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Spurs looking impressive right now. This is the right time of year to get hot. They are just going to keep their guys healthy until the playoffs and try to make another run. They just manage things so well. One of the best franchises in sports by far.
Sixers are one off of tying the NBA record for consecutive losses. I have heard a few call into question some of their trades at the deadline of giving away Spencer Hawes and Evan Turner for basically a bag of Skittles. They look like a team that is clearly tanking and it's shameful. I hope who ever they pick flops for them. There is no honor and the way they are doing things.
Indiana is slipping and the game tonight against the Heat will be huge. If the Heat win they will be only a game behind the Pacers and would have at least tied the season series. Should be a good one.
The Bulls have finally caught the Raptors for the #3 spot in the East as the Raptors have slid a little bit lately. Make no mistake about it, I believe the Raptors are a much more well-rounded team but the Bulls have one of the best coaches in the league that is really getting the best out of his roster. In spite of that, I don't understand why people are talking about the Nets and the Bulls as being the only other teams in the East outside the top 2 who are viable. I believe the Raptors are better than both teams. The Bulls struggle offensively and in my opinion will have a hard time finding a go-to scorer in a playoff series where teams will game plan you for 4-7 straight games. I also think after the Raptors the Wizards are in the mix with the Bulls and Nets. The Wizards have gone 5-0 this season against the Nets and Bulls and have slipped down to 6th due to some poor play that can largely be contributed to missing Nene (who may be coming back next week). To me it's a toss up but the Raptors are clearly the best out of the 4 with the other three pretty even.
I like Dallas because I believe Rick Carlisle is a decent coach, but I would like to see the Suns make the playoffs. Their style of play would be more entertaining in the playoffs. With that said, the Suns schedule is brutal. 7 out of their last 11 will be against playoff teams including tonight's tilt against the Wizards in DC. They will also play the top 3 teams in the west during that time, the Clippers, Spurs, and Thunder. Dallas' schedule is slightly easier with 5 games against current playoff teams. Their final two games will be against the Grizzlies and the Suns. Should be fun to watch.
The Bulls always play with a lot of fire, I give them that for their grit and grind. I didn't like how they played against the Heat last season, in the game that cost the Heat their win streak. It wasn't a grind, it was just dirty. That cost them some value for me as far as ever cheering for them, but I do respect them. I don't see Chicago being able to grind out a 7 game series, they just don't have the roster as evident last year and its gotten even smaller this year. They'll put up a few good rounds but they need to add depth to go 7.
To me after Indiana and Heat the team to watch in the East is the Wizards.
Don't get too caught up in that because remember the spurs lost in the first round one year as a #1 to Memphis
They've also been 1st or 2nd in most of their trips to the Finals!
The Spurs are 11-3 in the first round since 1999-2000. I would not want to meet the Spurs in the playoffs and would never count them out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red_Devil
.. but NBA regular season is the most pointless event in professional sports.
1 - Seeding is important
2 - Chemistry/Fleshing out rosters strengths and weaknesses
3 - Basketball is fun to watch
The Bulls always play with a lot of fire, I give them that for their grit and grind. I didn't like how they played against the Heat last season, in the game that cost the Heat their win streak. It wasn't a grind, it was just dirty. That cost them some value for me as far as ever cheering for them, but I do respect them. I don't see Chicago being able to grind out a 7 game series, they just don't have the roster as evident last year and its gotten even smaller this year. They'll put up a few good rounds but they need to add depth to go 7.
To me after Indiana and Heat the team to watch in the East is the Wizards.
The bulls just need to stay healthy to go further. Sigh.
I'll be happy if its either Heat vs Spurs or Pacers vs Spurs - and not sure what team I'd rather win. Part of my view is:
Heat could make history being one of the only teams with 4 consecutive finals appearances and even more history if they join the elite few that have 3-peated. Its more rare to even make it to the finals 4 consecutive times!
Spurs could just seal the Greatest Team ever, and for me at least would seal the deal as far as Tim being above Kobe on the GOAT list.
Pacers I've always liked and certainly wouldn't mind seeing them get a championship after all these years.
Only other team on West I'd be happy seeing win is Memphis.
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