ESPN's 2008-2009 Conference Picks

[HicksvsKnicks08]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/stor ... redictions


Here come the predictions! lol

[Miller4ever]

How come everybody is like 1 win apart right about where we are? I think after the top five teams, they haven't really looked at anybody else seriously.

[Gremz]

aaahhh nuts, the first time i saw the Bucks ahead of it i thought it was a joke. Now it's getting a bit silly, no respect

[JarrettJackSG]

Really? I don't see how we can beat their big 3 of Redd, RJ, and Bogut, at least not this season.

[Gremz]

I really can't see how RJ going to transform that team. The difference between he and Mo Williams isn't enough to jump them in the standings. Our team looks more well rounded.

[HicksvsKnicks08]

I think we could land anywhere between the 9th to the sixth seed

[cdash]

Calling Redd, RJ, and Bogut a big three is quite a stretch if you ask me...

[Donerik]

How do we get worse? That is the real question you should be asking...That is my major pet peeve about these things...You explain to me how the moves the pacers made make them worse... I can't think of a way we are worse, we picked up PG help that we needed in the worst way, we added depth behind Danny and Mike at the wing and we added a 7'2" net goalie to protect our rim.

I don't want to dump on the other teams, it's unfair because they didn't do anything wrong. Sports writers though deserve a chastising, in 2 days we have one group at ESPN that thinks we get worse and the heat are in the playoffs, and SI writters that don't read the INDYstar when our GM says NO BUYOUT. Ludicrous.

[Gremz]

To be honest i'm quite confident that a trio of TJ/Dun/Danny will be an adequate force for years to come, i mean at the very least they will put up great offensive numbers.

[APerna]

I can't believe how long that have placed us...

[Hitman02]

No surpirses on these picks, everyone is saying the same thing. Am I the only one who thinks the Heat are being overrated? I mean, I know they have Wade, Marion and Beasley but I just don't see it yet. Not for the playoffs at least. As for us, I think we could slide in as an underdog. We overacheived last year with a pretty bad team. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the fact that the point guard overhaul completely changed this team...

But on the otherhand, having a crappy record could mean a good pick in next year's draft, which is cool too.

[glasket]

"But does Larry Bird's reform movement add up to change Pacers fans can believe in? Probably not, at least until he finds some players worthy of an All-Star vote or two."

Quote from that article. I totally disagree with this statement. I think most of us actually do belive that the change was for the better and as for not having any all-star worthy players???? Come on, I realise Mikey D may be a long shot but Danny should get at least a "vote or two" if he keeps his form from last year.

[MillerTime101]

I woudlnt read to much into these "power rankings" im pretty sure they will be about as accurate as their "mock drafts". No one knows how things will play out, who will get hurt and who will have a career year. The Pacers were ranked last last year in these things and we almost made the playoffs. Alot of experts say we are one of the top 3 most improved teams in the east yet they rank us lower then last year? Doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me.

My goal and expectation is for this team to be in the playoff hunt the whole season and maybe finish a couple games above 500, this article does not change my expectation in the least.

[Dunthreevy]

I hope every single power ranking from now until the season starts ranks us last place. That way, when we make the playoffs as an above .500 team, it will be that much sweeter.