X's Bucks Dynasty *WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN*

[Fresh8]

Great recaps!

Looking forward to the offseason. I think I am moving up the draft board thanks to me growing an inch.

[The X]

You should try to get Wade or Bosh leaving. But it's harder than I thought. Bosh even stayed happy when I put him at unpreditable and benchwarmer role because he was just so god damn happy with his Raptors being at 10-22. But try your best, I don't think both would stay if there was no real perspective on their teams.

Gadz contract might really be good for some deals. If you can keep Z than I'd try it. I don't think it will be for low money though since the only reason for him playing for the Bucks could be money

I'm thinking I might just make Wade upset. Bosh was injured for a good month & once he was healthy, the Raptors won quite a few games but left it a bit late. The Heat just stunk & I think Wade might be sick of it. The only thing I worry about them is signing somewhere worse, but those are the risks you take.

If you could get a star free agent, that would be great. Good end of the season update X

Cheers, we shall see how things pan out.

Nice little photo album.

Usually when you have the best odds to win the lottery, you wind up with the 4th pick. I'm gonna start the Evan Turner bandwagon.

Thanks. Puts season in perspective by doing a bit of a running photo album

Gonna be an exciting offseason for you. You must take Wall if hes avaliable, will be interesting what you do with that situation though, would maybe be easier to just take a different player to avoid having to decide who to trade out of Wall and Jennings.

Yep, should be an interesting off-season, although if no players who help me then I won't just throw money away for the sake of it.

I think in the short term a Jennings-Wall backcourt could work, with the emphasis being on the short term

Great recaps!

Looking forward to the offseason. I think I am moving up the draft board thanks to me growing an inch.

Cheers, yep, I thought I should actually put in some sort of effort for a change

Yep, you must be up to the 30th pick now

[The X]

2010 EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW - 1st ROUND
By The X
24 April 2010

With another long regular season over, it's time to move onto the real season, the NBA Playoffs. Let's take a quick look at the match-ups and I'll give my predictions, starting with the Eastern Conference:

(1) Atlanta v (8) New York

Projected Lineups:
Atlanta: A.Horford/J.Smith/J.Johnson/J.Crawford/M.Bibby/M.Williams (6th)
New York: D.Lee/A.Harrington/W.Chandler/L.Hughes/N.Robinson/C.Duhon (6th)

Key Injuries:
Atlanta: N/A
New York: N/A

The Atlanta Hawks were the best team in the regular season but they did lose some steam in April. The New York Knicks have the offensive firepower to get hot and scare the Hawks. Atlanta should be too strong as their defense is anchored by DPOY Josh Smith, who is having a career year.

Prediction: Atlanta wins series 2-0


(4) Boston v (5) Washington

Projected Lineups:
Boston: R.Wallace/K.Garnett/P.Pierce/R.Allen/R.Rondo/K.Perkins (6th)
Washington: F.Oberto/A.Jamison/C.Butler/R.Foye/G.Arenas/M.Miller (6th)

Key Injuries:
Boston: PF-K.Garnett (Hurt - Twisted Ankle)
Washington: SF-M.Miller (Hurt - Broken Nose)

Many around the league were disappointed to see the Cavs leapfrog the Celtics on the final day of the regular season and avoid another fiery 1st Round matchup with the Wizards. The Wizards however will be glad as the Celtics are a much more vulnerable and beatable team. The injury to Kevin Garnett will probably make the difference.

Prediction: Washington wins series 2-1


(3) Cleveland v (6) Philadelphia

Projected Lineups:
Cleveland: S.O'Neal/J.J.Hickson/L.James/A.Parker/M.Williams/D.West (6th)
Philadelphia: S.Dalembert/E.Brand/T.Young/A.Iguodala/A.Iverson/L.Williams (6th)

Key Injuries:
Cleveland: SG-M.Redd (Out - Torn ACL)
Philadelphia: N/A

The Cavs have been the hottest team in the league since the All-Star break, closing the season with a strong 10-2 record to clinch the 3rd overall seed. Their reward, avoiding the other big 3 (Atlanta, Orlando and Boston) and avoiding a tough 1st Round opponent (Washington). The 76ers will be lucky to steal a single game in this one.

Prediction: Cleveland wins series 2-0


(2) Orlando v (7) New Jersey

Projected Lineups:
Orlando: D.Howard/B.Bass/R.Lewis/V.Carter/J.Nelson/M.Pietrus (6th)
New Jersey: B.Lopez/S.Williams/B.Simmons/C.Douglas-Roberts/D.Harris/R.Alston (6th)

Key Injuries:
Orlando: N/A
New Jersey: PF-S.Williams (Hurt - Strained Calf)

The Magic did show some rust in their regular season finale loss to the lowly Bucks, however they had nothing to play for. Expect that loss to actually be a wakeup call as Vince Carter and the Magic should be good enough to sweep Devin Harris' Nets.

Prediction: Orlando wins series 2-0

[dare]

Nice match-up in the East maybe the Boston-Washington will be the more interesting

[The X]

Nice match-up in the East maybe the Boston-Washington will be the more interesting

Was hoping for a Cleveland-Washington but yep, Celts-Wiz should be the closest matchup. Although in a 3-3-3-5 playoff format anything is possible

[dare]

Nice match-up in the East maybe the Boston-Washington will be the more interesting

Was hoping for a Cleveland-Washington but yep, Celts-Wiz should be the closest matchup. Although in a 3-3-3-5 playoff format anything is possible

yeah your right, BTW you should change the key injury of the Cleveland-Philadelphia match up

[Mark.]

I agree with all the predictions. Nice preview

[The X]

Nice match-up in the East maybe the Boston-Washington will be the more interesting

Was hoping for a Cleveland-Washington but yep, Celts-Wiz should be the closest matchup. Although in a 3-3-3-5 playoff format anything is possible

yeah your right, BTW you should change the key injury of the Cleveland-Philadelphia match up

Cheers, nice to see people reading every word

I agree with all the predictions. Nice preview

Great minds do think alike. Cheers. You getting to The Republic in June?

[The X]

2010 WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW - 1st ROUND
By The X
24 April 2010

Moving onto the Western Conference, there are many intriguing and closely matched 1st Round playoff series. Let's take a look at each of them:

(1) Denver v (8) Golden State

Projected Lineups:
Denver: Nene/K.Martin/C.Anthony/J.R.Smith/C.Billups/T.Lawson (6th)
Golden State: A.Biedrins/B.Wrights/M.Ellis/R.Bell/S.Curry/K.Azubuike (6th)

Key Injuries:
Denver: N/A
Golden State: SF-C.Maggette (Out - Broken Patella), PF-A.Randolph (Out - Broken Ankle), SG- R.Bell (Hurt - Strained Hamstring)

You gotta feel a little bit for Nellie's run 'n' gun Warriors. Firstly, they face the best team in the West without two of their better players (Maggette and Meal Ticket), then they play strong and finish in a 3-way tie for 1st place in the Pacific Division at 16-13. However, due to tiebreaker rules, they end up sitting in the 8th spot having to play the Nuggets instead of causing nightmare matchups from the 4th seed against the Spurs. Those are the breaks I guess and why some say every single regular season game matters. The Warriors will rue their loss in the season finale as the Nuggets will toy with them before dealing the knockout blow back in Mile High City.

Prediction: Denver wins series 2-1


(4) Los Angeles Lakers v (5) San Antonio

Projected Lineups:
Los Angeles Lakers: A.Bynum/P.Gasol/R.Artest/K.Bryant/D.Fisher/L.Odom (6th)
San Antonio: T.Duncan/A.McDyess/R.Jefferson/M.Ginobili/T.Parker/R.Mason (6th)

Key Injuries:
Los Angeles Lakers: N/A
San Antonio: SG-R.Mason (Hurt - Bruised Sternum)

The Lakers had a very strong second half to the season, going 15-6 to steal the Pacific Division crown from the Warriors. Nobody wants to face Kobe, just nobody. But if anybody can beat them, it's gotta be Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs. This should be a titanic battle between the best two franchises of the last decade, but there can be only one winner. And this time, I just can't bet against Kobe.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers wins series 2-1


(3) Portland v (6) Phoenix

Projected Lineups:
Portland: G.Oden/L.Aldridge/T.Outlaw/B.Roy/A.Miller/S.Blake (6th)
Phoenix: C.Frye/A.Stoudemire/G.Hill/L.Barbosa/S.Nash/J.Richardson (6th)

Key Injuries:
Portland: PG-P.Mills (Hurt - Strained Groin)
Phoenix: PF-L.Amundson (Out - Torn Achilles)

This is another intriguing matchup and I believe it will go down to the wire.The storylines are many in this series. Can Steve Nash lift this team one more time? Will Amar'e be able to physically dominate LMA? What about All-World guard Brandon Roy, do the Suns have anybody they can put on him to slow him down? What about Pryz-bizz? The Blazers aren't even using him and he might bolt this off-season. My head says Portland and my heart says Phoenix. I'll go with the heart with Grant Hill drilling the winning shot in the Rose Garden.

Prediction: Phoenix wins series 2-1


(2) Houston v (7) Dallas

Projected Lineups:
Houston: Yao/L.Scola/S.Battier/T.Ariza/A.Brooks/T.McGrady (6th)
Dallas: E.Dampier/D.Nowitzki/S.Marion/J.Terry/J.Kidd/J.Howard (6th)

Key Injuries:
Houston: N/A
Dallas: C-E.Dampier (Hurt-Plantar Fasciitis, PF-D.Gooden (Out - Torn ACL)

The West is so tight this season that only two weeks ago the Mavs held the #2 overall seed in the West. However a couple of losses to close the season and they fall all the way to 7th on tiebreakers, and now they have the unenviable task of going into Houston and beating them on their home court at least once. Can they do? I don't know, but this could be another one that goes down to the wire, but I'm leaning towards the upset, led by the resurgent Jason Kidd.

Prediction: Dallas wins series 2-1


If you missed my Eastern Conference predictions, they can be found here.

[The X]

That's all for now, indoor soccer tomorrow night so might not get to playoff results for a couple of days.

Enjoy

[C-77]

I don't agree with the Nuggets-Warriors series i think it should be 2-0 Denver,but that's just me and besides i haven't followed this one for awhile

[The X]

I don't agree with the Nuggets-Warriors series i think it should be 2-0 Denver,but that's just me and besides i haven't followed this one for awhile

Just add more fuel to the fire. Warriors love been the underdogs. Keep talking them down

[dare]

Unlike the East the West match-up are all really interesting Goodluck with your game The X, and for Phoenix hope Grant Hill drills the winning short

[The X]

Unlike the East the West match-up are all really interesting Goodluck with your game The X, and for Phoenix hope Grant Hill drills the winning short

Boy, you do read every single word It takes enough time writing these things, who has time to double check everything anyways

And yes, East has 4 very good teams, 1 pretty good team & 3 average/mediocre teams. In the West, everybody can play & any team 1 through 7 can get hot & win it all

[dare]

Unlike the East the West match-up are all really interesting Goodluck with your game The X, and for Phoenix hope Grant Hill drills the winning short

Boy, you do read every single word It takes enough time writing these things, who has time to double check everything anyways

And yes, East has 4 very good teams, 1 pretty good team & 3 average/mediocre teams. In the West, everybody can play & any team 1 through 7 can get hot & win it all

I just love to read when it comes to sport things that's why I still read Sit's ALIB

I'll just post whenever I find some mistypes

[C-77]

The X, hey man he's not the only one reading every single word I also do

[Fresh8]

Golden State will beat Denver.

[The X]

Golden State will beat Denver.

Your guess is as good as mine But it wouldn't surprise me, but would be nice to see the #1 seed in each Conference at least last through the 1st Round

But we shall find out once I actually do the sim. Hopefully I get home early from my Sunshine Coast meeting tomorrow

[Valor]

The 76ers will be lucky to steal a single game in this one.

blah, I'm rooting for a Philly upset

[kibaxx7]

Rooting for Warriors, Spurs and Sixers wins.

[hova-]

Wow, Mavs-Rockets, Lakers-Spurs and Nuggets-Warriors. Blazers-Suns aint bad either actually but the others I would really like in real life, especially the second

[Martti.]

Man, the Nets and the Knicks made the post-season, but the Heat didn't.

[The X]

The 76ers will be lucky to steal a single game in this one.

blah, I'm rooting for a Philly upset

Rooting for Warriors, Spurs and Sixers wins.

Seems like a few people like the Warriors & Philly. Don't know why with the latter tho

Wow, Mavs-Rockets, Lakers-Spurs and Nuggets-Warriors. Blazers-Suns aint bad either actually but the others I would really like in real life, especially the second

Yep, the West is just so close that any of top 7 teams can win. The Warriors being only team I don't think are good enough to win it all.

Man, the Nets and the Knicks made the post-season, but the Heat didn't.

Not surprising as Heat suck. They have no legit starting PG (Chalmers is a great energy backup), Jermaine O'Neal is 5 years passed his used by date. It's not surprising. It's why Heat stunk it up & got Beasley 2 years back. They stink

[The X]

2010 PLAYOFF 1st ROUND RESULTS
By The X
1 May 2010

Most 1st Round series went as expected (I got 6 out of 8 of my predictions), outside of one huge upset in the East. Let's take a quick look at the outcome of each series:

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Atlanta defeat (8) New York 2-0

Series Recap:
Game 1: Atlanta 87 (M.Bibby 27pts, 5asts) defeat New York 79 (N.Robinson 24pts, 7asts, 4stls, 5TO's)
Game 2: Atlanta 112 (J.Smith 18pts, 12rebs, 5stls, 4blks) defeat New York 88 (N.Robinson 20pts, 3stls)

This series was never in doubt with the Atlanta Hawks blowing out the Knicks at Madison Square Garden to sweep New York on their home court.


(5) Washington defeat (4) Boston 2-1

Series Recap:
Game 1: Boston 94 (P.Pierce 20pts, 4rebs) defeat Washington 86 (A. Jamison 30pts, 9rebs)
Game 2: Washington 104 (G.Arenas 30pts, 6rebs, 2stls) defeat Boston 87 (K.Garnett 23pts, 11rebs)
Game 3: Washington 98 (A.Jamison 28pts, 13rebs, 5blks) defeat Boston 93 (R.Rondo 14pts, 10asts, 2stls)

This series involved each team throwing its fair share of punches, with Boston delivering the first blow in game 1, the Wizards coming back in game 2 and comfortably winning in Washington. The third game see-sawed until the last minute, with Antawn Jamison stepping up with 2 late blocks and some clutch free throw shooting to send the Wizards into the 2nd Round.


(6) Philadelphia defeat (3) Cleveland 2-0

Series Recap:
Game 1: Philadelphia 104 (A.Iverson 27pts, 5asts) defeat Cleveland 101 (L.James 32pts, 12rebs, 12asts, 6TO's)
Game 2: Philadelphia 97 (A.Iguodala 22pts, 8rebs, 8asts) defeat Cleveland 90 (M.Williams 26pts, 4asts)

In what has to be the biggest boilover of the playoffs in years, the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept out of the 1st Round by the young, hungry 76ers, who were led by strong play by All-Star swingman Andre Iguodala and vet Allen Iverson. Lebron averaged a triple double for the series but it was not enough as the Cavs lacked scoring punch without injured Michael Redd. Shaquille O'Neal was a non-factor in the series.


(2) Orlando defeat (7) New Jersey 2-1

Series Recap:
Game 1: Orlando 120 (D.Howard 24pts, 9rebs, 4blks) defeat New Jersey 68 (B.Lopez 19pts, 12rebs, 3blks)
Game 2: New Jersey 102 (D.Harris 35pts, 5rebs, 6asts, 2stls) defeat Orlando 85 (V.Carter 13pts, 5rebs, 6asts, 2stls)
Game 3: Orlando 118 (D.Howard 28pts, 16rebs, 2blks) defeat New Jersey 94 (D.Harris 38pts, 3stls)

In a series that was very comparable to last season's Hawks-Heat match-up, the Magic and Nets took turns of blowing each other out on their home courts, which resulted in a very anti-climatic deciding game. Devin Harris just wasn't enough to single-handedly beat the well-balanced Orlando Magic.


WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Denver defeat (8) Golden State 2-0

Series Recap:
Game 1: Denver 115 (C.Anthony 29pts, 14rebs) defeat Golden State 84 (M.Ellis 33pts, 4asts, 3stls)
Game 2: Denver 119 (C.Anthony 28pts, 7rebs, 2stls) defeat Golden State 113 (M.Ellis 33pts, 10rebs, 6asts, 2stls)

The Nuggets firmed themselves as legitimate championship contenders with a comprehensive 2-0 series win over the over-matched Golden State Warriors. Monta Ellis did his best for the Warriors, averaging 33ppg for the series, but Melo and company were just too strong.


(4) Los Angeles Lakers defeat (5) San Antonio Spurs 2-1

Series Recap:
Game 1: San Antonio 103 (R.Jefferson 30pts, 6rebs) defeat Los Angeles Lakers 93 (K.Bryant 25pts, 4rebs, 4asts, 4stls)
Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers 102 (K.Bryant 30pts, 8rebs, 8asts, 3stls) defeat San Antonio 90 (T.Duncan 29pts, 13rebs)
Game 3: Los Angeles Lakers 112 (K.Bryant 49pts, 19/29 FG, 4/8 3Pt, 7/7 FT, 5rebs, 6asts, 5stls) defeat San Antonio 102 (T.Duncan 24pts, 20rebs)

In yet another epic series between the two teams, the Lakers defied the Spurs' homecourt advantage in the deciding game behind one of the greatest playoff performances of All-Time from Kobe Bryant, who could not be stopped. Even a superb 20-20 game from Tim Duncan wasn't enough as the Lakers prevailed in 3.


(6) Phoenix defeat (3) Portland 2-0

Series Recap:
Game 1: Phoenix 99 (A.Stoudemire 21pts, 6rebs, 3blks) defeat Portland 81 (B.Roy 15pts, 4/15 FG, 12rebs, 4stls, 6TO's)
Game 2: Phoenix 100 (S.Nash 22pts, 12asts) defeat Portland 82 (B.Roy 25pts, 7rebs, 4asts)

The surprise in this series was not that the Suns won it, but how easily they won it, both games being by a margin of 18 points. The Blazers are going to wake up tomorrow with a very bad hangover and wonder why their strong season had gone pear shaped and was over so quickly. The Blazers will now have many questions to ask themselves this off-season and changes may follow.


(2) Houston defeat (7) Dallas 2-1

Series Recap:
Game 1: Dallas 99 (D.Nowitzki 24pts, 17rebs) defeat Houston 82 (Yao 26pts, 15rebs)
Game 2: Houston 103 (T.Ariza 23pts, 5rebs, 4stls, 2blks) defeat Dallas 91 (D.Nowitzki 26pts, 14rebs, 3blks)
Game 3: Houston 108 (T.Ariza 28pts, 7rebs, 2blks) defeat Dallas 107 (J.Terry 31pts, 4stls)

In what was always going to be a very tight series between the Texan rivals, the Rockets waited until the last play of the series to win it all. On the final play of the game and trailing 105-107 and needing a basket to tie, Aaron Brooks got into the lane and found an open Shane Battier in the corner for a game winning three as time expired. The former Duke standout was mobbed as Dirk could only look up to the heavens in disbelief as the Mavs had blown yet another playoff series. The win advances the Rockets into the 2nd Round for the second straight year.

[Lamrock]

Portland would have had a fairer chance in a 5 or 7 game series. The problem with best-of-3 series is that while they are proportional to 29 game seasons, far too many upsets occur, hence why I picked the 5-5-5-5 format. Good recap though.