Everybody take out your rulers

It has been a long time since I've written anything so you'll have to excuse me if this is a bit choppy and unpolished.

The NBA's Western Conference playoff race seems to get more and more interesting by the day. When the playoffs finally get here basketball fans are in for a scrappy, emotional and intense post season. This could be the most entertaining and competative playoffs of all time.

Remember a month ago when the NBA was turned into a game of musical chairs? The Lakers received a donation of Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies and it was like someone fired a gun signifying the start of a trading frenzy:

The Suns traded their best defender and most well-rounded player for an old and sometimes over weight Shaquille O'Neal who has not made a consistent significant impact on a team in almost two years. I told G-Money that this trade would drop the Suns down to the 5th or 6th seed when the playoffs start. He told me I was crazy. How ya like me now?

Mark Cuban and the Mavericks became hell-bent on getting in on basketball's version of a penis measuring contest by giving up their future for Jason Kidd. Keep in mind Kidd can't shoot, is old, and has choked in his two Finals appearances (at least he'll fit in well with his new team in this respect). The Mavs are now fighting to keep a playoff spot and meanwhile Devin Harris is tearing it up with the Nets and helping them try to earn a suprise trip to the postseason.

After that I lost interest. Two of the top four teams made trades that were giant steps backwards without offering any upside of promising futures. I began to wonder if there was any intelligence left in the front offices across the Association. Looking back I seem to remember Mike Bibby going to Atlanta, Cleveland making a trade for the sake of trading, and something to do with the Hornets. When it was all said and done, something like 40 or 50 different players changed teams (don't quote me on those numbers but I'm pretty sure it was close to that).

After all that no one stands a chance of beating the new and improved Lakers. I hate the Lakers. Why couldn't Steve Kerr and Mike D'Antoni keep Shawn Marion and try and out run Los Angeles? Why couldn't Mark Cuban keep his member in his pants? Why couldn't God step down and guide Kevin O'Connor and Larry Miller to making the trade of the century ensuring the Jazz's domination for years to come? Instead the goddamned Lakers are going to win the next five titles, leading pompous, annoying media fascists like Stephen A. Smith to declare them the best franchise of all time.

I think I'll become a hockey fan.