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This is an incredibly balanced NBA right now. I see no favorite, and I would not be surprised if Clev, Atl, Chic, GS, OKC, SA, Clips, Hou, Port, Memp held the trophy in June. If Rose can come back and be solid on offense, with some big 4th Q's and tough D-we have as good of a chance as anyone. Who can't we beat? Who would be overwhelming favorites against us? The only team I think beats us easily is a healthy OKC team-but that team won't exist until next year, I'd think.

Anyway, how do we want the East and West seeds-both for our chances and for entertainment?
East
1. ATL-the team I am rooting for after us-I love watching them play. No shame if we lose in the ECF to them
2. Tor-a weak team, doubt they land higher than 4th
3. Chic-where we belong-
4. Cavs-will probably end up at #2-I would love to play them
5. Wash-still talented-they would beat Toronto, I'd think
6. Milw-even a bigger surprise than ATL-but they stink and would be a first round bye for us with little travel
7. Miami-even without Bosh, a threat to beat Tor if Wade is healthy
8. Indy-With PG back, could make things interesting-exact opposite 1/8 seed of last year

West
1. GS-Curry deserves MVP
2. Memphis-the other team (other than us) who no one wants to play
3. Hou-Can Harden come up big?
4. Port-A real threat if healthy
5. Dallas-I think Rondo costs them
6. Clips-They beat Houston
7. SA-battle Memphis again
8. OKC-no way GS wants to see them

I think those would awesome brackets, for our chances and for watching great bball. Honestly, as long as our guys show heart, no shame in losing this year-too much balance. Should be a great spring

The Bulls do not want to have a 7 game series with the Washington Wizards. It will not end well.

jacoby1us wrote:The Bulls do not want to have a 7 game series with the Washington Wizards. It will not end well.

It'll be tough, but I think we'll take the win this time.

The only East team I fear is Cleveland. When they are firing on all cylinders they are hard to stop. Oh, and Lebron.

jacoby1us wrote:The Bulls do not want to have a 7 game series with the Washington Wizards. It will not end well.

that's a bulls win in 5 games

jacoby1us wrote:The Bulls do not want to have a 7 game series with the Washington Wizards. It will not end well.

that's a bulls win in 5 games

we are the team to beat Clev, or ATL. They will not be too tough. we have 2 guys now to put on LBJ, two on Love and Rose has to contain Irving. We will beat Clev this year-next year we'll see

Only 2 teams worry me in the east and thats the Cavs and Wizards.

Wizards I think we can beat this season but it will be a battle that will go 6 or 7 games

Cavs Im not confident they can beat. Cavs just have too many weapons and physical big guys now also the addition of Shump and Smith should not be overlooked, defense would be key but Im not too confident about the Bulls defense. I still think Gasol still has another notch hes going to use in the playoffs, hes a two time champ and knows what it takes to win. Rose is the x-factor and how he comes back, if he can continue where he left off Bulls will have a good chance.

The lower possible seeds that bother me are the Pacers or Pistons, those are two physical and big teams, will cause any team trouble. Heat also can also be formidable since they have experience and Whiteside now. Im hoping Bulls somehow match up with the Bucks, thats really the easiest path

red222 wrote:

jacoby1us wrote:The Bulls do not want to have a 7 game series with the Washington Wizards. It will not end well.

that's a bulls win in 5 games

I hope that happens. All this talk from NBA fans saying Washington would give us a first round exit, in the end being an underwhelming series where we showcase our dominance against them. I'm fantasizing, but that would be awesome.

Wizards downgraded in my opinion, Ariza gave us more problems than Pierce and Andre Miller isnt there anymore to school our back up PG's. Gasol and Rose are two scorers Bulls didnt have last year and that will give the Wizards trouble along with Butler now. Dont expect it to be a repeat of last year when the Bulls could not score, they can score now the question is can they defend.

Washington is a matchup problem for the Bulls. They have been struggling of late though. It will be a dogfight of a series.

Cleveland for obvious reasons has the talent when healthy. This will be a difficult series.

If Atlanta plays like a well oiled machine, they will be tough to beat.

I only fear ourselves. I honestly think this team healthy should beat anyone in the East.

BUT, if you're making me answer, it's Washington. Why? Because their bigs are strong, meaning they're built like rocks, Noah and Gasol are not great in those kind of match ups. Beal makes Butler work. And Wall is quick and pesky.

I think to matchup against Washington, you may need to start Snell. Make Snell defend beal and let Butler defend Pierce. This will leave butler with more energy to play offense. At least close the halves with those matchups.

Copout Post: This team is at the point in talent and experience that I don't care anymore who we play or when. We'll either win or we won't.

If the Bulls can't beat the Wizards or Raptors in a 7 game series then they aren't real contenders and it doesn't matter much what the seedings are.

It would be nice not to have to play both Cleveland and Atlanta, particularly without home court.
1. Atlanta
2. Cleveland
3. Toronto
4. Chicago
5. Washington

Is pretty much my worst case scenario.

coldfish wrote:If the Bulls can't beat the Wizards or Raptors in a 7 game series then they aren't real contenders and it doesn't matter much what the seedings are.

It would be nice not to have to play both Cleveland and Atlanta, particularly without home court.
1. Atlanta
2. Cleveland
3. Toronto
4. Chicago
5. Washington

Is pretty much my worst case scenario.

Really, the Bulls aren't going to get a bracket they like.

In the end, the only good bracket for them is one where Cleveland finishes 4th. They're fourth right now, but only by a half game and are trivially playing better than Chicago/Toronto recently.

Any other scenario means the Bulls get to go through both Cleveland and Atlanta.

coldfish wrote:If the Bulls can't beat the Wizards or Raptors in a 7 game series then they aren't real contenders and it doesn't matter much what the seedings are.

It would be nice not to have to play both Cleveland and Atlanta, particularly without home court.
1. Atlanta
2. Cleveland
3. Toronto
4. Chicago
5. Washington

Is pretty much my worst case scenario.

I think this year in particular with more diverse playing styles achieving results, there will be match ups where better teams end up losing. Washington has our kyroptonite. They have two bigs that can bully us that are also as quick as our bigs so we can't exploit them and they have a lot of of speed on the perimeter that kills us with good shooting. Its just a team built to take advantage of our weaknesses.

The only other team that I view as difficult to beat are the Cavs, they have a lot of shooting and rebounding and scoring. Its also hard to overcome the best player in the league.

Toronto or Milwaukee are very beatable. And I don't think Atlanta will come out of the east. I think we match up fairly well with them.

The Bulls are their own worst enemy. The Rose injury threw everything for a loop.

I would really really love beating the Heat in the first round. Whenever you have the opportunity to stick it to that franchise, I'm all for it.

I just watched the Bulls shoot just over 30% at home in a nationally-televised game.

I fear everyone.

transplant wrote:I just watched the Bulls shoot just over 30% at home in a nationally-televised game.

I fear everyone.

Offense was just fine before Rose's injury. We won't shoot 30% with defenses focussing on him during the playoffs.

transplant wrote:I just watched the Bulls shoot just over 30% at home in a nationally-televised game.

I fear everyone.

Without Rose and Taj. Butler knocked out part way through and Pau battling sickness.

Safe to say we aren't beating anyone without Rose and Taj.

Team health is the first thing I fear. Second is Cleveland. Third probably a tie between Hawks and Wiz.

Best case is for Cavs to finish 4th and have to play Washington. I don't think it happens, but that's what I'm rooting for. I'd like the 2 and Raps get the 3, because of the top 5 east teams, the Raps are who I fear the least.