It's that time: WESTERN CONFERENCE (1) T-Wolves vs. (8) Nuggets - I actually think this could be a very entertaining series to watch. Will Carmelo up his game in a way that helps the team or try and take too much on his shoulders. TWolves with too much firepower. T-Wolves in 6 (2) Laker vs. (7) Rockets - Rockets may be some people's sleeper pick, but don't forget that the Lakers still have Kobe, still have Shaq and can still dominate. That said, I have to pick an upset in the Western Conference and I'm a homer.... Rockets in 7 (3) San Antonio vs. (6) Memphis - I don't care how well Memphis has been playing or how well they played San Antonio this year. Memphis' bench is too long for the playoffs and the Spurs are entering the post-season with the kind of polish and leadership seen with the Bulls, Magic, Lakers, Celtics, even Rockets of old.... San Antonio in 5 (4) Sacramento vs. (5)Dallas - A lot of scoring but will the winner of this series have a long-term impact in this season's playoffs. Both teams that haven't been playing very well recently. Should be an exciting series, but I still feel blah about it for some reason... Kings in 7 SECOND ROUND (1) T-Wolves vs. (4) Kings - Good series, but I can't seem to get past the Kings slide. Once the T-Wolves finally taste playoff victory I say they get better. T-Wolves in 6 (7) Rockets vs. (3) San Antonio - Spurs should be rested and ready. Rockets wil be mentally and physically tired having made it this far. Spurs play too efficiently. Spurs in 5 CONFERENCE FINALS (1) T-Wolves vs. (3) Spurs - Two most consistent teams in the league. Spurs yet to be truly tested in playoffs, but T-Wolves match up well with them. KG is MVP for a reason this year. Great series. T-Wolves in 7 EASTERN CONFERENCE (1) Indiand vs. (8) Boston - Not much to say here. Pacers just too strong this year, and Carlisle's impact will continue to be seen in playoffs. Pacers in 5 (2) New Jersey vs. (7) New York - Same as above. Pathetic that the Knicks are even in the playoffs. That said, sometimes the Nets really suck it up... Nets in 6 (3) Detroit vs. (6) Milwaukee - I really really want to pick Milwaukee in this series. I like Milwaukee's style, aggressiveness, etc., but Detroit's been playing well lately. I'll go out on a limb. Bucks in 7 (4) Miami vs. (5) New Orleans - Forget Hubie. Stan Van Gundy for coach of the year. But, I'm going to predict a big series for Magloire and go with the experience of the Hornets. But if Miami makes good moves this offseason, watch out East. Hornets in 6 SECOND ROUND (1) Pacers vs. (5) Hornets - Hornets got past inexperienced Heat, but not past NBA best record Pacers. Pacers in 6 (2) Nets vs. (6) Milwaukee - Should be a decent offensive series. Again, going to ride my one bet, the Bucks for no real reason. Bucks in 6 CONFERENCE FINALS (1) Pacers vs. (6) Milwaukee - Even I will admit this is an unlikely conference finals, but I went out on a limb. Have to go with the Pacers here, though. Pacers in 6 NBA FINALS West: T-Wolves vs. East: Pacers - Probably not NBA's idea of a great Finals, and not that much of a gamble with each conference's #1 seeds going at it. I see the T-Wovles years of playoff misery all paying off in their championship run. Maybe KG's best chance ever- he has to capitalize while he can. T-Wolves in 6
The only thing I disagree with is Detroit. Wow... how good is their defense. I think they made a statement against Indiana earlier and that they will be the Eastern Conference Champs. Indiana's success is a mirage... I mean are they really that good?
I have to disagree with Houston beating LA. No way, I don't think Houston has enough firepower to come close to competeting with LA. I'd say Lakers in 5. I'd have to question the Pistons/Bucks matchup. I don't know why you like the Bucks, but they are a mess without TJ Ford. I don't think they'll win a game. Who is going to guard Rasheed Wallace? I think Detroit comes out of the East, LA, Minnesota, or San Antonio out of the West. Also I'm going with Dallas over Sacramento in round 1.
Watch out for Miami in the East...and Houston in the West if they play like we know they are capable of...Peace. All in all I pick Sacremento to beat the Nets in the Finals.
David Stern must have a sleepless night last night, tickled pink with all the dream match ups .... WESTERN CONFERENCE (1) T-Wolves vs. (8) Nuggets - 2 athletic teams that like to run and gun. Wolves finally get out of the 1st round. (2) Laker vs. (7) Rockets - Shaq vs Yao in the play-offs, need I say more? Houston for sentimental reason. (3) San Antonio vs. (6) Memphis - 2 fundamentally sound teams with great, highly discipline coaches. SA has too much experience. (4) Sacramento vs. (5)Dallas - Playofff games that have score in the 100s? Fans love them. Sacramento. EASTERN CONFERENCE (1) Indiand vs. (8) Boston - Although not like the rivalry of years past, it is still a good one for the fans. Indi. (2) New Jersey vs. (7) New York - Like Yankees-Mets, it is as big as it comes for the fans in the tri-state. Upset by Knicks. (3) Detroit vs. (6) Milwaukee - A good match up for the Great Lakes area. Detroit is too much. (4) Miami vs. (5) New Orleans - Southeast regional? N.O. has been sliding. Miami will take this series with help from the home court.
West (1) T-Wolves vs. (8) Nuggets - Wolves (by far the better team) (2) Laker vs. (7) Rockets - Lakers (to bad but i think kobve and shaq and payton will be to much (3) San Antonio vs. (6) Memphis - San Antonio ( memphis has the better bench but they do not have a superstar. Maybe gasol can be that for them, but still the spurs will win) (4) Sacramento vs. (5)Dallas - Sacramento (i think dallas really misses an inside presence. and they do not have any chemistry i like the mavs team better last year) (1) Wolves - (4) Kings Wolves. i really like the wolves and i think Garnet will show them how to win. (2) Lakers - (3) Spurs Spurs ( i think there is no way to beat Duncan. If Malone if healthy maybe the lakers will win, but if not it will be the spurs. (1) Wolves - (3) spurs Spurs i think the experience of the spurs will defeat the wolves. i'm rooting for the wolves EAST (1) Indiand vs. (8) Boston - INdiana (2) New Jersey vs. (7) New York - New Jersay (3) Detroit vs. (6) Milwaukee - Detroit (4) Miami vs. (5) New Orleans - NO (1)Indiana - (5)No Indiana (2) New Jersey - (3) Detroit Detroit (1) Indiana - (3) Detroit Indiana Indiana- Spurs Spurs win it all.
First Round EAST Indiana vs. Boston - Pacers in 4 Detroit vs. Milwaukee - Pistons in 5 Miami vs. New Orleans - Miami in 6 New Jersey vs. New York - New Jersey in 7 WEST Minnesota vs. Denver - Minnesota in 5 L.A. Lakers vs. Houston - L.A. Lakers in 6 (though I hope not) San Antonio vs. Memphis - San Antonio in 6 Sacramento vs. Dallas - Dallas in 6 (upset) Second Round EAST Indiana vs. Miami - Indiana in 6 (a toughie) Detroit vs. New Jersey - Detroit in 5 WEST Minnesota vs. Dallas - Minn in 6 L.A. Lakers vs. San Antonio - SA in 7 (an epic) Conference Finals EAST Indiana vs. Detroit - Indiana in 7 WEST Minn vs. SA - SA in 6 THE FINALS Indiana vs SA - Indiana in 7
1st round - Nuggets in 7 2nd round - Nuggets in 7 WC Finals - Nuggets in 7 NBA Finals - Nuggets in 4 - world champs
I was thinking the same in regards to the last-game flipping of Sacramento and Lakers to match-up the two high-powered offenses and get the Shaq-Yao series. But, I didn't notice all the others you pointed out which seem great. It's almost as if the whole thing was planned.... First Round EAST Indiana vs. Boston - Pacers in 4 Detroit vs. Milwaukee - Pistons in 5 Miami vs. New Orleans - Miami in 6 New Jersey vs. New York - New Jersey in 6 WEST Minnesota vs. Denver - Minnesota in 5 L.A. Lakers vs. Houston - LA in 6 San Antonio vs. Memphis - San Antonio in 5 Sacramento vs. Dallas - Sacramento in 7 Second Round EAST Indiana vs. Miami - Indiana in 5 Detroit vs. New Jersey - Detroit in 7 WEST Minnesota vs. Sacramento - Minn in 7 L.A. Lakers vs. San Antonio - SA in 7 Conference Finals EAST Indiana vs. Detroit - Indiana in 6 WEST Minn vs. SA - SA in 7 THE FINALS Indiana vs SA - San Antonio in 6
First Round EAST Indiana vs. Boston - Pacers in 4 Detroit vs. Milwaukee - Pistons in 4 Miami vs. New Orleans - Miami in 6 New Jersey vs. New York - New Jersey in 7 WEST Minnesota vs. Denver - Minnesota in 5 L.A. Lakers vs. Houston - Houston in 7 San Antonio vs. Memphis - San Antonio in 6 Sacramento vs. Dallas - Sacramento in 5 Second Round EAST Indiana vs. Miami - Indiana in 6 Detroit vs. New Jersey - Detroit in 6 WEST Minnesota vs. Sacramento - Sacramento in 6 L.A. Lakers vs. San Antonio - SA in 5 Conference Finals EAST Indiana vs. Detroit - Detroit in 6 WEST Sacramento vs. SA - SA in 6 FINALS SA vs. Detroit - SA in 5 won't be the prettiest finals, but i would rather have the Spurs win the title than the Lakers.
First Round EAST Indiana vs. Boston - Pacers in 5 Detroit vs. Milwaukee - Pistons in 5 Miami vs. New Orleans - Heat in 7 (key - Floyd, Davis, and Mash are all on different pages) New Jersey vs. New York - Knicks in 6 (key - Kidd's knee won't let him stay with Marbury) WEST Minnesota vs. Denver - Wolves in 6 (KG shuts Melo down, Camby and Nene are the real keys) L.A. Lakers vs. Houston - Lakers in 5 (Rockets will only do better if Yao steps it up and Francis plays under control) San Antonio vs. Memphis - Spurs in 7 (Tough matchup for Spurs) Sacramento vs. Dallas - Kings in 7 (Must-see TV) Second Round EAST Indiana vs. Miami - Indiana in 6 Detroit vs. New York - Detroit in 4 WEST Minnesota vs. Sac - Sacramento in 5 L.A. Lakers vs. San Antonio - LAL in 5 Conference Finals EAST Indiana vs. Detroit - Detroit in 5 WEST Sac vs. LA - LA in 6 THE FINALS Detroit vs LA - LA in 5 Detroit should simply skip and hop through the East to the Finals, especially with Kidd, Martin, O'Neal, and Artest banged up. The New York Knick's complete lack of perimeter shooters (with Houston down and out) will keep them from making much noise as well. The Pistons, like all teams in the East, have no answer for Shaq. In the West, the Lakers in the playoffs are tough to get by. Shaq is interested, Payton helps them more than Fisher ever could, and Kobe is simply scorching right now. Evan
First Round EAST Indiana vs. Boston - Pacers in 5 Detroit vs. Milwaukee - Pistons in 6 Miami vs. New Orleans - Hornets in 6 New Jersey vs. New York - Nets in 7 WEST Minnesota vs. Denver - Wolves in 7 L.A. Lakers vs. Houston - Lakers in 7 San Antonio vs. Memphis - Spurs in 6 Sacramento vs. Dallas - Kings in 7 Second Round EAST Indiana vs. New Orleans - Hornets in 7 Detroit vs. New Jersey - Pistons in 7 WEST Minnesota vs. Sacramento - Kings in 6 L.A. Lakers vs. San Antonio - Lakers in 6 Conference Finals EAST New Orleans vs. Detroit - Hornets in 7 WEST Sacramento vs. L.A. Lakers - Lakers in 7 THE FINALS New Orleans vs L.A. Lakers - Lakers in 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE (1) T-Wolves vs. (8) Nuggets - T-wolves are better. take it in 6. (2) Laker vs. (7) Rockets - Here's to hoping. Rockets in 6. (3) San Antonio vs. (6) Memphis - more experience. SA in 5. (4) Sacramento vs. (5)Dallas - Dallas will take it in 7 EASTERN CONFERENCE (1) Indiand vs. (8) Boston - Indiana in 4. (2) New Jersey vs. (7) New York - Marbury is gonna play great, but Nets will play better. Nets in 6. (3) Detroit vs. (6) Milwaukee - Detroit is simply the better team, 5 games. (4) Miami vs. (5) New Orleans - Baron's back and they've got an attack. NO in 7.
Western Conference 1. vs. 8. T-pups in 5 2. vs. 7. Rox in 7 3. vs. 6. Spurs in 6 4. vs. 5. Mavs in 7 Eastern Conference 1. vs. 8. Pacers in 6 2. vs. 7. Nets in 7, maybe Knicks, haven't heard anything on Kidd or Kmart, and with Houston not playing. 3. vs. 6. Pistons in 6 4. vs. 5. Hornets in 7 Western Conference Semi Finals Mavs over T-pups in 7 Rox over Spurs in 7 Eastern Conference Semi Finals Pacers over Hornets in 6 Pistons over Nets in 7 Western Conference Finals Rox over Mavs in 7 Eastern conference Finals Pistons over Pacers in 7 NBA Finals Rox over Pistons in 7
This is all I'm predicting for now: WESTERN CONFERENCE (1) T-Wolves vs. (8) Nuggets -Wolves in 7 (2) Laker vs. (7) Rockets- Lakers in 7 (3) San Antonio vs. (6) Memphis- Grizzlies in 6 (4) Sacramento vs. (5)Dallas- Mavericks in 6
i dont see why everyone seems to be jumping on miami's bandwagon. they wont make it out of the 1st round,no depth but wade and odom are both money
Indiana over Boston in 4. Miami over New Orleans in 6. New Jersey over New York in 6. Detroit over Milwaukee in 4. Minnesota over Denver in 5. Suckramento over Dallas in 7. Lakers over Rockets in 7 (Malone hurt, Kobe trial, etc) San Antonio over Memphis in 5. Indiana over Miami in 5. Detroit over Jersey in 5. Minnesota over Suckramento in 6. San Antonio over Lakers in 7. Detroit over Indiana in 7. San Antonio over Minnesota in 7. San Antonio over Detroit in 7.
(1) T-Wolves vs. (8) Nuggets - Nuggest will get spend all their Gold in the Mall of America and then get lost in the Orange parking lot. Bitten. T wolves in 5. (2) Lakers vs. (7) Rockets - Obviously, they used up all their game winning shots. They have no chance. Rockets in 7. (3) San Antonio vs. (6) Memphis - The Grizz will go into the Alamo only to see a bad movie. San Antonio in 6. (4) Sacramento vs. (5)Dallas - the letter D is removed from the alphabet temporarly. Which leaves the phrase irk Norwitski. Sacramento in 7. EASTERN CONFERENCE (1) Indiand vs. (8) Boston - Boston didn't even really want to be here. A massacre. Indiana in 5. (2) New Jersey vs. (7) New York - For New Yorkers, the Light at the end of the Tunnel is... New Jersey. Nets in 5. (3) Detroit vs. (6) Milwaukee - The Bucks get run over. Detroit in 4. (4) Miami vs. (5) New Orleans - Mardi Gras vs. Spring Break. Who has any energy left. New Orleans in 6.
