-good, but Kobe Bryant is in search of another ring and won’t be denied by the likes of anyone in the West. I’m sticking with my pre-season pick, the Los Angeles Lakers.

James never impressed me when he was at Arizona State. He scored most of his points off garbage put backs and had an erratic jump shot.  He was good at playing within a system, but displayed little to any characteristics that made me believe he could get open and excel the way he has in the NBA.

When he was drafted 3rd overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009, I scoffed at the selection. And early into his rookie campaign I seemed to be right. But fast-forward three years and Harden is now a bonafide superstar with the Houston Rockets. Averaging 25.9 points per game, he’s slowly become one of the NBA’s most versatile players.

We can link this this steady rise to the very thing that makes every man more of a man: the Beard. Yes, the beard. I’m not “talking bout practice,” Allen Iverson. I’m talking about the beard. Harden’s “Mustafa”. Make no mistake about it, the beardonian’s improvement has grown literally while the beard has each and every year of his NBA career.

The national beard registry states this holy beardism: “Ninety-nine Civil War Generals and Admirals wore beards, three went on to become President of the United States, (their beards went with them). All beards are beautiful and worthy of registration.  But the majestic and magnificent full aged beard is the ultimate quest.”

What does this all mean? This means that James Harden is not alone in his quest for the ultimate beard. Each and every man capable of growing such a beard is meant for greater things. Throw the tie and cubical away. If you can rightfully possess a beard you can become the all star of your very own universe.

Here was Harden as a bland set-structured player in College.

And here is Harden enrobed with the essence of beard today.

James Harden, the prophet of the beardism, with the all-mighty Mustafa.
By Derral Chen, via Wikimedia Commons

If you are or were a woman, would you rather sleep with James Harden then or James Harden now? The obvious answer is James Harden now. Clearly the modern day Harden is strong as a timber man and deep as a Barry White. The James Harden now is, for the 1st time, a Western Conference All Star and, arguably, an MVP candidate.

There is one perennial force you will face if you decide to become a follower of Beardism: the Woman. Unlike Harden, you probably aren’t as wealthy nor as stunningly athletic, so you naturally already have two major points against you.

Most women can’t stand the beard for a variety of reasons, some fair (“You don’t have a beard, you have what looks like random pubic hairs all across your face. Gross”) and some not so fair. But mostly not-so fair. Some of these reasons are: “I miss seeing your face,” “We have to take Christmas pictures,” “You’re scary,” “It’s pokie,” “It gives the baby a rash,” and “Your job wouldn’t like that.” But I’m here to assure you that all those excuses are a bunch of lies.

The enemy would want you to run from who you truly are because when you are truly who you are, you are like a love child between Conan the Barbarian and Paul Bunyan. This same enemy during the long Winter months secretly grows sharp tufts of leg hair that feel much like splinters of fiberglass. They will deny this if you bring this up… so don’t! Use this truth as ammo when she decides to buy you a state of the art, electric 10-blade razor system. In return, buy her Nare strips, and if she has the guts call you a chauvinist pig and an anti-feminist, close the debate with this: ” You’re an anti-maleist and a sicko who likes me best when I look like a sophomore in high school. That’s disturbing. I’m really weirded out right now.”

That line will always work. It’s a Beardonian truth.

Your first Beardonian reading is this from Chapter 1, Verse 1-10 in the Book of Scott Pollard :

“In the beginning a boy was born and his name was James. He wanted to be the kind of man his friends referred to as James. But instead they called him Harden, making him feel like less of a man; like he had not respect from his teammates; like he wasn’t worthy of utter domination; like he was being dominated, posterized, internally dunked on by Gheorghe Muresan. He wanted to be Gheorge Muresan. And so he set out on a journey into the tangles of his chin. And up rose into the crest of his lip, the lingering rivers of hair that flowed from his lip to his sideburns, on down the neck in a sea fuzz, empowering him to accomplish great things.. When he woke the following morning he had inherited the kingdom of Houston. “

If you have converted to beardism today you might be wondering what type of beards you can grow. The follow up to this article will be from the book of Baron Davis and will educate all beardites on the various styles of beards. Don’t ever give up. Keep growing.