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I love the NBA so I've always watched, but the common rip on the NBA is that they can't match previous peaks like Bird/Magic or MJ.

As I watch this excellent Lakers/Suns game, and am getting into perspective just how nuts the West is (and playoffs will be), I wonder if this or the next couple of years will also really stand out in the history books.

Finals should be great too. Yeah, sure, the East is weak, but one of Boston/Detroit/Orlando should still be able to give an entertaining matchup.


Just feels great to watch a regular season game in the middle of the season with a legit playoff feel. So less than a question, I say enjoy it! Especially after everyone ripped on the post MJ 'decline'

For sure. The west is in for battle for the last 30 games. And then the playoffs? Were all going to be watching a lot of basketball in the next few months.

I think there are two different aspects to deal with. One is simply the level of competition and good basketball that people have missed the last few years. If that is coming back up and great rivalries are forming that is great for the die hards like most of us on RealGM. But the other part of the NBA rising to previous levels is in its mass appeal. And in that, the ratings don't lie. The last few Finals have been pretty mediocre to poor compared with the 90's era. We'll see how they look this season. Unless the East can put up a credible threat, I don't expect they will be that much greater.

I think any of the top 9 West teams can beat the Magic without much difficulty.

BullSoxChicago'sFinest wrote:I love the NBA so I've always watched, but the common rip on the NBA is that they can't match previous peaks like Bird/Magic or MJ.

As I watch this excellent Lakers/Suns game, and am getting into perspective just how nuts the West is (and playoffs will be), I wonder if this or the next couple of years will also really stand out in the history books.

Finals should be great too. Yeah, sure, the East is weak, but one of Boston/Detroit/Orlando should still be able to give an entertaining matchup.


Just feels great to watch a regular season game in the middle of the season with a legit playoff feel. So less than a question, I say enjoy it! Especially after everyone ripped on the post MJ 'decline'

If by Boston/Detroit/Orlando you mean Boston/Detroit/Cleveland

Orlando doesnt have a chance in hell of making it to the NBA finals...none.
I dont get why people think they do. The Cavs would destroy them in a playoff matchup...as would Boston or Detroit. Hell, Orlando isnt even a lock to beat Toronto. Theyre like a more legit version of last years Bulls...good team, but people are overrating them like crazy.

But, yes, these playoffs will be great...especially the West. Every single playoff matchup is going to be great. The E.C. playoffs will get very good once you get past the 1st round and eliminate the terrible teams.

The West could feature some incredible drama, and more than a few upsets. A first-round match-up between, say, New Orleans and Denver would be hard to handicap, as would Golden State against virtually anybody.

Even the Eastern Conference playoffs could be intriguing, beginning with the second round. If the standings were to remain static, Orlando/Detroit would be entertaining, and either Toronto or Cleveland (the latter with LeBron, the former with their three point shooting) could potentially extend a series with Boston to six games.

Even the 1st round of the East could provide great entertainment, especially if Atlanta and Charlotte can sneak into the 7th and 8th spots. Arenas will be back. Toronto-Cleveland, anyone? The entire playoffs could be the best basketball we've seen in many, many years.

Or, in the case of the Cavs...the LeBron could beat the Celtics in 6 games.

I need to take down names before these playoffs begin, because I am telling you...if the Cavs are 100% healthy going into these playoffs, they are going to be a TOUGH out.

Certainly Detroit or Boston can beat, as could the opponent they will face in the Finals should they make it there again...but when everybody is healthy, this team is the ultimate wild card because of LeBron.

The Cavs are going to give Boston and/or Detroit all they can handle and more, and I wouldnt be the least bit surprised to see them back in the Finals.

Wait a second, so teams in the West with 33 wins are out of the playoffs, while teams in the East with 22 are in it? Yes I've been following this phenomenon, but WOW... 10 .500 teams in the West vs 5 in the East... something is TOOOOOOOOO wrong lol.

11th place Sacramento would be atleast 6th in the East, maybe higher given their schedule would be MUCH easier.

I'm more excited about the NBA now than I have been for probably the past 5 years. It's shaping up nicely!

Not to sound too homerish but if the Celtics make it to the Finals the TV ratings will be a lot higher than usual.

i agree that the league's become a lot more exciting lately. but i wouldn't rule the East out for too long. come this offseason you'll have Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and Charlotte in good positions to turn their clubs around or continue strong developments they've already made this season.

i wouldn't rule Orlando out either. i wouldn't consider them title contenders, but they could suprise any team just like Cleveland did last year.

I can't even wait..

just the potential of the final 4 in the West is disgusting..

the East 8th seed is a major weak link, so that's going to be a big advantage for Boston..if Carter plays like he did last night and takes the leadership role seriously, and they get Harris back soon, NJ won't beat Detroit, but they could at least win a game or two, unlike the 8th seed vs. Boston..

Arenas and Butler come back, and that's bad for whoever will be playing Washington..Cleveland has Lebron..Toronto has the best shooting in the NBA, and they can beat anybody(or lose to anybody) on any given night..

the NBA is crazy this year, I can't wait..

I'm just hoping for a C's vs. Spurs finals..hopefully we can beat Kobe in the conference finals and make him cry like in 2003, that would really be a great moment for me..maybe I would cry of happiness from Kobe's tears..

C'mon Cavs wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



If by Boston/Detroit/Orlando you mean Boston/Detroit/Cleveland

Orlando doesnt have a chance in hell of making it to the NBA finals...none.
I dont get why people think they do. The Cavs would destroy them in a playoff matchup...as would Boston or Detroit. Hell, Orlando isnt even a lock to beat Toronto. Theyre like a more legit version of last years Bulls...good team, but people are overrating them like crazy.

But, yes, these playoffs will be great...especially the West. Every single playoff matchup is going to be great. The E.C. playoffs will get very good once you get past the 1st round and eliminate the terrible teams.

yea, riiiiight

the rest of the season and the playoffs in the west is going to feature some amazing basketball

wigglestrue wrote:Even the 1st round of the East could provide great entertainment, especially if Atlanta and Charlotte can sneak into the 7th and 8th spots. Arenas will be back. Toronto-Cleveland, anyone? The entire playoffs could be the best basketball we've seen in many, many years.

Good post Mang , I agree .....

Cant wait till the playoffs .
The funny thing is I caught myself thinking last night .
Dam its really going to suk when Basketball season ends .......

C'mon Cavs wrote:Or, in the case of the Cavs...the LeBron could beat the Celtics in 6 games.

I need to take down names before these playoffs begin, because I am telling you...if the Cavs are 100% healthy going into these playoffs, they are going to be a TOUGH out.

Certainly Detroit or Boston can beat, as could the opponent they will face in the Finals should they make it there again...but when everybody is healthy, this team is the ultimate wild card because of LeBron.

The Cavs are going to give Boston and/or Detroit all they can handle and more, and I wouldnt be the least bit surprised to see them back in the Finals.

Lets not get a head of ourselves before you start talking about Boston and Detroit, Cavs would be fortunate to get past Toronto. And you'd probably be the only person that wouldn't be surprised by the Cavs being back in the finals.

West 9 top teams ...... one team will be traded unfair.

No... It was until that fat Memphis dude traded Gasol now its Lakers then the rest NO CONTEST!!

Only Detroit and Boston can compete with the teams in the west IMO.

Danny Ainge, what have you done?