The OaO 2003-2004 NBA Season Thread!

[Cuban Linx 0]

I hope you're right about Portland being able to beat LA, since now that they've dropped back behind Denver and Utah they'll probably have to beat the Lakers at least once if not twice just to make it to the playoffs.

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

The only team that can beat LA is San Antonio. Payton can still guard Bibby, and Minnesota couldn't beat the Lakers even with the series of Troy Hudson's life. Tony Parker, however, is a completely different story. Granted, the Lakers' defense yesterday was totally uninspired, but he will give them fits no matter what. That Kobe, Payton, Fisher backcourt better get cohesive. If they do, I would pick the Lakers in 7.

[Ripper 0]

The only team that can beat LA is San Antonio. Payton can still guard Bibby, and Minnesota couldn't beat the Lakers even with the series of Troy Hudson's life. Tony Parker, however, is a completely different story. Granted, the Lakers' defense yesterday was totally uninspired, but he will give them fits no matter what. That Kobe, Payton, Fisher backcourt better get cohesive. If they do, I would pick the Lakers in 7.

Lakers defense has been uninspired the entire year. They aren't a good defesive team.

 

Gary Payton can not guard guards that are quick. Bottom line. They all own him now. He can guard PGs that come off screens for jumpers and the guys that have that slow back down game(Cassell).

 

They can't guard at the PF, and if you have a center that can hit the jumper, you pull shaq from the paint. Check the record man, they struggle against teams with the formula and the west playoffs are full of them.

[Guest Redhawk]

Charles Oakley got waived today by the Rockets. I'm sure he took the news well.

[Ripper 0]

I hope you're right about Portland being able to beat LA, since now that they've dropped back behind Denver and Utah they'll probably have to beat the Lakers at least once if not twice just to make it to the playoffs.

ahem...

 

 

Damon Stoudamire (ie: Quick Point guard) goes for 24 pts. Zack Randlof(ie: PF who can score with back to basket) goes for 22 and 9.

 

Lakers lose.

 

I tells ya, its the formula.

 

Not saying that Portland would win a series(or any of the other teams with the formula) but they CAN.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Blazers aren't making the playoffs, so even trying to WIN a series is a moot point.

[Spicy McHaggis 0]

Lakers really fucked up letting Tyronn Lue go.

[CanadianChris 0]

NICE article by Bill Simmons absolutely savaging the Pistons for picking Darko over Carmelo:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...=simmons/040407

[razazteca 0]

Blazers aren't making the playoffs, so even trying to WIN a series is a moot point.

Fear the #4 vs #5 match up in the playoffs as it could be Lakers vs Grizzlies. Jerry West means business and will do everything he can to beat the Lakers. The Grizzlies have Lorenzo Wright and Pau Gasol who would be the big men of the formula and the white Jason Williams is the speedy point guard.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Blazers aren't making the playoffs, so even trying to WIN a series is a moot point.

Fear the #4 vs #5 match up in the playoffs as it could be Lakers vs Grizzlies. Jerry West means business and will do everything he can to beat the Lakers. The Grizzlies have Lorenzo Wright and Pau Gasol who would be the big men of the formula and the white Jason Williams is the speedy point guard.

I hope it's Spurs-Mavericks and Lakers-Grizzlies, and then both top teams lose. Woo

[razazteca 0]

It would be very profitable if both series went to 7 games.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Mavericks are a weird sort of anti-Lakers...the league is out to get them whereas LA is way too protected and nobody likes them, but Dallas is getting a whole slew of nationally televised games because the fans love the team

[razazteca 0]

The Kings vs Mavs games is the reason for the Dallas fanfare. It's all offense with games going into 120-118 scoring range. Besides the people want to see Mark Cuban make a fool of himself on tv again. But the Kings are having trouble keeping the team healthy as they need Bobby Jackson and Chris Webber 100%.

[alfdogg 0]

OK:

 

East: Pacers, Nets, Pistons have 1-2-3 locked up, Pistons will have homecourt against NJ should they meet. Milwaukee, Miami, NO have all clinched, and those teams will be in the 4-5-6 spots. NY has clinched, Boston has tiebreak on the Cavs and is in with a win, those two will compete for 7-8.

 

West: Sac's magic number is 3 for the division, but they still meet Minnesota tonight and LA on Sunday. Minnesota has the same magic number in their division. SA and LA are the only teams that can take the division titles from their respective leaders. Memphis and Dallas have the 5 and 6 wrapped up, whichever order they end up in. Houston is currently in the 7 spot, but only two games up on Denver, Portland and Utah, who all have identical records, with Denver owning the tiebreak. And the way Houston's been playing lately, one of those teams, if they get hot, could go all the way up to 7.

 

Here's my calls:

 

Sac hangs on to the division and the top seed.

SA runs the table and wins another division title to grab the 2 seed.

LA has a tough schedule, I could see them falling to the 4 seed.

Memphis holds onto the 5, setting up a showdown with LA in their first-ever playoff series.

Houston hangs onto the 7 with a favorable schedule.

Utah winds up with the 8 seed, but all those teams have tough schedules.

 

So:

 

1-Sac vs 8-Utah

4-LA vs 5-Mem

3-Min vs 6-Dal

2-SA vs 7-Hou

 

As for the East, Milwaukee should hold onto the 4, Mia has tiebreak on NO and should get the 5, with NO at 6. Boston hasn't clinched yet, but is certainly in as I doubt Cleveland runs the table. So they'll get a rematch with Indy while NY stays at 7.

 

So:

 

1-Ind vs 8-Bos

4-Mil vs 5-Mia

3-Det vs 6-NO

2-NJ vs 7-NY

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Philly is within two games of the Celts. I hope the Celts lose their remaining games and Philly or Cleveland grabs #8 since the Celts need the loto pick more than a first round sweep by the Pacers.

[alfdogg 0]

You're right, I forgot about Philly. They still have games against the Pacers and Nets, though, I don't think they can catch the Celts.

[The Electrifyer 0]

I don't see Philly or Cleveland stealing Boston's number 8 spot. Not that Boston is that good, but more because Philly and Cleveland suck that much.

[NoCalMike 0]

For me personally, I think it is more important for Sac to stay ahead of the Lakers/SA then Minn. If Minnesota gets the top seed, big deal, I still don't buy them as a deep playoff threat and until they prove otherwise, then it is EOS.

 

If Kings can maintain no less then the #2 seed, then they will still be in good position for the playoffs.

 

They took the loss to Minnesota tonight and are looking at a HUGE game with the Lakers on Sunday, so I hope they don't overlook Phoenix tomorrow and get a stupid loss.

[Ripper 0]

Well...here I am saying it now.

 

If the Mavs can avoid the lakers(their "small" line up wouldn't work against them) then they will make it to at least the Western Conference finals.

 

While Memphis can gun with anyone on most nights, the Mavs are SICK with that small ball (averaging 121 per game recently) You aren't going to get away with TWAN at the Center against the lakers, but against the rest of the leauge...ugh.

 

I think we need to revisit our preseason discussions of who would be the shit and who wouldn't.

 

I know I was WAY off base on Phoenix(although I couldn't have factored in them trading away the leading scoreer and assit man) and I was WAY off base about the Majic getting better(although the lost of Garrity was bigger than people know) and Utah was better than I said...but I was dead on about Denver and Memphis(memphis did better than I expected but I believe I called playoffs.)

[The Electrifyer 0]

I don't think the Mav's can get past the first round. They're sixth right now in the West and I doubt they'll even be able to get past the first round. The Mav's just don't have the right defensive presence to make it in the West.

[Ripper 0]

I don't think the Mav's can get past the first round. They're sixth right now in the West and I doubt they'll even be able to get past the first round. The Mav's just don't have the right defensive presence to make it in the West.

SEZ the people who haven't watched them play lately. Josh Howard, Michael Finley and Danials have all been great defenders, Antwain Jamison Nowinski and Walker are great on the Defensive boards.

 

Plus, 120 a game is hard to contend with. bottomline, they are a team that is never out of a game.

[NoCalMike 0]

The Lakers/Spurs/Wolves will dispose of the Mavs because like the Kings, they are a running team and when pressed and played physical they often wilt. Playoff basketball is a lot more physical and a lot more fouls or foul-like plays go uncalled, ESPECIALLY for the star players.

 

The Kings/Mavs always have highly rated playoff games, mainly because they score a huge amount of points, but the difference between the two teams is that the Kings can play defense in spurts, and the Mavs well, can't. The Kings beat them in 5 two years ago without Peja, and would have beat them last year had Webber not gone down with the knee injury, even then it took the Mavs overtime in game 7 to do it.

 

I am just hoping that the Lakers/Spurs somehow end up playing in the 2nd round so they can beat on each other for 7 games.

[alfdogg 0]

*Revisits*

 

Picked the Bulls, Magic and Sixers to make it in the East, they're replaced by Knicks, Heat and Bucks.

 

Picked the Suns and Sonics as my 7-8 in the West, replaced by Memphis and whichever team ends up in eighth.

 

I'll still stick with SA as long as they're still there, but I honestly think the Pacers can beat them in a 7-game series should they play in the finals.

[Ripper 0]

The Lakers/Spurs/Wolves will dispose of the Mavs because like the Kings, they are a running team and when pressed and played physical they often wilt. Playoff basketball is a lot more physical and a lot more fouls or foul-like plays go uncalled, ESPECIALLY for the star players.

 

The Kings/Mavs always have highly rated playoff games, mainly because they score a huge amount of points, but the difference between the two teams is that the Kings can play defense in spurts, and the Mavs well, can't. The Kings beat them in 5 two years ago without Peja, and would have beat them last year had Webber not gone down with the knee injury, even then it took the Mavs overtime in game 7 to do it.

 

I am just hoping that the Lakers/Spurs somehow end up playing in the 2nd round so they can beat on each other for 7 games.

I am telling you guys, have you watched the epiphany that their offense has underwent in the past few weeks? Plus they are alot better at forcing turnovers and most of their points are coming from the halfcourt sets now.

 

I'm tellin ya, the Mavs could very well take the west.

 

I am still picking San Antonio with me WANTING memphis to SHOCK THE WORLD~! but Dallas....mark my words.

 

 

 

I said MARK THEM~!

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

The Lakers/Spurs/Wolves will dispose of the Mavs because like the Kings, they are a running team and when pressed and played physical they often wilt.  Playoff basketball is a lot more physical and a lot more fouls or foul-like plays go uncalled, ESPECIALLY for the star players. 

 

The Kings/Mavs always have highly rated playoff games, mainly because they score a huge amount of points, but the difference between the two teams is that the Kings can play defense in spurts, and the Mavs well, can't.  The Kings beat them in 5 two years ago without Peja, and would have beat them last year had Webber not gone down with the knee injury, even then it took the Mavs overtime in game 7 to do it.

 

I am just hoping that the Lakers/Spurs somehow end up playing in the 2nd round so they can beat on each other for 7 games.

I am telling you guys, have you watched the epiphany that their offense has underwent in the past few weeks? Plus they are alot better at forcing turnovers and most of their points are coming from the halfcourt sets now.

 

I'm tellin ya, the Mavs could very well take the west.

 

I am still picking San Antonio with me WANTING memphis to SHOCK THE WORLD~! but Dallas....mark my words.

 

 

 

I said MARK THEM~!

I believe in the Mavs too.

 

My upset special of the playoffs is Mavs over Lakers if they meet in the first round.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I want anybody over Lakers in round one. If not Dallas, a small-town squad like the Grizzlies or Jazz. Watch Stern shit himself when the Utah Jazz knock out the mighty Lakers.

[The Electrifyer 0]

I want anybody over Lakers in round one.

Agreed. LA getting eliminated in the playoffs last year was the highlight of the season. I would like to see an encore of Fisher and Kobe crying.

[Dangerous A 0]

The Kings are fucked!

 

 

The sad part is that while it's true they have problems with athletic teams, the problem is about 90% mental with this team, along with some flat out laziness. It has disgusted me to watch this team the last 2 games and if I were to pick a first round upset in the playoffs I'd look no further than whoever matches up with the Kings. Their defense is non existent and with the exception of Brad Miller, show no desire to hit the boards. This is all coming from a Kings fan mind you.

 

 

 

My preseason pick to win it all was LA and it still is unfortunately. As much as I hate them, I have a hard time seeing any team beating them 4 out of 7 times. They have 4 guys who are going to get calls down the stretch, 3 of whom can actually make something of the calls by hitting free throws (that's directed at you, Shaq). The Pacers should feel good about getting homecourt throughout, but I like Rasheed Wallace going to Detroit and with the lockdown defense Detroit has exhibited, I like Detroit to go to the finals.

 

DA's NBA Finals prediction: LA Lakers over Detroit Pistons in 6 games.

 

DA's wish: It WAS for the Kings to win it all, now I just want them to get out of the first round so that this year isn't a complete and thorough embarassment.

[Guest]

Everybody needs to quit dreaming. The Lakers are hungry and they will win the championship.

[NoCalMike 0]

The Kings are fucked!

 

 

The sad part is that while it's true they have problems with athletic teams, the problem is about 90% mental with this team, along with some flat out laziness. It has disgusted me to watch this team the last 2 games and if I were to pick a first round upset in the playoffs I'd look no further than whoever matches up with the Kings. Their defense is non existent and with the exception of Brad Miller, show no desire to hit the boards. This is all coming from a Kings fan mind you.

 

 

 

My preseason pick to win it all was LA and it still is unfortunately. As much as I hate them, I have a hard time seeing any team beating them 4 out of 7 times. They have 4 guys who are going to get calls down the stretch, 3 of whom can actually make something of the calls by hitting free throws (that's directed at you, Shaq). The Pacers should feel good about getting homecourt throughout, but I like Rasheed Wallace going to Detroit and with the lockdown defense Detroit has exhibited, I like Detroit to go to the finals.

 

DA's NBA Finals prediction: LA Lakers over Detroit Pistons in 6 games.

 

DA's wish: It WAS for the Kings to win it all, now I just want them to get out of the first round so that this year isn't a complete and thorough embarassment.

I do agree that watching the Kings utter laziness when it comes to rebounding is pretty disgusting to watch. The A's winning tonight with me at the game, helped me forget about NBA Playoffs just around the corner.........until coming back into this forum of course......