First, let's start with the Beantowners. Their opponent in the next round is second-seeded Detroit. The Pistons are the best defensive team right now in the East. Can they be beat? Yes. They're good, but they are defeatable if teams can crack their shell. And with Paul Pierce the way he was in Game 5 of their first round series, torching the Sixers for 46 points, they aren't goning to be looking so good.

In the Conference Finals, it'd be either the Nets or the Hornets. New Jersey has another year to be a contender. The Hornets are the only tough one. Without leading-scorer Jamal Mashburn, though, they don't have the type of guard package to stop Pierce from burning them to pieces.

Out West, you'll find the two-time champion L.A Lakers take on San Antonio in the next round. There is still the question of whether or not David Robinson can play in this series. If he plays, this will be interesting. If he doesn't, we might be seeing a repeat of last year's sweep. Either way, their role players can get the Lakers over the top.

In this Conference Finals, Los Angeles face either Dallas or Sacramento, the top two scoring teams in the Association. The Kings need Chris Webber playing well to have any shot at winning. Sometimes, C-Webb spaces at the wrong time (look at last year's playoffs and you'll see that point). Meanwhile, the Mavs have a good shot at cracking the L.A. Armada. But L.A. isn't as defensively flawed as Minnesota was. There may be some thorns in the road, but they'll be cleared.

That's how it could happen. That's how two cities that still like each other like a dog likes a bag of fleas can renew old bitter tensions. Who knows, maybe come June, right before tipoff of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, you'll see a Celtic fan beating the hell out of a Laker fan saying, "Kareem was not better than Walton!"

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