Playoffs...

[jod23]

With the New Year underway I wanted to see who all of you predict will make the playoffs. We have had 2 months to have a look at everyone, Im sure we all have our opinions on who will make it and who wont.

So let me drag this back up in May to see who got it right.

For me.....

East in no particular order.

New Jersey - foregone conclusion
Indiana - see NJ
Boston - Peirce and Walker will be enough to once again drag Boston into the postseason.
Philadelphia - The Thomas trade will do wonders.
Detroit - Need some offence but there D will get them to the postseason.
Orlando - T-Mac will drag them there. A healthy Hill and T-Mac may take them further.
Washington - MJ providing he stays healthy will guide them in.
New Orleans - they have lost 5 in a row at the moment but they are too talented to miss the playoffs.

Atlanta and Milwaukee to be close but no cigar.

West in no particular order.

Dallas - foregone conclusion
Sacramento - see Dallas
San Antonio - see Dallas
Phoenix - will make it thanks largely to Amare's arrival.
Portland - veteran team knows what it takes to make the playoffs.
Lakers - just have to turn it around....dont they?
Houston - The Ming Dynasty is underway.
Minnesota - KG will again put the T-Wolves on his back only to drop them in the first round.

Utah will be unlucky and Seattle are a chance too.

 

[jod23]

Nobody willing to put their neck out this early?

 

[morpheus]

East in no particular order

Indiana
New Jersey
Detroit
Boston
Philadelphia
Orlando
New Orleans
Washington


West in no particular order

Dallas
Sacramento
San Antonio
Houston
Pheonix
Minnesota
Portland
Utah

No Lakers, I can't beleive it myself but with a record of 6 games below .500 I just can't see them getting in, the west is looking to tight atm....

I must be crazy but we'll see in May wont we.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by morpheus
East in no particular order

Indiana
New Jersey
Detroit
Boston
Philadelphia
Orlando
New Orleans
Washington

Exactly the same 8 teams I had.

Originally posted by morpheus
West in no particular order

Dallas
Sacramento
San Antonio
Houston
Pheonix
Minnesota
Portland
Utah

No Lakers, I can't beleive it myself but with a record of 6 games below .500 I just can't see them getting in, the west is looking to tight atm....

I must be crazy but we'll see in May wont we.

The same except for in Utah and out Lakers. Brave call. The Lakers are 6 under .500 which is pretty shocking but I think the worst news out of that is that getting to .500 wont get them to a playoff spot.

The Wolves currently have that 8th spot and are 3 games above .500.

Will be astonishing if the 3 time defending world champs dont actually make the playoffs?? It's happened before but only with drastic roster changes like the Bulls 98 to 99 but gone was everybody. This Lakers side is practically the same.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

I'll put them in order, rather then the lame "in no particular order"

EAST

New Jersey - Clearly the best in the East. JKidd will take these boys all the way.
Indiana - The Bulls link is the reason these guys are going so well. Artest is the key to the Pacers, if he maintains the fine line between insanity and passion, the Pacers will succeed.
Detroit - They aren't flashy, but they get the job done. Rip for Stack has been an excellent move for the Pistons.
New Orleans - Are 19-15 with Davis and Campbell playing hurt. If both can improve, the Hornets will get a home series.
Philadelphia - I don't have a clue how they keep winning. As long as AI stays healthy, they will slot in nicely.
Boston - The Celts are on the slide. They need to improve their defence, and scrap the zone. Make 'Toine and Pierce get out and work hard of defence and they will improve.
Orlando - They are an average team, but in the weak East, they will slot in at 7. A fit Hill and McGrady (dreaming, i know), would allow them to move up to 5-6.
Milwaukee - They have to improve shortly. They have so much talent, and with the very important Toni Kukoc due back next week, they will start winning.

WEST

Dallas - Awesome to watch, but suspect on the defensive end. If LaFrentz improves they have the potential to go all the way.
Sacramento - Great team. They are incredibly deep, although an injury to CWebb or Vlade (both are vital to the offence) will see them struggle.
Portland - Finally decided to start beating teams, rather then their wifes. A very deep, talented, if unharmonious squad. When they put it all together they are as good as anyone.
Phoenix - I didn't expect the Suns to make the Playoffs, but with Amare breaking out, and Shawn Marion becoming the superstar we all knew he could be, the Suns are becoming a force in the very strong Pacific division.
San Antonio - Tim Duncan. Simple as that.
Minnesota - They will start winning again when 'Weak Arse Wally World' gets over his sore toe.
LA Lakers - Kobe and Shaq are too good to wallow down the bottom. They will make it, and will do some damage in the playoffs.
Utah - Stockton and Malone are again playing awesome ball. Definitely the best two old men of basketball. The improved play of Matt Harpring is also a catalyst for their improvement.

 

[X_box_X]

EAST

1. New Jersey
2. Indiana
3. Boston
4. Detroit
5. Orlando
6. Philadelphia
7. New Orleans
8. Atlanta


WEST

1. Dallas
2. Sacremento
3. San Antonio
4. L.A Lakers
5. Portland
6. Minnesota
7. Utah
8. Seattle

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
I'll put them in order, rather then the lame "in no particular order"

EAST

Detroit - They aren't flashy, but they get the job done. Rip for Stack has been an excellent move for the Pistons.
New Orleans - Are 19-15 with Davis and Campbell playing hurt. If both can improve, the Hornets will get a home series.
Milwaukee - They have to improve shortly. They have so much talent, and with the very important Toni Kukoc due back next week, they will start winning.

Rip for Stack has been an excellent move? They are pretty much on the same pace as last season? I dont think it was a good move or a bad move. Just a move. New Orleans will get better but im not sure Campbell will have much to do with it. Milwaukee, well once Kukoc get's back they will win more games but are they a .500 team. Im not sure. I dont think they will make the playoffs.

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
WEST

Dallas - Awesome to watch, but suspect on the defensive end. If LaFrentz improves they have the potential to go all the way.
Sacramento - Great team. They are incredibly deep, although an injury to CWebb or Vlade (both are vital to the offence) will see them struggle.
LA Lakers - Kobe and Shaq are too good to wallow down the bottom. They will make it, and will do some damage in the playoffs.
Utah - Stockton and Malone are again playing awesome ball. Definitely the best two old men of basketball. The improved play of Matt Harpring is also a catalyst for their improvement.

Dallas were suspect on D last season, this season they are a defensive force. Hense them leading the West. The Kings have been without Bibby, Jackson, Webber, Stoja, Divac, Hedo at all different stages throughout the year. It does not stop them from winning.

Lakers now 7 games under .500.... T-Wolves are in 8th 2 games above .500. Would take a huge effort to get there. They are capable though. Stockton and Malone the best old men of basketball? Did you miss that old guy out in Washington drop 41 and grab 12 boards in a double OT win?

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by X_box_X
EAST


8. Atlanta


WEST


4. L.A Lakers
7. Utah
8. Seattle

Atlanta??? You really think they have a better shot at a playoff spot in front of Washington, Milwaukee, New York??

Lakers will be lucky to get a playoff spot, they have no chance of getting home court advantage in the first round. Seattle and Utah in front of Houston?

 

[CURVE]

Here are my picks for the Playoffs

Eastern Conference

1. New Jersey
2. Indiana
3. Philadelphia
4. Detroit
5. Orlando
6. Boston
7. New Orleans
8. Milwaukee


Western Conference

1. Dallas
2. Sacremento
3. San Antonio
4. Pheonix
5. Portland
6. Houston
7. Minnesota
8. Utah

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by jod23
Rip for Stack has been an excellent move? They are pretty much on the same pace as last season? I dont think it was a good move or a bad move. Just a move.

At the same time last season, the Pistons were 16-15, they are now 21-10.
They won 60% of their games in 2001-2002, this season they have won 67% of their games.

Hardly "on the same pace".

The Pistons have improved marketedly with Rip in the lineup, whereas the Wizards haven't improved their record with Stack.

They are 16-17 right now, at the same time last season they were 18-15.

So, right now, the Pistons are a 5 win better team with Rip, whilst the Wizards are a 2 win worse team with Stack.

Oh, and how much older is Stack?

Originally posted by jod23


Stockton and Malone the best old men of basketball? Did you miss that old guy out in Washington drop 41 and grab 12 boards in a double OT win?

Stockton and Malone are far more consistent, and are actually winning.

Malone : 18.9ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.61spg
Jordan : 17.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.3apg, 1.55spg

So, Malone averages more in every statistical category and is involved in a winning team, yet you say Jordan is better. Laughable.

Oh, and Karl Malone has played 3 seasons and 370 odd games more then Jordan, and is still outperforming him.

 

[X_box_X]

Originally posted by jod23
Atlanta??? You really think they have a better shot at a playoff spot in front of Washington, Milwaukee, New York??

Lakers will be lucky to get a playoff spot, they have no chance of getting home court advantage in the first round. Seattle and Utah in front of Houston?

Despite Atlanta's poor losing streak, they still have a good enough side to challenge for a Play-offs position. With the likes of: Terry, Ratliff, Robinson, Abdur-Rahim, Henderson, etc, I believe the can push the Bucks, Wizards and Knicks for a spot in the Play-offs. It will be a tough ask, but anything can happen. We aren't even half the way through yet, Jod.

Lakers are too damn good to miss a Play-offs spot. They have one of the best sides in the business and I will be very surprised if they don't win in excess of 46 games.

Utah will make it.

Seattle - Looking over it, Houston were stiff to miss out. If I am allowed, I will change that to Houston. I can't really see Houston missing out to be honest.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by X_box_X
Despite Atlanta's poor losing streak, they still have a good enough side to challenge for a Play-offs position. With the likes of: Terry, Ratliff, Robinson, Abdur-Rahim, Henderson, etc, I believe the can push the Bucks, Wizards and Knicks for a spot in the Play-offs. It will be a tough ask, but anything can happen. We aren't even half the way through yet, Jod.

Oh they certainly have the individual talent to make a run at a playoff spot but I just cant see it happening. They are currently 12-21 which doesnt look good. They have lost 5 straight and now linger 4 and a half games outside a playoff spot. True, we are not halfway through the season yet, but the Hawks have played 33 games. Just 8 from half way. If they want a playoff spot they have to turn it around right now. I dont think it will happen though.

Originally posted by X_box_X
Lakers are too damn good to miss a Play-offs spot. They have one of the best sides in the business and I will be very surprised if they don't win in excess of 46 games.

Utah will make it.

Seattle - Looking over it, Houston were stiff to miss out. If I am allowed, I will change that to Houston. I can't really see Houston missing out to be honest.

Yeah the Lakers probably are too damn good to miss out but you had them 4th!!! That's a home court series in the first round. 4th spot is currently held by Phoenix, the Lakers are 7 games behind Phoenix! A playoff spot is there best hope....4th seed and a home final...no way.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
At the same time last season, the Pistons were 16-15, they are now 21-10.
They won 60% of their games in 2001-2002, this season they have won 67% of their games.

Hardly "on the same pace".

The Pistons have improved marketedly with Rip in the lineup, whereas the Wizards haven't improved their record with Stack.

They are 16-17 right now, at the same time last season they were 18-15.

So, right now, the Pistons are a 5 win better team with Rip, whilst the Wizards are a 2 win worse team with Stack.

Oh, and how much older is Stack?

They are going a bit better than last season but they didnt just lose Stack and get Rip. They also brought in Chauncey Billups who is a more than capable PG. They didnt have a PG the calibre of Billups last season. They were 50-32 after the regular season. I doubt you will see them go much past that. 55 wins tops. They are not a 60 win team.

Regarding the Wizards...they are a completely different team. They have to refind there chemistry with Rip gone and in come Stackhouse, Hughes and Russell. They are getting it together now though with a 4 game winning streak getting them back to .500, not cheap wins either, against quality opposition with wins over the Spurs, Pacers and C's.

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Stockton and Malone are far more consistent, and are actually winning.

Malone : 18.9ppg, 8.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.61spg
Jordan : 17.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 3.3apg, 1.55spg

So, Malone averages more in every statistical category and is involved in a winning team, yet you say Jordan is better. Laughable.

Oh, and Karl Malone has played 3 seasons and 370 odd games more then Jordan, and is still outperforming him.

This is just laughable. Malone may average more in every statistical category but Jordan is clearly the better player. Malone playing 3 extra seasons is actually a help for him because he never got out of the groove or out of shape. MJ has done that twice and still came back to dominate.

Utah are 19-14 compared to the Wiz at 17-17 but its not a huge difference and their is still plenty of games to decide which team goes which way.

Ask any team who they would take right now? Both are old and only good for one or two more years at max...every team would take Michael Jordan, barring maybe Orlando who need an inside presence.

Oh and Stockton doesnt even come into it. Malone has at least a case which is easily beaten. But Stockton doesnt even have a case.