Who do you think will be NBA champs?

[Sam18]

Um who do you think will be NBA champs this year? I say Spurs over Heat in 6 games. What say you?

[DaBoys4LifeNYY35]

Either the Heat or the Suns.

[dabomb2045]

Either the Heat or the Suns.

Heat-Spurs Finals.....Spurs in 7


Suns will not be able to beat a team like the Spurs in the playoffs....playoff basketball is all about defense, and half-court execution....which are 2 weaknesses of the Suns

[Kulish29]

Either the Heat or the Suns.

The Suns cant beat the Spurs, therfore, they wont make it past them in the playoffs.

Heat over Spurs in 6.

[dabomb2045]

The Suns cant beat the Spurs, therfore, they wont make it past them in the playoffs.

Heat over Spurs in 6.

Although I think the Heat will reach the Finals....still dont overlook the Pistons

they kinda played "blah" basketball the first few months....but in the last month or so they have been playing the kind of ball that made them champs last year

I think a Pistons-Heat East Finals could be the best possible series in the playoffs this year

[Coney36]

Spurs

[BroadwayBomber55]

The Detroit Pistons

If not the Pistons, the Heat or Spurs.

[RhodyYanksFan]

I really think the Suns can pull it out. They'll beat the Pistons in the finals, but the real championship series will be the western conference finals agasint the Spurs.

[RIyankee]

Miami and Shaq.

[chanman7483]

I think when it comes down to it, Detroit is still the team to beat. Their frontline is obviously one of the stronger in the league, with depth at every front court position. A quiet move that was made that hasn't gotten much attention is their addition of Carlos Arroyo. In recent years, they've never had that guy who can back Billups up and still be effective while he takes a seat.

I'm not sure if anyone has really seen Arroyo play, since he's played in relative obscurity in Utah up until this point, but he's the real deal. Excellent playmaker, and he can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court.

[Babe Rules]

San Antonio

[JDPNYY]

It's the Spurs turn.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I think when it comes down to it, Detroit is still the team to beat. Their frontline is obviously one of the stronger in the league, with depth at every front court position. A quiet move that was made that hasn't gotten much attention is their addition of Carlos Arroyo. In recent years, they've never had that guy who can back Billups up and still be effective while he takes a seat.

I'm not sure if anyone has really seen Arroyo play, since he's played in relative obscurity in Utah up until this point, but he's the real deal. Excellent playmaker, and he can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court.

I've seen Carlos Arroyo play for Utah. He played very solid in 03-04 in Utah, gives the Pistons good flexibility in the backcourt. Solid contributor to the Puerto Rico's run the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Very good player.

[dabomb2045]

I'm rooting for the Heat....mainly cuz I want to see Shaq win a ring without Kobe...so he can talk more trash towards Kobe, who is taking his 35 shots a game on a team that may not even make the playoffs

I hope Kobe is happy

[nhyankeefan]

I'm rooting for the Heat....mainly cuz I want to see Shaq win a ring without Kobe...so he can talk more trash towards Kobe, who is taking his 35 shots a game on a team that may not even make the playoffs

I hope Kobe is happy

That's a good reason to root for the Heat - I can't stand Kobe either.

I think it will come down to the Spurs - Pistons w/ the Pistons winning in 6 or 7 because they have the deeper team.

[boo_427]

West:
Spurs
Sonics
Suns

East:
Pistons
Heat
Cavs

Something tells me there is still a lot to be decided.

[TripleG23]

The Chicago Bulls will shock the world!! . . . Ok, I'm a Bulls fan and I'll be rooting hard for them just to make the playoffs.

If I'm serious ...

Heat vs. Spurs

Heat win in 7. MVP = Shaq

-Triple G

[sox jedi 14]

West:
Spurs
Sonics
Suns

East:
Pistons
Heat
Cavs

Something tells me there is still a lot to be decided.

I don't think the Cavs have a legitimate chance this year. Even when LeBron is scoring 30 points, they're still losing games. They need a standout 3rd player (besides him and Ilgauskas) to be a true contender.

[bleachersown]

I'll have to go with the defending champs, the Detroit Pistons.

They have arguably the most complete TEAM in the NBA with arguably the association's best coach in Larry Brown. They also have to go through the somewhat easier Eastern Conference to make the finals. The Heat won't make it b/c Shaq will be breaking down by the end of the season (Even though i love Shaq and hope he wins to silence the Kobe lovers). Detroit is beginning to peak at the right time.

Pistons over Spurs in 7

[dabomb2045]

I don't think the Cavs have a legitimate chance this year. Even when LeBron is scoring 30 points, they're still losing games. They need a standout 3rd player (besides him and Ilgauskas) to be a true contender.

agreed....LeBron doesnt have enough help....if they are able to sign Michael Redd in the offseason, next year will be a different story

[dabomb2045]

I'll have to go with the defending champs, the Detroit Pistons.

They have arguably the most complete TEAM in the NBA with arguably the association's best coach in Larry Brown. They also have to go through the somewhat easier Eastern Conference to make the finals. The Heat won't make it b/c Shaq will be breaking down by the end of the season (Even though i love Shaq and hope he wins to silence the Kobe lovers). Detroit is beginning to peak at the right time.

Pistons over Spurs in 7

I think alot of us are forgetting how talented the Heat are WITHOUT Shaq....the way Dwyane Wade is playing, you can argue he is right up there in the Duncan/Garnett/LeBron level-he is THAT good

they have good secondary scorers/outside shooters (the 2 Joneses, Rasual Butler) and they have pretty good depth (Haslem, Laettner, Doleac, Zo etc)

they are looking pretty darn good right now

[26 and counting]

Great game tonight in Boston, as the Celtics beat the Pistons 115-113 in double overtime. It looks like the Celtics are for real. Whoever's the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference isn't going to get such an easy draw after all.

As for who's going to win the NBA championship, I'll take the San Antonio Spurs over the Miami Heat in 7 games.

[yankeeschic12324]

I'm not sure which team, but I think it's gonna be a team from the West.

[BroadwayBomber55]

agreed....LeBron doesnt have enough help....if they are able to sign Michael Redd in the offseason, next year will be a different story

The Cavs had a chance to trade for Michael Redd, but they didn't.

LeBron is helping his team win, but he needs more quality weapons.

[Boogiedown Bomber]

Um who do you think will be NBA champs this year? I say Spurs over Heat in 6 games. What say you?

Wait, the NBA is still relevant today????

BTW, I have Heat beating the Sonics in 6.

[Casey37]

Pistons over Sonics in 6.

[yankeesfaninaz]

I want the Suns to go all the way over the Pistons in 6.

[Blackout806]

I see Miami winning over anybody

[Bleys]

Heat or Spurs. Probably the Heat. I'd rather the Suns win, though.

[Circle Change]

Suns over the Heat in 6 after a rollercoaster seven game series with San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals.

I'd love to see them win with the style they play, but it's going to be very hard with the number of points they allow. Still, Steve Nash is the NBA's Most Valuable Player this season, and Amare Stoudemire is on his way to becoming one of the most lethal players in history, he just needs to get better at rebounding and learn not to commit unnecessary fouls.

13.5 to 20.6 to 26.4 PPG in three seasons is more than noteworthy. He should be putting up over 30 next year, and take the first of many scoring titles.

- ranks 1st in Points per 48 minutes (34.9)
- ranks 1st in Field goals per 48 minutes (12.69)
- ranks 1st in Field goals made (594)
- ranks 2nd in total points (1,364)
- ranks 2nd in field goal pct. (.567)
- ranks 4th in points per game (26.4)

At 6'10" 245 lbs, he can knock down jump shots like a shooting guard when he's getting good looks. Still, there's nothing better than watching him throw it down in KG or Duncan's face with authority. He's also still only 22 years old. While Dwayne Wade and Lebron James may be better "all-around" players at this point, Amare is going to be the NBA's most dominant player for years to come - no contest.

[yanksrule51]

Knicks over Suns in 4 games.


Just kidding, Heat and Suns in the finals, who wins I have no clue.

[26 and counting]

It looks like Shaq will get the best of Kobe tonight, same result as on Christmas. Current Score, Heat 84, Lakers 73, six minutes left in the fourth quarter.

UPDATE: Final Score - Heat 102, LAL 89. Good. I hope that the Lakers miss the playoffs.

[Sam18]

I don't know why people hate the lakers so much. Anyways if Kobe passed less and tried shooting more I think that the lakers would be a better team JMHO. I am serious. The less Kobe touches the ball the less the lakers score.
BTW Shaq and company look unstoppable. Wouldn't it be crazy if Shaq and Kobe played on the same team?

[ToneinTO]

Spurs over the Pistons in 6 or 7.

[IronCaballo4]

Spurs over Celtics in 5, sad to say

[Euclis]

Nice to see the Celtics rout the Rockets tonight, in Houston. Their overall record is now 3rd best in the East, and they are 10-1 (!) since walker's return. C's definitely have a shot to win it all....unfortunately, I can't see them hanging with a healthy Miami squad for 7 games.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I don't know why people hate the lakers so much. Anyways if Kobe passed less and tried shooting more I think that the lakers would be a better team JMHO. I am serious. The less Kobe touches the ball the less the lakers score.
BTW Shaq and company look unstoppable. Wouldn't it be crazy if Shaq and Kobe played on the same team?

The problem is the Lakers can't win on the road. And in order for the Lakers to make the playoffs, Kobe needs to win on his own and that's hard to do. He needs help from his teammates.

[shantm21]

Spurs.

Duncan is just too good. I do have to say though, I had a great feeling about the Timberwolves before the season began, but I'm so disappointed.

[bnorris85]

i would be so pumped if the celtics won

[dabomb2045]

I don't know why people hate the lakers so much. Anyways if Kobe passed less and tried shooting more I think that the lakers would be a better team JMHO. I am serious. The less Kobe touches the ball the less the lakers score.
BTW Shaq and company look unstoppable. Wouldn't it be crazy if Shaq and Kobe played on the same team?

I hate the Lakers because Kobe is an arrogant prick who thinks he is God's gift to basketball....how can you not be happy playing with perhaps the best big man EVER, who makes the game so much more easier for his teammates?? Look how much Shaq has made it easier for D-Wade down in Miami....any guard would kill to play with Shaq...Kobe had it, yet pushed Shaq out of town only because he wanted the team to be "his"....SELFISH I hope he's happy taking his 30 shots a game and winning 35-40 games for the next few years

[Yankee Bulldawg]

i personally hope that the lakers dont even make the playoffs because then Kobe will realize or not that it was a big mistake pushing Shaq & Phil out, i also hope he has fun playing on a loosing team for a long time to come.

on the other hand i hope the Spurs win the NBA title this year

[TripleG23]

i would be so pumped if the celtics won

Boston has had enough Championships for one year thank you very much.

-Triple G

[chanman7483]

Spurs.

Duncan is just too good. I do have to say though, I had a great feeling about the Timberwolves before the season began, but I'm so disappointed.

Duncan and company are definetly one of the top contenders, and they showed they can play with anyone, after losing Duncan the other night and still putting up a spirited fight against the Pistons. They're gritty, and most importantly, they play tough defense. However, Duncan's free throw shooting is a problem, as is his injuries.

I hate the Lakers because Kobe is an arrogant prick who thinks he is God's gift to basketball....how can you not be happy playing with perhaps the best big man EVER, who makes the game so much more easier for his teammates?? Look how much Shaq has made it easier for D-Wade down in Miami....any guard would kill to play with Shaq...Kobe had it, yet pushed Shaq out of town only because he wanted the team to be "his"....SELFISH I hope he's happy taking his 30 shots a game and winning 35-40 games for the next few years

Forget for a second that Kobe is playing out west this year. With virtually the same supporting cast last year(Butler, Odom, Grant), Wade carried the Heat into the playoffs. And they were EXCITING. I hated them for it because the Knicks weren't involved, but I had to give the Heat credit, and Wade was the catalyst. With Butler, Odom, and Grant, Kobe just leaves them out to dry with his 30 shots per game and obsession to be a hero with game winning shots(that miss 90% of the time)

I feel bad for those who have to play with him.

[wjf50]

The Detroit Pistons
They showed they can beat Shaq last year and they will do it again this year.

[in2dust2002]

Miami Heat

[dabomb2045]

if Duncan comes back 100% healthy and plays like the normal Duncan....Spurs win it....if not, its wide open

Phoenix will have home-court throughout most likely...and they have showed they can beat anyone and that their style of play can win

Miami has the best 1-2 punch in the league with Shaq and Wade

Detroit can still play lockdown defense....but are they as hungry as they were last year??

I'm going with the Heat to win it all because to me Duncan's health is a question mark

you want a sleeper team?? Dallas....they can still score a ton of points BUT unlike past years this team actually plays defense....Avery Johnson has brought that Gregg Popovich mentality with him to Dallas, and he has that team playing very good defense

[BroadwayBomber55]

if Duncan comes back 100% healthy and plays like the normal Duncan....Spurs win it....if not, its wide open

Phoenix will have home-court throughout most likely...and they have showed they can beat anyone and that their style of play can win

Miami has the best 1-2 punch in the league with Shaq and Wade

Detroit can still play lockdown defense....but are they as hungry as they were last year??

I'm going with the Heat to win it all because to me Duncan's health is a question mark

you want a sleeper team?? Dallas....they can still score a ton of points BUT unlike past years this team actually plays defense....Avery Johnson has brought that Gregg Popovich mentality with him to Dallas, and he has that team playing very good defense

I agree with your points. The Spurs are very deadly with a healthy Tim Duncan.

The Suns are 24-6 against Eastern Conference teams, but can't win without Steve Nash.

The Heat have Shaq and Dwayne Wade and they're 18-11 against Western Conference opponents.

Detroit can still play D, but they might face Indiana in the playoffs.

I like Dallas. Avery Johnson will be a great coach. They're in the Top 10 in FG% allowed compared to 28TH last season.

So, I still pick Detroit. If not, it will be the Heat or Spurs.

[Casey37]

I’d love to see the Heat win it all, just to see Shaq win without Kobe.

[yankeesrule2000]

Phoenix Suns

[Tal Hawkins]

Timmy D's on his way back...he'll play the last few games of the regular season and then be 100% for the playoffs. With that being said, I think the Spurs take the championship. Should the unthinkable happen, and he go down again, it's very likely the Heat will win it all.