After watching the first round of the NBA Playoffs this past weekend, I have to say, many teams are looking strong and in solid contention for the title.

After watching the New Orleans Hornets vs. Dallas Mavericks game, and watching New Orleans win, I am convinced they will get far this year. They have a one-two (well actually, one-two-three) punch of Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler. The third that I am talking about is David West, who made his very first All-Star game appearance this year.

The one obstacle that I saw for the Hornets was that they have never been tested in the playoffs like Dallas has. Also that they have a very young team – their floor general is Chris Paul who is a mere 23 years old. But that proved to not matter as the Hornets extended their lead to 15 points at one time during the fourth quarter, before claiming an eventual victory. 

On the east coast side of things the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking strong as they knocked off the Washington Wizards. Oh, and a word of wisdom to DeShawn Stephenson of the Wizards: don't talk trash to the best player in the league before the game, it will get him too fired up! Stephenson had called LeBron James "overrated" and then had to guard him. Well, you can probably figure out how the rest of the tale unfolded. LeBron had 32 points while Stephenson finished with a whopping 3.



My prediction is that the Celtics, however, will win the title. For one they have the second best record in league history, 66-16. The only other team with a better record was the 1996 Chicago Bulls who were 72-10. Another reason I am picking the Celtics is that they have an amazing trio: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce.

The reason that I pick the Celtics over New Orleans, or even over the Lakers is that they have veterans who – although never winning a title – have been put to the test time and again and have shown that they can come out strong. 



Dan Olson writes for KSTW-TV in Seattle. All opinions expressed in this column are his.