Two of these guys aren't going to the second round . . .

[tlongII]

Everything changes next year. The Blazers will be dominant.

[tlongII]

I agree with this and more. If you're just going to take the top 16 records, then you have to have the schedule balanced. Why should Boston and Detroit get the 1-2 seeds when they play most of their games against the East? And so if you then balance the schedules, why bother having conferences or divisions at all?

Divisions/conferences foster more local rivalry and compe ion. It's an accepted vagary in sports that you'll have weak divisions and strong divisions. Part of the reason the West is so crazy is because the top teams are all maneuvering against each other. It wouldn't be nearly as fun if they were just all in one big glob.

The West's superiority over the East is similar to the AL's superiority over the NL in MLB.

[1Parker1]

^That's true also, I forgot to account for the fact that the regular season schedules would still be unbalanced. And it's also very true that it wouldn't be as much fun if there weren't divisions.

I think the best bet is to hope that this season is just an anomaly. You have to think/hope with Lebron getting more experience, Wade getting healthy, Arenas staying with the Wizards and staying healthy, and up and coming young teams like the Sixers, Hawks, etc. getting more experience it will eventually balance out.

[1Parker1]

Everything changes next year. The Blazers will be dominant.

The Blazers are in the West genius. Keep up with the conversation.

[tlongII]

The Blazers are in the West genius. Keep up with the conversation.

Dammit I know that! The Blazers will win over 70 games and no other team will be near them in the standings!

[1Parker1]

^Or your boy Oden could require surgery on his other knee and be out another year.

[cash459]

If Utah has HCA, then they advance. If they don't, they go fishing.

[ShoogarBear]

Everything changes next year. The Blazers will be dominant.

Three of these guys aren't going to the first round . . .

[Galileo]

Duncan is 9-0 in first round series.

So I predict the Spurs will make the 2nd round.

That's the worst round for Duncan, they are 5-4 in round 2.

4-1 in round three.

4-0 in round four.

[tlongII]

Dynasty?


I think so.

[FromWayDowntown]

Three of these guys aren't going to the first round . . .

[jag]

Three of these guys aren't going to the first round . . .

[jag]

If you think about it, which ever team makes it out of the West will be so much more prepared than the team that makes it from the East. The level of compe ion in the West is gonna be outrageous. Or they could just be worn out...take your pick.

[41times]

Duncan is 9-0 in first round series.

So I predict the Spurs will make the 2nd round.

That's the worst round for Duncan, they are 5-4 in round 2.

4-1 in round three.

4-0 in round four.

I think this is a Very interesting Stat. Can you tell me the teams that Duncan lost to and what were the seedings?
Good stuff.

[1Parker1]

@ Shoogarbear.

[CarefreeAZ]

Yet we can still spank the Suns.

Kobe is 2 for 2 with first round exits. I see a third in his future

[tlongII]

Eff Shoog!

[FromWayDowntown]

I think this is a Very interesting Stat. Can you tell me the teams that Duncan lost to and what were the seedings?
Good stuff.

Duncan's playoff runs:

1998 -- Spurs #5; beat #4 PNX, lost to #1 UTH
1999 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 MIN, #4 LAL, #2 PRT, #8 NYK
2001 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 MIN, #5 DAL, lost to #2 LAL
2002 -- Spurs #2; beat #7 SEA, lost to #3 LAL
2003 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 PNX, #4 LAL, #3 DAL, #2 NJN
2004 -- Spurs #3; beat #6 MEM, lost to #2 LAL
2005 -- Spurs #2; beat #7 DEN, #3 SEA, #1 PNX, #1 DET
2006 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 SAC, lost to #4 DAL
2007 -- Spurs #3; beat #6 DEN, #2 PNX, #4 UTH, #2 CLE

vs. particular seeds:
#1: 2-1
#2: 4-2
#3: 1-1
#4: 4-1
#5: 1-0
#6: 2-0
#7: 2-0
#8: 5-0

[41times]

Duncan's playoff runs:

1998 -- Spurs #5; beat #4 PNX, lost to #1 UTH
1999 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 MIN, #4 LAL, #2 PRT, #8 NYK
2001 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 MIN, #5 DAL, lost to #2 LAL
2002 -- Spurs #2; beat #7 SEA, lost to #3 LAL
2003 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 PNX, #4 LAL, #3 DAL, #2 NJN
2004 -- Spurs #3; beat #6 MEM, lost to #2 LAL
2005 -- Spurs #2; beat #7 DEN, #3 SEA, #1 PNX, #1 DET
2006 -- Spurs #1; beat #8 SAC, lost to #4 DAL
2007 -- Spurs #3; beat #6 DEN, #2 PNX, #4 UTH, #2 CLE

vs. particular seeds:
#1: 2-1
#2: 4-2
#3: 1-1
#4: 4-1
#5: 1-0
#6: 2-0
#7: 2-0
#8: 5-0

That is excellent Stat work man. Thanks.

I can see why you guys hate the Lakers. It would be nice to eliminate PHx with Shaq on the team wouldn't it!