You're really going to have to come out and battle every single game throughout the Western Conference playoffs. Before you always had a feel that one or two teams were going to end up meeting in the Western Conference finals. This is the one year where you can't really say who's going to meet in the West finals. The Lakers should just be happy Seattle couldn't finish in the top eight in the West. The Lakers went 0-4 against the Sonics.
Every team can offer a battle in the West.
You can't say Portland can't get it going and win this thing. Nobody wants to play Dallas. Clearly in the West, San Antonio is the best team right now, just based on record alone, but I'd have to call it wide open. An injury, a lucky bounce, a bad call and an entire series could turn. It only figures to become more competitive and more ruthless in the next round.