You may find it hard to believe, but SportsNation is pissing me off again...

[Illmatic]

From a SportsNation poll:

Which team is now your pick as the favorite to win the NBA title?
41.4% Miami Heat
23.0% Phoenix Suns
19.0% Detroit Pistons
16.5% San Antonio Spurs

Somehow, the last two NBA Champions are in third and fourth behind the flavors of the month. Such is the plight of being a big sports fan in the ESPN era.

The Spurs were my pick to win it all before the season and before the postseason. I still have yet to see why not. They went 2-1 against Phoenix this season, losing only by six points when they were playing without Duncan and Ginobili (their starting lineup that game: Parker, Barry, Bowen, Horry, Nesterovic...yikes! Devin Brown played 37 minutes. Devin Brown!)

They have a terrific bench, a terrific coach, and the best player in the game. Not to mention, Parker has a storied history of making Nash his bitch, especially when the postseason rolls around.

[CombatRock]

Spurs are my pick. just because there from texas. im not much for basketball.

is tim duncan on the team?

[3074326]

I think it'll be San Antonio or Miami. I think those teams are all fairly even, so I can't really blame the voters.

This isn't as bad as the MVP voting.

Yes, Tim Duncan is on the Spurs.

[cheesepuff]

wtf phoenix?

Miami or San Antonio.

[Simple Man]

I think the spurs will take it.

[Endless Obsession]

Phoenix wont win it. They are the classic team that gets kind of far through great offense but never pulls it out in the end. I have a feeling the Finals wil be Miami against SA and we will see a good series.

[simplephotographinthesun]

i also believe san antonio is the safest bet, theyre the most all-around team of the 4

[manuscriptreplica]

Miami will win it, andI hope to see a Pheonix v Miami GF. it will be very entertaining

[Zmev]

Deeeeetroit.

[looozer]

The East is pretty much a lock. I see Miami taking that. Detroit has lost home court advantage, and might lose the series. They are struggling against Indiana. Even if they do win, I see them as posing little or no threat to Miami, who raped the Nets and steamrolled the Wizards without Shaq.

The West is closer, but San Antonio should win because they have the best overall team. Also, Phoenix will likely suffer in the end because of lack of depth.

[Illmatic]

Phoenix's 6th Man is Walter McCarty...that is going to kill them against San Antonio, who will make the Suns work on both ends. Phoenix's starting 5 is going to basically play the entire game at least two more times against Dallas, possibly three or four, and they won't last through the Western Conference Finals.

My biggest question with Phoenix was never "Can their style of basketball translate to success in the playoffs?"

It was "Can they win the NBA Finals with their starting 5 basically playing the entire game, every game?"

[IsItLuck?]

I hope sportsnation is right to prove you wrong :P

[looozer]

My biggest question with Phoenix was never "Can their style of basketball translate to success in the playoffs?"

It was "Can they win the NBA Finals with their starting 5 basically playing the entire game, every game?"
Exactly. Even though the playoffs last some ungodly time, their guys will still get worn down.