NBA Championship

[friedrice]

Howdy all,
I'll start off with the East coast. It may surprise many of you, but I think the Indiana Pacers have a serious chance at winning. The other teams I think will cause trouble for them is the Heat and Pistons. They've beaten Mimi Heat the last 12 times they've played them, and the Pistons record stand at 2-2. I think as long as the Pacers get no more injuries, they will beat both of these teams.

Moving on to the west, it's a different story. The biggest thing is who has the better defense. Mavs and Kings are pretty much out. Spurs have a real chance, but so do the Suns. The Suns obviously have the best record, but are more of an offenese team. However, they have been making real improvments to their defense. I am not sure they will win, but I think next year they will have a strong chance if they work on defense. So, I have to say hats off to the Spurs.

And Spurs vs. Pacers? Should be a good game. But since I'm from Indiana I gotta go with Pacers

Ok this wasn't a huge review of the NBA. Just some thoughts. But answer the poll and let me know. And the Cavs aren't on it because the are prolly not even going to make it to the playoffs. Too bad

 

[chuckywang]

Miller Time!

 

[MikeMike]

how do you figure the cavs wont make it? they are in the 7th spot. still not out of it, there are 8 total spots.

MIKE

 

[alexjohnson16]

If you're talking about the Lakers, they've been eliminated from playoff contention...

 

[friedrice]

Well, right now Memphis is in 8th for the West. But I suspect Minnesota could take it. So it was hard to say which to put up there. Either way, do you think either team has a chance?

 

[Ranger X]

I like the Heat's chances this year. I had the Spurs to win it all at the beginning of the season but they can't win without Tim Duncan.

 

[friedrice]

Kobe ruined the Lakers. While the Lakers have been known to be a great winning team, and the team you'd love to hate, I feel like Kobe has brought so much disgrace to the team. Seriously, the fact they would fire head coach because Kobe doesn't like him? And why in the world did they think it would be better to get rid of Shaq rather then Kobe. O, and don't even get me started on the whole rape trial. Even if there wasn't any rape, the fact of the matter is he's sleeping around with random girls. Not exactly a role model.

 

[friedrice]

I thought it was pretty sure that Duncan would be back by then. If he isn't, then I'm saying Suns vs Pacers.

 

[Ranger X]

Originally posted by: friedrice
I thought it was pretty sure that Duncan would be back by then. If he isn't, then I'm saying Suns vs Pacers.

You pick the Pacers over the Heat? I don't think they can beat the Heat in a 7 game series unless Shaq is injured.

 

[friedrice]

I think they can and mainly for one reason. The Pacers have great 3 point shooting. Shaq can't do much when people are draining 3 pointers. And while Wade is doing great as well on offense, I think defense is one area the Heat are lacking for most of their players. Even jump shooting from inside the 2 will kill the Heat I think.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

All I'm looking for is Sonics in the West Finals at least.

 

[Bullhonkie]

I think Minnesota has a decent chance in a seven game series if they sneak into 8th and face the Suns in the first round. Most of the nucleus and roleplayers of Minnesota have been battle tested in the playoffs and they have lots of weapons to score with if it turns into a running game. If they can muster up the effort to play some good defense in stretches they have an ok chance IMO. You have a lot more opportunities to work up defensive schemes in a seven game series, so it will be interesting to see if the Suns can respond well to it.

Don't count out Dallas either. Damp and Stack are back and Avery Johnson is an extremely defensive minded coach and actually has them playing defense as of late. Being able to play defense in critical stretches while having lots of offensive options can always keep you in a seven game series (just look at Kings/Lakers series in the West finals a few years back).

Pacers have the potential to really shake things up, especially if they can get O'Neal and Tinsley back by the playoffs. No one wants to face that team in the first round. Carlisle should really get consideration for coach of the year with what he's been able to do with all the stuff that's happened to them. And Reggie shouldn't retire, he looks like he can play another five years.

And how bout the Nets? They're making a good push for that 8th spot now, but they're gonna run into Shaq and company in the first round if they do. Almost feel bad for them, like it's all that work for nothing.

My offseason pick was Spurs vs Pistons and I'll still stick with that as long as Duncan is back for the playoffs. Pistons have already proven once they can beat Shaq + a superstar caliber player + roleplayers, and Phil Jackson is one of the great playoff coaches while Stan Van Gundy is still relatively untested (as is that whole team really).

 

[friedrice]

Minnesota has a decent chance, especially how they have been playing as of late. I think the big factor now is injuries. No Duncan, no Spurs. And while I think the Suns fast break play can be figured out, especially when you are playing 3-5 games against them, they have so many offensive weapons it's just plain crazy. I mean seriously, 3 all-star players. And another one who won the 3-point contest? And another one who competed in it? There is some major talent on one team.

 

[venk]

Everyone still disrespects Detroit, but that's ok. I'm sure they like it that way.

 

[theGlove]

wow lots of dreamers here. Its going to be SA and Heat with the Heat taking it all.
The NBA isn't no NCAA, there shouldn't be any surprises

 

[vi edit]

If Duncan is back in game shape by the playoffs, I'll say it'll be Denver and SA in the west depending on how the brackets work out. SA will probably pull away with the wins but it will be a close series.

In the east it's going to be a toss up between Miami, Detriot and if they can get healthy, Boston. I think Detroit will end up taking it in a long series.

Again, assuming SA gets completely healthy, they'll probably take Detroit in 6 games.

Denver is going to be the team that nobody in the west wants to play though. They have been steam rolling teams lately and their defense (go Camby!) is amazing to say the least. They've got nothing to loose and one of the best coaches in the NBA history sitting on the sideline commanding them.

 

[Baked]

Suns will win, finally.

 

[LtPage1]

the kings wont. and i wont be sad, because i got that out of my system the past like 5 freaking years.

 

[aplefka]

Who else voted for the Kings besides me? Because you're an idiot. Only reason I voted for them is wishful thinking.

Just curious, if "someone" were to say "vidcap" the """playoffs""" would users of a certain "forum" be interested in downloading a "tore int" (read torrent) of said """"""playoff games"""""?

 

[icejunkie]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Who else voted for the Kings besides me? Because you're an idiot. Only reason I voted for them is wishful thinking.

Just curious, if "someone" were to say "vidcap" the """playoffs""" would users of a certain "forum" be interested in downloading a "tore int" (read torrent) of said """"""playoff games"""""?

"Of course not, that's ill-E-gull" (read HELLZ YEA!)

 

[aplefka]

Interested parties should shoot me a PM, though I'm over my limit so I can't reply til I do some housecleaning.

 

[BRObedoza]

yeah seriously who voted the Kings. I live in Sac and love the Kings but even I voted for the Heat

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Interested parties should shoot me a PM, though I'm over my limit so I can't reply til I do some housecleaning.

Bad idea. While I was housecleaning I came across the link to the guy who castrated himself. Fvcking PM limit :|

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: sleepmachine
yeah seriously who voted the Kings. I live in Sac and love the Kings but even I voted for the Heat

Yeah, I voted for Sac simply because I live here. Wishful thinking, but then again after a certain trade I can be quoted saying "they can kiss the playoffs goodbye for this year" and now look where they are.

 

[friedrice]

Ha, no one voted for the Wizards. O well, I would have thought the Bulls would win, even without Curry