There doesn't seem to be a clear choice this year. I'm not sold on the Lakers b/c of bad chemistry and injuries. Kobe's performance on Sudnay is not what you want from one of your star players a week b/f the season ends. I do think the champ is coming out of the West.

If I had to pick a team, I think San Antonio is still the team to beat. A close second would be the Kings. I don't think Minnesota can get to the finals b/c they've never made it past Round One. I think they'll shake that monkey off of their back, but not advance to the Finals.

Duncan & Ginobli are too strong for San Antonio. Even the loss of David Robinson is not that significant since he was a non-factor much of last year.

I can't make heads or tails out of the East. I have my doubts about all three top teams: Indiana, Detroit, and NJ.

I guess my prediction is the Spurs will beat the Pacers in the Finals, 4 games to 2.

I think the Kings are the best team, but their performance since Webber's comeback is disapointing. also, I don't believe the Spurs are that good, so I don't have the guts to pick a team and say it will get the ring.

the favorites are the Western powers (Kings, Spurs and Lakers mainly), but I think Pacers and Pistons have a bigger shot than the Nets had in the last two seasons.

well, I'm just waiting the playoffs without to know what is about to happen

Whaddaya talkin' about?

The Nets are gonna win it this year

-------------------
N...E...T...S
Nets Nets Nets!

Bad chemistry? Hmm, I think it was only a week or 2 ago that the Lakers won 10 straight. I think as long as everyone stays healthy, the Lakers can & should take it all. Each of the 4 may have their problems on & off the court, but when playoff time comes, it's time to get serious & go out and win. I vote Lakers!

Plaw, as much as I would LOVE to see it, the Nets aren't winning anything. I think injuries got the best of them this season. Kidd & Martin aren't 100% and they've been to the finals 2 years in a row. With Kidd & K-Mart possibly being sidelined & the Nets trying to go to the finals 3 straight years...I'm sorry but it doesn't look good. I think Indiana will come out of the East, but they will not win it.

wow the nba playoffs r gonna be NICE this year. i cant wait. the west is gonna be wild, so many good teams. Heres the way I see it the kings arent gonna win cuz they Cant win. The Spurs aint gonna win cuz I hate the Spurs- if they stay in the 3spot i would love to see Memphis noc em off. Ppl can say what they want about LA but as long as they have Kobe(not shaq KOBE) they got a shhot. They really need fisher, george, & rush to hit some threes tho. I think itll come down to LA & Minnesota even tho theyll prolly play in the second round. KGs the MVP & I think hell prove it even tho i dont think the twolves match up well with LA.

Out east its the Pacers. The only team i think can beat them is New Jersey. Ive never been sold on detroit. Maybe if they had drafted Carmelo it be a different story but...they didnt. Actually Id love to see the Knicks make a run but i dont see them getting past the Nets- I hope tho.

Ive always hated the Pacers cuz of Reggie Miller but Ron Artest is my boy. An Artest-Bryant finals matchup would be awsome but ill go out on limb and say the #1's prevail to set up the battle of small market teams

Pacers over TWolves in 7

If Pau Gasol is healthy, watchout for the Grizz

Hey, all you hoops fans...

Get into the Gangster BB Fantasy basketball Playoffs Game.

Watch this forum for information on how to join, how to play, etc.

Let me know whenever you know plaw about the fantasy basketball playoffs please. I'd be interested in doing that as well. What do you do, just pick who's gonna win a particular series each time?

You pick a team every night from those players who are playing, and get fantasy points for points, rebounds, assists, etc.

Same format as baseball.

Is it through ESPN again?

WOW

big turn of events in the west as kobes sick 3 at teh buzzer puts la in the 2 spot & bump the queens down to 4

For basketball fans i think this good. The 2 best teams Minn&LA can play in the WCFinals now plus the Queens & Mavs always put on a good show, especially in the playoffs.

I think im gonna change my pick after 2night cuz Kobe is a MAN. all hes gone thru this year & then he has to put up wit dis recent crap & he comes back wit 45&37 plus 2 buzzerbeaters to win the division. i dont think KObe will let them lose. the kids got thick skin

That LA game was a stunner. I said before that I didn't think the Lakers had the right chemistry - poor choice of words on my part. I'm not changing my prediction that San Antonio will win, but I guess the Lakers are the X factor in the West. I heard ESPN say that if the Lakers as #2 and the Spurs as #3 square off in the playoffs, San Antonio has the home court by virtue of a better record. The seeding doesn't matter.

I think this LA - Houston matchup will be intriguing in the first round. The Lakers certainly can win the whole thing again, I think the health issue is the biggest factor. As long as Kobe & Shaq are healthy, they're extremely difficult to beat. I don't think Malone will factor in as he has in the past, but Payton will be very important.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the playoffs.

One criticism of the NBA: in the Celtics - Indiana series and one other series, the schedule is for 16 or 17 days for a 7 game series. In other words, if the series begins on Sat April 17th, the series would end on May 2nd if their is a 7th game. Why is the NBA dragging it so long with that many off days?

So they can televise as many games as they can. Plus they wanna make more money. That's why I wish the first round of the NBA playoffs was still best of 5 instead of being best of 7. It takes way to long to decide a winner! The games are too spaced out, it sucks waiting!

So they can televise as many games as they can. Plus they wanna make more money. That's why I wish the first round of the NBA playoffs was still best of 5 instead of being best of 7. It takes way to long to decide a winner! The games are too spaced out, it sucks waiting! [/b][/quote]You're right - all about the $$$. I remember last year there was a series that played a game on a Wed and didn't play another game until Sunday. Ridiculous.

I agree - best of 5 was much better & made the first round more meaningful b/c a #1 seed could be in big trouble if it got down 2 games to none.

Exactly, and I LOVE NBA playoffs, but I grow tired if a series drags on for 2 weeks. It's nuts, just get it over with!

although I like the fact that there are more games to watch, I agree that the first round was better when it was decided in 5 games. now, in 7, is so much harder for a team seeded in 8th, 7th or 6th to make a surprise and win the series.

about who owns homecourt in a series between LAL and SA, that's right, the Spurs get it because of the record, regardless of seeding

and about Kobe, I agree he is the man. the greatest player in my opinion, and the man with the guts to hit the shots in the right time. he is othe only guy right now that have that spirit like MJ and others great players had. when his team needs a basket, he is the one who wants the ball to try it. that's why I think he is that great

LA Lakers.

Its all Detroit baby!!

God bless your words

Sacramento over Indiana in 6 games. Finals MVP being Doug Christie (You saw Game one? He was 2 rebounds away from a triple-double!)

the day Doug Christie get Finals MVP Honors I'll shoot myself