NBA 05 Predictions:

[PacerFlynn31]

Top 3 teams in the west:

1. Sacramento Kings (solid nucleus remains: Webber, B. Miller, Stojakovic, christie, and bibby....you know they are going to be making noise)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (can't deny the Kid, spree, and Cassell)
3. San Antonio Spurs (Duncan got some added help....still need to prove it to me with the bench tho)

Top 3 teams in east:

1. Indiana Pacers (JO, Miller, Artest, Tinsley, Foster....solid starters as we saw last year. Their bench is insane...deepest team in the league....Stephen Jackson is going to prove why he is so valuable....watch out for Jonathan Bender)

2. Detroit Pistons (sorry pistons, but a healthy Pacer team can beat u in a series anyday)

3. Miami Heat (don't know for sure if they will finish this high....but I imagine with Shaq that they will.....no bench whatsoever)


NBA Finals: Indiana vs Kings..........

[#1PaFan]

I predict that #1PaFan doesn't watch any games. I already cancelled my NBA Pass on Directv.

Strictly High School & College hoops for me now.

[ConnYanksFan]

Originally posted by #1PaFan
I predict that #1PaFan doesn't watch any games. I already cancelled my NBA Pass on Directv.

Strictly High School & College hoops for me now.

You also a PSU hoops fan, George?

I don't follow the NBA as much as I used to. However, saying that is deceiving. I probably still follow the league closer than people that call themselve hardcore fans do.

I'll take San Antonio over Detroit in an entertaining NBA Finals.

[PacerFlynn31]

Originally posted by #1PaFan
I predict that #1PaFan doesn't watch any games. I already cancelled my NBA Pass on Directv.

Strictly High School & College hoops for me now.

predictions for NCAA?

[BroadwayBomber55]

I think Spurs v. Pistons can be a good NBA finals with the Spurs winning it.

The thing the NBA's missing right now is rivalries. Kings vs. Lakers is the latest one.

[PacerFlynn31]

Originally posted by BroadwayBomber55
I think Spurs v. Pistons can be a good NBA finals with the Spurs winning it.

The thing the NBA's missing right now is rivalries. Kings vs. Lakers is the latest one.

Pacers vs Pistons is a growing rivalry

[uconnhoopz123]

i say uconn wins the nba championship


antonio kellogg is the key

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

This Lakers fan is too scared and in denial to make any predictions. I could see them being ANYWHERE in the range from horrible to decent to surprisingly good. Kobe will get his no matter which of those happens, though.

[PacerFlynn31]

Originally posted by DaBoys4LifeNYY35
This Lakers fan is too scared and in denial to make any predictions. I could see them being ANYWHERE in the range from horrible to decent to surprisingly good. Kobe will get his no matter which of those happens, though.

Yes, Kobe's numbers will probably go up a bit even.

[Detroit Sports Fan]

Originally posted by PacerFlynn31
Top 3 teams in the west:

1. Sacramento Kings (solid nucleus remains: Webber, B. Miller, Stojakovic, christie, and bibby....you know they are going to be making noise)
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (can't deny the Kid, spree, and Cassell)
3. San Antonio Spurs (Duncan got some added help....still need to prove it to me with the bench tho)

Top 3 teams in east:

1. Indiana Pacers (JO, Miller, Artest, Tinsley, Foster....solid starters as we saw last year. Their bench is insane...deepest team in the league....Stephen Jackson is going to prove why he is so valuable....watch out for Jonathan Bender)

2. Detroit Pistons (sorry pistons, but a healthy Pacer team can beat u in a series anyday)

3. Miami Heat (don't know for sure if they will finish this high....but I imagine with Shaq that they will.....no bench whatsoever)


NBA Finals: Indiana vs Kings..........

Are you high? A healthy Pacer team? Call me crazy but I rememeber Rasheed had a very bad case of plantar facitis throughout the playoffs. Wanna know what he did? He played through it and the rest of the team picked him up. Chauncey had a bad back and ankle problems and he played through it and won Finals MVP. Do not give me the injury excuse. We beat guys fair and square and we are the NBA champions. I am not and will not buy the injury excuse...it is just that, an excuse.

This year we are the same team minus Memo plus Antonio McDeyess. Dice had 2 fluke injuries and he is back at full strength right now. We will be an even better team than last year. We have had planty of more time to fully gel with Rasheed and learn Coach Brown's system. We didnt get it until well after the All-Star break last year and now we will have a full year with him and Sheed. We will easily have the best record in the league and will take a run at 70 wins. Have you seen our new point gaurd Carlos Delfino? This guy was a preojected top 5 lottery pick 2 years in a row but due to an injury he dropped down to 25th and the Stones got him. He already has hit a game winning shot for us and he is gonna be a break out point gaurd this year. The Pacers are the same team that got beat by us last year and will again this year. Only teams I am worried about are the Spurs and Nuggets. The East is weak, Shaq dont scare the Pistons, the Nets downgraded and you guys are the team that got beat by us in 6 last year. But....this is all talk and we will see what happens during the season.

For some good basketball discussion to be sure to check out the boards at www.pistons.com Alot of quality Pacer fans frequent there during the season and we always have good discussions about basketball. I post under Brilliant99 come check it out. Boards are active and there is always a good topic going on.

[Pomp]

West:

1. Spurs
2. Minnesota
3. Dallas

Surprise Western Conference Team: the West is so deep so I don't know if they have a surprise team, but I will say Utah

Biggest Disappointment: Houston

East
1. Detroit
2. Indiana
3. Miami

Surprise Eastern Conference Team: Boston

Biggest Disappointment: Knicks

[Detroit Sports Fan]

Knicks will not be going anywhere anytime soon. The money situation over there is ridiculous...way, way too many ridiculous contracts. If Isiah can work his magic and trade off some of them contracts then maybe they will have a fighting chance in a few years. I think Hardaway's contract comes off the books after this season. That will be a big relief. I still do not see the Knicks making a serious run for a few years. By that time Marbury will be older and not as effective. The Knicks have a ways to go still...

[Irony Of It All]

Originally posted by Pomp
West:

Surprise Western Conference Team: the West is so deep so I don't know if they have a surprise team, but I will say Utah

As the resident Jazz fan I have to say I completely agree. The Jazz barely missed the playoffs last year, a year in which many "experts" predicted them to be the worst team ever, despite having one of their best players, Matt Harpring, out for a good portion of the year. This year they have added Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur. And with Jerry Sloan - the real coach of the year last season - still running things, they're primed to have a great season.

West:
Minnesota
San Antonio
Sacramento
Dallas
Denver
Utah
LA
Houston

East:
Detroit
Indiana
Miami
Ehhh, the Knicks will be somewhere on there. Other than that I really don't know.

[yankeegeek]

I could see a Detroit Vs. Spurs series. That would be a good one. I think that Detroit could be a VERY improved team. Dice should be healthy and him off the bench will be terrific. Also their #2 pick from the 2003 draft will be a factor this season.

Spurs got Bret Barry and that will help Duncan out. He has somebody to kick out to. With Manu and Parker that is a dangerous team.


The Nets will suck. Great sports time in my life. Yankees get embaressed and the Nets get dismantled. Ugh!

[PacerFlynn31]

Originally posted by Detroit Sports Fan
Are you high? A healthy Pacer team? Call me crazy but I rememeber Rasheed had a very bad case of plantar facitis throughout the playoffs. Wanna know what he did? He played through it and the rest of the team picked him up. Chauncey had a bad back and ankle problems and he played through it and won Finals MVP. Do not give me the injury excuse. We beat guys fair and square and we are the NBA champions. I am not and will not buy the injury excuse...it is just that, an excuse.

This year we are the same team minus Memo plus Antonio McDeyess. Dice had 2 fluke injuries and he is back at full strength right now. We will be an even better team than last year. We have had planty of more time to fully gel with Rasheed and learn Coach Brown's system. We didnt get it until well after the All-Star break last year and now we will have a full year with him and Sheed. We will easily have the best record in the league and will take a run at 70 wins. Have you seen our new point gaurd Carlos Delfino? This guy was a preojected top 5 lottery pick 2 years in a row but due to an injury he dropped down to 25th and the Stones got him. He already has hit a game winning shot for us and he is gonna be a break out point gaurd this year. The Pacers are the same team that got beat by us last year and will again this year. Only teams I am worried about are the Spurs and Nuggets. The East is weak, Shaq dont scare the Pistons, the Nets downgraded and you guys are the team that got beat by us in 6 last year. But....this is all talk and we will see what happens during the season.

For some good basketball discussion to be sure to check out the boards at www.pistons.com Alot of quality Pacer fans frequent there during the season and we always have good discussions about basketball. I post under Brilliant99 come check it out. Boards are active and there is always a good topic going on.

While I respect your detroit opinions, I must argue. In game 6, we couldnt even play jamaal tinsley, his left leg was injured at every spot: knee, ankle, calf...u name it, he couldnt move. Jermaine ended up spraining his left knee in game 4(i think it was game 4). Yes, injuries are a lame excuse, i know, but sometimes it's the truth.

And let me also point this out: that pistons series was the ugliest basketball that I had seen the pacers play all year. They were playing absolutely HORRIBLY, and they were only losing games by like 4 points. That should speak words.

And also, you say that we are the same pacer team as last year? What about the trade of Al Harrington for Stephen Jackson? Jackson just dropped 29 the other night, he is going to blow up this year. He is one of the best clutch 3 point shooters in the league...and he can play mad D and post up beautifully for a 6-8 SF. We also picked up a surprise gift package in David Harrison at center in the draft. This guy is 7 feet tall, weighs about 280......watch out.

Finally, I would like to add that I am not trying to discredit the Pistons whatsoever, they beat the Pacers, the Lakers, they deserve the title. But don't underestimate my pacers.

[9teen18]

This season's biggest surprise:

The resurgence of the NEW YORK KNICKS

[yanksrule51]

Originally posted by 9teen18
This season's biggest surprise:

The resurgence of the NEW YORK KNICKS

The knicks are going to be a fun team to watch this year.

[PacerFlynn31]

Originally posted by yanksrule51


The knicks are going to be a fun team to watch this year.

Jamaal Crawford is going to have a great year, Thomas did wonders by snagging him.

[Detroit Sports Fan]

If only Isiah would do more wonders by getting rid of all of them contracts. The Knicks are in zero position to make a run at anything. That kinda sucks because the NBA is way more exciting when the Knicks are doing good. It is always fun to watch the Knicks play a home game with a sold-out MSG crowd. I used to love John Starks and Charles Oakley...if anybody can pull the Knicks out of thier funk it is Isiah. That man is still a legend here in Detroit. He is above Barry Sanders and Steve Yzerman by far. Aside from Al Kaline and Gordie Howe he is the most respected sports hero this town ever had.

[Yankee Bulldawg]

i'm getting sick of the NBA to be honest

[BlitzYankee]

Finals: Lakers vs Pistons - Lakers win

[9teen18]

Once the Knicks' batch of unmovable, horrible Scott Layden contracts are up...It is going to be AWESOME to see who Isaiah gets to come to New York. It's the largest market in sports and who WOULDN'T want to be the Phenom who brought the Knicks to a championship?


I'm just waiting for those contracts to expire...then Isaiah, it's on!

[Detroit Sports Fan]

I totally agree...everybody wants to play in New York and once they have money to pay some people everybody will be there. Right now they are in no position at all to get anybody. They are 40 million over the cap right now and the 2005-2006 season is not any better. Isiah cant get rid of the contracts because all of the other teams know that they have the upper hand because of the Knicks situation. No teams are giving an inch for the Knicks. In 2-3 years watch out...like you said, who wouldnt want to be the one that delivers the Knicks a title?

I remember hearing about how Adidas was gonna give Rasheed Wallace an extra 15 million on his endorsement deal to sign with New York because the Knicks couldnt give him that much money. With the thinking that just by him being in New York will boost and increase revenue.

[son of mel hall]

Originally posted by Detroit Sports Fan
I totally agree...everybody wants to play in New York and once they have money to pay some people everybody will be there. Right now they are in no position at all to get anybody. They are 40 million over the cap right now and the 2005-2006 season is not any better. Isiah cant get rid of the contracts because all of the other teams know that they have the upper hand because of the Knicks situation. No teams are giving an inch for the Knicks. In 2-3 years watch out...like you said, who wouldnt want to be the one that delivers the Knicks a title?

I remember hearing about how Adidas was gonna give Rasheed Wallace an extra 15 million on his endorsement deal to sign with New York because the Knicks couldnt give him that much money. With the thinking that just by him being in New York will boost and increase revenue.

Shandon and Penny -- don't let the door hit you on the way out. Kurt -- enjoy your new digs, wherever they are.

I think the Knicks will run and gun and not play much defense. I expect a few more wins in the regular season and maybe just maybe they get past the first round.

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by ConnYanksFan



I'll take San Antonio over Detroit in an entertaining NBA Finals.

How could that series be entertaining????

[chanman7483]

Originally posted by Detroit Sports Fan
I totally agree...everybody wants to play in New York and once they have money to pay some people everybody will be there. Right now they are in no position at all to get anybody. They are 40 million over the cap right now and the 2005-2006 season is not any better. Isiah cant get rid of the contracts because all of the other teams know that they have the upper hand because of the Knicks situation. No teams are giving an inch for the Knicks. In 2-3 years watch out...like you said, who wouldnt want to be the one that delivers the Knicks a title?

It's all good. THe difference between these knicks being over the cap and the knicks teams of the past being over the cap is that the $ is well spent. If you're going to be over the cap, then this is the way to be over the cap.

I'd love to have a big man b/c kurt thomas and nazr ain't gonna get the job done... but what can u do rite?

[#1PaFan]

Originally posted by ConnYanksFan

You also a PSU hoops fan, George?

I don't follow the NBA as much as I used to. However, saying that is deceiving. I probably still follow the league closer than people that call themselve hardcore fans do.

I'll take San Antonio over Detroit in an entertaining NBA Finals.

Sorry that this is late. I never really got into PSU hoops. I just like watching games. It's weird, 'cause I love the game but I honestly don't have a favorite college team. Of course, if PSU could put a competitive team on the court, I would watch them, too.

IMHDO, the NBA sucks. NO fundamentals whatsover that I can see. It's just glorified one-on-one playground bull................ now. A lot of these guys can't shoot and there's no real team concepts that I see.

Believe me, I used to be REALLY into it too. Sadly, I'd much rather watch Law & Order reruns than that crap anymore. It just ain't Basketball anymore. I actually got more joy out of cancelling the NBA package than I got out of watching it the last few years.

I'm rooting for a strike so they cancel the season. No NBA & no NHL would be great as far as I'm concerned.