I don't remember having one of these threads in a few months, so with the season starting tomorrow, we might as well post our picks for the season here and see who comes out the closest at season's end. East 1. Milwaukee 2. Philadelphia 3. Toronto 4. Charlotte 5. Orlando 6. Indiana 7. New York 8. Atlanta 9. Miami (almost...) Analysis: I actually think the Pacers and Magic will be the most surprising teams in the conference, for different reasons. I don't think Orlando will come near the #1 seed, simply because of the age and injury factor. Grant Hill already got hurt, Patrick Ewing got hurt, Mike Miller got hurt, etc. With the exception of Miller, those guys are injury risks, and with things already flaring up this early, they could have some problems down the road. Indiana is my surprise team in the East, mainly cause of Jermaine O'Neal, who I think is ready to have a huge season. Remember how much Tracy McGrady improved between his first and second seasons of regular playing time (two years ago and last year)? I think you may see that from O'Neal this year, and assuming Croshere can get back on track, I think the Pacers can surprise a few. West 1. San Antonio 2. LA Lakers 3. Sacramento 4. Portland 5. Houston 6. Dallas 7. Utah 8. Minnesota 9. Phoenix Analysis: Well, to me, there are two overhyped teams: the Lakers and Mavs. The Lakers had a great playoff run last season, but you cannot forget how this team looked for most of the regular season. The run they made in the playoffs came because the team captured the chemistry at the perfect time, and combining that with their talent made them hard to beat. But do you really expect this team, 5 months later, to just walk out on the court with the same chemistry they had in the playoffs? I don't. It'll take them a while to adjust to the new rules, and who knows if Shaq and Kobe can go a season without fueding. With most of the league gunning for them, I think they'll struggle a little this year, and I would pick the Kings over them except for Webber's injury. The Mavs are much the same scenario. Do you remember how this team looked against the Spurs in the playoffs last year? They were completely dominated physically by a Spurs team without Derek Anderson. The Spurs have added Steve Smith, Bruce Bowen, and depth to the team that dismantled the Mavs, and lost no significant contributors from that series. The Mavs exchanged Calvin Booth and Howard Eisley for Danny Manning and Tim Hardaway. This is supposed to make them dominate the Midwest? Please. The Mavs need a physical force in the middle-- someone who will rebound with intensity, block shots-- someone like Eddie Griffin. The Mavs are fun to watch, but they could not come close to beating the more physical teams in the playoffs last year, and they've done very little to fix that problem. I think the Rockets have a shot to be better than the Mavs this season. Playoffs East Milwaukee over Atlanta Philadelphia over New York Toronto over Indiana Orlando over Charlotte Milwaukee over Orlando Toronto over Philadelphia Milwaukee over Toronto Analysis: There are four good teams in the East: Milwaukee, Philly, Toronto, and Orlando (when healthy). I think they will all make it into the second round, but when it's all said and done, the Bucks can get it done. This year, even if the Bucks are having an off shooting night, they can go to Mason inside. West Spurs over Wolves Lakers over Jazz Kings over Mavs Blazers over Rockets Spurs over Blazers Kings over Lakers Spurs over Kings Analysis: The Kings finally beat the Lakers this year. If you think back to last year's playoffs, they gave the Lakers close games in 3 of the 4 games that series. Assuming the Lakers aren't clicking like they were last year, the Kings are the type of team that could give them problems. The Kings and Spurs would be a good battle, but I'd take the Spurs in 7, based in large part on the home court advantage they would have in this scenario. NBA Finals: Bucks over Spurs Analysis: As much as the West may be a "superior" conference, I think the Bucks will win the Finals if they get there, and I also think they had a good chance to last year. There's a reason they were 8-0 combined against the Lakers, Spurs, Kings, and Jazz, and it wasn't luck. The style the Bucks play is different than any the Western contenders have to face, and now they have a physical presence inside as well. MVP: Tim Duncan, Spurs-- If the free throw stroke is back, which it appears to be (80% in the preseason), I think he can get the award he was robbed of in 1999. Coach of the Year: Rudy Tomjanovich, Rockets-- We'll be so much better than anyone thinks. Sixth Man of the Year: Tim Thomas, Bucks-- It's time for him to really break out. Rookie of the Year: Eddie Griffin, Rockets-- Believe it. There aren't that many rookies starting this year, and if EG can contribute like he did on Friday when he gets minutes, I think he could come close to 25 mpg by the second half of the season. Most Improved Player: Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers-- Ready to be a star.
East 1.) Milwaukee 2.) Orlando 3.) Toronto 4.) Charlotte 5.) Miami 6.) New York 7.) Atlanta 8.) New Jersey Injuries are going to significantly hurt Philadelphia. It's going to take awhile for chemistry to develop. But next year they'll be healthy, deep, and athletic, and I think they will be a serious threat to win the championship. New Jersey is deep, athletic, fast and big. I think they will be the new Kings of the East, only better. They have chemistry. Washington will be close to making playoffs after a late season run. Miami will surprise the league West 1.) San Antonio 2.) Los Angeles 3.) Dallas 4.) Portland 5.) Sacramento 6.) Houston 7.) Utah 8.) Minnesota I want to say the Clippers, because they are more talented them Minnesota and Utah, but they lack experience. They will make a run. If Denver stay afloat and plays .500 basketball or better until McDyess returns and stay within 3 games Minnesota, I think they'll overtake them and make the postseason, as long as the chemistry develops. Losing Ceballos hurts I think. The Supersonics are horrible. I'm not impressed so far with Bibby on the Kings, and the Kings lack of depth up front will catch up with them. They'll miss Barry more then people realize, he was an injury player and a sparkplug. If the Rockets get the Mavs in the postseason I pick the Rockets in an upset.
East: 1) Philadelphia 2) Toronto 3) Milwaukee 4) Orlando 5) Charlotte 6) Miami 7) New York 8) Indiana East Champ: Milwaukee West: 1) Lakers 2) Dallas 3) San Antonio 4) Sacramento 5) Utah 6) Portland 7) Minnesota 8) Houston West Champ: Dallas World Champ: Dallas
East: 1. Milwaukee 2. Philadelphia 3. Orlando 4. Toronto 5. Charlotte 6. Miami 7. Indiana 8. New York Champ: Milwaukee Analysis: Orlando will have either chemistry or injury problems, Philly will be too hurt to challenge, and Toronto won't be able to match up talentwise with the Bucks. West: 1. Spurs 2. Lakers 3. Sacramento 4. Dallas 5. Houston 6. Blazers (look for continued chemistry issues) 7. Minnesota 8. Utah Champ: Lakers League champ: Lakers Analysis: The Spurs will use good execution and defense to get the best record in the league. I think they are the new Jazz - destined to be really good, but never outstanding. Sacramento will beat the less talented teams into submission, but don't know who their go-to guy is when the going gets tough. The Lakers will win their third and last title because they have a classically defined team with two of the best players in the league, and the rest are role players who understand their role.
East: The east will prove to be a much better conference this year. 1. Toronto- Carter will have his best year, while the Dream will dominate the weak eastern centers. 2. Philadelphia- (by virtue of winning the Atlantic, not the better record) Iverson will carry this team to the best record in the Atlantic. 3. Milwaukee- (second in the central by one game) They will struggle early on, just like last year. By losing a couple games to the Raptors, they will fall to this seed. 4. Orlando- McGrady and Hill is a brilliant nucleus. I expect a healthy season from them, but I'm not sure about the bench. 5. Charlotte- They have quietly built a quality team. Don't let the seed fool you, they will be very much in the hunt. 6. New York- The fans will carry them into the playoffs. Look for a great home record, and a losing road record. 7. Washington- Michael Jordan. 8. This will be a painful offensive team, but their defense will be just enough to make the playoffs. Alonzo will take a few months to get his game back, and by then, it will be too late to get a higher seed. 9. Atlanta- Had one of the best offseasons in the leage, but will miss the playoffs by one game. They own the tiebreaker with Boston, so they get 9th instead of 10th. 10. Boston- They miss the playoffs by one game. 11. Indiana- Two games out of the playoffs. 12. New Jersey- Will show flashes of greatness, and flashes of horribleness. 13. Detroit- Stackhouse, White, and scrubs. Not enough... 14. Cleveland- zzzzzzzzzzz-snore-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz big gap 15. Chicago- May have the worst season ever. Floyd is stupid to bring his rookies off the bench. What have the Bulls got to lose? West: Still the best conference, but not by as much as in previous years. 1. Los Angeles Lakers- This team has only added talent to the best nucleus in the league. I can't be blinded by my hatred of Kobe any longer. This team is just too good not to get the number one seed. However, they will not be that far in front of their Pacific Division rivals. 2. Dallas- In a tight Midwest race, the Mavs will edge out the Spurs by virtue of their brilliant offense. They win the midwest by a game. 3. Portland- The Blazers will have the second best record in the west. This year, they will find their chemistry. 4. Sacramento- Adding Bibby will do wonders for team chemistry. 5. San Antonio- Duncan, surrounded by crap. An aging Robinson, an offensively-challenged group of role players, and a mediocre coach. They will be ugly, offensively, but Duncan and defense will get them this seed. 6. Houston- They will miss the fifth seed by only a game, as this team stuns the league with its offensive prowess and surprisingly good defense. 7. Minnesota- Another year, another low playoff seed. 8. Seattle- They will be one of the biggest surprises in the league. 9. Utah- This team is dead. 10. Phoenix- Marbury for Kidd was a terrible trade. This team is basically the Nets, in the west. 11. Los Angeles Clippers- They will shock everybody, by not shocking anybody. This team will struggle, offensively. 12. Denver- They will be strong for the second half of the season, but losing McDyess hurts, badly. 13. Golden State- This team's chemistry will suffer. Maybe by 2003 they will be ready to challenge for a playoff spot. Big gap 14. Memphis- Trading Bibby for Williams was just plain stupid. They will challenge the Bulls for the title of worst team in the league.
Playoffs: East Round One: Raptors over Heat 3-1 Sixers over Wizards 3-2 Bucks over Knicks 3-1 Charlotte over Orlando 3-2 Semifinals: Raptors over Hornets 4-2 Bucks over Sixers 4-3 Conference Finals: Raptors over Bucks 4-2 West: Round One Lakers over Sonics 3-2 Mavericks over T-Wolves 3-0 Blazers over Rockets 3-2 Kings over Spurs 3-1 Semifinals: Lakers over Kings 4-3 Blazers over Mavericks 4-2 Conference Finals: Lakers over Blazers 4-3 NBA Finals: Lakers over Raptors 4-3 dammit!
Awards: MVP: Michael Jordan- Believe it. Getting the Wizards to the seventh seed will be enough for the media, and it will be enough for me. MIP: Kelvin Cato- 11-10-3 from Kelvin this year. Sixth Man: I have no idea ROY: Griffin- He will be a defensive force in only his first year. COY- Doug Collins- Michael or no Michael, getting the Wizards to the playoffs is impressive. Least Valuable Player- Jason Williams- He will have his worst season yet.
1.Bucks 2.magic 3.Raptors 4.charlotte 5.76ers 6.atl 7.jordan 8.boston 1.lake show 2.kings 3.mavs 4.blazers 5.spurs 6.rocks 7.minnesota 8.jazz 9.clippers 10.suns mvp:jordan roy:eddie griffin mip:??? this is the truth
East: 1. Orlando Magic 2. Toronto Raptors 3. Milwaulkee Bucks 4. Philadelphia 76ers 5. Charlotte Hornets 6. New York Knicks 7. Michael Jordan 8. Atlanta Hawks West: 1. Lakers 2. Spurs 3. Kings 4. Blazers 5. Mavs 6. Rockets 7. Jazz 8. Timberwolves Orl over Atl Tor over MJ Mil over NYK Phi over Cha Orl over Mil Tor over Phi Tor over Orl Lal over Min SA over Uta Hou over Sac Mavs over Por Hou over Lal SA over Mavs Hou over SA Hou over Tor Houston Rockets World Champions How Sweet it is! (wouldn't that be a dream)
East: 1. Milwaukee 2. Orlando 3. Philly 4. Toronto 5. Charlotte 6. New York 7. Miami 8. Indiana West: 1. LA (too good if shaq stays healthy) 2. Sac (nice tweeking in off-season) 3. SA (same as always) 4. Dallas (soon reaching their peak) 5. Rockets (too fast to keep up with) 6. Portland (who knows...too good to ignore, too weird to believe) 7. Minnesota (same as always) 8. Utah (malone hurtin, stockton a non-factor, the decline becomes obvious)
East: 1 Milwaukee 2 Orlando 3 Toronto 4 Philadelphia 5 Charlotte 6 Atlanta 7 Miami 8 New York West: 1 LA Lakers 2 San Antonio 3 Sacramento 4 Dallas 5 Portland 6 Houston 7 Utah 8 LA Clippers Playoffs (East): Milwaukee over New York Orlando over Miami Atlanta over Toronto Philadelphia over Charlotte Milwaukee over Philadelphia Orlando over Atlanta Milwaukee over Orlando Playoffs (West): LA Lakers over LA Clippers San Antonio over Utah Sacramento over Houston Dallas over Portland LA Lakers over Dallas Sacramento over San Antonio Sacramento over LA Lakers NBA Finals: Sacramento over Milwaukee Analysis: Anthony Mason joins Sam Cassell, Ray Allen, and Glenn Robinson in making the Bucks the class of the East. Orlando gets good seasons out of Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady to win the Atlantic easily. Toronto is good as well despite getting an injury-plagued campaign from Olajuwon. The 76ers fell behind these 3 and Iverson battles nagging injuries all season long. The Hawks are the surprise of the NBA grabbing the 6th spot. Out west, the Lakers and Kings battle for the best record in the NBA all season long with the Lakers just barely eeking out the #1 spot. The Spurs hold off the Mavericks and the resurgent Rockets in the Midwest. The Jazz really show their age and slip to the #7 spot, meanwhile the Clippers shock everyone by beating out the T-Wolves, Suns, and Sonics in a tight battle for the last playoff spot in the West. In the playoffs, the Bucks play like a team on a mission and dispose of the Magic in 6 games in the Eastern finals. Out west, the big shocker is the Kings denying the Lakers a 3-peat with a victory over the Late Show in the Western Finals. The NBA Finals are pretty entertaining for a change, and the Kings are able to outlast the Bucks in 7 games.
Eastern Conference: 1) Bucks : already a solid team, and Mason gives them a post up threat. 2) Raptors : Alvin Williams solidified the backcourt last year, and Dream, Keon Clark, and Davis will make for a great frontcourt. 3) Sixers : might struggle early on, but will pull it together in time. Coleman might turn out to be a huge pickup. 4) Orlando : a veteran team all of a sudden...Grant Hill is the difference between a finals run and a first round exit. 5) Hornets : an up and rising team...they are one good post up man away from being finals contenders. 6) Wizards : MJ will find a way, but these last three spots will be close. 7) Heat : Zo is a must for this team to make the playoffs...he has to return to full strength. 8) Pacers : a lot of talent should get them back to the playoffs...Tinsley will need to run the offense better than Best. --------- 9) Atlanta : will just miss by a game or so...but these young guys will get their chance next season. 10) Knicks : I think this team will fall apart this year...too many guards will lead to chemistry problems. 11-15) Celtics, Cavs, Pistons, Nets.............Bulls : first four of these teams will win 20-30 games...Bulls will be lucky to win 15. Western Conference: 1) Kings : Bibby was just what this team needed, and that will allow them to win a lot of games. 2) Spurs : another solid regular season, but the playoffs are a question mark. They will miss Anderson in the playoffs. 3) Lakers : again won't have the best record, but I won't bet against them in the playoffs, like so many did last year. 4) Mavs : another improving season...very exciting to watch, but more or less the same as last year. 5) Blazers : Cheeks may get them winning again, but playoff success will stay the same. 6) Jazz : last chance for Malone and Stock...they won't see the playoffs again with the Jazz. 7) Rockets : if Cato plays well could go as high as 5...Rice, Willis, and the rooks will push this team into the playoffs. 8) Clippers : yes, those Clippers...Brand was a great pickup, and they have a lot of young depth, just enough to slip in. ------------- 9) T-Wolves : once again, KG has to carry the load, and winds up just short of the Clips. 10) Sonics : time to go into full rebuilding mode after this year...GP may finally get traded. 11) Pheonix : Marbury makes this a run-n-gun team, but not any better. They will miss Kidd when its all said and done. 12-16) Nuggets, Warriors, Grizz : GS has the most potential out of this group...Grizz have poor management...Nugz going nowhere fast. Playoffs (Round 1): EAST- BUCKS over Pacers 3-1 RAPTORS over Heat 3-1 SIXERS over Wizards 3-2 HORNETS over Magic 3-2 Analysis: Every series rather interesting, especially the MJ-Iverson, I mean Philly-Washington series. Hornets surprise again. Bucks and Raptors walk through this round. WEST- KINGS over Clippers 3-0 SPURS over Rockets 3-2 LAKERS over Jazz 3-0 MAVS over Blazers 3-1 Analysis: Clippers are in the same spot Kings were a couple of years ago...8th seed w/ nothing to lose. Rockets show some heart in Spurs series, and that is what keeps them alive. Lakers blow through the Jazz, and the Mavs struggle but win vs Portland. Round 2: EAST- BUCKS over Hornets 4-2 SIXERS over Raptors 4-3 Analysis: Bucks go fairly easily over Charlotte, but Philly wins in a dogfight against the Raptors. WEST- KINGS over Mavs 4-2 LAKERS over Spurs 4-1 Analysis: Kings just outplay the Mavs, and the Spurs are too worn out to compete against LA, winning only 1 game. Conference Finals: BUCKS over Sixers 4-2 LAKERS over Kings 4-1 Analysis: Bucks on a hot streak beat Philly, and the Lakers heat up as usual and overpower Sac-town. Finals: LAKERS over Bucks 4-0 Analysis: Bucks...Ervin Johnson at C...enough said. Awards: MVP: Kobe Bryant(yucc) ...only because Shaq will let him. Finals MVP: Shaq...this is where Shaq will take over. R.O.Y.: Jason Richardson...only because he will have the best stats. M.I.P.: Kelvin Cato....pleeeeeeease! Coach of the year: Rick Adleman...Karl will be the closer runner up.
Eastern Conference: 1. Milwaukee - If only this team had a tough, rugged F like Mason, they would... OH YEAH! 2. Orlando - What's more frightening, a potential perimeter lineup of McGrady, Hill, and Miller , or having to rely on what used to be Patrick Ewing and Horace Grant in the frontcourt 3. Philly - The new rules, the injuries, Derrick Coleman,...sorry AI, just too many obstacles this year. 4. Toronto - See Dream in Canada. See Dream in playoffs. See Dream mad to see Rockets still in playoffs after Raps get swept in first round. 5. Indiana - Should bounce back strong after disappointing year. The most difficult matchup in the East, could be 'the team no one wants to face' come playoff time. 6. Charlotte - The EC version of the Blazers, could beat the Lakers and Sixers on consecutive nights, then lose to the Grizz the game afterwards. Have they ever had a truly terrible team? 7. NY - The new rules make them even tougher defensively, more unbearable to watch offensively. And to think, a beautiful shooter like Allan Houston plays on this team. 8. Atlanta - Surprise team of the year. Young, deep frontcourt and a determined SAR bring some nice success to die-hard Hawk fans... both of them. Western Conference: 1. Lakers - This year's soap opera, what will be worse: Kobe's kicks or Shaq's suits? 2. Sacramento - By the end of Nov. there will be a billboard put up in front of the Kings offices that reads, 'OK guys, quit playing around. I promise, no more horrific 3s in transition or behind the back passes that sail into the first row. Call me. Jason' 3. San Antonio - Actually, the Spurs have a chance to be better than last year. Daniels is an upgrade over Avery, Smith returns Ferry to the bench, Parker gives them some flexibility at G. But 'better' isn't good enough. This is where the 'UNKNOWN TERRITORY' begins, i.e. any one of these teams could be as high as #2 or out of the playoffs all togther. 4. Portland - Do I really have to explain why they're in the 'UNKNOWN TERRITORY'? 5. Utah - I'm starting to believe that my unborn children will be watching Stockton-to-Malone, LIVE, one day. 6. Dallas - OK, the party's over. They were a nice surprise last year, but now it's time to see what the Mavs are made of. Look for teams to get rough and physical with the Mavs this year, and challenge their, um...'defense'. But also look for a lot of teams to lose to the Mavs as well. 7. Houston - This year's Mavs, will finally break through because of their DEFENSE?!?! Do I really have to talk about the principals?! 8. Phoenix - Beating out Minnesota for the final spot, Starbury gets the last laugh. Then they have to face the Lakers. Then KG gets a good laugh in. But seriously, this team could be as high as #4 if they can keep everyone reasonably healthy. Starbury is a top 20 player, Googs is supposedly back, as well as Penny , Marion is improving, Rogers is in shape. They actually have a chance to be better. But then again, if Seattle can find the real Vin Baker or the lights come on for Olowakandi, bye bye Phoenix (maybe Houston too ). Eastern Finals: Orlando over Milwaukee in 6 Western Conference Finals: Lakers over Kings in 6 NBA Finals: Lakers over Orlando in 7 MVP - Tim Duncan ROY - Shane Battier Coach of the Year - Lon Kruger
East 1. Milwaukee 55 2. Philadelphia 54 3. Orlando 54 4. Toronto 52 5. Indiana 49 6. Charlotte 46 7. New York 43 8. Miami 41 West 1. LA Lakers 63 2. San Antonio 60 3. Dallas 54 4. Utah 51 5. Houston 46 6. Sacramento 46 7. Portland 44 8. Minnesota 43 Playoffs East Milwaukee over Miami 4-2 Philadelphia over New York 4-2 Toronto over Indiana 4-1 Orlando over Charlotte 4-0 Milwaukee over Toronto 4-3 Philadelphia over Orlando 4-3 Milwaukee over Philadelphia 4-3 West Lakers over Wolves 4-0 Spurs over Blazers 4-1 Sacramento over Dallas 4-2 Houston over Utah 4-3 Lakers over Houston 4-2 Kings over Spurs 4-2 Lakers over Kings 4-1 NBA Finals: Bucks over Lakers 4-2 MVP: Kobe Bryant Coach of the Year: Rudy Tomjanovich, Rockets Sixth Man of the Year: Kevin Willis Rookie of the Year: Shane Battier. Pau Gasol a close second. Most Improved Player: Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers
(Ahem... Homer ...) With all of the injuries the Rockets have had (most notably Mo Taylor) how is it that you think the Rockets will finish better than the MAVS? The MAVS are returning their entire starting lineup which will do wonders for their already college like chemistry. The MAVS now also have the best back up PG in the game not to mention much needed veteren leadership. Add all of that to the fact that they now also have playoff experience, and there is no way Houston ends up with a better record than Dallas. You state that the MAVS can not come close to beating the more physical teams, I guess Houston can huh? As for Eddie Griffen he may make rookie of the year however he is still just a rookie, and he won't make that much of a difference for you guys. Not enough to get you past the better teams in the west anyways. As for the Lakers, they seem to be a lot like the Yankees. It doesn't seem to matter how good they are in the regular season because as soon as they get to the playoffs their experience takes over. Chemistry doesn't seem to amount to much when you have SHAQ on your team.
My predictions: West: 1)Lakers 2)Spurs 3)Dallas 4)Sacramento(with Webber injured for first month) 5)Portland 6)Minnesota 7)Utah 8)Houston!! East: 1)Bucks 2)Raptors 3)Heat(they still got Riley and a whole bunch of talent) 4)Magic 5)Charlotte 6)Philly(With Iverson & Mckie injured for first month) 7)New York 8)Jordan..er Washington Finals: Lakers over Bucks.
East 1. Milwaukee 2. Orlando 3. Toronto 4. Philadelphia 5. Charlotte 6. New York 7. Miami 8. Wizards Analysis: Milwaukee has something nobody else does in the East: 3 legitimate stars, and a great 6th man. Mason should provide some toughness, and I think Ervin Johnson's an underrated center. Orlando's got the "top talent," but have too man injury risks. T Toronto has some glitz, but I simply don't see a clear 2nd guy on this team that can lead them when Vince is down. I don't like Philly's off-season moves. They get rid of some scrappy players, and bring on DC? Booo! Iverson is getting prematurely old and Deke is aging. Eric Snow is already out Charlotte has an extremely solid team. Unlike many others, I'm not on the Baron Davis band-wagon. 5 good players = the 5th slot. No great players to be found. New York gets this spot because they have a bunch of hosses. Problem is, they don't really fit together well. And they're not THAT good. This team wouldn't make the playoffs out West. Miami gets the 7th by virtue of having a good C in a bad conference. Eddie Jones, after being overrated, is now underrated and Brian Grant is an elite PF in the East. Wizards... well, I don't ever bet against MJ. West: 1. LA 2. Sacramento 3. San Antonio 4. Dallas 5. Portland 6. Utah 7. Houston 8. Clippers LA is #1. They'll win the title. We all know it. They have the #1 and (arguably) #2 players in the league. They exchanged Richmond for Rider. That helps them. Sacramento is an easy #2. They exchanged a psychopath with skills for a Good Guy with similar skills. Their other key players should improve (Peja, Turkoglu) or remain the same. San Antonio - Duncan's fantastic. Robinson's good but declining. Steve Smith ain't as good as Derek Anderson, and has gimpy knees to boot. Bruce Bowen will be the worst offensive starting swingman in basketball. And no, holding Kobe to 5 points under his average doesn't mean he's remotely good. Dallas- Overhyped, but still endowed with a plethora of talent. I think they've stocked up on too many scorers... but heck, that's why they're #4 and not #1. Portland - Talent-wise, they're #2. But their only truly elite player is Wallace. And they've got chemistry problems. Utah - This ain't the year they fail. Coming closer, though. Houston - Best backcourt in the West leads a scrappy front court to the post season. Griffin and Thomas should both contribute. Clippers - Brand puts them over the hump. Miles needs to find a shot, but they've got fire power, and an inside presence. Playoffs East: Milwaukee over DC - Sorry MJ, it's 3 against 1 Miami over Orlando - In my upset special, 'Zo and Grant pound the front-court starved Magic Toronto over NY - NY barely downed this up and coming team last year. And Hakeem can't hurt. Charlotte over Philly: Iverson should be hurting, Deke can't win alone, as evidenced by Atl. Depth and balance wins out. Milwaukee over Charlotte: Milwaukee is not only deep, it has genuine stars Miami over Toronto - Hakeem's already worn out, and the Miami front court once again prevails. Vince gets blocked 19 times by a rejuvenated 'Zo. Milwaukee over Miami: Milwaukee is just too good across the board to be done in by Miami's front court advantage. West playoffs: LA over LA - Shaq and Kobe too much for youngsters. Sacramento over Houston (most exciting playoff series)- Multi-faceted offense defeats one trick pony. San Antonio over Utah (most boring playoff series) - San Antonio has Tim Duncan. Dallas over Portland (identical?) - The two deepest teams battle it out. Dirk beats Wallace by not getting ejected. LA over Dallas - No answer for Shaq Sacramento over SA - Great Pf's... check. Good C's... check. After that, it's all Sacramento. A marginal front court edge doesn't elimate Sac's advantages everywhere else. LA over Sacramento - Kobe and Shaq beat Webber and Co in a much better series than last year. Finals: LA over Milwaukee in 5. Milwaukee has no answer for Shaq.
WEST: 1 LAL (adding Mitch, Walker, Hunter and McCoy gives them a better insurance policy than they had last year) 2 Sac (Bibby does make them slightly better on both ends) 3 Port (better than poeple think) 4 SA (not much worse, but Sac and Portland have improved) 5 Min (better than people think, but sign. below top 4) 6 Dal (still no interior O game or much team D, does not crack the West top 4 because of it) 7 tie: -Utah (slip, sliding away) -Rockets (same problem as Mavs, but the Mavs have more for now) East 1 6ers (best defense in the East, + AI, good enough for best record) 2 Tor (with improved roll player output, could post the best record in the east) 3 Orl (could very easily be # 1) 4 Mlw (great O. no D. Mason helps, but is no shot blocker) 5 Char (excellent guard play, solid front line, a good combination) 6 Mia (big drop off from top 5, but Riley, Zo and Jones gets them in the playoffs for a 1st round exit) 7 NY (experience is enough) 8 Indy (not too good, but good enough to make the playoffs in the West, Miller beats out his buddy Jordan for this spot) 1st round winners LA Sac Port SA 6ers Tor Orl Char 2nd round LAL Sac Tor Orl Conference Winners LAL Tor Championship: LAL (poor Hakeem makes it this far but doesn't play much or well against Shaq)
You forgot one thing...Sacramento would have to be the #3 seed since they did not win the Pacific, which means they would play Utah and not the Rockets. The Rockets would play the Midwest Champ, the Spurs. Of course, when Sacramento meets SA in the second round, the Kings have homecourt because they have the better record.
East... 1. Magic (big gap) 2. doesn't matter 3. doesn't matter . . . 15. Toronto The Magic creamed the Raptors tonight without Mike Miller. Ewing outplayed Hakeem, and Hill shut down Vince. Any question who's the better team now after this 29pt schlacking of the Raptors by the Magic tonight? West... 1. Lakers (big gap) 2. doesn't matter 3. doesn't matter . . . 15. Memphis Lakers are far and away the best team out West, as long as everyone stays healthy. NBA Finals....Magic vs Lakers ...too close to call
