Post by BrazilianDude on Jul 5, 2014 17:48:34 GMT
Playoff First Round Primer
After a long hard fought season from all the teams in the NBA we are down to the final 16 teams. These teams are supposed to be the best of the best, but which team will be able to shake the commish’s hand, get invited to the White House and most of all hoist up the trophy? This article will give a little basis on what may happen in the next coming weeks in our beloved sim league!
1v8
Spurs (65-17) vs Blazers (39-43) In this match up you have one team that made every single move possible to form the best team ever seen in this sim league. Melo was the MVP and several other players on that team could have gotten a few votes as well. The record speaks for itself. On the other end you have a team that had the original plan to tank until they acquired an underrated player who is proving he can be a super star. Can Andrea Bargnani carry this team past the powerhouse Spurs? I doubt it. I expect this series to go 4-0 for the Spurs, but Kudos to the Blazers for turning what was a team of scrubs and bad contracts into a playoff berth.
76ers( 58-24) vs Hawks (43-39)After doing everything they could to get out of a contact year the hawks secured not only a better then .500 record but also a playoff berth. The fans in Atlanta are excited for the future of Marcus Smart along with the current scoring power of HUMP and Butler. This team could make a decent run if they have some luck. They are facing a young team who is making the playoffs for what seems to be the first time in forever. This team does not have their superstar Center in Brook Lopez. Can Curry carry the team? I am not sure. I think that the 76ers edge out the hawks in 6 games here.
2v7
Thunder (52-30) vs Suns (44-38) This match up will be another western blow out I presume. The Thunder are the 5th best team in the West by record but due to their crappy division they take the 2 seed and get to play the Suns. The suns have upped their team a little by adding Jsmoove. They say Defense wins championships but I do not think they have enough of that. Bosh should dominate Amare while KD shows Galo what it is really like to score. I think the Thunder take this one in 5.
Bulls( 53-29) vs Magic (44-38) It seems like no matter how out the magic are they always find a way. The Bulls always get into the playoffs but seem to get upset. I think this is the year that Lebron says its time for him to get what he deserves. With an infusion of youth and the emergence of Desean Butler, the Bulls have what it takes to beat the Magic. The Magic have one of the best post duos in the game with new scoring threat Tyreke Evans. If Orlando had this line up all season would they be the 2 seed? I pick Bulls in 7 because of Lebron.
3v6
Rockets (57-25) vs Timberwolves (46-36) This is one of the most intriguing match ups of the first round. The rockets finished 9-1 down the stretch to lock up the second best record in the West. Led by former MVP John Wall they look to take on one of the most dominant teams in the NBA. However this team will be with out their center for a few games, giving Tyson Chandler enough time to dominate. Rose vs Wall battle will be an epic one for sure. I think that because of Gasol being out for the series the Rockets will take this one in 6.
Raptors (52-30) vs Bucks (48-34) The former 1 seed vs a team that seems to always find a way into the playoffs. This is an intriguing match up to see the new look bucks with Dwade and Westbrook taking on the post power of Oden and Nogs. I think that in this match up the lower seed has the advantage. I think the Bucks will come together this playoffs and beat the older raptors in 5.
4v5
Grizzlies( 55-27) vs Mavericks (52-30) The Grizzlies probably would have the third seed if not for a bad finish to the season. In the last 2 weeks they lost Yao, Zeller and Thabeet to finish off the year having to start Earl Clark at center. This team is a threat to any team, but will they be able to match up with the inside dominant Mavs? Yao is out the first 3 games and that could make it too late for the Griz. This series really will rely on how much Chris Paul can do. If he can carry the team they will win, if not it will be all she wrote for Memphis. Sadly I’m picking Mavs in 6.
Pacers( 50-32) vs Nets (49-33) Wow Kudos to the Pacers GM for that amazing rebuild. This team is one of the best defensive squads in the league and on top of all the defense they can still score. With a 25x former champion Kobe Bryant on the young roster this team can make a run. I feel the nets have been slowing down as of late and think the Pacers are clear favorites to win this series if they can stop the scoring of Harris. I pick Pacers in 5.
After a long hard fought season from all the teams in the NBA we are down to the final 16 teams. These teams are supposed to be the best of the best, but which team will be able to shake the commish’s hand, get invited to the White House and most of all hoist up the trophy? This article will give a little basis on what may happen in the next coming weeks in our beloved sim league!
1v8
Spurs (65-17) vs Blazers (39-43) In this match up you have one team that made every single move possible to form the best team ever seen in this sim league. Melo was the MVP and several other players on that team could have gotten a few votes as well. The record speaks for itself. On the other end you have a team that had the original plan to tank until they acquired an underrated player who is proving he can be a super star. Can Andrea Bargnani carry this team past the powerhouse Spurs? I doubt it. I expect this series to go 4-0 for the Spurs, but Kudos to the Blazers for turning what was a team of scrubs and bad contracts into a playoff berth.
76ers( 58-24) vs Hawks (43-39)After doing everything they could to get out of a contact year the hawks secured not only a better then .500 record but also a playoff berth. The fans in Atlanta are excited for the future of Marcus Smart along with the current scoring power of HUMP and Butler. This team could make a decent run if they have some luck. They are facing a young team who is making the playoffs for what seems to be the first time in forever. This team does not have their superstar Center in Brook Lopez. Can Curry carry the team? I am not sure. I think that the 76ers edge out the hawks in 6 games here.
2v7
Thunder (52-30) vs Suns (44-38) This match up will be another western blow out I presume. The Thunder are the 5th best team in the West by record but due to their crappy division they take the 2 seed and get to play the Suns. The suns have upped their team a little by adding Jsmoove. They say Defense wins championships but I do not think they have enough of that. Bosh should dominate Amare while KD shows Galo what it is really like to score. I think the Thunder take this one in 5.
Bulls( 53-29) vs Magic (44-38) It seems like no matter how out the magic are they always find a way. The Bulls always get into the playoffs but seem to get upset. I think this is the year that Lebron says its time for him to get what he deserves. With an infusion of youth and the emergence of Desean Butler, the Bulls have what it takes to beat the Magic. The Magic have one of the best post duos in the game with new scoring threat Tyreke Evans. If Orlando had this line up all season would they be the 2 seed? I pick Bulls in 7 because of Lebron.
3v6
Rockets (57-25) vs Timberwolves (46-36) This is one of the most intriguing match ups of the first round. The rockets finished 9-1 down the stretch to lock up the second best record in the West. Led by former MVP John Wall they look to take on one of the most dominant teams in the NBA. However this team will be with out their center for a few games, giving Tyson Chandler enough time to dominate. Rose vs Wall battle will be an epic one for sure. I think that because of Gasol being out for the series the Rockets will take this one in 6.
Raptors (52-30) vs Bucks (48-34) The former 1 seed vs a team that seems to always find a way into the playoffs. This is an intriguing match up to see the new look bucks with Dwade and Westbrook taking on the post power of Oden and Nogs. I think that in this match up the lower seed has the advantage. I think the Bucks will come together this playoffs and beat the older raptors in 5.
4v5
Grizzlies( 55-27) vs Mavericks (52-30) The Grizzlies probably would have the third seed if not for a bad finish to the season. In the last 2 weeks they lost Yao, Zeller and Thabeet to finish off the year having to start Earl Clark at center. This team is a threat to any team, but will they be able to match up with the inside dominant Mavs? Yao is out the first 3 games and that could make it too late for the Griz. This series really will rely on how much Chris Paul can do. If he can carry the team they will win, if not it will be all she wrote for Memphis. Sadly I’m picking Mavs in 6.
Pacers( 50-32) vs Nets (49-33) Wow Kudos to the Pacers GM for that amazing rebuild. This team is one of the best defensive squads in the league and on top of all the defense they can still score. With a 25x former champion Kobe Bryant on the young roster this team can make a run. I feel the nets have been slowing down as of late and think the Pacers are clear favorites to win this series if they can stop the scoring of Harris. I pick Pacers in 5.
