The Cavs definitely have their swagger back, and just at the right time.  If we have all been sitting around waiting for them to reach that Playoff level, we are pretty close.

The Mavs streak came to a brief halt, but they have clearly separated themselves from the Jazz as the third best team in the Western Conference.  I’m licking my chops at the possibilities of a seven game Mavs-Nugs series.

Vince Carter is finally getting a chance to show what he can do on a truly “good” team.  His jumper is falling and he is proving to be a reliable scoring option in the clutch.  The Magic look to have the 2 seed locked up, now we wait.

After an embarrassing game against the Warriors, Kobe claimed that “You won’t see that from us in the Playoffs.”  Which is good news because even though Los Angeles won, they looked disgusting in the shoot out.

Deron Williams continues to be outstanding with no help on the wings.  While the Utah Jazz took steps backward as a team at the trade deadline, the Mavs moved forward.  They still continue to win games though, and always have the possibility of knocking off one of the juggernauts.

You can no longer consider the Thunder a fluke, phony, or scam.  The Thunder are fore real.  GM Sam Presti has assembled the perfect combination of young talent to become a playoff team in the West.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are very close to waking up and deciding to play competitive basketball.  Whether or not they will be able to maintain that for a period of time is a dice roll.  If they get stuck in a 4-5 matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, I’d look for the upset.

With health being an issue, the Hawks are flying below the radar in the playoff picture.  They could make a quick move into the three spot but it will take a full lineup and some inspired wins in the home stretch.

The Bucks continue to be hot and seem inspired to lock up that 5 spot in the playoffs.  John Salmons may catch fire now, but he was not a prolific scorer in last year’s playoffs.

The Suns need to fight for the four spot with a poor road record, and as long as they can score half-a-300 a game, they might be able to grab it.  .

Finally with Roy healthy the Blazers are starting to get some consistency to their game.  Additionally, Marcus Camby seems comfortable operating in the middle for Portland and serving as a great last line of defense.

The Bobcats have been winning impressive games without Gerald Wallce, which speaks to the leadership of Stephen Jackson.  He has said numerous times in interviews that this period would be a way to prepare for the playoffs, and they are doing it well.

They were supposed to be the team that gets left out of the playoff race, and then the Bulls decided they wanted that award more.  Dwyane Wade is as good as gone if they continue to play as sluggish as they have been.

There are enough bald heads and bad knees in San Antonio to make home games look like Friday afternoons at the YMCA.  DeJuan Blair is the young guy who tries way too hard and makes the old men angry.

The only team that plays defense as bad as Monta Ellis is the Toronto Raptors.  A great collection of talent with no effort on the defensive end is no way to keep Bosh hanging around in Toronto.

Houston Rockets

Time to move on and get ready for Yao’s return.  The playoff gap is growing quickly and there is nothing Houston can do to stop it.

Playoffs out of reach for the Grizz, but they continue to get out there and make things interesting.  Have to be happy to continue to see that kind of effort out of these guys.  I would not be surprised to see the Grizzlies be next year’s Thunder.

Prediction: Chris Paul will return for a triumphant three games and score 25 points. Combined.

I think that someone must have had a vacation booked on the Bulls because they really don’t look like they want to make the playoffs.  Losing Noah was one thing, but this just looks like a lack of effort.

Jordan Hill is starting to show some progress in Houston.  New York 0, NBA 467.

I thought that they were going to be able to make things interesting, but as the playoff cut continues to be out Detroit’s reach, it’s time to start thinking about tanking.  You don’t have enough room in your budget for a free agent, might as well get a draft pick.

The 76ers continue to put together a few highlights a game with their super athletic lineup.  Unfortunately, the game film tells a completely different story.

Sacramento Kings

Tyreke Evans may have shared the MVP Trophy with DeJaun Blair in the Rookie/Sophomore matchup, but he is not looking to share the Rookie of the Year honors.  Look for a big month from REKE HAVOC.

Watching “Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks” refuel my former obsession with the Pacers.  Then I watched the 2010 Pacers.

It’s pretty pathetic when the biggest news out of Washington is a Gilbert Arenas number change.  Unfortunately the number of wins isn’t changing drastically anytime soon.

The bottom has fallen out in Los Angeles as the franchise reconstruction continues.  Look for Los Angeles to continue getting beat by double digits through the month.  Even sadder?  They have a few winnable games in that stretch.

Watching Monta Ellis play defense is a very entertaining aspect of Warriors games.  He refuses to get in defensive stance, or even keep his eyes on the play.  Recently I saw him placing an order with the waiter during a double team.

Another team that will be paying more attention to college basketball in March than their own play.  The Timberwolves haven’t shown too many signs of improvement.

After John Calipari gets yet another Final Four vacated, the Nets will come calling so he can reunite with his lovechild John Wall.