I'm a huge basketball fan and I'm very into the playoffs at this time of year. I'm also cheering for the Lakers since my favorite player is Lamar Odom and if you know me at all, you already knew that tidbit of information. I simply shake my head in disbelief every time I read a new headline that "despite back injury, Kobe will play in Game 5." C'mon, did anyone on the planet actually think he'd miss Game 5? The series is tied 2-2. I'm not a huge Kobe fan either way, but the one thing you know about him is he could have a compound fracture with his femur sticking out and he'd still try to suit up tonight. Hopefully, he's good enough to help them win and Odom and Pau Gasol come up with big games because I really don't like the Jazz.

Is it possible to impress us more than David West and Chris Paul have in the Hornets/Spurs series? The playoff-tested, defending champs were supposed to knock the young Hornets out, but they continue to blow out the Spurs in the second half when they are in their own building. Paul is incredible every game, but West was an animal last night and just couldn't miss. I still expect it to go to Game 7 and I still expect the Spurs to win, but I'll be cheering for the Hornets.

The East is wide open too. We knew the Pistons would beat the Magic, but I didn't think it would be that easy once Chauncey Billups got hurt. Rodney Stuckey is going to be really good.

I'm also excited for Game 5 in the Celtics/Cavs series. The Celtics are tough to figure out since they play one way at home and completely different on the road and they are being coached differently with different rotations than they used in the regular season. Kevin Garnett has to step up because we know LeBron will. I'm cheering for the Celtics although I'm really enjoying watching Ray Allen look like a mediocre role player.