General Chat / Official NBA 2005 Playoffs Thread

Damn...those are some bold predictions.

My Playoff Picks:

East 1st Round

1.Miami
8.New Jersey
--Miami in 4 - The Heat are good. The nets have no big man, so Shaq will likely average about 30 and 10 in this series. Add that to the fact that Dwayne Wade will give Kidd all the problems he could want. This wont be close.

4.Chicago
5.Washington
--Washington in 6 - The inexperience of the Baby Bulls will be their downfall. Plus, the tandem of Hughes, Arenas, and Jamison will wreak havoc on the Bulls. The home games for the Bulls will be their only source of wins.

3.Boston
6.Indiana
--Boston in 6 - I only give Boston this edge because of Paul Pierce and Tione. However, a player of Jermaine O'neal's caliber will just feast on Boston weak middle. Jamaal Tinsley will be back also, and of course you have Reggie.

2.Detroit
7.Philadelphia
--Detroit in 4 - The best team in the Eastern Conference will show why they are the best. Total domination in this series, Iverson won't have a chance against the Wallace boys when he gets in the lane. The X-Factor here is Webber, as if he plays like he should then Philly might push it to 5 or 6 games.



West 1st Round

1.Phoenix
8.Memphis
--Memphis in 7 - Possibly the most overated 1 seed in NBA history. Memphis is a solid team that plays defense, has an inside presence and the point guard play that can give Steve Nash fits. Pau Gasol will have his way with Amare if he so chooses, and the depth of Memphis will wear Phoenix down. Itll be a good series though.

4.Dallas
5.Sacto
--Dallas in 5 - It wont be close. Dallas's defense will shut down Sacto's watered down offense, and Dirk will have a field day.

3.Seattle
6.Houston
--Houston in 6 - The Rocket''s defensive mindset will shut down a run-and-gun team any day, and Seattle's lack of a post presence will spell trouble. Yao should average at least 20+ point a game against Jerome James, and T-Mac will be too much to handle (always is though). Itll be a good series though.

2.San Antonio
7.Denver
--San Antonio in 5 - See what defense does to a team?...if you want to you should have watched the Rockets slaughter Denver last night. San Antonio is even BETTER defensively, and again the lack of a post presence will haunt Denver. People give them FAR to much credit, another overated team in the playoffs.



East 2nd Round
1.Miami
5.Washington
--Miami in 5. - The Heat won't have any trouble with Washington, and this time around their post-season inexperience will haunt them.

2.Detroit
3.Boston
--Detroit in 5. - Again, I will only pick them to win one game because of Paul Pierce and Tione. Detroit is the better team, and they will show it in this series.

East Finals
1.Miami
2.Detroit
--Detroit in 6. - Did you see last year's finals? Did you see Shaq? Whats the difference this year? Dwayne Wade + Shaq is not a better tandem than Kobe + Shaq, and the Miami role players will be EASY to shut down since Detroit does not double team Shaq (Thus meaning Eddie and Damon Jones won't get open threes). Folks, the Pistons are a Western Conference juggernaut playing in the East, and this series won't be any different than last year's finals.


Western 2nd Round
1.Memphis
4.Dallas
--Dallas in 5 - Dallas is a good team, and they will be WCF bound. Memphis is deep, and Dallas is deeper. Memphis has Pau, Dallas has Dirk. This is a one-sided series.

6.San Antonio
7.Houston
--San Antonio in 7 - This is the nightmare matchup for Houston, and unfortunately it looks like this will be the end for the Rockets. Looking at the season series, its been pretty close. They have split and all games have been defensive struggles. Duncan and Nesterovic will hold Yao at bay, and Bowen has the ability to bother T-Mac. The point gaurd play is key here, and I think that Sura can do enough to limit Tony Parker. Itll be a close series here, possibly the best series in the playoffs.

Western Finals
4.Dallas
7.San Antonio
--San Antonio in 7 - Two TOUGH series for SA here. The only reason i pick them is because of there championship experience, and they have the ability to offset Nowitzki with Duncan. The bench play for Dallas is key here, as if it is spectacular they can beat SA. Another good series.

Finals
Detroit
San Antonio
--Detroit in 7 - San Antonio will be dead tired after dealing with Houston and Dallas, and facing the best Defensive team in the league won't help matters. The Wallace boys offset Duncan, just like they do with Shaq. Tayshaun Prince will also give Bowen more matchup problems than most think with his length and offensive ability. Ginobli and Parker do have the advantage over Rip and Chauncey, but barely. Itll be close, and I pick Detroit to repeat do to SA's tough playoffs.

Someone has a hard-on for D-Town.

I'll post my predictions when the seeds are set. Altho personally, I see the Nets edging the Cavs for the #8 seed (haha, no Lebron or Kobe in the playoffs... League might be mad), while Houston ranges up to #5 and Sacramento slips to #7.

West 5-7 are definitely jugglable tho.

Well the bracket I have has it easy for Dallas....Now if Houston did get to #5....Dallas would lose. It be a great series tho.

Silly biased rose-colored-glass-wearing Houstonian!

Well the bracket I have has it easy for Dallas....Now if Houston did get to #5....Dallas would lose.  It be a great series tho.

...Delusional Houstonians...sad...

...Go Mavs...in 6...

The season is over, and Lebron, Kobe, and Garnett will be sitting at home. Here are the official seedings:

Western Conference
#1 Phoenix Suns
#8 Memphis Grizzlies

#4 Dallas Mavericks
#5 Houston Rockets

#3 Seattle Supersonics
#6 Sacramento Kings

#2 San Antonio Spurs
#7 Denver Nuggets

Eastern Conference
#1 Miami Heat
#8 New Jersey Nets

#4 Chicago Bulls
#5 Washington Wizards

#2 Detroit Pistons
#7 Philadelphia 76ers

#3 Boston Celtics
#6 Indiana Pacers

Post your official predictions now, or edit your earlier ones.

Also, predict how many times Fatha will have to jump bandwagons when one Texas team gets eliminated (it'll probably be at least once).


WESTERN CONFERENCE
First Round
#1 Phoenix Suns
#8 Memphis Grizzlies
PREDICTION: SUNS WIN 4-1
Memphis has played Phoenix tough, but the Suns come in rolling while the Grizz are "merely" playing well. Barring a Nash injury, Phoenix should have this easily, though Memphis' experience should net them a game.

#4 Dallas Mavericks
#5 Houston Rockets
PREDICTION: MAVERICKS WIN 4-2
Houston's been pretty darn good, and this should be an exciting series. However, Dallas's defense is vastly improve, and their offense is high powered. Houston's D should be able to stop the Mavs for two games, but ultimately, the Mavs remain my dark horse choice for the Finals (though not my official pick) and will win.

#3 Seattle Supersonics
#6 Sacramento Kings
PREDICTION: KINGS WIN 4-3
Both teams come in limping, but the Sonics are more hurt than Sac-Town. Kings have the experience big time, and the Sonics' success this season has been good perimeter offense. I doubt that'll continue much in the playoffs, but seeing as these two teams are pretty even coming in (great O, bad D), the edge goes to the experienced team.

#2 San Antonio Spurs
#7 Denver Nuggets
PREDICTION: SPURS WIN 4-3
This is a tough one. If Duncan is clicking on all cylinders, not even the red-hot Nuggets can best them, but the Spurs are not at full strength. Still, Karl's playoff record isn't something I'd be proud of, and the team is still pretty young. Spurs will take it in a grueling series, though if Duncan gets hot, the series can end pretty fast (five games maybe).

Second Round
#1 Phoenix Suns
#4 Dallas Mavericks
PREDICTION: Mavericks WIN 4-3
Going with the old adage of defense beats offense. The Suns this year are the Mavs of yesteryear... which means they'll score 120 points but give up 127 (like they basically did in a loss to Golden State a couple of weeks ago). It'll be a great storyline with Dirk and Nash facing each other, but Avery Johnson's got his team playing very well, and Dallas will prevail in a hugely exciting seven game series where the average score will probably be like 143-140.

#2 San Antonio Spurs
#6 Sacramento Kings
PREDICTION: SPURS WIN 4-2
The Spurs will be tired from a tough series against the Nuggets, but their depth will unseat the battered Kings, who just aren't deep enough this year. Barry and Ginobili should shine, and Parker should post some playoff magic again. Duncan, of course, will be Duncan.

Conference Finals
#2 San Antonio Spurs
#4 Dallas Mavericks
PREDICTION: Spurs WIN 4-3
In an all-Texas Conference Finals, Fatha will be torn between the team that beat his team and the team that would have beaten his team anyway ( ). Spurs experience in such clutch situations will prevail, and Avery Johnson may make some late coaching mistakes that cost the team. Barring injury again, SA is simply too good for even Dallas to overcome.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
First Round
#1 Miami Heat
#8 New Jersey Nets
PREDICTION: HEAT WIN 4-1
The Nets have been rolling, but the Heat are a wall of fire, and New Jersey will get burned. The heat, even without Shaq, will simply have too much firepower for Kidd and Carter to counter. Nets will get game three... and that'll be all.

#4 Chicago Bulls
#5 Washington Wizards
PREDICTION: WIZARDS WIN 4-3
Two very even teams and two surprises of the season. Bulls won't have Cury, and that'll be the difference. Arenas and company's high octane playing level will be the deciding factor, but this series should go back and forth.

#2 Detroit Pistons
#7 Philadelphia 76ers
PREDICTION: PISTONS WIN 4-1
Iverson averages 50 points a game, the rest of the team chips in 25. Piston starters all average double digits. Detroit's defense wins as Larry Brown is actually inspired to beat his former player and oft-nemesis Iverson.

#3 Boston Celtics
#6 Indiana Pacers
PREDICTION: PACERS WIN 4-1
Despite Boston's fine play, Indiana comes in on a roll. Carlisle has done a ridiculously amazing coaching job this season, and he's gotta have the players thinking spoiler. No one expected Indiana to do much after the Brawl at the Palace, but they've come and actually gotten the #6 seed. O'Neal is back and playing well, and Boston... well, lets just say their city championship run will end with the NBA.

Second Round
#1 Miami Heat
#5 Washington Wizards
PREDICTION: HEAT WIN 4-1
If Shaq decides to care, it might not even be that close. That said, though the games may be close, Miami will simply be too overpowering for Washington to handle. Add to that their relative inexperience and this series won't be too close.

#2 Detroit Pistons
#6 Indiana Pacers
PREDICTION: PISTONS WIN 4-3
Again?! It's the Pistons vs the Pacers Round 499201, and after what's happened this year, it'll certainly be a war. Indiana will be highly motivated to upend the defending champs, and the Pistons will be motivated to defend their titles. Two great coaches will face off, but ultimately, the short-handed Pacers will fall after a really tough fight.

Conference Finals
#1 Miami Heat
#2 Detroit Pistons
PREDICTION: HEAT WIN 4-2
Detroit will be quite tired after their series, and Miami will be well rested. With Shaq looking for redemption after last year and proof that he doesn't need Kobe to be a champ. D-Wade will go ballistic, and though Detroit will guard Miami well, they'll be just a step or two behind.

NBA FINALS
#2 San Antonio Spurs
#1 Miami Heat
PREDICTION: SPURS WIN 4-3
Two even matched teams. Two terrific centers. Two terrific supporting casts. One great defense, one phenominal defense. In this back and forth battle, the decision won't occur until Game 7 when Duncan its a 15 footer with 0.4 seconds left to put the Spurs up one. However, when Miami gets the ball, Jones takes 0.5 seconds to shoot it, and the Spurs win their third NBA championship and second in three years.

Western Conference
#1 Phoenix Suns
#8 Memphis Grizzlies

Suns in 5

#4 Dallas Mavericks
#5 Houston Rockets

Mavs in 6

#3 Seattle Supersonics
#6 Sacramento Kings

Kings in 7

#2 San Antonio Spurs
#7 Denver Nuggets

Nuggets in 7

Eastern Conference
#1 Miami Heat
#8 New Jersey Nets

Heat in 6

#4 Chicago Bulls
#5 Washington Wizards

Wizards in 6

#2 Detroit Pistons
#7 Philadelphia 76ers

Pistons in 6

#3 Boston Celtics
#6 Indiana Pacers

Celts in 7

Simis
Western Conference
#1 Phoenix Suns
#4 Dallas Mavericks

Suns in 5

#6 Sacramento Kings
#7 Denver Nuggets

Kings in 7

Eastern Conference
#1 Miami Heat
#5 Washington Wizards

Heat in 4

#2 Detroit Pistons
#3 Boston Celtics

Pistons in 7

Conference Finals
Western Conference
#1 Phoenix Suns
#6 Sacramento Kings

Suns in 6

Eastern Conference
#1 Miami Heat
#2 Detroit Pistons

Heat in 7

NBA Finals
#1 Miami Heat
#1 Phoenix Suns

Heat in 6

The Spurs will be tired from a tough series against the Nuggets, but their depth will unseat the battered Kings, who just aren't deep enough this year.  Barry and Ginobili should shine, and Parker should post some playoff magic again.  Duncan, of course, will be Duncan.

Aren't deep enough this year? Depth is the one thing we do have this year. We traded a triple-double guy for two double double guys and a good role player. And we've got two quality backup PGs now. Bibby, B. Jackson, House, Mobley, Evans, Peja, Thomas, Skinner, Corliss, Miller, Songaila, OTag. If guys are healthy (which they should be if they make it to the second round - unless the inevitable happens - I wish I hadn't said that) that's the deepest team in the playoffs. It's less talent in the starting 5 that seperates this year from the past few years. Bobby Jackson is back, in case you didn't catch that Phoenix game. He's definately back. Miller is supposedly progressing very well. I don't know what the latest news on Peja is though. They've been very vague about how severe his injury is.

I'm not saying Sacramento will beat San Antonio (though I think they have a more than reasonable chance if Duncan isn't himself yet), but I think they've got as much individual talent from top to bottom as any team in the playoffs right now. The problem for Sacramento is that those guys haven't got a lot of experience playing as a team. It's a weak field this year compared to the past few. A lot of teams have a legitimate shot.

Cork, I know you said it was going to be a tough call on the Sac/Seattle matchup but I' don't think experience is going to be as a big of a factor vice home court advantage which seattle has. Also, the sonics are not as banged up as you may think. Everyone except V.Rod is back and has a couple of games under their belts so we should be back to full strength now. As for VRod, he is a game time decision right now, however, based on early parctice reports, he should see 10-15 mins of game time on Sat.

My pick is Sonics in 6.

James

Still think Dallas is as good as thought to be?

One game a series does not make.

... in NBA basketball.




Hell, most of the teams I picked to win lost their first game.

Cork, u know taking home court away is VERY important in a series....San Antonio is in danger as well.

It can be taken right back, buddy. It's not like Dallas or San Antonio are incapable of winning on the road.

Bah.

I forsee a 2-0 lead for H-town tonight.

San Antonio......

What a terrible fourth quarter.

Dallas doesn't have as many weapons as they've had in the past. When Houston is rolling, they're a better offensive team than Dallas. Their trouble this season is that they haven't been rolling very often. I think they deserve more credit than they get. Dallas (and by that I mean Dirk) will come roaring back, but Houston definately has a real shot at taking the series.

And once again San Antonio proves how overrated they are. Denver isn't going to roll over for anybody. I'd love to see Denver take that series, not because they are the weaker team, but because San Antonio isn't as good as they're made out to be and nothing would prove that like being bounced out in the first round.

Oh yeah, and since the only game I actually watched was the Sacramento- Seattle game -- Brad's back, Peja's back, Bobby's back. And if that weren't enough, OTag remembered how to play. Seattle is screwed.

West Semi:

San Antonio vs: Seattle

Seattle wins.

East Semi's:

Miami vs: Philly

Miami wins.

Playoffs:

Seattle vs: Miami

Seattle wins.

That's my 2 cents.

Dallas = FUCKED.


Anymore questions Cork?

Boston Only has Walker and Pierce?

GARY FUCKING PAYTON PEOPLE!

and the loss tonight shouldnt have happened, that was an offensive break down, but damn, walker can play some Defensive.

and without duncan the spurs can kiss all hopes good-bye.

Boston would win it in a walk, if it was not for one thing.. Reggie Miller! This time of year there really aint many guys much harder then him to stop, oh and add T-Mac to that list, that shit was clutch tonight...