"If you like point guards, then the West is the place to be,'' said Spurs shooting guard Roger Mason Jr. "It's what playoff Basketball is all about."

Basketball may be a team game, but these pairings are so sexy that a closer look becomes necessary.

Let's start with the series involving Texas teams:

Chauncey Billups Nuggets VS Chris Paul Hornets

Billups remains the most physical point guard on Earth, and even at the age of 32, he can more than hold his own against the league's best. Billups is the reason Denver secured the No. 2 seed in the loaded West, and for those who originally believed Detroit won the lottery by trading him for high-scoring Allen Iverson, it's OK to crawl out from underneath that rock and admit the Pistons were the ones who got taken.

Billups' 12th NBA season may have been his finest. The 17.9 points per game was his second-best scoring year, but stats don't completely illustrate his worth . Billups may be the most underrated player of his generation, given his influence in the locker room.

"He's a tough player,'' said Paul, who would probably be an MVP candidate if LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade were on another planet.

"It's always like that in this conference when it comes to point guards. You don't get any nights off."

For my money, Paul is the best little man the game has seen since Isiah Thomas and Tiny Archibald.

But even his charismatic play might fall short against Billups and a Nuggets team that spreads around the scoring responsibility . Paul is trying to keep a sinking ship afloat.

Won't happen.

Advantage: Billups

Tony Parker Spurs VS Jason Kidd Mavericks

While Chris Paul is probably the most gifted point guard in Basketball, Parker is the least appreciated.

"None of the other stuff matters to me,'' he said after outdueling Paul on Wednesday as San Antonio defeated New Orleans and earned the No. 3 seed. "I have my rings."

Three rings to be exact, but earning a fourth will be tough in a year when the Lakers are soaring. Before the Spurs can entertain a Western Conference finals against L.A., Parker must contend with Kidd, who has given the Mavericks a huge lift with an improved shooting stroke.

Kidd was a reluctant shooter under former coach Avery Johnson, but his jumpers are falling with more regularity under Rick Carlisle. After attempting only 76 three-pointers last season (he made 35), Kidd is launching treys now as if he were Reggie Miller. He has made 131 this season - 70 more than Dirk Nowitzki and only 36 fewer than Jason Terry. Defenses can no longer back off Kidd as if he were holding a gun.

Parker enjoyed a career season with personal bests in points (22.0 per game), assists (6.9) and field goals (8.9), and that should continue. I like him in this matchup because no guard in the league can stay in front of him. Kidd, for all of his all-around skills, is the second-best point guard in this series.

Advantage: Parker

Steve Blake BLAZERS VS Aaron Brooks AND Kyle Lowry Rockets

Point guard is simply not the strong suit for either one of these young Western Conference teams.

Blake made 140 triples and averaged 11.0 points, his first double-digit output in six seasons.

On a team with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake's job is to wait his turn and deliver on occasion.

Brooks is the fastest point guard in the field, and like Blake, he is a perimeter threat.

However, he often yields the playmaking duties to Lowry, who is stronger and more capable of getting into the paint to set up his teammates.

Give me Blake here because he is sure to get plenty of open looks, as the Rockets surely will try to take away Roy.

Advantage: Blake

Deron Williams Jazz VS Derek Fisher Lakers

If Paul is the best little point guard, then the 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound Williams has to be the best big point guard, with a respectful nod to Billups.

Williams drove past three Lakers last week and dunked, then proceeded to get in the chest of Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who had knocked him over on the previous possession.

If the Jazz played as hard as their point guard, they wouldn't be a No. 8 seed.

Fisher lines up at point guard, but there are times when Kobe Bryant will bring the ball down, look to penetrate and kick it to the corner, where Fisher has been known to knock down a trey or two.

Fisher's jumper has been on the blink down the stretch, but he remains one of the best defensive point guards in the league.

At this stage of his career, Williams is capable of much more and should get the best of Fisher in the series. The Lakers will win the series, but Williams will win the matchup.

Advantage: Williams