VeeshanVault

Atlanta's win over Milwaukee tonight locks them into the 4th worst record for the season. As such, the Suns have a 62% chance of getting the #4-7 lottery pick while Atlanta has a 38% chance of getting #1-3.

Come on lotto ball #4!

If Atlanta gets 1-3, the Suns get Atlanta's pick no matter what which could be #1 if Atlanta ends up with Oden in this year's draft!

Here come the playoffs! Golden State's late push almost pushed too much and ended up playing the Suns but the Lakers managed to win their last game so Suns/Lakers, Mavs/Warriors will be the first round matchups.

Here's the first round:

EAST

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards
Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey Nets
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls

WEST

Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors
Phoenix Suns vs. L.A. Lakers
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets
Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets


Grats to Toronto for their good year. Definitely an up and coming team in the East.

Here's the first round schedule for reference:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/b ... index.html

Updates:

EAST ROUND ONE (Best of Seven)

1 Detroit Pistons (has easiest first round match)
0 Orlando Magic

1 Cleveland Cavaliers
0 Washington Wizards

0 Toronto Raptors
1 New Jersey Nets

0 Miami Heat
1 Chicago Bulls

WEST ROUND ONE (Best of Seven)

0 Dallas Mavericks
1 Golden State Warriors (Dallas now 0-5 thier last 5 vs Warriors)

1 Phoenix Suns
0 L.A. Lakers

0 San Antonio Spurs
1 Denver Nuggets

0 Utah Jazz
1 Houston Rockets

Best case scenario for the Suns is Golden State beating Dallas and then Houston beating Golden State for a PHX/HOU WCF.

Both San Antonio and Denver will be tough second round opponents but I'd rather see the Suns play Denver so I hope they continue on with the upset.

So many good teams in the West. There's almost no gimmie me first rounds except for the Suns vs Lakers.

How the fuck are the Wizards not the easiest first round match with their two best players tied to the bench?

/boggle

noel wrote:How the fuck are the Wizards not the easiest first round match with their two best players tied to the bench?

/boggle

Detroit's better than Cleveland. I didn't sense them being in jeopardy of losing to Orlando at any point in the game. I'm not so confident about Cleveland which is more prone to how LeBron plays.

You can change my comment to "most likely to sweep" if you want.

I think any team in the playoffs without their two best players should be the easiest matchup.

I'd agree that Detroit is a better team than Cleveland, but I still think as a round 1 matchup Cleveland has it easier.

All of that said, I have only one comment about this year's NBA playoffs.

Anything that prevents Chris Webber from getting a ring is a thing I'm in favor of. If you've got a problem with that, you've got a problem with yourself.

Webber's a curse.

Phoenix has the easiest first round matchup in the West.

That's pretty easy to see though with Dallas having lost six straight (I thought it was five) to Golden State, Denver taking the first game in SA, and 4/5 seeds Utah and Houston being a close match IMO.

I'm hoping for a Chicago/Detroit ECF.

The Lakers are a few years away from being truly competitive, and that's largely dependent upon how a few of their players develop. If Bynum and Farmar can live up to their potentials before Kobe's body falls apart the Lakers will get a championship in the next four years. They need to get rid of Smush Parker, and Brian Cook, and Kobe needs to learn to trust Lamar Odom more. That's largely on Lamar who seems to only be able to be assertive when Kobe is on the bench.

Kobe's 1 on 5 display in the second half yesterday was retarded. Lamar remembering he could score only when Kobe was on the bench in the fourth was equally retarded. I have the utmost respect for Phil Jackson, and think the Lakers season was largely marred by injuries that prevented everyone from getting on the same page, but that's all on him.

I hope the Suns win it all this year. The Mavs don't deserve to win after yesterday's debacle. I'd be rooting for Detroit, but not with Webber in the same way I'll never root for a team that has Vince Carter on it.

I'll also be disappointed if Dirk wins the MVP over Nash this year.

Pherr the Dorf wrote:Clips lose tonight... which puts GS in a virtual tie for that 8th spot... the last thing the Mavs want to see is the W's in the first round... or ever for that matter.

yah that

I'm liking the Suns chances if Amare is going to trade in his dunks for blocks like he has lately.

If anyone saw tonight's game, you know what I mean. He had 4 blocks but two of them were monster blocks. He had a great block on Kobe and then just gobbled up Lamar Odem's layup. He didn't just block it, he grabbed it right away from him.

Game 2

Suns 126 Lakers 98

No Phoenix starters were in the game for the entire fourth quarter.

Suns had lost 5 straight game 2's of playoff series before tonight.

Grats on the Dallas win tonight Cart!

The Texas teams are all still in the mix.

Cleveland is so fucked for the second round. Their walk across the Wizards is *not* going to help with their intensity level in the next round at all.

noel wrote:Cleveland is so fucked for the second round. Their walk across the Wizards is *not* going to help with their intensity level in the next round at all.

Cavs match up well with the Raptors.
Will be an entertaining series if Toronto makes it past the Nets.

I agree, but even though the Cavs are winning they're playing down to the level of the Wizards and they're not yet at the necessary intensity level to truly compete well in the playoffs.

Nets or Raptors, I expect a game 1 loss by the Cavs in round 2. Hopefully, that's all it is.

Winnow wrote:I'm hoping for a Chicago/Detroit ECF.

Correct me if I'm wrong but....

When Detroit wins their series with Orlando, they will face the winner of the the Chicago/Miami series... with the winner of that going to the eastern conference final.






I like Toronto's chances against the Cavs and the Nets if a sick Bosh is making plays like this:

Does the NBA re-seed after each round, or am I thinking of the NHL?

Or am I totally just tripping?

Sylvus wrote:Does the NBA re-seed after each round, or am I thinking of the NHL?

Or am I totally just tripping?

The NHL does.. I don't believe the NBA does.

Sylvus wrote:Does the NBA re-seed after each round, or am I thinking of the NHL?

Or am I totally just tripping?

Starting this the NBA does go by total wins the second round to determine home court advantage instead of conference winner.

I didn't even look at the brackets before saying I'd like a Chicago/Detroit ECF. From what I can tell, it does look like Detroit and Chicago would meet in the second round.

Cleveland basically got a free pass to the ECF, they should take care of business then get trounced by the Bulls.

Tomorrows game will be freaking nuts for the bay area

Section 124, row 23 seat 7 baby!

Pherr the Dorf wrote:Cleveland basically got a free pass to the ECF, they should take care of business then get trounced by the Bulls.

Tomorrows game will be freaking nuts for the bay area

Section 124, row 23 seat 7 baby!

You think the Bulls are going to beat the Pistons? Not likely!

Midnyte_Ragebringer wrote:LA Lakers 95, Phoenix 89

It's unfortunate that Winnow's Suns fanboiism has caused me to cheer for a team that I loathe, but go Lakers!

Cheer all you want but the Lakers aren't going to beat the Suns!

They did a nice job double teaming Nash last night and Amare's early foul trouble turned him into a lamb on offense and a ghost on defense.

Nice game plan by the Lakers but even with that debacle by the Suns, they barely lost.

I enjoyed the first ~2 minutes of that game!

The Lakers aren't going to beat the Suns. They were lucky to win last night.

I think the Lakers are better than they've played this year, but not by much. Injuries plagued them all year and they were never really able to get to the point where they played like a cohesive unit. Chris Mihm hasn't played all year, Brown, Odom and Walton were out for big chunks during the year. I think you fix everyone, and get rid of that absolute cancer that is Smush Parker and the Lakers are good enough to be #4 in the West, but there's no way in hell they'd beat the Suns.

I'm disappointed that Brown and Odom were injured most of the year because I still don't have a feeling about how they can play under Jackson. I felt like last year's series against the Suns was a step in the right direction. I feel like Luke Walton is getting better and better every year. Andrew Bynum has flashes of things I'd like to see, but it's unclear if he's driven enough. Kobe's not getting any younger so... If Brown and Odom can get healthy and start to burn with the competitive fire ala Kobe, I think there's hope next year to be one of the league's elite, and possibly make some real noise in the playoffs. If not, the Lakers should blow up the team.

noel wrote:The Lakers aren't going to beat the Suns. They were lucky to win last night.

I will never give up hope that the Suns will lose in the first round! (or the second, or third...)

BLOWOUT!

GS 2-1!

Golden State looks great. Mark Cuban's going to need therapy after this one. As good as the Warriors look, I think Houston will be tough for the them to defeat. (If Houston manages to win their series)

Golden State is now 7-1 vs Dallas. Think the Warriors can win two of the next four?

Go Suns!

Tuirns out my friend got tickets for sunday, which is totally fine by me, even more so now... tonight's game was fun basketball and I am sure sunday will be more of the same

I actually kind of like Dirk. I DO NOT like that he's supposed to be getting the MVP, so I REALLY hope the Warriors continue fucking Dallas in the ass, but I'd have no desire at all to play the warriors in the second round if they do end up beating Dallas.

Marion has the ugliest shot I have ever seen.

Spurs-2 Nuggets-1
Go Spurs Go!

Leonaerd wrote:Marion has the ugliest shot I have ever seen.

Suns 113 Lakers 100 (Phoenix leads series 3-1)

Marion 22 pts, 11 rbs, 2 steals (bad looking shot and all)
Nash 17 pts 23 assists 2 steals
Amare 27 pts, 21 rbs , 2 steals

Go Suns!

Go Nuggets!

Go Warriors! (then go Houston after that!)

Go Bulls, beat Detroit!

500 VVs on Pistons winning in 5 games.

Leonaerd wrote:500 VVs on Pistons winning in 5 games.

You're on! And another 500 VVs on not being able to pay the bet! We still can't exchange VVs. Can make it a title bet. I've already got Zamtuk set for a Sun Devils Avatar for two weeks starting on the day of the NBA draft as long as he honors the bet.

You use a Phoenix Suns avatar for two weeks or I use a Detroit Pistons Avatar for two weeks after the outcome is determined if you want.

Deal.

I didn't get to go to the damn game again... ugh

Golden State is playing out of their ass (that's a good thing I think!)

Dallas now has to win three extremely tough games to advance against a team that's 8-1 against them. Can Golden State win one out of four games?

It's been a great first round of the playoffs!

It really has. Very unexpected happenings for both conferences.

I haven't seen a performance like that since Joran was playing. Baron Davis was out of his goddamn mind last night, and I've actually found myself liking Stephen Jackson.

We hear OMGIAMRETARDEDCAUSEALOTISTWOWORDS of Jackson on the radio up here and he is very very likable. His comments after game one to Nelson "I hated every coach I ever played for... but I fucking like you man!". Nelson has these guys ready to run through a wall if need be to win, my main concern is we may lose Matt Barnes next year. Anyone want a Foyle or an O'bryant????

Pherr the Dorf wrote: Nelson has these guys ready to run through a wall if need be to win, my main concern is we may lose Matt Barnes next year. Anyone want a Foyle or an O'bryant????

Any of those Golden State starters would fit well with the Phoenix Suns. If the Suns get the ~4th pick in the draft from Atlanta, they'll probably be spending any available money signing that pick. Amare, Nash, Barbosa, Diaw, Bell, and Marion (for one more year) are all under contract for multiple years.

If something crazy happens like Marion getting traded because they can't afford to resign him to a max contract, we may have room for Barnes as a roleplayer. He hit a three pointer last night so he qualifies as a Suns candidate!

PHX 3 LA 1
DAL 1 GS 3
HOU 3 UT 1
SA 3 DEN 1

Looking like:

Suns vs Spurs
Warriors vs Houston

in the second round.

IMO, if Dallas does end up losing, the Suns vs Spurs series will determine this year's NBA champion. Also IMO, I think Houston will beat Golden State even though I'll be pulling for the Warriors because they're much more entertaining. Phoenix will smoke Houston in the WCF if this ends up as I predict.

Winnow wrote:IMO, if Dallas does end up losing, the Suns vs Spurs series will determine this year's NBA champion.

And IMO, the NBA Finals will determine this year's NBA champion. Just like every year!

I had to hear how great the Suns were all last year, and then how the Suns vs. Mavs or Mavs vs. Spurs or whatever was the real NBA Finals, and then a team from the East won it. Fancy that, same as 2 years prior. Sure, one conference may have more talent top to bottom, but there is some parity between the top teams in the two conferences.

Detroit, and soon Chicago, are the only worthy teams in the East. The Nets are also playing pretty well right now. Cleveland would get embarrassed by any of the top teams in the West.

Dallas shamed the West last year. There's no excuse for what they did! Basically, Dallas was Phoenix's equivalent of Golden State this year for the Mavs. Golden State can beat Dallas but won't win the championship. Last Year, Dallas beat Phoenix but couldn't win the championship where Phoenix would have destroyed Miami as they always do.

DESTROYED! *

Go Suns! Amare is the difference this year.






*self confessed Suns fanboi!

I hope Houston can steal Game 6 in Utah to just get the series over and done with. I really don't want to play a Game 7, even if it will be at home. Here's to hoping that we don't mail in the next game in Utah. It's 3-2 Houston btw.

I think Golden State will finish Dallas off, but I have no idea how the Rockets will do against them. Baron Davis frightens me and the way the Rockets just show no passion at times makes me think that they will just run right over us if we do that against them. It looks like we went 1-2 versus them this year, so I'm not exactly confident. But before I even worry about that, we have to get there first.

If Houston can get by Golden State and into the West finals, I think we have a shot against San Antonio but absolutely none against Phoenix. We just can't run with you guys, which is disconcerting considering that Golden State plays a similar pace. Meh, if we get out of the first round, I will be happy.

I haven't been watching hardly any of the playoffs, but what the hell is going on with the Dallas and Golden State series? If I recall correctly, weren't the Mavericks the winningist team in the NBA for the regular season? I thought I heard that they were on their way to break the record for most wins in a season or something (maybe they did).

So basically, is Dallas just choking or is Golden State just playing insanely good basketball? None of the other series scores in the west are really surprising. I'm gonna have to try to watch the next game of Dallas and Golden State for sure.

Golden State has had the Mav's number all year. That's the part that is screwy about them having to play the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. It has to have gotten into the player's heads as well. When someone routinely embarasses you on the court, it is a bit hard to play with a level head each time you meet up with them. In Friday's game, Dallas was missing all kinds of easy shots. It was obvious, to me at least, that their heads were not in the game.

You're missing some great games in the Mavs vs Warriors series. Golden State is for real although they've also had their share of luck and good shooting. The Warriors defense has been relentless.

Did anyone catch the announcer that said he wanted to change his MVP vote from Dirk to Nash? I think Dirk has it won this year but there's definitely some second thinking since the playoffs began. It's a regular season award so it looks worse than it is.

Winnow wrote:IMO, if Dallas does end up losing, the Suns vs Spurs series will determine this year's NBA champion.

Yeah, after Miami last year, and Detroit in 2004... maybe it's time to shut the fuck up with this line of reasoning.

All this post season talk... and the Warriors are in this discussion, pardon me while I just soak it up k?