[lynchburgwildcats]

And the Magic finish with the worst record in the league. And the Lakers make the playoffs with the Jazz loss.

[thepostman]

I really don't like dwight howard

[lynchburgwildcats]

Lakers manage to get the #7 seed, avoid having to get swept by OKC. They might win a game or two against the Spurs just because it's a better matchup for the Lakers, but Parker will score at will if healthy, I would imagine.

OKC vs. Houston should be a fun series, going to be buckets for days in that series.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Mitch McGary and Glen Robinson III coming back for Michigan. Not sure where GRIII was projected, but McGary is a real blow to the draft.

But anyways. My first round NBA playoff predictions:
OKC over Houston
Memphis over Clippers
Denver over Golden State
Spurs over Lakers
Miami over Milwaukee
Chicago over Brooklyn
Pacers over ATL
Celtics over Knicks

[thepostman]

Not say you are wrong, but what makes you think the Celtics will beat the Knicks??

As much as it pains me to say, the Spurs better get their act together or they may have some problems with the Lakers.

With all of that said I don't see anybody beating the Heat

[RubberMallet]

Mitch McGary and Glen Robinson III coming back for Michigan. Not sure where GRIII was projected, but McGary is a real blow to the draft.

some idiots have had them as both lottery picks.

*wipes brow in relief*

[lynchburgwildcats]

Mitch McGary and Glen Robinson III coming back for Michigan. Not sure where GRIII was projected, but McGary is a real blow to the draft.

some idiots have had them as both lottery picks.

*wipes brow in relief*

Why would someone be an idiot for having McGary as a lottery pick?

[lynchburgwildcats]

Not say you are wrong, but what makes you think the Celtics will beat the Knicks??

As much as it pains me to say, the Spurs better get their act together or they may have some problems with the Lakers.

With all of that said I don't see anybody beating the Heat

Just have a feeling. I think they are too three-point happy and I've never been a fan of such three-point heavy teams in the playoffs.

[Sly Fox]

I believe you had a feeling that the Rockets trade for the Beard was awful as well. How did that turn out?

[RubberMallet]

Mitch McGary and Glen Robinson III coming back for Michigan. Not sure where GRIII was projected, but McGary is a real blow to the draft.

some idiots have had them as both lottery picks.

*wipes brow in relief*

Why would someone be an idiot for having McGary as a lottery pick?

its quite simple. a player thats slotted as a lottery pick is more apt to leave school.

[thepostman]

I believe you had a feeling that the Rockets trade for the Beard was awful as well. How did that turn out?

You might be confusing him with me. I said he hadn't done anything as of yet to deserve a max deal.

I still don't think he deserves a max deal, but I am under the opinion max deals should be reserved for the top 5 to 10 players in the league. Not just for really good players

[lynchburgwildcats]

I believe you had a feeling that the Rockets trade for the Beard was awful as well. How did that turn out?

You might be confusing him with me. I said he hadn't done anything as of yet to deserve a max deal.

I still don't think he deserves a max deal, but I am under the opinion max deals should be reserved for the top 5 to 10 players in the league. Not just for really good players

I said the same as well unless I am remembering incorrectly. But Harden is going to be at least third-team All-NBA I imagine.

[NotAJerry]

I believe you had a feeling that the Rockets trade for the Beard was awful as well. How did that turn out?

You might be confusing him with me. I said he hadn't done anything as of yet to deserve a max deal.

I still don't think he deserves a max deal, but I am under the opinion max deals should be reserved for the top 5 to 10 players in the league. Not just for really good players

Harden finished 11th in PER, just behind Bryant/Parker and ahead of Blake Griffin. He was, and is, a max contract player. The only reason OKC didn't give him a max contract was to avoid the luxury tax.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I believe you had a feeling that the Rockets trade for the Beard was awful as well. How did that turn out?

You might be confusing him with me. I said he hadn't done anything as of yet to deserve a max deal.

I still don't think he deserves a max deal, but I am under the opinion max deals should be reserved for the top 5 to 10 players in the league. Not just for really good players

Harden finished 11th in PER, just behind Bryant/Parker and ahead of Blake Griffin. He was, and is, a max contract player. The only reason OKC didn't give him a max contract was to avoid the luxury tax.

They were going to have to pay the luxury tax with the offer they were giving him, so obviously that is not the least bit true.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I believe you had a feeling that the Rockets trade for the Beard was awful as well. How did that turn out?

You might be confusing him with me. I said he hadn't done anything as of yet to deserve a max deal.

I still don't think he deserves a max deal, but I am under the opinion max deals should be reserved for the top 5 to 10 players in the league. Not just for really good players

Harden finished 11th in PER, just behind Bryant/Parker and ahead of Blake Griffin. He was, and is, a max contract player. The only reason OKC didn't give him a max contract was to avoid the luxury tax.

They were going to have to pay the luxury tax with the offer they were giving him, so obviously that is not the least bit true.

[thepostman]

I still don't think is a max guy, but the same owners that complained about the high salaries are the same owners that will continue to overpay for talent that is really, really good...just not elite.

[Sly Fox]

Dude, he is 23 and getting significantly better every season. Without him there is no chance the Rockets would have sniffed the playoffs. That trade has proven to be a coup at a time when acquiring top notch talent outside of the draft is proving nearly impossible unless you are located in L.A. or Miami.

[thepostman]

Did I say it wasn't a good trade? I just have strong opinions a out the overuse of max contracts. Big difference.

[NotAJerry]

Playoff thoughts:

Celtics in 6. Melo is a volume scorer who can be very inefficient against good defenses. The Celtics can force that inefficiency and the Knicks don't have enough to overcome that.
Heat in 4. They're just that good. They won't lose more than 4 games total in the playoffs if they stay healthy.
Pacers in 5. It's the Hawks and the playoffs, so it's likely not going to be good.
Brooklyn in 6. Could go 7. Best matchup of the 1st round. Chicago has really played well without Rose, but I don't think they have enough to pull off the upset.

OKC in 5. Houston is very good at what they do, but OKC does basically the same thing and they're better at most positions. Should be fun.
Spurs in 6. Lakers put up more of a fight without Kobe in this series. They're not a better team without him, it's just a situation where the others will step up for the short term. Spurs still take it.
Denver in 7. The Doug Moe invitational has a chance to be the most exciting offensive series since the early-mid 80s. I'm hoping it goes 7 but Denver likely wins it before that.
Clippers in 6. This series turns the other way if Z-Bo plays like 2 years ago. He probably won't and the Clips will move on.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Well Chicago's performance was an embarrassment even with Noah out. They are better than that regardless of Noah's absence.

[RubberMallet]

noah played like 15 minutes....they were the most out of sync with him out there actually....when boozer is your go to scorer, you are in for a rough series....derrick rose really has the passion and fire...*rolleyes*

[lynchburgwildcats]

noah played like 15 minutes....they were the most out of sync with him out there actually....when boozer is your go to scorer, you are in for a rough series....derrick rose really has the passion and fire...*rolleyes*

Hmm, I read earlier on ESPN that Noah was supposed to be out. Didn't get to see the game and didn't see the box score so I figured Noah didn't play.

How about YMCA all-star Andre Miller playing like he is LeBron James tonight? As far as playing style goes, that man is to the PG position what Tim Duncan is to the C position (don't tell me he is a PF, that is BS).

[thepostman]

I've always liked Andre miller but he is not in Tim Duncan's class. A bit overboard there

[RubberMallet]

i took it as playing style. they both always play ball like the savy old guy who takes you to school.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I've always liked Andre miller but he is not in Tim Duncan's class. A bit overboard there

Do you not read? I said in terms of playing style.

As far as playing style goes, that man is to the PG position what Tim Duncan is to the C position