I think people favoring the Pacers is kind of silly.

Yes, the Bucks are not good. They aren't contenders but they still have the best 2 players on the court and I'm taking the best players in a series.

I have no doubt we're gonna see the Pacers drop a 150 spot at least once but I think it's a 4-2 type series.

I have Phoenix over Wolves. Two bad games against them is a trend.

[QUOTE=tjforce;19405417]I love the matchup for the Cavs.... They "Should" win. More overall talent, more playoff experience. A win over Orlando and they can comfortably lose to Boston in RD 2 like they should and it's an okay season.

But if they don't, then it's time for a partial teardown. No excuses or cop outs. JB gone, and if Mitchell won't resign, he'll be traded too. And least we'll be heading in one direction or another.

That being said, I don't know who will win this series. The Cavs 'should win', but have been playing like crap for a while so I will not be surprised if it blows up.[/QUOTE]

I'm very much on the fire JB train. Have been since last season. No matter what happens, I think he should be out.

If they can't beat Orlando it's an absolute disaster and he should be walked out of the arena after the last game.

If they can't beat Boston, it is what it is. Boston is clearly better.

I think next season they are going to have a lot of questions to answer. IMO you need to choose between Mitchell & Allen or Garland & Mobley and build around that combo. Find a coach who can maximize both and fill out the roster with 2 way players.

[QUOTE=hairyangryfella;19405227][B]Wow. I'm a Magic fan and certainly don't see them getting to the ECF!! And Knicks in the Finals? Extremely bold takes.[/B]

I can't help but think Pels are getting dumped out in the play-in.
Lakers win the 7-8 matchup, to lose to the Nuggets. Warriors lose to the Kings, who then beat the Pels.

I've also got Miami beating Philly in the 7-8 game, but Philly winning to face Boston first round. Can't see the Knicks getting past playoff Heat.[/QUOTE]

Anything can happen in the east... I don't see Boston as this unbeatable machine. They've lost too many weird games in the regular season by very mediocre teams.

I also don't know how many magic runs the Heat have left in them. And we haven't seen Embiid make the CF yet either, I don't think it's this year. Knicks have as much chance as Boston to make the ECF and I think whoever gets matched with Boston will play harder to knock them off. Knicks will slow-burn Miami or Philly and get it done.

[QUOTE=oldgoldy97;19405467]I have Phoenix over Wolves. Two bad games against them is a trend.[/QUOTE]

PHX is a slight favorite.

How long until Gobert is played off the floor.

OKC over Warriors
Nuggets over Lakers
Suns over Wolves
Mavs over Clippers

OKC over Mavs
Nuggets over Suns

Nuggets over OKC

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

Celtics over Heat
Sixers over Knicks
Bucks over Pacers
Magic over Cavs

Celtics over Magic
Sixers over Bucks

Celtics over Sixers

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

Celtics over Nuggets


Now watch me miss it all

Since having moved to central NY I have been watching almost every Knicks game. I would be surprised if most people could name their starters besides Brunson.

This is a very dangerous team. Was up by 29 on a full Boston Celtics team that was healthy.

They have a bit of Charles Oakley in them.

[QUOTE=jcardstore;19405454]I think people favoring the Pacers is kind of silly.

Yes, the Bucks are not good. They aren't contenders but they still have the best 2 players on the court and I'm taking the best players in a series.

I have no doubt we're gonna see the Pacers drop a 150 spot at least once but I think it's a 4-2 type series.[/QUOTE]

A reason why Pacers are favored, beyond the scoring and dime passing that will tire nearly any team out, is that the emphasis the whole second half of the season has been on strengthening defense. They are a pretty well rounded team with veteran, big-contract depth on rookie salaries. And highly motivated because, unlike the Celtics (for example), everyone gets their chance to shine. Their high intensity approach means they will probably play 10 players meaningful minutes in the playoffs.

Reminds me a bit of when the A's marshaled talent under Billy Beane that took them to the playoffs and World Series multiple seasons (later dispersed in a fire sale). Difference is, I even like what the Mad Ants players were flashing in the final minutes against Atlanta.

My predictions:

East:
Sixers/Heat win play in
Final 4: Celtics, Sixers, Pacers, Cavaliers
Final 2: Celtics/Sixers (though rooting for Pacers/Cavs)
Final: Celtics


West:
Pelicans/Kings win play in
Final 4: Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Mavericks
Final 2: Thunder, Nuggets
Final: Thunder

Celtics vs. Thunder .. Thunder win championship :flex:

The Mavs win it all because they are awesome and I root for them.

[QUOTE=jcardstore;19405454]I think people favoring the Pacers is kind of silly.

Yes, the Bucks are not good. They aren't contenders but they still have the best 2 players on the court and I'm taking the best players in a series.

I have no doubt we're gonna see the Pacers drop a 150 spot at least once but I think it's a 4-2 type series.[/QUOTE]

Giannis is hurt and they're saying he's up in the air for game 1 at this point. Not looking great.

Mavs-Nugs WCF
Sixers-Celtics ECF

Where it goes from there idk. Prolly Nugs-Celtics but maybe the Nurse-led Sixers back it over the hump. Cs and Sixers have both choked in recent memory.

It is kinda amazing btw the Cs and 76ers they haven't won anything yet. Cs keep choking and Embiid keeps getting hurt. 76ers had a chance to close them out last year and Harden/Tobi/Melton shot 5-29 at home and that was that.

Of course the soft Cs went on to lose to the 8 seed afterwards.

[QUOTE=jcardstore;19405472]I think next season they are going to have a lot of questions to answer. IMO you need to choose between Mitchell & Allen or Garland & Mobley and build around that combo. Find a coach who can maximize both and fill out the roster with 2 way players.[/QUOTE]

Interesting comment. I was thinking that both Mitchell and Garland have that alpha personality that wants to imprint. But one can never have too many talented bigs. Why not a Mitch/Garland + Allen and Mobley nexus?

[QUOTE=Nomad;19406025]Interesting comment. I was thinking that both Mitchell and Garland have that alpha personality that wants to imprint. But one can never have too many talented bigs. Why not a Mitch/Garland + Allen and Mobley nexus?[/QUOTE]

Can’t win in today’s NBA with 2 non shooting bigs. Mobley clearly isn’t a guy who’s going to be able to shoot and neither is Allen.

Mobley only works at the 5 in that scenario.

I thought Mobley was going to be so much better but he doesn’t seem to be a game changing player

[QUOTE=jcardstore;19406104]Can’t win in today’s NBA with 2 non shooting bigs. Mobley clearly isn’t a guy who’s going to be able to shoot and neither is Allen.

Mobley only works at the 5 in that scenario.

I thought Mobley was going to be so much better but he doesn’t seem to be a game changing player[/QUOTE]

Him getting faded the way he did offensively after the Mitchell trade is one of the worst player mismanagements ive seen in a long time. Nearly every efficiently stat is a career high this season:

FG%: 55% to 58%
3pt %: 22% to 37%
2p %: 59% to 60%
FT%: 67% to 72%
Rebounds: 9.0 to 9.4
Ast: 2.8 to 3.2
eFG%: 57% to 60%
ORtg: 117 to 122
PER: 17.9 to 20.1
TS%: 59% to 63%
Rebound %: 12.4 to 15.9
WS/48: .151 to .174
And there's more, but you get the point.

What hasn't increased? His minutes (down 10%), shot attempts per game, his usage very minimally.

A big part of it is what you alluded to: playing out of position and having big touches split with Allen. And just adds to a problem of a team that wants to be led by guards who shoot.

So on the bright side, he has very much improved this past year offensively, on the not so bright side, the team just doesn't make his offense a priority and imo has an offensive identity problem

Luka finals MVP beating Celtics 4-1

[QUOTE=kluke84;19406375]Luka finals MVP beating Celtics 4-1[/QUOTE]

Tight!

And not far off.

Spurs win their first play in but lose the next.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[QUOTE=indyguy;19405398]I'm confused, Pacers have been "not a threat" all season and now people are saying they are taking the Bucks out in round 1?

This board never ceases to amaze me.[/QUOTE][IMG]https://media3.giphy.com/media/HwmB7t7krGnao/giphy.gif[/IMG]

I don't have too many predictions.

Other than the East is a joke and Boston will walk through. They've been in 2nd gear all season. They can actually afford an injury or 2 and will still get through the East.

The West is tricky. I think whoever wins between the Mavs and Clips makes the West Finals.

I'm hoping we don't get to see the typical Lakers whistle, good lord, the Bron era is over, let him go. Stop pandering to the guys needs. I know he's a ratings hit because you either want to see him win or lose, but there are way more fun teams to watch than him pound the ball.

I really hope OKC or Minny can back up their seasons and win in the 1st round unlike Ja and the boys last season.

Let's see what happens.

But Boston have the rings coming. I don't really think it's gonna be close.

[QUOTE=drobfan8;19406536]I don't have too many predictions.

Other than the East is a joke and Boston will walk through. They've been in 2nd gear all season. They can actually afford an injury or 2 and will still get through the East.

The West is tricky. I think whoever wins between the Mavs and Clips makes the West Finals.

[B]I'm hoping we don't get to see the typical Lakers whistle[/B], good lord, the Bron era is over, let him go. Stop pandering to the guys needs. I know he's a ratings hit because you either want to see him win or lose, but there are way more fun teams to watch than him pound the ball.

I really hope OKC or Minny can back up their seasons and win in the 1st round unlike Ja and the boys last season.

Let's see what happens.

But Boston have the rings coming. I don't really think it's gonna be close.[/QUOTE]

Good one, but that's kinda like hoping Zion ends up slimmer than Wemby. Not a chance of happening.

All I want is to see a Denver-Boston final, everything else it's a plus.

[QUOTE=yiguiri2002;19406543]Good one, but that's kinda like hoping Zion ends up slimmer than Wemby. Not a chance of happening.

All I want is to see a Denver-Boston final, everything else it's a plus.[/QUOTE]

I think a Clips vs Boston series would be pretty fun.

Isn't it a bit sad we just accept that the Lakers will get a favourable whistle like the last 5 years?

The NBA is becoming faker than wrestling

Need to see someone dethrone the Heatles before I believe it. Roster/personnel matters nada.

Each year they seem to cuck the ECF faves and everyone acts like they haven't seen the play before.

[QUOTE=drobfan8;19406536]
Let's see what happens.
[/QUOTE]

no let's not

Lakers over Celtics in Finals in 7 games.