Only five teams can win the title

[super_phaser]

Here you go -

1. San Antonio - Written off by a lot of people lately, which is absolutely ridiculous. These guys always lift a cog when the Playoffs roll around. Duncan is still motoring along nicely, and Ginobili is playing career best ball. Kurt Thomas will be invaluable in the heat of the postseason.

2. Utah - coming off a season where they made a magnificent run into the Conference Finals. This time, they are better equipped to go one better. They now have a legit starting SG in Ronnie Brewer, as opposed to starting Derek Fisher there (thank God that nightmare is over). Kyle Korver has been an amazing addition, and this team is deep as hell. They are built for playoff basketball.

3. Detroit - the main reason I have these guys so high is that I think this experienced, grizzled squad will win the East, and whichever West team they meet up with in the Finals will have been grinding through the rugged Western Conference playoffs for over a month. Fatigue will be Detroit or Bostons best friend.

4. Los Angeles Lakers - ok, like most of you I hate them. And they have been atrocious over the last week. But the fact os that their best player has been to the big dance three times, and they are about to add Gasol and (an underdone) Bynum. They will need a lot of luck to get out of the West, but they are better armed than say a Phoenix or Dallas.

5. Boston - I can see them dropping a long series to the Pistons in the ECF's. Obviously they have a great trio - Garnett, Pierce, Allen - but these guys have virtually no big-game experience. I also query their depth. The Cassell signing was ok, Posey can help in patches. Even if they do make the Finals, they have no chance of beating the Spurs or Jazz in a 7 game series. THey would have to hope that another West team somehow makes it through.



Teams that have had nice regular seasons but have no chance at title - New Orleans, Houston, Orlando

Teams that would be some chance if they made smart moves instead of panicking - Dallas, Phoenix

 

[Power21]

Your bias effects anything you post doesn't it.

 

[Hodges]

Okay so why do New Orleans have no chance of winning? People have been writing them off all season, yet they are consistently near the (or on) top. Sure they lack true depth, but Bonzi was a great pik-up and I think they can make waves.

I question Utah ability to in it all. I love the Jazz, im really a big fan of their style of ball - yet they lack big game experience too. Much more so than Boston who you have written off. Boston have some of the best clutch players in the game today in that team. I think they can go all the way.

Apart from the New Orleans slight, I mostly agree with your list. I would actually put the suns in their with an off chance though - the Shaq signing has actually proven to be beneficial. Will be interesting to see how it pans out playoff time.

 

[Ekulman]

Suns will always be a chance with Shaq
he'll fire up during the playoffs no doubt.
Agree with the New Orleans and Jazz comments above.
Jazz are abit dodgy away from home.

 

[Red.White and Blue]

a bit is underestimating it. we can not play road ball especially against dodgy teams.

lost twice to Minnesota, once to Miami, once to Sacramento, once to Chicago and once to La Clippers. im sure theres more but thank god those teams arent in the playoffs

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

a bit is underestimating it. we can not play road ball especially against dodgy teams.

lost twice to Minnesota, once to Miami, once to Sacramento, once to Chicago and once to La Clippers. im sure theres more but thank god those teams arent in the playoffs

Good to see you know where you're at mate.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Here you go -

1. San Antonio - Written off by a lot of people lately, which is absolutely ridiculous. These guys always lift a cog when the Playoffs roll around. Duncan is still motoring along nicely, and Ginobili is playing career best ball. Kurt Thomas will be invaluable in the heat of the postseason.

2. Utah - coming off a season where they made a magnificent run into the Conference Finals. This time, they are better equipped to go one better. They now have a legit starting SG in Ronnie Brewer, as opposed to starting Derek Fisher there (thank God that nightmare is over). Kyle Korver has been an amazing addition, and this team is deep as hell. They are built for playoff basketball.

3. Detroit - the main reason I have these guys so high is that I think this experienced, grizzled squad will win the East, and whichever West team they meet up with in the Finals will have been grinding through the rugged Western Conference playoffs for over a month. Fatigue will be Detroit or Bostons best friend.

4. Los Angeles Lakers - ok, like most of you I hate them. And they have been atrocious over the last week. But the fact os that their best player has been to the big dance three times, and they are about to add Gasol and (an underdone) Bynum. They will need a lot of luck to get out of the West, but they are better armed than say a Phoenix or Dallas.

5. Boston - I can see them dropping a long series to the Pistons in the ECF's. Obviously they have a great trio - Garnett, Pierce, Allen - but these guys have virtually no big-game experience. I also query their depth. The Cassell signing was ok, Posey can help in patches. Even if they do make the Finals, they have no chance of beating the Spurs or Jazz in a 7 game series. THey would have to hope that another West team somehow makes it through.



Teams that have had nice regular seasons but have no chance at title - New Orleans, Houston, Orlando

Teams that would be some chance if they made smart moves instead of panicking - Dallas, Phoenix

Posters that would be able to comment on the playoffs if it weren't for red cards - super phaser

Enhanced.

 

[Inferno]

We have a better chance then the Jazz. Teams that can't win .500 on the road don't win playoffs.

super_phaser for most bias poster in BF history!

 

[peternorth]

We have a better chance then the Jazz. Teams that can't win .500 on the road don't win playoffs.

super_phaser for most bias poster in BF history!

or biased even

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

or biased even

He just does it for a stir. He needs an outlet after watching Melbourne go around.

 

[celtic_pride]

IMHO I think PHX is the only team now that can stop the Spurs winning the West ..

 

[Borgsta]

Utah with AK47 can win the whole thing, however they will still find it incredibly difficult with him playing every game.

Considering the chances of him playing every game are 1.21% they won't win much.

Be lucky to get to the 2nd round without him.

 

[super_phaser]

Utah with AK47 can win the whole thing, however they will still find it incredibly difficult with him playing every game.

Considering the chances of him playing every game are 1.21% they won't win much.

Be lucky to get to the 2nd round without him.

He didnt do a damn thing in the 1st riund last year, and we advanced

We are deeper this year

Much deeper

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

He didnt do a damn thing in the 1st riund last year, and we advanced

We are deeper this year

Much deeper

Phoenix would take Utah in a 7 game series. 4-2 if we have home court, 4-3 if Utah does.

 

[powaflag08]

Phoenix should be replaced for Utah in that Phoenix are a way better team.

 

[super_phaser]

Phoenix should be replaced for Utah in that Phoenix are a way better team.

LOL

Funny

 

[Borgsta]

He didnt do a damn thing in the 1st riund last year, and we advanced

We are deeper this year

Much deeper

Him not doing much and not being there are 2 completely different things.

Your defense sucks ass without him.

 

[super_phaser]

Him not doing much and not being there are 2 completely different things.

Your defense sucks ass without him.

No it doeent

AK is an average defender, at best

In the games he has missed this year, we have been a better defensive team

 

[d-mac3276]

San Antonio vs Boston

San Antonio in 6

 

[Inferno]

LOL

Funny

Says the man who thinks Utah has a chance...

 

[dont bowl there]

Where is the Atlanta Hawks?

 

[Joey Bungle]

To this stage I'd say the 5 are:
1. Boston - Best overall by a street. Won best overall, 83% as favourites (ranked no1) & a whopping 64% as the underdog.
2, New Orleans - At home they may be slightly worse than the Spurs, but they have a 16% better underdog record that tells me that the Spurs may stuggle if Utah finishes 5th.
3, Detroit - Usual suspects but if one LeBron James can destroy them last year, what can the Boston Boys do to them this year?
4. Utah - Best home record in the NBA & have won more games as the underdog than the Spurs. Could be the best series if it happens.
5. San Antonio - Get through Jazz/Hornets & you've got to face the Celtics. Godd luck, old timers.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Where is the Atlanta Hawks?

I agree they should be there but they won't get any respect until after they have knocked out the Celtics in the first round.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

To this stage I'd say the 5 are:
1. Boston - Best overall by a street. Won best overall, 83% as favourites (ranked no1) & a whopping 64% as the underdog.
2, New Orleans - At home they may be slightly worse than the Spurs, but they have a 16% better underdog record that tells me that the Spurs may stuggle if Utah finishes 5th.
3, Detroit - Usual suspects but if one LeBron James can destroy them last year, what can the Boston Boys do to them this year?
4. Utah - Best home record in the NBA & have won more games as the underdog than the Spurs. Could be the best series if it happens.
5. San Antonio - Get through Jazz/Hornets & you've got to face the Celtics. Godd luck, old timers.

G'day mate.

I see I'm about to question your favourites and underdogs technique again.

I'm not sure this could be the way to go in the West as the top 6 seeds in the West are all capable of beating each other at any time. I agree over a 7 game series the odds should be more accurate, but I think New Orleans coming in with minimal playoff experience will need to be factored in as well ditto teams like Phoenix who have made a big trade during the season.

 

[Inferno]

Why do people keep saying we don't have experience in the playoffs, apart from Chris Paul (the pressure shouldn't get to him), David West (one of the most consistant players I have ever seen) and a couple of young players the Hornets have a team that have played playoffs many times with other clubs.

Peja and Bonzi were part of the Kings team that went deep into the playoffs couple of times, Chandler averaged almost a double-double in the playoffs with the Bulls, Mo-Pete has played in 19 playoffs games and Pargo was part of the Lakers in the Kobe-Shaq era. Even the coach has been to the finals twice.

I don't think experience will be a problem for us.