Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2008 NBA Playoffs are now among us. After last year?s amazing playoffs that included Robert Horry body-slamming Steve Nash into the scorer?s table, the subsequent and series-altering suspension of Amare Stoudemire, a devastating first round sweep of the defending champion Miami Heat by the Chicago Bulls in the official ?Now An Afterthought Series?, and the nation on edge as LeBron James catapulted the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA Finals, how can we expect more in this year?s edition of the NBA?s second season?

After an alarmingly competitive season, there are some great first round match-ups with some familiar foes getting together to do battle early on. We have three new teams in the East and one newcomer to the West. We have plenty of young talent looking to take their first breaths of playoff atmosphere. We have familiar superstar faces in different cities looking to make their postseason debuts donning brand new jerseys.  This 2008 NBA postseason is primed to start this Saturday in Cleveland. But before then, here?s what we can get excited about in this year?s Sweet Sixteen.

Instead of doing ?what everybody else does? by offering predictions for each series while subjecting myself to heaps of hate-mail from Toronto and Houston, I will identify four hot topics for each series: the key storylines to watch for during the series, the best individual match-up on the court, the biggest mismatch in the series, and the Trade Deadline Airball.  The TDA is a term I will use to recognize the player that one team in each series should have traded for at the trade deadline in order to give themselves an added advantage in the series.

Eastern Conference

- (1) Celtics vs. (8) Hawks

Season series: Boston leads 3-0.

Key Storylines: Things are seemingly beginning to return to normalcy with the Boston Celtics back on top of the East and the Atlanta Hawks re-emerging onto the playoff scene.  Oh wait, this year marks the first time since 1982 that the Knicks, Bulls, and Pacers all failed to miss the postseason.  Nevermind.  But this series marks the return of two storied NBA franchises back to relevance.  The Celtics look to win their record 17th NBA title while the Hawks look to get their fans back in the seats for playoff basketball.

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: Paul Pierce vs. Josh Smith
If the Hawks are going to have a shot, it?s going to have to start with Josh Smith being able to shut down The Truth.  This match-up pairs the go-to scorer of the Celts with the defensive force of the Hawks.  Conversely, if Smith has his outside jumper on mark, he can be a big sleeper as a scorer in this series.  

Biggest Mismatch: Kevin Garnett.  
No seriously?who?s going to stop him?  Al Horford?  Zaza Pachulia?  Solomon Jones?  No.  He should have a field day.

Trade Deadline Airball:  P.J. Brown for Atlanta.
As the deadline came, both teams needed a veteran point guard that could lead them when in the playoffs.  Neither team was content relying on Rajon Rondo and Acie Law with no experienced guidance.  In turn, Atlanta dealt for Mike Bibby, and Boston waited out a buyout and signed for Sam Cassell.  However, both teams also needed experienced help in the frontcourt.  Both teams had the same need to put a power forward type next to KG and Al Horford, but the Celtics struck first and landed the playoff-tested power forward P.J. Brown.

- (2) Pistons vs. (7) 76ers

Season series: Series tied 2-2

Key Storylines: Can Thaddeus Young use this series as a stepping stone to stardom, a la what Tayshaun Prince did to the Sixers in 2003?  Despite the fact that this series was knotted at 2-2 in the regular season, many prognosticators aren?t convinced the Sixers stand a chance.  That is, unless young Thaddeus can emerge as a force next to the Andres.  

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: Tayshaun Prince vs. Andre Iguodala
Andre Iguodala is playing to get paid.  Tayshaun has made a living by shutting guys like Andre down.  This will be an epic battle when Philly has the ball and could be one of the things that can give the Sixers hope in the series?if Iggy can produce.

Biggest Mismatch: Rasheed Wallace.
While Samuel Dalembert is having a great defensive season, he is more of a help defender than a man-to-man stopper.  With that thinking, Mo Cheeks may sic Reggie Evans or Thaddeus Young on the Pistons? vocal leader.  Either way, they will have their hands full when Sheed decides to draw them out of the paint to linger around the three-point line.

Trade Deadline Airball:  Joe Smith for Philadelphia
Philadelphia relies heavily on Andre Miller to produce easy buckets for the big men in the paint.  What the Sixers could have used at this year?s deadline would be a polished scorer in the paint who can step out and hit mid-range jumpers, much like what Joe Smith provided them with when he came over in the Allen Iverson deal one year ago.

- (3) Magic vs. (6) Raptors

Season series: Orlando leads 2-1

Key Storylines: Is this Hedo Turkoglu?s opportunity to showcase his value to Bryan Colangelo and the Toronto upper management?  With the

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: Dwight Howard vs. Chris Bosh
Two of the best young big men in the entire league will square off in this clash of new-age power forward/centers.

Biggest Mismatch: Jose Calderon and TJ Ford
These two point guards could start for the Magic.  While Jameer Nelson had a solid season running the point for this high-flying offense, he really pales in comparison to the Raptors' points.  While Keyon Dooling provides solid defense off the bench, it will not be enough to contain the two-headed assist-machine in Toronto.

Trade Deadline Airball: Udonis Haslem for Orlando.
Before the season started, the Magic knew they wouldn?t have Tony Battie all season.  But at least they signed Adonal Foyle and made it work without a true power forward next to Dwight Howard all season long.  Imagine how much tougher they would be if they had Haslem to compliment Dwight on the high post hitting mid-range jumpers on offense, which getting dirty in the paint and ripping down boards on defense.  The only question is ? would Miami deal him to Orlando for roughly $7M in expiring contracts?  At this point for the Heat, I don?t see why not.

- (4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Wizards

Season series: Series tied 2-2

Key Storylines: Can the Cavs take down Gilbert and the Wizards in the first round for the third straight season?  Gilbert says no.  LeBron shrugs it off in front of the media, but you know he is sitting there at his locker getting psyched up to show Gilbert and the world what happens when you bet against him.  I?m excited to see LeBron vs. the Washington Trio.

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: LeBron James vs. Caron Butler
These two young superstars just keep getting better and better.  Now we all know LeBron is on a level all by himself, but Caron Butler is quickly approaching superstar status.  His game has improved dramatically, and his defense and strength will make this match-up one to keep an eye on.

Biggest Mismatch: Gilbert Arenas coming off the bench (or in the starting lineup).
Delonte West.  Devin Jones. Damon Jones.  Boobie Gibson.  Gilbert is going to go Hibachi on his least favorite team/favorite opponent.

Trade Deadline Airball:  Jason Williams for Cleveland
Since the Cavs basically made a super-deal that landed them a new player at nearly every position, they failed to fully upgrade their option at the point.  While Delonte West is a suitable stopgap, he is not the answer.  After missing out on Jason Kidd and Mike Bibby, they should have dangled a contract in front of Miami, because even Jason Williams ? who was the starting point guard for the NBA champion Heat ? would have made the Cavs that much more dangerous, especially when trading baskets with the dangerous Gilbert Arenas.

Western Conference

- (1) Lakers vs. (8) Nuggets

Season series: Los Angeles leads 3-0.

Key Storylines: The Lakers are back on top in the West, and no one is happier about it than Kobe Bryant.  He wanted his front office to surround him with talent, and they delivered.  Now he might have more than he bargained for when he takes the court against the Nuggets in the first round.  The Nuggets counter the brilliance of Phil Jackson with George Karl, a rematch of the 1996 Finals, where Jackson?s Bulls defeated Karl?s Sonics.  However, what Karl also has is a no-pressure situation as an 8-seed and tons of defensive match-up problems for the Lakers with Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, and Marcus Camby on the floor.  Another key storyline is the fact that Coach Karl?s son Coby Karl is currently on the Lakers' roster but is unlikely to dress.

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: Pau Gasol vs. Kenyon Martin
If Pau Gasol is the straw that stirs this Laker drink, then they are going to need K-Mart to be the same nasty K-Mart that helped get the Nets to the Finals early in the decade, the same gangster defender from Cincinnati who was a three-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, the same beast in the paint that even a broken fibula before the NCAA Tournament couldn?t derail any team from picking him first overall in the upcoming Draft.  If he can shut down Gasol and the Laker Triangle/Rectangle, then the Lake Show might be dropping its curtains a bit earlier than anticipated.

Biggest Mismatch: Kobe Bryant
Denver likes playing defense as much as the Knicks like winning.  They don?t.  So who is going to be given the responsibility of containing the game?s most dynamic scorer?  If Kobe put up 81 on the Raptors, he could really probably put up 110 on this Nuggets' team if he tried.  Who?s going to stop him?  J.R. Smith?  AI?  Melo?  Diawara?  Nobody.

Trade Deadline Airball: Ron Artest for both teams.
Neither team really likes to play defense, which is just the tip of the iceberg of what Ron-Ron does.  He would have immediately been a lockdown defender that either one of these teams could sic on each other.  Imagine if George Karl could put Artest on Kobe, or Phil Jackson blanketing Carmelo Anthony with the former St. John?s menace.  Both teams whiffed on Sacramento offers, and one of these teams will live to regret that pass.

- (2) Hornets vs. (7) Mavericks

Season series: Series tied 2-2.

Key Storylines: Two teams who find themselves on the opposite ends of where they expected to be on the seeding spectrum when the season began.  Two teams who are currently being coached by former smallish NBA champion guards.  Two teams with the two biggest steals in the first round of the fabled 2003 Lebron/Melo/Wade NBA Draft class ? David West at number 18 and Josh Howard at number 30.  More importantly, two teams with something to prove ? the Hornets want to prove they belong while the Mavs want to prove they are still relevant.

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: Chris Paul vs. Jason Kidd
One of the best point guards of the next decade takes on one of the best point guards of the past decade?these two could be remembered as two of the best to ever play the position.

Biggest Mismatch: David West and Dirk Nowitzki
Both guys create mismatches for the opposite teams.  Who will stop Dirk?  Who will stop West?  These two could be the determining factors in the series.

Trade Deadline Airball: Ryan Gomes for Dallas
While the Mavs increased their ceiling this year by dealing Devin Harris for Jason Kidd at the deadline, one thing they should have done was add a player with toughness in the post that can score on the run and in the paint.  Ryan Gomes was an extraneous piece of the puzzle in Minnesota with an expiring contract that would have been the perfect compliment to go along with Kidd on offense while providing solid defense on D-West in this series.

- (3) Spurs vs. (6) Suns

Season series: Phoenix leads 3-1.

Key Storylines: For the third time in four years, these two titans prepare for battle.  The Suns were on the verge of finally overtaking the Spurs for Western Conference supremacy last year until the lopsided suspensions that resulted from the Robert Horry hip-check.  Phoenix fans felt cheated, as they were, and are now back and ready to send the Spurs home in the first round in what would be their earliest postseason exit since the same Phoenix eliminated them in the first round of the 2000 NBA playoffs in 4 games (3-1).  That team was led by the backcourt duo of Jason Kidd and Anfernee Hardaway, along with then-rookie Shawn Marion, old-timer Clifford Robinson, and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Rodney Rogers.  Can this year?s edition of the Suns finally take down the Spurs?  

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: Manu Ginobili vs. Leandro Barbosa
This is a battle of the two best Sixth Man Award candidates in the league.  Who can be the first man to spark his team to four victories?  This could be the determining factor in this epic series.

Biggest Mismatch: Shaquille O?Neal
This series is the reason Steve Kerr put his job and reputation on the line by trading for Shaq before the deadline.  This is what makes the NBA a beautiful thing.  Tim Duncan must be dripping sweat realizing that he will have the responsibility of stopping not only The Biggest of Big Fellas, but also his partner in crime, the absurdly explosive Amare Stoudemire, who must be trembling with excitement to get this series underway after he was suspended for taking two steps onto the court last year when his point guard was body-checked.  Shaq came to Phoenix promising one thing - a title.  What better way to start delivering on his promise than by being the man that gets them over the hump versus their newfound arch nemesis as an underdog.  I can?t wait.

Trade Deadline Airball: Kyle Lowry for Phoenix
The Memphis Grizzlies already have Mike Conley and Javaris Crittenton, plus you know from a business standpoint that they wouldn?t be able to pass on college hero Derrick Rose in the upcoming Draft.  So, why wouldn?t Phoenix jump at the opportunity to get the expendable young dynamic point guard to back up Steve Nash and allow Barbosa to return to his role as a combo guard/primary scorer?  Plus, in this series he?d help the Suns match up better with Jacque Vaughn and Damon Stoudamire off the bench.

- (4) Jazz vs. (5) Rockets

Season series: Utah leads 2-1.

Key Storylines: Is it 2007? Or 2008?  Didn?t this unfold last season with the Rockets as the 5 seed, yet holding home court advantage over the Jazz? Yes.  So why expect a different result?  Maybe because deep-down, Houston fans realize that they are better off without Yao Ming.  The team is quicker and matches up better with the Jazz.  Plus, the Jazz are the same team minus Derek Fisher, whose leadership proved to be vital to the team?s success.  Could Rick Adelman do what Jeff Van Gundy couldn?t and lead the Rockets to the second round?  Stay tuned?

Best Head-to-Head Match-up: Tracy McGrady vs. The Media
If there?s one person or collection of persons who loves to rub Tracy McGrady?s track record for absolute and total refusal to flirt with the idea of playing basketball in the second round, it?s The Media. Will T-Mac continue to forecast the outcome of this series by continuing to make his ?It?s not all on me; it?s about the team? speeches at the post-game press conferences?  Will he continue to act like his cousin Vince Carter and mail in the games to use Yao?s injury as the Houston scapegoat?  Or will he man up and realize that he?s one of the most talented and gifted players of this generation and put the team on his back to set up a date with the Lake Show in the second round?

Biggest Mismatch: Dikembe Mutombo (for the Rockets).  
What?s the 17-year veteran going to do while Mehmet Okur is camped out at the three-point line, hoisting three after three?  Finger wag after each miss?  I?m excited to see how many minutes he gets in this series.

Trade Deadline Airball: Brad Miller for Rockets
The Rockets knew that Yao was done for the season, yet they decided to stick with their four man big-man rotation of Luis Scola, Mutombo, Chuck Hayes, and Carl Landry ? rather than reaching out for an established big man who can pass, score, and rebound from the post.  Where better to look than Adelman?s former team?  I?m sure that the Kings would have loved to unload the remaining two years on his deal especially since they have Brad Miller Jr. waiting in the wings in Spencer Hawes.

This first round is shaping up to be great for the fans and the league. All four series in the West are unbelievable and have the potential to reach seven games en route to becoming instant classics. Only time will tell which teams will advance and which teams will be upset, but you can bet that Commissioner David Stern is pleased with the match-ups the 2007-08 NBA season provided for this year?s playoffs.

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts and predictions on which of these teams will reach the second round of playoffs. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions.er Nuggets