2012 NBA Playoffs

[Westley]

Start next week...

Seems like there will be a handful of themes-


The Sun rises:
Derek Rose and Kevin Durant will get the top seed in the East and the 1 or 2 in the West. I don't think anybody saw these two becoming this good, this fast, when they were drafted a few years ago, it's really been impressive. Is this the year that one breaks through, or is it still too early?


and the Sun sets:
This is probably the last gasp for Boston's aging Big 3 (36, 37, and 35), and perhaps for Tim Duncan (36) as well. Can they make some noise or will they go out with a whimper? For Kobe and Dirk (both 34 later this year) - the sun isn't setting yet, but definitely is getting closer. Good chance Dirk will lose his point guard (Kidd, 39) after this season.


King James:
Will he finally capture the crown this year? Rumor is Wade had an injury today, no idea what that does. If they don't win is that experiment done? Clearly the city of Miami expected a title within the first two years, and as they express their disappointment, Lebron's wandering eye will see lots of opportunities elsewhere, including Brooklyn.


LA Story:
Who is the best team in the Staples Center and how will the Chris Paul/BG experiment play out?


Short season:
What will be the effect of the shortened season? The experts think it favors youth, as there were too many back-to-back games that will tire the older players. A longer off-season to recover and fewer total games could benefit the old guys IMO.


Anything I missed? Expectations, idle speculation, etc?

[LifeIsAPoissonProcess]

I'm happy as long as the Heat don't win it all. I would like to see Durant win it.

[keyser soze]

Originally Posted by LifeIsAPoissonProcess

I'm happy as long as the Heat don't win it all. I would like to see Durant win it.

As usual, the East has three road apples at the bottom. Philly, NY, and Orlando stink.

Really looking forward to a possible Clippers-Grizzlies first round matchup. That should be really fun to watch.

[quentin cassidy]

Originally Posted by keyser soze

As usual, the East has three road apples at the bottom. Philly, NY, and Orlando stink.

Actually, unlike most of the past decade, the #6-8 teams in both conferences have about the same records. Since '03-'04, the average #6-8 seed in the East was 41-41, while it was about 48-34 in the West. This year, it's much closer - 34-30 for the East vs. 35-29 for the West.

Orlando (w/out Howard) and Philly have struggled lately, but the Knicks have gone 16-6 since Woodson took over as coach, so it doesn't seem like they should be lumped in with the others.

[DanielSong39]

If Miami shipped Wade in a package for Rondo they would be almost unbeatable...

[Guerilla poster]

Originally Posted by quentin cassidy

Orlando (w/out Howard) and Philly have struggled lately, but the Knicks have gone 16-6 since Woodson took over as coach, so it doesn't seem like they should be lumped in with the others.

And it was a pretty difficult stretch from a strength of schedule aspect, they did not have to play the West much, but pretty much handled all other Eastern teams except Chi and miami. Orlando wo Howard may be the worst team to make the playoffs

[Bicycle Repair Man]

I could see the Heat shipping Bosh out of town. They could try to blame their failure on him and maybe the fans would even buy it, getting them one more year or two to win a title. I can't see Lebron opting out or getting traded. There isn't any way Miami can trade him and get better.

[Devastator]

I thought all their 3 year opt outs were so weird. What if Lebron wanted to opt out and go back to Cleveland? That team would be pretty loaded especially with Irving and this years pick.

[win diesel]

Originally Posted by Westley

Start next week...


Anything I missed? Expectations, idle speculation, etc?

The Sixers shocking the world imo

[win diesel]

Originally Posted by win diesel

The Sixers shocking the world imo

QFT