Predict the 2010-11 NBA playoff teams
by David A. Arnott on Aug 30, 2010 8:14 AM EDT
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PrintEach of the past couple years, before the season, I've asked visitors to this site to predict the teams that will make the NBA playoffs. And each of the past two seasons, fans have correctly predicted 13 of the 16 playoff teams. Let's do it again.
After the jump, you'll see a form with checkboxes. Please choose the eight teams from each conference you think will make the playoffs and submit your prediction. Be nice and only do it once.
THE POLL HAS CLOSED
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My votes (not in order)
East:
Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Indiana, Miami, Milwaukee, Orlando
West:
Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles (Lakers duh), New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Portland, San Antonio, Utah
Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.
I'm not really feeling the Pacers
They should be better this year, no doubt, but I don’t know if they’ll slip into the playoffs.
by Roger, Roger on Aug 30, 2010 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
The East was pretty easy.
I think 1-7 are almost automatic with #8 being a bit of a debate. I think N.Y. will pull off that last spot in the East. As far as the West goes, complete toss up. The Spurs are older, Suns no longer have Amare, Denver may not have Melo/Billups, Houston is pretty good still but a lot of their success hinges on the health of Yao, Boozer and Korver are gone from Utah. I mean, other than Sacramento and Minnesota, their are really no for certain teams to miss the playoffs. And other than Oklahoma City, the Lakers, Blazers, an Mavs, there are no guarantees to make it.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Aug 30, 2010 9:03 AM EDT reply actions
My thoughts exactly
I think 1-7 are almost automatic with #8 being a bit of a debate. I think N.Y. will pull off that last spot in the East. As far as the West goes, complete toss up.
The East will stay about the same probably. I too went with NY replacing Cleveland.
The West is totally dependent on player moves. If The Nuggets stand pat, then they’re in for sure. If Melo and/or Billups/KMart/whoever is gone from Denver then who knows? Plus how will Utah respond to the loss of Boozer? Phoenix to Staudamire? For the purpose of this exercise i used the current rosters.
Ultimately, i went like this ( in order):
East.
Miami, Orlando, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee, NY & Charlotte
West
LAkers, OK City, Dallas, San Antonio, Denver, Portland, Utah & Golden State
Golden State over Phoenix or New Orleans?
That’s a bit of a stretch.
In fact,
I’d put Houston and Memphis in over Phoenix and NO.
Amare was a HUGE part of the Suns’ success, and I’d be surprised to see the Hornets operate above a level of dysfunction anytime soon.
I voted for Golden State as well
I got a feeling…
by Roger, Roger on Aug 30, 2010 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll admit that they look better this year than they have in the past
but I just don’t see them being better than all of the traditional playoff teams in the West. If there was going to be one team to squeak into the playoffs next season I’d say it’s N.O.
Not only do they have the best pg in the league, they finally have a legit 2 guard, a slightly above average center, and a former allstar in West. They also have way more experience than G.S.
And now, they also have a player with championship experience,
Trevor Ariza.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Aug 31, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
No could slip into the Playoffs
but ultimately they’re still the Hornets. George Shinn still owns them, and they will never amount to shit.
N.O's starting 5 looks really solid this season
Paul
Thorton
Ariza
West
Okafor
I don’t know who they have on the bench. It’s probably pretty thin, but that’s actually a playoff starting 5.
Finaly
Someone who isn’t a Hornets fan predicting good for them this year. This is my hope for the roster.
PG:Chris Paul, Mustafa Shakur, ???
SG:Marcus Thornton, Marco Bellinelli, Trevor Ariza
SF:Trevor Ariza, Quincy Pondexter, Peja Stojakovic
PF:David West, Lou Amundson (hopefully), Craig Brackins
C:Emeka Okafor, Aaron Gray, Josh Boone (another hopeful)
by OnPointLikeCP3 on Aug 31, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the 7-8 spots in the East are going to be the toughest to predict
That kind of goes w/out saying. I went w/ Charlotte and New York, but I don’t think it’s a given. Philly, Indiana, and Washington should all improve on some level. They’re all a bit too young for me to be convinced they’re better than Charlotte (that and I’m a bit of a homer). I think New York has too much talent not to at least be in the mix come playoff time. Yea they’re young, have a thin bench, and will be devastated if anyone gets injured. But I’m looking forward to seeing them play. Felton will have an allstar big to pass to for the first time in his career. Amare will have a questionable pg passing him the ball for the first time in his career. Can’t wait.
+1
One thing i can do...................is FINGER ROLL.
by gunnin' gervin on Aug 30, 2010 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
It's still too early to make predictions
The Bobcats aren’t the only team that will adjust their lineup before the season begins. Some teams have a lot of money left. Injuries and other big news before the season begins will also impact preseason projections. I made my predictions based on what I think will happen before and during the season regarding lineups.
by Ft.Mill Bobcat on Aug 30, 2010 11:33 AM EDT reply actions
Yes and No
The Denver Nuggets/Carmelo situation is the biggest unknown out there. If an EC team with the right setup gets him without giving up much, then they might work there way into the list. And Denver may or may not trade away much of the team. Still, I doubt I’d change my mind about 14 of the 16 playoff picks.
For now, I’m calling Washington as the team that will take Cleveland’s slot. Otherwise, the rest of last year’s EC playoff teams should be back. Washington is about the most difficult NBA team to read right now with so many young players plus Arenas.
The West shouldn’t change much either. Exit Amare and the Suns / Welcome back Yao and the Rockets. If Denver really does tear down their team, then New Orleans should be ready to take their place. Otherwise the rest of last season’s WC playoff teams all look very solid.
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