Whom ever comes out of this series

I expect to make it to the finals. I just think there has been so much battle testing going on here. So much drama, and both teams have the first round Monkey they have to knock off their back. Mark my words... The team coming out of this series will make it to the finals.

 

It would not surprise me but I still think that the more likely contender from the west is the Lakers or the Thunder.

 

Although, I see the Lakers as much more beatable than I did a week ago.

 

Agree. With Kobe hobbling and looking old - I would say the Thunder are the ones I expect to come out of the west.

 

Stern would probably love it too! LOL

 

Stern loves Durant, but I can't imagine that he would be be pleased with OKC and their tiny market making it to the finals.

 

Stern is from OKC

 

Winner gets LA, and then probably OKC. Both on the road for Portland. For whatever the reason, K*be's eyes light up when he plays us. We are his fountain of youth.

 

I don't think the Blazers have much chance of reaching the Finals, but if ever there were a year for a shock Western champion or NBA champion, it would be this year, as there really is no dominant team. I expected LA to be dominant, going into the year. Most people, including me, expected Miami to be dominant. San Antonio looked dominant in the first half, but fell off over time. Chicago and Boston are very good teams, but not dominant. So, if you want a miracle run, this is the year it might happen.

But it probably won't.

 

Yes but on the same token; the Blazers always show up against the Lakers. There has never been a game that I didn't see the Blazers focused in those games. But I do get your point. I guess we will see. If it happens, I may just have to bump this thread!

 

At this point, I think it's going to be viewed as a "miracle" win for anybody to win.

If the Spurs or Lakers do it, it'll be kind of shocking after how beatable they look so far in the first round.

If the Heat do it, it'll be after lots of negative press about that team all year.

Chicago and OKC have looked good, but even now I have a hard time thinking of them as championship favorites.

The Magic have no size or defense beyond Dwight.

The choke job in game 4 leads everybody to think Dallas has no chance.

Then you have teams like Portland, Memphis and Atlanta that never get taken seriously, but actually look pretty decent as lower seeds.

This is the year nobody wins the championship. Mid-June will come around and Stern will call it a draw, roll up the sidewalk, and close up shop for the lockout.

 

I guess there's Boston. There's always Boston.

 

Actually Boston looks really good this season. In fact, if there is any team in the East I would not want to make it to the finals, it would be them.

 

Boston is (and has been since Garnett and Allen joined them) the team I hope wins it (if we assume Portland won't). I really enjoy watching them play.

 

Fucking Minstrel. How can you be so inhuman and not care what the players are like?! I don't get it and I wouldn't want to. I like hating players like Kobe, Paul Pierce, LeBron, Dirk, and KG.

 

If you like hating them, then you should. I think people should see sports through whatever prism allows them to enjoy it best. If that involves hero/villain narratives (not saying that scornfully), I see no problem with it. I was in that mode, myself, at one point.

For me now, my chosen prism is entertainment as a visual spectacle. Thus, outside of my rooting interest in the Blazers, I enjoy any player that's great. I love great individual performers and great team offense and defense. So the Lakers have always been fun to watch and the Celtics are, too. I think LeBron James did a douchey thing in his "Decision" television show, but I can't deny loving watching him play.

 

The treatment for both teams are home court has been ridiculous this series (although Dallas gets away with so many more no calls at home on real physical play) that you can't expect either one of us to have that same advantage in round 2. Our players are kind of feeding into the calls in Dallas and Nate needed to get a few more T's as well as a few of our players to really show the refs we won't take this, while Dallas on the other hand is having extreme problems putting distance between us and them even when we go on horrid shooting slumps. I can't see Dallas beating LAL without Dirk getting treated to every call and shooting 12+ FT a game and Chandler getting away with extreme physical play on Gasol.
If Lakers win I give us a small shot just because of the animosity between the clubs. I don't think Dallas has a chance.
Now if NO wins I like Dallas vs them, they got enough quick Guards to cause Chris Paul to have problems.

 

I'm going with the Thunder on this one. They seem so stacked right now and everyone, including Stern, loves them. Sadly, they are what we were supposed to be. Can't say I'm not a bit jealous.