So what's the ideal playoff seeding scenario?

[droopdog7]

Seems like we're getting close enough to the playoffs that possible playoff scenarios are coming into focus.  And for my money, we may well get a favorable draw (or at least one that I would prefer).  I would much prefer to play either Chi or Cle in the first round, and if we end up 3rd or 4th we likely achieve that.  Overall, I prefer fourth and it set's us up with Mia in the second round (assuming we get past round 1).  I also believe the nets will be the 7th seed, putting them on the other side of the bracket. 

[Kernewek]

Really I'm just happy with anything that seeds the Sixers and the Nets against each other in the first round, since Ben Simmons in a series against Philly is going to be tremendous.

[droopdog7]

Really I'm just happy with anything that seeds the Sixers and the Nets against each other in the first round, since Ben Simmons in a series against Philly is going to be tremendous.

Yeah, I included it in my post originally then deleted it.  Would be crazy.

[Goldstar88]

Anyone but the Nets, Bucks, 76ers in the first round. In that order.

[jpotter33]

Completely agree. Absolutely ideal would be 4th against Cleveland in the first round, Miami in the second round, and whoever makes it to the ECF out of Philly, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn. I’d also take Chicago in the first round, though they’re tougher than Cleveland.

But for the love of God, I’d pay to see a Philly/Brooklyn first round. That’d be so much entertainment.

[slamtheking]

'ideal' can be used to mean a few things.

1. ideal as in the easiest path to the finals -- it'd be C's climbing to the #2 seed, getting Charlotte in the first round (with them winning the playin for 7th seed) despite having issues with them, second round - Cavs as 6th seed upsetting whoever was the 3rd seed and then Miami as the top seed to get to the finals.
2. ideal for me would be playing the best and knocking them off -- I'm one of those people that likes the team playing and beating the best so that there's none of that crap about them having an easy road to #18.  For me, that's Brooklyn in the first round (want to kick the crap out of Kyrie), Philly in the next round (send The Process packing) and then Milwaukee in the ECF to knock off the champs.  Whoever comes out of the West figures to be a tough, legit opponent so it doesn't matter.  would love to see the Lakers knocked out of the playin round especially without their first rounder this year but 2 of NO, SAS or Portland have to get it together to make a push into the playoffs

looking at non-C's matchups, I'd love to see a Nets-Sixers matchup have Simmons and Harden go at their former teams.    wouldn't mind a Cleveland-Chicago matchup to see how playoff newbies fare against each other.

[pokeKingCurtis]

'ideal' can be used to mean a few things.

1. ideal as in the easiest path to the finals -- it'd be C's climbing to the #2 seed, getting Charlotte in the first round (with them winning the playin for 7th seed) despite having issues with them, second round - Cavs as 6th seed upsetting whoever was the 3rd seed and then Miami as the top seed to get to the finals.
2. ideal for me would be playing the best and knocking them off -- I'm one of those people that likes the team playing and beating the best so that there's none of that crap about them having an easy road to #18.  For me, that's Brooklyn in the first round (want to kick the crap out of Kyrie), Philly in the next round (send The Process packing) and then Milwaukee in the ECF to knock off the champs.  Whoever comes out of the West figures to be a tough, legit opponent so it doesn't matter.  would love to see the Lakers knocked out of the playin round especially without their first rounder this year but 2 of NO, SAS or Portland have to get it together to make a push into the playoffs

looking at non-C's matchups, I'd love to see a Nets-Sixers matchup have Simmons and Harden go at their former teams.    wouldn't mind a Cleveland-Chicago matchup to see how playoff newbies fare against each other.

The Brad Stevens approach.

I can't remember which year it was, was it the Isaiah Thomas playoffs run?

I think people were rooting for a lower seed or whatever - either for draft pick or playoff seeding I can't remember. But Brad just said he doesn't care and will keep doing his best.

[SparzWizard]

1. Miami
2. Philadelphia
3. Milwaukee
4. Chicago
5. Boston
6. Cleveland
7. Brooklyn
8. Toronto

Would be my ideal playoff seeding scenario. That 2 vs 7 matchup will be real fun...we really need to hope these two teams play each other (or Milwaukee and Brooklyn) in Round 1, have them kill each other and all. If Miami has to play a full healthy Brooklyn, the Heat have no chance.

I prefer Boston playing Chicago instead of Milwaukee or Philly or Brooklyn in the first-rounds. Boston is dangerous when they're fully healthy and I am strongly confident we can go into United Center and steal a game or two there. Then in the East Semis, we can play either the Raptors or the Heat. And finally in the East Finals, we'll get one of Milwaukee, Philly, or Brooklyn when they're all beat up.

[SparzWizard]

'ideal' can be used to mean a few things.

1. ideal as in the easiest path to the finals -- it'd be C's climbing to the #2 seed, getting Charlotte in the first round (with them winning the playin for 7th seed) despite having issues with them, second round - Cavs as 6th seed upsetting whoever was the 3rd seed and then Miami as the top seed to get to the finals.
2. ideal for me would be playing the best and knocking them off -- I'm one of those people that likes the team playing and beating the best so that there's none of that crap about them having an easy road to #18.  For me, that's Brooklyn in the first round (want to kick the crap out of Kyrie), Philly in the next round (send The Process packing) and then Milwaukee in the ECF to knock off the champs.  Whoever comes out of the West figures to be a tough, legit opponent so it doesn't matter.  would love to see the Lakers knocked out of the playin round especially without their first rounder this year but 2 of NO, SAS or Portland have to get it together to make a push into the playoffs

looking at non-C's matchups, I'd love to see a Nets-Sixers matchup have Simmons and Harden go at their former teams.    wouldn't mind a Cleveland-Chicago matchup to see how playoff newbies fare against each other.

The Brad Stevens approach.

I can't remember which year it was, was it the Isaiah Thomas playoffs run?

I think people were rooting for a lower seed or whatever - either for draft pick or playoff seeding I can't remember. But Brad just said he doesn't care and will keep doing his best.

Man those Isaiah Thomas playoff runs were special, esp the 16-17 season when they had to play the Bulls. The C's were down 0-2 against the 8th seeded Bulls and just when most thought all hope was lost, they stormed back and won four straight to seal the series. And then there was that crazy series against the Wizards. Man that was fun.

[Moranis]

The longer Boston avoids Milwaukee, Philly, and Brooklyn the better.  I'd also like homecourt for at least 1 round if not 2.  So I'd say this

1. Miami
2. Boston
3. Chicago
4/5. Milwaukee and Philly
6. Cleveland
7. Charlotte
8. Atlanta

So Boston's path to the finals would be Charlotte, then Chicago or Cleveland, before facing most likely Philly or Milwaukee.  Brooklyn loses in the play in and isn't even a factor. 

That is ideal, though obviously very unlikely on many levels.

[droopdog7]

1. Miami
2. Philadelphia
3. Milwaukee
4. Chicago
5. Boston
6. Cleveland
7. Brooklyn
8. Toronto

Would be my ideal playoff seeding scenario. That 2 vs 7 matchup will be real fun...we really need to hope these two teams play each other (or Milwaukee and Brooklyn) in Round 1, have them kill each other and all. If Miami has to play a full healthy Brooklyn, the Heat have no chance.

I prefer Boston playing Chicago instead of Milwaukee or Philly or in the first-rounds. Boston is dangerous when they're fully healthy and I am strongly confident we can go into United Center and steal a game or two there. Then in the East Semis, we can play either the Raptors or the Heat. And finally in the East Finals, we'll get one of Milwaukee, Philly, or Brooklyn when they're all beat up.

I’m trying to wrap my head around why you prefer us to be fifth instead of fourth?  The rest is absolutely ideal in my mind and exactly how I hope it lands.  I really don’t have a preference between Chicago or Cleveland but I would want home court against either.

[pokeKingCurtis]

'ideal' can be used to mean a few things.

1. ideal as in the easiest path to the finals -- it'd be C's climbing to the #2 seed, getting Charlotte in the first round (with them winning the playin for 7th seed) despite having issues with them, second round - Cavs as 6th seed upsetting whoever was the 3rd seed and then Miami as the top seed to get to the finals.
2. ideal for me would be playing the best and knocking them off -- I'm one of those people that likes the team playing and beating the best so that there's none of that crap about them having an easy road to #18.  For me, that's Brooklyn in the first round (want to kick the crap out of Kyrie), Philly in the next round (send The Process packing) and then Milwaukee in the ECF to knock off the champs.  Whoever comes out of the West figures to be a tough, legit opponent so it doesn't matter.  would love to see the Lakers knocked out of the playin round especially without their first rounder this year but 2 of NO, SAS or Portland have to get it together to make a push into the playoffs

looking at non-C's matchups, I'd love to see a Nets-Sixers matchup have Simmons and Harden go at their former teams.    wouldn't mind a Cleveland-Chicago matchup to see how playoff newbies fare against each other.

The Brad Stevens approach.

I can't remember which year it was, was it the Isaiah Thomas playoffs run?

I think people were rooting for a lower seed or whatever - either for draft pick or playoff seeding I can't remember. But Brad just said he doesn't care and will keep doing his best.

Man those Isaiah Thomas playoff runs were special, esp the 16-17 season when they had to play the Bulls. The C's were down 0-2 against the 8th seeded Bulls and just when most thought all hope was lost, they stormed back and won four straight to seal the series. And then there was that crazy series against the Wizards. Man that was fun.

Even before Isaiah it was wild with those Brad Stevens teams.

Jordan Crawford was player of the week or month or something.

Jameer Nelson was on the team at some point. Got reminded when I played some 2K14 the other day.

Evan Turner was probably one of my favs after Isaiah in the Brad era. Brad maximized the hell out of ET.

I remember a Jeff Green game winner or 2 sandwiched in there somewhere.

[BitterJim]

'ideal' can be used to mean a few things.

1. ideal as in the easiest path to the finals -- it'd be C's climbing to the #2 seed, getting Charlotte in the first round (with them winning the playin for 7th seed) despite having issues with them, second round - Cavs as 6th seed upsetting whoever was the 3rd seed and then Miami as the top seed to get to the finals.
2. ideal for me would be playing the best and knocking them off -- I'm one of those people that likes the team playing and beating the best so that there's none of that crap about them having an easy road to #18.  For me, that's Brooklyn in the first round (want to kick the crap out of Kyrie), Philly in the next round (send The Process packing) and then Milwaukee in the ECF to knock off the champs.  Whoever comes out of the West figures to be a tough, legit opponent so it doesn't matter.  would love to see the Lakers knocked out of the playin round especially without their first rounder this year but 2 of NO, SAS or Portland have to get it together to make a push into the playoffs

looking at non-C's matchups, I'd love to see a Nets-Sixers matchup have Simmons and Harden go at their former teams.    wouldn't mind a Cleveland-Chicago matchup to see how playoff newbies fare against each other.

The Brad Stevens approach.

I can't remember which year it was, was it the Isaiah Thomas playoffs run?

I think people were rooting for a lower seed or whatever - either for draft pick or playoff seeding I can't remember. But Brad just said he doesn't care and will keep doing his best.

Man those Isaiah Thomas playoff runs were special, esp the 16-17 season when they had to play the Bulls. The C's were down 0-2 against the 8th seeded Bulls and just when most thought all hope was lost, they stormed back and won four straight to seal the series. And then there was that crazy series against the Wizards. Man that was fun.

Even before Isaiah it was wild with those Brad Stevens teams.

Jordan Crawford was player of the week or month or something.

Jameer Nelson was on the team at some point. Got reminded when I played some 2K14 the other day.

Evan Turner was probably one of my favs after Isaiah in the Brad era. Brad maximized the hell out of ET.

I remember a Jeff Green game winner or 2 sandwiched in there somewhere.

I still go back and rewatch his game winner over LeBron to beat the Heat every once in a while

I really love how aggressive Brad was with drawing up a 3pter when we were only down 2. No need for OT.

[SparzWizard]

1. Miami
2. Philadelphia
3. Milwaukee
4. Chicago
5. Boston
6. Cleveland
7. Brooklyn
8. Toronto

Would be my ideal playoff seeding scenario. That 2 vs 7 matchup will be real fun...we really need to hope these two teams play each other (or Milwaukee and Brooklyn) in Round 1, have them kill each other and all. If Miami has to play a full healthy Brooklyn, the Heat have no chance.

I prefer Boston playing Chicago instead of Milwaukee or Philly or in the first-rounds. Boston is dangerous when they're fully healthy and I am strongly confident we can go into United Center and steal a game or two there. Then in the East Semis, we can play either the Raptors or the Heat. And finally in the East Finals, we'll get one of Milwaukee, Philly, or Brooklyn when they're all beat up.

I’m trying to wrap my head around why you prefer us to be fifth instead of fourth?  The rest is absolutely ideal in my mind and exactly how I hope it lands.  I really don’t have a preference between Chicago or Cleveland but I would want home court against either.

Ooops, yeah we're only half a game behind the Bulls. Very possible we can get the 4th seed. Having HCA over the Bulls would be nice. I guess the only other incentive of going into Chicago in games 1 and 2 would be that the C's are underdogs and it would light a fire under their butts to go steal them. Or we get to also face Cleveland in round 1 too, 'bout time for some playoff revenge against them.

[SparzWizard]

'ideal' can be used to mean a few things.

1. ideal as in the easiest path to the finals -- it'd be C's climbing to the #2 seed, getting Charlotte in the first round (with them winning the playin for 7th seed) despite having issues with them, second round - Cavs as 6th seed upsetting whoever was the 3rd seed and then Miami as the top seed to get to the finals.
2. ideal for me would be playing the best and knocking them off -- I'm one of those people that likes the team playing and beating the best so that there's none of that crap about them having an easy road to #18.  For me, that's Brooklyn in the first round (want to kick the crap out of Kyrie), Philly in the next round (send The Process packing) and then Milwaukee in the ECF to knock off the champs.  Whoever comes out of the West figures to be a tough, legit opponent so it doesn't matter.  would love to see the Lakers knocked out of the playin round especially without their first rounder this year but 2 of NO, SAS or Portland have to get it together to make a push into the playoffs

looking at non-C's matchups, I'd love to see a Nets-Sixers matchup have Simmons and Harden go at their former teams.    wouldn't mind a Cleveland-Chicago matchup to see how playoff newbies fare against each other.

The Brad Stevens approach.

I can't remember which year it was, was it the Isaiah Thomas playoffs run?

I think people were rooting for a lower seed or whatever - either for draft pick or playoff seeding I can't remember. But Brad just said he doesn't care and will keep doing his best.

Man those Isaiah Thomas playoff runs were special, esp the 16-17 season when they had to play the Bulls. The C's were down 0-2 against the 8th seeded Bulls and just when most thought all hope was lost, they stormed back and won four straight to seal the series. And then there was that crazy series against the Wizards. Man that was fun.

Even before Isaiah it was wild with those Brad Stevens teams.

Jordan Crawford was player of the week or month or something.

Jameer Nelson was on the team at some point. Got reminded when I played some 2K14 the other day.

Evan Turner was probably one of my favs after Isaiah in the Brad era. Brad maximized the hell out of ET.

I remember a Jeff Green game winner or 2 sandwiched in there somewhere.

The miserable 13-14 tanking season?  The 14-15 season where we traded Rondo midway and got a bunch of strange players coming back and the start of the IT4 era was intriguing.