NBA 2007-2008 Thread

Post by **Zac Miley** » 28 Mar 2008 07:23

If Louisville beats UNC I will be really happy. I have them in the final four.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 28 Mar 2008 09:27

Not to regulate or anything, but this is the NBA thread, so lets try and stay on topic.

The season is winding up, and I have to say I'm really amazed that if the playoffs started today, San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas would all start the playoffs on the road. That's amazing. I'm also pretty blown away that Philadelphia is not only in the playoffs, but are only a game out of 5th place in the East. What?!

With the Dirk injury, I just want to throw out there that it's entirely possible that Dallas slips out of the playoffs and are replaced by Denver. Definitely possible.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 28 Mar 2008 11:17

College ball > Pro ball

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 28 Mar 2008 12:04

I've heard that before, and I really think that's a hard position to argue. I'm not going to get into it, but really, the weakest NBA team could beat the strongest college team in a game any day. NBA teams are just more experienced, more athletic, bigger, and better coached. Is college basketball more exciting than the NBA? I could see that. But only because the teams are out of the tournament after one loss, so the potential of upsets is higher. Is the actual quality of basketball played better in college? The answer is just plain NO.

HG · Post by HG » 28 Mar 2008 12:18

College ball is more of a team game (with exceptions to Kansas State this year and Texas last year) while the NBA seems to be a collection of individuals.

Zjeezy · Post by **Zjeezy** » 28 Mar 2008 12:35

Pistons clinch Division title for the 4th season in a row.

that made me happy when i heard on sportscenter today

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 28 Mar 2008 15:08

I actually like the NBA more than NCAA as well, I just wanted to be devils advocate. It is true though that a lot of times college basketball is more exciting than the NBA, and it's reflected in the intensity of the game and you can just see it. College ball is also a lot less polished so it's more like watching a game between your friends, except the players are dope. Really though it all depends on the teams playing but yeah the NBA is probably better.

The college 3 point line fucking sucks too.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 16 Apr 2008 19:45

PLAYOFF PREDICTTIOONS East

Boston
V
Atlanta
Winner: Boston

Cleveland
V
Washington
Winner: Washington

Orlando
V
Toronto
Winner: Orlando

Detriot
V
Phillie
Winner: Detriot
_____________________________________________________________

Boston
V
Washington
Winner: Washington

Detriot
V
Orlando
Winner: Detriot
_____________________________________________________________

Washington
V
Detriot
Eastern Champs: Pistons

Fuego · Post by **Fuego** » 17 Apr 2008 06:03

For real, Boston better hope Cleveland beats Washington or they're in trouble. What's the deal there. I'd say the Wizards are the only thing standing in the way of a championship for Boston, but why? What's Washington got that no one else does against them this year?

I'll just be happy if the Hawks can pull of one game against the Celtics

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 17 Apr 2008 07:42

I agree with all of Dan's 1st round predictions, and I also agree that the Celts should fear Washington. I also think Detroit will be in the ECF.

As for the West, I think it's incredible that pretty much every series is hard to call. I really hope the Suns beat the Spurs, but its really impossible to predict any series with any certainty out west.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 17 Apr 2008 09:06

Three reasons the Celtic's should fear my adopted city of DC's team (For Fuego):

Jamison
Butler
HIBACHI

They also beat the Celtic's 3 of 5 times this year (Correct me if I'm wrong) and are a really stacked young team, in comparison with Boston who is a really stacked old team. Let's go Bullets!

But I dunno, there's been something all season that has made me doubt the Celtic's. Even after seeing them totally run through the regular season teams (East and West alike), I still just had an inclination that they would eventually lose a series somewhere in the playoffs.

I will now predict the Western bracket's with amazing clarity.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 17 Apr 2008 09:16

PLAYOFF PREDICTTIOONS West

LA
V
Denver
Winner: LA

Utah
V
Houston
Winner: Utah

San Antonio
V
Phoenix
Winner: Phoenix

New Orleans
V
Dallas
Winner: New Orleans
_____________________________________________________________

LA
V
Utah
Winner: LA

Phoenix
V
New Orleans
Winner: Phoenix
_____________________________________________________________

LA
V
Phoenix
Winner: LA
_____________________________________________________________

NBA FINALS:

LA
V
Detriot
Champions: Detriot

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 17 Apr 2008 09:19

The only two I had a hard time on in the first round were the Utah/Houston game and the Dallas/NO game. If Rafer Alston would've been healthy for the whole series, I probably would've picked Houston despite what happened last year. With Alston out for two games though I gave the nod to Utah who is a really good team.

Dallas/NO was even harder, especially after watching last nights game between the two. This one could really go either way...

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 17 Apr 2008 09:39

Did you just pick the team with more W's for all your predictions?

Toronto is going to school Orlando and make it to the second round.

Man, it's frustrating being a fan of a loser team, haha.

Actually they're not quite losers, they finished at .500.

sen · Post by **sen** » 17 Apr 2008 11:24

I'm cheering for them too Tom.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 17 Apr 2008 12:25

I like the Raptors in the theory, but you have to be concerned about their chances, given that they've been on such a losing streak going into the playoffs. They've lost something crazy, like 70% of their games over the last couple months. I also just don't see anybody on that team having the grit to take the team on their shoulders and win a series. Bosh is talented, but he's no franchise player yet.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 17 Apr 2008 14:21

If it's a game of Guards, then Toronto will win. If it's a game of Forwards, it'll go Orlando's way. Both teams have a post presence, but I just don't see anything in Toronto that makes me think they'll advance. Maybe a couple years down the line they'll have fired their coach and matured enough to the level where they can be consistent with their offense, and maybe learn to play defense.

Like said, Toronto's defense is terrible, and their offenense is only good when everyone is working on the same page and things are clicking. Orlando is just a much more consistent team, and plus your coach has absolutely no business being in charge of an NBA team. His decision making and matchup knowledge are non-existent.

Did you just pick the team with more W's for all your predictions?

Nope

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 17 Apr 2008 15:10

I really enjoyed reading your view of the Raptors! I read all the sport pages about them and it was refreshing to see another view on them.

I find it really exciting when all their shit clicks together, but unfortunately shit is all out of whack lately.

They need to make some changes to the team for sure, I guess I look forward to next year then, haha. This will be my first time watching a basketball team I am rooting for go into the playoffs. I am looking forward to the ride, though I have no delusions that they have any chance of winning it all.

I have never really thought of Sam Mitchell as one of the weaknesses, why was he coach of the year last year?

They need experienced tough guys who can move around on the court looking confident. Too many of their players are a little too 'international' and as such look like poorly programmed robots.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 17 Apr 2008 16:12

The problem with the Raptor's (From the games I've seen) is that most times they allow themselves to play at the opponent's level, they rebound lazily, defend at a whim, drive rarely, and shoot way to many soft jumpers. Another thing that I've noticed is the whole team seems to go as Bargnani goes, which I don't understand. But if he plays well expect them to win.

As far as too many international players, it's definitely true. The Raptors would definitely give LA a run for their money in an annual "All-Blanco Game".

1) Raps: Calderon-Delfino-Kapono-Bargnani-Nesterovic (Brezec-Garbajosa)
2) Lakers: Vujacic-Karl-Walton-Radmanovic-Gasol (Mihm)

You decide.

I'll get in to Sam Mitchell later if I want to give myself a migraine. Probably later tonight.

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 19 Apr 2008 11:26

Watched the end of the Wiz-Cavs game. LeBron is for real. Watching Suns-Spurs now. I'm amazed how excited I am for this. I've been waiting for revenge for a year now, so let's hope we get it.