Even though the Rockets may not make it, there are a lot of great even teams that are going to battle it out. I can see 4 teams out of the West and maybe 5 out of the East that have a shot at the finals.

The West has been pretty good the last few years.

However, with recent events (Utah's free fall, the clearing out in Denver, Rudy Gay's injury), I still think the Rockets have a chance.

I don't think 48 wins are needed this year in the West...maybe 43-45 can get a team in (although the Rockets probably need to win 17 of their last 25, which probably isn't happening).

I think there are only 3 teams that can come out of the West:

SA - Most Likely
LA - If they can actually "Flip the Switch"
Dal - Don't like the LA matchup in the 2nd round

I think the Thunder are still too young/inexperienced to win 3 rounds in the playoffs to make the finals.

In the East, I think 4 teams could make it:
Bos
Mia
Orlando
Chicago

Then throw in the new excitement of the Knicks acquisition and you've got plenty of reasons to watch every night of the playoffs.

Crazy that in the Mavs' playoff run, they still haven't played the Lakers in any of those post-seasons. Not that it would be a good thing to break that streak.

looks like they might avoid them again if they fall to fourth and play the spurs in round 2

[This message has been edited by sharkenleo (edited 2/22/2011 11:23a).]

Stupid thread. The NBA playoffs are fun every year.

LA and SA will battle it out in the west to go to the Finals. Dallas will choke as usual when having to go up against the big boys.

dallas can't beat LA in a seven game series. even if butler miraculously comes back 100% (moot point, won't happen) i still don't think they have the right matchup to pull it off.

it will be spurs and lakers in the WCF

The balance of power seems to have shifted dramatically towards the East. They now have potentially 5 teams with an outside shot (Orl, NY, Mia, Bos, Chi) and 2 with championship expectations (Mia, Bos).

The west has 3 with an outside shot (SA, LA, Dal) and 2 with championship expectations.

That said, the west is still deeper top to bottom. The east is quite top-heavy.

I think the Mavs match up great with LA.

They have Stevenson and Marion to "guard" Kobe. They have even thrown Kidd against him at times.
They have plenty of bigs to use against Gasol, Bynum, and Odom.
Fisher is a point guard that won't get by Kidd one on one (There are not too many in the league that can't anymore).

Would love to see an SA-Dal Western Conf Finals.

This year's playoffs will probably be watched by me more than any in about 4 years. Lots of great teams with large holes in them. I love Chicago out of the East this season and think they match up best to beat every team out of the East.

The West is a little trickier. Off the bat, the Lakers have to be the favorites just because of their shear size and quality of it. That said, if San Antonio either acquires one more big or starts working Splitter in more and he's effective... I really think they'll win it all.

quote:

---

This year's playoffs will probably be watched by me more than any in about 4 years. Lots of great teams with large holes in them

---

bingo

that is, more than any other year when i dont have the Rockets to really root for...

I'll be watching every series this year.

Well, except for maybe some crappy round 1 series, like Boston vs. whoever.

Dallas is gonna steamroll everyone come playoff time. Book it.

Sounds like the Thunder are probably playing for no better than the 4th seed, unless the Lakers continue to just kinda go through the motions. I like them over any of the other Western teams, but as far as SA or DAL, not happening. Lakers...they can be beaten, we were close last year.

Lakers coming out of the west.

put money on it

What a shocker that you would think that. Very surprising.

quote:

---

I think the Mavs match up great with LA.

They have Stevenson and Marion to "guard" Kobe. They have even thrown Kidd against him at times.
They have plenty of bigs to use against Gasol, Bynum, and Odom.
Fisher is a point guard that won't get by Kidd one on one (There are not too many in the league that can't anymore).

---

Exactly. I'm not saying they're a lock to beat LA, but they did beat them the one game they've played this year.

quote:

---

They have plenty of bigs to use against Gasol, Bynum, and Odom.

---

lol@this

the only way dallas beats LA is if they dominate from behind the 3pt line for 4 games.

otherwise...no chance.

We'll just ask Cleveland how to take them down.

play them in February. got it. that'll work