NBA Playoffs 2012: Spurs vs Thunder Conference Finals Are Inevitable

The Thunder and the Spurs are the top two seeds in the Western Conference for good reason. Both teams are extremely talented, versatile and equipped to win a championship.

Their road will not come without hiccups, but the Thunder and the Spurs will play in the 2012 Western Conference finals. The Clippers are no match for San Antonio in the conference semifinals. The Thunder will have no trouble with a Laker team in complete disarray.

This matchup needs to happen, and it will. It will provide excellent television ratings and pit two extremely talented teams against each other.

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have been good for what seems like forever, but somehow this year's No. 1 seed still feels a bit underrated.

The Spurs were the league's No. 2 scoring offense this season with 10 players averaging at least five points per contest. 

San Antonio's depth is also tough to match. With 10 legitimate scoring options, and 11 players averaging at least 10 minutes per contest, their options are almost limitless.

The Spurs create their offense because of superb ball movement and precise spacing. They are not an athletic or flashy team.

They just know how to play the game.

San Antonio does not necessarily have a go-to player, but Tony Parker has been very close. He averaged 21 points per game this season and 6.5 assists. Parker is not a great shooter, but he understands the Spurs' system with his phenomenal penetration ability.

The Clippers will not be ready for this team, and they will not be able to keep them from the Western Conference finals. Blake Griffin's ailing knees and LA's lack of depth will be overrun by San Antonio's disciplined mindset and incredibly balanced offense.

It is tough to bet against experience in the NBA playoffs, especially when those experienced players have plenty of fresh legs behind them.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are the most talented team in the NBA. No other team has their scoring capabilities or length in the paint.

Most of the time, the Thunder offense looks effortless. Kevin Durant's silky smooth stroke, Russell Westbrook's freaky athleticism and James Harden's crafty playmaking allow them to look that way.

Durant, Westbrook and Harden are all very young but they know how to play together. They have improved as a group and look more experienced. Westbrook seems more poised this time around. Together, they form a lethal offensive combination.

Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins do not provide a ton of offense, but they alter a plethora of interior shots. Ibaka is renowned for his shot-blocking ability and Perkins' nasty demeanor intimidates opponents on the low block.

Outside of their obvious talent, the Thunder are facing the Lakers at a fortunate time. Oklahoma City already claimed the first game by an embarrassing 29-point margin.

Normally, experience would win out and the Lakers would advance.

Not this year.

The Lakers are vulnerable because of their disjointed locker room and inconsistent play on the court.

Los Angeles failed to show up for the majority of their first-round series against Denver and showed little effort at times. They had to play seven games against a weaker team because of it. If they do not show more effort against the Thunder, they may as well pack their bags now.

Oklahoma City's talent and chemistry will win out in the end. Kobe Bryant will steal a victory or two for Los Angeles, but it will not be enough to grab a Laker victory.

The Thunder will have their hands full against San Antonio in what will be an epic series.