The thought of the league’s top two MVP candidates squaring off in the Western Conference finals is an intriguing one, and, judging by Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul’s performances over the weekend, it is looking more and more like a slam dunk.

Paul didn’t have astounding statistics in New Orleans’ 101-82 over San Antonio on Saturday night - a relative statement for Paul, who still finished with 17 points, 13 assists, just two turnovers and four steals. His quick, controlled aggression broke down the veteran Spurs’ defense and got all of his younger, more athletic teammates into the mix.

The results were a career playoff-high 30 points for forward David West; an inspired defensive effort from Tyson Chandler, who finished with 15 rebounds and three blocks; and wide open jumpers for sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic (22 points).

At the end of the night, Paul stayed on the floor during garbage time and did all he could to not just secure the win, but break the Spurs’ will. He made breathtaking plays down the stretch as the Hornets completed a comeback from an 11-point, first-half deficit.

Lakers Make Statement
Kobe and the Lakers, simply put, are the best team in the NBA. It has been that way since Pau Gasol’s arrival in a trade with Memphis, and will likely stay that way until they hoist the NBA championship trophy in June.

L.A. withstood a second-half flurry from the Utah Jazz and held on for a 109-98 win in their second-round matchup on Sunday afternoon. Bryant was just 2-for-8 from the floor in the third and fourth quarters, but finished with 14 points over that stretch and 38 in the game. He hit 21-of-23 free throws and flirted with an NBA playoff record by making his first 18 attempts.

The Lakers opened up their biggest lead, 68-49, midway through the third quarter, but saw the lead gashed to as few as four points, 91-87, with 4:44 remaining. Coach Phil Jackson stopped the bleeding with a quick timeout, then Lamar Odom hit a layup and the Jazz proceeded to miss their next nine field goal attempts.

Two of the Lakers’ five players in double figures were reserves, as Sasha Vujacic finished with 15 points and Vladimir Radmanovic added 10. Pau Gasol did his usual work with 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Odom finished with 16 points and nine boards.

Celtics Thump Hawks
All the tense buildup in this series gave way to a Game 7 dud as the Boston Celtics disposed of the Atlanta Hawks by halftime and cruised to a 99-65 win. The Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals to meet LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in a series that begins Tuesday night in Boston.

Boston was surprisingly bad on the road and had to escape with a series victory over the Hawks, who had the worst record (37-45) of any team in the playoffs. The Celtics gritty defense returned in Sunday’s win, but Atlanta’s young, panic-stricken roster also contributed to the blowout.

The Hawks flailed and scrambled on the offensive end, resulting in 29.3 percent shooting, 16 turnovers to just 11 assists, and 11 Boston steals. Atlanta’s most seasoned playoff veteran, point guard Mike Bibby, was unproductive with two points on 1-of-3 shooting and two assists in 25 minutes.

Kevin Garnett was again Boston’s emotional and statistical leader, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes. His unheralded frontcourt mates, center Kendrick Perkins and reserve forward Leon Powe, helped control the paint with a combined 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

In other news …
The Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site Friday that Bryant will be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player sometime this week. Bryant figures to have narrowly edged Paul in the voting for his first career MVP award.

The Dallas Mavericks and coach Rick Carlisle are negotiating to make the 49-year old Dallas’ next head coach. Following its first-round loss to the Hornets, Avery Johnson was fired to create the vacancy. Carlisle last coached the Indiana Pacers during the 2006-07 season, and he has spent the last year working as an analyst for ESPN.

Johnson’s name is in the mix for both the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks coaching vacancies. Other names being mentioned are Mike D’Antoni, who could be parting ways with the Phoenix Suns, and former Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy.

More playoff (and non-playoff) thoughts …

NBA Round Table live blogs the Lakers’ win over Utah and observes that the Jazz cannot stop Kobe Bryant.

With the Raptors eliminated, Primoz Forever wants to root for a new team.

Red’s Army is keying on LeBron James in the Celtics’ second-round matchup.

The World of Sports Marketing takes a look at the saga involving Clay Bennett and his desire to move the Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryHardwood.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.