The Playoff Thread

[Zen653]

It SHOULD be a great matchup going off their records but the Bulls rely too much on their outside shooting and the Pistons are probably the best defensive team in the NBA so as you saw in game one the Pistons D will give the Bulls fits. Pistons should take this series in 6 MAX.

As you explained, I think Detroit's defense will be too much for Chicago. The Bulls don't have any elite scorers who can penetrate a top rate defense. The Pistons will also continue to exploit Ben Wallace's weaknesses by forcing the ball into his hands on the offensive end. I would be surprised if the Bulls win more than one game in this series. I don't even expect the games to be that close. To me, this will be a snoozefest.

They have 2 future HOF'ers in Vince and Kidd on their team who are both top 15 players in the league. Kidd is the 2nd BEST PG in the NBA AT WORST behind Nash and Vince has the talent to be the best NBA player in the game. But thats besides the point, as for the series I just think the Nets dont match up well with the Cavs, they have no1 to matchup with Bron.

I think Vince Carter can match up well with LeBron James if he sets his mind to it. Carter, much like Paul Pierce of my Celtics, kicks his defense up a few notches when going up against an elite player. I think Carter will be motivated to outshine LeBron James in this series. Offensively, there's no reason why Carter can't drop 30 per game. Throw in Jason Kidd (easily the second best point guard in the NBA) and the underrated Richard Jefferson, and I think the Nets can give the Cavs a tough series. LeBron James might be the best player on either side but the Nets have a better and more experienced supporting cast. I think Moore can knock Ilgauskas around a little bit, especially since Ilguaskas plays soft in the playoffs. If I were Mike Brown, I'd give Varejao a lot of minutes. He's a good energy guy who throws his elbows around to create space and somehow gets away with it. I like his post moves. He's a lot more athletic than the lumbering Ilgauskas. As long as the Nets can keep the games close - which will require Carter neutralizing LeBron - then I think the Nets can take this series in 7 games. Kidd gives the Nets a tremendous weapon and I don't think the Cavaliers have an answer for him. In clutch situations, I see the Nets playing smarter basketball.

The are complete opposites though because the Suns are run and gun were as the Spurs are the protype half court team. I would be stunned if this series doesnt go 7, its a lock for 6, IMO and I see the Spurs prevailing in the end.

I think this will be an epic series as well. Usually the quality half court offense beats the run and gun. The key player will be Amare Stoudemire. If he can beat Duncan on the boards, then the Suns have a good chance of taking this series because of their superior athleticism and up tempo style. If Duncan can man the middle with impunity, then advantage Spurs. Shawn Marion will also be really important in this series because he's a hybrid player who can play on the inside or from the perimeter. I expect that he'll try to take a lot of 15-foot jumpers in order to draw his defenders out of the paint. This will open up lanes for Nash, and leave Barbosa open on the wings. Desire will be important in this series as well. Sometimes the Spurs beat themselves with their complacency. They've gotten defeatist at times when the ball doesn't bounce their way. They're an older team with three rings already and so the hunger might not be as strong for them. Sometimes you just have to want it more than the other team - last night's Game 7 between the Jazz and Rockets is a good example of that phenomenon. Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur simply wanted it more than Tracy McGrady, and they got it done when they had to.

While it isnt the sexy matchup this will be a good one, I just think the Warriors have too much depth and too much scoring for the Jazz to stop them. If the Jazz are going to win this series they need Okur to have a HUGE series, I mean like avg. 25 and 11 for the series type of numbers. Ill take the Warriors in 6 though

I think this will be the most exciting series of the four. I love watching up tempo basketball and the fans in Oakland really give their team a lot of energy. I think the Jazz have a better chance of winning simply because the Warriors got a bit lucky with their success from behind the three-point line. I'm also under the impression that defeating the Mavericks was their championship, and they might not feel that they have anything left to prove. Baron Davis cannot possibly continue his torrid shooting, and Matt Barnes will certainly cool down. The guy is a journeyman. I really like Stephen Jackson as a player and think that he'll continue to be productive - he's just not going to be enough for the Warriors to withstand a balanced, team attack from the Jazz. Utah plays with an aesthetically-pleasing cohesiveness that we don't typically see in the star-studded NBA of today. Everything is done for a purpose and each player seems to know the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates. The Jazz always make that extra pass, or find that open look, or tap that extra rebound. Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur are excellent players who deserve more visibility. Boozer can really bang inside and he manages to find a way to the basket, no matter how well the other team defends him or tries to screen him off from the play. And Okur hits big shot after big shot, and can fire away effectively from anywhere on his side of the court. He also has a good NBA frame which allows him to intimidate his opponents and alter the trajectory of many shots. Andrei Kirilenko's star doesn't shine quite as bright as it did in previous years but he can still be an effective contributor with his Marionesque inside-outside versatility. I also like Deron Williams at the point and think he's probably the third best point guard left out of the eight teams in the playoffs (behind Nash and Kidd.) Williams is a heady player who visualizes the floor well and always knows where to find the open man. He's one of the best players in the league when it comes to 4-on-3 or 3-on-2 situations. This should be one of those series where the sums are greater than their individual parts, and where we really see team basketball at its finest.

[BravesRule22]

What a heck of a game 1 out in Utah, uptempo, high scoring, and a game that went down to final 10 secs.

Utah prevailed but I dont know if Utah can play this whole series at this tempo and continue to win.

And from the other game last night well the Pistons man-handled the Bulls once again. Its looking more and more like its going to be a quick series for the Bulls. The Pistons D is just too good and the Bulls cant get their O going.

Series Watch :

Det - 2 / Bulls - 0

Cavs - 1 / Nets - 0

---------------------------

Jazz - 1 / GS - 0

Spurs - 1 / Suns - 0

[BravesRule22]

The Jazz and Warriors but on another epic battle last night. Fast pace and high scoring just like game 1. This one went into OT and the Jazz prevailed again.

GS really blew this one, they were up 2 with 10 seconds with Davis on the line for 2 with a chance to basically end the game and he only ended up hitting 1 of 2. Jazz came down and hit a 2, fouled Pietrus who hit 1 of 2 again so the Jazz are only down 2 with 6 secs left and Deron Williams ( who has been AWESOME ) comes down and drains a 15 footer to send the game into OT.

And it was all Jazz in OT, This series is far from over though, the Warriors are 1 of the best home teams in the NBA and I would be shocked if this series isnt 2-2 going into Game 5.

Series Watch :

Det - 3 / Bulls - 0

Cavs - 2 / Nets - 0

---------------------------

Jazz - 2 / GS - 0

Spurs - 1 / Suns - 1

[BravesRule22]

Well the Bulls had their chance, they were @ home abd up 20 at one point But the Pistons shows why they are the best team in the East by far because they came all the way back and held on for the W. Basically ending the Series making it 3-0 Pistons.

No matter if the Nets or Cavs win the other series I dont see either 1 of them putting up much of a fight vs the Pistons.

[Blader]

I'll stick my neck out and say if the Nets can come back in this series down 2-0 to Cleveland they will get a good shot at beating Detroit...otherwise Detroit San Antonio is the end result.

[BravesRule22]

The Warriors just put an absolute 3 point clinic last night and just killed the Jazz. The game was never in question, and I fully expect the Warriors to take game 4 as well. I dont think the Jazz have any real chance when playing in GS

[BravesRule22]

Series Watch :

Det - 3 / Bulls - 1

Cavs - 3 / Nets - 1

---------------------------

Jazz - 3 / GS - 1

Spurs - 2 / Suns - 2

[BravesRule22]

Well the Suns really pissed away that game. I know they got tired being short handed and all but they were up 16 at one point. They lead for about 99 % of the game and they just let the Spurs take it away from them in the final 3 minutes.......

Series Watch :

Det - 4 / Bulls - 2

Cavs - 3 / Nets - 2

---------------------------

Jazz - 4 / GS - 1

Spurs - 3 / Suns - 2

[BravesRule22]

The Spurs, Cavs and Pistons all finished off their series leaving us with the final 4 of :

Pistons vs Cavs

Spurs vs Jazz

Sadly I dont think either series will be all that enteraining. The Pistons should handle the Cavs with ease. Pistons could win it in 5 or 6 but I wouldnt expect to see the Pistons in any real danger of losing the series @ any point.

I HOPE that the Jazz can pull the upset but the Spurs simpley own them. I think the number is something like 17 out of 19 games the Spurs have won or some crazy number like that.

But if those matchups hold we are in for a GREAT Finals, and should be an epic 6 or 7 game series. Cant wait for it

[dlb]

The Spurs have to be the least likeable team I've seen so far; but the Jazz have ex-Dookie Boozer on the roster, so I won't be pulling for them. Here's hoping for a Spurs-Pistons final and another championship for Detroit.

[Timberwolf]

LeBron James is the only thing preventing this from being the ugliest final four in NBA history.

[BravesRule22]

I agree that these 2 series on their own will probably be ugly but the finals, assuming its Pistons / SA will be a great series for an NBA FAN....Someone that just likes to see flashy passes and dunks probably wont find it entertaining like us pure basketball fans will

[dlb]

Judging by the parts of yesterday's game that I saw, the Jazz don't stand a chance. I'll be surprised if this series goes more than 5 games, and a Spurs sweep won't shock me.

[BravesRule22]

You are correct in your assumption, this series was just the worst possible matchup for the Jazz and the best for the Spurs.

I am rooting for the Jazz like most people but I dont expect it to go more than 5 games

[BravesRule22]

Wow.......

Did anyone see the game last night ?

Bron passes up a open layup/dunk with 10 secs left ( down 2 ) to kick to Marshall in the corner for 3 ?????????

Which he missed

Wow.......I cant believe he did take the lay-up.......if you havent seen the highlight you need to see it

If you want to be an alltime great you DONT pass the ball there

Bron is taking lots of heat for this play, and rightfully so