Dave's Western Conference Preview:

If I were you, I'd stock up on canned goods. Reason: Chuck and I are previewing the NBA Conference Finals. I've been assigned the Western Conference since I love Pau Gasol. But I love the Suns more and I hate Kobe more, so hopefully my biases won't get in the way. Without further ado.... the preview begins.

Just for fun, I'll start by showing you the starting lineups of this year's teams and the 2007 teams(last time these two met in the playoffs, when Los Suns prevailed in five): 2007 Lakers - Jordan Farmar, Kobe, Luke Walton, Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown. 2007 Suns - Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Amare, Shawn Marion and James Jones. First off, when did LA Sparks(WNBA) get to merge with the Lakers for a year? Second, how'd the Lakers make the playoffs? And third, where did those Laker starters end up in life? This year's teams look like this: Lakers - Derek Fisher, Kobe, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest...Suns - Nash, Amare, Jason Richardson, Channing Frye and the Immortal Grant Hill. The fun part of all this is that people think Kobe is better now than he was between 2005-2007. I hate to back Kobe(really, it pains me) but when you look at that anti-All Star cast from 2007 for the Lakers, Kobe is the only player in the league that could carry them to the playoffs. One more point, none of those players from that team sees significant playing time except for Lamar Odom. Wow, Kobe, wow. As for the Suns, how does Nash stay so consistent for his 6th year in a row running amuck for the Suns? From what I read he doesn't eat sugar, which is crazy in itself, but he leads everyone else to do the same. It's all very impressive. He won 2 MVP's back to back in 2005-2006, which is ridiculous, not because he's not good, but because he's been better in the years that followed. The failed Shaq experiment from 2008-2009 was a waste of a year and a half. Now that you know where these teams were the last time they played, let's figure out where they could be going.

No pun intended, but the Suns are on fire. Seriously, on fuego. They ran the Spurs back to the Alamo, and broke through unchartered territory. I'm not talking about the Western Conference finals because thats happened a few times in the last decade, but the mentallity of complete focus on all assets of the game. When on defense, they play intense. When on offense, they still run and gun. They dive for loose balls and love playing with each other(no jokes please.) They spread the floor well and shoot tremendously. HOWEVER, they get to play Kobe and his Twin Towers for this round, which means, you don't play your game, you play their game. If I know what I think I know, the Lakers should win this series in 6 games. This has to do with two things, size and Kobe. Kobe is not the same player he once was, but if he knows his role in this series and takes around 15-18 shots per game and scores about 20 a night, the Lakers might not lose. The size factor is overwhelming, Gasol and Bynum can pretty much dominate as long as the offense is going through them. Amare plays as well on defense as a matador plays on a bull. Pau Gasol is the most athletically gifted offensive post player in the league, even if the numbers don't show it. Watching him play is a treat, if only for the sheer fact that he could score 30 a night if he wanted to but doesn't and does not complain one bit about it. I won't talk about his defense because I love the guy.

The most intriguing matchup is clearly the Lakers offense vs Los Suns defense because that's where the Suns may get their easiest points if they play it well. My prediction of Lakers in six will also come with a guarantee that both teams will score in the 100s more often than not and the games will be worth staying up to see. Phoenix is the same type of pick the Saints were in the Super Bowl, but shouldn't have similar results. I will be rooting for them, and you should too if only because of Nash's hair.