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Right around the corner is the NBA playoffs. The regular season typically translates to the top tier teams rising to the top in the playoffs. Seeding and home court advantage over takes the smaller seeds time and time again. Occasionally though the playoffs are a bit frenetic and open to some surprises.

With the Spurs aging and a questionable Pacers/Heat teams in the East, the door may be open for surprises this postseason.

Landing favorable odds are for the taking right now, and the team I have my eye on are the Golden State Warriors.

They are currently 17-1 to win the Western Conference and 30-1 to win the NBA title. Some may say the style of play they run is better ran by the Houston Rockets. Bigger names with James Harden and Dwight Howard do not give the Rockets the advantage. I think the Warriors are a better defensive team and will have learned from last year’s playoff experience.

There has also been a lot of negativity surrounding head coach Mark Jackson due to two assistant coaches being dismissed. Another key negator for the Warriors has been the health status of their team. Both big men in Andrew Bogut and David Lee have been in and out of the lineup with injuries.

But with them out Jermaine O’Neal has played admirably well, and the bench has developed better with increased minutes. Marresse Speights has shown with the 76ers and Warriors he is a capable 15-20 minute performer.

Notable second year player, Harrison Barnes, has come off the bench this season, and may be a forgotten player to some minds. But I look for him to perform well with the second unit that has done much better with Jordan Crawford on the court.

Of course the main catalysts still revolve around the Splash Brothers in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Both had good runs last postseason and have hit a plethora of game winners this season.

Most people will likely attack the Heat, Spurs, and Thunder, but don’t be surprised to see a team like Golden State get a title or at least play in the Finals.