NBA Western Conference Playoff Predictions

Once the dust settles in the West, pardner, ain't gonna be a dry eye in the place. That's because the Utah Jazz, the most underrated team in these parts since Warren Steed Jeffs and his motley crew of misfit cowboys masquerading as religious people, will gladly shuffle its boots up and create a cloud of dust, through which guard Deron Williams shall appear, bearing gifts to the promised land. That's the ball, not heaven, for those of you not aware of Williams and the hard-working unit to which he pays homage every night. Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets may get all the credit and the All-Star nod, but it's Williams who whupped the San Antonio Spurs 90-64. I didn't see Paul doing that at any point in the season against the Spurs.

At this point four teams have already clinched playoff spots. New Orleans, San Antonio, L.A. Lakers and Utah. Let's break down the teams, seeds and current match-ups in the wild West.

CURRENT PLAYOFF TEAMS AND SEEDING

1 New Orleans Hornets vs. 8 Denver Nuggets/Golden State Warriors

2 San Antonio Spurs vs. 7 Dallas Mavericks

3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6 Phoenix Suns

4 Utah Jazz vs. 5 Houston Rockets

Despite being the No. 1 seed in the West having already clinched that spot, the Hornets will act like they've never been there before, which will be particularly worrisome going against the Denver Nuggets, who have never seen a shot they didn't like. It's not guaranteed the Hornets will take on the Nuggets in the one-versus-eight-seed match-up since George Karl's team is fighting for the final spot with the Golden State Warriors, another team who likes to take shots from San Francisco even though the arena is in Oakland. Put the Hornets in either of those cities and AI will light up the denizens from the Big Easy for 50 from his Mile High home. Conversely, Stephen Jackson may get kicked out of the game but not before he goes for 30, eliciting cheers from people in yellow tee shirts and creating the type of atmosphere in the Bay the Hornets don't need. And yeah, before you ask, I did watch Paul go for a triple-double today, helping beat the Warriors. But the Hornets didn't play the game in Oakland.