06' NBA playoff talk.

[BuckWrestler141]

What is everyone's thoughts as far as the playoffs come closer?

Who do you want the Cavs to play? Who do they fare the best verse?

As a Bulls fan, I was excited today, as they were down by 19 to the Pacers in the 2nd half then came back to win. Now only 1/2 game behind the 76ers for the last spot (Play Philly tomorrow and Saturday) and 1 1/2 behind the slumping Pacers. I would love to see the Bulls make the playoffs, and get to the 7 spot and play the Heat with a gimpy Shaq. Not to mention a top canidate for the number 1 pick next year, this club is going to keep going up, after surviving a season that should have been a step-back without Curry.

 

[Kueller]

I've gotta start with the best, R. Wallace on the pistons just missed his first game due to a suspension for his 16th technical...So, those starting 5 on the pistons are finally broken up, there should be some dropoff, right? Apparently not, McDyess put up 26pts while filling in for Wallace.

If the Nets can keep playing like they have been lately they might have a shot at the eastern title (by lately I don't mean eeking out a 2pt win over the Hawks). If Shaq and Wade can manage to stay healthy and motivated for 4 games (ok, more likely 6) Miami should have a shot.

I think the Cavs are still 2 players short of making a serious run at a championship unfortunately. LeBron is amazing, and Gooden is solid, but I can't help but think they could use a couple more people out there to help spread the D. I've got to go back to the pistons here, any (or all) of their starting 5 (and 6th evidently) is liable to put up 20+ on any given night. Even 1 more serious threat would do wonders for the Cavs.

Out west you've got the usual suspect up top: Spurs. They get injured, rotate lineups and just keep winning games. The Mavs have dropped off recently, but I think they're going to get it together before the playoffs (I could be totally wrong of course) and they're my pick in the west.

If the pistons secure home court through the finals they're my pick, not original, but they seem like the safest bet...Nets would be my "george mason" pick.

 

[NFBuck]

I think the Cavs are still 2 players short of making a serious run at a championship unfortunately. LeBron is amazing, and Gooden is solid, but I can't help but think they could use a couple more people out there to help spread the D. I've got to go back to the pistons here, any (or all) of their starting 5 (and 6th evidently) is liable to put up 20+ on any given night. Even 1 more serious threat would do wonders for the Cavs.

I would disagree with you on two points.
1. I think the Cavs are one player, a solid PG, away from a potential championship run. LBJ, Z and LH give this team as solid a trio as anybody, they just need a better PG to run the floor.
2. I personally think Gooden is maddeningly inconsistent. Some nights he's amazing, some he doesn't show up. I think they could make an upgrade over him, though I don't see it as a necessity. I think we play better when "Wild Thing" is in there, but I don't view him as a full time 35-40 minute guy at this point.

The playoffs will be interesting for us. We are peaking at just the right time, and now can add LH to the rotation. LH, Flip and LBJ can be an explosive scoring combo, I'm just holding my breath that Z's ankle doesn't nag him the rest of the way. Preliminary reports are that it's not bad, but ankle sprains can be a pesky injury, especially for a big man.

 

[exhawg]

-I think the Bulls make it in if they can beat the Sixers in both games or at least split. The Sixers remaining schedule is pretty rough.
-Indy seems to be crashing of late so it's possible they tank the next couple weeks and miss the playoffs.
-If the Nets continue to stay hot they will give the Heat a hard time in the second round Since the Heat have a hard time with good wing players.
-I like how the Cavs played last night with Hughes coming back. They have the Nets on Saturday so that will be a true test to see how good the Cavs are playing right now. A series with the Wizards in the first round of the playoffs will be rough and I would much rather see the Cavs play the Bucks if the Wizards would stumble over the next couple weeks. I don't really want to see the Bucks start playing great before the playoffs and then have to face them. IMO the Cavs are 1 Steve Nash away from being a title caliber team. With Murray and Hughes for the rest of the season they might be able to fake having a PG. With Z down for a while look for a fast paced up and down offense while he is out. The Cavs defense is going to take a step up with Hughes back. Hughes, Snow, Lebron, and Murray are all pretty good defenders, and Jones has stepped it up from earlier in the year. Jones and Marshall need to be hot from behind the line to keep the Cavs in the playoffs. When their offense is kicking like it was last night they will be hard for anyone to beat, but I don't expect them to be 50% from behind the arc every night. As was said about the Pistons in another post the Cavs have 5 players that can go for 20+ any night (Lebron, Hughes, Z, Gooden, Murray). The Cavs also have the pieces to play with any style of team. They can go big with Z and Varejao, or they can go small and go with an extra guard and Varejao with Lebron playing PF. Either way Varejao has to be one of the most valuable bench player in the NBA.
-I don't know what to make out of the Heat. When Wade, Shaq, and Mourning are healthy they are hard to beat, but I don't don't like the rest of their team mainly because they don't have a "team".
-The Pistons are the Pistons and will be the hardest out for anyone. On the other hand I think the Heat, Nets, and Cavs could beat them if they are able to get on a roll. If Sheed's suspensions carry over to the playoffs that could really hurt. I would look for him to miss at least a few more games this season and in the playoffs. Billups and Hamilton are both really good, but I don't think either is the type of quick PG that causes the Cavs fits. They also don't have a player that can stop Z or Lebron if they get hot.

Does anyone care about the West? :p

 

[Brutus1]

I think Tayshaun Prince can be tough on LBJ in the playoffs, as long as he is not needed for offense.

The Pistons will lose a game here or there, but I can't see anyone in the East able to beat them in a 7 game series.

The Cavs play the Wiz pretty soon, so we'll see how they play with a healthy Hughes and Murray in the lineup.

Regardless of who they play, I'm just happy to finally be able to watch LeBron in the playoffs.

The West is still the Spurs' to lose. The Suns are good, but have been average lately, maybe 8-6 their last 14 games. I think they were planning on having Stoudemire for the playoffs and now that we know that's not happening, I think they peter out with such a short bench.

 

[OH10]

It's going to be the Spurs and Pistons again. Miami is the only other team that could possibly enter into the equation. New Jersey and Cleveland have had cute little runs, but they don't have enough to make a deep run in the playoffs.

 

[BB73]

It's going to be the Spurs and Pistons again. Miami is the only other team that could possibly enter into the equation. New Jersey and Cleveland have had cute little runs, but they don't have enough to make a deep run in the playoffs.

What he said.

And I think the Bulls earn the right to be swept by the Pistons in the first round.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

I know the Pistons seemed unbeatable at the beginning of the year and there was talk of them winning 70 games.

I just dont see them as being a lock as most people think. I they obviously have the edge, b/c they are all so good, and play great defense, but I see no reason why the Heat with a healthy Shaq and Mourning couldnt beat them, the Cavs with size down low and 3 good scorers and Snow to play D on Rip/Billups and the Nets with Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson.

Like I said I think the Pistons are the team to beat, but I am not ready to just hand it over to them. The east is very tough this year and I see it being very tough for whatever team advances to the finals.

As for the west I would love to see the Suns come out b/c I can't stand the Spurs.

 

[Brutus1]

Is there such a thing as a healthy Shaq and Mourning, anymore?

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Is there such a thing as a healthy Shaq and Mourning, anymore?

Well there was for the middle of the season but both have broken down, for Miami's sake they better hope they can get them healthy.

 

[BuckWrestler141]

Well the Bulls beat the 76ers today to steal out that last playoff spot. The Bulls have pulled out a few huge wins as of late, the Bulls final schedule is a lot nicer then the 76ers too, so they should be in. Also, the Bulls own the tie-breaker over the 76ers should it end up a tie.

Bad news for the Bulls is that the Pacers won also, so they can't get to the 7th spot in hopes of playing a beaten up Heat team.

 

[scott91575]

A few points (i'm a Pistons fans)...

From what I have heard the 16 techs do not carry over into the playoffs. There is another set of rules, so Rasheed Wallace only has to worry about the last 8 games. He's gets another 1 game suspension if he gets 2 more techs.

McDyess did not replace Rasheed. Dale Davis did. Yet McDyess has been the best 6th man off the bench the last month. His play has been amazing.

The Pistons have only lost 3 games at home, and only 1 in regulation. Pretty scary for a team that won a title and got to the Finals another year without home court in the East Finals or the Finals either year.

If the Pistons don't make the Finals I would be surprised.

 

[exhawg]

A few points (i'm a Pistons fans)...

From what I have heard the 16 techs do not carry over into the playoffs. There is another set of rules, so Rasheed Wallace only has to worry about the last 8 games. He's gets another 1 game suspension if he gets 2 more techs.

McDyess did not replace Rasheed. Dale Davis did. Yet McDyess has been the best 6th man off the bench the last month. His play has been amazing.

The Pistons have only lost 3 games at home, and only 1 in regulation. Pretty scary for a team that won a title and got to the Finals another year without home court in the East Finals or the Finals either year.

If the Pistons don't make the Finals I would be surprised.

So would most of us, but we can hope. :p I want to see how the Cavs play at Detroit next week(?). Regardless of how they played tonight this should be the best Cavs team to face the Pistons this year.

 

[BuckWrestler141]

The Bulls won tonight, while the 76ers lost. The playoffs are looking to be locked up. Detriot is lucky that Orlando won't get in now, Darko would give them payback from hell.

The Bulls game tonight over Washington was amazing. 103-101 with Ben Gordon tying a record, for most 3's in a game without a miss with 9!

 

[scarletngrey11]

The Bulls won tonight, while the 76ers lost. The playoffs are looking to be locked up. Detriot is lucky that Orlando won't get in now, Darko would give them payback from hell.

The Bulls game tonight over Washington was amazing. 103-101 with Ben Gordon tying a record, for most 3's in a game without a miss with 9!

I watched that game too, it was a pretty sweet game.

You have to wonder what the hell Jeffries was thinking at the end though picking up that offensive foul.