Post by Portland Blazers on Oct 29, 2006 12:37:07 GMT -5
We are 4 weeks into the second season and there are some suprises.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
1.New York. The Knicks remain the team to beat in the East.The knicks are lead by Shaq who just doesn't seem to slow down in spite of his age.Iverson is a strong offensive force when his shots are on target but when they aren't...well....The addition of Chris Bosh has made the Knicks tough.
2. New Jersey-New Jersey is still a force in the east but play in the toughest division in the league.
3.Toronto is also tough and have a chance to make a repeat appearance in the finals.
4.Philadelphia-Went to conference finals last season and also have the chance to repeat.
5.Boston-Tied for 8th spot in playoffs but lost out to Indiana due to poor conference record.They might make it over the hump this year but its doubtful that they will get past the first round
Southeast-
1.Miami-The Heat are the top rated team in the league at this point and are in line for their first playoff appearance.
2.Orlando-Don't let their record fool you.The Magic started 0-5 but since the return of Grant Hill and Erick Dampier have gone 7-3.They are returning to the early form they had last year before being hit with injuries.
3. Charlotte is having a good year but may not have enough horses to make the top 8
4.Atlanta-Should become a better team with the aquisisition of Marbury,Green and Howard.When LeBron returns Atlanta could become a force.
5.Washington is still lacking a GM and the right combination of players to make the playoffs but they will win games and could play the spoiler role.
Central-The Central is basically 3 teams.Detroit, Milwaulkee and Cleveland will battle for the division crown.
my Playoff picks
1.NewYork
2.Miami
3.Cleveland
4.New Jersey
5.Orlando
6.Toronto
7.Philadelphia
8.Boston
I pick New York to advance to conference finals if they bench Iverson for games 5 and 6.... ;D
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific
1.Phoenix-The Suns are still the team to beat in the West but they face alot of challenges from some improved teams.
2.Sacramento- The Kings are still a threat though they have been on the decline a bit.They are in a tough Division with Phoenix and Golden St.
3.Golden St-The Warriors are still a playoff contender but still may lack the juice to make it to the finals.
The Clippers and Lakers are outclassed and will miss again.
MidWest-
New Orleans ,Houston and Dallas are duking it out for the division Title.At least one should make it to the playoffs.Memphis has an out side chance but the west is tough and at this point its hard to tell.San Antonio isn't playoff material.
Northwest
With Portland on a rebuildng mode Minesota has become the favorite in the Northwest.They still have a strong nucleas of players that got them to the second round last season.
At this point Denver is there biggest threat.The red hot Nuggets have the best record in the league and barring a major breakdown should make the playoffs.
Portland by no means is out of the running.With the aquisition of Jason Richardson and if Hakim Warrick and Martynas Andruisvicius reach their star potential the Blazers will become stronger.Though they may not win the championship again this year they still should reach the playoffs and are a threat to anyone.
Utah is much improved and could surprise everyone
Seattle was a drak horse team sneaking into the playoffs through the back door last season but don't look for that happen again this year.
My Predictions
1.Phoenix
2.Minnesota
3.Houston
4.Sacramento
5.Denver
6.Golden State
7.Utah
8.Portland
I look for Minnesota to upset Phoenix in the Finals
Championship
New York Over Minnesota in 7
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
1.New York. The Knicks remain the team to beat in the East.The knicks are lead by Shaq who just doesn't seem to slow down in spite of his age.Iverson is a strong offensive force when his shots are on target but when they aren't...well....The addition of Chris Bosh has made the Knicks tough.
2. New Jersey-New Jersey is still a force in the east but play in the toughest division in the league.
3.Toronto is also tough and have a chance to make a repeat appearance in the finals.
4.Philadelphia-Went to conference finals last season and also have the chance to repeat.
5.Boston-Tied for 8th spot in playoffs but lost out to Indiana due to poor conference record.They might make it over the hump this year but its doubtful that they will get past the first round
Southeast-
1.Miami-The Heat are the top rated team in the league at this point and are in line for their first playoff appearance.
2.Orlando-Don't let their record fool you.The Magic started 0-5 but since the return of Grant Hill and Erick Dampier have gone 7-3.They are returning to the early form they had last year before being hit with injuries.
3. Charlotte is having a good year but may not have enough horses to make the top 8
4.Atlanta-Should become a better team with the aquisisition of Marbury,Green and Howard.When LeBron returns Atlanta could become a force.
5.Washington is still lacking a GM and the right combination of players to make the playoffs but they will win games and could play the spoiler role.
Central-The Central is basically 3 teams.Detroit, Milwaulkee and Cleveland will battle for the division crown.
my Playoff picks
1.NewYork
2.Miami
3.Cleveland
4.New Jersey
5.Orlando
6.Toronto
7.Philadelphia
8.Boston
I pick New York to advance to conference finals if they bench Iverson for games 5 and 6.... ;D
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Pacific
1.Phoenix-The Suns are still the team to beat in the West but they face alot of challenges from some improved teams.
2.Sacramento- The Kings are still a threat though they have been on the decline a bit.They are in a tough Division with Phoenix and Golden St.
3.Golden St-The Warriors are still a playoff contender but still may lack the juice to make it to the finals.
The Clippers and Lakers are outclassed and will miss again.
MidWest-
New Orleans ,Houston and Dallas are duking it out for the division Title.At least one should make it to the playoffs.Memphis has an out side chance but the west is tough and at this point its hard to tell.San Antonio isn't playoff material.
Northwest
With Portland on a rebuildng mode Minesota has become the favorite in the Northwest.They still have a strong nucleas of players that got them to the second round last season.
At this point Denver is there biggest threat.The red hot Nuggets have the best record in the league and barring a major breakdown should make the playoffs.
Portland by no means is out of the running.With the aquisition of Jason Richardson and if Hakim Warrick and Martynas Andruisvicius reach their star potential the Blazers will become stronger.Though they may not win the championship again this year they still should reach the playoffs and are a threat to anyone.
Utah is much improved and could surprise everyone
Seattle was a drak horse team sneaking into the playoffs through the back door last season but don't look for that happen again this year.
My Predictions
1.Phoenix
2.Minnesota
3.Houston
4.Sacramento
5.Denver
6.Golden State
7.Utah
8.Portland
I look for Minnesota to upset Phoenix in the Finals
Championship
New York Over Minnesota in 7
