Settling for the #4 Seed (As of 4/14)

[fairweatherfan]

4/11

Today's Standings

3. Atlanta 51-29
4. Boston 50-30
5. Milwaukee 45-35
6. Miami 44-35

Today's Games

Mia @ Nyk, 6:00

[EJPLAYA]

This should be changed to "Fight for the #4 seed". We are in much better shape going up against the Bucks in the first round vs. the Heat. It is pretty clear we will struggle against anyone in the 2nd round and have a tough time getting through there, so avoiding a second round team makes no sense. We can beat Milwaukee due to Bogut being done. Not so sure about the Heat. I'll take #4 thank you.

[ACF]

I'll take #4 thank you.

Maybe Doc would, too?

[EJPLAYA]

I'll take #4 thank you.

Maybe Doc would, too?

I also think we match up against Cleveland better than we do the Hawks or the Magic. Give me the Bucks, then the Cavs, and if we somehow slip past them we can tackle the winner of the Hawks and Magic.

[ACF]

I'll take #4 thank you.

Maybe Doc would, too?

I also think we match up against Cleveland better than we do the Hawks or the Magic. Give me the Bucks, then the Cavs, and if we somehow slip past them we can tackle the winner of the Hawks and Magic.

I expect seven games until the Finals, where we'll beat the Fakers in six.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE_1tCasi_Q

[fairweatherfan]

This should be changed to "Fight for the #4 seed". We are in much better shape going up against the Bucks in the first round vs. the Heat. It is pretty clear we will struggle against anyone in the 2nd round and have a tough time getting through there, so avoiding a second round team makes no sense. We can beat Milwaukee due to Bogut being done. Not so sure about the Heat. I'll take #4 thank you.

I hear you, but this is Dons' thread and I'm just updating it for him.  Maybe it's just dissonance but I've been thinking the 4 seed might be better though.  The advantages to playing Cleveland early are:

-It'll be a physical series, and our guys being relatively fresher will help prevent them from wearing down too much.

-Cleveland will still be trying to work Shaq into the lineup, which is probably a net negative for them at that stage.  Varejao may also still be rusty though that's less likely.

Plus Milwaukee will be a better matchup than having Ray chase D-Wade around for 5-7 games.  I still want to see the team playing sharply for these last 2 games, but if we win out and Atlanta does too I'll be OK with it.

[Edgar]

This should be changed to "Fight for the #4 seed". We are in much better shape going up against the Bucks in the first round vs. the Heat. It is pretty clear we will struggle against anyone in the 2nd round and have a tough time getting through there, so avoiding a second round team makes no sense. We can beat Milwaukee due to Bogut being done. Not so sure about the Heat. I'll take #4 thank you.

I hear you, but this is Dons' thread and I'm just updating it for him.  Maybe it's just dissonance but I've been thinking the 4 seed might be better though.  The advantages to playing Cleveland early are:

-It'll be a physical series, and our guys being relatively fresher will help prevent them from wearing down too much.

-Cleveland will still be trying to work Shaq into the lineup, which is probably a net negative for them at that stage.  Varejao may also still be rusty though that's less likely.

Plus Milwaukee will be a better matchup than having Ray chase D-Wade around for 5-7 games.  I still want to see the team playing sharply for these last 2 games, but if we win out and Atlanta does too I'll be OK with it.

i agree

[fairweatherfan]

4/12

Today's Standings

3. Atlanta 51-29
4. Boston 50-30
5. Milwaukee 45-35
6. Miami 45-35

Today's Games

Mia @ Phl, 7:00
Atl @ Mil, 8:00

Obviously the Atlanta/Milwaukee game is HUGE for seeding purposes; between that and the Miami game we'll know a lot more about how things will shake out.

A quick scenario rundown: 

If you want the 3 seed, you should root for Milwaukee.  If you also want Milwaukee in the first you should also root for Miami.  If you want Miami in the first you should support Philly.

If you want the 4 seed, you want Atlanta to win.  If you also want Milwaukee in the first you should root for Philly.  If you want Miami you're supporting them tonight.

Should be an interesting evening either way.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

4/12

Today's Standings

3. Atlanta 51-29
4. Boston 50-30
5. Milwaukee 45-35
6. Miami 45-35

Today's Games

Mia @ Phl, 7:00
Atl @ Mil, 8:00

Obviously the Atlanta/Milwaukee game is HUGE for seeding purposes; between that and the Miami game we'll know a lot more about how things will shake out.

A quick scenario rundown: 

If you want the 3 seed, you should root for Milwaukee.  If you also want Milwaukee in the first you should also root for Miami.  If you want Miami in the first you should support Philly.

If you want the 4 seed, you want Atlanta to win.  If you also want Milwaukee in the first you should root for Philly.  If you want Miami you're supporting them tonight.

Should be an interesting evening either way.

That is a lot to want....Just kidding, a lot going on here though, I want Mil vs us...but there is a lot going on now, Miami is moving up probably.... hard to figure which way to go.......might as well win and take who we get, but I'd rather play Mil first..!

[Mr October]

Miami won.... Lets go Bucks!

The more I think about it, the more I don't want to see Wade averaging 15 free throw attempts against the C's. 

[twinbree]

I'm so torn on the 3 seed thing. I keep going back and forth on which team is less likely to give us another first round series from hell.

Miami
Pro - They have Wade who is fun to watch
Con - They have Wade and Salvatore is still employed by the league

Pro - Wade is one of my favs
Con - Nothing cools my love for a player faster than watching them give my team fits repeatedly

Pro - We swept the season series it should be a cakewalk
Con - We swept the season series it should be a.... now where have I heard that before?

Bucks
Pro - They don't have Bogut
Con - Still too defensive-minded for my taste given how flaky our offense is.

Pro - Have the PG match-up to ensure Rondo shows up inspired. He'll probably'll fall asleep with Arroyo or whichever 2nd string PG Miami is starting these days.
Con - I don't like their arena

Pro - I'd enjoy crushing the Bucks more
Con - Their forwards are the kind that'll give us trouble

Huh still can't decide after all that typing. Good thing it's not up to me then

[barefacedmonk]

I'm so torn on the 3 seed thing. I keep going back and forth on which team is less likely to give us another first round series from hell.

Miami
Pro - They have Wade who is fun to watch
Con - They have Wade and Salvatore is still employed by the league

Pro - Wade is one of my favs
Con - Nothing cools my love for a player faster than watching them give my team fits repeatedly

Pro - We swept the season series it should be a cakewalk
Con - We swept the season series it should be a.... now where have I heard that before?

Bucks
Pro - They don't have Bogut
Con - Still too defensive-minded for my taste given how flaky our offense is.

Pro - Have the PG match-up to ensure Rondo shows up inspired. He'll probably'll fall asleep with Arroyo or whichever 2nd string PG Miami is starting these days.
Con - I don't like their arena

Pro - I'd enjoy crushing the Bucks more
Con - Their forwards are the kind that'll give us trouble

Huh still can't decide after all that typing. Good thing it's not up to me then

Good post, Twin....TP for you. I share a few of those thoughts as well. In the end though if we want to win it all....we will have to go through 4 good teams...so 3rd or 4th is kinda trivial while looking at the bigger picture. That said...I can't wait for the playoffs to begin...GO Cs!!

[CelticSooner]

Looks like things are going to play out with the C's finishing 4th and facing the Heat in the first round. The only thing standing in the way of that happening is Cleveland beating the Hawks. Without LeBron I don't see that happening.

[DinTN]

L

Looks like things are going to play out with the C's finishing 4th and facing the Heat in the first round. The only thing standing in the way of that happening is Cleveland beating the Hawks. Without LeBron I don't see that happening.

We're probably 4th playing the Heat.

Here's an interesting story - LBJ & Shaq may play against ATL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5079197

Even if they play it may not be enough minutes to matter.

Do we go all-out against the Bulls hoping everything falls in place for 3rd place or do we give the gang a couple of games rest?

[jdpapa3]

Here's an interesting story - LBJ & Shaq may play against ATL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5079197

Nice link. TP. I thought that might be possible, but it's nice to see it in print.