NBA Playoffs

[Zanchief]

We just needed a thread for this.

My team this year is the Clipps. How can you not go for these guys, they got their first playoff win in 13 years on saturday night. I mean even Toronto has won a series in their existance and they suck.

Plus they have the Sam Cassel looks like an alien factor working for them, and Elton Brand is beast of a player.

[Spliffs]

I'd like to see Denver do something, seeing as I live in CO, and they've been a joke my entire life.

I like San Antonio too. Anyone but Detroit and i'm good!

[Zanchief]

Devner's looked pretty bad in the two Clipps games I've seen.

The SA V Sac series could be interesting when Artest comes back from his suspension. I'd expect some form of retaliation against Manu that could land him a big time suspension next year.

[vonkaar]

Heh, I just posted this as a new thread:

My opinion:

Starting in the west:

Clippers / Nuggets: (Clippers currently lead 2-0)

The Clippers look like they are geared to sweep the Nuggets. This might be the 'one' first round matchup where the other team has NO answer, or even a prayer for the 'superior' team. I really like this L.A. team.

Suns / Lakers: (Suns currently lead 1-0)

I think this is a fun series... I'm totally watching every game here. I think that the fact that Kobe didn't explode during game one should scare the hell out of Phoenix. They barely lost that game and Kobe wasn't head and shoulders the best guy on the court. I'd be worried. 7 game series IMO and I wouldn't be surprised to see an Clippers / Lakers round 2 series.

Maverick's / Grizzlies: (Maverick's currently lead 1-0)

I hate making predictions on my own team because I'm afraid of jinxes. However... if Dampier can give us 90% of what he did in game one... we'll see you in june. Everybody who gave us 'any' chance of making it past San Antonio based these predictions on Dirk, Howard, Terry and Harris' play... how well we score and defend and all that stuff. Our centers were just supposed to do their thing... not dominate like he just did. 12/12/0/2/2 with 7 offensive boards is amazing. If he can do that every game? Holy shit, watch out.

Spurs / Kings: (Spurs currently lead 1-0)

Even without Artest in game 2, I still think the Kings will steal at least one game from the Spurs. But... I also think that this is Rick Adelman's last season in Sacramento.

Eastern Conference:

Cavs / Wizards: (Cavs currently lead 1-0)
These two teams are too evenly matched to make it a quick series. I like Cleveland to win, but it'll be at least 6 games.

Pistons / Bucks: (Pistons currently lead 1-0)
If Rip is injured, the Buck's might win a game... but they won't advance.

Nets / Pacers: (Pacers currently lead 1-0)
Pacers showed why the nets were so overrated coming into the post-season. This series will go to 6-7 games, but who cares? Neither team would get past either Chicago or Miami...

Heat / Bulls: (Heat currently lead 2-0)
It's a happy/sad feeling for the Bulls. Like, I feel bad for them because they are a young and exciting team that are 'so' close to being AMAZING. Hinrich is amazing... Gordon and Deng are badass... and they are getting a top 3 pick from NY this summer. They 'could' be a dynasty team before 2008. But... at the same time, they are facing Shaq, and a lot of playoff experience... and they won't advance. They'll probably win 1 game at home, but that's it.

East: Detroit needs to stay healthy to win the East. If Rip or Billups gets injured, I think the race is a hella lot closer than the whiney motor-city fans think. I'd put Cleveland and Miami in the same category as an 'injured-backcourt' Detroit easily. A healthy Detroit will only lose by a stellar Miami or a demonic Lebron (meaning, 5 more triple doubles).

West: San Antonio is obviously the huge favorite... I'm just really really hoping that Sac gives us a little help by extending the series a bit. We can take care of Memphis pretty quickly... I think... and then get to rest... but if San Antonio gets the same rest, it doesn't help us. Phoenix has just as hard of a road, despite what their overzealous fans think. The Clippers and Lakers are a lot harder than they might think.

It's exciting all around though...

[Lyion]

The Lakers/Suns series is going to be the most fun. I've been TIVOing and watching all the games, and many of them have been very good.

Who'd a thunk the Clippers would be in the strongest position of any team in their series after two games?

I still see the finals as being Detroit vs San Antonio. Cleveland and Miami just don't have the horsepower to win. Dallas has a shot, but roster versus roster I like San Antonio.