If the Playoffs started today... Who would advance.. and who woudl win the title based on stats and how the NBA is going (injuries are a key factor) EAST 1. Indiana 2. Philadelphia 3. Detroit 4. New Orleans 5. Toronto 6. New Jersey 7. Milwaukee 8. Washington WEST 1. L.A. Lakers 2. Dallas 3. Sacramento 4. Houston 5. Minnesota 6. Seattle 7. Portland 8. San Antonio
I am assuming that those are based on the current standings, but I think that you have to look at the Memphis Grizzlies. They are over fifty percent now. Although there are about ten Western teams at or over fifty percent, I think that Memphis is one of the few that can hang there. They've had a harder schedule than any other team so far and they've triumphed over it with wins over a healthy Lakers team, a healthy Mavericks team, a healthy Rockets team, a healthy Seattle team (minus Allen), and a Parker-less Spurs team, not to mention some other minor Eastern Conference teams. If beating five out of the eight best Western teams doesn't mean something then what does?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> They've had a harder schedule than any other team so far </div> Funny you mentioned that as I found this list of teams with the highest winning % in terms of the toughest teams faced for each team in their schedule. Here it is Team Opponents Winning % 1)Golden State 54.9 2)Memphis 54.8 3)Dallas 54.0 4)Portland 51.4 5)Utah 51.3 6)LA Lakers 49.4 7)San Antonio 49.1 8)Denver 47.9 9)Seattle 47.8 10)Phoenix 47.1 11)Sacramento 45.3 11)LA Clippers 45.3 12)Minnesota 42.5 13)Houston 42.4 As you can see the Grizzles are 2nd..and to have the schedule they have had and to be 6-5 is impressive.Although their next 3 games will be even more of a test @ Lakers @ Kings Timerwolves
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting allnet:</div><div class="quote_post">Funny you mentioned that as I found this list of teams with the highest winning % in terms of the toughest teams faced for each team in their schedule. Here it is Team Opponents Winning % 1)Golden State 54.9 2)Memphis 54.8 3)Dallas 54.0 4)Portland 51.4 5)Utah 51.3 6)LA Lakers 49.4 7)San Antonio 49.1 8)Denver 47.9 9)Seattle 47.8 10)Phoenix 47.1 11)Sacramento 45.3 11)LA Clippers 45.3 12)Minnesota 42.5 13)Houston 42.4 As you can see the Grizzles are 2nd..and to have the schedule they have had and to be 6-5 is impressive.Although their next 3 games will be even more of a test @ Lakers @ Kings Timerwolves</div>Wow, you are truely the stat master. Where did you find that list? Anyway, if they could just win one of those three games and break even at 7-7 I think they could garner some serious attention. This is their season. They are rather determined to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Yea, Memphis is playing very good ball. Looks like West's guarantee he made when he became the owner my come to fruition sooner than expected if his team can continue to play well. Cause, yea, what was it, 2 or 3 years ago, something like that when West took over. He said that they'd be in the playoffs in 5 years. Might happen this year if they keep it going. But, next 3 games, need to get at least one of em.
If the playoffs were today, I dont think the lakers would win the championship. It would have to be New Orleans (yes, an eastern coference team). But it doesn't matter about now. I think its going to be the Spurs or the Lakers when its all said and done.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post"> Cause, yea, what was it, 2 or 3 years ago, something like that when West took over. He said that they'd be in the playoffs in 5 years. Might happen this year if they keep it going. But, next 3 games, need to get at least one of em.</div>West took over the team just last season. As for the whole playoffs scheme, I think that the Finals would consist of the Seattle SuperSonics and the New Jersey Nets. I think the Nets would win this series. To be honest, I have no logic behind this. I am just going with my gut feeling.
The Warriors are also off to a good start, not great though. They have had the toughest schedule thus far, and are 5=7. They lost by two points to Sac and Houston, they just lack that killer instinct. Hopefully their win over the Blazers tonight will give them that boost.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Wave:</div><div class="quote_post">West took over the team just last season. As for the whole playoffs scheme, I think that the Finals would consist of the Seattle SuperSonics and the New Jersey Nets. I think the Nets would win this series. To be honest, I have no logic behind this. I am just going with my gut feeling.</div> Big call there on Seattle. As much as I love our style of play, I'm not sure we could win a best of 7-7-7 in the West to make the finals, we don't have an inside presence or much defense. However, a gut feeling needs no logic behind it i guess
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">However, a gut feeling needs no logic behind it i guess </div> My gut last year said the Wolves would beat the Blazers to get out the first round... to bad the Clippers ruined my gut feeling and the Wolves played the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Wave:</div><div class="quote_post">West took over the team just last season. As for the whole playoffs scheme, I think that the Finals would consist of the Seattle SuperSonics and the New Jersey Nets. I think the Nets would win this series. To be honest, I have no logic behind this. I am just going with my gut feeling.</div> ive been having that gut feeling for the Nets for almost 3 years now...i just hope it's right this time...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting purehoops:</div><div class="quote_post">My gut last year said the Wolves would beat the Blazers to get out the first round... to bad the Clippers ruined my gut feeling and the Wolves played the Lakers. </div> Yes, that was too bad.
Nets will not make the finals this year,Hornets,Pacers and Pistons all improved more than the Nets...I would hate to see them in the finals again...If the playoffs started today then I reckon it would be a Pacers v Lakers NBA finals..they seem to be playing the better basketball out of the two conferences. As for the last years playoffs.. with the Wolves situation I still believe the Blazers lost that last game @ the Clippers just so they could face the Mavs in the playoffs which they knew they would avoid the Wolves and make the Wolves face off against L.A. Blazers thought the Mavs would be their best shot at getting past round one because of the lack of post defenders the Mavs have and Portland knew they had post players who could expose the Mavs inside.However as we know their plan didn't work.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sportsrock37:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic would have the #1 pick if the season ended today!!!!</div>Not necessarily, but they would have the best chance at getting the first pick. (Correct me if I'm wrong)
Nope your right. My predictions are Hornets and Rockets(Don't bash me, I just have a feeling, just like someone had of the Sonics)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes, that was too bad.</div> Ass. :king:
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting sportsrock37:</div><div class="quote_post">Magic would have the #1 pick if the season ended today!!!!</div> That was ment to be Utah's not that I'm complaining that they aren't doing as bad as everyone thought they would, but a guy that could make an immediate impact like Emeka Okafor would really helpful.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tmac15:</div><div class="quote_post">That was ment to be Utah's not that I'm complaining that they aren't doing as bad as everyone thought they would, but a guy that could make an immediate impact like Emeka Okafor would really helpful.</div> I know this is the wrong thread to talk about this but I think Okafor is too raw of an offensive player. If you're going to go with raw talent, how about that Pavel guy (i dont remember his last name). He was that 7'5'' 300+ lbs kid from Europe who dropped out the draft last year. Otherwise, I wouldn't want to have a high pick next year cuz the class is going to be weak.
