Playoff Seeds - an early look

[Jeff]

Just looking ahead at the playoffs and how important that #1 seed is.  Hoping someone will tell me if I've got this right.  I know there are rules around division winners getting no lower than a 4 seed, but I think that all should work out.

Basically if the proverbial playoffs ended tomorrow the number 1 seed would presumably be playing the winner of the Orlando vs. Atlanta series.

The number 2 seed would play the winner of the Miami vs. New York series.

(all this of course assumes the first round has no major upsets)

for reference:

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/matchups
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA_Playoffs

call me crazy, but I'm not that scared of a Miami series (and wouldn't put it past NY to beat them anyway)

Orlando gives me greater concern than Miami.

Do I have this right?  Here's a rough sketch of a "bracket" for the East. (attached)

[Donoghus]

Yup, you got it right.

There's no re-seeding in the NBA. 

[KCattheStripe]

I think the one seed is important because it would keep us from having 3 straight series in which Paul will face a top flight defender. If we're the 2 he'd have to go up against Bron, Deng and then Artest. If we're the 1 he gets Hedo first.

[greensamurai]

I think the #1 is important because we would play either the Bobcats or the Pacers and possibly Milwaukee.

If we get the #2 we end up playing a 76ers team that has been giving us problems all year or a NY team that could be hitting its stride when the playoffs start.

The number 1 gives us an easier series with the potential for a sweep and resting our starters between series.

[hpantazo]

I think the #1 is important because we would play either the Bobcats or the Pacers and possibly Milwaukee.

If we get the #2 we end up playing a 76ers team that has been giving us problems all year or a NY team that could be hitting its stride when the playoffs start.

The number 1 gives us an easier series with the potential for a sweep and resting our starters between series.

let's not forget that the #3 seed is still possible, and we could end up facing the Knicks in the 1st round which would be very bad.

[Marcus13]

The Bulls are at the peak of their game right now...but Idk if I really have a preference between Miami/Orlando anymore now that we don't have the dominant advantage in the post over Orlando that we've always had

[greenpride32]

I think the #1 is important because we would play either the Bobcats or the Pacers and possibly Milwaukee.

If we get the #2 we end up playing a 76ers team that has been giving us problems all year or a NY team that could be hitting its stride when the playoffs start.

The number 1 gives us an easier series with the potential for a sweep and resting our starters between series.

let's not forget that the #3 seed is still possible, and we could end up facing the Knicks in the 1st round which would be very bad.

There's really not enough games in the season for MIA to catch us or the Bulls; 4 games back in the loss column, plus they lose tie breakers.

[birdwatcher]

I think the #1 is important because we would play either the Bobcats or the Pacers and possibly Milwaukee.

If we get the #2 we end up playing a 76ers team that has been giving us problems all year or a NY team that could be hitting its stride when the playoffs start.

The number 1 gives us an easier series with the potential for a sweep and resting our starters between series.

let's not forget that the #3 seed is still possible, and we could end up facing the Knicks in the 1st round which would be very bad.

There's really not enough games in the season for MIA to catch us or the Bulls; 4 games back in the loss column, plus they lose tie breakers.

There's 16 games left--don't count anyone out yet, especially Miami. As far as the Knicks--they play zero defense. I know Barkley overstated it when he said they were the worst defensive team in the history of basketball, but they may as well just stay on one end of the floor. Chicago will be a tough out, but remember--they haven't done anything yet. We've been to the finals twice with half of this team and have won on the road in the playoffs. The Bulls are playing well, but what have they accomplished? About as much as Cleveland the past few seasons. Except the Bulls won't win 66 games like Cleveland.

[Fafnir]

I think the #1 is important because we would play either the Bobcats or the Pacers and possibly Milwaukee.

If we get the #2 we end up playing a 76ers team that has been giving us problems all year or a NY team that could be hitting its stride when the playoffs start.

The number 1 gives us an easier series with the potential for a sweep and resting our starters between series.

let's not forget that the #3 seed is still possible, and we could end up facing the Knicks in the 1st round which would be very bad.

There's really not enough games in the season for MIA to catch us or the Bulls; 4 games back in the loss column, plus they lose tie breakers.

There's 16 games left--don't count anyone out yet, especially Miami. As far as the Knicks--they play zero defense. I know Barkley overstated it when he said they were the worst defensive team in the history of basketball, but they may as well just stay on one end of the floor. Chicago will be a tough out, but remember--they haven't done anything yet. We've been to the finals twice with half of this team and have won on the road in the playoffs. The Bulls are playing well, but what have they accomplished? About as much as Cleveland the past few seasons. Except the Bulls won't win 66 games like Cleveland.

They're four games back in the loss column, and they lose if they're tied. They also only have 14 games remaining, one against the C's.

Miami needs to make up five games on the C's. Thus if they go 14 - 0 for a record of 60-22 they'd need the C's to go 11 - 4 or worse in their other games to pass them.

Even if the C's play 7-8 (sub .500) basketball the Heat need to win 10 - 4 to pass them.

Its not impossible, but given the teams overall level of play its extremely unlikely.

[Donoghus]

It's a 2 horse race for the #1 seed in the East now.

[PosImpos]

I think the one seed is important because it would keep us from having 3 straight series in which Paul will face a top flight defender. If we're the 2 he'd have to go up against Bron, Deng and then Artest. If we're the 1 he gets Hedo first.

If we're the 1 he still has to deal with Granger for a whole series.  Hedo would be nice, though.  But one way or another Paul will probably have to face Deng or LeBron at some point.  If we're the 2, don't discount Pierce having to deal with Iguodala.  He always gives our whole team trouble.

In the finals, though, Paul could very well be matched up against Jefferson / Manu, which would be pretty favorable for him, I think.

[KCattheStripe]

I think the one seed is important because it would keep us from having 3 straight series in which Paul will face a top flight defender. If we're the 2 he'd have to go up against Bron, Deng and then Artest. If we're the 1 he gets Hedo first.

If we're the 1 he still has to deal with Granger for a whole series.  Hedo would be nice, though.  But one way or another Paul will probably have to face Deng or LeBron at some point.  If we're the 2, don't discount Pierce having to deal with Iguodala.  He always gives our whole team trouble.

In the finals, though, Paul could very well be matched up against Jefferson / Manu, which would be pretty favorable for him, I think.

I'm not worried about him having to guard Danny Granger, that's where the exhaustion comes in from having to muscle for every inch against Deng, bron and Artest.  A much easier path to the ring would be , Granger-Hedo- Deng/Bron- Artest.

[wiley]

Rather deal with known quantity Orlando or Atlanta.....

Orlando does actually concern me, but not as much as Miami.  I don't think Orlando is all that cohesive a unit yet....but they could get hot and be a tough opponent.  Jason Richardson scares me and Howard concerns me.

But Miami is a bit of a wild card and makes me more nervous than the Magic.  Wade could go nuts.  Not up for watching an opponent shoot endless free throws.....as Miami undoubtedly will..

I'd enjoy watching Miami and Chicago beat each other up....

I think Chicago would take it in 7.

[zerophase]

I'm not afraid of miami. we swept them in the regular season and they can't close games. orlando however has size we can't really match.

[RebusRankin]

I'm not afraid of miami. we swept them in the regular season and they can't close games. orlando however has size we can't really match.

Howard and ?