2012 NBA Playoffs Opening Weekend: Wild, Crazy and Unpredictable

When it comes to the NBA playoffs the journey of a champion is a destiny unknown. Warriors battling on a hardwood floor is tales of folklore. Men battling for the one opportunity to be the best and race to that finish line we all call the NBA Finals.

During the NBA Playoffs arguments become testy, emotions take more rides than a 15 yr old at an amusement park. Every player eager to showcase their knowledge, skill and athletic talents against the worlds best competitors. NBA playoff moments are more memorable than an 82 or 66 game regular season. The playoffs represent the moment when "Boy's become Men" Earvin becomes Magic, Bird becomes Legend, Michael Jordan turns into Greatness and Kobe becomes the Black Mamba. What's success, beyond success, beyond success Michael Jordan winning the 1998 NBA Finals.

NBA playoffs is the time of year when Linkin Park's "Burn it Down" blares in the speakers and Kanye West (2011 playoff theme) "All of The Lights" goes full stage. Regular season excuses get "Burned" and all that matters from late April until mid June is winning.

The 2012 NBA Playoffs has already provided Wild, Crazy and Unpredictable moments and terrible tragedies. Playoff atmosphere started April 22nd the weekend before the NBA playoffs when the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder.During the game Metta World Peace landed a vicious elbow on the side of James Hardens head and the NBA script continues to be unpredictable.

Opening weekend began with a tragic phantom injury to 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose possibly the most unexplained disappointing injury in NBA playoff history and an emotional buzzer beater by Kevin Durant over the outstretched arms of Shawn Marion and the 2011 defending NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. L.A. Lakers Andrew Bynum registered 10 Blocks against the Denver "midgets" Nuggets in a historic performance becoming only the second player in playoff history to record at least 10pts, 10rebs and 10 blks in a NBA playoff game. Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo found his inner Kevin Hart chest bumping referee Marc Davis. Then in a late night affair the Memphis Grizzlies totally collapsed like a "ton of bricks" against the Los Angeles Clippers blowing a 27 point lead.

With all of the mayhem already displayed during the 2012 NBA playoffs and the condensed pressure of the 66 game regular season schedule life in the NBA has become incalculable. Thus the Miami Heat are still the heavy odd on favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2012 NBA Finals and the Western Conference continues to be a toss up between the Associations best NBA teams. So after a Wild, Crazy and Unpredictable opening playoff weekend full of mayhem, who will when the NBA Finals??

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Inside view of the 2012 NBA Playoff Race...

With a month left until the NBA playoffs we take a look at the top five teams that have a chance to make a significant impact towards the NBA Finals. Plus a look at our true NBA playoff dark horse.

1.) San Antonio Spurs: Overall San Antonio has the coaching, talent and youthfulness to make a deep playoff run. Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, Stephen Jackson, De Juan Blair, Kawhli Leonard, and Danny Green are just a few names who lead Greg Popovich's talent latent team.

Problem: Defense is not the same defense fans are accustomed to in San Antonio. Greg Popovich and the Spurs are relying more on their offense this season versus their defense and Duncan is entering his twilight years.

2.) Miami Heat: How can you deny LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Miami Heat have been the odd on favorites to win the NBA Finals since losing an heart breaker last season in the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron James is the heavy favorite to win league MVP posting some of the best all around numbers in league history w/ 28 pts, 8 rebs, 7 ast, 2 stls and 1 block . Miami Heat's BIG 3 has been exciting to watch this season averaging over 100 pts.

Problem: Defensively the Miami Heat are vulnerable against larger more aggressive teams in the post. Joel Anthony has become an offensive liability. The addition of Ronnie Turiaf should help boaster the paint for the Miami Heat but the team currently has no answer in the middle.

3.) Oklahoma City Thunder: Should probably be ranked #2 on this list if Kevin Durant and company played in the Eastern Conference they would be odd on favorites to represent the conference. Russell Westbrook receives a lot of unwarranted attention for his play but OKC coaching staff and fans love the point guard. Sixth man of the year James Harden is playing like an all star averaging 16 pts, 4 rebs and 3 ast.

Problem: Turnovers have been an Achilles heel for the Thunder 15.3% of their possessions end in turnovers which is hurting their assists as well. A team with the likes Westbrook should not fail in assists and turnovers.

4.)  Chicago Bulls: Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng lead a balanced attack on both offense and defense for Da Bulls!.  Boozer who was struggling last season has rebounded and has become a vocal leader for the Chicago Bulls. Chicago's defense is tops in the NBA allowing only 89.1 pts per contest and the Bulls control the defensive and offensive glass with a combined total of 55 rebs per game. Bulls regular season record of 40-11 is #1 in the NBA.

Problem: Derrick Rose 2010-2011 NBA MVP has been hampered by a bad groin injury. While the Bulls have managed to stay consistent without Rose during the season the playoffs are a different ball game. The Bulls playoff potential rest on the health of Rose.

5.) Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe, Kobe and more Kobe his leading the NBA in scoring 28.9 pts per game.. Unfortunately The Lakers have been shaky all year but yet manage to be excellent at Staples Center where they are 20-4. Los Angeles traded away two mainstays in Derek Fisher and Lamar Odom changing the landscape of the basketball team. The addition of Ramon Sessions should help at the point guard position, finally a player that can handle the ball outside of the hands of Kobe Bryant. Bynum has been playing at an All Star level and his confidence in the post has increased.

Problem: Kobe, Kobe and more Kobe. Sometimes his offensive struggles can be harmful to the flow of the game which is why Mike Brown pulled the chair on him recently against the Memphis Grizzlies. Kobe has to trust his teammates more. The Lakers are terrible on the road this season playing below .500 away from Staples.

Dark Horse:


Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic: Orlando Magic dark horse but possibly not daring enough the Indiana Pacers on the other hand represent everything a dark horse should be young, athletic and no one believes them yet.

Dark Horse checklist:
Possible NBA Superstar- Danny Granger check.
Point Guard: Darren Collison check.
Inside outside game: Collison, Roy Hibbert and David West check.
Bench: Sixth Man George Hill and Tyler Hansbrough check mate...

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NBA Eastern Conference: Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks fighting for the #8 seed...

NBA Playoffs start April 28th and the playoff race in the Eastern Conference is starting to turn the corner headed for the home stretch. A glimpse into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference where the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks are currently fighting for the #8 seed.

New York Knicks currently have possession of the #8 seed but the Bucks are primed to make a playoff run. The acquisition of Monta Ellis gives the Bucks one of the most talented back courts in the NBA. Brandon Jennings averaging 18.7 pts. 5.6 apg. and 3.4 rpg are all above his career season averages. Milwaukee Bucks offense is explosive currently ranked#7 in the NBA at 98.1 ppg and #3 in assist at 23.2 apg.

Milwaukee Bucks are deep at every position on the court. Drew Gooden's recent interior play has presented an inside presence giving the Bucks head office enough confidence to trade the oft-injured Andrew Bogut for Monta Ellis. Bucks major problem is on the defense. The Bucks allow 98.3 ppg a -0.2 offense to defense differential in points. Forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is finally healthy and the addition of Center Ekpe Udoh should help the defense immensely. Bucks roster is mostly shaped by spare parts  (Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Delfino and Ersan Ilyasova) keeping the engine running but that engine is running pretty smoove right now.

New York Knicks hold the final playoff spot but this has been a disappointing season for the Knickerbockers. Carmelo Anthony and Amare' Stoudemire have been stuck in a funk all season long. Pundits place the blame on Mike D'Antoni saying his coaching style did not fit the team yet in the same breathe they say Jeremy Lin could be like Steve Nash. Last time I checked Amare' Stoudemire had his best career seasons while playing for D'Antoni in Phoenix w/ Nash at the point. D'Antoni was also the coach of the Knicks last year when STATS arrived and produced New York Knicks franchise scoring records. With Amare' broken and Carmelo growing tired of an offense that did not feature his style of play D'Antoni quit, resigned and was eventually fired at the same meeting.

Knicks now have a head coach whose X's and O's feature the strengths of Carmelo Anthony. Mike Woodson the infamous creator of the Iso-Joe offense when coaching the Atlanta Hawks now posses one of the best Iso players in the NBA. Mike Woodson is a tough defensive minded coach who will keep a emphasis on the defensive end of the basketball court and allow Tyson Chandler to control the defensive box. Issue is can the Knicks grasp Mike Woodsons defensive adjustments before the Bucks knock them out of position.