West vs. East

While the NBA's Western Conference leaders are battling for the top spots with grace and style, the East is a far different story. Coaches are struggling to put a healthy squad on the floor, and games are no longer contests to see who will win, but who will survive.\nBetween now and the playoffs, Eastern Conference teams will continue to beat up on each other as they jockey for the best postseason position. Teams are already missing key elements -- Milwaukee's stars are all injured in one way or another, Philadelphia is without Allen Iverson, Toronto is desperately trying to push their way back into the picture without Vince Carter -- and once the playoffs begin, things will only get more physical.\nAlready banged up, the playoffs have begun in the East. Every team has something to fight for and lowering intensity will be a sign of weakness.\nLast season, the 76ers survived two intense, seven-game playoff series against Toronto and Milwaukee. By the time they reached the Finals, every part of Iverson's body was bruised and sore. It was truly a heroic display of determination by the feisty guard, but he was far to weak to put up a fight against the Lakers.\nBut the effects of a long playoff run appeared throughout the Philadelphia lineup. After the season, Iverson, guard Eric Snow and forward Aaron McKie all needed surgery. This year, look for the same painful, gut-wrenching style.\n In order to reach the NBA Finals, this year's Eastern Conference representative will have to do the same thing the 76ers did a year ago. Players will have to be as determined and focused as Allen Iverson was. They will have to play through pain, because any decision to nurse an injury will leave their team vulnerable to being consumed by some stronger-willed opponent.\n For that reason, any of the teams that are in the playoff hunt can make a long run. If New Jersey, the conference's top seed, lays back, then they can be beaten -- by anyone. If Detroit fails to play as intensely and craftily as they do now, they will fall.\nFrom a fan's perspective, the playoffs will be enjoyable to watch. All of the teams in the race have the talent to make it to the Finals, but not every team has the heart. The team that makes it out of the East will be the team that dives for the loose balls, battles for the key offensive-rebounds, and makes the little plays that separate the good from the best.\nPlaying through pain is not the smartest move to make, but those who do -- and survive -- will gain my respect because it is truly a sign that they are determined to get the job done -- no matter what the cost.