2011 NBA Playoffs - Western Conference Finals

Wiping out the 2-time defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers in a 4-game sweep, the Dallas Mavericks emphatically shed the choker label they had seemed beholden to since blowing the 2006 NBA Finals. Next, they take on the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC is coming off a grueling series with fellow upstart Memphis, and it will be interesting to see if tired legs will have an impact on them in this series.

Western Conference Finals

#3 Dallas Mavericks vs. #4 Oklahoma City Thunder

Don't let that creepy look fool you, Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best players in the NBA. He was unstoppable against the Lakers and will create matchup problems for the Thunder as well. The Mavericks completely negated the Lakers size inside, by constantly kicking the ball out to their shooters. Because their shooters were able to shoot so well, the Lakers had no answer. If Jason Terry, Peja Stojakovic, and Jose Juan Barea are allowed to get the open looks they had against LA, it will be another easy series for Dallas.

Whereas the Thunder's size inside with Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka, and Nick Collison is usually an advantage, it could be detrimental in this series. However, unlike the Lakers, the Thunder have a young backcourt that shouldn't be killed by screens and pick and rolls, like Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher were. For the first time in these playoffs Jason Kidd will be at a severe disadvantage at point guard, going up against Russell Westrbook. Kidd is still one of the best passers in the game but really needs to get out of his head that he is shooter. Anytime he shot the ball in the Lakers series, I felt thankful because I knew it was likely not going in. However, Westbrook has been inconsistent throughout the playoffs. When he plays his role and facilitates, he can be brilliant, like in Game 7 against Memphis. When he get's that chucker mentality and is taking 30 shots, he kills his team. The only player on the Thunder that should even think about taking 30 shots is Kevin Durant.

Durant is a lot like Nowtizki in his versatility and ability to play different positions. Other players to watch in this series include Shawn Marion and Tyson Chandler for the Mavericks. Marion didn't have much of an impact in the LA sweep and will need to make his presence more known. Chandler is being credited with bringing toughness to Dallas and will have interesting battles with Perkins and Ibaka. For OKC, James Harden came up huge in the Game 7 win against Memphis, and backup point guard, CAA player Eric Maynor usually provides quality minutes when Westbrook needs some rest.

Who really knows what to expect out of this series but I would be very surprised if it doesn't go seven. I can't see the Thunder rolling over like the Lakers did. I expect the Mavericks and their fresh legs to take Game 1 tonight, but the Thunder are certainly capable of stealing a game in Dallas. I think home court will prove the difference in a Game 7 and the Mavs will be back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2006.

Prediction: Mavericks over Thunder, 4-3