As if the Western Conference wasn’t crazy enough, we’ve got to add to the mix the uncertainty of whether injured players will return in time to affect the standings of their teams for the playoffs.  Wednesday night garnered the return of several “gimps” to their prospective NBA teams, including Andrei Kirilenko, Pao Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki and Nachooooo Gilbert Arenas.

‘He’s Back’ (Garrett Ellwood -NBAE/Getty Images) 

It’s usually comforting to know what’s going to happen when the first round of the playoffs comes around.  We usually have an idea of which team we’ll play by this time; the only thing up in the air being the homecourt advantage.  This year, all bets are off until possibly the last game for the Jazz and the rest of the teams in the West.  Time after time this year, the surprises have kept coming.  I don’t think anyone could have predicted the plot for this soap opera in the preseason; not even the people at “Lost” (yes you are watching an evening soap opera guys, sorry to break it to you). 

I’m usually a safe person, not really enjoying the queasiness brought on by uncertainty, but in this case it’s been fantastic anticipation.  The Jazz are doing quite well (forgetting a few blips in recent weeks) and I can’t wait for the playoffs to arrive.