Best. Playoffs. Ever?

The 2010-2011 NBA season was one to remember. Some of the reasons for this were obvious. Everyone wanted to see how the new Miami Heat would play, or whether the Lakers could three-peat. But no one expected the MVP-caliber efforts of Bulls guard, Derrick Rose, a dominating offense in San Antonio, or for Kendrick Perkins to be the center (no pun intended) of controversy. All of this provided for an interesting season. We saw Miami struggle, Rose take over, and Perkins alter both Boston and Oklahoma City's title hopes. Each week was filled with a storyline, be it a Blake Griffin dunk, a new team on a run, or classic trade speculation.

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

We are now left with an unpredictable postseason. The contenders are numerous, as they include LA, San Antonio, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Boston, Miami and Chicago. That is a large group, roughly double the size of legitimiate contenders we have during a normal year. It speaks volumes about the amount of talent in the league right now.

Although we can't forget the strength of the other teams in the playoffs. Orlando still features the best center on the planet in Dwight Howard while New York has a potentially dangerous duo after bringing Carmelo Anthony to join Amare Stoudemire. Out west, Portland has quietly become a certified dark horse (thank you Gerald Wallace) and even the Melo-less Nuggets have gone on an unexpected tear.

Much is on the line this year for many players legacies. Can Lebron's move earn him his first championship? Will Kobe tie MJ in championships? Do the Celtics have enough fight left for one last run? Or will some young squad hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy this June?

With the fairest tournament in sports shaping up to be as wild as its NCAA counterpart, all we can do is watch and enjoy the drama. It's playoff time, who ya got?