2k10 First Round Predictions: Western Conference

By now you hopefully have read my analysis of what I think will come of the first-round in the Eastern Conference, which seems like it will be some pretty dull and lackluster matchups. I don’t see any series really going to the limit or even making us question the higher seed. as we did last year with the amazing Chicago-Boston series. In the West however, excitement looms.

The West typically over the last few years has always given us a better first round, just because the middle of the bunch, hell even the top portion, are incredibly close. Just looking at the standings you’ll see that only seven games separates the No. 1 seed Lakers from their No. 8 seed opponent Oklahoma City. The first round out West has the potential to be great, so here’s a look at the matchups.

Steve Nash, thank you so much

I’m not going to write anymore about how awesome or hilarious Steve Nash is. Search his name on this site if you don’t believe me, he’s ridiculous. Talented beyond basketball, he needs a movie now.

He does it again!!!

After hearing Robin Lopez speak during this video, I’ve decided that him and his brother Brook Lopez need a talk show, based on their voices alone.

You need to buy Baron Davis’ beard

Baron Davis‘ viral video game was lacking this year. Steve Nash clearly has the lead, but Boom Dizzle went for it on this one.

Heck, Deron Williams is client, so why aren’t you?

I don’t need to write anymore, just watch…

Can I have my Saturday night back?

There is no way to get around it, All-Star Saturday was bad. I’m sure the after-party scene in Dallas was awesome, but unfortunately, TNT doesn’t cover that. Instead, we were forced to watch one of the worst dunk contests in years (maybe the worst) and an hour long event of Omri Casspi, Kevin Durant and Rajon Rondo playing H.O.R.S.E. in the most anti-climatic fashion.

It stunk, but it was only one year.

The last couple All-Star Saturdays have been excellent. Thanks to Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard, they made the dunk contest an exciting and an incredible show, they helped bring the event back. It’s the main event, it always will be, no matter how bad it gets or how little of talent is in the event. Last year’s contest was great, and the previous few were also top notch.

The dunk contest needs charisma, personality and swagger. Obviously it relies on great dunks and acrobatics, but the flare is what makes the entire dunk. That’s why Howard’s Superman antics, and Robinson’s ‘Kryptonate’ swag and height disadvantage made for such a show.

Steve Nash does Canadian Tuxedos

Steve Nash is absolutely ridiculous. If you read this blog, you know by now that the guy is hilarious. Next to Shaquille O’Neal, it’s clear that Nash is the league’s other top funny man — he doesn’t repeat his jokes and schticks all the time like Dwight Howard.

He’s fresh, original and he needs to be a bigger face for the league, even if he’s only got a couple more years left in him (granted he’s playing better than ever and could Brett Favre the league).

If you haven’t seen Nash’s antics in the past, go  here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Props, @TheMuhmeShow

All-Star starters announced, the fans suck

It’s good to know that NBA fans halfway figured things out during the final weeks of NBA All-Star fan voting — they voted in Steve Nash instead of Tracy McGrady, who had the second most votes for Western Conference guards through the first few ballot returns. Unfortunately, they didn’t get the Allen Iverson memo, or maybe Nash was just more persuasive than the guards in the East.

Iverson is averaging career-lows with 14.4 points and 4.4 assists per game. He’s only played 19 games this season, bickered his way out of Memphis after three games and hasn’t helped the Sixers improve (6-10 with Iverson in the lineup).

Iverson should be glad that fans have showed their continued love for him, but if he had any class, he’d give his spot on the team up to a deserving player.

Joining Iverson as starters in the East are LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard and Dwayne Wade. Nash will be joined by teammate Amare Stoudemire, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Tim Duncan, who made a final push to beat out Dirk Nowitzki.

Seven spots remain in each conference and there are plenty of deserving players, so who gets picked?

More on that later, but here’s hoping Iverson accepts the fans’ gesture and does the right thing amongst his peers.

Deron Williams better be an All-Star

Everyone loves the All-Star push videos and promotions that teams do for their players, or players do for themselves.

One player that shouldn’t have to do any of that is Utah’s Deron Williams.

The last three seasons the guard has averaged over 10 assists per game, not to mention at least 18 points per night as well (that includes this season). The Jazz are always in the thick of the playoffs too. In his five seasons as a pro, Williams has career averages of 17 points and nine assists per game. His numbers are ridiculous.

Unfortunately, Williams has yet to make an All-Star Team, watching teammates like Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur get spots.

In the past, it’s been understandable, there is a logjam at the position out West, but now is Williams’ time. Averaging 20 points, 10 assists and four rebounds per game this year should be more than enough for D-Will to get his first All-Star nod — especially since he’s healthy this year, unlike the start of last season.

In an effort to get voters to realize he’s right there with Chris Paul and Steve Nash as the league’s top point guard, Williams’ crew put together a little video. Unfortunately, Tracy McGrady — whose been injured all season and made his debut yesterday — would currently be a starter for the West based on first ballot returns.

Williams is currently 10th in voting for guards. All-Star fan voting is awesome.

If Williams doesn’t make the All-Star Team, expect all hell to break loose.

Props, @themuhmeshow

Steve Nash pees on toilet seats

I knew I wasn’t the only one!

Steve Nash has been on a roll lately with the humor stuff, he’s obviously trying to get a gig hosting “Saturday Night Live” or directing a movie with Judd Apatow.

The headline speaks for itself, and Amare Stoudemire is appalled.

Alando Tucker: The Minister of Hygiene

The Phoenix Suns as a whole are probably the funniest team in the league, even with the loss of Pat Burke and Shaquille O’Neal the past few seasons.

Steve Nash holds it down.

Here’s “A Steve Nash Joint” starring Suns’ third-year forward Alando Tucker. Tucker was great, but I think Nets swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts would have been better at the role.

Here’s Tucker’s debut in “The Minister of Hygiene.”

The Suns are playing great basketball and are having fun, it’s good to see. Nash has to be one of the best guys to play with in the league, not only does he feed you the rock on the court, he tries to make you a movie star in the process.