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Post by fatmenace on Apr 12, 2010 20:22:36 GMT -6
Seeds out west still aren't set. This will be more interesting once we know who everyone is playing.
Just heard Jamaal Mashburn on ESPN say Orlando takes out Cleveland again this year.
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Post by gk on Apr 12, 2010 20:51:16 GMT -6
Watching NBA Coast 2 Coast I see....
Me too. I was hoping to get the Portland-OKC game but I guess I'll have to settle for updates.
Honestly, it wouldn't shock me to see Orlando beating Cleveland. But usually I'll take the team with the best record and that won the season series (assuming you toss out Sunday's non-Lebron, non-Mo-in-the-4th-Q, non-Shaq game).
I certainly like the matchups better this year with Moon on Carter, Jamison on Rashard, and of course Shaq on Howard. Last year we had West going on Hedo a bunch, Ben Wallace (ugh) on Rashard, and Z on Howard. And of course, Rafer Alston, now gone, torched the Cavs from 3.
Cavs should win. (side note: I think I said the Cavs would win in 5 last year. I distinctly remember being happy the Cavs would be playing Orlando and not Boston. Oops.)
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Post by gk on Apr 13, 2010 10:44:40 GMT -6
Ouch. And the Thunder are relegated to playing the Lakers in round 1.
Maybe I'm wrong but I think this is a terrible matchup for the Thunder. Odom, Gasol, and (possibly) Bynum are going eat OKC up inside. Let's hope OKC can get the game into a fast tempo early on.
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 13, 2010 15:22:49 GMT -6
It'll be interesting to see how Durant reacts to Artest when the defense is ratcheted up a hundred knots. The one saving grace for OKC, as everyone is pointing out, is the Thunder have the perfect PG to use against the Lakers. He should be able to absolutely abuse Fisher.
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 13, 2010 15:25:52 GMT -6
For the Spurs, I think I'd rather play Denver.
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Post by gk on Apr 13, 2010 16:15:13 GMT -6
The one saving grace for OKC, as everyone is pointing out, is the Thunder have the perfect PG to use against the Lakers. He should be able to absolutely abuse Fisher. That's a good point. I think Fisher will be the Lakers' downfall pre-Finals. Maybe to Utah and Daron Williams.
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Post by gk on Apr 14, 2010 10:48:53 GMT -6
I have to admit, I'm excited for signs that read, "RELEASE THE SHAQKEN!!!!"
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 14, 2010 22:53:19 GMT -6
And the match ups are:
EAST
Cleveland vs Chicago Orlando vs Charlotte Atlanta vs Milwaukee Boston vs Miami
WEST LA vs OKC Dallas vs San Antonio Utah vs Portland Phoenix vs Denver
I'll be honest, I'm completely bored by the East. I don't see any first round upsets. I know Boston is pretty putrid right now, but so is Miami. Boston should easily be an upset against any other team.
The west....wow. It sucks for Dallas to earn the two seed and have to play a fully charged Spurs team. Most will pick Dallas to win in 6, but it still sucks for them. I really don't know what to think. Thirty days ago I thought SA would be lucky to be in the playoffs, now they're playing like one of the best teams. I'll pick the Spurs of course, but after the All Star break trade Dallas got REALLY good.
OKC should be a nice challenge for LA, but that's all I expect it to be. Even with no bench, I just can't see Kobe and Gasol bowing out to a completely inexperienced Thunder. But it'll be a great series.
Wasn't too long ago people were penciling in Denver for the finals. Now? Not playing well. They clearly miss George Karl. On the other side, Phoenix might be the hottest team in the league. I'm going with the Suns on this one.
Utah would have been my pick even before Roy went down. Now without him this should be a five game series for Utah.
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Post by gk on Apr 15, 2010 9:03:06 GMT -6
I was hoping for Toronto to grab the 8th seed. Not a fan of having to play Derrick Rose in round 1. But still...
I could see absolutely anything happening in the west. All upsets. All higher seeds advancing. Anything.
The most interesting path to me is Orlando's. They'll probably have to go Charlotte, then Atlanta, two extremely physical and athletic defensive teams. And Howard (and Matt Barnes?) aside, Orlando's not that physical and/or athletic. I'm looking to see how Vince Carter responds. Hopefully they'll be exhausted by the time they play Cleveland (although, last year they went six games in first two rounds and that didn't do much).
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Post by gk on Apr 15, 2010 11:35:29 GMT -6
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 15, 2010 16:23:16 GMT -6
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Post by fatmenace on Apr 15, 2010 16:23:37 GMT -6
And to answer your tweet, yes Phil has totally upped the douche ante this year.
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Post by gk on Apr 16, 2010 9:45:44 GMT -6
Some predictions
Cavs over Bulls in 6 (I think this will be a bit more competitive than people realize). Orlando over Charlotte in 4. Atlanta over Bucks in 6. Miami over C's in 7. (is this considered an upset?)
Lakers in 5. Dallas over SA in 6. Utah over Portland in 6. Denver over Phoenix in 5 (DW eats Steve Nash for lunch).
I'll be honest, I'm completely bored by the East. I don't see any first round upsets. I know Boston is pretty putrid right now, but so is Miami. Boston should easily be an upset against any other team.
The west....wow. It sucks for Dallas to earn the two seed and have to play a fully charged Spurs team. Most will pick Dallas to win in 6, but it still sucks for them. I really don't know what to think. Thirty days ago I thought SA would be lucky to be in the playoffs, now they're playing like one of the best teams. I'll pick the Spurs of course, but after the All Star break trade Dallas got REALLY good.
OKC should be a nice challenge for LA, but that's all I expect it to be. Even with no bench, I just can't see Kobe and Gasol bowing out to a completely inexperienced Thunder. But it'll be a great series.
Wasn't too long ago people were penciling in Denver for the finals. Now? Not playing well. They clearly miss George Karl. On the other side, Phoenix might be the hottest team in the league. I'm going with the Suns on this one.
Utah would have been my pick even before Roy went down. Now without him this should be a five game series for Utah.
[/quote]
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Post by gk on Apr 17, 2010 14:09:47 GMT -6
Man I haven't felt this good about the Cavs since this time a year ago!
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Post by gk on Apr 17, 2010 15:53:58 GMT -6
I could easily see the Hawks beating Orlando.
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