Round 1 Discussion

[HornetsGM]

Podkolzine v. Houbregs
Martin/Swift v. Duncan
Odom v. Terpening
Marion v. Austin
Livingston v. Arroyo

These are the projected matchups based on the last game (strategy may change of course).

I have no confidence whatsoever considering last year's defeat in the 1st round. My team is better than last year, and I don't think the 6ers have improved, so that gives me some hope.

I've never been able to stop Duncan and I don't expect to in this series. However, I expect Marion and Odom to have a big series. It's very possible that the 6ers Gm moves Miller into the starting sg spot; however, I still have to love that matchup.

Should be one of the better series.

[NetsGM]

As long as I split the first 2 games, I don't think my series gets past 6.  Gooden shouldn't be able to do much against Okafor, and I'll make Vince work for his.  Pettit and Boykins should absolutely abuse their backcourt.  And they weren't exactly the greatest rebounding team in the world, and PG's shot 42% from 3 pt range against chamberlain.

[GoldenStateGM]

Hmmm...  Just realized that 2 of my starters were on the Sonics last year, Jim Finley and Luol Deng.

Hope they do not try and walk into the wrong locker room.  

[CelticsGM]

Hmmm...  Just realized that 2 of my starters were on the Sonics last year, Jim Finley and Luol Deng.

Hope they do not try and walk into the wrong locker room.  

My goodness. So they know EVERY strategy the Sonics might throw at you tonight. That will give you a HUGE advantage ...

[JazzGM-old]

Well i had mediocre seeding before....for this first series I'm just going to stand by the fact that the suns injuries will prove to be too much and it should be enough to get me into the next round. Not too sure if i could count on the Twolves making another upset, but it's looking like I might make an "early" exit from the playoffs this year.

[KingsGM-old]

JAZZ, shut up.

 

[HornetsGM]

Ouch. Marion really shit the bed.

[NetsGM]

Wow....just, wow.  It was *almost* the 2nd year in a row a 60 win team was knocked out the first round.  Cavs took both of the games without Pettit and had me down 3-2.  I didn't win a home game until game 7.  

Congrats to the Spurs and Celtics, first time playoff contestants who both advanced to the 2nd round.  And congrats to the Bulls and Cavs for making incredible series, as well as the Timberwolves nearly pulling the upset AGAIN.

Emeka with 25.6 ppg, 18.6 rpg, 3.9 bpg in that first series.

Yeah, you read that right.  Look at that rebounding.

Hornets have got to HATE TD right now.

[HornetsGM]

How does a C defender shut down Shawn Marion?

Well, I am disheartened to say the least. Nice job Sixers again, but for the 2nd year in a row, I feel robbed.

I couldn't tell you want went wrong.

[SonicsGM]

Quick sweep at the hands of the Warriors.  Next up..the Spurs.

I'll predict Sonics in Six once again!

[PacersGM]

Emeka with 25.6 ppg, 18.6 rpg, 3.9 bpg in that first series.

Yeah, you read that right.  Look at that rebounding.

great series against the pistons..
very close i almost have to admit that i have been outcoached by the pistonsgm..

thanks to JO i survived the series.

JO with 29.2 ppg, 15.5 rpg, 3 bpg and 5asspg in that first series

next on my list TD  
that is a matchup...
two of the best PFs of SSBA will battle each other.
i still believe that JO is the better allaround player and TD the better offensive player
If i can attack TD at the defensive end i should have an advantage in this series if not it will be a very tough and long series

[BullsGM-old]

Damn, I lost in 7 Congrats to the Celtics

I'm feeling very good about my team though, I'm aiming for 50 wins next season.  I'll have Griffin and Mercer on board as well

[GoldenStateGM]

Congratulations to the Sonics.


The series makes absolutely zero sense to me.  Completely the opposite of the games we played during the regular season.

Dirk averaged 13.5 rpg? as a C rebounder?
Dickau held Deng to 39% and 28% shooting, as a B defender, when during the regular season Deng averaged 52% against him?

How did English shoot 47% and 52%, when during the regular season against Hinrich, he averaged 43% and 25%?

I can only shake my head, because it makes zero sense.

Kobe played brilliantly, with 25 ppg, 6.5 rg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 spg, on 49% and 45% shooting.

Hinrich did well offensively, 17 ppg, 11 apg, 7.3 rpg   , 2.0 spg on 47% and 46% shooting.

Deng was terrible, 14 ppg, 6.8 rpg, on 39% and 27% shooting.

Finley did well against Camby, and held his own.

[CavsGM]

Fuck. So close, oh so close. I'm going game by game, thinking to myself, holy crap I could take the series. First when I'm up 2-0, and then again when I'm up 3-2. But when push came to shove, the Nets offense was just to great, and my defense too poor. My guys fought hard though. Gotta be proud...

[CelticsGM]

Unbelievable. The dream season goes on ...

The Bulls gave me one helluva series with pure drama. Losing the first game convincingly gave me some reality check, then winning the next two did restore inner peace. Before the drama unfolded.

After failing to convert my first match point (which would have given me a 3-1 series lead) AND my second matchpoint (losing game 6 at home) I was sure that's it. And then that game 7.

Lenard still couldn't buy a bucket, shooting just 40%, way below his season average. But the whole team played their trademark defense holding the Bulls to 40% (39.7% for the series) and forcing 27 giveaways. By outscoring the 4th seed by 22 in the second half, we finally took control.


Not to sound too cocky, but it was way closer than expected. The Bulls are really a great team and who knows what happens if I got the homecourt disadvantage (as i statet earlier, it's a pity one of us had to lose). Lenard, Chauncey and Ginobili had monster series, held Drew relatively quiet and Mercer at least somewhat in check.


What's next: The Nets.
Favourite: Celtics.
Why?


Because we have 4 road games.