>I would say there was at least 5 contenders out west. Despite
>GS regular season dominance, many folks were counting them
>out.
>I had GS, San An, Clips, Hou, Mem and OKC was 1 game away from
>Contender status.

OKC as a contender with the 8th seed? No. I know Houston reached the WCF but that was their max, never in my mind did I entertain them as a real contender. SA, GS and the Clips I will agree with. Memphis at one point I really thought could do it, but that point was much earlier in the season.

>In the east you had Cleveland and even though no one expected
>a chip from them, ATL still dominated the regular season.

What does that second statement matter? Cleveland was the only contender, I will be generous and give one of Memphis, Houston and maybe Chicago in the East but not all three.

>Barring any other huge moves, I think the top 4 this year are
>head and shoulders above everyone elsee

I think San Antonio, GS, OKC and Cleveland could win, fairly similar to last year, really. The supporting group behind them could be just as strong, no reason to think the other teams will fall off hard really, though the Clippers may have gotten knocked down pretty soundly.