Hoops

NBA Finals prediction?

Uhh Mick, rim protection isn't the full stop when it comes to defence. Heck look at Golden state right now without bogut - there defence is better?

The spurs don't have any superior rim protectors either...

1) trust me the cavs will sign a defensive centre soon either by trade or FA
2) They have Lebron James
3) and Kyrie and Love
4) perimeter defence is vitally important if not just as important as rim protection.. lebron and now shumpert will give the cavs that

would love to have a wager with you about that ridiculous 1st round claim

Also raptors are solid, behind cavs and bulls they are 3rd

Hawks and wizards arent a worry...

Bear no disrespect but do you even watch NBA? Raptors are a tough out and been top 4 in the east all year. They would also have been top 4 in the west with there record so not "wow raptors". As for the cavs they may not even make to playoffs the way things are going and today's trade probably won't help them a whole lot.

Warriors vs Bulls

Toronto, wow...

I will go with Mavs v Cavs

I think the comments about the west being the run away favourites to win it all are a bit off the money. Yes the west has some tough teams but the top 4 in the east have virtually identical records to the top 4 in the west.

The Bulls are looking like serious contenders. D Rose is starting to get his groove back driving to the basket and running the pick'n'roll with Butler. Since start of December they are 14-4 and have won 13 of there last 15 games. In that time they have beaten Houston, Portland, Memphis, New Orleans, Toronto and Washington. They lost to Atlanta and GSW. GSW was on there longest winning streak in franchise history and Atlanta was a close game on the second night of a back to back with Noah our injured. I think assuming D.Rose continues to be healthy the Bulls have as good a chance of any in the league to take it out.

Most of the wests top teams are jump shooters. In the playoffs and finals that is going to be hard to win a 7 game series with as scouting comes in and your easy screen play to set up shooters becomes more difficult and the open shots aren't so open! You still need size and hustle which the Bulls have. The Grizzlies are a bit undersized, GSW with Bogut out will stuggle and the Rockets need Dwight to man up. Harden is too ball dominant and when he is scouted or comes up against an all league defender (such as JB last night) he will get shut down. I think the Spurs will be tough to beat in 7 in any round in the west. Portland has no inside game and I wouldn't be surprised if they got rolled in 5 in the first round.

Laughing at all you guys forgetting the Cavs, especially in a conference such as the East.

Warriors Spurs in West
Cavs Bulls in East

Warriors Bulls - Warriors in 7

West is way too hard to call though anything can happen and ill enjoy the west match-ups better than the actual finals series.

Ps. Mick - I agree with you RE bogut, but GSW D has been better without him

Look out, Pistons are 6-0 since waiving Smith.

Chicago are like the Pacific ocean, big and deep. If Rose has a good playoffs no one has a chance in the East. Except maybe Raptors. Or if Nba and Ncaa allow Kentucky to enter as 8th seed.
If Lebron had a rough relationship with Waiters wait until Jr Smith starts firing up at any opportunity. Lebron will be ringing Pat Riley begging to come back to Miami.
And there's normally one Cinderella team that loses in first round, sorry Atlanta.

West is a lottery. Health (Golden state, Spurs), Cohesiveness (Okc with Waiters on board,Rockets with Josh Smith, Clippers), trades(?) and just good old fashioned luck and getting hot at the right time (Portland, Memphis). Will be heading to TAB to put down some cash on a few long shots in conference final, Memphis and Houston should pay off the credit card.