Wednesday’s showdown between the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz will not only feature teams with two of the best records in the league, but also showcase two of the leading candidates for the MVP.

For Manu Ginobili, there is no in between. It’s feast or famine, heaven or hell, elation or devastation. His mind, body, and soul are programmed to do one thing -- win at all costs.

The Pistons are not without their flaws – as minor as they may be – and they will certainly be tested again and again throughout the course of the season – beginning with Sunday’s Finals rematch with the Spurs

In its never-ending quest to anoint the next “Michael Jordan,” the NBA could not have scripted a better scenario for the 1998 All-Star Game.

The San Antonio Spurs will be favored over the Detroit Pistons in the 2005 NBA Finals and rightfully so. San Antonio will have the rest, the home-court advantage and the best player on the floor.