East toughens up

[Bang]

Chances are the San Antonio Spurs will win, although I hate that team. I really hope the Suns can destroy the Spurs, but I don't see that happening, sadly. However, a Suns-Miami mathcup will be something I think more fans would want. (Anything is better than a Spurs-Any Team, as proven by the decrease in audiences when the BORING Spurs play in the finals.)

Oh, and last time I checked, the Heat have a somewhat better record than Detroit. I don't think Detroit can contend with the Spurs either. Detroit has great defense, but Spurs have a MUCH better D. (Oh man, Detroit and Spurs would be so.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, oh, they finally scored 20 points in the 3rd quarter?) But then again "never underestimate a heart of a champion" they say. Bleah.

[Matthew]

For fucks sake, im getting sick of hearing : oh the spurs will win" yet no one comming up with any reasoning behind it.

[Jona]

They are the team with the most depth this year, their defense is simply impenetrable, they have the best record in the league right now and coaches and players are focused for giving their best in the Playoffs.

Plus, they got Manu.

There's your reasoning.

[Matthew]

Thei defense is inpenetrable? So that explains why Seattle beat them twice, and Miami has also defeated them.

The fact of the matter is they are very beatable. They do have a great shot at winning, but they aren't definites to win it all, like some people are saying.

[NNpF]

I'd have to take the Spurs as well and I will give you my reasoning.

Over the past couple of years Tony Parker has been becoming one of the better PG's in this leage, but not many people can see that since he is being overshadowed by Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, heck, even Luke Ridnour.

But he is definitley a guy who can play well enough to take the Spurs to another championship.

Manu Ginobili has shown that he can score at will while playing well defensively, and that's what got him into the All-Star game this year, he is a big reason the Spurs are the favorites.

Bruce Bowen may be suspect on offense, but you can always count on him to make the other team's star player almost a non-factor (If that player happens to be a PG, SG or SF). And if the team they happen to be playing in the finals relies on one players scoring a lot to win games then he will be a huge factor come playoff time.

Another reason, Tim Duncan...'nuff said.

Nesterovic, to a lot of people, may just be a guy who happens to be starting on a great team, but he has a reliable jumper and he can block shots, and that's all they need him to do to be successful.

And to add to that starting line-up they are the best defensive team and are arguably the deepest as well.

Brent Barry being the biggest name on that bench, but guys like Devin Brown, Beno Udrih, Robert Horry and now Nazr Mohammad are guys they can count on to play well why their starters rest.

If that's not enough to convince you that the Spurs are a Championship contender, I don't know what is.

[Matthew]

Thei defense is inpenetrable? So that explains why Seattle beat them twice, and Miami has also defeated them.

The fact of the matter is they are very beatable. They do have a great shot at winning, but they aren't definites to win it all, like some people are saying.

I never said they arent contenders, I just said they aren't invinceable. Heres the real breakdown:

Parker is an enigma, you never know what this guy will give you. Think back to the series against the lakers last year. The first 2 games he looked great, hitting jmpers, floaters, getting to the rim, working the pick and roll. They won both games, then he became invisable.. and the spurs would go on to lose 4 straight games. If they (the spurs) hopes rest on parkers inconsistant play, they are in trouble.

Manu has in fact taken his game to the next level, but being an all star doesnt mean you are a bonafide superstar. Yao Ming can tell you all about that. He and Duncan do infact make them contenders though.

As for Bowen, he does play well on the ball defense, but to say "you can always count on him to make the other team's star player almost a non-factor" is an exageration in the worst way. This is the same guy Vince carter lit up for 47 points in 3 quarters. If you honestly think bowen will be able to stop ray allen or dwayne wade for 7 games you are mistaken. He can slow them down a little bit, but not shut them down.

What you said about Tim Duncan is right, but what you said about Rasho is completely wrong. Rasho Plays O.K. defense, but is a complete non factor on the offensive end. When any team has to play 4 on 5 basketball on the offesnive end in the playoffs, they are in trouble.

And I agree, their bench does make them even better. But it doesnt make them champions in febuary.

In other words, the spurs have proved nothing yet. Yes they are contenders, but talking about it doesnt make it happen.

[Jona]

Thei defense is inpenetrable? So that explains why Seattle beat them twice, and Miami has also defeated them.

The fact of the matter is they are very beatable. They do have a great shot at winning, but they aren't definites to win it all, like some people are saying.

Let's see if Seattle beats the in the Playoffs, pfff.
I hope Miami can, but that's just what I can do! Hope!

[Matthew]

You can stop spamming too

[NNpF]

Thei defense is inpenetrable? So that explains why Seattle beat them twice, and Miami has also defeated them.

The fact of the matter is they are very beatable. They do have a great shot at winning, but they aren't definites to win it all, like some people are saying.

I never said they arent contenders, I just said they aren't invinceable. Heres the real breakdown:

Parker is an enigma, you never know what this guy will give you. Think back to the series against the lakers last year. The first 2 games he looked great, hitting jmpers, floaters, getting to the rim, working the pick and roll. They won both games, then he became invisable.. and the spurs would go on to lose 4 straight games. If they (the spurs) hopes rest on parkers inconsistant play, they are in trouble.

Manu has in fact taken his game to the next level, but being an all star doesnt mean you are a bonafide superstar. Yao Ming can tell you all about that. He and Duncan do infact make them contenders though.

As for Bowen, he does play well on the ball defense, but to say "you can always count on him to make the other team's star player almost a non-factor" is an exageration in the worst way. This is the same guy Vince carter lit up for 47 points in 3 quarters. If you honestly think bowen will be able to stop ray allen or dwayne wade for 7 games you are mistaken. He can slow them down a little bit, but not shut them down.

What you said about Tim Duncan is right, but what you said about Rasho is completely wrong. Rasho Plays O.K. defense, but is a complete non factor on the offensive end. When any team has to play 4 on 5 basketball on the offesnive end in the playoffs, they are in trouble.

And I agree, their bench does make them even better. But it doesnt make them champions in febuary.

In other words, the spurs have proved nothing yet. Yes they are contenders, but talking about it doesnt make it happen.

You said if their hopes rest on Parker's play? That's another thing that makes them so special, they don't all have to have good games to win, and Parker isn't getting any worse, only better.

And yes, Yao Ming is an All-Star who doesn't really play like one, but Ginobili has proven he can play like an All-Star. He's definitley no Yao Ming.

And Bowen isn't known as one of the best defenders in the league for nothing. I said this in another thread, obviously players like Vince can score on Bowen, but the difference is he makes them work for their points. And from time to time he can hold guys like Kobe Bryant to 14 points.

Duncan is just Duncan.

And I never said Rasho is a good defender, I said he's a good shot blocker. And how many teams honestly have five starters who can consistently give you at least 10 PPG? Obviously the Suns...but they play no defense what so ever. I didn't say Nesterovic wasa good offensive player, I said he can hit the mad range jumper, and that's all they need him to do.

I know we both have out own opinions, I am not saying that I am right, that the Spurs will win the championship, I am just saying why I think they can win. And I know you have your own opinion and I am not going to say that it is wrong, because for all know you could be a lot more right than I am.

You know what? You really want to hear what I think?

Carter and Kidd share MVP honours.
Nenad Krstic for Rookie of the year.
Ron Mercer for most improved.
And Nets take the Championship in four games.

[Indy]

Carter and Kidd share MVP honours.

haha a player that didnt even make the all-star team as mvp

[Fresh8]

u mean two palyers who didnt make all-star team? Carter was lucky he made it becuase of the fans!

[Matthew]

But he still made it..

[Fresh8]

But he didnt deserve to judging from his Raptors days... Nets days... yeah he could pass.

[fgrep15]

Larry Hughes this season has been a Top 5-10 SG hands down:

1) Kobe Bryant
2) Tracy Mcgrady
3) Dwyane Wade
4) Larry Hughes [when healthy]
5) Ray Allen
6) Paul Pierce
7) Vince Carter
8) Jason Richardson
9) Manu Ginobili
10) Michael Redd
11) Corey Maggette

When healthy Hughes was outplaying Pierce and Allen on both ends of the floor, he was clutch, and he was doing it all. The injury could push him down to about 8th spot, but he's coming back. He's not a better player than those 2, but this year he was outplaying them.

I cant put Hughes ahead of Vince in his net days, which is current. Also I'd put Ginobilli ahead of larry hughes, and its virtually a tie between peirce and allen.

Yea, him and Ginobili are fairly similar players production wise, and he's also been injured. Vince in New Jersey would definately be over him, Vince, Pierce and Allen would be tied for their spot.

[Matt]

If Spurs play Detroit or Miami, expect Billups & Wade to light up Parker through out the series.