Alright, guys. So the playoffs are starting today. Who are your picks? Here's what I think: Eastern Conference (1st Round) (1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks Boston in 4 games (5) Washington Wizards vs. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers Washington in 6 games (3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Toronto Raptors Orlando in 5 games (7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Detroit Pistons Philadelphia in 7 games Western Conference (1st Round) (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Denver Nuggets Los Angeles in 5 games (5) Houston Rockets vs. (4) Utah Jazz Utah in 6 games (3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Phoenix Suns Phoenix in 6 games (7) Dallas Mavericks vs. (2) New Orleans Hornets Dallas in 7 games - - - Eastern Conference Semi-Finals (1) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Washington Wizards Washington in 6 games (7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (3) Orlando Magic Orlando in 6 games Western Conference Semi-Finals (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (4) Utah Jazz Los Angeles in 6 games (6) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks Phoenix in 6 games - - - Eastern Conference Finals: (5) Washington Wizards vs. (3) Orlando Magic Orlando in 6 games Western Conference Finals: (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Phoenix Suns Phoenix in 7 - - - NBA Finals: (6) Phoenix Suns vs. (3) Orlando Magic Phoenix in 6 - - - Who are your picks?
On top of that, I don't think the Mavs have a chance against the Hornets. They're too good this year. And he's got Washington going too deep. Louis, I think you've got the Underdog Syndrome going on here. We'll have to see how it all plays out. I want the Cavs to go all the way again but they played horrible after that huge trade so I can't see them getting past the second round if they manage to beat the Wizards.
I love Lebron (since I'm from Chicago, I gotta say he will never be Jordan ), but as long as he is on the Cavs, he will never get a ring. I was so happy when they took our worst player (Ben Wallace) and with a new coach, the Bulls would have a shitty season like they did this year. I got Wizards in six. I think the Mavs will beat the hornets based on one thing: expirience. Dirk is a beast in the playoffs and I'm pretty sure they do not want an other first round exit like last year. I got Mavs in seven. Tracy McGrady always blows up in the post season. Even without Yao I think they can pull it off because of the Scola/Landry/Hayes trio. Out of six attempts, T-Mac has never made it out of the first round. And since the Rockets have home court advantage, all Houston has to do is win their home games. I think even without I got Rockets in seven. Eastern Conference (1st Round) (1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks Boston in 4 games (5) Washington Wizards vs. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers Washington in 6 games (3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Toronto Raptors Orlando in 5 games (7) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Detroit Pistons Detriot in 5 games Western Conference (1st Round) (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Denver Nuggets Los Angeles in 6 games (5) Houston Rockets vs. (4) Utah Jazz Houston in 7 games (3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Phoenix Suns Phoenix in 7 games (7) Dallas Mavericks vs. (2) New Orleans Hornets Dallas in 7 games - - - Eastern Conference Semi-Finals (1) Boston Celtics vs. (5) Washington Wizards Boston in 6 games (2)Detriot Pistons vs. (3) Orlando Magic Orlando in 7 games Western Conference Semi-Finals (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets Los Angeles in 7 games (6) Phoenix Suns vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks Phoenix in 6 games - - - Eastern Conference Finals: (1) Boston Celtics vs. (3) Orlando Magic Boston in 6 games Western Conference Finals: (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Phoenix Suns Lakers in 6 games - - - NBA Finals: (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (1) Boston Celtics Boston in 7 games
As far as what you guys have said about the underdog syndrome (glares at Will ) is concerned: Regarding the Mavs - Hornets series, the Mavericks have found some rhythm near the end of the season. They got themselves back together a bit and they got a convincing win over the Hornets in their last game of the season. It goes to show that the Mavericks despite the shaky start with Jason Kidd, have incredible playoff potential. So not only with this momentum do they have an advantage over New Orleans, but massive playoff experience. They know what it's like to make the Finals, to exit early, and have been there time and time again. They have Jason Kidd now, who is one of the top point guards in their league. Dirk Nowitski, who as said before, becomes an absolute beast in the playoffs, is on that team. New Orleans, although they have a chance and will send this series to seven games, will be eliminated. They don't have the experience, or the depth, to really overpower the Mavericks. The Mavericks are taking this one in seven. As far as Philadelphia and Detroit, I know it's an underdog shot, but I have good reason. Detroit, as we all know, is a fantastic team that thrives upon its defense. It has won championships with defense, and destroyed offensive powers with its defensive power. However, that team, in my opinion, did not seem groundbreaking to me this year. You look at Philadelphia and what they have done as a team, and despite the mediocre record in comparison to the Pistons, they are a team with young athletic ability that, if utilized correctly, will defeat the Pistons. AI (Andre, not Allen) has been a great player for the Sixers, and he is going to make an impact. Also, the Sixers have taken 2 games from the Pistons this regular season. It shows that they have some potential. They're going to overpower the Pistons. The Sixers will win in seven games. As far as Washington is concerned, Washington has Gilbert Arenas back and as far as what I've already seen in the first half of Game 1 against the Cavs, he is a beast. He, alongside Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, are going to take this Cavs team and shut them down. LeBron, despite his ability to take over games and win series on his own, cannot overpower a Washington team that despite their mediocre record in comparison to other teams have beaten top teams such as Boston. Washington has too much firepower and are a very well balanced team compared to the Cavaliers. They're taking that series in six. And when they face Boston, that'll be a series to watch. They've beaten Boston three times, and that goes to show how well this team can play against another team with KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. Ray Allen is an excellent three point shooter, but in comparison to Agent Zero...well, there is none. Once again, balance will defeat star power. Washington in 6 games.
Ray Allen is one of the best three shooters in NBA history. Arenas still needs years to catch up to him.
I haven't really watched Ray Allen until this past year so I wouldn't know. I just think that Arenas will have more of an effect in that area than Ray Allen will.
Cleveland wins the first game, Spurs win the first game in double overtime. Ugh, I'm upset now. Oh well. There are more games.
Don't remind me. New Orleans beat Dallas last night, and Utah also beat Houston. EDIT: Orlando beat Toronto today. Denver and LA are playing now. EDIT 2: Lakers won. EDIT 3: Philly won. Atlanta and Boston are playing now. EDIT 4: Boston won.
u still have the whole series ahead of you, don't stressed out. u win both @ home and you are good again, keep your head up.
I'm speechless. suns down 0-3. Not that i like them but i didn't expected this at all. my god Tony parker went crazy, holy shit.