Post by Benwallacedetroit3 on Oct 27, 2005 21:01:27 GMT -5
I WROTE THIS BEFORE SEEING INJURIES...MARBURY IS GOING TO HURT THE SONICS AND MAY END UP COSTING THEM THE FIRST ROUND, ONLY INJURY THAT CAN REALLY AFFECT A SERIES.
BBS Playoff Predictions
It’s come down to the final 16. 16 teams stand and one will remain in only a few days crowned BBS Champions. Can the Rockets retain their title or will a champion from the past such as the Jazz or Warriors take the crown? I can only try and determine the championship but one thing I know will happen…we will see some amazing series’ and great battles.
Here are my playoff predictions…
(1) Raps vs. (8) Celtics
The Celtics new GM has his hands full with a first round match up with the East’s top team. Although the Celts have a stud in Laimbeer it will not be enough as the Raps should cruise through this series into the second round.
Prediction – Raptors 4-1
(4) Magic vs. (5) Wizards
This match up will have four of the most dynamic scorers in BBS. Melo and AI will match up against Wade and Bird. All four will get their share of scoring but this series will come down to the play of their point guards and big men. Although Nene is the best big man out of both teams I still feel the Magic will squeak through into the next round.
Prediction – Magic 4-2
(2) Knicks vs. (7) Hornets
Despite the Hornets not playing up to expectations they still made the playoffs as a seven seed. Young studs Gerald Green, OJ Mayo and the Hornets will face the veteran New York Knicks. As I have stated before the Knicks have one of the top three starting lineups. Although I feel the Hornets are going to be the best team in BBS in two years this is not their year and will fall out in the first round.
Prediction – Knicks 4-2
(3) Pistons vs. (6) Hawks
The Pistons gave up their number one seed in the final week but this should not stop them from moving on into the second round. Jermaine O’Neal and Kobe Bryant will overmatch Tracy McGrady. The Pistons should cruise rather easily to a second round match up with the winner of the Knicks/Hornets series.
Prediction – Pistons 4-1
(1) Sonics vs. (8) Jazz
Despite being an 8 seed the Jazz are a very tough opponent and will give the Sonics fits. Despite having a better defensive team then the Sonics the Jazz will fall in 6 to the Sonics. Although I feel the Sonics will move on Kenyon Martin will give Dwight Howard trouble and will make this series very close for a 1/8 match up.
Prediction – Sonics 4-2
(4) Warriors vs. (5) Spurs
This series is going seven. Both teams exploit each others weaknesses. The Spurs inside game is not as strong as the Warriors while the Spurs have the better outside game. Obviously which ever team’s game triumphs the other will take this series. That being said I am choosing the Spurs just because of the Marion pickup. Marion will D-up against the Warriors main outside threat Thaddeus Young. Murphy and Webber will have their hands full with Darko, JBC, and Okafor but in the end the Spurs will take this by a hair.
Prediction – Spurs 4-3
(2) Timberwolves vs. (7) Grizzlies
The Timberwolves finished as the best defensive team and took the second seed in the last week of the year. Two premier scorers will face off against each other in Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Although Pierce should take this match up the Timberwolves overall are the better team. The three headed monster of Randolph, Maglorie, and Chandler will be too much for Memphis to handle.
Prediction – Timberwolves 4-2
(3) Blazers vs. (6) Rockets
This series is my only “real” upset pick of the first round. The defending champs are going to shock the Blazers in the first round. Ron Artest is going to terrorize Brandon Rush throughout this series leaving Kevin Garnett to shoulder the whole load. While KG is capable of putting up huge games it will not be enough. The Rockets will advance to face the winner of the Timberwolves/Grizzlies series.
Prediction – Rockets 4-3
SECOND ROUND
(1) Raptors vs. (4) Magic
The frontcourt duo of Bosh and Brand will have to overcome the top duo in the league. Vince Carter will have his hands full with Bird but Moncrief is going to hold his own against Wade. The Magic’s lack of depth is going to come back and hurt them as Bosh and Brand should have their way. It will be a high scoring series but the Raps will take this in seven.
Prediction – Raptors 4-3
(2) Knicks vs. (3) Pistons
The Knicks starting lineup may be better then the Pistons but the Pistons are much deeper and this will prove to be the ex-factor. Despite being one of the league’s high scorers Monta Ellis is going to have trouble against the veteran Kobe Bryant. Bryant is superior on both sides of the ball and will take out the Knicks’ number one option. Jermaine O’Neal also matches up with Dirk Nowitzki and should be able to somewhat contain him. Rashard Lewis must have a huge series for the Knicks to have a shot at advancing but in the end, the Pistons win this advancing to the conference finals.
Prediction – Pistons 4-2
(1) Sonics vs. (5) Spurs
The Spurs will give the Sonics a tough series with Marion covering LeBron but the inside presence of Shaq and Dwight Howard will be too much for the Spurs to overcome. With Troy Murphy covering Shaq, expect Shaq to blow up and have a big series. Billups/Marbury is going to be a very good match up as two of the premier point guards in BBS will face off.
Prediction – Sonics 4-2
(2) Timberwolves vs. (6) Rockets
This will be the end of the road for the Rockets as they will fall to the Timberwolves. The Wolves will be too tough for the Rockets due to AK47. Kirilenko will overmatch Darius Miles and will have his way. Kirilenko will also help with the Wolves rebounding and their front court will outplay the Rockets’. The Timberwolves will overcome the Rockets in a tough seven game series.
Prediction – Timberwolves 4-3
CONFERENCE FINALS
(1) Raptors vs. (2) Pistons
The match up of the two best teams from the East will go to seven games. Although the Raps have the home court advantage it will not be a factor as Detroit will take the series. Kobe Bryant is going to be the MVP of this series dominating the Raptors. Jermaine O’Neal will have his hands full down low with Brand and Bosh but Kobe will have his way on the perimeter. It would not surprise me if the Raps take it but I see the Pistons getting revenge from last year and winning the series.
Prediction – Pistons 4-3
(1) Sonics vs. (2) Timberwolves
These two teams both match up closely. LeBron once again will have to face off against another premier defender in Kirilenko. Ray Richardson will try and shut down the tough Ray Allen but the point guard and two big men are in Seattle’s favor. Shaq and Howard edge out Maglorie and Chandler and Marbury has a clear edge over Chalmers. If any injuries should occur to the Pistons the Timberwolves will be a favorite because of their superior depth but I see the Sonics making their first championship in their history.
Prediction – Sonics 4-2
CHAMPIONSHIP
(1) Sonics vs. (2) Pistons
The finals will have two teams that have great starting lineups but I feel it will come down to the benches. The Pistons bench is far superior to the Sonics and this will eventually be the demise of the Sonics. Peja, Paulas, and Harriston are better then anything the Sonics have. The only chance the Sonics have is Shaq and LeBron taking advantage of their much weaker opponents. Although the Sonics have the best starting five it will not matter as the Pistons will take the championship in one great series.
Prediction – Pistons 4-3
BBS Playoff Predictions
It’s come down to the final 16. 16 teams stand and one will remain in only a few days crowned BBS Champions. Can the Rockets retain their title or will a champion from the past such as the Jazz or Warriors take the crown? I can only try and determine the championship but one thing I know will happen…we will see some amazing series’ and great battles.
Here are my playoff predictions…
(1) Raps vs. (8) Celtics
The Celtics new GM has his hands full with a first round match up with the East’s top team. Although the Celts have a stud in Laimbeer it will not be enough as the Raps should cruise through this series into the second round.
Prediction – Raptors 4-1
(4) Magic vs. (5) Wizards
This match up will have four of the most dynamic scorers in BBS. Melo and AI will match up against Wade and Bird. All four will get their share of scoring but this series will come down to the play of their point guards and big men. Although Nene is the best big man out of both teams I still feel the Magic will squeak through into the next round.
Prediction – Magic 4-2
(2) Knicks vs. (7) Hornets
Despite the Hornets not playing up to expectations they still made the playoffs as a seven seed. Young studs Gerald Green, OJ Mayo and the Hornets will face the veteran New York Knicks. As I have stated before the Knicks have one of the top three starting lineups. Although I feel the Hornets are going to be the best team in BBS in two years this is not their year and will fall out in the first round.
Prediction – Knicks 4-2
(3) Pistons vs. (6) Hawks
The Pistons gave up their number one seed in the final week but this should not stop them from moving on into the second round. Jermaine O’Neal and Kobe Bryant will overmatch Tracy McGrady. The Pistons should cruise rather easily to a second round match up with the winner of the Knicks/Hornets series.
Prediction – Pistons 4-1
(1) Sonics vs. (8) Jazz
Despite being an 8 seed the Jazz are a very tough opponent and will give the Sonics fits. Despite having a better defensive team then the Sonics the Jazz will fall in 6 to the Sonics. Although I feel the Sonics will move on Kenyon Martin will give Dwight Howard trouble and will make this series very close for a 1/8 match up.
Prediction – Sonics 4-2
(4) Warriors vs. (5) Spurs
This series is going seven. Both teams exploit each others weaknesses. The Spurs inside game is not as strong as the Warriors while the Spurs have the better outside game. Obviously which ever team’s game triumphs the other will take this series. That being said I am choosing the Spurs just because of the Marion pickup. Marion will D-up against the Warriors main outside threat Thaddeus Young. Murphy and Webber will have their hands full with Darko, JBC, and Okafor but in the end the Spurs will take this by a hair.
Prediction – Spurs 4-3
(2) Timberwolves vs. (7) Grizzlies
The Timberwolves finished as the best defensive team and took the second seed in the last week of the year. Two premier scorers will face off against each other in Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Although Pierce should take this match up the Timberwolves overall are the better team. The three headed monster of Randolph, Maglorie, and Chandler will be too much for Memphis to handle.
Prediction – Timberwolves 4-2
(3) Blazers vs. (6) Rockets
This series is my only “real” upset pick of the first round. The defending champs are going to shock the Blazers in the first round. Ron Artest is going to terrorize Brandon Rush throughout this series leaving Kevin Garnett to shoulder the whole load. While KG is capable of putting up huge games it will not be enough. The Rockets will advance to face the winner of the Timberwolves/Grizzlies series.
Prediction – Rockets 4-3
SECOND ROUND
(1) Raptors vs. (4) Magic
The frontcourt duo of Bosh and Brand will have to overcome the top duo in the league. Vince Carter will have his hands full with Bird but Moncrief is going to hold his own against Wade. The Magic’s lack of depth is going to come back and hurt them as Bosh and Brand should have their way. It will be a high scoring series but the Raps will take this in seven.
Prediction – Raptors 4-3
(2) Knicks vs. (3) Pistons
The Knicks starting lineup may be better then the Pistons but the Pistons are much deeper and this will prove to be the ex-factor. Despite being one of the league’s high scorers Monta Ellis is going to have trouble against the veteran Kobe Bryant. Bryant is superior on both sides of the ball and will take out the Knicks’ number one option. Jermaine O’Neal also matches up with Dirk Nowitzki and should be able to somewhat contain him. Rashard Lewis must have a huge series for the Knicks to have a shot at advancing but in the end, the Pistons win this advancing to the conference finals.
Prediction – Pistons 4-2
(1) Sonics vs. (5) Spurs
The Spurs will give the Sonics a tough series with Marion covering LeBron but the inside presence of Shaq and Dwight Howard will be too much for the Spurs to overcome. With Troy Murphy covering Shaq, expect Shaq to blow up and have a big series. Billups/Marbury is going to be a very good match up as two of the premier point guards in BBS will face off.
Prediction – Sonics 4-2
(2) Timberwolves vs. (6) Rockets
This will be the end of the road for the Rockets as they will fall to the Timberwolves. The Wolves will be too tough for the Rockets due to AK47. Kirilenko will overmatch Darius Miles and will have his way. Kirilenko will also help with the Wolves rebounding and their front court will outplay the Rockets’. The Timberwolves will overcome the Rockets in a tough seven game series.
Prediction – Timberwolves 4-3
CONFERENCE FINALS
(1) Raptors vs. (2) Pistons
The match up of the two best teams from the East will go to seven games. Although the Raps have the home court advantage it will not be a factor as Detroit will take the series. Kobe Bryant is going to be the MVP of this series dominating the Raptors. Jermaine O’Neal will have his hands full down low with Brand and Bosh but Kobe will have his way on the perimeter. It would not surprise me if the Raps take it but I see the Pistons getting revenge from last year and winning the series.
Prediction – Pistons 4-3
(1) Sonics vs. (2) Timberwolves
These two teams both match up closely. LeBron once again will have to face off against another premier defender in Kirilenko. Ray Richardson will try and shut down the tough Ray Allen but the point guard and two big men are in Seattle’s favor. Shaq and Howard edge out Maglorie and Chandler and Marbury has a clear edge over Chalmers. If any injuries should occur to the Pistons the Timberwolves will be a favorite because of their superior depth but I see the Sonics making their first championship in their history.
Prediction – Sonics 4-2
CHAMPIONSHIP
(1) Sonics vs. (2) Pistons
The finals will have two teams that have great starting lineups but I feel it will come down to the benches. The Pistons bench is far superior to the Sonics and this will eventually be the demise of the Sonics. Peja, Paulas, and Harriston are better then anything the Sonics have. The only chance the Sonics have is Shaq and LeBron taking advantage of their much weaker opponents. Although the Sonics have the best starting five it will not matter as the Pistons will take the championship in one great series.
Prediction – Pistons 4-3
2012 Western Conference Finals
I think I can beat the Grizz and the (blazers/Rockets) Sonics will give me some problems even though I have my best defenders on their top offensive guys. I beat the Pistons on the last day of the regular season so there is hope there.