Great basketball

Those who have the chance this week are highly highly encouraged to watch two playoff series in particular.

Washington and Cleveland may easily go to seven games. In addition to seeing LeBron James become even greater before you very eyes you get treated to Washington's fantastic half-court offense. Neither team is built for playoff success. They can't defend nearly well enough. Cleveland has more talented post players and gets them involved. Their perimeter defense is sieve-like, however, and Arenas and company are all too happy to pour it on.

Denver and the Clippers may also go to seven games. I haven't seen nearly as much of either during the regular season. The Clippers high post offense is very similar to what the Celtics ran this past season, although it helps enormously to run your sets through an intelligent, veteran PF who can pass or score with his back to the basket or with mid-range jump shots. You have Carmelo Anthony looking to build on past NCAA tourney triumph. Sam Cassel in the post season again. The rehibillitation of Kenyon Martin's reputation took another step the other night when he largely shut down Lamar Odom on defense. Then he sat out a lot of the second half with more knee pain. Great matchups and subplots all over this series.

Most of the first round is a lobsided waste of time. Not these series. Watch while the watching's good.