NBA Playoffs

[Zeste]

I know I'm probably alone here... but hell

So, anyone into this? I am a pretty hardcore suns fan, I think they can make it to the western finals, and then it's just a major showdown with the mavericks. I don't think the eastern conference has a chance at the finals this year, it's going to be the Mavericks, or Suns, or MAYBE spurs, but that's it.

I have tickets to Game 3 of the Jazz v Rockets next thursday. I was debating on going, but I decided that a playoff game is a playoff game, and both those teams are going to want to fight pretty hard. And, it'll be cool to see Yao Ming play. (I saw the Suns stomp the Jazz on the 14th, that was awesome. 126-98)

Anyone out on the east coast rooting for one of their teams?

[dumdee777]

Suns fan here...was never crazy about basketball until last year. Especially Mavs vs Suns, those are my favorite games to watch.

[Iadien]

I'm a Cav's fan, but I'm not expecting them to win. =p

[Phoenix]

If suns get passed spurs in second round(god willing they will) they are going to take it all.

[Akileese]

Celts fan. i root for the suns because theyre the most fun to watch. It's funny how Dirk is going to win the MVP, but Nash had by far his best overall season (intangibles included, remember how he carried a struggling team too early because Marion and Amare were pretty much clashing).

That being said, it's a deep west. The Suns will probably sweep the Lakers since Kobe is scoring 50 a night again (when he's actually dishing and making players better, they play better, but well, they're just not a very good team. I wonder how often Kobe kicks himself in the ass for running Shaq out of town?). Spurs will take care of the Nuggets, but it might be interesting since the Nuggets are the hottest team right now. Then again, that whole Joey Crawford thing probably lit a fire under the Spurs which makes them terrifying.

I'm not going to look too much into GS beating the Mavs, but a friend of mine who is a Dallas fan says I should because Nellie coaches the Warriors. Makes sense. Avery Johnson was his apprentice and that team hasn't changed much since he left. I guess I'll consider it, but until they split or go up 2-0, I won't consider them a threat. I like the Rockets out of the West honestly. The have a bonafied scorer and superstar in McGrady (it's funny as I still remember him being a benchwarmer in Toronto so it's kinda hard to imagine him being such a veteran at this stage) and with someone like Yao they have a chance. They also have Shane Battier who is a great glue guy (remember those solid Duke teams).

If I had to pick, with a gun to my head, I'd go with SA and Houston in the WCF and Detroit and Cleveland in the east. I fully expect Vince Carter to be found in a pool of his own blood outside the arena in Toronto and besides, he's Vince Carter. He's not a clutch player anyways. The East just isn't very interesting, probably because half the teams in the ECP have losing records. Oh well, parity at it's finest.

I'd say Detroit vs San Antonio or Detroit vs Phoenix. I don't see Dallas getting through three tough match ups, but I could see the Spurs doing it due to that team being tremendously battle tested.

edit: Just found out Bargnani is back for the Raptors. If by some god given ability he's fully healthy (if so it's the fastest appendectomy recovery of all time), they could make it to the eastern conference final.

[roosta]

last years finals ref'ing turned me off to NBA all together, seems like steinbrenner tells the refs which teams to call the game in favor of and i hate the michael jordan treatment that so many players get these days. i would rather watch college basketball.

Rooster

[joz123]

Lakers in 7.

[kedwyn]

Not a NBA fan at all anymore. Used to love them but the players are mostly thugish now with little class.

I'm much more a fan of College hoops.

[Twobit Whore]

Originally Posted by kedwyn

Not a NBA fan at all anymore. Used to love them but the players are mostly thugish now with little class.

I'm much more a fan of College hoops.

This is why I am mostly a Heat fan. Shaq is classic entertainment, and Dwayne Wade seems like one of the few good guys in the league. Him and Nash and Dirk are holdovers of a forgotten generation, and I am glad to see they are enjoying the most success.

[Slick Willey]

Spurs will make it out of the West.

Suns will never win a Championship. Defense and half-court offensive execution wins championships, and the Suns can't play that way. Run-and-gun basketball might win games in the regular season, but you will always come up short in the playoffs with that style of basketball.

I'm tired of predicting the West will win the Championship, only to have an Eastern team win it. I think either Miami or Detroit could win it. Its almost like the West teams beat the crap out of each other to get to the championship and don't have anything left to play the Eastern champion. Seriously -- I don't think anyone can dispute that the West is the superior conference overall.

Jazz fan here, but unfortunately I don't see them getting past the Rockets. Their inexperience has really shown through in the last part of the seaon where they have basically had a complete collapse. How the hell do you lose to Seattle at home going into the 4th quarter with a 22 point lead? Please don't respond "Rashard Lewis" -- it was just a complete collaps.

[Jadaki]

Originally Posted by Slick Willey

I'm tired of predicting the West will win the Championship, only to have an Eastern team win it. I think either Miami or Detroit could win it. Its almost like the West teams beat the crap out of each other to get to the championship and don't have anything left to play the Eastern champion. Seriously -- I don't think anyone can dispute that the West is the superior conference overall.

I think thats a fair assessment of last year and there is potential for the same thing this year.

Saying Wade got the Jordan treatment is ridiculous, Dirk never showed up in the 4th quarter and no one on the Mavs could guard Wade one on one.

[Dis]

Spurs, plain and simple

[Sunder]

Originally Posted by Jadaki

Saying Wade got the Jordan treatment is ridiculous, Dirk never showed up in the 4th quarter and no one on the Mavs could guard Wade one on one.

Especially when even someone so much as breathed on him, Bennet Salvatore would call a foul. I mean for fuck's sake, even Scottie Pipen would have had a hard time in those conditions guarding Wade. So, yes, he most definetly got the "Jordan Treatment."

[kcxiv]

Big ass Lakers fan here since the Mid 80's, but i dont think we stand a chance, but i will be watching every game roooting for them. I cant bitch much i have seen them win it all 6 times.

[kcxiv]

Originally Posted by kedwyn

Not a NBA fan at all anymore. Used to love them but the players are mostly thugish now with little class.

I'm much more a fan of College hoops.

There is very few people in the NBA that get into trouble now days. It has gotten alot better in the last few years. Its really not all that thugged out like people make it out to be.