It’s time to talk playoffs.I hope this doesn’t offend former NFL coach Jim Mora.The NBA playoffs start in a mere 16 days, and aside from a handful of spots, everything is still up for grabs in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. It’s a total logjam, and it’s as exciting as professional basketball can be.As of Wednesday afternoon, seeds No. 2 through No. 8 in the Western Conference were separated by only 4 1/2 games, and division titles are still on the line.In the Hornets’ division, the Southwest, San Antonio and Houston are tied with a 1 1/2 game advantage, but New Orleans isn’t out of it yet.The Hornets finish the season with games against both teams on the road, and if they can keep the momentum of their current two-game winning streak, capturing the Southwest isn’t out of the question  — but it’s not exactly likely.The Northwest Division has just as much potential to be exciting down the stretch.Denver, the No. 2 seed in the conference, clinched a playoff spot Tuesday night with a win against New York, but the Nuggets only hold a 1 1/2 game advantage on No. 5 seed Portland.Both teams are streaking right now, but if either were to drop a game, it would open the door for the Jazz, who sit one game behind Portland in seventh place in the West.Crazy world, huh? I love this stuff. The only division out west that isn’t the least bit interesting is the Pacific.The Lakers hold an 18-game lead over the Phoenix Suns and have already clinched the division and the conference.Back east it’s not as hectic, but there are some spots of intrigue.Luckily for me, the Hawks already clinched their playoff spot. Two years in row.In the words of the great Herman Edwards, “We can build on this.”At the top of the East sit the Cleveland “LeBrons.” I mean Cavaliers.The Magic and the Celtics are vying for second place at 5 1/2 games back. The teams don’t meet again in the regular season, but it may not matter.Boston forward Kevin Garnett will miss at least four of the team’s remaining seven games because of a knee injury, and without him, Boston is a slightly above-average team.Orlando will be the No. 2 seed when it’s said and done. Maybe I just hate Boston, though. The other — decidedly less exciting — race is to see which teams Cleveland and Orlando will sweep in the first round of the playoffs.Detroit, Chicago and Charlotte are separated by only two games in seventh, eighth and ninth places,    respectively.All of these teams are below .500 and wouldn’t even be in the playoff picture in the West. Congratulations on rewarding mediocrity, NBA.For the sake of argument, I’ll say Chicago finishes at No. 7, but only because I like Ben Gordon, Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas.In addition to the crazy jockeying for position for the playoffs, the MVP race is alive as well.If anyone believes this is more than a two-man race between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, they’re kidding themselves.Dwyane Wade is often listed as a contestant for the award, but his team is in fifth place in the East and would miss the playoffs in the West. How valuable is he really?This is King James’ race to lose.As much as I like watching Bryant play, it just seems as if James has done more for his team and is thus more valuable.Without Bryant, the Lakers are still a pretty good team. They wouldn’t be in contention for the title, but they’re serviceable.Without James, the Cavs are bad.Outside of Mo Williams, no one on the roster is seemingly carrying his own weight, and Williams isn’t doing that great of a job at it.James leads Cleveland in just about every worthwhile statistic and is undoubtedly the only interesting thing about the franchise.That’s why he should walk away with the hardware. He is the chosen one, after all. On a side note, does it upset anyone else former Tiger Glen Davis has a ring, and James doesn’t?It upsets me, but that’s another column for another day.—-Contact Johanathan Brooks at [email protected]