The more I look at the West matchups/seedings the more I see the Spurs making the Western Conference Finals. The way it's currently seeded is just going to be a slugfest in the bottom 4 teams.
http://www.breathingfire.com/nba/playoffs/2012/bracket2012.php
Realistically, 3 out of those 4 teams could make a push for a conference championship. Denver is the only one that I think is an obvious first round exit. Any of the other three could make it through. I see a very long, hard fought couple series in that grouping of teams.
The Spurs are so far ahead of the other three teams in their's in terms of discipline, team play and coaching. I just see them breezing through fairly easily.
In the east, Bulls vs. Heat. There just really isn't any other competition there. Boston and Indy will win a few games, but Boston isn't as talented(any more) as Miami or have the bench depth of Chicago. Indy is scrappy and tough, but they aren't getting through Miami. Miami got the worse draw over Chicago. Knicks have talent but they are just too inconsistent to be really dangerous. They'll win one or two at home. Indy will be the bigger challenge and be pesky and annoying to Miami. No serious threat to win, but will draw out a series longer than it needs to be.
Chicago should roll Philly. Knock out Boston in 6, and then have a few days rest waiting for Miami to finish vs. Indy.
No clue on the ECF. I see it going 7 games with Miami ultimately being the winners. But who knows. Rose is definitely not on his game, I'd say he's barely running at 70%. Everyone else is playing much better than last year though. Is that enough to hold off Miami? Don't know.
I do know that I love the NBA playoffs.