I personally think if they played a Western Conference schedule, they would end up being either a 5th or 6th seed (Lakers, Kings, Wolves, Spurs, Mavericks). They could slide ahead of maybe the Mav's or Lakers. The Lakers being injured all year could help them out. Jermaine O'Neal thinks they're a Western Conference team, but they would end up playing either Minnesota, San Antonio or Sacramento in the first round most likely. So you must think they would be a first round exit.... however, they are in the east and they'll probably go to the east finals against the nets and beat them and then lose to one of the fab five in the west, making Detroit look like one of the dumbest teams in basketball, FIRST, passin on Carmelo Anthony and 2, for dumping rick carlisle after 2 50+ win seasons and bringing in the always distracting and lately underachieving Rasheed Wallace..... Imagine this Detroit lineup - PG - Billups SG - Hamilton SF - Anthony PF - R.Wallace C - B.Wallace They would be where the Pacers are.
I think it's safe to say any team in the East will get smashed by the West if they were to play in their conferance for a whole season. If anyone, IMO Detroit would probably put up the best fight of being in the West, simply because they have the big man and toughness inside to attempt to take down the Western Conference big men. Your probably right, any team in the East would most likely end up in the 5th or 6th spot. However if your going to try and predict the EFC like you just did, I'd just like to point out there's much more to look at then just those 2 teams, you still got the Hornets, Knicks, Milwaukee, even Miami is creating a buzz in the East. Not saying those teams can beat the Nets or Pacers or whoever, but ya never know. Someone just had to bring up the "could have had Carmelo" statement. They don't have him, get over it. Rasheed Wallace was a nice acquisition, though it's yet to work out the way they expected it to be, especially with their loss against the Magic tonight, I think things will shape up well in Detroit, and I think they'll be the top contender for the EFC this season.
what do you mean by "survive"? make the playoffs? easily. but you can't just put the pacers in the west, and not take someone out of the west and put them into the east, that's just foolish imo. the pacers w/ a fresh ron artest are as good as they come in the nba. they have a nice defensive unit, and they all can score one way or another. they're still very young. if you want to measure them up.. put them in the nba finals sacramento vs. indiana - can indy win that series? yes. indiana vs. minnesota - can they win that series? yes. san antonio vs. indiana - can they win that series? yes. indiana vs. dallas - can they win that series? yes. los angeles lakers vs. indiana - can they win that series? no, never. the pacers are legit folks. don't blame them for being in the east. the east has to get it's better teams sooner or later, and the pacers are proving to be one of them, and the pistons are along side them. now if only one of them could finally make it to the nba finals, and eventually win.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting okaforever:</div><div class="quote_post">if you want to measure them up.. put them in the nba finals sacramento vs. indiana - can indy win that series? yes. indiana vs. minnesota - can they win that series? yes. san antonio vs. indiana - can they win that series? yes. indiana vs. dallas - can they win that series? yes. los angeles lakers vs. indiana - can they win that series? no, never.</div> LMAO, keep the spirit going. I love it. :thumbsup:
oh believe me. i'm a die hard lakers fan.. but i gotta give uconn and college hoops it's respect since their season is much shorter and almost over. the rest of the time i'll be flaunting la up the wazoo.
I think the pistons couls survive better in the west, They have a better team now that they picked up wallace. Either team would only be able to pick up 6th-7th seed
I think they and a few other top tier in teams in the East would do very well or at least well enough to survive and make it to the playoffs if they were in the East. The top tier teams just have such great individual talent, chemistry and balance. Indiana has undoubtly one of the best chemistries in the league. Detroit and New Jersey would do well too. If they were always complete and had more presence, even New York and New Orleans could as well.
I feel that the Pistons and Pacers would both fare very well in the west. The both have that big man. Pacers have O'Neal, but Pistons have Wallace X2, which is why I see them with more succes in the west.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting okaforever:</div><div class="quote_post">oh believe me. i'm a die hard lakers fan.. but i gotta give uconn and college hoops it's respect since their season is much shorter and almost over. the rest of the time i'll be flaunting la up the wazoo.</div> <strike><font color="red">no offense, but you should be shot</font></strike> <font color="RED"><font size="1">baiting and attacks are not allowed.nothing nice to say then dont say it. simple - BN</font></font>
I honestly think they can win in the West...they could get past the Mavericks, and possibly the Lakers, if Malone and Shaq/Kobe/Payton are out...but that is it...they are definately a threat to any Western team in a 7 game series.
I think the Paces are as good as anyone in the L. It's not their fault that they are located more to the right geographically. In the playoffs, anything could happen and I believe they can reach the NBA Finals in the brutal Western Conference. The only thing that this group lacks is experience... this team has been ousted in the first round in every season since their leader Jermaine came to the team, so until their own leader gets a taste of second and third playoffs rounds... they wouldn't go to the Finals yet. New Orleans is gonna move to the West next season, I predict they'd still be a playoff team, but maybe only 7th or 8th seed.
Though I do think that Pacers are a great team, in my opinion, despite the current records, they are 2nd best in the East next to the Nets. But, I don't think they could survive in the West. They're too small in my opinion. Not necessarily short, but, they're not a powerful team. Jermaine O' Neal is a fantastic PF but I don't think he's big enough to tangle with the Western conf centers and power forwards such as Shaq, Duncan, KG, Brand, etc., etc. He's a very finesse player in my opinion due to the fact that he gets a lot of his points because he can hit a lot of mid range jumpers and the fact, aside from Ben Wallace, he is really the only true Eastern big man. Kids like Chandler and Curry are still learning and they really aren't much of a power yet. But, in the west, there is a lot of established big men. That's really the big knock on them attempting to play in the west. I think they'd be good, probably a lower seed, but, they wouldn't get very far.
I think the Pacers could definitely survive in the West...not only that, but they'd be legit competitors for a 3 or 4 seed in the playoffs...they have height and athleticism and a deep bench...play great defense and are a fundamentally sound offensive player with so many threats...they'd definitely compete in the West...
I think the pacers are good as anyone of those 5 in the west.And I think they have potential to win the championship this year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting HoustonHoopa33:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Pacers could definitely survive in the West...not only that, but they'd be legit competitors for a 3 or 4 seed in the playoffs...they have height and athleticism and a deep bench...play great defense and are a fundamentally sound offensive player with so many threats...they'd definitely compete in the West...</div> Exactly..There versatility is their biggest asset..Most of thier guys can play more than 2-3 positions...And do different things to help the team..As for someone saying J.O couldnt compete with guys like KG...Brand etc..Well J.O is stronger than KG...Heavier and JUST as athletic..Has more post moves than KG and can use the left hand...Is a phenemonal shot blocker..And a super rebounder...He also is geting the basketball intellect and smarts now..He is maturing as a player and personally i believe J.O would be just as effective..If things arent going for him at PF..Move him to SF..Or let him satnd 15 feet from the basket..To bring the west big men out..Also he has jeff foster and scot pollard who are not exactly "great"..But look what they did to Tim Duncan..J.O has a great attitude towards the game too..He would do whatever he could to win..If thats means starting training early in the off-season..? so be it..But i dont think its fair to say J.O couldnt compete in the west or the pacers for that matter...They could shut down many teams with finese..Style offense..Just by their athletic ability..Strength and intesne DEFENSE......Just my 2 cents...Peace
Let's look at the facts before we decide. Fact #1 - Pacers are 14-6 vs the West this season, that alone shows that they can survive. Fact #2 The Pacers play a San Antonio Spur like game. They pouind the ball inside, and then use that to compliment their outside game. The Pacers on the season are shooting 70 % Jump shots, 23 % Close shots, 5 % dunks, and 2 % tips. While the Spurs are shooting 65 % of the time - Jump shots, 29 % close range, 4 % dunk and 2 % tips. Plus Indiana is the 2nd best defensive team in the NBA, while the Spurs are the best. The Spurs have proven that you don't need to be a run and gun offensive powerhouse to win in the west. I'd definitely have to say that they'd survive. I mean look at that team, it's just a great all around team. They can shoot outside with Reggie, Tinsley, and Artest. And obviously do it inside too. They're too good of a team not to make the playoffs in the West. However, they are not quite tall enough to win in the West. They came into the league as the 11th shortest team in the league, averaging 6-7.20 and they would definitely be out rebounded night in and night out in the west. Prediction of Indiana in West : Finish 6th, but lose in first round.
Well in my opinion I think the Pacers fair a good chance at the moment in the west. But Reggie is aging and even though hes old hes a big part of their offense when hes on. And as for the Pistons passing up on Carmelo they already Corlissnot really comparable youth and age but hes solid. Now Milli has been playing with older guys for a little while I think he shouldnt be judged untill he gets legitimate playing time. I would like to see him involved in a trade though probally not going to happen I dont see him prospering sitting on the bench behind a big minute grabbers like Ben, Rasheed, Okur and there center I forgot his name.
