What we do (and don't) want to see in NBA playoffs

Since Shaquille O'Neal became a Sun and helped his new team to a pair of regular-season victories over the defending champs, citizens of Phoenix are just begging for the opportunity.

And now they'll get it. The teams will meet in the first round of the West playoffs.

Aside from the obvious low-block contretemps between Shaq and Tim Duncan, this matchup will provide Steve Nash vs. Bruce Bowen, Bowen vs. the Watchdogs of Dirty Play and Suns fans vs. Robert Horry.

This matchup also used to feature a collision of disparate styles, but the addition of O'Neal has allowed Suns coach Mike D'Antoni to beat Spurs coach Gregg Popovich at his own game.

We'll see if Pop and the Spurs have been waiting in the weeds with smarty-pants adjustments or should check in as simply too old for another run.

Any O'Neal-Kobe Bryant high-noon incident is sure to provoke considerable interest (not to mention pre-game acknowledgement suspense), and would be abetted by Kobe vs. Raja Bell (a nice forearm to the chops or clothesline can be expected), Amare Stoudemire vs. Pau Gasol (defense has no chance here) and D'Antoni vs. Phil Jackson.

These variables may have nothing on Suns loyalists vs. former L.A.-area residents who now live in Phoenix, still root for the Lakers and somehow like to believe that original Phoenicians lack some abstract level of hip-ness because they never lived in L.A.

It also doesn't stink that David West would be matched against Carlos Boozer (unless Hornets coach Byron Scott prefers having West chase Mehmet Okur out by the 3-point line).

Another classic interview session or two can be expected when Jackson declares war on Mavs' owner Mark Cuban.

Spurs fans with long memories may experience a case of the heebie-jeebies when Derek Fisher strolls into the gym.

The most interesting matchup would be Kevin Garnett vs. Rasheed Wallace, although watching Ray Allen and Rip Hamilton chase each other around screens might be fun.

Maybe Pierce would be seeking a measure of Beantown revenge for LBJ's controversial magazine cover with Tom Brady's woman.

We'd also find out if M.L. Carr's rotator cuff has survived with enough elasticity to break out the towel.

According to cable TV insiders, the Discovery Channel has a camera crew waiting to catch the ghost of Red Auerbach making faces at Phil.

What I don't want to see

This is the last thing we want to see again. (Chris Birck / Getty Images)

A regular-season popularity contest is no match for finding out who will be Finals MVP.