NBA: Final Six Title Contenders

[NewcastleKEG]

http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/02/kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-91-points-okc-vs-denver-video.jpg



http://nba.blog.nl/files/2011/04/nba-parker-ginobili-power-nba-best-spurs-past-magic-2010-11-23_l.jpg


http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/files/2011/05/RandolphGasol.jpg


http://www.blogcdn.com/www.aolnews.com/media/2010/05/bynum-gasol-051010-307.jpg


http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/02/wade-and-james.jpg


http://www.chitownnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Bulls-Bench-Mob.jpg

[lefty]

Miami is gonna tap dat Bull's ass in the playoffs

[ElNono]

Too early to tell, tbqmfh... Some teams look dead tired, others nursing injuries... We don't even know what the seeding will look like even though the playoffs start in like 2 weeks

[Robz4000]

This is the only season I can recall where there is literally no clear-cut pick. Earlier in the season I would've said the Heat, Thunder, or Bulls were the only teams with a shot. Now I can see those three along with the Spurs, Lakers, Grizz, Boston, and maybe even Indy if one of the Heat or Bulls get upset so they only see one of them.

[scanry]

This thread could use a John Kramer Troll.

[DJ Mbenga]

its going to be about matchups. i do agree teams are in funks, injuries and things of that nature. spurs are healthy and clicking. question is is it too early, or just right. for the lakers, its sessions,shoulder, figner, kobe shin, bynum ankle, gasol vagina, brown brain. the bulls want no part of the knicks. better hope they get the bucks. because the heat want no part of them.
lol sixers. that is all

[jestersmash]

Kind of a fruitless poll on a spurs forum. 75%+ of the "yes" votes will go to the Spurs due to homerism alone.

If I had to put money on it, I'd probably pick Miami at this point.

[Stalin]

if spurfan can get to the finals somehow, i think their teamplay, chemistry, and experience, might be enough to make leCrab choke yet again

[jestersmash]

This is the only season I can recall where there is literally no clear-cut pick. Earlier in the season I would've said the Heat, Thunder, or Bulls were the only teams with a shot. Now I can see those three along with the Spurs, Lakers, Grizz, Boston, and maybe even Indy if one of the Heat or Bulls get upset so they only see one of them.

That's a big "if," but Indiania doesn't have a snowball's chance in Miami of beating the Heat in a 7 game series.

[Robz4000]

That's a big "if," but Indiania doesn't have a snowball's chance in Miami of beating the Heat in a 7 game series.
Nah, I think if they play team ball and maybe get hot/momentum there's a decent chance as well as Hibbert and West having a big series. Miami is not the juggernaut the media has made them out to be.

[Jacob1983]

Why aren't the Celtics on the list?

[wanggi]

I ain't sure who will be crowned in top 6 but I'm sure that it won't be the Lakers.

[Venti Quattro]

Why aren't the Celtics on the list?
Because they have no shot at all.

[TheSkeptic]

Nah, I think if they play team ball and maybe get hot/momentum there's a decent chance as well as Hibbert and West having a big series. Miami is not the juggernaut the media has made them out to be.

While Miami's not necessarily a juggernaut, they are a good team. I've watched them a handful of times this season and Indiana is just not good enough to pull that kind of an upset.

Orlando and Boston are pretty much the only two capable of doing something like that and barring a series of freak injuries to opponents neither of those two teams are winning it all.

[Jacob1983]

The Celtics can beat the Bulls and the Heat in the playoffs. Book it.

[Juggity]

The Celtics can beat the Bulls and the Heat in the playoffs. Book it.

Not a chance.

[Robz4000]

While Miami's not necessarily a juggernaut, they are a good team. I've watched them a handful of times this season and Indiana is just not good enough to pull that kind of an upset.

Orlando and Boston are pretty much the only two capable of doing something like that and barring a series of freak injuries to opponents neither of those two teams are winning it all.
Orlando is falling apart as we speak. They'll be bounced in the first round imo. Of course Boston can beat the Heat as well. However, I think people are underestimating Indiana's level of talent and ability to match up with the Heat. Keep in mind the Heat's biggest weaknesses are up front, where Indy is rather set. They'll outrebound Miami, which alone can make or break a series, and very well can dominate the paint. Add on Paul George defending the perimeter and Granger/Hill/Collins getting hot, a major upset could be brewing.

[Jacob1983]

The Celtics or possibly even the Pacers could win the East. The Bulls and Heat are not invincible teams. They have weaknesses.

[Venti Quattro]

The Celtics or possibly even the Pacers could win the East. The Bulls and Heat are not invincible teams. They have weaknesses.
Yes, but they are not going to be weak enough for the Celtics.

:lol Pacers

[Jacob1983]

The Celtics could possibly be this year's Mavs. This is probably the last chance for Rondo, Allen, Pierce, and KG to win one more championship together.

[Venti Quattro]

:lol I like your optimism, but no. They're a second round bounce.

[TheSkeptic]

Orlando is falling apart as we speak. They'll be bounced in the first round imo. Of course Boston can beat the Heat as well. However, I think people are underestimating Indiana's level of talent and ability to match up with the Heat. Keep in mind the Heat's biggest weaknesses are up front, where Indy is rather set. They'll outrebound Miami, which alone can make or break a series, and very well can dominate the paint. Add on Paul George defending the perimeter and Granger/Hill/Collins getting hot, a major upset could be brewing.

Well yes, Orlando's dysfunctional but if they somehow put aside their differences they're a team that can get hot from 3 and upset someone.

Boston is the other one. I'd like to see Bradley check Wade a little bit before I make a decision but I think they have beaten Miami this year and you can never fully discount their experience.

Indiana on the other hand doesn't stand a chance. While I don't think they'd get swept or anything and their rebounding would be helping them stay in games, there's no way they win that series. On paper they have some good pieces and you'd think they were an excellent team but they're just not there yet imo.

I'm saying that as someone who likes them a little bit and has watched them play this season.




The Celtics could possibly be this year's Mavs. This is probably the last chance for Rondo, Allen, Pierce, and KG to win one more championship together.


The only way I see this happening is if Boston is somehow able to sustain good play over an extended time period. So far this season they've been either extremely sharp or extremely not. My suspicion is age and injuries have taken a toll on that team and your guess is as good as mine as to which Boston will show up.

I really don't think they stand a shot at the title either barring some kind of a miracle though. The playoffs are about consistency if nothing else imo.

[wanggi]

Don't underrate the Celtics.
But everybody knows they won't win the title.

[Kai]

If the Heat flip the switch like they did last year for the playoffs, GG rest of league.

[Venti Quattro]

If the Heat flip the switch like they did last year for the playoffs, GG rest of league.

Then they'll suddenly shut down in the middle of the Finals. :lmao

[NewcastleKEG]

The Celtics could possibly be this year's Mavs. This is probably the last chance for Rondo, Allen, Pierce, and KG to win one more championship together.
How are the current Celtics any different from last year Spurs (No depth)

[TheSkeptic]

Then they'll suddenly shut down in the middle of the Finals. :lmao

:lmao :lmao

That about sums it up.

[Stalin]

Then they'll suddenly shut down in the middle of the Finals. :lmao

the goods, tbh

[Amaso]

I can't realistically see the Grizzlies hoisting the trophy... just not enough experience to beat teams they probably aren't as good as in the first place.

The Lakers just don't have that much chemistry (or a competent coach), and lack the depth and consistency of players 4-8. Gasol isn't having the same impact he has had in the past, he just doesn't seem comfortable with Bynum's emergence. The offense has gotten better, and the only hope of the Lakers winning the championship is if they play the defense they were expected to play under Mike Brown.

I have a hard time seeing the Spurs winning a championship, I don't know how they manage to keep winning but like last year shows the regular season doesn't really mean too much if you just consistently beat teams you should beat(idk what their record is against the elite teams), but in fairness they do still have a lot of talent even though Timmy is way past his prime.

The Heat should probably win, but I think there's a mental block in Lebron's case, and Wade has been banged up.

The Thunder might struggle in a playoff setting since their halfcourt offense is very average. They are probably the favorites to come out of the West, but they aren't as good as most other Final competitors in the past decade.

I'm going with the Bulls to win it all. They've seem to got it all. It's gonna come down to Boozer playing like he's actually earning his salary, if he does that and isn't a no-show like he was last year they should probably edge the Heat in a game 7 at home(assuming they get HC advantage), and go on to beat whoever comes out of the West.

Like others have said, there's no real clear cut favorite, none of these teams are as good as championship teams of the past. It will probably come down to matchups, home court advantage, and injuries.

[LnGrrrR]

My homerism refuses to let me vote for any of the listed teams. My superstition prevents me from voting other.