The Consequences of the Playoffs: Your thoughts?

With the Nets on the brink of a critical off-season, this year's playoff matchups offer special intrigue.  What will be the fallout for the Nets if certain teams and players thrive (or falter) under the bright lights of the playoffs?  How will an Orlando collapse impact the flight pattern of everyone's most coveted Superman?  Will epic failure in Boston, San Antonio or L.A. accelerate the dismantling of great dynasties?  How might playoff performances of individual players effect our front office as they scout potential free agents or trades?  If you're down for some speculation, here's your place:

1.  Orlando:  Let's face it.  Dwight won't be happy if he's the only one who shows up for the party with the Hawks.  Evidence, game 1 of the series.  While Orlando fans are now putting up billboards to appeal to Dwight directly, there is real cause for concern.  A bloated payroll.  Marginal players who could be exposed as such (like in Cleveland), should Dwight take flight.  And a head coach who is always seconds away from a nervous breakdown.  Should Orlando get embarrassed by the Hawks, one can expect the talk of Dwight's Flight from Orlando to intensify to fever pitch.  So I'm rooting for Hot-Lanta.  Secondary consideration is Jason Richardson, who isn't exactly upping his free agency value.  Yeeech.  Don't want him.

2.  Atlanta:  Come on Hawks!!!  With your enormous payroll tied down to Joe Johnson.  LOL!  Here's hoping that Hinrich plays like a superstar and Hawks management rewards him with a new fat contract.  There's no way that Atlanta can keep all of its talents, regardless of how well they do in the playoffs.  So who goes?  J-Smoove?  He'd be NICE at the SF position running with the Ninja.  Curses to that Outlaw contract!!!

3.  Indiana:  A late season run might be enough to save their head coach and keep their team intact.  Maybe, maybe not.  The Pacers are seemingly stuck in that no-where zone.  Do they trade assets and try to re-brand themselves, or do they stay pat and aim for the 8th spot every year, only to be molested by the top seed?  If they're selling, Granger would be the only player I'd consider buying.

4.  Philadelphia:  Did you hear that Avery really, really, really likes Thad Young?  No kidding.  He's pretty fond of him.  So consider Philly's 4-game series sweep by the Heat as Thad's audition.  Other pieces that might become available if the price is right are Iggy and Evan Turner.  I'm not sure if the two of them can coexist.  I've read that Iggy makes Evan cry during (and maybe after) practices.  Not a big Evans fan though as his defense looks lackluster.  Iggy on the other hand could be a great 3rd wheel on the Ninja-mobile.  Perhaps the consequence of a blowout to Miami motivates Thorn to dump Iggy and not match an offer for Thad.  Not sure.  Thorn is a sneaky you know what, when he's not taking one of his 23-hour power naps or plotting revenge on someone.  I hate the Heat and would love to see the upset, but c'mon son.  Heat in 4.  5 if they get distracted.

5.  Denver:  So many assets.  So little cash to cover everyone.  J.R. Smith, Gallo, Chandler, K-Mart.  Someone has to go.  Like Atlanta, the equation doesn't change even if they overachieve during the playoffs.  I'm not sure if anyone on their roster who could be available is a real difference maker.  My ideal youth-movement pickups would be Thornton from Sac-Town (who is drawing raves from fans and front office types for his on-court production and lockerroom presence), and Thad Young (although the Outlaw experiment has me nervous about converting PFs to SFs.  Anyway, Denver is deep, so some of their guys will definitely be in play.

What say the collective?