Picking the NBA playoffs

The National Basketball Association playoffs begin Saturday, and it doesn't seem that too many people really care. The glory days of the NBA are long gone, and clearly something is missing.

What the league will miss most this year are the television ratings from the soap opera known as Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Not expected to contend this season, the Lake Show went off the air early for the first time in over a decade, but LA had a good excuse. Over halfway through the season with his team firmly entrenched in the seventh playoff spot, two-time World Champion head coach Rudy Tomjanovich got sick and quit. Career assistant Frank Hamblen stepped in, which forced a complete change in offense that contributed to a horrible 2-17 finish.

A bigger disappointment was Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were expected to contend for a championship after posting the Western Conference's best record last year. From famous coach-choker Latrell Sprewell's preseason complaint that $7 million wasn't enough to feed his children, to the firing of excellent head coach Flip Saunders, it was an unbelievable nose-dive that will lead to a complete team overhaul.

And, of course, there will be no Lebron James in the playoffs either. The "chosen one" did his part, though, as it was Cleveland's owner who let the team down by stupidly firing successful head coach Paul Silas in mid-season and triggering an 11-19 ending.

So what's left for NBA fans to cheer about this season? Well, there is potential for drama with parity perhaps creating some long series and upsets. Also, there is no clear favorite to win this year's championship.

Playoffs - NBA playoff basketball is more of a half-court game. The action becomes more physical, and more contact usually is allowed. Handicappers should be betting on tough teams with good defense, depth, health, experience, coaching and momentum heading into the postseason. Last year all eight clubs that owned home-court advantage won in the first round.

Memphis vs. Phoenix - Memphis would like to run on offense, which makes for a bad match-up considering Phoenix is the best at doing just that. In what could be a fun series to watch style-wise, Phoenix in 5.

Denver vs. San Antonio - Denver had one of the best regular-season finishes in NBA history aided by a current 11-game home winning streak. But San Antonio is too experienced and solid defensively to lose a series to the defenseless Nuggets. San Antonio in 6.

Sacramento vs. Seattle - These evenly-matched teams should go the seven-game distance. If playoff experience makes the difference, Sacramento will win. Seattle has the better defense, rebounding and health. We'll go with Seattle at home in Game 7.

Dallas vs. Houston - This should be another long series. Both teams enter the playoffs on fire with Dallas carrying a nine-game winning streak and Houston seven. Home court advantage and Dirk Nowitzki give Dallas the edge in 7.

Miami vs. New Jersey - Miami's lack of overall playoff experience and Shaquille O'Neal's health concerns give New Jersey a slight chance of pulling off a huge No. 8 over No. 1 seed upset. Still, the pick is Miami in 6.

Detroit vs. Philadelphia - Defending champion Detroit proved it was fine-tuned for the playoffs with its late-season 11-game winning string. Piston head man Larry Brown used to coach in Philly, and his stifling defense can shut down the 76ers' only threat, Allen "Me, Myself and" Iverson. Detroit in 5.

Boston vs. Indiana - It has been a good season for Boston, taking a division crown for the first time since Larry Bird played. But it has been a great career for retiring Indiana guard Reggie Miller, and it would only be appropriate that his Pacers would advance in 6.

Chicago vs. Washington - Both teams have little playoff experience, with Chicago last participating with Michael Jordan in 1998, and the Wizards' latest appearance as the Bullets in '97. The Baby Bulls get the nod here because of better defense and home court. Chicago in 7.

Finals - The preseason pick here was San Antonio to beat Detroit, and so far it looks good.

NFL DRAFT

NFL Pro football fans should be paying attention to this weekend's college draft to see if teams can possibly eliminate some weaknesses before the upcoming season. Although odds are already out for Week 1, because of future injuries and various other reasons, it wouldn't be a good idea to bet on Week 1 right after the draft. Wait until September.