RealGM

Looks like we could finish anywhere from 5th - 7th. So our opponent most likely could be Detroit, Orlando, or Cleveland. Who would be easier to defeat?

I think Detroit would be too tough. Too much experience. I know we beat Orlando last time, but I don't feel like we have a good match-up vs. Howard. So I'd rather not face them. With Cleveland I think AI2 can match-up vs. LeBron and slow him down. Plus Cleveland looks so inconsistent. I'll go with the Cavs.

I will go with the Magic since the match-ups look very favorable for us. I would also like the prospect of playing Detroit in the 2nd round if we advance.

orlando
cleveland



detroit
boston

I don't think we have a very good chance vs any of these teams. But for pure entertainment value I would like to see us play the Cavs.

Without looking at the schedule and results from the last few years...i feel like we play lebron really well...games always seem tight...seems like iggy or chilly willie green have a lilttle something on lebron and co....

id absolutely want to play orlando or the cavs...im not sold on the supporting talent around lebron and obv the pg issues for orlando give us a clear advantage there (even if they have a huge advantage down low)

I think that we match up best with Cleveland...just pray that Iggy can keep LeBron under 40 and win the rest of the matchups on the floor...

The Magic have guards who are streaky at best, forwards who play very soft and a monster in the middle who doesn't shoot free throws very well, plus a weak bench. They would probably still beat us, but I'd like our chances best against them.

Skates:

I thik our best matchups are matchups where Sammy is not overmatched...where he can hold his own. Regardless of how poorly Howard shoots FT's, I simply do not like that matchup. We beat the Spurs because we are able to pus Sammy one-on-one against Duncan, and have the other guys stay home...and we won't be able to do that against Orlando, IMO.

I also think that - between Orlando and Cleveland - we would have a better chance of getting our transition game going against the Cavs than against the Magic. I'm not sold on West as a full-time PG, and I don't think that guys like Z and Wallace can handle a fast-paced transition game as well as the Magic could.

If you can have Sammy guard Duncan one-on-one, he can guard Howard one-on-one

SonicYouth34 wrote:If you can have Sammy guard Duncan one-on-one, he can guard Howard one-on-one

That logic makes no sense. Because Duncan is successful based on his skill and intelligence and Howard is successful because of his size and strength. Dalembert doesn't have the physical strength to guard Howard. Evans is probably the player on Philly most able to guard Howard though he isn't tall enough to really slow him down that much.

Cleveland with Orlando closely following. LBJ doesn't want any of this. We have cleveland's number also. The winner of the 1 vs 8 plays the winner of the 4 vs 5 right? But yea, no way do I want the sixers to play Detroit in the first round.

we will beat Orlando and Cleveland and be embarrassed by Detroit. god forbid boston is in our crosshairs or is it the other way around? lol

I voted Cleveland. Detroit has a history of embarrasing us in the playoffs and Dwight and Turk scare me more than anyone on Cleveland...except Lebron. Basically I dont see us beating the Magic since we don't have any 3 point shooters to counter their 3 point shooters. What I see happening if we play Orlando...We double Howard and he kicks it out to Turk for the 3 point dagger...or we defent the perimeter and they feed Dwight...we cant win. Cleveland on the other hand...as long as we can stop Lebron...as hard as that will be...we should win

carlos:

My feelings exactly.

Orlando.

We've been OKAY with the Magic, but because of their highly oriented perimeter game. I don't think we'd be able to beat them. Think Golden State but less talented. Detroit , we've been hanging with that club all year long. I think it would be a six-game series. For a best chance to WIN in the first round, I go with Cleveland.

Our fast break matches up better with Orlando in my opinion. The Magic are a high offense team and we are a high motor team. While we don't have three point shooters we can still hang with Orlando as in experienced as they are. With all due respect I love the three but you live and die with it in the playoffs.
As for Cleveland their experience and Lebron scares me. I don't want any part of Lebron in the playoffs much like teams in the past never wanted any part of Iverson. He's that dynamic that one man (like AI) could beat your entire team.
I also think Cleveland is the better playoff team of the two between Orlando.
I'd honestly rather play the aging, declining Pistons then either Orlando or Cleveland.

Orlando!

Ok, we don't have an answer to Howard, but we don't have an answer to LeBron either.

And I think Cleveland is a better team than Orlando. We can beat Orlando, I'm pretty sure of that.
I don't think we can win the series from Orlando.

Wilfried wrote:Orlando!

We can beat Orlando, I'm pretty sure of that.
I don't think we can win the series from Orlando.

Whut?

ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Whut?

Oops,

I meant:

I think we can beat Orlando

I don't think we can win the series from Cleveland

Detroit? Not a chance