Eastern Conference Playoff Preview

[pudgejeff]

With the All-star break behind us and the trade deadline upon us it's time to see where the East stands for the playoffs and to see who has the best chance at dethroning the Chicago Bulls.

#1 Seed: Charlotte Hornets
W:39 L:12
They're talented and deep up front with Duckworth, Mourning, and LJ leading the way. They dominate the inside for 48 min and have great guard play from the starters. They're defense is second to none as everyone contributes. They look to be the run away champs now with Pheonix trading away Coleman, Barkley and KJ and still continuing to shake up there team. Although if Atlanta sneaks into the 8th seed that could be a scary first round.

Postseason Forecast:The Eastern Conference Champions and a 70/30 favorite in the finals against Seattle.

Key to Success: Staying Healthy.

#2 Seed: Orlando Magic
W:37 L:17
The Magic have been trying to build around Shaq for a few years now and look to have finally made the right move in getting Ewing. They're trying to move him for a PF but I don't know how well that's gonna work with the deal with the T-wolves falling through. Look to still be the little sister at this point but it remains to be seen with the all the trades they've made in the past few days.

Postseason Forecast:Losing in the Eastern Conference finals to the Hornets in a less than entertaining series in which they struggle to score.

Key to Success: Finding a better scorer on the wing.

#3 Seed: Philadelphia 76ers
W:35 L:15
A terrible start to the year but now have gotten the ship righted. Their wings score in bunches but also distribute and play defense. The posts are no slouches either, they defend very well and can score when called upon and have lots of depth in case of foul trouble.

Postseason Forecast: 2nd round exit in a hard fought series with the Magic unless they can add a 3rd scorer.

Key to success: Finding a 3rd scorer to complement the 2 guards.

#4 Seed: Chicago Bulls
W:38 L:16
Scottie Pippen has blossomed into the unstoppable superstar we all knew he could be with the trade of MJ. Mark Price has been ridiculous, shooting 52.2% overall and 48.1% from three this season to give the bigs room to work down low. I have them this low because they're looking to tinker more with trades and I think it's a terrible idea and can only make them worse.

Postseason Forecast: An embarrasing 2nd round loss to the Hornets.

Key to Success: Stop tinkering and go with what you've got.

#5 Seed: Detroit Pistons
W:35 L:20
Wow, wow, wow...A team full of youth and overpriced free agent posts. This team is scary for the future. 1 or 2 good TC's and they'll be unstoppable. Jkidd is playing out of his mind, seemingly felling like he has to follow in NVE's shoes.

Postseason Forecast: First round loss to the Bulls and an excruciating wait for TC.

Key to success: A good TC and hoping the Hawks don't make the playoff's so there pick is a lottery pick.

#6 Seed: Indiana Pacers
W:30 L:20
A very good team with a great scorer in Reggie but just not enough defense to compete in the loaded East. Stuck as a middle of the road team. Need to infuse some youth and defense to the stale team.

Postseason Forecast: Losing in 6 to the 6ers. They'll give em a run but just aren't deep or tough enough to get over the hump.

Key to success: Gotta get younger and better defensively.

#7 seed: Boston Celtics
W:28 L:22
Adding DC was costly but could give them a ship soon, just not this year. Will be a very dangerous 7 seed but Orlando is just too good. Resign Brian Williams and have a good TC and we could be looking at the front runner for next year.

Postseason Forecast: First round loss in 5 games to the Magic. Just not enough firepower this year.

Key to success: Staying course and believing in what they've built.

#8 Seed: Atlanta Hawks
W:21 L:37
A little Homerism here but...With Drob, Uncle Cliffy, Mookie and Penny along with depth in the front court they are a very scary 8 seed. If they can get the lineup figured out quick they will be a tough out. Especially if CC continues to score 26 a game.

Postseason Forecast: Loss in 7 to the Hornets.

Key to success: A good TC and finding a good MLE in FA next year.

Teams Just missing out:

Miami Heat:
W:28 L:28
A good team but just can't find their way above .500.

New York Knicks:
W:25 L:20
Getting Clyde was cool but they needed inside help not guard play.

[quackattack]

nice job, gave it a 5.

trying to get Ewing to fit with Shaq has been tricky. we've actually been better these last few sims without Ewing in the lineup (injury) Jayson Williams has been great recently, so maybe together they can be a 3 headed monster sorta like the Hornets have.

[briarduck]

Great job!

[brophdogg88]

I'm not gonna be the 7 seed, but I think I could challenge the Magic if it came down to it. Coleman+Lang match up well with them, and I think I am better at the 2 and 3 spots...

[quackattack]

Jun 17, 2009 16:17:15 GMT -8 brophdogg88 said:

I'm not gonna be the 7 seed, but I think I could challenge the Magic if it came down to it. Coleman+Lang match up well with them, and I think I am better at the 2 and 3 spots...

i like the height advantage Shaq and Ewing would have over them. but your def a team i wouldn't wanna see in round 1

[quackattack]

after these articles, i think the East has the better conference. the west has a solid top 4, but the east have teams like the celtics and hawks toward the bottom, thats pretty scary

[brophdogg88]

Jun 17, 2009 16:27:02 GMT -8 quackattack said:

Jun 17, 2009 16:17:15 GMT -8 brophdogg88 said:

I'm not gonna be the 7 seed, but I think I could challenge the Magic if it came down to it. Coleman+Lang match up well with them, and I think I am better at the 2 and 3 spots...

i like the height advantage Shaq and Ewing would have over them. but your def a team i wouldn't wanna see in round 1

ehh...they only have a few inches each, but Lang and Coleman are great defenders, at positions where your best players are...and I don't have to rely on Coleman to score, Mullin and Anderson can take care of that. I have a large advantage at the SF and SG spots, I just don't know if it would be enough....because you have the advantage at PG....but hopefully it won't come to that in the first round anyway. Then again, my team can't stay healthy so maybe....

[quackattack]

Jun 17, 2009 16:32:29 GMT -8 brophdogg88 said:

Jun 17, 2009 16:27:02 GMT -8 quackattack said:

i like the height advantage Shaq and Ewing would have over them. but your def a team i wouldn't wanna see in round 1

ehh...they only have a few inches each, but Lang and Coleman are great defenders, at positions where your best players are...and I don't have to rely on Coleman to score, Mullin and Anderson can take care of that. I have a large advantage at the SF and SG spots, I just don't know if it would be enough....because you have the advantage at PG....but hopefully it won't come to that in the first round anyway. Then again, my team can't stay healthy so maybe....

yea your wings are your great scorers. but hopefully Ceballos (A-), Norman (A-), Edwards (A), and Strickland (A even at SG) can slow them down some if we met at some point in the playoffs

[pudgejeff]

Man I have more comments than votes

[pudgejeff]

I must have hit some sore spots

[quackattack]

Jun 17, 2009 17:48:30 GMT -8 pudgejeff said:

I must have hit some sore spots

haha, just magic and celtics going at it a little bit about their confidence in their respective teams...over a series that doesn't exist (yet)

[brophdogg88]

I gave it a 5

[gregspechtismyhero]

Bullshit the Hawks are better than me/Knicks. Homer.

[brophdogg88]

Jun 17, 2009 22:27:29 GMT -8 gregspechtismyhero said:

Bullshit the Hawks are better than me/Knicks. Homer.

any team with Cliff and the Admiral is dangerous. I think he may be better than you, but may not get into the playoffs since the Admiral missed so much time with that injury

[pudgejeff]

I wrote homerism in there...It's not like I acted like I wasn't being...And yes I would take the Hawks in a playoff series with either the Knicks or the Heat