My Top 4 Picks for the 2010 NBA Finals

With the NBA season fast approaching I wanted to look ahead and give you my picks for who I think could make it all the way to the big dance. These matchups are based on last year's performance and some of this year's revisions.

NBA Finals Pick #1 - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Now that Boston has Rasheed Wallace playing for them and Kevin Garnett healthy, it's definitely possible that Boston will make another run at the Eastern Conference title. I believe they would have gotten past Orlando last year if they had a little more firepower. Boston can't depend on Ray Allen or Paul Pierce to carry the load alone; they need some front-power.

Los Angeles right now is the team to beat in the Western Conference. I don't see anyone challenging them for the throne in the West. You're adding Ron Artest to the lineup now which should make them even better given he remains professional.

Look for a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals between Boston and Los Angeles with Los Angeles having home court and the previous year's championship experience under their belt.

NBA Finals Pick #2 - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

If Boston doesn't get out of the East, Cleveland will. Honestly I'm not totally sure what happened against Orlando in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, but they simply fell apart. LeBron James cannot win games by himself and he has some people helping him, but they need to step up. Shaquille O'Neal is there now to assist LeBron but he isn't the powerhouse he used to be but he can still be effective. I honestly think the last of his best days were in Miami when he won a title with the Miami Heat.

In 2009 we all thought we were going to see Kobe and LeBron go for the title, but it wasn't meant to be. Perhaps in 2010 this will be a reality.

NBA Finals Pick #3 - Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets

Just in case neither Boston, Cleveland nor Los Angeles get to the finals... these are my two teams that I could realistically see making it. Orlando does have some firepower, and as long as Howard stays healthy they are still a force to be reckoned with in the East.

Denver is one of those nagging teams that likes to hang around and won't leave you alone. They have the offensive power but just need a bit of defensive brilliance to get over the hump, in my opinion. Adding Chauncey Billups last year I think gave them some kind of identity and definitely leadership. They gave the Lakers some issues in the 2009 Western Conference Finals and could give them problems this year if they get that far again.

NBA Finals Pick #4 - Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio is one of those teams that every three or four years gets the right combination of people to make a good run at the title. As long as Tim Duncan remains, they're a viable threat. If Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili stay healthy, they should do better in the West this year. For me, San Antonio is a wildcard team... you don't really know how well they'll do until March or April. Sometimes they start an NBA year slow and pick up speed later on.

As far as their competition I feel Boston would be a good match for them; although I think Boston would win that matchup in about 5 or 6 games.