Yesterday we looked at the Eastern Conference Playoff picture and surprisingly, no one thought I was a complete idiot. Today we’ll take a look at the wide-open Western Conference.

The main theme of the Western Conference Playoffs that I found was that in almost every match up I almost picked the other team. I really wanted to say one team was going to win, but I just couldn’t see them beating the other team. I think this means it should be a good time.

Without going into great detail – because that would take “reserach” and “work” – it is worth mentioning that the best basketball player on the planet resides in the West. That’s right. I said it. Its time we give Ronny Turiaf his due. The Western Conference is also home to arguably the best point guards in the game today with CP3, Deron Williams and an aging Steve Nash. (I hope no one ever refers me to as “aging.”) Then there are the guys who are so good, they’re known by one name – Shaq, Kobe, Dirk, Amare, and David.

Check out my begrudgingly solid picks after the jump. Then make your own picks so we can all look back and make fun of each other in 2 months.

First Round

No. 1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. No. 8 DENVER NUGGETS

Allen Iverson is running out of time and Carmelo Anthony probably just wants people to forget about his recent off-court issues. The Nuggets could win – if they could play defense. They can’t though. None. The Lakers are going to crack 140 at some point in this series. In fact, I don’t see a single game featuring either team scoring less than a century. The difference should be the fact that the Lakers have the shut-down defense capable of holding the Nuggets to 104 points in a game.

Lakers in 5

No. 4. UTAH JAZZ vs. No. 5 HOUSTON ROCKETS

Can Tracy McGrady finally get out of the first round? This Rockets team has a built in excuse (No Yao) and a reason to be confident (22 straight wins), but they’ll be missing Skip To My Lou for the first few games of the series. I want to pick the Rockets. I want to see Tracy McGrady succeed. I just don’t see it. Deron Williams might be too good to let his team lose. More heartache for T-Mac is on the horizon.

Jazz in 7

No. 3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs. No. 6 PHOENIX SUNS

Amare has been a bleeping beast since Shaq showed up. I think he’s averaging something like 43 and 19 since the arrival of The Big Cactus. That being said, I can’t shake the feeling that this all comes down to how healthy Manu Ginobili is. Can the #3 seed defending champs even get out of the first round?

Suns in 6

No. 2 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS vs. No. 7 DALLAS MAVERICKS

How are the Hornets going to react to the playoff environment? Is there any truth to the rumors that Dirk Nowitzki really wants it again? Can CP3 utterly and ridiculously dominate Jason Kidd through an entire series?

Hornets in 7

Round 2

No. 1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. No. 4. UTAH JAZZ

The Kobe Bryant traveling All-Stars aren’t going to slow down for Utah. The first round was nice, but Deron Williams should average 35 and 10 in a heroic effort here.

Lakers in 6

No. 2 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS vs. No. 6 PHOENIX SUNS

God bless Tyson Chandler – he’s going to need it. Don’t act like you are extremely excited about Steve Nash and Chris Paul going head-to-head for 4+ games. This should be when the Hornets “inexperience” comes in to play. At least thats what everyone will chalk it up to when the Suns finally come out on top.

Suns in 6

Conference Finals

No. 1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. No. 6 PHOENIX SUNS

Kobe vs. Shaq for the first time in the playoffs. Even though they won’t come into contact much, this is how it will be billed. Kobe took the Lakers to the brink against the Suns a couple years ago, then backed off to prove a point – he can be a douche. Now he’s got teammates that shouldn’t let him down. How healthy will Andrew Bynum be by this point? They’ll need him against Amare and to a lesser extent, Shaq. With a gun to my head…

Lakers Suns Lakers Suns Lakers in 7

The 2008 NBA Finals

No. 1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS vs. No. 1 BOSTON CELTICS

Once you get past the fact that this could lead to a new version of Lakers Versus Celtics, this could be a tremendous series with two teams that everyone wants to see play. No less than 4 players will have the legacy of their entire careers resting on the outcome of this series.

The intensity of Kevin Garnett who is making his first Finals appearance. Kobe Bryant’s attempt to put himself along side Michael by winning a championship without Shaq. Then there is Ray Allen and Paul Pierce – both of whom have made it to the conference Finals once before and no further. A title for Allen and Pierce would transform them both from “simply” perennial All-Stars, to Champions.

Heck, Pau Gasol might even care what happens. Then again, he’s Spanish, so we don’t really know.

This is the ultimate “I want to go one way, but just can’t” series. I want to say Kobe is finally going to do it, but…

Celtics in 6