Spurs, Pistons Better Than Rest Of NBA

Prediction: San Antonio and Detroit will get back to the Finals, this time with the Pistons winning the championship

By Scott McLean

The NBA playoffs begin this weekend. With so many teams reaching the postseason, baskeball fans should have no problem finding a team to cheer for.

If you enjoy the NBA rivalries, things are going to be very interesting again this year.

When thinking of potentially great series in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs versus the Dallas Mavericks or the Phoenix Suns come to mind.

The Suns are a high-scoring team that is fun to watch because of their fast break. With point guard Steve Nash leading the way, the Suns are a threat to the continued reign of the Spurs.

Dallas improved this season because they played good defense. In addition to having a superstar in Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks have several good scorers who step up at different times, helping the team to win close games.

Before the Spurs find out if the Suns or Mavericks are able to give them a good series, they have to play a team they are supposed to beat.

San Antonio's first opponent is Sacramento. They can't matchup with the Spurs, the more physical and better rebounding team. The Kings could take two games in the series if they outshoot the Spurs in those games. If not, they might get swept.

The Spurs play a tough half-court style of basketball, and only the Detroit Pistons are as good at that kind of slower, physical game. They can also speed the game up with their fast break.

Guards Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker are known for superb ball handling and beautiful passing. They also play great defense and are unselfish players.

The one way to beat the Spurs is to shoot better than they do. Of course that doesn't happen often because San Antonio defends so well against good scoring teams, like the Phoenix Suns.

The San Antonio Spurs had the best record in the Western Conference which gives them the homecourt advantage in the West.

To knock the Spurs out of the playoffs, an opponent must win at least one game in San Antonio.

Only the Detroit guards play together as well as Ginobli and Parker. They are the main reason why a Pistons vs. Spurs Finals rematch seems inevitable.

Besides the spectacular play by the guards, the Spurs and Pistons have talented players at every position as well as excellent depth.

San Antonio and Detroit can shut down good shooting teams with outstanding defense, yet another reason I think they will be in the Finals.