James announced before the Milwaukee game that due to a busy summer he likely would not be participating in the World Games in Turkey.  As a huge fan of Team USA basketball, I will now be incredibly disappointed if “busy summer” doesn’t include “NBA Title.”

Seemingly locked into the 2-seed in the East with no real road blocks between them and the end of the season, the Magic might want to start resting VC’s knees in the coming games for the playoffs.  J.J. Redick with another fantastic game in his place against the Nuggets; I’m starting to think he will become an X factor for Orlando in the playoffs.

The Suns continue to roll, and if it wasn’t for their cushy schedule I would consider pegging them as a threat to overtake Dallas or Utah for that coveted 2-seed in the West.  But their true colors will be revealed as the schedule gets a little tougher here in the final games.

Just when the Jazz, Mavericks, and Suns are looking as dangerous as they have all year the Lakers are looking awfully dysfunctional.  Of course, that is relatively speaking – they are still the best team in the West, they just look a little more human.

Even though the playoff teams are set in the West, this three-horse race for second place has added new importance to the end of the season.  Off all three teams, having that home court guarantee for the first two rounds is most important to the Jazz, who are 31-8 at home compared to 19-18 on the road.

This same Blazers team that I has dealt with injuries and inconsistency all season now is playing some of the best basketball yet.  They have clinched the playoff berth and now will be a terribly scary team for someone in the first round.

Atlanta Hawks

Phillips Arena is starting to become another one of those places that you would rather avoid in the Spring.  The Hawks are 31-7 on the season, and have won their last 10 straight in Atlanta.  Still seem to lack the heart to make the Eastern Conference Finals, but that doesn’t mean they won’t surprise us.

Wow KG, tell em what you really think http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG-A_lfQlvI.

George Hill dropped 30 on Wednesday night and continues to prove his worth as a starting point guard in the league.  When Parker returns, I expect Pop to still utilize his offensive firepower in playoffs.  He would be much remissed to let that kind of production sit on the bench.

What the hell?  The Heat are streaking and even giving Milwaukee a run at the 5 spot in the East.  Even when Wade has been off his game and O’Neal still out, they have been able to get production from players like Richardson, Beasley, and Wright.  I’m shocked.

I keep hoping that the Thunder will catch fire one last time before the end of the season, but staring down a 6 or 7 seed in the playoffs, the young Thunder will have a rude awakening having to play the Jazz or Suns in April.

A few bumps in the road in the last week, but the Bucks should get a good idea of where they stand in the conference when they travel to Charlotte on Friday to face the Bobcats.

Tough to see a team with so much potential suffer so many unfortunate losses at all the wrong times.  They continue to slide down the Western Conference ladder, and now escaping the first round seems like it will be a daunting task for last year’s Western Conference runner-up.

If it weren’t for giving up a lead to the Raptors at home (unusual), the Bobcats would be on a nice little tear here at the right time.  Unfortunately, the Heat and Bucks are as well, and the Bobcats are looking to be setting a date with Orlando very soon.

The Raptors appear to be locked into the last seed in the playoffs, which might keep Bosh around for a few more weeks.  Don’t expect that first round series against the Cavs to go longer than 4 though.

Houston Rockets

With Yao considering an opt-out, Daryl Morey has to be holding his breath.  He wheeled and dealed the trade deadline to surround the talent around him for next year, if Yao goes – the Rockets could be in a mess.

Again, this team has the potential to be next year’s Thunder.  All they need to do is figure out a way to keep Gay around and they could be the team that bumps the ailing Spurs from their playoff streak.

Derrick Rose promised the Bulls fans they would make the playoffs.  That’s all well and good, but do you realize that losing your first game isn’t a way to inspire confidence in your fan base.  However, the Bulls are dangerous with Noah back and Raptors don’t play defense, so it could happen.

If Chris Paul backs out of the FIBA Worlds as well for a “busy summer” I’m calling conspiracy.  He appears to be getting his legs back and while he can’t help the Hornets make the playoffs, he can help Team USA defend Gold in Turkey.

The Pacers have won 5 of their last 6 including wins over Oklahoma City and Utah.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Don’t you guys realize that you are moving DOWN the draft board?

Surprising wins at Milwaukee and against Atlanta are followed by blowouts against the Thunder and Bobcats.  Larry Brown thinks Eddie Jordan deserves more time, but in my opinion, there is not a hotter seat in the NBA.

Mike D’Antoni’s honeymoon is over in New York.  The fans are getting restless and if the Knicks don’t land a major free agent over the summer, his time in the Big Apple could be dwindling.

Los Angeles Clippers

Losing Baron Davis to back spasms is just another sad wimper in a disappointing second half of the season for the Clippers.  Steve Blake has played well in his time, but as the losses pile up, so does the weight on Blake Griffin’s shoulders.

They got insult to injury on their current six-game losing streak by being taken down by the lowly Timberwolves.  Tyreke has looked solid bouncing back from his concussion and can hopefully bring home a ROY Trophy to shine some light on a dismal season for the Kings.

Stephen Curry put up his seventh 30 point game this past week, continuing to make a run at Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the Year.  Will Nellie learn his lesson from this year and allow 2010’s lottery pick to play alongside him next year instead of burying him on the bench?  Throw in a healthy Brandan Wright as well and they might be alright.

Coach John Kuester says he is tinkering with the lineup to see what is working.  Has to be tough for Dumars to see $16.5 million on the bench in this tinkering.

Not a good sign for the Wizards’ franchise when snapping a 16 game losing streak gets them in the headlines for the first time since the last “Arenas” related one.

Home win over Sacramento drew almost as much jubilation as the Nets’ 10th.  But that’s just how bad the T-Wolves have been in the second half of the season.

Hats off to the Nets for avoiding history for all the wrong reasons.  The way they have been playing recently, they might even snag one or two more in the last two weeks.