Here's how I see it going (based on how the teams look today): 1. Detroit- They kept Rasheed, and everyone else from last year is still around. Adding McDyess (didn't they?) only improves the team's chances of repeating as East champs, and probably NBA champs. 2. Indiana- They honestly have just as good a chance as Detroit to finish top seed in the East. As long as they have O'Neal, they have a shot at going to the finals. 3. Miami- ....Shaq......(and Wade!)...enough said there 4. Orlando- I know this may seem high, but you remember the team of Francis/Cat/Shandon Anderson/Kenny Thomas/Cato finished like 1 game out of the West playoffs a few years back, so Francis/Cat/Hill (or Turk?)/Howard/Cato should be more than enough to get home court in the East. 5. New York- I just think this is where they'll end up. They always seem to dangle around this spot... 6. Philly- It's all on AI as always. If he gets injured, Philly's not going anywere, but if he can stay healthy they have a good shot at success. 7. Milwaukee- Again, I just think they'll end up here. 8. Toronto- I like Toronto's team next year. Rose/Carter/Skip/Bosh seems like a good team, and they should be able to squeak into the playoffs if Vince stays healthy. Note: If Carter gets traded this doesn't count! 5.
I like Chicago much more than Raps. Other than top three, I am unimpressed with any of the others. The Shaq Heat #1, Champs #2, Indy #3.
The East is quite competitive too! New Jersey's out! I agree with you..top 5 teams..Cavs? Nah..I agree with you completely. A bunch of teams will be competing for the bottom 3 spots. GO MAGIC AND HEAT! AND PACERS AND PISTONS!
1. pistons 2. pacers 3. miami 4. orlando 5. knicks 6. toronto 7. milwaukee 8. phili (if iverson plays most of season sigh..48 games last season, what a waste of talent) 8. boston (if not phili) either way i believe pistons will represent the eastern conference once again next season.
1 - Detroit, Central Champs (60-22) 2 - Miami, Southeast Champs (58-24) 3 - New York, Atlantic Champs (44-38) -------------------------- 4 - Indiana Pacers 5 - Orlando Magic 6 - Milwaukee Bucks 7 - Philadelphia 76ers 8 - New Jersey* --------------------------- *Fight Between Boston, New Jersey, Toronto, and Washington The new system with three division winners guaranteed the top 3 spots will throw things off in the playoffs. I will lay money down right now that we will see in the West, East (or both) a #3 seed play a clearly better team with the #6 seed. Also, Indiana very may end up with the second best record in the East but still be stuck with the #4 seed if Detroit wins the division. Evan
Oh crap I forgot about the new divisions! Yeah, if that's the case I'd say ditto on your rankings, except with Philly 6th, Milwaukee 7th and Toronto 8th.
If healthy, the Pacers will pass the Pistons, since they are younger and have had Carlisle's system under their belt for a year now. The only old guy, Reggie, has a replacement now (Stephen Jackson) If O'Neal and Tinsley had been healthy, they'd be champs now. It will suck if there are two 60 win teams and they have to meet in round 2 due to the division alignments. They should seed by records alone.
1. Detroit Pistons 2. Indiana Pacers 3. Miami Heat 4. Duke Blue Devils 5. Paris Frog Legs 5. Hongkong Pandas Hairs 6. Mountain View High School Scorpions 7. St. Marcelo Woman Junior High Flying Bras 8. Boston Celtics
Steven JAckson isa bid addition, even though he's not as good as Al. Last year there was no backup 2 guard. Artest slid over to play the 2 when Reggie rested, and Al played the 3. Ron is a better three than Al, and ALL of his minutes will now go there, Jackson is probably as good a 2 as Ron (maybe better due to better shot). Also, a healthy Jonathan Bender can play the same positions Al did, with more quickness and a better outside shot. Al's post-up ability will be missed, however. The big advantage over last year is guys the core of still in their early-to-mid 20's had a great learning experience of a 60-win season and bitter playoff defeat to motivate them (Jermaine, Ron, Tinsley, Bender, Foster, Freddie Jones).
meant to say: "Steven Jackson is a big addition, even though he's not as good as Al." Reggie is a Legend, but he is now a bottom 10 level starting shooting guard, sadly.
1.Pistons 2.Pacers 3.Bucks 4.Cavs 5.Bulls 1.Nets 2.Sixers 3.Knicks 4.Celtics 5.Raptors 1.Heat 2.Magic 3.Wizards 4.Hawks 5.Bobcats
I don't think the Nets have enough to make the playoffs, they're basically looking at: PG: Jason Kidd, Zoran Planinic SG: Kerry Kittles, Lucious Harris SF: Richard Jefferson PF: Brian Scalabrine, Aaron Williams C: Collins That's basically an awful team, no depth, and Kidd's coming off knee surgery. They'll struggle to get to .500. Unless the Knicks get Dampier AND Crawford, they aren't going to be a major factor in the playoffs, and I still don't see Indiana being a great team. They have erratic PG play, an aging 2, two insane 3s, an overrated 4 not on the level of KG or Duncan but they think he is, and an energy guy at C. (Tinsley, Miller, Artest/Jackson, O'Neal, Foster). I think last year they got very luck just to get past Miami, and would've lost to New Jersey. The East really only merits two good teams (albeit, very very good teams): Detroit and Miami.
JESUS CHRIST, GUYS!!! Do y'all not listen??? Can you not read??!??! DETROIT AND INDIANA ARE IN THE SAME DIVISION [/angry rant does not apply to those who got it right] 1. DETROIT - CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPS 2. MIAMI - SOUTHEAST DIVISION CHAMPS 3. NEW JERSEY* ATLANTIC DIVISION CHAMPS -------- 4. INDIANA 5. ORLANDO 6. MILWAUKEE 7. NEW YORK 8. PHILADELPHIA -------- -------- 9. Boston 10. Toronto 11. Cleveland 12. Chicago 13. Washington 14. Atlanta 15. Charlotte * - assuming NEW YORK does not get Carter and/or new coach
You have to factor in the Leastern Conference, where they reside. If Kidd stays healthy and Jefferson continues to improve from last season's breakout performance, there is no reason why the Nets can't compete with Milwaukee and Boston, two bad playoff teams from last year. Plus, New Orleans moving to the West opens up another playoff spot. I'd say they have a pretty good shot at a 7th or 8th seed.
True, I think the Nets can make the playoffs, but Kidd staying healthy is a very big IF right now. He had knee surgery and he's trying to rehab in time for opening day. Who knows how healthy he'll be.
