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I think the Pistons will keep the #2 seed. I don't see them catching Boston or falling behind Orlando or Cleveland.

I am worried that the Bulls will sneak into the 7 seed by the end of the season and pose a total nightmare of a matchup for the Pistons, perhaps resembling the GS-Dallas match-up last season.

Go Nets, Hawks, and Pacers!

Roscoe Sheed wrote:I think the Pistons will keep the #2 seed. I don't see them catching Boston or falling behind Orlando or Cleveland.

I am worried that the Bulls will sneak into the 7 seed by the end of the season and pose a total nightmare of a matchup for the Pistons, perhaps resembling the GS-Dallas match-up last season.

Go Nets, Hawks, and Pacers!

It wouldn't be the preferred matchup, but I wouldn't be worried. The Pistons have had success against the Bulls in the playoffs.

I'm also sensing that there will be a Chicago/Detroit first round matchup. Since we seem to be the only team Chicago consistently shows up against I'm not too thrilled about that, but I still think we win in a series.

I guess it kind of makes sense though. It doesn't seem like we would be lucky enough to avoid both Cleveland and Chicago in the playoffs.

Best case scenario is definitely Atlanta holding on to the 7th seed. That should be a sweep, or maybe 5 games in case JJ goes nuts or something in game 3 or 4.

Still a long way to go in the season, before we start worrying about who we will be facing in the first round of the playoff.

Roscoe Sheed wrote:I think the Pistons will keep the #2 seed. I don't see them catching Boston or falling behind Orlando or Cleveland.

I am worried that the Bulls will sneak into the 7 seed by the end of the season and pose a total nightmare of a matchup for the Pistons, perhaps resembling the GS-Dallas match-up last season.

Go Nets, Hawks, and Pacers!

Anyone team who is AFRAID of the baby bulls in the playoffs is not going to win 16 playoff games this year

Maybe you wouldn't be so SCARED if you ran over to their forum and read the poop on how one of their third string players jumped on a plane and left the country. Management is calling it a buyout of his contract.

While i do agree that we shouldnt be afraid of a 7 seed and really should take care of anyone in the East, the Bulls are the team i do not want to face.

Too much rivalry and emotion makes it a different series no matter what. And if Gordon and Deng get healthy, they are better than their record indicates.

I would prefer to avoid Chicago

If we are comparing regular season success to playoff success I might as well pull out this. I'm too lazy to pull out the exact numbers but I know I'm right.

Last year, Chicago had their way with us during the season,we destroyed them in the playoffs.

Conversely,we had our way with Cleveland too, and they beat us in the playoffs.

Chicago is actually a great matchup for us. Rip and Chauncey show up, theoretically they should have their way with Gordon/Duhon/Hinrich.

Phobo_Phile wrote:If we are comparing regular season success to playoff success I might as well pull out this. I'm too lazy to pull out the exact numbers but I know I'm right.

Last year, Chicago had their way with us during the season,we destroyed them in the playoffs.

Conversely,we had our way with Cleveland too, and they beat us in the playoffs.

Chicago is actually a great matchup for us. Rip and Chauncey show up, theoretically they should have their way with Gordon/Duhon/Hinrich.

Not too mention Sheed loving to go against their frontcourt. I think having Chicago as the 1st round matchup would be great. It wouldn't allow our guys to relax and not take any opponent seriously. It's much better than having another Milwaukee/Orlando 1st rounder.

I'm only concerned about Cleveland and Boston. That being said, I think it would be worthwhile to get the #1 seed so those two teams play each other in the 2nd round while we play Toronto or Orlando.

I am not concerned with anyone but Boston and Cleveland also.

I would prefer those two teams play eachother in the second round, and we get a team like Toronto, Orlando, or Washington in the second round.

I would actually really enjoy a Detroit/Chicago first round series.

theBigLip wrote:I'm only concerned about Cleveland and Boston. That being said, I think it would be worthwhile to get the #1 seed so those two teams play each other in the 2nd round while we play Toronto or Orlando.

When they have the #1 seed, our team gets too cocky and thinks a trip to the finals is guaranteed. I would much rather have us be the number 2 seed and hope that Orlando can get the 3 seed and Chicago the 8th. That way its a Cleveland/Toronto and Boston/Chicago first round match ups. And then we face Orlando in the 2nd round well Cleveland fights off Boston. But whatever happens, if the Pistons go into the playoffs with everyone telling them they'll win the east, they won't win the east.

Why can't we catch Boston for the top seed?
We're three games behind. That could be made up in a single week.

I would ask people to rank their *preferred* opponents from 1st seed-8th seed-bubble teams, but New Jersey is only two games ahead of the team it is five spots in front of (Charlotte). Anything could happen. Hell, we could even see New York sneak into the playoffs (6 games behind New Jersey).

I'm sure most people are judging their favored matchups based on recent playoff success. In that case, we should fear Cleveland and Chicago but not Orlando, Milwaukee, or Indiana.

despite the regular sesaon, Chicago does not worry me because they don't have the tools to shut us down - mainly:

1) big guards to harass and trap Billups.

Only Cleveland and Boston have the tools to do that, possibly. boston if they get cassel.

GJense4181 wrote:Why can't we catch Boston for the top seed?
We're three games behind. That could be made up in a single week.

I would ask people to rank their *preferred* opponents from 1st seed-8th seed-bubble teams, but New Jersey is only two games ahead of the team it is five spots in front of (Charlotte). Anything could happen. Hell, we could even see New York sneak into the playoffs (6 games behind New Jersey).

I'm sure most people are judging their favored matchups based on recent playoff success. In that case, we should fear Cleveland and Chicago but not Orlando, Milwaukee, or Indiana.

I don't think Orlando is the chump team of the past. They are definitely tougher now and more experienced. I don't worry about them, but I don't think they are the easy sweep-past they were last year.

Even though I know the Bulls are a second-string match-up, I still do hate playing Chicago--it's similar to the GS/Dallas match-up like someone else said. Somehow they have a way of occassionally rattling us in a way other teams don't. I don't think Cleveland is anything to fear....that really only leaves Boston. I think it's going to be a good series.

Barring a big winning/losing streak by an EC team, the Pistons will likely open with one of the following teams: Washington, Atlanta, New Jersey, Chicago, Indiana, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Charlotte. What the heck, let's add in Toronto and Cleveland as possibilities. Here's the order I'd rank these teams (in terms of desire to play them in the 1st round of the playoffs):

1. Philadelphia - Amazingly, they're only a game out of the playoffs right now. They are one of the cluster of teams that shows just how bad EC playoff basketball can be.

2. Atlanta - We'd play them if the Playoffs began today. They're a young team that can get torn apart at point guard.

3. Milwaukee - They have a lot of talent on their team and if they could ever get them all working together, Milwaukee would be a dangerous team. Fortunately, they won't get it together. Currently, they are 2 games out of the playoffs.

4. Charlotte - The Bobcats are 3 games out of the playoffs. They always play us tough, but they'd be happy just to get in.

5. New Jersey - Currently the 8th seed. They're just too old and worn out. The Pistons have shown numerous times that their balance is too much for NJ's big 3.

6. Indiana - Currently 1 game out. O'Neal is playoff-tested and they are coached well, but there's not enough talent.

7. Toronto - They're a good team, but I think we match up decently against them. Sheed can limit Bosh and who knows how Ford will do coming back from his injury. Currently the 5th seed.

8. Chicago - They're a half game out of the playoffs. Most people felt they'd be a top 3 team in the EC this year. They've got talent, but stumbled out of the gate and haven't yet found their stride. If they get it together, they're a tough matchup.

9. Washington - Will Arenas be back by then? Who knows if it would mess with their chemistry to have him reintegrated. Still, the prospects of facing Arenas, Butler, and Jamison in the 1st round aren't too enticing. Currently the 6th seed.

10. Cleveland - They beat us last year and we'll be looking for revenge, but it's an unlikely 1st round matchup. Can Chauncey keep up with Boobie? Can Tay get the job done on Lebron? Cleveland is currently 5.5 games up on the 7th spot.

jab wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


Maybe you wouldn't be so SCARED if you ran over to their forum and read the poop on how one of their third string players jumped on a plane and left the country. Management is calling it a buyout of his contract.

Khryapa approached Paxson & asked to be released from his contract because he has a chance to play for a team in Russia.

After they reached a buyout agreement, Viktor flew to Russia to negotuate a new deal with that team.

That's the way it was reported in Chicago press & it makes the most sense.

if he just "left". the Bulls would suspend him without pay. He couldnt join another team since he'd still be under contract to Bulls.

^^

Ok, he didn't just leave. He went to Portland with the team on a normal road trip and Management 'just happen' to offer him a buyout when your team has 3 starters out with injuries. OK, whatever floats Chicago's boat is fine with me.



My Pistons have already gave you 3 wins and it looks like we need to give you another to get that 7th seed. How about getting a winning streak going? I want to see the Baby Bulls in the 1st round

The Bulls are on an extended road trip. VK went on the road trip & played in the couple games before that. He got more minutes than he usually played due to the injuries.

it really doesnt matter much since he wasnt coming back next year & wasnt in future plans.

Others say that Bulls are working on a trade & needed to clear a roster spot. VK would have been the most logical to go if it was necessary to cut someone

My point was that he didnt just get up & run home. Whatever the reason, it was planned

bulls6 wrote:
My point was that he didnt just get up & run home. Whatever the reason, it was planned

My point was to direct others in this 'wooooo I am afraid of the Bulls thread for whatever reason' to READ what was happening in the Bulls camp and be glad our players are not leaving whether they are getting minutes or not.

I have followed VK since he was drafted and realize that he most likely would have not been on your team next year.

I had to watch Fabio run flip's playbook offence last night and missed him do his Dr J 'swoop to the hoop' move that would have had him riding the pine for the next 5 games.

Don't leave yet Fabio, I'm glad you see the BIG picture.