07 Playoffs

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07 Playoffs

Postby --- on Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:26 pm

I really think these playoffs could be one of the most exciting playoffs of recent years. With the Warriors winning tonight against Dallas, all they need is a win in Portland - one that Al Harrington garunteed (he's 2-2 so far) - to make their first playoff appearance in over a decade. With a win, they will take the 8th seed and go against Dallas in the first round. This is one hell of a match up. Dallas has fallen to Golden State 5 times straight dating back to last season. Its Don Nelson vs Avery Johnson, two high powered offences battling to move on. This could be a classic Sonics vs. Nuggets type series, Golden State an beat anyone in the Western Conference when their offence is working how they want it.

The 2-7 series is becoming a rivalry. Suns, Lakers. These two teams met in a fiery series during the last postseason. Kobe Bryant vs Raja Bell. The Lakers blew a 3-1 lead and Kobe is known for his outburst of extraordinary play after dissapointment. Amare is back and hasn't skipped a beat. Will the Lakers have an answer for Stoudemire? How will Raja Bell defend a relentless Kobe Bryant? Can Lamar Odom up his play and beat out Shawn Marion? Will MJ's 63 point playoff record be broken by the greatest player on the court today? Neither team does much defensively, so this is gonna be one fast-paced, exciting series.

With the 3-6 Series we have the Spurs and Nuggets. Denver has underachieved for some time now, but can the now working tandem of AI and Carmelo beat out the Spurs? Can Camby stop Duncan? Will the Spurs be able to stop a driven Allen Iverson - looking for his first ring? If Denver beats San Antonio, they can beat anyone out west. Are the Spurs too old to keep up with the blazing quick Nuggets run-n-gun game? Theres alot of potential in this series to get real interesting, real quick.

Finally, in the 4-5 series we got Jazz and Rockets. Two incredibly talented teams that finally got over the hump this year. Yao and T-Mac are both healthy, and Tracy has been tearing it up as of late. Deron Williams has something to prove, was his selection ahead of ROY Chris Paul the right move? Will Andrei Kirilnko step up after a dissapointing season and stop the red hot McGrady? Will the Rockets suffocating defence lead to Tracy's first time out of the first round?

Since there could be alot of movement in the east, I'll leave that till tommorow. Until then, please give your own thoughts an opinions about this upcoming postseason. Should be fun. :)
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Postby Matt on Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:36 pm

West looks much more fun this year again. Dallas v GSW is the series i really want to watch, as well as Dallas v SAS.

Out East, there's nothing to see really. No team can claim to be exciting and perhaps only a Miami v Detroit matchup will make me pay attention.
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Postby --- on Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:42 pm

I actually think the East looks quite good compared to recent years. Carter vs. Raptors? Chicago finally moving onto a second round, possibly Ben Wallace meeting up with his former team? Wade vs LeBron? Dwight Howard's first playoff appearance, coming against the Pistons who have no one to guard him? Theres potential for some great matchups. (Y)
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Postby jonthefon on Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:48 pm

It'll be a damn exciting postseason. There won't be any easy match-ups in the West. I'm seriously not sure about Mavs and their first-round matchup. I'll relax if it were the Clips or the Lakers (who can fall to eighth if GS win and they lose tomorrow). But it'll be tough, especially against Golden State

Suns vs Warriors or Suns vs Lakers will be great. The first one is a battle of two of the league's most exciting teams, and Raja vs Kobe will be worth the second one.

San Antonio and Nuggets IS a cracker, whether AI and Melo can keep going to beat the defensive Spurs. All depends on how the pace is run.

I'm looking forward to Utah-Houston...hopefully AK-47 can show that he's worth the contract and Deron Williams can step up at playoffs time. Mehmet vs Yao will be awesome too.

The East has some good matchups as well, IMO.

Detroit will beat Orlando...though I'd say Dwight Howard would definitely give them a scare if he plays well. Maybe it's time for someone like Grant Hill or even uh...J.J Redick to step up? Anyone, I think Pistons will win handily.

Chicago/Cleveland will beat Washington-Hibachi/Agent Zero/Gilbert Arenas is out for season or just a few playoff games? Anyway, unless Antawn Jamison pulls something out of a hat, I don't see the Wizards with enough game-winners to win.

Toronto should beat New Jersey, but they don't have that much experience performing in the playoffs, so maybe New Jersey could win this match-up.

Chicago/Cleveland against Miami will orobably depend on how the Heat stand up in the postseason. Especially Dwyane Wade and Shaq.
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Postby Scotty on Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:19 pm

Denver to sweep San Antonio :dance: :lol:

i hope
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Go Nuggets!
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Postby CMJ3 on Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:30 pm

Im looking forward to Utah and the Rockets, the Rockets are one of my favourite teams and i really hope they can go past the first round although Utah do look really good atm, Boozer is unstoppable.
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Postby Matt on Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:53 pm

Utah are horrible right now.....no chance they get passed Houston.
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Postby [Q] on Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:00 pm

personally, I hope SA shits on denver. i hate melo.

I hope the Suns kill the Lakers because i hate kobe. i hope Raja Bell Ds him up big time.

the clips aren't out yet. they can clinch with a win in New Orleans. A G state/Dallas series would be more fun than Clips/Dallas imo.
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Postby --- on Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:04 pm

They can only clinch if GSW loses to Portland. I'll definately be watching tommorow. Golden State are just hard not to like. They are just one of those underdog teams I just have to root for. Plus, I hve no interest in the Clips since Shaun is out.

Go Warriors!
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Postby jonthefon on Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:56 am

I'd rather watch Suns vs Warriors. Both teams play fast basketball, so they'd be running down the court all through the game.

So I'm hoping that Golden State wins and the Lakers lose and go eighth. I'm going to see if I can watch Utah v Houston today though.
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Postby Indy on Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:02 am

Matt wrote:Utah are horrible right now.....no chance they get passed Houston.


Would you like to make it interesting?
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Postby [Q] on Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:55 am

Shannon wrote:They can only clinch if GSW loses to Portland. I'll definately be watching tommorow. Golden State are just hard not to like. They are just one of those underdog teams I just have to root for. Plus, I hve no interest in the Clips since Shaun is out.

Go Warriors!

i could've sworn that i read that the Lakers win all tiebreakers over the other two and G State loses all tiebreakers.
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Postby --- on Thu Apr 19, 2007 8:12 am

They do. I meant the only way the Clippers clinch is if Portland beats GSW, and they win themselves.
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Postby skip2mahbaby on Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:20 am

Yeah, actually both teams have games today. I still love to watch Dallas vs GS. If Dallas has something to prove, then they must beat GS and GS on the other hand, needs to prove that the wins vs Dallas @ regular season is not a fluke..

Yeah, West playoffs is fun this year. If only the Wizards could have all their starters healthy, then it would be much interesting.


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Postby Axel on Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:00 pm

Looks like the Warriors might just make it in *fingers crossed*. I remember being the only one to make that pick, and being criticised for it - told ya'll.

Last years playoffs were great. This years looks just as good. Phoenix vs. LAL should be good again, though I don't think it will be as competitive as last year. Denver could give San Antonio a run for their money, much like Sacramento did last year. Golden State has a chance to upset the Mavs, as they seem to fall into trying to play their style.

Eastern conference at the least looks more competitive this year, though nothing is overly compelling. I'll be watching the Heat all the way through, but the one other eastern team I'm excited to see is Toronto. The rest is not interesting.
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Postby Matt on Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:14 pm

Looks like NJ sneeks into 6th and Chi drops to 5th. Mia vs Bulls is a nice way to start things off.
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Postby j.23 on Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:34 pm

yessss... new jersey vs. toronto

really could careless who wins.. on one hand, you got my favorite point guard in the league in jason kidd -- then there's canada's team. i still think jersey is gonna pull off the 'upset' though.
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Postby cheater1034 on Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:35 pm

I agree 100%, I am looking forward to the playoffs. some great matchups here.

4 vs 5 - miami vs chicago will be a great series.
3 vs 6 - Toronto vs new jersey will be a great series (i personally pick NJ because of their experience and toronto's young lacking experience)
2 vs 7 - cleveland vs washington, i personally dont think washington has a chance.
1 vs 8 - detroit and ??? - detroit will win

The east has a couple good matchups.

The west looks like a lot better 1st round matchups (dallas vs gs will be a good series (Y) )
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Postby Indy on Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:36 pm

Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago and New Jersey will advance.
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Postby cyanide on Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:05 pm

Seems like Toronto's suddenly the underdog :(
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Postby Indy on Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:09 pm

cyanide wrote:Seems like Toronto's suddenly the underdog :(


I'm going to write up something way too long about all the series that nobody will read, so I won't say much here. However, I will say that I can't pick against Vince Carter the way he's playing right now. He's always played great when going back to Toronto and this will be no different. He's playing the smartest basketball of his career right now.
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Postby j.23 on Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:08 pm

Indy wrote:
cyanide wrote:Seems like Toronto's suddenly the underdog :(


I'm going to write up something way too long about all the series that nobody will read, so I won't say much here. However, I will say that I can't pick against Vince Carter the way he's playing right now. He's always played great when going back to Toronto and this will be no different. He's playing the smartest basketball of his career right now.


ditto. the guy is on another level right now, and toronto just lacks experience. 4-2 jersey is my prediction.
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Postby 1CenT on Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:18 pm

East

VC has been great, he had 2 triple doubles this season, i think he is playing a great all-around game, hes got RJ and JKidd as well, and an experience team.

Raptors can't stop VC, guys like VC can light it up in da 4th, Bosh is an elite player, better overall player than VC maybe, but guys like Bosh, just like Boozer, Duncan, Shaq, Garnett, i rather have a guard like VC at the end of the games.

Raptors are 1 all-star perimeter player away from the elites in the east, i think with the defense, pressure, intensity in the playoffs, Nets will have the edge.

I really don't know, i think it can go either way.

Cavs will beat Wiz, clean sweep most likely, if not 4-1.
I think Orlando can get a game against Pistons, but again 5 games i prob max.
I really don't think Heat is a good match up against Bulls, can wade light it up right now? If not, Bulls are just superior.

They say Miami clogs da lane and are the best at taking away ur first option, well Bulls are deep, and they rely more on shooting.

I'll say Bulls take this in 6.

West
Dallas gonna win convincingly, i think if they do, like maybe a dominating 4-1 win, or a 4-0 sweep, we will really be believing that Dallas are the favourites. Contenders are just a lvl above every1 else in the playoffs.

Suns and Lakers, I think Lakers will win maybe 2 games, Suns with more experience and Amare is just too much for a weak lakers frontline and backcourt ( other than Kobe ).
Suns in 5.
Scoring 50 points is no fluke, but it takes a lot of luck ( ur hitting ur shots ) that day, i don't think Kobe can do that consistently in a 7 game series. And even if he does, they might not win.

Spurs and Nuggets, spurs in 6, Nuggets are great, i don't know how good AI and Melo can make a team, we will find out, with Camby, Nene, Reggie Evans, Kleiza, they have a good frontline and with Blake and JR, they are nice, but Spurs are just a notch above every1 except for Dallas.

Rockets and Jazz
Rockets in 6, hopefully in 5 or 4, i'm a rockets fan, Jazz is tough, real tough inside.
Yao is going to have to step it up against the physical presences of the Jazz. The series depends on Tmac, i feel when Tmac is on, he is basically like Kobe but on a much better team. But Tmac shoots a lot of jumpers and he is really inconsistent with them. Also, Tmac is 1 of the most gifted offensive players in the NBA, but AK47 can be 1 of the most freakish defenders as well. I don't see Jazz giving Rockets that much trouble, b/c they are a half court team. Rockets should get this as long as Tmac plays on par with his season performance, but i believe all games will be tight.
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Postby Matthew on Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:07 pm

If anyone doesnt think 2 of the first round matchups in the east wont be exciting, they dont know basketball.

My predictions

West:

Dallas vs Golden State

Golden State is hitting their stride, but they just lack any big men that can rebound. Down the stretchh of ball games expect offensive rebounding to be a huge factor. Dallas wins 4-2.

Houston vs Utah

Utah is tough defensively. Kirelinko can give Tmac problems. But this Houston team is one of the top 5 in the league. Rockets win 4-1.

Spurs vs Nuggets

Nuggets are playing well, but they have no real depth up front. They'll push the spurs, but San Antonio is that much better then them. Spurs win 4-2

Suns vs Lakers

Kobe will go nuts, and I think he'll set a new playoff record for ppg in a series and Jordans 63 point game might be in jepoardy. Unfortantely for LA, he needs help. And alot of it. Pheonix wins 4-0


East

Detroit vs Orlando

Grant Hill returns to Detroit, and the pistons win in 5.

Miami vs Chicago

To me this will be the series of the first round. I expect it to go 7 games, and Miami to barely pull this out.

Toronto vs New Jersey

Sorry but I cant see the Raptors winning this. Bosh is a beast. They have a good supporting cast and have a geniune home court advantage, but I don't think thats a winning combination. Carter would love to play the villan here. Nets in 6.

Cleveland vs Washington

Cleveland in 4. Poor Jamison.


2nd round:

Dallas vs Houston

This to me could be the series of the entire playoffs. Houston is such a scary team. In my mind, Tmac is this years mvp. Remember the series between the mavs anr rockets in the first round a few years ago. I expect a similar war. I pick Dallas to win in 7, but seriously this could be a sweep either way, or Houston winning late in the series too.

Spurs vs Suns

I've picked the spurs to win the title since January and I stick by it. This could be the last run for the spurs. They have a solid nucleas, and people forget how good they were last season. I pick the spurs becuase they have the ability to change gears. Pheonix is all one way. Spurs in 6.

East

Detroit vs Miami

This is the series that catches upto Miami. It took a great great performance from wade to push the Heat past Detroit last year. With him rusty and unhealthy, I don't expect that to happen. For Miami to win the role players (shaq included) need to step up and play huge. I dont see it happening. Detroit 4-1

Cleveland vs New Jersey

The two weakest teams left in the playoffs meet head to head. I think New Jersey has much more depth. Cleveland has Lebron. I can see either team winning, but I'll take Cleveland strictly on the home court advantage.
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Postby 1CenT on Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:22 pm

Matthew wrote:2nd round:

Dallas vs Houston

This to me could be the series of the entire playoffs. Houston is such a scary team. In my mind, Tmac is this years mvp. Remember the series between the mavs anr rockets in the first round a few years ago. I expect a similar war. I pick Dallas to win in 7, but seriously this could be a sweep either way, or Houston winning late in the series too.



I feel like Houston if they play well first round and advances, relatively quickly, say 5 games.. I would put the Dallas and Houston series as a 1:1 odd thing. Tmac give Dallas problems, so does Yao. However Battier is a decent defender for Dirk. Speed is gonna be a problem for Houston at times, but Dallas isn't exactly a super uptempo team.

I would say, Dallas in 7, but i really want Rockets to win, but i just have to see it to believe it.
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