View Full Version : 2004-05 NBA thread
Ian McCracken
17 Apr 2005, 04:04 PM
Looks like the Cavs are done, with the Pistons' backups beating them today. New Jersey now controls their own destiny. A hot New Jersey against a cold Heat in the first round? A first round upset waiting to happen.
simon99
17 Apr 2005, 04:11 PM
The 76ers over the Pistons in the first round is the most plausible upset, and it's a long shot, a very long shot but Iverson against his former coach could be very interesting.
But I hope the 76ers can win their last 3 and move to the sixth spot to avoid Miami and Detroit.
ibreak4coffee
17 Apr 2005, 04:16 PM
Looks like the Cavs are done, with the Pistons' backups beating them today. New Jersey now controls their own destiny. A hot New Jersey against a cold Heat in the first round? A first round upset waiting to happen.
You're kidding I hope... check NJ's recent schedule... not exactly Heat caliber opposition... Miami-NJ in the first round is about as close to a lock as you can get.
dark knight
17 Apr 2005, 06:13 PM
I don't know - NJ have a lot of playoff experience especially in their point guard and if Vinsanity gets rolling they might be able to cause some problems for Miami. Sure it's a long shot -- and I still think it's too bad they got rid of the best of 5 in the first round -- but NJ aren't a terrible team. I wonder if RJ is getting close?
BorrachoNJ
17 Apr 2005, 06:20 PM
rj is recovering quick, according to his doctors (he's in his sixth week of rehab out of a diagnosed eight, if i remember correctly). but how effective he would be against a tough miami team. well, i don't know about that.
i just want the wins against philly, washington and celts...
skipshady
18 Apr 2005, 01:41 AM
I don't know - NJ have a lot of playoff experience especially in their point guard...What do you mean? They lost Jacque Vaughn for the season and Travis Best doesn't exactly inspire confi... Oh right.
Yeah, I'm not convinced by NJ either. They've played a pretty soft schedule the past month or so.
I'm more mystified by Cleveland though. A couple of months ago, they were running on all cylinders. I really thought they had a balanced, albeit young, team that played well around Lebron. I'd hate to be a Cavaliers fan right now, thinking about Lebron's future with the team.
Val1
18 Apr 2005, 09:04 AM
I'm more mystified by Cleveland though. A couple of months ago, they were running on all cylinders. I really thought they had a balanced, albeit young, team that played well around Lebron. I'd hate to be a Cavaliers fan right now, thinking about Lebron's future with the team.
Well, Z went down, and even though he's back, he's still limping apparently. Firing a coach midseason on a team enroute to the playoffs NEVER makes sense. And Gooden seems to be only scoring 10-12 points a game which is forcing LeBron into having to put up Kobe-like nights, which as we know, starts to destroy team chemistry after a while. So the rest of the team takes off, which requires even a more God-like night and the cycle only gets worse.
ibreak4coffee
18 Apr 2005, 11:11 AM
Well, Z went down, and even though he's back, he's still limping apparently. Firing a coach midseason on a team enroute to the playoffs NEVER makes sense. And Gooden seems to be only scoring 10-12 points a game which is forcing LeBron into having to put up Kobe-like nights, which as we know, starts to destroy team chemistry after a while. So the rest of the team takes off, which requires even a more God-like night and the cycle only gets worse.
Their achilles heel has also been their play on the road... absolutely terrible stuff. If they win tomorrow though, I like their chances... playing Toronto should be an easy win, especially since I think those guys wouldnt mind tanking the final game to ensure VC and NJ dont make the playoffs.
dark knight
18 Apr 2005, 11:32 AM
What do you mean? They lost Jacque Vaughn for the season and Travis Best doesn't exactly inspire confi... Oh right.
Yeah, I'm not convinced by NJ either. They've played a pretty soft schedule the past month or so.
I'm more mystified by Cleveland though. A couple of months ago, they were running on all cylinders. I really thought they had a balanced, albeit young, team that played well around Lebron. I'd hate to be a Cavaliers fan right now, thinking about Lebron's future with the team.
It's a shame that NJ may make it at the expense of Lebron - and it's a shame that they are playing him such heavy minutes at this stage in his career - I'm not sure a first round loss is worth it. RJ apparently is really close and may get clearance before the playoffs start. Meanwhile Shaq had to leave the game yesterday with a thigh bruise.
Speaking of upsets, San Antonio have to be worried with Duncan hopefully just getting back and a first round matchup with an unbelievably hot Denver team. If San Antonio go down, you got to feel like the title is anyone's for the taking. I'm also disappointed that the two other Texas teams may meet in the first round - I'd like to see both of them go a little deeper.
skipshady
18 Apr 2005, 11:40 AM
Honestly, I don't know who will come out of the West. I can't even predict the Final 4.
Who knows if Seattle and Phoenix can keep running in the playoffs? The refs could very well put away the whistles and allow hand checks (or conversely, start calling moving picks).
Denver is clearly the hottest team right now and they face the favorites in the first round. Houston has a bunch of veterans who have been there. Dallas might just put it together. Memphis, again, is the team no one wants to face in the playoffs.
Nothing short of George Karl growing hair would surprise me in the West.
Paul.eta
18 Apr 2005, 12:25 PM
Seattle VS Rockets will be interesting. Houston has the edge winning the series thusfar 2-1, wednesday will set the tone for the playoffs between them. Hopefully Seattle doesn't run into injury problems like they've been facing the past couple of weeks. We could use our six man, Radmanovic, right about now :(
hangthadj
19 Apr 2005, 11:15 AM
The 76ers over the Pistons in the first round is the most plausible upset, and it's a long shot, a very long shot but Iverson against his former coach could be very interesting.
I would love to say you are right, since I am a big Sixers fan and Iverson fan. But, I just don't see it. That's the qworst matchup for the Sixers. Believe me, Brown knows Iverson's tendencies better than anyone. Prince will be put on Iverson if Iverson starts taking over the series, and trutfully I am unsure the Sixers have enough help for AI to win this series on his own, which he essentially will have to do.
Ian McCracken
19 Apr 2005, 10:16 PM
We have a Darko sighting! Milicic pours in 16 points, his career high by far, as the 2nd and 3rd string Pistons dismantle Atlanta by 27. Eleven wins in a row for the defending, and soon-to-be repeat NBA champions.
Paul.eta
19 Apr 2005, 11:24 PM
We have a Darko sighting! Milicic pours in 16 points, his career high by far, as the 2nd and 3rd string Pistons dismantle Atlanta by 27. Eleven wins in a row for the defending, and soon-to-be repeat NBA champions.
LOL so you beat hotlanta, one of the worst teams in the league. congradulations :rolleyes:
Philly and D-town should be interesting, I'll say 4:2 in Philly's favour.
skipshady
19 Apr 2005, 11:31 PM
Milicic pours in 16 pointsThey mentioned this in the Book of Revelation. I'm going down to my bunker. See y'all in a year.
Ian McCracken
20 Apr 2005, 12:22 AM
LOL so you beat hotlanta, one of the worst teams in the league. congradulations :rolleyes:
Philly and D-town should be interesting, I'll say 4:2 in Philly's favour.
They beat Atlanta with no Rasheed, no Rip, and the other three starters all played half the game or less. Darko...yes, Darko...played 30 minutes. Carlos Delfino played 41, Carlos Arroyo 29, heck even Elden Campbell logged 21 minutes. They were up by 36 and coasted the entire game, and it was on the road.
Philly's got no shot. None. 4-1 for the Pistons, max.
Paul.eta
20 Apr 2005, 02:00 AM
Sorry, but you're praise for D-town isn't impressive. Hotlanta has rookies (two starters); young players with some "seasoned" veterans on the team, but they WORST team in the league. You guys lost to them once this season at home (yes without wallace and mcdyess) and struggled to beat them the game before todays in OT. Pistons only won last year because payton, malone weren't putting up numbers and I wouldnt contribute it to the Pistons "defence," they were just horrible in the playoffs. Payton isn't/wasn't comfortable with the triangle offence either. D-town ain't gon win this year, have you forgot about umm...Miami and the West?
dark knight
20 Apr 2005, 09:53 AM
Last day for this thread. I think NJ is due for a hiccup, but hopefully the Celtics will rest their starters.
ibreak4coffee
20 Apr 2005, 10:53 AM
Last day for this thread. I think NJ is due for a hiccup, but hopefully the Celtics will rest their starters.
I cant see Boston giving much effort... Cavs will destroy Raptors though, and curse the fact they will miss the playoffs through a tie-breaker...
skipshady
20 Apr 2005, 12:49 PM
Last day for this thread. I think NJ is due for a hiccup, but hopefully the Celtics will rest their starters.
Doc says he'll play the regulars the same minutes as the last game, as in normal minutes for the first 3 then bring out the scrubs for the 4th.