Adonal's Playoff Preview

By Adonal Foyle, with Chris Navalta

One thing I'd rather be doing than taking a brief look inside this year's playoffs is to actually participate in them. Nevertheless, when the regular season is over and there are no more games to play, it's interesting to take a look at all the contenders that have legitimate shots at winning the NBA title. There are 16 teams overall. To me, half that number has a good shot. So here's a quick look into why each of these eight teams has a shot at going all the way:

Sacramento Kings
Sacramento can win the NBA title if they can come out and really execute against teams. Spread the floor and do what they do best, which is a slice and cut and shooting jumpers. Hopefully for Chris Webber, he'll be able to get a lot of easy points inside the paint. If they can do all that, they can win.

Detroit Pistons
I think Detroit can win the NBA title because they have Ben Wallace in the middle. They also have a good core with Rasheed Wallace and the rest of the guys to come out and give the opposition some outside/inside punch. They have a great supporting cast. I don't think they had as competitive a schedule since they're in the Eastern Conference. So, perhaps their bodies may be rested a little bit. And most of all, I think they have a great coach in Larry Brown.

Los Angeles Lakers
What can I say? The Lakers have experience. They won three straight NBA titles and they have Shaq and Kobe. Enough said.

Indiana Pacers
Indiana has brought back pride and respectability to the East. They are the favorites. And I think they can win it all because they've been the best team all year.

Minnesota Timberwolves
This is the team I like. In terms of consistency, I think they have continued to play an excellent level of basketball. I've been so impressed by Kevin Garnett. He is undoubtedly the MVP in my eyes. If they win it all, it will be because of him and all the additions the organization made last summer. That is the team to beat.

New Jersey Nets
With Jason Kidd healthy and with Kenyon Martin healthy (and being able to get out of his head and just start playing), along with a supporting cast stepping up to the plate, they;'ll have to run a lot.

San Antonio Spurs
Two words: Tim Duncan. Not only that, the other guys have continued to step up even when Tim sat out due to injury. And they have a great coach in Gregg Popovich. I think they can win because they've been there and they know what it takes. Like the Lakers, they have experience.

Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is kind of in a similar situation as Sacramento's (ironically, the two teams face each other in the first round). They'll need to spread it out and shoot, shoot, shoot. They need to put up some serious numbers. That's their strength and that's what they have to do to win. And if they can do that, they're going to make it.

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