Atl & Portland our new best friends?

[sinbad]

I'll be rooting for two teams besides the C's in the playoffs, Atlanta and Portland. If you look back the last ten years or so, very rarely has the #1 seed in the conference won the title. The Cs last year, San Antonio, and the Lakers when they went 67-15. Remember Detroit when they were 64-18 or the Mavs when they were 67-15, even the Spurs when they had their best regular season at 63-19, all failed to even reach the Finals.

In a perfect world the Hawks and the Blazers will do our dirty work for us. Why not Atlanta? Does anyone believe that the Cavs are better than last years Celtics? The Hawks took us to 7. Do the math: Cavs not as good as the Cs + Atalnta better this year = possible upset. Granted we dominated the games we won and barley loss the games in Atlanta, but all it takes is one superhuman effort by the Hawks in Cleveland and hopefully they'll have 4 cracks at it. We know better than anybody what Atlanta is capable at home. They beat the Cavs in their 1st matchup 97-92...a win that ended Cleveland's 11 game win streak. They loss by one point 88-87 in the other game in Atlanta. A miss at the buzzer by Joe Johnson cost them the game. I truly believe that the Hawks will win every game in the series if it plays out that way.

The Lakers problems in Portland are well chronicled. They just can't seem to win there. Again, like Atlanta, if the Blazers can hold serve and win all the home games they could actually do it. They have all the elements needed to beat the Lakers: size, a go-to player, a physical defense, and a great home court. Kobe admitted that they have problems with with Portland.

How the Cs matchup with the Hawks and the Blazers is another set of problems that we also would have to deal with but I would just hate for our season to end at the hands of either the Cavs or the Lakers.

[bopna]

I too believe that the Hawks will give the Cavs a run for their money, they are tested and improved and can give Lebron fits...our main problem though will be the men in stripes...these 3 will not allow any other team in the ECF other than the Cavs,Celtics or perhaps the Magic so our series with the Magic is not a shoein as well..Ofcourse I hope im wrong but they have never given any sign that they will allow the games to be played fair based on the regular season so its gonna get worse in the playoffs.

[celticmaestro]

Since, even without KG, we're better than the Hawks and Blazers, why would we root for them? On this premise we should expect to win anyway if the Blazers and Hawks have a chance.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Since, even without KG, we're better than the Hawks and Blazers, why would we root for them? On this premise we should expect to win anyway if the Blazers and Hawks have a chance.

I agree with this. I cant believe how Naive some people are, are how the west has fallen so far in a year that people actually say "La cant beat portland"   ....Why, because they've beaten them in 8 straight playoff matchups, or because the season series is tied? people, the blazers have NO chance at beating the lakers.
As far as atlanta beating the cavs, um no not gonna happen either, Id say dwyane wade singlehandedly probably has a better chance, but the celtics without KG are better then both Atlanta/Miami and thats been proven this season, so I dont see much of a point in rooting for either of those teams

[wil]

Since, even without KG, we're better than the Hawks and Blazers, why would we root for them? On this premise we should expect to win anyway if the Blazers and Hawks have a chance.

I agree with this. I cant believe how Naive some people are, are how the west has fallen so far in a year that people actually say "La cant beat portland"   ....Why, because they've beaten them in 8 straight playoff matchups, or because the season series is tied? people, the blazers have NO chance at beating the lakers.

I completely agree with you on the Hawks.  I never even gave any thought to them beating the Cavs, but I can understand why people are thinking Portland can beat LA.  I'm not going to say that LA CAN'T beat portland....but they have the best chance.  LA not winning in Portland for something like 8 years (8 games??) running shows they at least have a chance.  Stealing one in LA will be tough, but if they can eeek out a game 1 win in LA, I think Portland definitely has a chance...and the best out of anyone in the west.   

[KungPoweChicken]

Since, even without KG, we're better than the Hawks and Blazers, why would we root for them? On this premise we should expect to win anyway if the Blazers and Hawks have a chance.

I agree with this. I cant believe how Naive some people are, are how the west has fallen so far in a year that people actually say "La cant beat portland"   ....Why, because they've beaten them in 8 straight playoff matchups, or because the season series is tied? people, the blazers have NO chance at beating the lakers.
As far as atlanta beating the cavs, um no not gonna happen either, Id say dwyane wade singlehandedly probably has a better chance, but the celtics without KG are better then both Atlanta/Miami and thats been proven this season, so I dont see much of a point in rooting for either of those teams

Why is it that Portland gets no credit for beating Los Angeles during the season, but Boston gets credit for beating Miami and Atlanta? That's some nice rationale you have there.

[Chris]

Why Portland?  I think Utah has a better chance of knocking off the Lakers as Portland does. 

I actually think that is going to be a hell of a series.  The Jazz have the size to matchup with the Lakers, and have a very balanced team. 

[KungPoweChicken]

Why Portland?  I think Utah has a better chance of knocking off the Lakers as Portland does. 

I actually think that is going to be a hell of a series.  The Jazz have the size to matchup with the Lakers, and have a very balanced team. 

Utah has too many chemistry problems right now. Utah reminds me of Detroit, and I'm not basing that similarity solely on the seeding. When I watch those teams play, I see tired players playing a tired game. Portland, on the other hand, has the enthusiasm and fire power to give Los Angeles a run for their money.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Since, even without KG, we're better than the Hawks and Blazers, why would we root for them? On this premise we should expect to win anyway if the Blazers and Hawks have a chance.

I agree with this. I cant believe how Naive some people are, are how the west has fallen so far in a year that people actually say "La cant beat portland"   ....Why, because they've beaten them in 8 straight playoff matchups, or because the season series is tied? people, the blazers have NO chance at beating the lakers.
As far as atlanta beating the cavs, um no not gonna happen either, Id say dwyane wade singlehandedly probably has a better chance, but the celtics without KG are better then both Atlanta/Miami and thats been proven this season, so I dont see much of a point in rooting for either of those teams

Why is it that Portland gets no credit for beating Los Angeles during the season, but Boston gets credit for beating Miami and Atlanta? That's some nice rationale you have there.

You want me to give credit to the blazers for tieing the season series against the Lakers? fine, that was great of them, good job. The playoffs are a completly different animal and noone on the blazers has a bit of playoff experience. I give them no chance to beat the lakers in postseason. none.
Portland vs lakers regular season series = 2-2
Celtics vs Heat and Hawks = 7-1

People wanna throw stats out there that the lakers havent won there in however long, but the blazers have also lost 8 playoff series in a row to the lakers, havent won in LA this year, and who has homecourt? no chance, sorry. although I would love to see it happen.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

I too believe that the Hawks will give the Cavs a run for their money, they are tested and improved and can give Lebron fits...our main problem though will be the men in stripes...these 3 will not allow any other team in the ECF other than the Cavs,Celtics or perhaps the Magic so our series with the Magic is not a shoein as well..Ofcourse I hope im wrong but they have never given any sign that they will allow the games to be played fair based on the regular season so its gonna get worse in the playoffs.

How have the Hawks improved? They had Childress last year and now they don't.

[hpantazo]

Why Portland?  I think Utah has a better chance of knocking off the Lakers as Portland does. 

I actually think that is going to be a hell of a series.  The Jazz have the size to matchup with the Lakers, and have a very balanced team. 

I agree. Utah, Denver, and portland in that order all can beat LA in the playoffs. The Jazz are going to give them hell.

[Discoflux]

Portland is the only team that can give the Lakers a scare.  They are the 2nd best team in the west, hands down.  They are only going to get better with experience.  Roy/Blake/Fernandez on the perimeter with Oden/LMA/Pryzbilla on the inside is not easy to handle.  Roy is almost like a D.Wade creating his own shot, getting to the rack or knocking down the pull up J.  The #1 Laker defect is PG defense.  We got a nice pickup in Shannon Brown who is starting to get more minutes.  Ultimately the Lakers are too deep for any team in a 7 game series but a helthy Celtic team and maybe Cleveland could go 7 games in a toss up.  This year is the Lakers year.  If it doesn't happen it will be a major upset. 

[wil]

Portland is the only team that can give the Lakers a scare.  They are the 2nd best team in the west, hands down.  They are only going to get better with experience.  Roy/Blake/Fernandez on the perimeter with Oden/LMA/Pryzbilla on the inside is not easy to handle.  Roy is almost like a D.Wade creating his own shot, getting to the rack or knocking down the pull up J.  The #1 Laker defect is PG defense.  We got a nice pickup in Shannon Brown who is starting to get more minutes.  Ultimately the Lakers are too deep for any team in a 7 game series but a helthy Celtic team and maybe Cleveland could go 7 games in a toss up.  This year is the Lakers year.  If it doesn't happen it will be a major upset. 

I don't think the overall #2 seed losing to the overall #1 seed would be called a "major upset".  Now if the Fakers lose to anyone other than the Cavs and a fully healthy C's team (not possible) then THAT would be a major upset. 

[Reggie's Ghost]

Portland is the only team that can give the Lakers a scare.  They are the 2nd best team in the west, hands down.  They are only going to get better with experience.  Roy/Blake/Fernandez on the perimeter with Oden/LMA/Pryzbilla on the inside is not easy to handle.  Roy is almost like a D.Wade creating his own shot, getting to the rack or knocking down the pull up J.  The #1 Laker defect is PG defense.  We got a nice pickup in Shannon Brown who is starting to get more minutes.  Ultimately the Lakers are too deep for any team in a 7 game series but a helthy Celtic team and maybe Cleveland could go 7 games in a toss up.  This year is the Lakers year.  If it doesn't happen it will be a major upset. 

I think the Cavs would destroy the Lakers if they met each other.  Depth has nothing to do with anything in the Playoffs unless injuries crop up, and you simply can't win a chaminship without defense (sorry, just plugging a rusty Bynum in the center doesn't put a sack on Gasol or Vuyacic).

Why Portland?  I think Utah has a better chance of knocking off the Lakers as Portland does. 

I actually think that is going to be a hell of a series.  The Jazz have the size to matchup with the Lakers, and have a very balanced team. 

I agree. Utah, Denver, and portland in that order all can beat LA in the playoffs. The Jazz are going to give them hell.

I'm with you except for Denver, they have no shot in the playoffs.  But yeah, Portland and Utah (maybe more so) ought to give them fits...

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

I too believe that the Hawks will give the Cavs a run for their money, they are tested and improved and can give Lebron fits...our main problem though will be the men in stripes...these 3 will not allow any other team in the ECF other than the Cavs,Celtics or perhaps the Magic so our series with the Magic is not a shoein as well..Ofcourse I hope im wrong but they have never given any sign that they will allow the games to be played fair based on the regular season so its gonna get worse in the playoffs.

How have the Hawks improved? They had Childress last year and now they don't.

Lets see, they finished 4th instead of 10 games below .500 and 8th
they lost childress but gained flip murray and maurice evans, and josh smith, al horford are better players this season.. Mike bibby is healthy and was in training camp. theyre a better team