East 1.Indy 2.Miami 3.New Jersey 4.Detroit 5.Chicago 6.Milwaukee 7.Boston 8.Cleveland West 1.San Antonio 2.Pheonix 3.Denver 4.Dallas 5.Sacramento 6.Houston 7.Golden State 8.LAC
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">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.</div> Losing Q-Rich won't be a big deal. He was just a chucker who would camp at the 3 PT line and didn't play good defense. They bring in Raja Bell who will get his share of points in the Phoenix offense, plus he can play defense. Also, Kurt Thomas can play the 5, moving Amare down to the 4, which means he will probably be even better next year at his natural position. They havn't lost Joe Johnson yet. If Phoenix sticks to their word and sign Johnson, then the Suns could win 55+ games again. Plus these are only regular season records. Everyone knows the Spurs are better, but this is just for the regular season, in the playoffs, everything changes.
East 1 - Miami 2 - Indiana 3 - New Jersey 4 - Detroit 5 - Chicago 6 - Philadelphia 7 - Clevand 8 - Milwakee West 1 - Phoenix 2 - San Antonio 3 - Denver 4 - Houston 5 - Dallas 6 - Seattle 7 - Golden State 8 - Sacramento
I'm sorry NY fans, I feel very confident some teams will NOT make the playoffs, the raptors, the hawks, the knicks, the bobcats, the blazers, the jazz, the grizzlies, and finally the hornets. These teams aren't all bad but i know they should not be able to make the playoffs, some are rebuilding, some just have no potential at this point, I think It's laughable however that someone would put ny in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">East 1.Indy 2.Miami 3.New Jersey 4.Detroit 5.Chicago 6.Milwaukee 7.Boston 8.Cleveland West 1.San Antonio 2.Pheonix 3.Denver 4.Dallas 5.Sacramento 6.Houston 7.Golden State 8.LAC</div> LOL Clipps in the PLayoffs...I don't think so. Heat second seed...how about NO! Buck won't finish over Clevland Boston or Philly. Where's Seattle? Houston will be better than Dallas and the Kings.
^Clippers in the playoffs,yes.I just like their solid lineup.Its not like Indiana isnt capable of more regular season wins than Miami.Seattle is losing alot of free agents,not to mention their head coach.Houston could possibly finish ahead of the Kings,but definitely not Dallas.There seems to be alot of hype around the Rockets.
Here's mine based on this offseason and what the team's roster already has: East: 1-Miami 2-Indiana 3-Boston 4-Detroit 5-Cleveland 6-New Jersey 7-Philadelphia 8-Chicago West: 1-San Antonio 2-Phoenix 3-Minnesota 4-Houston 5-Dallas 6-Seattle 7-Denver 8-Golden State
East 1 - Miami 2 - Detroit(only when LB stays) 3 - Boston 4 - New Jersey 5 - Indiana 6 - Chicago 7 - Cleveland 8 - Philly/Milwaukee West 1 - San Antonio 2 - Denver 3 - Phoenix 4 - Houston 5 - Dallas 6 - Seattle 7 - Golden State 8 - Lakers/Minnesota/Sacra/Memphis
<u>East</u> 1. Miami Heat 2. New Jersey Nets 3. Indiana Pacers 4. Detroit Pistons 5. Cleveland Cavs 6. Chicago Bulls 7. Philadelphia 76ers 8. New York Knicks The Nets edge out the Sixers for the second seed in the East, while the Sixers settle for the seven spot. I just believe the chemistry between Jefferson, Carter, and Kidd will work out. <u>West</u> 1. San Antonio Spurs 2. Phoenix Suns 3. Denver Nuggets 4. Houston Rockets 5. Minnesota Timberwolves 6. Seattle Supersonics 7. Los Angeles Clippers 8. Golden State Warriors Two teams that you see here that you haven't seen in the playoffs in a while. The Clippers with a new healthy backcourt of Cat Mobley and Livingston. And the Warriors who made the blockbuster trade last year to get Baron Davis.
East 1-Heat 2-Detroit 3-Boston 4-Milwaukee 5-Indiana 6-Cleveland 7-New Jersey 8-Sixer/Bulls/Toronto West 1-Suns 2-Spurs 3-Nuggets 4-Mavs 5-Rockets 6-Warriors 7-Lakers 8-Jazz/T'Wolves/Memphis/Sacramento
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Two teams that you see here that you haven't seen in the playoffs in a while. The Clippers with a new healthy backcourt of Cat Mobley and Livingston. And the Warriors who made the blockbuster trade last year to get Baron Davis.</div> I'm sorry man, I think the Clips have a great shot at the playoffs but I just don't think Livingston will be the cause of it, yeah he showed he can be a player i this league last year and yeah he's young but I still think the only reason he gets hype is his height, and I don't feel he utilizes it the way the magic do, I believe the best PG in last years Draft was Jameer Nelson, followed by Bassy Telfair and Chris Duhon, I think both Devin Harris and BG turned out to be 2 guards.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">^Clippers in the playoffs,yes.I just like their solid lineup.Its not like Indiana isnt capable of more regular season wins than Miami.Seattle is losing alot of free agents,not to mention their head coach.Houston could possibly finish ahead of the Kings,but definitely not Dallas.There seems to be alot of hype around the Rockets.</div> They arent better than Memphis or Seattle so how docthey get in? The Heat will definately be better than the Pacers, just because Artest is back dusn't mean they goin to be number 1.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">They arent better than Memphis or Seattle so how docthey get in? The Heat will definately be better than the Pacers, just because Artest is back dusn't mean they goin to be number 1.</div> I do believe the pacers had a 61 win season in the 03-04 season. This shows that the pacers with a healthy team can have a better record than the Heat.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting miamiballa12:</div><div class="quote_post">I do believe the pacers had a 61 win season in the 03-04 season. This shows that the pacers with a healthy team can have a better record than the Heat.</div> In 03-04 Wade was a rookie and the Heat didn't have Shaq.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker31:</div><div class="quote_post">In 03-04 Wade was a rookie and the Heat didn't have Shaq.</div> Im talking about the Pacers being able to win 60 games. This dosen't have to do with the Heat.
Here are my early picks: East 1.Miami(They were the best last year and still are) 2.Indiana(They got Artest back. They only lost in 6 to Detroit without him and this is a big boost) 3.New Jersey(Healthy trio of all-stars and some nice role players) 4.Detroit(No Larry Brown) 5.Chicago(Will improve from last year but still no match for the Pistons and Pacers) 6.Boston(Okay team...may lose Pierce...) 7.Wahington(Great trade getting Caron and Atkins + getting rid of that trash. But they lost big time when Hughes left and the East is tougher this year.) 8.Cleveland (They almost made it last year and now have Hughes. They don't have much depth though. West 1.Phoenix(Improved defense + their great offense) 2.San Antonio(Very close to first, but they are aging and not much depth IMO...) 3.Denver(Will improve from last year's nice 2nd half) 4.Dallas(Improved defense under Avery, but won't win division...) 5.Houston(Were very good last year and will get better) 6.Sonics(Will lose a couple players but still are a good team) 7.Sacramento(Who else?) 8.Warriors(Memphis may make it but they are the Warrior's only real competition. The Warriors are still going to be good after last year's nice 2nd half...)
Eastern Conference 1. Detroit Pistons- They are still the best overall team in the eastern conference by far. They will probably strive with Larry or without Larry back. I think they will do better if Larry brown leaves, because Darko would get playing time, and if he performs well they will be on a whole other level this season. Also there draft pick in the first round will give the team toughness if he gets playing time. 2. Philadelphia 76ers- They will have the highest scoring duo in the league this upcoming season in my opinion with Webber and Allen Iverson, and I think Igoudala will emerge as a better jump shooter, and scorer averaging around 15 points a game. Hopefully Korver will get less playing time meaning some of his shot attempts will go to Igoudala. 3. Miami Heat- I do not think they will be as good as they were last season, but they are still by far the best team in their division. I do not think the Magic will put up a big fight against them for the division title, nor will the Wizards since they lost Larry Hughes. 4. Chicago Bulls- I think they will have a 48 plus win season this year but will lose the division to the Pistons in the last couple weeks of the season. This spot is really a toss up between them and the Pacers, but since I am bias I got to go with the Bulls. 5. Indiana Pacers- There season last year without Artest will make them tougher for this upcoming season with Granger, and Artest now in the fold, and O?Neal probably not having as many injuries or suspensions this season they will be in a better position to win. I think this year will be the season the East returns to being competitive unlike the last few seasons. 6. New Jersey Nets- I think the trio of Carter, Jefferson, and Kidd will do well, and if they sign Shareef they will have a more than solid starting five. However, there bench really does not have as much depth as the Pacers and Bulls so I do not think they will be as good as people expect. There are a few good players like Wright coming off the bench, but they really have no front line players that will be able to bang around down low. 7. Boston Celtics- I think that unless they get the Paul Pierce situation worked out. That it was just rumors he would be traded or at least convince him that there will be to much controversy for them to have a incredibly successful season, also the possibility of losing Walker is why I place them here. 8.Cleveland Cavaliers- Lebron thats all I have to say add Larry Hughes playoff bound. Teams looking in.... Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards Western Conference 1.San Antonio Spurs- Tim Duncan still the best player in the league it will be enough to help them once again be one of the best teams in the league. With Ginobli and Parker healthy and them bringing all their main people back I think they will have a legit chance to win it again. 2. Phoenix Suns- The offense will be just as good as last year with Thomas now on the team and Raja Bell the defense will be improved as well. Not sure how much improved, but really better than last season. If they resign JJ they might make it to the finals. 3. Minnesota Timberwolves- Though Seattle got Ray Allen back they lost basically everyone else Antonio Daniels, Nate, Jerome James, etc. I do not think they will have a surprise season last year Kevin Garnett will reestablish himself this year as a dominate force remember he had a injury last season that plagued him all year. 4. Houston Rockets- They have brought it a couple pieces this season that will make them a championship contender. I would not be surprised to see this team in the finals if they sign a player like Swift that will help them out a lot. 5. Dallas Mavericks- Still the same old Mavs a couple defensive players away from being a championship contender. They will win a lot of games though. 6. Golden State Warriors- Yes the Warriors will be here they are very much improved, and were great since getting Davis in the middle of last season. They drafted well, and are in my mind a playoff team. 7. Los Angeles Lakers- I think they will be back here this year, not will not go far unless Brown becomes a 15 point a game scorer, and Odom performs as well as Jackson expects him to in the triangle. 8. Seattle Sonics- Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis will get them there, but that's it. They do not have the depth to do much else. Outside looking in Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings
How do the Nuggets not make the playoffs? BTW, Philly over Miami? Chicago over Indiana? Keep dreaming.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">How do the Nuggets not make the playoffs? BTW, Philly over Miami? Chicago over Indiana? Keep dreaming.</div> Like I said I do not think the Heat will have as good a season as they did last year, and the top three seeds go first to the division winners. I think they will have one less win then the 76ers this season, and be the third seed and whats wrong with the Bulls over the Pacers? Sure they got Artest back, but they lost Reggie, and will not have as good a shooter in the clutch. I know they will be good, but I still think the Heat will be better. As far as the Nuggets not making the playoffs honestly I forgot them, but I did get a little bias to the bottom of the western conference.
