namelesstavern.net

who??

and why?

Defense wins championships, and the Spurs are well rounded and well coached. They are my pick.

I bet my pick will surprise nobody.

I'll discuss details if people want =p. Rest assured, however, that we really *can* beat anyone at this point. Look at the Detroit, Boston, Orlando and San Antonio blowouts if you want proof.

My pick is San Antonio, but they need Duncan. No Duncan = no championship.

Dallas looks great going into the final few weeks of the season. Do not put it past this team to make a run at the NBA Finals. Having everyone healthy is a really big lift to this team.

Pheonix is looking like they are stumbling abit. But you cant count out a team that can throw up 120 points a night.

Sonics are falling fast. Injuries at the wrong time are killing this team. If they hit their outside shots though, they can beat anyone.

Nuggets going 18-2 in the last 20 games is amazing. In the playoffs though we all know that George Karl's scheme hasnt produced a championship.

My only concern for San Antonio is Duncan's 'readiness' come post-season, week1. If you watched what we did to San Antone sans Duncan (I was there ), you would believe me... they are the ONE team (besides Nash in Pho) in the playoffs this year that depends on a single player so much. Miami can win without Shaq... Detroit and Dallas are still depth monsters... Denver and Seattle have a well balanced starting 5... but San Antone is almost useless without Duncan. Had to go into double-OT the past 2 games.

I agree Vonk. With Duncan the Spurs are monsters, without him they are a .500 team.

In the playoffs depth with usually win out. Seattle, Dallas, and Detroit are the 3 deepest teams imho.

Seattle needs to stop getting hurt.

We'll take their 3rd spot (won't help us in the first round, I know) if ya'll don't heal up soon.

No shit. Its been bad. Cant keep anyone in the lineup. Losing Vlade for as long as we did really hurt. Couple that with the inability to hit a 3 point shot now has killed us.

You mean losing one of the top five players in the league hurts a team's chances to win? Shocking!

Phoenix has no chance without Nash.

Dallas is done without Dirk.

If Miami loses Shaq, they won't make out of the East.

Without Bibby, Sacramento might as well pack their bags (given that Jackson is out).

The Pistons absolutely rely on the Wallaces to anchor their keystone defense.

All the teams that have a realistic shot at winning the title, can all be torpedoed by the loss of a single player. This isn't really news, as generally depth and anonymity are good for a first round exit. Last year's Pistons don't win the title without Sheed, just doesn't happen. Teams are usually propelled to titles by great players.

Spurs.

While Memphis may not stand a chance to win a series they should at least win a game or two. We have beaten SA twice this year with Duncan playing, once in SA. We have beaten Phoenix twice this year, once with Nash playing. But yeah, I don't see anyone winning 4 against the Spurs as long as Duncan and Manu stay healthy. How Manu isn't hurt every night i cannot fathom with the way he drives and throws himself into the air to draw hard fouls. Also, Miami really is dependant on Shaq as much as Pho relies on Nash and SA relies on Duncan. Memphis had a 30 point lead on Miami without Shaq. They are a very easy team to stop without the big man in the game. His absence allows the defense to swarm Wade when he has the ball and forces others to make shots. Honestly, without SHaq they are easy to defend. With Shaq, double or tripling Wade just isn't an option unless you want to see Shaq tear the goal down again.

i picked the Suns only because no one really knows whats up with Timmy.. he comes back healthy its the spurs.. if not.. Suns.

spurs and dallas will beat each other up.. Suns have seattle which they should blow thru like 4-1

and cause of a shorter series it will help them beat the mavs/spurs

this all hinges on Timmy

BUT if the kings slip to 6th.. and miller doesn't come back... then the Suns MAY lose a series with the kings (this is assuming the Sonics aren't healthy, they can and probably would lose to the Kings if they aren't healthy)..

lets me point to the 123 spot they posted on the Suns (and the 1 win) when webber wasn't moving and without bobby. Kings are better defensively now.. so they won't give up 125 constantly to the suns in a series. Suns don't play enough defense against any good team so a high scoring team has a chance. The difference will be if bibby is on.. Suns will lose.. if he isn't suns will win

Spurs should beat whoever the first found team is IF tim is healthy.. i don't trust their team unless tim is there. The dallas series with the Spurs i am not totally convinced of but 4-3 Spurs IF tim is healthy.

who knows this year.. suns can't play D, Dallas is playing better D than last year, Spurs have a hurt Tim, Kings who knows, Houston who knows they can get on a roll or they can get owned like they have been lately. Sonics if they get healthy might win it all. All depends on injuries and how hot people are

Just for fun I'm gonna pick the brawling Pacers in the east, if they can get Tinsley and Oneil back before he playoffs of course.