Most wanted 1st and 2nd round rivals

[Kanyewest]

Is there any way we can cut ochifu or burke and sign larry saunders for the play offs?

No, I believe the deadline has passed for a player to be signed to be eligible for a playoff roster spot. Also, the Wizards already waved House to make room for Jennings.

It says ochifu, but other teams are signing guys for the play offs and saunders did not play a full season. ? So is he eligible on another team was my question. Cuz i think we would all be very happy with that move, if it could be made.

My bad.

Anyways, it looks like the Celtics executives said that Sanders looked lost when he tried out for them. It is pretty telling that both of those teams (Cavs/Celtics) who lack defensive rebounding did not want him. Even if Ian is injured, I would rather just roll with Jason Smith at center anyways.

[Sluggerface]

Atlanta won so it's the Hawks and I heard that the 1st game maybe Sunday at 5:30 on TNT since the Caps play Saturday.

It sucks because Atlanta is starting to look like a 60 win team again. I guarantee that the 1st game will be played at a super high level. I think they will look like a 60 win team and we will look like our 18-3 pre all star team. Whoever loses will be hard for them to recover because the winning team will stay at a high level while the losing team will lose confidence

I think this comment is stretching things. The Hawks have a completely different core from that 60 win team.

Downgrade at point guard from Teague/Schroder to Schroder/Delaney, no Korver (who I believe led that 60-win team in RPM), and instead of Horford they have Dwight who can be a dominant defender/rebounder but also an offensive liability + cannot be in the game in crunchtime due to his FT shooting.

Atlanta has a top 5 defense, but a bottom 5 offense. They also rank 24 out of 30 in 3pt shooting. On paper, this should be a series where Washington is able to run out in transition off of Atlanta's missed shots and empty possessions (and there will be many of those from the Hawks) , and if the pace is kept high the Hawks won't quite be able to keep up with the Wizards offensive firepower. But if their shooters like Hardaway and Bazemore randomly get hot, that's how they'll be able to steal an extra game or two.

Agreed. Atlanta has had an impressive 4 game stretch, but IMO it doesn't negate the fact that they're going into the playoffs coming off a sub .500 post all-star break. They were 7-14 during that stretch before their 4 game winning streak.

[Kanyewest]

Atlanta won so it's the Hawks and I heard that the 1st game maybe Sunday at 5:30 on TNT since the Caps play Saturday.

It sucks because Atlanta is starting to look like a 60 win team again. I guarantee that the 1st game will be played at a super high level. I think they will look like a 60 win team and we will look like our 18-3 pre all star team. Whoever loses will be hard for them to recover because the winning team will stay at a high level while the losing team will lose confidence

I think this comment is stretching things. The Hawks have a completely different core from that 60 win team.

Downgrade at point guard from Teague/Schroder to Schroder/Delaney, no Korver (who I believe led that 60-win team in RPM), and instead of Horford they have Dwight who can be a dominant defender/rebounder but also an offensive liability + cannot be in the game in crunchtime due to his FT shooting.

Atlanta has a top 5 defense, but a bottom 5 offense. They also rank 24 out of 30 in 3pt shooting. On paper, this should be a series where Washington is able to run out in transition off of Atlanta's missed shots and empty possessions (and there will be many of those from the Hawks) , and if the pace is kept high the Hawks won't quite be able to keep up with the Wizards offensive firepower. But if their shooters like Hardaway and Bazemore randomly get hot, that's how they'll be able to steal an extra game or two.

Agreed. Atlanta has had an impressive 4 game stretch, but IMO it doesn't negate the fact that they're going into the playoffs coming off a sub .500 post all-star break. They were 7-14 during that stretch before their 4 game winning streak.

Atlanta is healthier though over the last couple games. They were missing guys like Millsap, Bazemore, Sefolosha and Dunleavy due to injury after the all star break.

That being said, I expect the Wizards to elevate their level of play especially on the defensive end. Certainly have to play better than they did a couple of weeks ago against Atlanta where they only beat the Hawks by 4 points, who were without Millsap and Bazemore but I think the Wizards were playing down to the level of their competition more than anything. I also expect Dwight Howard to take his game up a few notches like he did in the past couple of postseasons with the Rockets although I think Gortat will pick up his level of play in time for the playoffs.

[BearlyBallin]

From Daily NBA Lineups

http://www.dailynbalineups.com


8:00 PM EDT
Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics

1. Malcolm Brogdon (PG)
2. Rashad Vaughn (SG)
3. Michael Beasley (SF)
4. Thon Maker (PF)
5. John Henson (C)

Injuries
1. Giannis, Middleton, Snell, Delly resting Weds

1. Isaiah Thomas (PG)
2. Avery Bradley (SG)
3. Jae Crowder (SF)
4. Amir Johnson (PF)
5. Al Horford (C)
Injuries

VEGAS LINE : BOS -14 O/U : 205.5 Points

InActive Players
1. Khris Middleton
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

[Mojo Amok]

Somebody with game thread tested juju should just make a formal Hawks-Wizards series thread.

[Tricky_Kid]

Somebody with game thread tested juju should just make a formal Hawks-Wizards series thread.

Do u know when is 1st game ?

[Mojo Amok]

Somebody with game thread tested juju should just make a formal Hawks-Wizards series thread.

Do u know when is 1st game ?

Just saw it - 'Zards got 1 PM EST on Sunday:

The Warriors will begin their quest to regain the title they lost a year ago when they host the Blazers on Sunday at 3:30 ET on ABC. The other playoff games Sunday are Hawks-Wizards (1 ET), Bulls-Celtics (6:30 ET) and Thunder-Rockets (9 ET), all on TNT.

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=1-19146397

That potentially helps at least a little bit with the Mahinmi healing process in comparison to a Saturday game.

[nate33]

Going by SRS (a ranking system that incorporates point differential and strength of schedule), Atlanta is the 20th best team in the league and the worst team to make the playoffs. Indeed, non-playoff teams Miami, Charlotte, Minnesota and Denver actually rank higher than Atlanta. Effectively, it's like we are the #1 overall seed in the playoffs for the first round, as we play the worst team in the playoffs and we have home court advantage.

[CntOutSmrtCrazy]

Somebody with game thread tested juju should just make a formal Hawks-Wizards series thread.

Do u know when is 1st game ?

Just saw it - 'Zards got 1 PM EST on Sunday:

The Warriors will begin their quest to regain the title they lost a year ago when they host the Blazers on Sunday at 3:30 ET on ABC. The other playoff games Sunday are Hawks-Wizards (1 ET), Bulls-Celtics (6:30 ET) and Thunder-Rockets (9 ET), all on TNT.

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=1-19146397

That potentially helps at least a little bit with the Mahinmi healing process in comparison to a Saturday game.

Plus we have off two days before the next game, so like you said this scheduling would appear to help us somewhat in terms of his injury.

[Mojo Amok]

Plus we have off two days before the next game, so like you said this scheduling would appear to help us somewhat in terms of his injury.

Yeah, you're right - and the third game won't be till Saturday the 22nd, so plenty of time for Mahinmi to heal up as well as rest for any tired legs or nagging minor injuries.

[Ball4life32]

I'm just curious what You guys think about matchups. There are still games on the scheldues and few teams can qualify to PO or change spots in last minute.

For me personally the best pick for first round was Detroit. But as I said in the beggining of the season the same as Orlando they probably won't be in top 8 in the east.
From teams like Indiana, Atlanta, Milwaukee I would pick Hawks basicly the don't have star quality players like PG or Greek Freak and Horford, Teague are gone. Schroeder isn't on the same lvl as Jeff. They lost Korver too.
Second round let's assume top seeded teams won from Cavs, Raps, Celtics I would like to play Boston.
They have rebounding issues all season long. Our last game was anomally when we lost in rebounding stats. They don't have star quality player I don't count great scorer like IT. He is liability on D so in my books he isn't all star lvl player. But it is just me. Raps are a better team, better D, DeRozan can won the game by himself, addiction in Tucker, Ibaka are icing on the cake. The only question mark is if Lowry will be healthy.
Watching Celtics board after a loss would be real damn pleasure. I wonder what salty IT would say. He is master of finding excuses and disrespected everyone.

So Hawks and Celtics and we are going to the finals after defeating Lebrons team

Schroder is every bit as good as Teague and Horford is a star quality player but Millsap and Howard aren't? Not sure on that one. Looking forward to a great series.

[Tricky_Kid]

I'm just curious what You guys think about matchups. There are still games on the scheldues and few teams can qualify to PO or change spots in last minute.

For me personally the best pick for first round was Detroit. But as I said in the beggining of the season the same as Orlando they probably won't be in top 8 in the east.
From teams like Indiana, Atlanta, Milwaukee I would pick Hawks basicly the don't have star quality players like PG or Greek Freak and Horford, Teague are gone. Schroeder isn't on the same lvl as Jeff. They lost Korver too.
Second round let's assume top seeded teams won from Cavs, Raps, Celtics I would like to play Boston.
They have rebounding issues all season long. Our last game was anomally when we lost in rebounding stats. They don't have star quality player I don't count great scorer like IT. He is liability on D so in my books he isn't all star lvl player. But it is just me. Raps are a better team, better D, DeRozan can won the game by himself, addiction in Tucker, Ibaka are icing on the cake. The only question mark is if Lowry will be healthy.
Watching Celtics board after a loss would be real damn pleasure. I wonder what salty IT would say. He is master of finding excuses and disrespected everyone.

So Hawks and Celtics and we are going to the finals after defeating Lebrons team

Schroder is every bit as good as Teague and Horford is a star quality player but Millsap and Howard aren't? Not sure on that one. Looking forward to a great series.

I hope it will be good series. Saying it I must disagree with You about Dennis. I watch some games of Hawks not only vs Wiz and he doesn't impessed me at all. He is not a leader on the floor like Teague was. You will see it in PO.
Guys like Hardaway JR or Muscala can be x factors. One thing bothers me most is Gortat vs Howard or Muscala matchups. This should be adv for Atlanta especially with Mahnini out.
Morris is capable to cover Milsaap maybe he won't be so much trouble he used to be in past. Rest is adv for Wiz Wall>Shroeder
Beal>Hardaway Jr

And we have secret weapon in Kelly Oubre Jr. I hope kid will blossom in PO.

[The Consiglieri]

Looks like the Wizards are getting a great path to the ECF. Going to be good to see this team get back to playing lock down defense. The series vs the Hawks should be 5 games if the Wizards play like they should.

I couldn't stop laughing as the past week unfolded with the Raptors rolling off a bunch of wins in a row, the celtics locking down the #1 while the Cavs played the ultimate tax for having rested young players, as well as old, dropping to the two seed. Maybe we don't take advantage of the opportunity, but nothings funnier than sputtering down the stretch and being rewarded for it, while the raptors were punished for success and the cavs were punished for being dbaggy (I'm sympathetic on the rest angle, the league does the Cavs and Warriors no favors with how they heavily inundate their schedule with back2backs on prime time tv nights and what not, and as a result, it's not surprising that the teams would just rest guys, but I think it would have been wiser to simply request some schedule relief in terms of design, especially with back2backs and the roadie issues-but also a bit less sympathetic when it comes to young guys who aren't dealing w/as many health issues as some of the older guys).