Mouth-breathing. Make that Detroit over the Hornets. Philly's so bad they'll get beat twice!
The bigger question is, does anyone care? I'd much rather watch hockey or football (Euro, American, or Aussie) than pro basketball (or any form of baseball, baseball sucks). From what little I know, I think the Lakers have been getting it together lately, saving their energy, and even from the five slot have to be the favorites for another trophy.
Suns over Spurs (in 7) Kings over Jazz Trailgangstas over Dallas Lakers over Wolves Pistons over Magic Nets over Bucs Pacers over Celtics (in 7) 76ers over Hornets As much as I'd love the hometown Blazers to win it all I'm thinking that it's going to be the Kings, probably over the Nets. Lakers will bow out in the Western Conference finals...
Although they could get beat finally this year (look out for that hedge!) I agree with billsaysthis...all the Lakers had to do was get into the playoffs and the Big Two and the Fill In the Crew will win another title.
The Lakers, if they do win again, will have to play harder than they're used to. They showed a vulnerability this year that has allowed every team to know that they can be beaten, even if they have Shaq. Plus, the West is probably stronger this year than it has been for any of the previous Laker championship seasons. That said, can anyone in the East beat whoever becomes the Western Conference Champion?
That said, can anyone in the East beat whoever becomes the Western Conference Champion? HA HA HA HA HA, thanks for the laugh Ufez!
I'm taking all home teams, except the Trailblazers will beat the Mavs (too physical), and the Lakers will beat the Twolves (two star players against one).
Spurs Kings Mavs Timberwolves Pistons Nets Celtics Sixers
Blazers! I wish, but I can say that I am 95% sure it will be the Kings, Spurs or Mavs, who are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the league.
West : 1) Spurs v. 8) Suns (Spurs in five) 2) Kings v. 7) Jazz (Kings in six) 3) Mavs! v. 6) Trailblazers (Mavs in seven) 4) Timberwolves v. 5) Lakers (Lakers in six) Second round: Spurs over Lakers; Kings over Mavs Conference finals: Spurs over Kings East 1) Pistons v. 8) Magic (Pistons in six) 2) Nets v. 7) Bucks (Nets in seven) 3) Pacer v. 6) Celtics (Pacers in seven) 4) Sixers v. 5) Hornets (Sixers in five) Second round: Pistons over Sixers; Nets over Pacers Conference finals: Pistons over Nets NBA Finals: Spurs over Pistons
West: Spurs over Suns (in 6) Kings over Jazz (in 5) Mavs over Trailblazers (in 6) Lakers over Timberwolves (in 6) Lakers over Spurs (in 7) Kings over Mavs (in 6) Kings over Lakers (in 6) East: Magic over Piston (in 6) Nets over Bucks (in 6) Pacers over Celtics (in 5) Hornets over Sixers (in 7) Hornets over Magic (in 6) Pacers over Nets (in 7) Pacers over Hornets (in 6) Pacers over Kings (in 7) Yes, the Pacers win! The Pacers win! They redeem the last half of the season. East beats West! A round of beers for everyone! *Bryant, I almost love you. Shame on you jennyb. Shame on you.
jacknose: Lakers over Spurs (in 7) Kings over Mavs (in 6) Hornets over Sixers (in 7) And you shame me???
Pacers over Kings (in 7) Jacknose, whaatever you're drinking, send me some.
bill, he's just drinking some good old idealistic vodka. Everyone in the East is too damn streaky to do anything, Pacers especially. And the Nets. They have a losing record after the All-Star break and still get the number one seed? Can we really take this team seriously? And a big thank you to those that at least believe the Mavs can beat the Blazers. Never have I put so much importance on a game 1 in a series.
jacknose, I'm an idealist and a romantic... but bear in mind that at this time of the year all my wishful thinking energy goes towards the Red Sox. "Hey, that bullpen by committee is looking pretty good this week! And Doug Mirabelli is a bona fide All Star!"
I shame anyone who has the Pacers losing in the first or second round. Ufez, of course, is right. This is the time of the year that I start consuming idealistic vodka non-stop, that is, until the Pacers lose, and I find myself woefully ashamed for shaming others.
jack, I can easily see the Pacers beating the Celtics in round one but not the Nets in the second. Sorry, bubble bursting, etc. Enjoy the vodka.