Who do you Think will Win in 08? I want OPINIONS!!!

Okay, So, I hope that this isn't a repeat of some long ago posted topic, but I have yet to see one, so here goes...

Who do you think is going to make the playoffs

Who will get to their respective conference's finals

and Who will make it to the finals and win?
And after that, put in one possibile playoff surprise (PPS)

(Try to put your bias aside and think real basketball...Okay folks!!)

Here's my picks ...

EAST

1 - Pistons
2 - Celtics
3 - Cavs
4 - Heat
5 - Bulls
6 - Nets
7 - Raptors
8 - Wizards

PPS - Bobcats

WEST

1 - Suns
2 - Spurs
3 - Mavs
4 - Jazz
5 - Rockets
6 - Nuggets
7 - Hornets
8 - Warriors

PPS - Memphis

EAST SEMIFINALS (Not in order, or oppent facing)

Pistons
Nets
Celtics
Bulls

WEST SEMIFINALS (Not in order, or oppent facing)

Suns
Mavs
Spurs
Jazz

EAST FINALS
Pistons
Celtics

WEST FINALS
Mavs
Spurs

FINALS
Mavs
Pistons

CHAMPS
-MAVS-

Whatd'ya Think?? Post! I want this one to be HUGE!

And check out my video that I made...It's old footage, but all I could really find with Limewire...Comment if you have a youtube account!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_jEQTYqHsM

Last edited by jkidd1216 on Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:50 am, edited 5 times in total.

It is a repeat of a fairly recent thread...

8 - Clippers

Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen now.

It is a repeat of a fairly recent thread...

8 - Clippers

Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen now.

Corrected...and after some reading, did some other changes as well...

8 - Clippers

Are you serious? You know Brand ruptured his Achilles tendon, right? And that Shaun Livingston might never play basketball again? And that they have Tim Thomas? And there's a good chance they'll trade Maggette? And Sam Cassell is like 38, and could get bought out anyway? And did I mention they have Tim Thomas? This team is looking to be one of the worst 5 in the league, and the future is cloudy, too, cause Brand could opt out after this season.

Anyway, my predictions:

East
1. Boston - They get the 1st seed because, looking around the East, the only teams capable of even remotely slowing down the Big 3 are Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland, and none of them have made significant improvement. Boston by 1/2 game.
2. Chicago - Wealth of youth continues to improve, depth at every position, superb defense gives Chicago the 2 seed.
3. Cleveland - Though no moves have been made, it took Mike Brown 3/4 of last season just to figure out a consistent rotation and fully evaluate his players, and with Gibson's continued development, as well as Pavlovic and Verajao, this team should be as good or better than last season.
4. Miami - Someone from that division needs to be here, right? Might as well be the Heat, as long as they get 60 games apiece from Shaq and Wade, otherwise Washington lands the 4 seed
5. Toronto - Last year was no aberration, Chris Bosh is the real deal. His continued development will be important, but not as critical as Andrea Bargnani's. If he can handle being a starting center, and appaerntly he's put on 15 lbs of muscle this offseason, as well as working on his post game, then the Raps will be in good shape.
6. Detroit - The ship is sinking. The players don't respect their coach, and they're counting on either Chris Webber on returning as their starting center, or, what, Nazr Mohammed? Good luck with that.
7. New Jersey - The addition of Magloire looks good on paper, but they'll get killed by quicker front courts, like Bosh/Bargnani. Also, you can't count on Vince Carter playing hard all year, or Richard Jefferson staying healthy, and Jason Kidd has to slow down eventually.
8. Washington - This all depends on how healthy they are versus how healthy Miami is. While the smart money might be on Washington staying healthier, both Jamison and Butler have injury histories, and I just can't see this team cracking the top 4. It doesn't make sense to me.

Possible Playoff Candidate: Charlotte - Eventually this team's youth will break through for that winning season. I'm just not sure if it'll happen in time. If it does, the 4 seed as the division leader wouldn't be out of the question.

West
1. Phoenix - Grant Hill anybody? If the Suns pick up one more big man who can defend (PJ Brown, anybody?), they're a lock for the first seed.
2. Dallas - Don't sleep on Dallas just because of last year's playoffs. This team will come out ready to dominate.
3. San Antonio - It's San Antonio. They don't lose. Much.
4. Utah - Better team, more upside than division rivals the Nuggets gives the Jazz the 4 seed.
5. Houston - They got better and deeper, but maybe not better and deeper enough......yeah, that's right.
6. New Orleans - With a healthy Peja, this was a playoff team last year. Add another outside shooter in MoPete to play off Chris Paul, and this team is lock for the post-season.
7. Denver - I never thought I'd say the following words, but the loss of Steve Blake will hurt this team. Who, I ask you, will pass to the open man? Also, Kenyon Martin's return might actually just screw up the rotation.
8. La Lakers - They were a playoff team last year, and the competition for the 8th seed looks weaker this year. The Clips won't be in the running, Golden State might be, but it's asking a lot for Belinelli to fill J-Rich's shoes, and Memphis might be 1 year away, thought I think the Grizz are the most likely to knock LA from this spot.

Possible Playoff Contender: Memphis - Again, I think they're a year away, but if Conley picks up the pro game quickly, and Darko plays to his potential, this team could be the proud owners of another first round sweep.

So for playoffs that gives us...

Round 1
East
(1)Boston vs. (8)Washington - Boston in 5
(4)Miami vs. (5)Toronto - Toronto in 7
(2)Chicago vs. (7)New Jersey - Chicago in 6
(3)Cleveland vs. (6)Detroit - Cleveland in 7

West
(1)Phoenix vs. (8)La Lakers - Phoenix in 5
(4)Utah vs. (5)Houston - Houston in 7
(2)Dallas vs. (7)Denver - Dallas in 6
(3)San Antonio vs. (6)New Orleans - San Antonio in 4

Round 2
East
(1)Boston vs. (5)Toronto - Boston in 7
(2)Chicago vs. (3)Cleveland - Chicago in 5

West
(1)Phoenix vs. (5)Houston - Phoenix in 6
(2)Dallas vs. (3)San Antonio - San Antonio in 7

Conference Finals
(1)Boston vs. (2)Chicago - Chicago in 7
(1)Phoenix vs. (3)San Antonio - Phoenix in 7

Finals
(1)Phoenix vs. (2)Chicago - Phoenix in 6

the funny thing about this thread is there is already one with almost the same exact topic name

exactly sauru... i also noticed that
maybe i will copy & paste my post from the other thread... cuz heat'll do better & det will sink(hope)
but then i'm too lazy

exactly sauru... i also noticed that
maybe i will copy & paste my post from the other thread... cuz heat'll do better & det will sink(hope)
but then i'm too lazy

you and me both lol

Well, I meant to revise my predictions in the old thread anyway; so here is a new list...

Eastern Conference

1. Chicago - The best team in the conference; I simple don't see anyone doing better. (53-29)
2. Cleveland - The same team that went to the Finals last year. (51-31)
3. Boston - There may be some issues with depth and chemistry, but I see the new-look Celtics pulling off a big run after the All-Star break for the Division crown. (48-34)
4. Miami - With Wade's injury, and the rest of the team's decline, The Heat will be in the same spot as last year: atop the league's weakest division (yes, weaker than the Northwest) (45-37)
5. Detroit - I see them resigning Webber, then cruising to another 50-win season, ending with a playoff loss to the Bulls. (50-32)
6. Toronto - They will give the C's a run for their money, but lose the division title in the end. They could hold their own against them in the first round though... (46-36)
7. Washington - Same position as last year. They will fall just a game short of the division crown and lose to Cleveland again. Poor Gilbert. (44-38)
8. Milwaukee - They stay healthy and edge out the Knicks, Nets, Bobcats and Magic for the final playoff spot. (42-40)
--------------------
9. New Jersey - Another mediocre season ends with them finally missing the playoffs. A major offseason trade follows it. (41-41)
10. Orlando - Someone gets injured, and Rashard is a disappointment, as the Magic suffer a lame season. (38-44)
11. New York - Absolutely pathetic chemistry leads to a bad season for the Knickerbockers. (36-46)
12. Charlotte - They continue to improve; but still aren't good enough for the playoffs. (35-47)
13. Atlanta - They show potential, but still suck. (32-50)
14. Indiana - They tank the season. (29-53)
15. Philadelphia - They also tank. (26-56)

Western Conference

1. Phoenix - Nash will push his team for the top seed in the West; knowing his NBA days are numbered. (63-19)
2. San Antonio - The Spurs will have a similar season to this year, then explode in the playoffs. (55-27)
3. Dallas - They will focus on the playoffs; knowing how far their regular season success got them last year. (54-28)
4. Utah - Will do very well; but stop playing hard when they have a sizable lead on Denver. (50-32)
5. Houston - Will have an identical season to this one. (53-29)
6. Denver - Has a gaping hole at the Point Guard position, and if Camby predictably goes down, they will be screwed at the 5 also. Similar season to the previous one. (46-36)
7. New Orleans - If they stay healthy; they can take advantage of the weaker low Western Conference seeds and secure a playoff spot finally. (44-38)
8. Golden State - Without J-Rich, the Warriors will still make the post-season with the Clippers out of the running, and their only competition being LA and Memphis. It will be close, but I see them making it. (41-41)
--------------------
9. Memphis - They fall just short of the playoffs. (39-43)
10. LA Lakers - 2005 all over again for this team. (37-45)
11. Portland - They show potential, but are still a year away from the playoffs. (36-46)
12. Sacramento - They really should start rebuilding now. (32-50)
13. Minnesota - Without KG, they are terrible. (25-57)
14. LA Clippers - They give up hope in the first month, tank the season. (20-62)
15. Seattle - They are just terrible. A pathetic final season in Seattle. (18-64)

A bit long-winded yes, but oh well. I think the records all balance out, but I'm not 100%.

bulls over san antonio

Like I said in the beginning, I wasn't sure if it was a topic before (although I have since read that topic...) And also, at the beginning of it some of the people were bashing the converse2.0 guy (or something like that) so it was a little off topic at the start, so I figure to just let this one stay, sorry if it bothers anyone...

[quote="Lamrock93"]


15. Philadelphia - They also tank. (26-56)

Why would they tank? If Thaddeus Young picks up the NBA game quick, he and Iguadala could be a startlingly althetic and explosive combo...Dalembert is actually pretty sound defensive (reminds me of Ben Wallace when he started to go on the rise)

Andre Miller knows a good deal about passing the rock, and not to mention that the New AI just had his breakout season last year IMO, and if last year wasn't his Breakout year, then we shall be in for a treat, I don't see Philly making a spot, but I do see them being in the race until the end...

They are a young team. Yeah, they exploded late last season, but they are not as good as suggested. Also, the loss of Joe Smith is huge. Being a young team still developing. Getting a guy like say, Michael Beasley would be huge for them.

Coming 9th in your conference; #11-#14 pick < Coming last in your conference, top 3 pick.

OMG I Have SO many ideas on Who I think will W1N!!!!

Da mavs or mayb3 like da Lakers cuz KOBE ROCKS!

but I have yet to see one, so here goes...

There's already one http://www.nbaliveforums.com/ftopic50490.php

my picks are:

EAST:
1. Boston - if all healthy and rondo continous to develop
2. Chicago - team getting better and better, and they have a good power man in Noah, he would help Chi alot, i hope
3. Ma team Miami Heat - if Shaq, Wade, j-will are healthy, Walker would play ball better, Posey is in the roster, dorell get minutes and smush play good ball - mia = champs again, can't stop them
4. Toronto - CB4 + he's new crew gonna make some moves in PO
5. NYK - u tell my i'm crazy, but i like the team, and young talent they have, if Eddy would play in offence like he did last season+ play D => he gonna be a major factor 4 NYK, J-Boo would play much better that Frye at the both ends of the floor + good play from Jamaal + Marbury, abd good rookies - balkman and chandler = in PO
6. Detroit[b] - i hate them
7. [b]Orlando - shard, + healthy howard and nelson - i think they would be better team that Wizz
8. Charlotte - i hope they grey up enough for PO

candidates:
Wizz, and i really hope for Atlanta

WESTERN
1. Dallas
2. SAS
3. PHX
4. Utah
5. i hope forWarriors
6. Houston
7. Denver
8. NOK - if paul is healthy

candidates:
LAL and i really hope 4 Portland with Oden

East 1 round:

Boston vs. Charlotte - Boston in 4
Chicago vs. Orlando - Chi in 6
Miami vs. Detroit - Miami in 7
Toronto vs. NYK - NYK in 7

West 1 round:

Dallas vs. NOK - Dallas in 5
SAS vs. Denver - Denver in 7 - hate sas
PHX vs. Houston - the hard one - Houston in 7
Uttah vs. Warriors - Warriors in 7

East 2 round:
Boston vs. Chicago - Boson in 6
Miami vs. NYK - Miami in 7

West 2 round^
Dallas vs. Denver - Denver in 7
Houston vs. Warriors - Warriors in 7

1/2
East:
Boston vs. Miami - Miami in 7
West:
Denver vs. Warriors - Denver in 6

Finals:
Miami vs. Denver - Miami in 7

Wade - Finals MVP
KG - season MVP

Damn...every playoff game going down to the wire huh ?

3. Ma team Miami Heat - if Shaq, Wade, j-will are healthy, Walker would play ball better, Posey is in the roster, dorell get minutes and smush play good ball - mia = champs again, can't stop them

Yes,I fully agree with you!Healthy roster may bring them to a championship.

my picks are:

EAST:
1. Boston - if all healthy and rondo continous to develop
2. Chicago - team getting better and better, and they have a good power man in Noah, he would help Chi alot, i hope
3. Ma team Miami Heat - if Shaq, Wade, j-will are healthy, Walker would play ball better, Posey is in the roster, dorell get minutes and smush play good ball - mia = champs again, can't stop them
4. Toronto - CB4 + he's new crew gonna make some moves in PO
5. NYK - u tell my i'm crazy, but i like the team, and young talent they have, if Eddy would play in offence like he did last season+ play D => he gonna be a major factor 4 NYK, J-Boo would play much better that Frye at the both ends of the floor + good play from Jamaal + Marbury, abd good rookies - balkman and chandler = in PO
6. Detroit[b] - i hate them
7. [b]Orlando - shard, + healthy howard and nelson - i think they would be better team that Wizz
8. Charlotte - i hope they grey up enough for PO

candidates:
Wizz, and i really hope for Atlanta

WESTERN
1. Dallas
2. SAS
3. PHX
4. Utah
5. i hope forWarriors
6. Houston
7. Denver
8. NOK - if paul is healthy

candidates:
LAL and i really hope 4 Portland with Oden

East 1 round:

Boston vs. Charlotte - Boston in 4
Chicago vs. Orlando - Chi in 6
Miami vs. Detroit - Miami in 7
Toronto vs. NYK - NYK in 7

West 1 round:

Dallas vs. NOK - Dallas in 5
SAS vs. Denver - Denver in 7 - hate sas
PHX vs. Houston - the hard one - Houston in 7
Uttah vs. Warriors - Warriors in 7

East 2 round:
Boston vs. Chicago - Boson in 6
Miami vs. NYK - Miami in 7

West 2 round^
Dallas vs. Denver - Denver in 7
Houston vs. Warriors - Warriors in 7

1/2
East:
Boston vs. Miami - Miami in 7
West:
Denver vs. Warriors - Denver in 6

Finals:
Miami vs. Denver - Miami in 7

Wade - Finals MVP
KG - season MVP

That's definitely taking some risks there...Well, I don't think that A ) NYK are even going to make the playoffs...the Zach and Eddy Experiment will be a bust unless Eddy can learn to play defense...which I doubt, and I say eddy cause Zach wont...I personally cannot stand zach randolph... B) No way the warriors are getting that high, or that far...I think JRich is a lot bigger loss than people realize at this point. Denver I don't see working either unless AI lets Carmelo have his team back. I think that AI still thinks he's wearing the white and black and red (if he was home) and forgetting the NC blue and Yellow....C) No way Miami is doing it again, unless someone steps up HUGE...Cause I am willing to bet that Shaq misses at least 20-30 games due to injury...and Wade can't do everything...at least not yet...I think that they are a few years, some good trades, and a great draft before they win again. SA is just too good to totally discount...They may be getting old, and are the most boring team to ever play in the NBA, but they win...and TD, TP, and Manu just work together too well. I think that Utah will be the surprise of the season with how well they will do in the regular season, but see their inexperience being their downfall in the playoffs. and Orlando?? Well... I just don't see Rashard Lewis playing out like people hope, I think that most people are seeing Rashard as the Second Coming of the T-Mac era...not gonna happen...and Houston is going to be a force to reckon with.. But I do like your picks in a sense of picking those who everyone is discounting...including myself...

Rockets vs Celtics in the Finals. That would be awesome. I have the feeling it's going to be a very bad year for Phoenix.

phoenix never should of gotten rid of thomas, i think he was alot more valuable than anyone really thinks

yes they should have! the Sonics need him more.

I have to see all te teams play. . .I'm so eager to see Boston play, and if Reggie is really making a comeback

yes they should have! the Sonics need him more.

As happy as I am to have Kurt here; the Sonics do not need him more. The Suns are one of the league's top 5 teams; and have been title contenders the past 3 years. They've lacked good defensive big men; and now, they lose the only man who fits the need in Thomas. And they also do not have a backup for Amare.

Also, Diddy's list is just terrible.

3. Ma team Miami Heat - if Shaq, Wade, j-will are healthy, Walker would play ball better, Posey is in the roster, dorell get minutes and smush play good ball - mia = champs again, can't stop them

okay there, that's asking for too much dont u think?

Diddy, haha yea yea yea, except Denver over Miami in 7