LeBron ended his season with 27-14-14 as the Cavs beat the Raps but the Nets came back from a 19 pt. deficit to secure their spot. Boy did Cavs management screw the kid over.
Anyway, here's the official brackets:
EAST (1) Miami - 4 v. (8) New Jersey - 0 (4) Chicago - 2 v. (5) Washington - 4 (3) Boston - 3 v. (6) Indiana - 4 (2) Detroit - 4 v. (7) Philadelphia - 1
WEST (1) Phoenix - 4 v. (8) Memphis - 0 (4) Dallas v. (5) Houston (3) Seattle - 4 v. (6) Sacramento - 1 (2) San Antonio - 4 v. (7) Denver - 1
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated (Downgraded from High; April 4, 2005) Batista & John Cena represent instant upgrades over their predecessors as world champions. However, there's still a general state of backlash around Cena and a specific state over the way he won (however misguided it may be), and the usual tag/cruiserweight complaints persist. The rematches should be interesting, however...
Originally posted by Packman V2Now the journey begins that will end up with the Finals Trophy goin back to San Antonio.
They have to get past the hottest team in the land first. And I'm not so sure that they'll do that.
Well, there's a hell of a lot of good teams out there right now. But I certainly wouldn't bet against Tim Duncan. If I had to guess, I'd say Spurs-Heat in the finals _ assuming Shaq is ready to go _ and Heat in seven just because A. Shaq desperately wants to prove that he's The Man, not Kobe and B. Dwyane Wade is just about as unstoppable as anybody in the league not named LeBron. I have a feeling that he is going to absolutely obliterate anybody he faces in the East and maybe the West, with the possible exception of Bruce Bowen.
On a similar note, look at last year's top five picks. James, Milicic, Anthony, Bosh and Wade. Even if Darko never turns out to amount to anything _ and he's flashed some potential _ we could be looking back at that draft in a few years and saying that it was the best top five EVER.
I got the Phoenix Suns going over the Detroit Pistons in the final round (this is assuming that Shaq is NOT healthy the entire playoffs or else the Heat go over Phoenix).
Predictions! EAST (1) Miami over (8) New Jersey (4) Chicago over (5) Washington (6) Indiana over (3) Boston (2) Detroit over (7) Philadelphia
Miami over Chicago Indiana over Detroit
Miami over Indiana
WEST (1) Phoenix over (8) Memphis (4) Dallas over (5) Houston (3) Seattle over (6) Sacramento (2) San Antonio over (7) Denver
Dallas over Phoenix San Antonio over Seattle
San Antonio over Dallas
Finals: Miami over San Antonio
(edit) Wow, Indiana and Detroit. What an even, tension-charged series that would be. Could you imagine a game 7? IN AUBURN HILLS?!? (Sweet!)
I hate the Bulls and the Wizards. That said, that should be a fantastic series in the first round. Indiana is doing quite well now, and with Miller retiring at the end of the season should be a force to be reckoned with. Miami is too powerful if Shaq gets healed up.
In the West, Dallas has their greatly improved D, so I think they could give the Rockets and Suns a run for their money. San Antonio totally depends on the health of Duncan. Really though, the conference feels wide-open between the top three seeds.
Damn you Cavs, you pissed the postseason away on Sunday losing to the freakin' Knicks. I dearly hope they get their act together, but I worry LeBron will be gone before that happens. If so, this franchise will be done - you don't lose your home-grown superstar and survive.
(edited by whatever on 21.4.05 0809) "Lita holds a Stone Cold Steve Austin home pregnancy test. What will the Bottom Line say? Hell Yeah or Eh-EH?" - Raw Satire, 6/15/04 (Apparantly ours said "Hell Yeah", 03/08/05)
Is anyone else appalled at the way the NBA has set these playoffs up with the new three-division format? Why in the HELL are we looking at a potential Phoenix (62 wins) - Dallas (58 wins) 2nd round matchup, while San Antonio (59 wins) would play Seattle (52 wins)? They should give the division winner automatic bids and seed by record.
With that said, I think it's going to be Suns (FLEA!)- Heat in the Finals.
To get ass, youve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
Man I think this is the most wide open the West has been in a while. As hot as the Nuggets are they could beat the Spurs. The Rockets definitely have a shot at the Mavericks. I like the Kings the least out of the bottom four seeds, but I like the Sonics the least out of the top four so I think they have a chance. Even the Grizz won't be a pushover for the Suns. In the end, I think the top seeds PROBABLY all win, but I wouldn't be surprised by any of them losing.
It's practically a ken ayina hora to predict your own team in a sweep. But Miami has too much on the inside for NJ, Jefferson or no Jefferson. Expect Dooling to play more minutes than normal this series as Miami's best chance to defend Kidd without getting Wade in foul trouble.
Washington over Chicago in 7
If Eddy Curry and Deng were around, I might have gone the other way with this. Washington is just a little bit deeper right now.
Indiana over Boston in 6
Boston gets the good seeding, but Indiana has the better team.
Detroit over Philadelphia in 5
Iverson single-handedly steals a game. The Pistons roll, and the salad fork in Chris Webber's back gets a little bigger. And we get the money grudge match in round 2.
WEST Phoenix over Memphis in 6
Memphis will give Phoenix at least one scary moment in this series. They're one of those dangerous if-they-get-their-shit-together teams that in a short series could be dangerous.
Dallas over Houston in 6
Should be a good series, but until Yao takes his game to the next level, what Houston has right now isn't quite enough.
Seattle over Sacramento in 7
The sleeper series of the first round. Sacramento is a little more tournament savvy than Seattle and I don't think Seattle has as tough an interior. They're going to be the team that gets hurt the most by the adjustment to playoff-style ball, when it's harder to make 3's and there's fewer shots taken in a game.
San Antonio over Denver in 6
Like Phoenix, San Antonio gets one big scare in this series, but either Duncan or Ginobili steers them through it. But Denver had the distinction in the west down the stretch as the team no one wanted to play once they got it together.
(edited by Blanket Jackson on 21.4.05 1406) "Meet the kite-eating tree you son of a bitch!"
Miami vs. New Jersey: If New Jersey had a big man, this would be a series. Unfortunately for them, they don't. Miami in 5.
Detroit vs. Philadelphia: Iverson steals a game, Webber screws up a game. Pistons in 5.
Boston vs. Indiana: Toss-up series. Home court decidiing factor. Boston in 7.
Chicago vs. Washington: If Chicago was healthy, I'd take them in 5. They aren't healthy. Washington in 6.
West
Memphis vs. Phoenix: Phoenix runs them out quick. Suns sweep.
San Antonio vs. Denver: Maybe this is because the Spurs blew the lead last year after I picked them, or more likely I don't think Duncan is healthy. Major upset. Nuggets in 6.
Seattle vs. Sacramento: Kings win on muscle memory. Kings in 6.
Dallas vs. Houston: Potentially the best first round series in years. Normally would take home court in a Game 7, but I don't trust Dallas in a big spot. Rockets in 7.
Round 2 West
Phoenix vs. Houston: Phoenix jumps out quick in the series due to the Rockets having to go all out to knock off Dallas. Rockets never recover. Suns in 5.
Sacramento vs. Denver: The George Karl Magical Mystery Tour continues. Nuggets in 6.
East
Miami vs. Washington: This might be interesting. Bullets can score, and they have big guys inside who can bang Shaq around. Surprisingly grueling series for the Heat. Miami in 7.
Detroit vs. Boston: For some reason, Boston actually matches up well against the Pistons. If Al Jefferson was another year along in his development, I might call for a shocker. Still, a tough series for Detroit. Pistons in 7.
Conference Finals. East
Miami vs. Detroit: Two teams coming off second round battles. Depth plays a key role in this series. Pistons don't fear Shaq. Detroit in 6.
Phoenix vs. Denver: Magical Mystery Tour concludes. Suns are superior at more positions. Suns in 5.
Finals
Phoenix vs. Detroit: Offense vs. Defense. Larry Brown loses his focus late in the series when he finds out a CYO coaching position has opened up on Long Island, and it's a position he has dreamed about since childhood. Suns in 7.
(1) Miami v. (8) New Jersey-Miami in 5 (4) Chicago v. (5) Washington-Baby Bulls! Baby Bulls! in 6 (3) Boston v. (6) Indiana-Celts in 7. Even though I hate watching them play. Sorry Reggie,Jermaine is too hurt. (2) Detroit v. (7) Philadelphia-Detroit in 4.Fuck Philly
WEST (1) Phoenix v. (8) Memphis-Phoenix in 4 (4) Dallas v. (5) Houston-Dallas in 6. Tale of two offenses. (3) Seattle v. (6) Sacramento-Sacremento in 5. I have no faith in Seattle. I just don't. (2) San Antonio v. (7) Denver-San Antone in 5. Tim or no Tim.
Miami v. Chicago-Miami in 5. Shaq eats alive whatever inside game Chi-Town has. Boston v. Detroit-Wow. Detroit in 5. As much as I want a Pacers/Pistons match up.
Phoenix v. Dallas-Dallas in 7. Sacramento v. San Antonio-San Antonio in 6
Miami v. Detroit- Miami in 6. This will be a hell of a matchup.
Dallas v. San Antone. Battle of Texas. Dallas in 7.
Miami v. Dallas- Miami in 6. Call it a trendy pick. It's also a smart pick. Your 2004-2005 Champions Miami Heat.
Originally posted by RecklessEricCelts in 7. Even though I hate watching them play.
What's not to like about the Celts' style of play?
For those that dont know, the Tiger Mask character was based on a Japanese cartoon, so Misawa stepping out of that and becoming the best wrestler in his country would be kind of like Chris Benoit doing a Darkwing Duck gimmick and then becoming the Chris Benoit we all mark over. - AWC
I'm surprise no one's brought how Denver took HCA away from the Spurs who missed 17 shots in a row down the stretch; or Dallas being in an 0-2 hole while Yao drop 32 on 13-14 shooting with a T-Mac gamewinner.
Or how awesome Ben Gordon truly is.
"The way I feel right now, I'd trade my mother if the right deal came along." -- Isiah Thomas.
Originally posted by KawshenThread's sure been quiet.
I'm surprise no one's brought how Denver took HCA away from the Spurs who missed 17 shots in a row down the stretch; or Dallas being in an 0-2 hole while Yao drop 32 on 13-14 shooting with a T-Mac gamewinner.
Or how awesome Ben Gordon truly is.
Beyond "man, this has been fun to watch so far," I don't really have any quality comments to make. Both of yesterday's games were really fun to watch.
I am demurring on making comment on how bad the Celtics are looking until the Kings put a win together. ;-)
Originally posted by KawshenThread's sure been quiet.
I'm surprise no one's brought how Denver took HCA away from the Spurs who missed 17 shots in a row down the stretch; or Dallas being in an 0-2 hole while Yao drop 32 on 13-14 shooting with a T-Mac gamewinner.
Or how awesome Ben Gordon truly is.
Current Playoffs MVP Front-Runner: Damon "Alfred" Jones' Sunglasses.
Originally posted by CRZI am demurring on making comment on how bad the Celtics are looking until the Kings put a win together. ;-)
While the Celtics did look bad in Game 2 against the Pacers, they have manpower to overpower the Pacers from here on out. This of course assumes that Doc Rivers takes gravely ill and the team coaches itself the rest of the way. The Kings, on the other hand, look outmanned and in serious trouble. I don't believe that "16" in your sig is going to get to "15."
Bill Simmons is always taking shots at Rick Adelman, and I always thought he was being a little harsh, but last night may have been one of the WORST coaching nights I have ever seen. The Sonics had the game well in hand, up 26 at the start of the the fourth quarter, and they started dicking around, plus Nate left Reggie Evans and Danny Fortson off the floor, so the Kings were getting every rebound and running. With NO starters on the floor (Adelman was essentially conceding defeat), the Kings cut the lead down to ten with five minutes to go, and Adelman LEAVES BIBBY AND PEJA ON THE BENCH! The Sonics had had their starters out there (mostly), so Bibby and Peja out there fresh would have had a chance to do some further damage, but he stuck with his bench guys, even though NO NBA coach leaves a lineup on the floor for an entire quarter, even when it's the starters. And OF COURSE the Kings started making mental lapses, a sign of fatigue, like tossing the ball away and taking quicker shots than necessary. If I were a Kings-fan I'd be PISSED.
Also, someone is REALLY going to overpay Jerome James this offseason based on how he's played this series. I didn't think the big guy had it in him, and I wish he'd play that way all the time, but I think he's going to be Mark Blount, part deux.
To get ass, youve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
Originally posted by KawshenThread's sure been quiet.
I'm surprise no one's brought how Denver took HCA away from the Spurs who missed 17 shots in a row down the stretch; or Dallas being in an 0-2 hole while Yao drop 32 on 13-14 shooting with a T-Mac gamewinner.
Or how awesome Ben Gordon truly is.
Well, the Spurs kind of did what everybody was expecting them to tonight. At one point in the first half it was 60-28. As for the Mavs, they're in big-time trouble because I don't think Nowitzki's going to be able to match T-Mac, who's quickly becoming my favorite player to watch this postseason. He has been ungodly in the first two games. And yes, Ben Gordon is pretty awesome.
I'm talking about Kansas, hopefully next year will be there year, but it seems like I say that every year.
Well at least Dick V. said on espn that next year will be the Jayhawks year, so I guess I'm not the only one.
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