3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
We finally got Dunleavy back. Hopefully Ford will be healthy soon. We are only 3 games back of the 8th spot, despite being without Dunleavy and having so many close games gone bad. Can Dunleavy push us over the top for those games? According to Sagarin (a computer ranking system), we have had the 4th hardest schedule so far this year. We have also play 3 more road games than home. One problem with being only 3 games back is we'd have to hop 5 teams and likely play either the Celtics or Cavs in the playoffs. We are only 5 1/2 games back of the 6th seed, though. I think with this squad we'd have a chance at beating Orlando, if we can pull it together and play like we did last night.
Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
- notque
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
Either way really. We are getting better, if we make the playoffs, great. If we make the lottery, great.
We are improving instead of declining. I'm already sold for the year.
Do I think we will make the playoffs? Yes.
We are improving instead of declining. I'm already sold for the year.
Do I think we will make the playoffs? Yes.

Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
Wow, only three games back? I never really looked at it, but I figured with our record that we were five or six games back. I think we are in decent shape.

Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
cdash wrote:Wow, only three games back? I never really looked at it, but I figured with our record that we were five or six games back. I think we are in decent shape.
I thought the same thing. There are some dangerous/possibly dangerous teams in front of us, though. We've got Philly who, if Brand (when healthy) could mesh well with the team and they could improve. There is also a dangerous Toronto team who many experts thought could be towards the top of the conference. And there is also Chicago who is young with a lot of potential.
Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
I like our chances. Philly is kind of dysfunctional, but the past few seasons they have had strong second halves, so I am not counting them out. Toronto is crap I think. Unless they make a deal, they arent going to the playoffs or making a serious run. Chicago wont win anything until they get a lost post scorer, and I also tend to think they are crap. Rose is a stud, but Deng has been disappointing, Hughes is Hughes, Gordon is in a contract year basically so hes money, and their big men suck. Milwaukee is tougher, I actually think they are playoff bound. They play really good defense and Skiles usually doesnt run out his welcome until the third season. The Knicks dont care, and have no talent. The Bobcats are frisky, but I think we are better. Yeah, I like our chances.

Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
- MillerTime101
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
I think we will fall short of the 6th seed and probably land the 7th or 8th if we stay healthy. The way we played Boston gives me hope of a first round upset if it were to play out that way, there would be nothing better then to sent that team of punks home. Im getting way ahead of myself but its fun to dream.
Like Notque said the important thing is we are getting better, last year we were within one game of the playoffs but it felt like we were miles away and one of the worst teams in the league, its much different this time around.
I do disagree about the Raptors, they have been playing alot better lately and seem to be buying into their new coaches system, I think they will over take NJ for the 7th seed or possibly the 6th. Im not sold on Milwaukee or Miami yet and I believe those two spots are still up for grabs.
Like Notque said the important thing is we are getting better, last year we were within one game of the playoffs but it felt like we were miles away and one of the worst teams in the league, its much different this time around.
I do disagree about the Raptors, they have been playing alot better lately and seem to be buying into their new coaches system, I think they will over take NJ for the 7th seed or possibly the 6th. Im not sold on Milwaukee or Miami yet and I believe those two spots are still up for grabs.
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
My sons 6th grade team can make the playoffs in the east. The Pacers would be alot better off missing the playoffs this year and getting a lotto pick. Thats not going to happen. They will make the playoffs and get beat in the first round. Same old crap fram a crap team. Hopefully Bird will get FIRED and they will hire someone that knows what to do.
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
celtspacers wrote:My sons 6th grade team can make the playoffs in the east. The Pacers would be alot better off missing the playoffs this year and getting a lotto pick. Thats not going to happen. They will make the playoffs and get beat in the first round. Same old crap fram a crap team. Hopefully Bird will get FIRED and they will hire someone that knows what to do.
Have you seen the guys who will make up this draft class? Not a group that inspires tanking, that is for sure. Especially for a team like us, who at worst will finish with the 8th worst record in the league, making a top 3 pick extremely slim (I know, I know, Chicago last year). If we make a mini-run, we are likely to end up right where we were last year...around the 12th or 13th pick in the draft. Difference being, last years draft was deep, and this one is not. At some point, you have to get some playoff experience. Say we make the playoffs as the 7th or 8th seed, yeah, history and common sense tell us that we are probably going to lose. But say we take a stellar team like Boston or Cleveland to six or seven games...that would give these guys (most of whom have never been to the playoffs) some confidence, and playoff experience. I, for one, like what Bird has done since Walsh left. He got decent booty for a washed up JO, and while the jury is still out on his draft picks, he's done okay.

Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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- RealGM
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
celtspacers wrote:My sons 6th grade team can make the playoffs in the east. The Pacers would be alot better off missing the playoffs this year and getting a lotto pick. Thats not going to happen. They will make the playoffs and get beat in the first round. Same old crap fram a crap team. Hopefully Bird will get FIRED and they will hire someone that knows what to do.
Bird shouldn't be fired because you have unrealistic expectations. Up until 2 years ago, the Pacers had the second longest playoff streak in the NBA. Teams eventually have to rebuild, it is how it all works. If you expect your favorite team to compete every single year, I suggest you go watch baseball.
Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
- Dunthreevy
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
cdash wrote:Wow, only three games back? I never really looked at it, but I figured with our record that we were five or six games back. I think we are in decent shape.
It's definitely weird to think that as bad as our record is, we're still in the playoff hunt. Just a testament to how bad the play is around the NBA this season, namely in the East. In the words of Charles Barkley, "there's a lot of BAD basketball teams this year"
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
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Re: 3 Games Back; How do you like our chances?
Last I checked the East had a better record against the West. It may have changed. We are real good towards the top (5 teams, I'd say), and then have a bunch of teams that are just below average. The West has 9 good teams, but then there is a huge drop-off for the bottom 6. If we were in the West I don't think we would have much of a chance in the playoffs, except we are 6-6 vs. the West.