Based on What has happened so far this offseason this is how I see things, Ad I'll explain why. There teams should make the playoffs. (This is Hard because more than half the teamsd in the NBA could make the playoffs very easily in a different era, but each team should be strong.) East: Division Winners: New Jersey Nets I just think when Kidd and Vince Gert a full season together something Great will happen. They have good enough Roll Players to help contribute and Jefferson is a formidable star in his own right. Indiana Pacers With Artest coming back I have faith in this team. Every single team in this division should challenge for the playoffs. The Pistons will stay great but I just think the Pacers will overtake them, especially without Larry Brown as coach. Miami Heat Shaq's not getting any Younger but Wade has grown from anAll-star to a superstar in his own right. This team is very very formidable no matter what happens. Wade must stay healthy though. Other Playoff teams: Detroit Pistons This team is in no matter what unless every player gets injured, they're too good and work too well together, they're the fourth seed. Chicago The baby bulls have grown up, I love their rotation and i don't see them being out, however with so many good teams it's vry possible, they're not elite yet. Cleveland It's Lebron's Chance, with Larry Hughes and keeping Big Z I don't think this team will fade like they have, I think they'll finally maintain the consitancy necessary. Philadelphia AI has a few years left and maybe Webber will be successful, AI could get to the playoffs almost by himself, he made it to the championship this way in 2001. They should make it. Either Milwaulkee of Washington I'll give the Edge to Milwaulkee, this team has corrected itself in a hurry, and the Wizards Lost Larry Hughes who is absolutely crucial. With TJ Ford healthy, Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons, and yes Andrew Bogut. This team looks great on paper, I'm willing to bet on them. West: Division Winners: Phoenix This team is still nearly impossible to beat at their own game, getting rid of q rich was bad though, I don't see them, being as dominant as last year, other problems exist to. Nuggets I don't think the Sonics wil be as good, they lost their coach. I also have faith in George Karl's Nuggets. They came on very strong last year and will only get better, no one on that team is too old yet. And yes, now they have a 2! Spurs Tim Duncan hasn't looked quite as good but he is the greatest player of the Modern Era and has been the greatest player in the league year in and year out since MJ retired for the second time. Other Playoff Teams: Dallas The Mavs will stay great. I can't imgine them falling off the radar. Minnesota KG won't miss the playoffs two years in a row, any problem with team chemistry should be corrected. Seattle They'll still Make the playoffs and give people a run next year. They lost their coach though, they are not as good. Golden State: That team With Baron is serious, It's only the other teams being so good that kept them this low. This was one of the hottest teams in the league at the end last year, the probvlem weas they were already too far out of the race. Houston: I gotta give a little bit of a nod to T-mac and Yao. Jeff Van Gundy is an Excellent coach in his own right too.
I am appalled at The Houston Rickets being predicted at 8th seed. But hey, I'm a Rockets fan. None-the-less, they made the 5th seed in a transition year. They're team chemistry has built up and will playe even better. There is no way that The Nuggets can reach 2nd seed. Even if they're division crashes and burns, they wil only reach 3rd. Spurs, Mavs, Suns, Rockets, and possibly the Warriors will have better records. Phoenix is a lock for 1st seed, but will, once again, lose it in the playoffs to a defensive team. Mavs have uped the ante and are looking more like contenders. And how about memphis? Sure they might be changing their team around alot, but expect a 7th or 8th seed from them. Wolves and Sonics are very iffy. They can either soar to the top or fall to the bottom. Oh yeah, and ROCKETS 4LIFE!
Hey dude, I'm not so sure they're in order of seeds... just being listed off by the divisions. Nowhere in the post does he denote the number of seeds.
Celtics not in playoffs? They have a group of extremely gifted young players and 2 people that can score whenever they want in Ricky Davis and Paul Pierce. For me its a no-brainer celtics are making playoffs
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheTruth5:</div><div class="quote_post">Celtics not in playoffs? They have a group of extremely gifted young players and 2 people that can score whenever they want in Ricky Davis and Paul Pierce. For me its a no-brainer celtics are making playoffs</div> Yea they better than Philly. AI and CWEBB aren't getting any younger. Celtice won't win the division, but they will definately make the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheTruth5:</div><div class="quote_post">Celtics not in playoffs? They have a group of extremely gifted young players and 2 people that can score whenever they want in Ricky Davis and Paul Pierce. For me its a no-brainer celtics are making playoffs</div> Theres always the chance of them losing paul pierce in the season via trade and not having payton or walker wont help.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting miamiballa12:</div><div class="quote_post">Theres always the chance of them losing paul pierce in the season via trade and not having payton or walker wont help.</div> If Pierce is gone im not sure, but with Pierce i think theyll sneak in to the playoffs. Walker and Payton dont really matter, paytons old-delontes young and talented and Walker him gone would be even better no more 3 for 45 shooting
Still they have some great young players who can play very well together like West, Jefferosn, and the up and coming stud in Green.
Here's how I would have it based on the draft and offseason so far. <u>East</u> 1 - Miami 2 - Indiana 3 - New Jersey 4 - Detroit 5 - Chicago 6 - Philadelphia 7 - Milwaukee 8 - Boston/Washington/Cleveland <u>West</u> 1 - Phoenix 2 - San Antonio 3 - Denver 4 - Houston 5 - Dallas 6 - Golden State 7 - Sacramento 8 - Memphis/Minnesota/Lakers
Here are my playoff predictions East- 1. Miami 2. Indiana 3. New Jersey 4. Detroit 5. Chicago 6. Boston 7. Clevland 8. Philly West- 1. San Antonio 2. Phoenix 3. Denver 4. Houston 5. Sacramento 6. Dallas 7. Seattle 8. Goldent State
I think with all these big signings and LeBron being better, I have a feeling the Cavs will fall just short again. They have a couple of guys who are injury prone (Not so recently for Ilgauskas, but he's always a risk) and have been proven chokers so far in the short LeBron era. I think Milwaukee would make it over them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">Why Milwalkee, OHHH they got Bogut and Simmons and now they make the playoffs? Gimme a break.</div> Uh, no, maybe because they have a similiar roster to the one that made the playoffs, plus they have added Bogut and Simmons, so they are just as good.
Pheonix just lost Quentin Richardson and it looks like theyre about to lose Joe Johnson as well.No way will the Suns have the best record in the west next year.Cant believe people think the Suns will win more games than the Spurs after losing those two players.People are also overrating and giving to much credit to the Warriors.Saying things like they were one of the hottest teams at the end of the season.They were something like 18-10 to close out the season.For the Warriors thats great,but compared to other good teams its nothing special.
East 1.Miami 2.Detroit 3.Indiana 4.Boston 5.New York 6.NewJersey(If Kidd moves then the Nets will be number 10) 7.Cleveland 8.Philly West 1.San Antonio 2.Phoenix 3.Minnesota 4.Houston 5.Dallas 6.Seattle 7.Golden State 8.Memphis/Los Angeles/LAC/Denver
I like what i did, I got us thinking, and I was trying to be unbiased, maybe too far in keeping the celtics, one of my favorite teams, out. But I dono, there are a lotta teams now that look REALLY good on paper and I ranked 1 in each division, not in order opf seeding, than i went 1 by one who the best were. The sixers are only higher than the celtics because the sixers twam is gonna be more similar to the team last year. Keep on criticizing, that's what this is for, but at least acknowledge I'm trying to be logical. And I'm hard pressed keeping the Magic and the Celtics out but they're just not the teams i see.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drunkenbarden:</div><div class="quote_post">East 1.Miami 2.Detroit 3.Indiana 4.Boston 5.New York 6.NewJersey(If Kidd moves then the Nets will be number 10) 7.Cleveland 8.Philly West 1.San Antonio 2.Phoenix 3.Minnesota 4.Houston 5.Dallas 6.Seattle 7.Denver 8.Memphis/Los Angeles/LAC</div> Minnesota 3rd? No way they win the division over the Nuggets. BTW, Miami, Detroit and Indy can't go 1-2-3 because Detroit and Indiana play in the same division.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drunkenbarden:</div><div class="quote_post">East 1.Miami 2.Detroit 3.Indiana 4.Boston 5.New York 6.NewJersey(If Kidd moves then the Nets will be number 10) 7.Cleveland 8.Philly West 1.San Antonio 2.Phoenix 3.Minnesota 4.Houston 5.Dallas 6.Seattle 7.Golden State 8.Memphis/Los Angeles/LAC/Denver</div> new york over chicago?
