New Orleans will take it if they stay healthy. That's the hook. They've been missing Mash for the past couple playoffs, and that's the only reason that they haven't advanced further. Philly doesn't have a chance against the top dawgs like the Hornets, Nets, Pistons and Pacers. As for those four, the Pistons still aren't getting enough O from their frontline to make me think they'd get by New Jersey or New Orleans. And in the end, the Pacers can't match either Kidd or Davis at the point, and I think that'll be where the series begins and ends. I'm thinking NO and NJ in the EC finals. If Mash is not just healthy but playing like Mash, than I'll take the Hornets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Philly doesn't have a chance against the top dawgs like the Hornets, Nets, Pistons and Pacers.</div> Lol. Sixers are right up there. Sixers can easily be the best team in the East. IF everyone gets healthy. AI- He's a beast. And once its Playoff's time, he goes all out. He averages 30 PPG in the Playoff's that second ALL TIME. Besides Jordan nobody in NBA History averages more points than AI in the Playoff's. Big Dogg- He's averages about 20PPG for his carrer. And he dropped 20+ in the last four games for Philly, he just dont have a TRUE STAR to help him out. Well thats win AI comes in the picture. Snow- Veteran, hustles his butt off, and is sometimes more of a leader than AI. He AI partner in crime, and knowns how to play with AI better than anyone in the NBA, and he knowns where and when to feed AI the ball. McKie- Former Sixth-man and has a nice jumpshot, if they can get him open he can easily score 15 points, plus he has range. Kenny Thomas- Can grab like 13 boards a night for them. Which is a big help cause Philly lacks big men. Coleman- Aint the same player. But still drops 10 points and grabs about 8 boards for them. Hey its better than nothing. And lastly.... Samuel Dalembert- He aint not All Star nor is he a good player. But he is developing, cause thats one tall haitian with some LONG arms, that is a decent shot blocker, and has been helping Philly out on the defensive end since the start of the preseason.
I had been saying Pistons up until New Jersey's recent surge. Now it's pretty hard to say, but I guess I'm going to stick with the Pistons for now. I love their defensive presence, and if they can find a little more help on the offensive end before the deadline, they could be even more dangerous. Pistons take it.
Good question. Anyone in east can make the playoffs but I believe only a few teams can have success. My picks are the Nets, Pacers and Pistons. All of those teams have showed they know what it takes to win ball games. The Nets, well they have been there twice...without sucess. No eastern team really has a chance, but they are the top team out east. The Pacers have placed great basketball thus far. Ron Artest can cause enough matchup problems for the top scorer on the other team, which would be essential. The Pistons have such strong defense, strong enough to come out on top in the east.
out of the east I know it won't be the Knicks! Either the Pacers or IMO the Hornets. Davis is the absolute best PG in the game and when Mash comes back it will be scary. The Nets are imploding, they can't win with all the feuding and inmaturity going on. I'm not so sure about the Lakers either - look at how well the Spurs and the Kings are playing right now. If CWebb comes back, stays healthy, and doesn't do his dissapearing act in the playoffs, watch out.
I can tell you one thing. It wont be Indiana. There is to much trouble just waiting to happen on that team. They will explode before to long, I expect to see them show signs of slipping near and around the All-Star break, but maybe this season it wont happen until a little later on. I think the Nets have a good chance to make it 3 straight NBA Finals losses, but there will be some good comp from Philly, NO and Boston. I dont like Detroit at all, there is something about them that screams to me that they cant make noise in the playoffs, probably the lack of scoring despite playoff basketball being about defense.
I would say the Nets or the Pacers is going to win the east conference! They are the best teams in the east right now and deserves it!
Raptors have no chance....Im a raptors fan, they wont make it out the 2nd round (first round if lucky) Pistons. Indiana will slip but make the playoffs and thats when the surprises will come...as long as they have Reggie Miller, the Pacers are always a tough team in the playoffs.... I don't know about the nets that much....last year they had Mount Mutumbo and this year its Jason Collins...Come playoff time theres two teams in the East that're ready to takeover Pistons and NO, every forgets NO....
I think the NO Hornets will be in the finals, but that is only if Mash comes back and blends in with the team perfectly and doesn't ruin any chemistry. Pacers have a pretty good shot at it. I think the Raps are one big man away from being a contender for the finals. They are good but horrible on getting the ball inside and defending post players. A Ratliff will certainly do the job. But I don't know how they are going to get him.
it wont be the pistsons or pacers. pacers always have a monster regular season and put the icing on the cake to all their fans by going out in the first or second round. pistons wont make it with that low scoring unit, i dont care how good the d is. i can see a team like new orleans making some noise, look how good they are playing without one of their star players in jamal mashburn. if they can hold up till he gets back they can be a force in the east.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Hot Sizzle:</div><div class="quote_post">pistons wont make it with that low scoring unit, i dont care how good the d is</div> The same people said that last season..Where are they now? In hiding Hornets are overrated every year...I expect another first round exit for them.
