NBA thread 2008/09

[michaeljohn]

New thread. The old one is closed and archived. This one will have a fresh start, let's make the most of it. Talk about teams, players, coaches, etc, just not who's best. That will be decided by factors beyond our control starting next month when the playoffs start.

Right now, every title contender is suffering from a key injury. Most of the rest of the pack seems snake bitten as well. Some players will be back, others won't. Meanwhile, the fight for playoff seeding continues. The top 5 should remain there but they need to jockey for position. If any team can achieve 64-18, I think that will be good enough for the best record. Every elite team will lose a few games down the stretch. The rest of the pack in both conferences are pretty close. The question is which teams can turn it up a notch to make sure they don't miss out, and develop some momentum as they go.

[michaeljohn]

Let's forget about the favorites for a moment. The east and west have some great races...6 teams in the east (seperated by 2 games) are fighting it out for the 8th seed, and a right to play the #1 seed. They'll all try, there's extra $ in playoff bonuses, plus national exposure against an elite team in round 1. Out west, seeds 3 to 8 are a fight for position as well and only 2 games seperate them. I and about everyone thinks Phoenix will miss out.

A few teams have been hot, and have since cooled down as well. (Jazz, Hornets, Mavs).

Back to the favorites....

West: should finish #1 Lakers, #2 Spurs.
East: Is up for grabs. Cleveland leads followed by Boston and Orlando. Cleveland plays most of their remaining games at home. I think they will lose at least another home game this year. I'll pick a surprise loss for them, late against the Celtics if they remain with only one loss at that time. See, Boston holds the home court record for a season at 40-1, and I think they won't want to share it.

Meanwhile, injuries are still affecting most of the teams. Some key players will return soon with time to get in shape for the playoffs. Hopefully, everyone that comes back will return to form.

[michaeljohn]

Andrew Bynum will be back for the Lakers soon, possibly Friday or Sunday. If Lakers avoid any more injuries, they will win it all this year.

clicky: Andrew Bynum | Q and A

Meanwhile, the race in the east is getting easier to call. 2md and 3rd, 5th and 6th have races, but most of the teams fighting for 8th have fallen way back. The west, who knows what order 2-8 will end up in...

[joerockhead]

Lets Go NUGGETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yeah Baby!!!!!

[michaeljohn]

Originally Posted by joerockhead

Lets Go NUGGETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yeah Baby!!!!!

Looks like you will get the number 2 seed. I thought the Spurs would win out and steal it from you.

Lakers vs. Nuggets tonight. We get our center back tonight:

[joerockhead]

Originally Posted by michaeljohn

Looks like you will get the number 2 seed. I thought the Spurs would win out and steal it from you.

Lakers vs. Nuggets tonight. We get our center back tonight:

Not to worry, I know the Lakers are an Excellent team. The Nuggets can play them and beat them, but not 100% confident we could win the series.

I just hope then can make it to the WCF and give the Lakers a 6 or 7 game series. That would be fun.

[MrEfrisk]

It is a lot easier for this lakers to win it all this year. The only team from the west that scares me is Portland, but their inexperience since theyre a young team will be their downfall. The nuggets are better than last year but the Lakers should have no trouble against them since they match up well against Denver and have beaten them I think all 4 times this season. San Antonio is done for and Utah is worse as well.

Meanwhile in the east Boston was a lot better last year so the Lakers as they already demonstrated in the regular season, can take them out. However Boston will not get past Cleveland, the best team in the east. The Lakers match up well against Cleveland and swept the 2 game regular season series with them.

[BackdoorJesus]

[joerockhead]

MJ - I sure hop Kobe and your Lakers can beat the Cav's. This is the last shot for Kobe!

But I really just hope my Nuggets make it to the Conference Finals!!!

[koЯnut]

Originally Posted by joerockhead

MJ - I sure hop Kobe and your Lakers can beat the Cav's. This is the last shot for Kobe!

Kobe's last shot?? Are you high on Harley fumes?

The Lakers are still very young, deep and hungry. They will be there for the next few years bro.

[canu]

I think my S.A.Spurs are history for this year,doubt they make it to second round

[joerockhead]

I agree the Spurs are in trouble

I Believe that the Lakers will NOT be upset in the playoffs, Kobe will not let that happen. They may lose a couple more games, but no series. That includes the Championship.
I agree that the Lakers are have some great starters and will compete for any more years, my thoughts are that Lebron will win a few starting next year. Unless the $$ issue raises it's head.

I would love for my Nuggets to some how pull it all out!

I would be very happy with a Nuggets/Laker's WCC for six games.

[joerockhead]

Nuggets 121
Hornets 63


OUCH!!!!

[michaeljohn]

Originally Posted by joerockhead

Nuggets 121
Hornets 63


OUCH!!!!

yeah, that was fierce. Now you get the Mavs who you beat 4-0. If we get Houston next, we can say the same thing. I am not worried about Portland, we win in the Rose Garden when it counts. Plus, they can't win in LA.

Chances are Lakers vs. Nuggets for the Western Conference Championship!

[joerockhead]

Originally Posted by michaeljohn

yeah, that was fierce. Now you get the Mavs who you beat 4-0. If we get Houston next, we can say the same thing. I am not worried about Portland, we win in the Rose Garden when it counts. Plus, they can't win in LA.

Chances are Lakers vs. Nuggets for the Western Conference Championship!

YES!! We match up well against the Mavs!!! and after the Nuggets played pretty well in Round 1, they know they can play hard!

I would love a Lakers/Nuggets series!!!