By ALLEN SCHLESINGER

While InsideHoops.com will provide playoff previews once the matchups are set, below is a contributor's analysis.

The Western Conference Playoff Preview

1st Round

(1) Sacramento Kings
(8) Utah Jazz

Breakdown:
The Sacramento Kings will step into the series with everything to lose including their title hopes. The young and old Utah Jazz will attempt in what looks like their final Stockton to Malone playoff run. Unless Utah plays like the Jazz of the mid 1990's, I don't see them winning this series.
Kings take it 3-0

(4) Dallas Mavericks
(5) Minnesota Timberwolves

Breakdown:
Two teams will compete to meet Sacramento in the 2nd round, but we don't know which will show up. Dallas, overrated by every NBA "writer" in the country, is going to have quite a bit of trouble with this TWolves team. Remember, this Dallas team plays no defense WHATSOEVER. The TWolves have played well against Dallas thus far.
TWolves win series 3-2

(3) Los Angeles Lakers
(6) Portland Trail Blazers

Breakdown:
The term "Kobe-Stopper" has been used quite a bit. Ruben Patterson, Bruce Bowen, and a few others have been labeled with the term. The term "Shaq-Stopper" has only been used by several "nouns." Free throws, arthritic toes, and sprained wrists are Shaq's enemies. The Blazers have been called by some critics as the only team that can confuse LA and matchup with them. Don't kid yourselves....
Lakers win series 3-1

(2) San Antonio Spurs
(7) Seattle Supersonics

Breakdown:
They've been questioned. They've been called soft and just not good enough to contend. They breezed through the first two rounds of last year's playoffs but were only smacked in the Western Conference Finals by the Lakers ****. The San Antonio Spurs know they are still the second best team in the league. The question is: Psychologically, can the Spurs recover from the embarassment? Gary Payton, who will be in a Spurs uniform before his career ends, is good but not good enough.
Spurs win 3-1

**** = Derek Anderson was hurt

2nd Round

(1) Sacramento Kings
(5) Minnesota Timberwolves

Breakdown:
Two talented teams both have one goal. None of these teams have had real playoff success while the other two teams remaining are covered with rings, MVPs, and the spotlights. History says Sacramento will get this one. Giving Minnesota one playoff series victory is a lot but asking them to win two with one player doing everything. KG, find another team.
Sacramento Kings advance to Western Conference Finals 4-1

(2) San Antonio Spurs
(3) Los Angeles Lakers

Breakdown:
The talk around the league is....Game 7....Arco Arena...Sacramento vs Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals. The talking voices in my head do not agree whatsoever. It's time for my flashback. In 1999, the Spurs rolled through the lockout shortened season to sweep the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 in the Western Conference semifinals on their way to the Spurs first ever NBA Championship. In 2001, it was billed before it happened as the "greatest playoff series ever." Shaq. Duncan. Kobe. Robinson. Four all-stars with one goal. The Lakers completely annihilated San Antonio. Back to the future. The Spurs are a changed team. Instead of Avery Johnson, Sean Elliot, and Derek Anderson there's defensive power Bruce Bowen, rookie sensation point guard Tony Parker, and intelligent but slow veteran shooting guard Steve Smith. In my mind, a dynasty must be three years at the minimum. This won't be a dynasty.
Spurs DOWN Lakers 4-2 to advance

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:

(1) Sacramento Kings
(2) San Antonio Spurs

Breakdown:
Who will the Los Angeles Lakers be rooting for now? We all know Chris Webber will not win a championship. I mean come on. Ever since he called a timeout back at Michigan, we knew his luck wasn't luck at all. In this series, we will see the emergence of David Robinson and the emergency runaway by Vlade Divac. Game 7 in Arco Arena in Sacramento?
Spurs edge Kings 4-3

Next Friday, I will do the Eastern side of the bracket. Who will join the Spurs in the NBA Finals? Any one of eight teams has the opportunity, but check back next Friday to find out.