Eastern Conference: #1 seed (1 of 8)

JordansBulls · Post #1 » by **JordansBulls** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:24 pm

We did this playoff format about 2 years ago. Actually it was a Celtics fan who did it. We actually had this in the General Forum so that the whole Forum could agree on it and discuss it.

At this point it seems sort of difficult to sort out who would be the top seed or 2nd best or who would even make the playoffs, I think it would be good to get REALGM as a board to vote on who we may think will end up with the best record, and all the teams that will make the playoffs as well as who will be the eventual champion.

NOTE: There are only 10 slots for each conference and as a team is chosen another team that didn't make the playoffs last year is added. Basically each team gets a chance to be voted in in order to make the playoffs.
So for #9 and #10 teams in the East right now, I'm going to use teams that have improved over the summer and who have made the playoffs recently.

MODS can you sticky this one as well? I am trying to leave these open for 3 days at a time unless it is clear of who will get each seed or record voting wise. This should take us up to end of September at least to complete all the rankings and seeds and the playoffs rounds.

jayrehme · Post #2 » by **jayrehme** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:30 pm

lol... I wonder who picked chicago?.....^^^^^

Malinhion · Post #3 » by **Malinhion** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:31 pm

I think Cleveland could easily take the top spot, but I think they will struggle to match last season's wins mark because they need to take time to gel.

Boston has a shot, but their players are too old. Resting to keep everyone healthy means they come in 2nd or 3rd.

That being said, I'm going with Orlando. While they may have lost some matchup advantages, they added more talent overall. Howard should continue to improve on the offensive end. I'm rolling with the big man.

eyeatoma · Post #4 » by **eyeatoma** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:35 pm

LMAO at the people who picked Toronto and Chicago...

I've got Cleveland.

JordansBulls · Post #5 » by **JordansBulls** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:39 pm

jayrehme wrote:lol... I wonder who picked chicago?.....^^^^^

I actually picked Cleveland.

Zin5 · Post #6 » by **Zin5** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:42 pm

Went with the homer pick, mostly because any one of the three in the East could easily take it.

+MilitantMagix+ · Post #7 » by **+MilitantMagix+** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:47 pm

It's a dog fight for the number 1 seed between the 3 top teams. I just have to go with the magic on this one, then the Celtics.

Tim_Hardawayy · Post #8 » by **Tim_Hardawayy** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:51 pm

If you decide it based on voting, Toronto is already a lock for the 4 seed (and could possibly sneak into the top 3). And by virtue of what seems to be a universal hatred for Miami among Raptors fans lately, Miami will be 8 or out of the playoffs. Just saying...

My vote for the 1 seed is Orlando. By far the most talented. They might end up being more of a regular season team than a postseason team (although they do have the post presence required to grind it out), but that starting lineup is downright scary. 4 guys who could potentially make the All-Star team, and a fifth who I really like as a scrappy role player (Bass).

Post #9 » by **INKtastic** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:05 pm

66 wins last year and added shaq for next to nothing - it pretty clearly should be cleveland.

Harison · Post #10 » by **Harison** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:05 pm

It will depend a lot how Celtics will play - keep Big3 minutes low to keep them fresh for the Playoffs, or they would go for HCA - last season before KG was injured (it happened several months before his knee fully gave out) they were breaking records, and were favorites to have 1st seed. They arent much older now, bench got major boost, so they are favorites again to get HCA (if they will go for it).

Magic starting 5 will be better, easily 60+W team (if no injuries), plus they are quite young and improving team, will easily rival Cavs and maybe Cetics.

Cavs will have their last run with Lebron IMO, so I'm expecting all organization to work their ass off to win it all. Because if they dont - LBJ will probably bolt. So far I dont see how adding ancient Shaq will help them beat healthy Celtics and Magic, so once again 60+W team with pretty brutal Playoffs ahead of them.

CITYOFANGELSX3 · Post #11 » by **CITYOFANGELSX3** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:19 pm

lj4mvp wrote:66 wins last year and added shaq for next to nothing - it pretty clearly should be cleveland.

You forget that amazing start boston went out to before KG got hurt?

Post #12 » by **Hilltop** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:31 pm

I won't even bother arguing why this team should be #1 and why that shouldn't. As far as I'm concerned, the Top 3 spots are up in the air. It's anybody's guess if it goes to Cleveland, Orlando or Boston.

Post #13 » by **tkb** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:33 pm

I voted for Orlando actually, though I consider both Cleveland and Boston to be better teams overall.

I just kinda get the feel that the Magic are going to do really well in the regular season while Cleveland (nr 1) and Boston (nr 2) will be the 2 best playoff teams in the east.

Cleveland's my pick to make the Finals from the EC.

Cavsfan4lyfe · Post #14 » by **Cavsfan4lyfe** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:37 pm

It will probably come down to who stays the healthiest between Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston.

Post #15 » by **Hilltop** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:39 pm

Cavsfan4lyfe wrote:It will probably come down to who stays the healthiest between Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston.

That'll be a huge factor.

Prolific Scorer · Post #16 » by **Prolific Scorer** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:50 pm

The Magic's bench is way better than it was last season. Anderson, Bass, Pietrus, Barnes, Gortat along with one of the best starting 5's in the NBA. Orlando actually had the best record in the NBA at 33-7 before Jameer Nelson went down and I think he's the key to how dominant the Magic are this season. If Nelson can manage that shoulder this season then that spells trouble for the rest of the East with Orlando walking away with homecourt.

I'm going to sound like a homer, but i'm going with Orlando.

JordansBulls · Post #17 » by **JordansBulls** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:51 pm

I think in the east the #1 will be huge especially this year. Whomever is the #2 seed between Boston, Cleveland and Orlando will have to play the #3 seed which will be one of them whereas the #1 seed will only have to get thru one of them.

Prolific Scorer · Post #18 » by **Prolific Scorer** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:51 pm

Oops.

The Boshpit! · Post #19 » by **The Boshpit!** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:52 pm

I voted Boston. I think they will get 1 last quality year out of there big 3 along with Rondo and the additions of Wallace and Daniels will put them at the top.

Clipsz 4 Life · Post #20 » by **Tim Lehrbach** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:59 pm

JordansBulls wrote:I think in the east the #1 will be huge especially this year. Whomever is the #2 seed between Boston, Cleveland and Orlando will have to play the #3 seed which will be one of them whereas the #1 seed will only have to get thru one of them.

Didn't help Cleveland.

I still pick the Cavs as the favorites. It's really, really close, though.