It's interesting how things have changed in the last few years. During the 90s, the winner of the West was just looked at as Chicago's next victim, while early in this decade it's been the opposite. Over the last three years the East winner was just looked at as the Lakers' next victim, while this year the East winner will probably be looked at as the victim of whomever comes out of the very competitive West. I think that if Dallas, Sacramento, or San Antonio comes out of the West, it's pretty much a gimme. I think that if Portland, Minnesota, or Los Angeles comes out, I think that the East winner has a chance. As a Laker fan that's hard for me to say, since I'm used to my team being invincible for the last three years, but they've really been off this whole season and they've definitely got an uphill battle this year, especially if they have to face the Queens in the first round. But it's a best of seven, so it's anybody's series.