moshpotatoes: Nba Playoff Predictions

JamesDay 10.13.13	Wanna c the bulls win it all!
jdennis31 10.13.13	NBA needs more parity. Wasn't really excited for last NBA season cause I was sure the Heat were going to win. Same thing for this year.
larrytheslug 10.13.13	why you disrespecting the spurs? they have the same team!
treeqt. 10.13.13	Last season got fucked by injuries and dwight howard/jim buss being fucking retards. It could have been a lot more interesting, but factoring in all the injuries there were only like 2 and a half legit teams left. This season has the potential to be a lot more interesting. East top 3 I can agree with. I'd put the Bulls ahead of the Nets because muhh drose but I wouldn't be surprised if it went either way. Heat not finishing first I think is possible but it would definitely surprise me. The Knicks are barely gonna make the playoffs if at all. I don't like anything they got. Pacers definitely fourth with the potential of finishing higher if they're feeling it. Celtics are DEFINITELY not make the playoffs. They literally got nothing. Cavs finish fifth. They got a couple amazing players but still lack experience and Bynum will somehow fuck things up not letting them go higher or far in the playoffs. John Wallshington Bradley Bealzards sixth because wall is fucking elite and the east is pretty bad after the top 4 or 5. Seventh and eighth I neither have a clue nor does it matter at all for the post-season. West top 3 will be Spurs, Warriors and Clippers. Spurs because they're the spurs and all they do is win. Warriors because they're lineup is insanely good at every position and Curry is a literal god. Clippers because the combo of cp3 and doc rivers alone would made me place them top 4. Add to that an incredibly well rounded roster and we're at 3. Dubs > Spurs > Clips I'd say. 4 & 5 will be a battle between the Rockets and Grizzlies. Both won't finish higher because Howard is retarded and the Grizzlies just lack that little something special (that the Rockets would have in Harden). Grizzlies > Rockets for me because they're more well rounded, have that defense and won't lose their games against each other. For the Thunder it really depends when and how Westbrook will come back. They can finish anywhere from sixth to not in the playoffs at all. The Nuggets have a decent shot at finishing ahead of them even with Westbrook with the way McGee was looking offensively against the Lakers and Ty Lawson is legit. The Lakers technically still have 3 future hall of famers and they seem to be motivated and having fun. They won't touch the top 5 but 6-8 are open depending on how the Thunder and Nuggets will end up playing. If everything goes right and no one gets injured west finals will be clips vs dubs with the dubs winning. East finals will be heat vs bulls with idontwanttomakeapredictionforthis winning. Dubs win it all. STEPH CURRY WHAT A PLAYER
treeqt. 10.13.13	curry mvp & finals mvp steve blake 6th man mcgee most improved lebron defensive olynyk rookie mark jackson coach all nba team curry harden lebron duncan noah
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	"why you disrespecting the spurs? they have the same team!" Well, you got the Clippers who are easily the most elite team in the west but didn't show it last year because it was their first year together with that certain roster. Even though they made a trade to tweak their roster a great bit, their core players are still there and should be ready to compete and with Doc Rivers on their side, there shouldnt be a team that will get in their way in the And you have Warriors, who are an extremely young team and went SHOCKINGLY deep into the playoffs last year, which all that does is make them a more experienced and skilled team, and adding Andre iguodala and Jermaine Oneal does that hurt one bit.
Calc 10.13.13	yay spurs!!
hiyabootchie 10.13.13	Bulls bitches.
Dunpeal 10.13.13	as long as the bitchass heat don't win again, i'm good
AtomicShane 10.13.13	blazers >
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	And age is b*tch. Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili are getting ineffective and I truly believe Danny Green's miraculous 3-point shooting and Gary Neal's smart playmaking was just a fluke and highly doubt they can pull that off next year(maybe they can a little bit during the reg season but not the playoffs or the FINALS.) kawhi leonard on the other hand is their most solid player.
Dunpeal 10.13.13	don't think gary neal is still a spur
jdennis31 10.13.13	I love the Warriors, and Stephen Curry has been my favorite player for a few years now (though you could add sprained ankle to his permanent bio), but I can't see them hitting the ridiculous amount of 3s at the % they did last year. Kind of have big defensive liabilities in Curry and Lee, and one somewhat in klay thompson. Bogut and Igoudala are studs on defense, but it's kind of hard to contend with an offense like the Spurs with only 2 good defenders.
jdennis31 10.13.13	Yea, gary neal is with the bucks or something now.
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	idk it's not all about the 3s with stephen, he showed that he's becoming a great PG, his handles and court vision was sick last year!
jdennis31 10.13.13	@mosh ginobli is pretty bad now, but Parker and Duncan were still effective into the playoffs. I mean with age, they could completely fall apart this year, but nothing to really indicate that they will. Danny Green's 3 point shooting was somewhat of a fluke, in that he couldn't make anything once the Heat actually started paying attention to him.
jdennis31 10.13.13	@moshpotatoes ahh yea, he is a great playmaker as well, but they pretty much just outscored people to win last year. Unless they can replicate the success they had last year shooting 3's, they are going to have to step up quite a bit on defense, which is very plausible with another year having passed and the addition of igoudala.
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	Oh and don't take Boston out of the playoff picture either. The trade they did wasnt that terrible. Hopefully Rondo will stay healthy and do his thing and I believe Jeff Green will emerge into a superstar this year. They also found an unexpected gem in the draft this year: kelly olynyk is an awesome player! I'm also the biggest Wizards fan and I can tell you Jordan Crawford fits creepily perfect as a Celtic and he will do some amazing things too.
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	@jdennis31 last year made me somewhat of a Warrior fan (mostly a Curry fan) but I'll be rooting for them this season.
jdennis31 10.13.13	+1 Jordan Crawford. Irrational confidence guys can do amazing things for a team when they are hot. See: Nate Robinson for the Bulls last year
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	Nah, Ive seen Jordan Crawford play for 2 season and half for the wizards ( I watch 90% of the wizards season every year) He has pure skill.
jdennis31 10.13.13	Ahh yea, he's good, no knock on him as a player. "Irrational confidence guy" is just a Bill Simmons term he uses for guys who aren't necessarily superstars, but can and will shoot from anywhere like they are a superstar.
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	oh lol idk, I never thought he made bad decisions with the ball, then after he got traded that was the pitiful excuse the wizard organization said for trading him. Total bs
skeames1214 10.13.13	I know very little about the nba, but as far as name recognition goes, seems to me like the Nets are gonna be pretty good. I know every player on their starting five, and I don't think I can say that about any other team.
jdennis31 10.13.13	Well Joe Johnson is probably the worst shooting guard ever, but the rest of their roster is pretty solid.
jdennis31 10.13.13	jk, i just have sports hate for him
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	The nets are my team to beat the pussy ass heat and win it all.
skeames1214 10.13.13	Plus they have a guy with the nickname AK-47.
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	The Nets have the greatest combination of players I have ever seen, 2 future hall of famers (Garnett, Pierce) and amazing veterens (Williams, Johnson, Blatche) and a future All-Star Brook Lopez! The roster just gives me chills everytime I think about it
Dunpeal 10.13.13	idk bout all that. i mean they look better than avg on paper, but is garnett gonna be relegated to backing up Lopez cuz he damn sure can't play the 4 anymore?
jdennis31 10.13.13	Don't understand why Blatche lost so many minutes last year. In the beginning of the year, he had the highest rebound rate % of any center or power forward, and was an extremely efficient scorer. I would argue that he was their best player for the first few weeks of the season. Then his minutes dropped, and he wasn't used very much. I think it was because someone was coming back from injury, not completely sure. Deron Williams looked like he was about to drop into obscurity, but then he played at an MVP level for the 2nd half of the season. I still don't like Joe Johnson. High volume shooters who can't shoot a decent % of their shots when they have limited opportunities, are the dumbest investments any gm can make imo. Plus, he gets paid sooooo much money.
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	"Don't understand why Blatche lost so many minutes last year." He's just a punk off the court. That's why the wizards got rid of him.
jdennis31 10.13.13	Ahh I see. I just read this on espn, made me laugh. "Denver's kicker, Matt Prater, has five more points (56) than Jacksonville has all year."
zxlkho 10.13.13	how can anyone actually enjoy watching the nba i don't get it
jdennis31 10.13.13	Opposed to what?
LambsBread 10.13.13	Every modern NBA player that doesn't play for the blazers is a fucking asshole.
LambsBread 10.13.13	and Matt Bonner of course!
jdennis31 10.13.13	I once ate at a Soup or Salad next to my apartment in San Antonio and Matt Bonner was there. Had no idea it was him til a family asked for his photograph and he stood up. What the fuck is an NBA player doing eating at Soup or Salad...
toxin. 10.13.13	heat aren't gonna win it all. too much fatigue (not just physical but mental), and bosh/wade are playing worse in the playoffs per season. i saw it myself when the lakers (3 finals in a row) got swept by the mavs. the mavs were the better team 4sho but the nagging issues (kobe's health, oj's health) brought them down. i see the pacers beating the heat this season in the ECF, and pretty handily (prob in 6). wouldn't be surprised to see thunder-pacers in the finals, with durant as finals mvp (i know okc is weaker but westbrook + durant is unstoppable)
toxin. 10.13.13	PJ's* lol
jdennis31 10.13.13	Heat's bench is dumb now. I would put them in ECF even if they traded away Bosh and Wade. Lebron James seems to be on a Kobe esque mental lock for championships, so I can't see his mental stamina wearing down this year. I do agree that the Pacers have a good shot to take on the Heat. I think the Thunder are going to be incredibly underwhelming this year, and the extension for Sergio instead of Harden will appear more and more like a terrible decision. Also, not amnestying Perkins... wtf.
jdennis31 10.13.13	Well, I guess the bench's potential is dumb. That is assuming Michael Beasley actually learned that defense is a part of basketball. If Greg Oden doesn't pull a Brandon Roy on his comeback attempt, that is just icing on the cake.
jdennis31 10.13.13	Is there a rule that says NBA coaches can't be players? It'd be hilarious to see Nets lose all their pgs and have Kidd go in.
toxin. 10.13.13	yeah the heat's bench is a huge question mark. tons of upside and they have fuckin lebron james on their team to inspire them but at the same time: beasley, oden are huge question marks, allen, andersen, haslem, and battier are all aging (even if birdman doesn't seem it), and cole is really inconsistent. and yeah lebron's on another level right now which is why it's hard to bet against him so we'll have to see. chicago's gonna be a huge issue for the heat as well, jimmy butler neutralized lebron the most you can (he shot like ~40% against butler) with the help of noah, and adding rose (and tiring out lebron cuz lebron is the only one that can stop rose) is gonna make that even worse
jdennis31 10.13.13	I forgot about the Bulls. They had Lebron guarding Nate Robinson for stretches and he still had some difficulty, so I can see Rose giving him some trouble with fatigue. I want to see Paul George pack on a little more weight/muscle. He seems like the perfect guy, skill set and size wise, to shutdown Lebron. On top of that, he has Hibbert in the paint for some insurance.. Actually, if Paul George improves at the rate he has over the last 3 years, I can definitely agree that they have a great chance to beat the Heat.
toxin. 10.13.13	Definitely agreed. Paul George has potential to be a great LeBron stopper (well as good as you'll get). The Bulls are a question mark. Defensively they're pretty much set against the Heat (how many times can say that!) but offensively I don't think they have the firepower to score enough to win
skeames1214 10.13.13	Guys I don't really give a shit about the nba but last years finals broke my fucking heart.
jdennis31 10.13.13	I like sports, but rarely care for the outcome, unless I'm rooting against a team. That said, I was definitely rooting against the Heat last finals, and that Ray Allen shot was probably the first time I was genuinely sad because of a sport.
manosg 10.13.13	East I can't see the Celtics reach the playoffs and I think the Cavs will be better than the Wizzards. West I think Thunder will be higher, the Nuggets fight for an 8th position and the Lakers are a big question mark atm.
Dunpeal 10.13.13	I'll be shocked if the lakers make the playoffs and that's coming from a huge laker fan.
skeames1214 10.13.13	I'm a big college basketball fan. My parents went to KU, so the I'm a fan of the Jayhawks, and they're the only sports team to have made me both utterly elated (2008 championship) and completely crushed (every other year).
manosg 10.13.13	@Dunpeal Same here. Their preseason matches are a bit encouraging though. "I'm a big college basketball fan." In college and the Euroleague is where new stuff (tactics-wise) is being born imo. You can see new stuff there much more often than in the NBA.
Dunpeal 10.13.13	i wouldn't know. i don't follow college hoops. i do know however that Mike Brown was supposed to implement teh wonderous Princeton offense and we all know how that worked out
jdennis31 10.13.13	I like the drama that accompanies pro level sports. I know there is a lot of college sports drama as well, but it's like the difference between watching a movie with A-list stars, and watching a tv drama.
jdennis31 10.13.13	I sometimes find that I enjoy offseason more than the actual season....
manosg 10.13.13	"i do know however that Mike Brown was supposed to implement teh wonderous Princeton offense and we all know how that worked out" There are a few reasons why the Princeton offense didn't work. Some, according to articles I've read, are that the system needs unselfish players, a stretch-4, a number of excellent ball handlers etc. Also, I think that the Lakers' management tried to correct a mistake and did another one in hiring D'Antoni. His teams have never played defense...
skeames1214 10.13.13	@jdennis yeah but the jayhawks are breaking bad
Dunpeal 10.13.13	that's mostly my point. i mean if you take everything you just said out of context, wouldn't those things generally lead to a winning team? (unselfish players, stretch-4, excellent ballhandlers) also, I would add that I don't think D'Antoni was a serious long-term hire. i think he's more of a gap-filler, which sorta sucks because they're wasting Kobe's time, but Kobe's salary is part of the problem anyway, but that's another issue entirely
manosg 10.13.13	"wouldn't those things generally lead to a winning team?" Oh yeah, definitely. But last year they didn't have what all championship teams have; a great defense. D'Antoni's teams never play defense which worries me a lot. D'Antoni's contract expires at the end of the next year, so he really needs to create a winning situation fast or start rebuilding the team. Imo LA did a huge mistake when they signed him as a coach when they could have brought Phil Jackson back.
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	I think the Lakers have a good shot at the playoffs this year, I mean come one; it's the LAKERS! But Nick Young is gonna carry that team, and ive been watching their preseason and Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman have some CRAZY team chemistry. and if you don't think Kobe is gonna be the same player after his injury and his age? Just watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq76taCapdM It's unbelievable how kobe can play at such a high level even though he is old as dirt lol
moshpotatoes 10.13.13	And why are you guys talking bad about the Heat's bench? I hate the Heat with the passion (my biggest problem with them is Wade and Lebron) but their bench players are terrifyingly good. I have no clue what the Heats starting lineup will be, but here are a handful of talented players I'm gonna assume is gonna be their backup players: Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Roger Mason JR, Shane Battier (4 of the most deadliest 3pt shooters in the league, and Ray Allen IS the greatest 3pt shooter in the history of the NBA) Norris Cole (an outstanding backup point guard) Micheal Beasly (can easily be a starter for another team) and Haslem and Birdman (2 very talented bigmen) So in other words their whole bench could be taken and then let David Stern create a team and throw them in the west, and put those players on that team and they could easily make the last playoff spot...
treeqt. 10.13.13	you spelled east wrong
intotheshit 10.14.13	You guys realize that all of you probably said the same thing about the Heat last year? And lol at calling the old as shit Nets the "greatest collection of players ever." Two old men, a selfish point guard, and a streaky shooter at the 2. HILARIOUS.
treeqt. 10.14.13	ya the nets are the weakest of the top 3 in the east and definitely no title contender like lmao.
skeames1214 10.14.13	alright, cards on the table here, the seattle supersonics take the crown from the heat this year.
qiblas 10.14.13	Probably the Tigers or the Jets
skeames1214 10.14.13	the Jets have been terrible since Sanchez left for the premier league. How they gonna beat the supersonics with no sluggers?
treeqt. 10.14.13	lol @tigers losing yesterday btw
skeames1214 10.14.13	oh c'mon how can you not be rooting for them? Do you really want a Cardinals-Sox world series? I don't care about baseball, but I live in a baseball town, and good god it's gonna be awful if it happens.
treeqt. 10.14.13	I'm a Yankees fan mate this is a HOW THE FUCK DO YOU STILL LOSE THIS GAME HOW FUCKING SHIT ARE BOTH THOSE TEAMS kind of lol
skeames1214 10.14.13	Oh, haha. I'm a Royals fan (explains why I'm not super invested in baseball) living in city that roots for the cardinals (i.e. any city in Missouri that isn't KC), so I pretty much despise any team that's experienced even a modicum of success in the last 20 years.
robertsona 10.14.13	knicks r going 82-0
klap 10.14.13	no fucking way are the celtics making the playoffs
skeames1214 10.14.13	yeah, they're more likely to finish last in the east, imo. They're probably gonna trade Rondo as soon as he proves he's healthy, and I don't think they'll actually be trying. Jeff Green is the only player on that team that's looked impressive to me.
klap 10.14.13	calling the nets the greatest assemblage of talent you've ever seen would make sense if this was like 2005
skeames1214 10.14.13	I feel like they could be really great in the playoffs, though. The older guys probably have enough energy for one more playoff run, and that's all that really matters. If you can get Pierce and Garnett playing at peak form against the heat, and Deron Williams plays well, I can definitely see them giving the heat problems. Garnett is gonna make that team a lot better on defense.
robertsona 10.14.13	i think the heat will three-peat and everyone will yawn tbqh
skeames1214 10.14.13	Yeah, probably. Lebron's really good. I don't watch a lot of NBA anymore, but when I see him play it's pretty clear that he's always the best player on the floor. And his defending, holy shit. I don't know how anyone gets a shot off on him. He's a freak.
moshpotatoes 10.14.13	"And lol at calling the old as shit Nets the "greatest collection of players ever." Two old men, a selfish point guard, and a streaky shooter at the 2. HILARIOUS" "calling the nets the greatest assemblage of talent you've ever seen would make sense if this was like 2005" When they win the finals, I'm gonna leave a comment on both of your pages. 100% bragging rights for eternity.
klap 10.14.13	feel free. i would actually bet money on this not happening
treeqt. 10.14.13	i would bet my future surgically perfected 11/10 epitome of an average correan goddess gf on this not happening
manosg 10.14.13	Agreed. The Bulls, Pacers and Knicks are better teams than NJ. If DRose stays healthy, the Bulls will have a good shot at the title too.
treeqt. 10.14.13	bulls yes, pacers maybe/probably, the knicks .........ok look the knicks can be fortunate if they get into the playoffs without any drama
manosg 10.14.13	I feel that their season will depend on how successfully they integrate Bargnani to their system.
skeames1214 10.14.13	depending on Bargnani for anything is a pretty terrifying prospect.
manosg 10.14.13	haha yeah. Having Bargnani at the court means that Chandler will have to defend for two people.
treeqt. 10.14.13	i mean he was already defending for like 4 and a half players last season so that's ok i guess
skeames1214 10.14.13	At least he's used to it.
manosg 10.14.13	Rumors say that JR Smith might even be in the starting 5 this years which doesn't make thing easier.
BallsToTheWall 10.14.13	THREEPEAT
manosg 10.14.13	They're definitely the favorites. Having Allen and Beasley coming of the bench, an almost healthy Oden and Pat Riley's guidance is damn scary. The Pacers and the Bulls will get the best of them though.
klap 10.14.13	oladipo for ROY!
EyesWideShut 10.14.13	THREEPEAT
skeames1214 10.14.13	REHEAT PET
moshpotatoes 10.14.13	For those of you saying that Boston can't make the playoffs, please give me another team that can take their place? The only team I can see is the Pistons, but they still have another year to get adjusted.
skeames1214 10.14.13	I was gonna say the Pistons.
skeames1214 10.14.13	Hawks, too.
treeqt. 10.14.13	bill & jalen will tell you in the next couple of days
manosg 10.14.13	What skeames said. Both teams are question marks though, especially Detroit. When will Rondo return?
moshpotatoes 10.14.13	"Hawks, too" hahahahahaahahahah
BallsToTheWall 10.14.13	THREEPEAT
klap 10.14.13	Pistons, Hawks. if you think the Hawks aren't better than the Celtics you don't watch much basketball
skeames1214 10.14.13	is mush basketball where they play with a flat ball?
moshpotatoes 10.14.13	:) hehe
moshpotatoes 10.14.13	"if you think the Hawks aren't better than the Celtics you don't watch much basketball" I've seen the hawks make the playoffs for the past 7 years and get knocked out the most pathetic way possible, they're a pathetic team that has no desire to go anywhere further than they potentially could. And now it's 2013 and they have lost their whole identity. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith are gone, it makes me laugh that their best player is Jeff Teague. And it makes me laugh that Jeff did everything he could to leave the hawks until they gave him a max contract that wasn't even needed. So yeah, I think you might be the one who doesn't watch much basketball.
skeames1214 10.14.13	oh c'mon you just destroyed my comment's relevancy
klap 10.14.13	Al horford is their best player lol
klap 10.14.13	Johnson was gone last year and they still made the playoffs. They replaced Smith with Millsap who may be less talented but is more efficient and a better team player. Their starting lineup is legit. Given it doesn't take much to make the playoffs in the East I have them slotted in at 6-7 easy
treeqt. 10.14.13	its funny and sad how the vast majority of teams is completely irrelevant
Relinquished 10.14.13	THREEPEAT GET AT EM
skeames1214 10.14.13	HEAT GREET TAME APE
skeames1214 10.14.13	shit that wasn't even right
TooManyFriends 10.14.13	Hawks are way better than Celtics. Addition by subtraction getting rid of Josh Smith, got Millsap, and kept quality pieces like Teague and Korver around
skeames1214 10.14.13	Smith is way too good on defense for that to be addition by subtraction.
klap 10.14.13	ehh he sabotaged their offense on a regular basis. millsap fits in better with that team
moshpotatoes 10.14.13	I'll admit, Millsap and Brand are a great duo but I feel Boston has a much better roster. Rajon Rondo, Jeff green, Avery Bradley, Courtney Lee, Jordan Crawford, Kelley Olynyk, and Brandon Bass. And that's not to mention their blockbuster trade which adds 'Wallace and Humphries' who are two great replacement players for Garnett and Pierce and gets rid of those big contracts and soon to be washed up "hall of famers" and they received a butt load of 1st round picks. and I'm also gonna add the Boston is looking great in the preseason, as they blew the hell out of the Knicks while the Hawks just got blew out by the Pelicans...
skeames1214 10.14.13	Just noticed the lakers on here. Am I missing something? I thought they were supposed to be awful.
klap 10.14.13	bradley, lee, crawford, and bass are average players at best and lean more towards mediocre than anything else. olynyk is a rookie who is going to be asked to do too much. i wouldn't be surprised if boston deals rondo, either. and jeff green is too passive to be a star
moshpotatoes 10.14.13	"Just noticed the lakers on here. Am I missing something? I thought they were supposed to be awful." I like their team this year... and visit this link: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/19/metta-world-peace-the-lakers-are-going-to-go-to-the-nba-finals even though I DON'T believe they can make it to the finals, I do believe they can pull the final playoff spot but if they don't, I'll say either the Mavs or the Trailblazers will take it.