In the NBA playoffs, anything can happen. Many teams that had been overlooked in the past have become the spotlight of NBA fans’ attentions, and quite a few teams that had been in the spotlight have fallen into the shadows. Looking at a few of the teams that have swapped places, four really stick out.
The Philadelphia 76ers began the 2011-2012 season surprising their fans by showing up strong. They did very well at the start, but now seem to have lost their grip on the Atlantic Division.
The Dallas Mavericks, defending champions of 2010-2011 season struggled through the 2011-2012 season due to free agency, losing J. J. Barea and Tyson Chandler. Their first round match-up is against Oklahoma City, the same team Dallas defeated last year in the Western Conference finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers, typically a strong team, has been looking weaker than usual. They are crumbling. Star Kobe Bryant is currently playing day-to-day with a sore shin. The Lakers have a long way to go before they will become the outstanding team everyone knows and expects to see throughout the playoffs.
The New York Knicks, as a surprise to everyone following the league, have really stepped up their game this season. Recently the Knicks beat the Chicago Bulls in overtime-without Jeremy Lin or Amar’e Stoudemire. The Knicks’ path through the playoffs will be an interesting one to follow.
The 2012 playoffs will have some interesting match-ups and are sure to be exciting.
Mikaela Brown 
Sophia Hunter 
Jayme Fisher