Do you think they have a better chance at making the Finals now that Indiana *could be* out of playoff reach by the time that Ron, Jermaine and Jackson's suspensions are over. Those three are the main peices to that team and now Rick will have to start relying more on Reggie Miller and Jamaal Tinsley. I believe this makes the road to the Finals somewhat easier for the Heat, but not nescessairly. The Pistons are still in the way. Miami is guaranteed to win thier division anyways so Indiana's record won't affect them till the playoff matchups are created. However, the Pistons, on the other hand, have it much easier now that Indiana is extremely disabled. They can easily swipe the division and could be too far out of reach for Indiana to catch up.
I don't think it gives us a better chance at the Finals. What it does do is give us a better chance at the #1 playoff seed in the East. It still doesn't guarantee nothing....remember when Miami had the #1 seed and got knocked off by the #8 Knicks...
I hope that gives us a better chance. Let's put the past in the past and not think about our lack of luck in playoffs. The bad part is this that those 3 starters who got suspended will be back for playoffs IF they somehow make it to playoffs. So there won't be any easy game against the Pacers. BTW, I was cracking up yesterday watching the Pacers game. Those starters couldn't get rested and they were playing with 6 players lol I'm not posting this to laugh at em tho I'm a new Pacers fan since that night. I just thought it was funny. As a fan, I wish them the best luck and if the Heat and the Pacers do meet in playoffs, it's gonna be a great series.
Ben Wallace was issued a 6 game suspension and the Heat are going to be playing the Pistons next Friday and Big Ben's suspension will still be in effect which is great news for us. The next time we play the Pacers is January 21st, and by then both Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal will both be back from their suspensions.
I don't know if it'll effect Miami in the long run. I mean, I still believe Indiana will be a playoff team.
This is a huge plus for us. This means we won't be threatened as much from the Pacers due to the absence of Artset. This will affect their record and will possibly put them as an 8th seed which means the Heat won't play them in the 1st round. This is a huge plus for us unless another role player can step up and carry the Pacers in the stars absence.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Miami is guaranteed to win thier division anyways so Indiana's record won't affect them till the playoff matchups are created. </div> Spawn, Miami is NOT guaranteed anything. People could have said Pacers were "guaranteed" their division and now look. ANYTHING can happen especially after only 10 games. You dont have to be so naive. I think the heat will win the division but i believe that the magic have a great chance at it. Right now it is between Magic and Heat for SE Division unless Wizards put up a spectacular season (doubtful). Right now it is heat 8-3 and Magic 6-3 The only reason the heat are ahead of magic in the division is because 1. They have played more games 2. they have better division record. NOTHING is guaranteed in sports until the last buzzer.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Spawn, Miami is NOT guaranteed anything. People could have said Pacers were "guaranteed" their division and now look. ANYTHING can happen especially after only 10 games. You dont have to be so naive. I think the heat will win the division but i believe that the magic have a great chance at it. Right now it is between Magic and Heat for SE Division unless Wizards put up a spectacular season (doubtful). Right now it is heat 8-3 and Magic 6-3 The only reason the heat are ahead of magic in the division is because 1. They have played more games 2. they have better division record. NOTHING is guaranteed in sports until the last buzzer. </div> True. My fault on that. Nothing is guaranteed, yes that is true. But, let me rephrase it...most likely the Heat will win it. The Magic have been a surprise team and they could very well capture the division from the Heat, I'm not trying to take anything away from them.
This definitely improves the Heat's chances to reach the Finals. Indiana might not even make the playoffs! Only real competition in the East is Detroit.
I dont think detroit is doing to well this season, i think Cavs might win that division... that will make the SE division the fierciest competition for division leader in the East. Atlantic and Central Divisions are kind of weak if you ask me this year.
I don't reeally see any difference for us. THe question I have is Will Ron Artest be playing in the playoffs or is he suspended for that too? This is assuming the Pacers make the playoffs. Personally I see THe Pacers still making the Play offs as a low seed now. Probbly 7th if they're lucky. The Heat could end up playing them in the 1st round for all we know. The question is Will Ron Artest be allowed to be able to play in the post season?
Building on Ace's point that the Pacers and Heat could end up playing in the first round of the playoffs, I think that Miami will have a tougher road to the playoffs than people think. With the Pacers and Pistons being in the same division, even if those 2 teams make the playoffs with the best records in the East, one of these 2 teams would be recieving the 4th seed in the playoffs. Look at these scenarios... Pacers don't lose Artest, Jackson, O'Neal. East Standings 1. Detroit 2. Miami (We'll Say) 3. Whoever 4. Indiana 5. Whoever 6. Whoever 7. Whoever 8. Whoever 1 beats 8 2 beats 7 3 beats 6 4 beats 5 This matches the Pacers and Pistons up in the 2nd round, thus, one of these 2 teams are eliminated, making the road to the Finals easier for Miami. ------------------------------------------------------------ Pacers lose Artest, Jackson, O'Neal East Standings 1. Detroit 2. Miami (We'll Say) 3. Whoever 4. Whoever 5. Whoever 6. Whoever 7. Indiana 8. Whoever Miami has to play Indiana in the first round, then Detroit in the east finals if they make it there. If I were to choose a scenario, It would be the first one, because I Miami only plays 1 of the 2 Beasts from the East (Det-Ind). This is why I think that this melee makes it more difficult for Miami to make it to the finals.
You guys really think Detroit is gonna grab the #1 seed at the end of the season? I know their reigning champs but that doesn't make you a lock for the #1 seed. I would think Miami would be more favored for the #1 seed than Detroit considering Miami is currently #1 in the East (8-3, undefeated against teams in the East) and Detroit is #7 (5-4). My top 3 seeds prior to this conflict were Indiana #1 (best record last season so they are likely to repeat) and Detroit/Miami fighting for the #2 seed.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Accord:</div><div class="quote_post">Ben Wallace was issued a 6 game suspension and the Heat are going to be playing the Pistons next Friday and Big Ben's suspension will still be in effect which is great news for us. The next time we play the Pacers is January 21st, and by then both Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal will both be back from their suspensions.</div> I dont know if its the best for the team. It always great to have the full arsenal vs. the full arsenal to see how your team really stacks up to each other. I wish Indiana the best of luck this season. Its really sad that their championship hopes may have been slashed out due to the incident in Detroit.
I don't think Ben being out 6 games will mean the Pistons will really struggle over the course of the next 6 games or so. Antonio Mcdyess is more than good enough replacement on the offensively end and on the boards. Obviously the defensive effect is not as strong but Dice has played well lately (24 and 13 on sunday). Rasheed is yet to get in good shape, he came into camp a little overweight and he is slowly but surely getting back into the shape he was of last season. Once he does he will be far more effective defensively. I fully expect the Pistons to get the 1st seed by going on a big run to end of the year, just like last season. The last month of the season has a very favourable schedule.
Won't make a difference on the Pistons. The Pacers IMO will take a huge hit in the standings in the next 25-30 games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pacers don't lose Artest, Jackson, O'Neal. East Standings 1. Detroit 2. Miami (We'll Say) 3. Whoever 4. Indiana 5. Whoever 6. Whoever 7. Whoever 8. Whoever 1 beats 8 2 beats 7 3 beats 6 4 beats 5 This matches the Pacers and Pistons up in the 2nd round, thus, one of these 2 teams are eliminated, making the road to the Finals easier for Miami. ------------------------------------------------------------ Pacers lose Artest, Jackson, O'Neal East Standings 1. Detroit 2. Miami (We'll Say) 3. Whoever 4. Whoever 5. Whoever 6. Whoever 7. Indiana 8. Whoever Miami has to play Indiana in the first round, then Detroit in the east finals if they make it there. If I were to choose a scenario, It would be the first one, because I Miami only plays 1 of the 2 Beasts from the East (Det-Ind). This is why I think that this melee makes it more difficult for Miami to make it to the finals.</div> I think that whichever Team wins the SE Division (Heat/Magic MAYBE Wizards) will probably get #1 seed. Then it depends on how good the Central and Atlantic Divisions do. Then the 4th seed will probably be Magic/Heat whichever loses. 5th seed will probably be whoever gets 2nd in Central division. 6th seed will probably go to 3rd rank in SE. 7th seed to the 3rd in the Central division. 8th seed to 2nd in Atlantic Right now i think the playoffs are between 11 teams If they all stay healthy these are the teams <u>Atlantic</u> Boston Toronto New York Philadelphia <u>Central</u> Indiana Cleveland Detroit Milwaukee <u>Southeast</u> Miami Orlando Washington I think 2 out of the Atlantic teams will make it 3 of the Central all 3 of the Southeast contenders. I think indiana will still make playoffs just as a lower seed (6- 8)
