Just for fun. As some of us are not aware of the playoff seeding procedure, list next year's playoff teams in order of best record to worst.

1. Chicago - Young and experienced. I expect them to fluctuate greatly from game to game simply on the premise that they rely on jump-shooting. Could very well be lower.

2. Toronto - The East's Phoenix. Not much of a playoff team, but I expect them to do some things in the regular season, for whatever that's worth.

3. Washington - See #2

4. Cleveland - LeHype will be worn out by playoff time, as Zydrunas Ilgauskas loses even more hair from his head and Anderson Varejao breaks his back whilst flopping against Shaquille O'Neal

5. Detroit - Could be much higher, but they sacrifice regular season wins for playoff energy and experience for future HoFer's Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson.

6. Miami - Too much talent not to make it. I think from 5 to 6 there is a moderate drop-off in terms of wins. They're quite old, and we still don't know if Dwyane will recover from that injury completely.

7. New Jersey - Should always have a chance. I don't know what to think of this team. Last year they didn't have Nenad Krstic for the playoffs nor Jamaal Magloire. Could be seeded anywhere from seed 3 - 7

8. Charlotte - That's right. My sleeper pick for the playoffs. One more year experienced and a trade for Jason Richardson. A great mixture of defense and an overrated volume shooter from Golden State's high-octane offense should get them in the playoffs with difficulty and out with ease.

I think competitiveness will define the race for the playoffs in the East. I hope the West will be revealed for the top-heavy, overrated thing it has been for the past three years. My pick to win the Eastern Conference Finals is . . . Chicago. Seeds 1 - 5 will all be close record-wise. I hate Orlando.

1. Detroit - still #1 team
2. Chicago - a bit improved
3. NJ - "big 3" are back, Christic is back, Magloire, when motivated, is an upgrade over Moore
4. Toronto - should keep getting better
5. Cleveland - same old
6. Washington - if healthy may be quite dangerous
7. Milwaukee - health is the main issue
8. New York/Charlotte - both are improved

Top 8 (in no particular order)

Chicago
Cleveland
Miami
Detroit
New Jersey
Toronto
New York
Washington

I'll wait to see if the Boston-Minnesota trade falls through. That will change the rankings a lot. I would not be surprised to see our Pistons fall to the #5 seed next season.

I'll wait to see if the Boston-Minnesota trade falls through. That will change the rankings a lot. I would not be surprised to see our Pistons fall to the #5 seed next season.
Why would they slip? They're still good for at least 50 wins essentially bringing the same starters and better bench. Boston, on the other hand, would get closer to the top if they do pull that deal through.

If Boston pulls off the reported trade for Garnnett to add to Pierce and Ray Allen. Look out because they will be the Jeffersons of the Eastern Conference...."Movin on up..."

Detroit
NJ
Toronto
Cleveland
Miami
New York
Chicago
Washington

That leaves the Sandford and Sons (junkyard) of the East ..Atlanta, Indiana etc.

1. Chicago- Hinrich, Deng, and Gordon give them a good/very good perimeter trio. Griffin is a solid wing-stopper, and Duhon gives superb depth. Big Ben can still give them 30-33 mpg of rebounding and defense. Joe Smith isn't a force of nature, but he's a good PF who can give you some interior scoring, as much as C-Webb on a limited basis. Noah and Thomas are a seriously freakish duo off the bench. Nocioni can give you veteran performance at both froward spots. If Sefolosha can give them some perimeter shooting, then they will be as tough as you want.

I still don't see them beating the Pistons in a seven game series, due to matchup issues with our backcourt. Gordon can't handle Rip's size or Billups' strength. If they can solve that problem, then look out.

2. Detroit- The "Core Four" are about as good as you can expect, and Nazmo won't lose you any games, but this team's ultimate destiny will be determined by the young guys. I really like Stucky rounding out our backcourt. He can score the ball, run the offense, and beat defenses with the extra pass. This is all you can ask for. Brahma would help any squad in the league for 20 minutes a night. The big thing is AJ. If he can be an impact player for 15-20 minutes a night the the Pistons are back in the mix for a title.

3. Boston- I'm assuming this trade is going to go down. Allen, Pierce, and KG are a better trio than Rip, Prince, and Sheed, although just barely. Rondo is a solid PG, considering the firepower surrounding him. Perkins is a solid 20-25 minute a night big man. Brevin Knight/Pargo and Dale Davis/PJ Brown make this team a contender.

4. Cleveland- I hate giving this team even this much credit. Boobie Gibson is an improving young PG who should be able to take advantage of the open shots LBJ creates. Snow is a capable backup, and Damon Jones can make a majority of his wide open three pointers. Pavlovic has some decent games on occasion. Gooden and AndyV are capable big men. Big Z is a solid shotblocker/lowpost option. As long as LBJ keeps doing his thing, then The Cavs will compete in the East. This team should not have beaten the Pistons last year.

5. New Jersey- Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson are as good a trio as you'll find on the perimeter. Nachbar is a serious shooter, good for 20 minutes a night. Marcus Williams is a really strong young PG who makes plays for people. Magloire and Kristic are a nice interior pair, and Collins is a tough role player off of the bench. Barring injury, these guys should be extremely competitive next year.

6.-8. These will be determined by the rest of the off-season, with Toronto having the inside track to make the playoffs. Washington needs to resolve their center issues (Etan Thomas doesn't move like he did before the injuries, and Haywood's overrated). Miami needs a few more live bodies to finish over .500. New York is stacked with talent, but I'll believe it when I see it.

1. Cleveland- Why is everyone rating them so low? They have been the cause of the Pistons downfall the past 2 years.

2. Detroit- Still a threat for the Finals. I am sick off all the talking, time to do some walking.

3. Boston- Would not be surprised if they end up higher, but after the trio it is paper thin.

4. Orlando- Will be the best in the SE. Miami is doing horrible this off season.

5. Chicago- I don't understand their off season acquisition of Smith. They won't improve that much.

6. Milwaukee- Watch out for these guys. Their team is quite deep.

7. New York- This super talent team will finally put it together and make the playoffs. This will be a tough match up for the Pistons come playoff time.

8. Miami- This team will barely make the playoffs, but I can see them easily moving to the second round despite this.

Cleveland vs Miami (1 vs 8): Either team could win. Usually the 1 seed is a lock, but this is not the case here.

Detroit vs NYC (2 vs 7): A harder opponent then the recent teams of Orlando, Milwaukee, and Philly. An upset is possible

Boston vs Milwaukee (3 vs 6): An upset is possible here as well. This will be a very interesting match up.

Orlando vs Chicago (4 vs 5): This is a toss up as well. Both teams are improving.

Why would they slip?

Cleveland and Chicago could get better records then the Pistons. The Atlantic Division winner and SE Division winner would then be ahead in seedings even if they have a worse record leaving the Pistons at the #5 seed or possibly worse. I see them getting the second best record in the East though.

1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Toronto
5. Boston
6. Orlando
7. Miami
8. Washington or New York

Forgot about Orlando. I'll need to see what they've got behind Nelson, Lewis, and Howard. Arroyo is solid, Hedo can play, Battie is servicable, after that....

They've really left themselves thin.

1. Chicago-On paper, 2nd best starters, best depth
2. Toronto-Came on strong, young team, Bargnani and Bosh a year older; Delfino may be the missing piece as a defensive starter.
3. Cleveland-This is hard, if Stern forces the refs to call the games honestly because of the gambling scandal, Cleveland could miss the playoffs; on the other hand, I can't believe Lebron still won't continue to get away with all of his walks, charges, and ticky tack fouls.
4. Washington-If they can keep away from injuries, Arenas wills this team into the playoffs
5. New Jersey-Time to put all the pieces together, cause there window is shrinking
6. Charlotte-Surprise Argentinian Walter Hermann helps Charlotter improve
7. Detroit-Until Flip proves he can take the rookie mistakes without DNPing them for the rest of the season, I will be a seller of Detroit next year.
8. New York-make or break for isaiah

Side note, Orlando absolutely destroyed there team. Lost their starting 2, the guy who should have been their starting 4; and put themselves in salary cap crap buy signing a borderline all-star player to a max deal. Expect these clowns to be deep into the lottery next year.

1. Detroit
2. Chicago
3. Washington
4. Orlando
5. Cleveland
6. Toronto
7. New Jersey
8. ???

:hoops:

I wonder where Boston will be with a lineup of Allen, Pierce, KG, and twelve other guys.

Danny Ainge is looking sort of "Whoo-Hoo! Whoo-Hoo!" crazy at the moment.

He's running around saying "I got KG!" and everyone else is wondering who he's going to scrape up to play point guard and center, and who's coming up from the D-League to sit on Bostons bench.

I wonder where Boston will be with a lineup of Allen, Pierce, KG, and twelve other guys.

Danny Ainge is looking sort of "Whoo-Hoo! Whoo-Hoo!" crazy at the moment.

He's running around saying "I got KG!" and everyone else is wondering who he's going to scrape up to play point guard and center, and who's coming up from the D-League to sit on Bostons bench.
Let me get this straight, Boston will have, for the 2, 3, and 4 spots; Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and KG?

I don't care who's playing the point or center, they now have the best starting 5 in the East. Thankfully, they also have the worst bench. Pencil Boston in at the 7 spot.

16m, the only person who could make that team more formidable would be Unko Debunkalogo.

Re: Boston

There is only basketball.

:hoops:

Cleveland 55-27
Chicago 53-29
Miami 51-31
Toronto 47-35
The Knicks 45-37
Charlotte 44-38
Detroit 41-41
Washington 40-42

Cleveland 55-27
Chicago 53-29
Miami 51-31
Toronto 47-35
The Knicks 45-37
Charlotte 44-38
Detroit 41-41
Washington 40-42

Now, this is interesting.
:stirthepot:

Right now???!!!

Well ranking the east would look like or at least the playoffs would look like:

1. Boston - A lineup of KG, Allen, and Pierce is sick, even with what would be one of the worst benches in the league. KG isn't selfish, Pierce wants to win, and Allen is a handful to guard by himself.

2. Chicago - Will be better this year with more experience from losing this past year. Still no inside scoring threat but just a few more minutes and more mental toughness and they pull out wins in the playoffs.

3. Detroit - A different look-bench, solid starters but is the hunger there? C'mon DETROIT....

4. Cleveland - They shouldn't have beat us last year. They are where they are because of the irreplaceable LBJ

5. Washington - Gil Zero is worth the admission, whether he scores 50 or you want to watch him eat his own words and fall flat on his predictions. They can score with the best of them.

6. New Jersey - JKidd is still a pretty darned good point, VC, RJ, and Krstic are still ok.

7. New York - That Zach Randolph trade does wonders for their salary and roster logjams. It will give them an inside scorer as well.

8. I don't know. Orlando?

Right now???!!!

Well ranking the east would look like or at least the playoffs would look like:

1. Boston - A lineup of KG, Allen, and Pierce is sick, even with what would be one of the worst benches in the league. KG isn't selfish, Pierce wants to win, and Allen is a handful to guard by himself.


There is only ball and there is only one all star game a year.

:hoops:

There is only ball and there is only one all star game a year.



Should have read.

There is only one ball and there is only one all star game a year.

:hoops:

I hate that argument. It makes perfect sense, but wait until you see these guys play before making that argument. If none of the three can give up a little scoring to help everyone be effective than that argument can be made.

East Contenders:

Celtics:

Rondo: B-

Ray Allen: A-

Paul Pierce: A-

KG: A

Perkins: C+

Bench: D

Coach Rivers: C+

Overall: B

Bulls:

Hinrich: B

Gordon: B

Deng: B

P.J. Brown: C+

Ben Wallace: B

Bench: B-

Coach Skiles: B

Overall: B

Cavaliers:

Gibson: C+

Pavlovich: C+

LeBron: A+

Gooden: B-

Ilguaskas: B-

Bench: B-

Coach Brown: C+

Overall: B

Pistons:

Chauncey: B+

Rip: B+

Tayshaun: B

Sheed: B+

Nazr: C+

Bench: Incomplete, I have no idea what to expect

Flip: C+

Overall: Range (depending on how good the bench becomes) As low as a C or as high as an A.

I hate that argument. It makes perfect sense, but wait until you see these guys play before making that argument. If none of the three can give up a little scoring to help everyone be effective than that argument can be made.

I think you mean play together. I have already seen them play many times.

None of them have ever won a ring or come close. They are too old by NBA standards to change their ways.

You still need a good point guard to win in the NBA. Ray Allen isn't going to all of a sudden become Kidd, or Nash or even C-Bill or even Wade or Lebron or Kobe all of whom averaged more assists than Allen.

Hell, even Captain Quirk (G. Arenas) average 50% more assists per game than Allen did last year.


:hoops:

1. Detroit - We have the team cohesion, the experience, and the skill. We just need the hunger to return.

2. Boston - With these three, our starters start to look seriously challenged. KG vs. Sheed... Rip vs. Ray Allen, Tay vs. Pierce... The only guy who would have a good game (off and def) should be Chauncey

3. Chicago - Another year under their belt, solid experience, PJ Brown replaced. More of the same solid, but young stuff. Chi and Cleveland are the kids, Boston and Detroit are the men, Miami and New Jersey are the Senior Citizens...

4. Cleveland - No real off season moves, might save money on Varajao. More Gibson over the reg season, less Larry Hughes.

5. New York - The addition of Zach Randolph will help them, but i think Isaiah will determine the success of this team.

6. New Jersey - Seasoned vets with problems up front. I think they've gone a good way towards addressing that problem. Rem: before we took our 5 straight Eastern Conf Finals, it was the Jason Kidd Nets that had 3 straight...

7. Toronto - Int'l ball for an international team. Another year for Bosh is not a bad thing.

8. Orlando - Lost Grant and Darko, gained Rashard Lewis... nothing that impresses me too much

Prediction: Eastern Conference Finals: Detroit vs. Boston, Epic battle of some of the most competitive and competent players in the league.