The Suns' frontcourt is very lean in this year's playoffs and in order for it to get more depth, the club will have to at least reach the Western Conference Finals.

Kurt Thomas has increased his rehab efforts since the cast on his foot has been removed.  

Phoenix believes he might be able to return for that series.

According to ESPN News Services, Steve Nash will win his second straight NBA Most Valuable Player award.  ESPN's report comes on the back of various local Arizona papers, who also announced that Boris Diaw would be named the NBA's Most Improved.

The announcement may not come for two weeks, according to the Arizona Republic. But the paper, and others, report that the voting shows Nash edging LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Chauncey Billups and Kobe Bryant for the MVP.

This season, Nash had career-highs in points (18.8 points per game), rebounds (4.2 per game), field goal percentage (51.2 percent) and free throw percentage (92.1 percent -- best in the league). He was also the league-leader in assists (10.5) and shot nearly 50 percent from three-point range.

Boris Diaw, who went from a benchwarmer in Atlanta to a savior for the shorthanded Suns, will win the 2005-06 NBA?s Most Improved Player Award in a runaway, the East Valley Tribune is reporting.

Diaw was originally projected as a throw in to the Joe Johnson sign and trade deal and quickly became a key component to the Suns lineup when Amare Stoudemire was injured.

Diaw set career highs in almost every statistical category including points (13.3), rebounds (6.9), assists (6.2) and minutes (35.5), playing in every game until skipping the meaningless season finale in Portland with strep throat. During his first two seasons in Atlanta, Diaw averaged 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

?Not only has he put up all the career numbers and earned those numbers in every sense, he?s done it in a winning fashion,? Phoenix coach Mike D?Antoni said.

?People picked us to miss the playoffs and not win anywhere near 54 games. Boris is a guy no one counted on and a big reason why we were successful.?

In this week's edition of the RealGM Radio podcast, Aaron Bronsteter and co-host James Gould run down their predictions for the NBA Playoffs and awards.

They are joined later in the program by J.T. Magee to discuss RealGM's latest mock draft and draft news.

Additionally, Bronsteter interviews Kerry Eggers, columnist for the Portland Tribune about the trade demands of Zach Randolph and Darius Miles, as well as the future of the team under coach Nate McMillan.

Tim Thomas led the Suns with 22 points and grabbed a career and game-high 15 rebounds against the Lakers, helping the Suns beat them 107-102. Phoenix overcame poor offensive second and third quarters to beat the Lakers, scoring 32 points in the fourth. Steve Nash added 20 points and 10 assists, with nine of those points coming in the fourth quarter. Shawn Marion scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa each chipped in 15 points.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists but shot 7-21 from the floor and 1-6 from 3-point land. Lamar Odom scored 21 points and grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds. Luke Walton emerged as a problem for Phoenix by scoring 19 points and grabbing six rebounds. "Smush" Parker added 15 points and Kwame Brown scored 14.

The regular season is finally over and the playoff picture is now set.

Eastern Conference

1.) Detroit Pistons vs. 8.) Milwaukee Bucks
2.) Miami Heat vs. 7.) Chicago Bulls
3.) New Jersey Nets vs. 6.) Indiana Pacers
4.) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5.) Washington Wizards

Western Conference
1.) San Antonio Spurs vs. 8.) Sacramento Kings
2.) Phoenix Suns vs. 7.) Los Angeles Lakers
3.) Denver Nuggets vs. 6.) Los Angeles Clippers
4.) Dallas Mavericks vs. 5.) Memphis Grizzlies

Suns' point guard Steve Nash was honored with his very own Wheaties box on Tuesday.

"Appearing on the Wheaties box is a great honor for me," Nash said. "The list of basketball greats who have been on the box through the years is legendary, with guys like Jordan, Bird, West and Cousy. I'm honored to be included among that group."

Kobe Bryant made a late-season case for league MVP honors, scoring 43 points and helping the Los Angeles Lakers clinch a playoff berth with a 109-89 rout of the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

The Lakers are back in the postseason for the first time since losing the 2004 NBA Finals to Detroit, according to the Associated Press.

Steve Nash and Raja Bell both missed the game for the Suns.

Mike D'Antoni has a problem a lot of coaches could only dream about having; too many quality players for the 240 minutes per game.

?Let me tell you what,? D?Antoni said with emphasis. ?We?ll play as many guys as who are playing well.

?We?ll have two or three days between games and I?ll have guys who can go 40 every game. If we have eight guys playing great, then we?ll have eight men. If we have seven, we?ll have seven.?

Seattle won its season-high fourth straight but the Suns' still clinched the Pacific Division title. Phoenix claimed its second straight title when the Clippers lost to the Lakers 100-83 later Sunday night.