NBA Playoffs Thread 2008

[Lycanthrope]

Anyone else psyched for the NBA Playoffs this year? I know I am. I plan to keep this updated saying who has advanced, won games, etc.

First round:

East:

Boston vs. Atlanta (2-1 Boston)
Detroit vs. Philadelphia (1-2 Philadelphia)
Orlando vs. Toronto (3-1 Orlando)
Cleveland vs. Washington (2-1 Cleveland)

West:

Los Angelos Lakers vs. Denver (3-0 LA)
New Orleans vs. Dallas (2-1 New Orleans)
San Antonio vs. Phoenix (3-0 San Antonio)
Houston vs. Utah (1-2 Utah)

There are some great matchups here. I'm personally anticipating the San Antonio/ Phoenix, Houston/Utah, New Orleans/Dallas, and Cleveland/ Washington.

Here's a list of players I think can make a huge difference in some of these games:

Gilbert Arenas (Washington)
Chris Paul (New Orleans)
Kobe Bryant (Los Angelos)
Allen Iverson (Denver)
Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia)
Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Do you agree or disagree with me on any of these?

What ESPN.com says as of 4/18, day before the games begin:

ESPN - Who will win it all? The numbers speak - NBA

[T-M]

I still wish the Bulls could have made the playoffs. But they just had to lose to the time with the worst record last Tuesday. Anyway, it's Lakers all the way. It'll be Boston vs. Lakers in the Finals, but Lakers are going to totally dominate. Kobe's going to take both the Finals MVP and the League MVP.

[Lycanthrope]

Don't get me wrong, Kobe's a superb player, but for the MVP, it WILL be Chris Paul. I also think the Hornets will pull away with it in the West. They might not have the most experienced team, but they have 3 clutch veterans in Bobby Jackson, Bonzi Wells, and Peja. They also have back-up in the starting line-up with David West, who doesn't get enough credit.

[Krimsun Monkeh]

Yeah, I'm hoping CP3 will get the MVP. NOH didn't finish the season out strong since they lost like 3 out of their last 4 but, either way. CP3 has guided them to the top of the west so I think he should deserve it.

Right now, I'd probably want to watch the Denver vs. Lakers game since, it's got 2 of mah favorite players in it.( A.I. & Melo ) These two teams have high scoring offenses so that's always something that I enjoy about the games. I'm hoping for atleast 6 games in this series, even though L.A. will probably come out the winner. :/

[Lycanthrope]

The Denver Lakers will be superb, considering it is a 1/8 seed match-up with only 7 wins separting each other.

[Ecstasy]

I'm not a big fan of basketball, but my overwhelming amount of Boston pride pushes me to root for the Celtics<3333.

[Lycanthrope]

Boston is a fantastic team. However, I would love to see them lose in the second round to a Washington team wh oI can guarantee will surge back with Arenas coming back from his injuries. Some of his blog entries were kinda depressing/suicidal when he was in the middle of that 66 game absence.

[Valley of Chrome]

I can't believe what happened to Miami.

I guess i'm the only one who will root for the Jazz.

[blinkboy211]

I dislike the NBA in general and think College is way better. But for the sports fan in me i cant help but go with my matchups:
First i guess i will see if i can make a bracket and will revise it i guess after 1st round.

Boston vs. Atlanta= Boston
Detroit vs. Philadelphia= Destroit
Orlando vs. Toronto= Orlando
Cleveland vs. Washington (1-0 Cleveland)= Cleveland

Los Angelos Lakers vs. Denver= LA
New Orleans vs. Dallas= hmm hard choice....New Orleans
San Antonio vs. Phoenix=San Antonio
Utah vs. Houston=Utah

Boston Vs Cleveland= Boston in 7
Detroit Vs Orlando= Detroit in 6
Lackers Vs Utah=Lackers in 7
New Orleans Vs San Antonio=San Antonio in 5

Boston Vs Detroit=hmmm anaother hard pick but if Boston stays healthy i have to go Boston in 7
Lackers vs San Antonio= Lacker are good will Kobe but the consistancy of the big 3 of the Spurs along with Bowdens defense that team is going to make another finals appearance. 6 games
Boston VS San Antonio=Hard cause Spurs have experience in the finals. I like Boston's team this year but Garnett has been injuried on the stretch and its unclear how healthy he will be going through the playoffs. Spurs just have consistant play from their stars and with Duncan in the center i think we will see this Dynasty hold another trophy up in 6 games.

[Thelonepickle]

;-;

The Suns lost today. And I HATE the Spurs. Especially Tim Duncan.

So as I sit here in my flaming orange official Suns polo, I'm pretty upset, but not really, because it's still only the beginning, and I have faith in my team!

...Even Shaq. I guess. XD Still weird to see him, though. Lawl.

Anyway, I live in Jazz territory, so EVERYONE loves them, and I wear my bright orange Suns stuff and make them mad. >:3

[Lycanthrope]

I'm a huge Suns fan. However, their style has statistically failed in the NBA, a good reason why the 76ers are going to have a tough time against Detroit. Transition basketball isn't as helpful in a 7 game series against the same team when after a few games you know what you're going see from each other.

[Krimsun Monkeh]

I've never been a big fan of the Spurs... I still can't believe Duncan hit that 3-pointer. :/
Not a big fan of the Jazz either :/

I was hoping for a Rockets win tonight but sadly... Williams, Boozer, and AK47 ruined it.
The Rockets needed that win. :/ I don't know if they'll win this series now since Utah has such a great home record. Atleast Houston has got home-court advantage. :/

:/ I personally liked their fast pace offense with Shawn Marion before the trade. But, meh, whatev.

Detroit - 76ers game ought to be good. I'm gonna say Detroit will win... 4 - 1 xD, I feel like giving Philly a win.

The game I probably want to see the most is the Denver, Lakers game. I just can't get it out of my head. # 2,3, and 4 scorers in the league playing tomorrow. :D Now if only we had LeBron. :/

[Oblivionite]

Yeah..Bulls should get Jeff Van Gundy, hes a good coach.

Anyways, My predictions are that San Antonio will play Detroit again in the finals, and win.
I do not want to the Spurs to beat the Suns, but I think it will happen.

On the other hand, The Lakers look really exciting to watch this year.

Boston Celtics cannot beat the Pistons. They are simply overrated.

[Krimsun Monkeh]

I would laugh if the Celtics don't make it to the Eastern Finals. After all, they have been having trouble against LeBron this season. Who knows :/ Maybe even a possible upset again for #23? I doubt LeBron would lead the Cavs to the Finals though. They'd lose to Detroit... Fo sho...

[trini202]

i hate the wizards lost

i dont think gilbert arenas can really be a big factor because
1.) hes not even in the starting lineup\
2.) hes just not the same he needs some time to get his legs up under him he wont be the gilbert that we know and love probably until next season.

as for the finals i think the eastern conference will be
Boston vs Detroit-Boston in 6

and west
Lakers vs Spurs-im gonna be different and say Lakers in 7

and the champs will be-- the Lakers in 7.