Crystal Ball Predictions for '03-'04 Season

Here it is- the obligatory prediction topic the 1st day of the season!!!<br>
<br>
So give us...<br>
a) Eastern Conference playoff teams (in order)<br>
b) Western Conference playoff teams (in order)<br>
c) NBA Finals teams & winner<br>
d) MVP<br>
e) Rookie of the year<br>
f) Coach of the year<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>

I'll go first....<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Eastern Conference Playoff Teams</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Detroit Pistons<br>
New Jersey Nets<br>
New Orleans Hornets<br>
Indiana Pacers<br>
Philadelphia 76ers<br>
Boston Celtics<br>
Orlando Magic<br>
Chicago Bulls<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Western Conference Playoff Teams</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
San Antonio Spurs<br>
Dallas Mavericks<br>
Los Angeles Lakers<br>
Sacramento Kings<br>
Minnesota Timberwolves<br>
Phoenix Suns<br>
Houston Rockets<br>
Memphis Grizzlies<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>NBA Finals</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
San Antonio over Detroit in 6<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>MVP</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Tim Duncan<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Rookie of the year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Carmelo Anthony<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Coach of the year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Larry Brown<br>
<br>
<p></p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>1. Detroit Pistons<br>
2. New Jersey Nets<br>
3. New Orleans Hornets<br>
4. Indiana Pacers<br>
5. Philadelphia Sixers<br>
6. Miami Heat<br>
7. Orlando Magic<br>
8. Washington Wizards</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>First Rd.</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Pistons in 4, Nets in 3, Hornets in 5, Sixers in 3<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Conference Semis</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Pistons over Sixers 4-2, Hornets over Nets 4-2<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Conference Finals</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Pistons over Hornets 4-1<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>1. Dallas Mavericks<br>
2. Los Angeles Lakers<br>
3. San Antonio Spurs<br>
4. Sacramento Kings<br>
5. Minnesota Timberwolves<br>
6. Phoenix Suns<br>
7. Portland Trailgangstas<br>
8. Memphis Grizzlies</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>First Rd.</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Mavs in 4, Lakers in 3, Spurs in 5, Kings in 5<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Conference Semis</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Kings over Mavs 4-2, Spurs over Lakers 4-2<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Conference Finals</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Spurs over Kings 4-2<br>
<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>NBA Finals</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Spurs</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> over Pistons 4-1<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>MVP</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Kevin Garnett<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Rookie</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: None of the above (Neither Lebron nor Melo)<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Coach</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->: Hubie Brown<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub179.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=pitter5008@sanantoniospurs62937>Pitter5008</A> at: 10/28/03 3:30 pm<br></i>

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Lakers in 3<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END-->.<br>
<br>
Pitter, is the league going to push favouritism that far? <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :eek --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eek.gif ALT=":eek"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

(This message was left blank) <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub179.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=jupiterhal>jupiterhal</A> at: 10/31/03 9:55 pm<br></i>

<!--EZCODE UNDERLINE START--><span style="text-decoration:underline">East</span><!--EZCODE UNDERLINE END--><br>
<br>
1. Nets<br>
2. Pistons<br>
3. Magic<br>
4. Sixers<br>
5. Pacers<br>
6. Hornets<br>
7. Toronto<br>
8. Boston<br>
<br>
First Rd.: Detroit in 4, Nets in 4, Magic in 4, Sixers in 4<br>
<br>
Conference Semis: Philly over Detroit 4-2, Nets over Magic 4-3<br>
<br>
Conference Finals: Nets over Philly 4-3<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE UNDERLINE START--><span style="text-decoration:underline">West</span><!--EZCODE UNDERLINE END--><br>
<br>
1. Lakers<br>
2. Mavericks <br>
3. Spurs<br>
4. Kings<br>
5. Timberwolves<br>
6. Suns<br>
7. Portland <br>
8. Utah<br>
<br>
First Rd.: Dallas in 3, Lakers in 3, Spurs in 4, Kings in 4<br>
<br>
Conference Semis: Spurs over Dallas 4-3, Lakers over Kings 4-1<br>
<br>
Conference Finals: Spurs-Lakers go to game 7 in L.A.<br>
<br>
<br>
NBA Finals: Spurs/Lakers over Nets 4-1<br>
<br>
MVP: Kevin Garnett<br>
<br>
Rookie: Lebron James (unanimous)<br>
<br>
Coach: Don Nelson <p></p><i></i>

We'll archive this once everyone has had a chance to respond and bring it back after the season is over. It will be fun to see who was right <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/jackie/blondie4spursbanner.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

There should be a deadline put on it though. I did my picks beforethe start of the season, and now I would even go ahead & change my "rookie of the year" pick to Lebron, based solely on the first few games alone. <p></p><i></i>

EC:<br>
1. NJ<br>
2. Det<br>
3. NO<br>
4. Phi<br>
5. Ind<br>
6. Orl<br>
7. Mil<br>
8. Cle<br>
NJ over Cleve, Det over Mil, Orl over NO, Phi over Ind.<br>
NJ over Phi, Det over Orl<br>
NJ over Det<br>
<br>
WC:<br>
1. LA<br>
2. Dal<br>
3. Sac<br>
4. SA<br>
5. Min<br>
6. Pho<br>
7. Hou<br>
8. Den<br>
LA over Den, Hou over Dal, Sac over Pho, SA over Min<br>
SA over LA, Sac over Hou<br>
SAC over SA<br>
<br>
Finals:<br>
Sac over NJ in 6<br>
<br>
MVP: KG<br>
DPOTY: TD<br>
ROY: Carmelo<br>
COTY: JVG<br>
MIP: Manu Ginobili <p><!--EZCODE CENTER START--><div style="text-align:center"><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.sahoops.net/photogallery/page5/TDtheMAN.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></div><!--EZCODE CENTER END--></p><i></i>

Who cares about the East...<br>
<br>
Western Conference Playoff Teams<br>
<br>
1. Kings<br>
2. Lakers<br>
3. Spurs<br>
4. Mavs<br>
5. Suns<br>
6. Tpups<br>
7. Blazers<br>
8. Rockets<br>
<br>
1st Round: Kings over Rockets 4-1. Lakers over Blazers 4-0. Spurs over Tpups 4-2. Mavs over Suns 4-3. <br>
<br>
2nd Round: Kings over Mavs 4-2. Lakers over Spurs 4-0.<br>
<br>
WCF: Lakers over Kings 4-1. <br>
<br>
Finals: Lakers over Nets 4-0. <p></p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
Talk about Deja Vu.<br>
<br>
I recall this last post by another Lakers fan <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>last year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->. Check that. At least two that I can recall had the Lakers going 16-1 in the playoffs. <p></p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Eastern Conference Playoff Teams</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
New Jersey Nets<br>
Detroit Pistons<br>
New Orleans Hornets<br>
Indiana Pacers<br>
Philadelphia 76ers<br>
Orlando Magic<br>
Cleveland Cavs<br>
Boston Celtics<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Western Conference Playoff Teams</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Dallas Mavericks <br>
Sacramento Kings<br>
Los Angeles Lakers <br>
Minnesota Timberwolves<br>
San Antonio Spurs<br>
Phoenix Suns<br>
Houston Rockets<br>
Seattle Supersonics<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>East Round 1</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
NJ over Bos 4-1<br>
Cle over Det 4-3<br>
Magic over NO 4-2<br>
Indy over 6ers 4-1<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>East Round 2</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <br>
NJ over Indy 4-1<br>
Cle over Magic 4-3<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>ECF</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
NJ over Cle 4-3<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>West Round 1</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Mavs over Sonics 4-0<br>
Queens over Ming 4-1<br>
Fakers over Suns 4-3<br>
T-Wolves over Spurs 4-3 (no offense) <br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>West Round 2</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
T-Wolves over Mavs 4-3<br>
Fakers over Queens 4-3<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>WCF</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
T-Wolves over Fakers 4-2<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>NBA Finals</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Minnesota over New Jersey 4-2<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>MVP</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Kevin Garnett (T-Wolves)<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Rookie of the year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
LeBron James (Cavs)<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Sixth Man of the year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Antawn Jamison (Mavs)<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Most improved player of the year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Carlos Arroyo (Jazz)<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Comeback Player of the year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Vin Baker (Celtics)<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>Coach of the year</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--><br>
Paul Silas <p><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.texashsfootball.com/forums" target="top"><!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:large;">Super</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:large;">B</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--></em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--></a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://home.austin.rr.com/utnaf/BBS/images/Tx_Flag.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> <!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.texashsfootball.com/logo.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub179.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=superb2000>Super B2000</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.northsidekarate.com/_borders/Texas.gif" BORDER=0> at: 11/1/03 5:06 pm<br></i>

No respectable Lakers fan would have predicted a 16-1 Lakers record just before the playoffs began last year. A less than 100% Shaq, even with a 100% Kobe, can't go 16-1. Than again, I wouldn't blame that fan, after all, the Lakers had a playoff record of 30-5 in 2001 and 2002 combined. <br>
<br>
And sorry man, it's tough losing Drob, Jackson and Claxton, all players who were clutch in the playoffs last year. Good luck fighting a reloaded Lakers team and a stronger and taller Kings team. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/image/emoticons_classic/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Funny how hindsight is a rose colored 20/20 for Lakers fans.<br>
<br>
It was like talking to the same poster over and over, all preseason and regular season. <br>
<br>
"Shaq will be a hundred perent by playoff time!!"<br>
<br>
"All the Lakers need is to make the playoffs."<br>
<br>
"Spurs will not make it past the Lakers."<br>
<br>
Heard it from commentators, fans... name it; heard em all. your no different. The Kirbs and JCrushes went away as they showed.<br>
<br>
As of right now the Spurs need more luck getting healthy. Then the grind will begin. <p></p><i></i>

You're avoiding the reality of the matter, which is just sad. <br>
<br>
A 100% healthy Spurs team beat a much less than 100% healthy Lakers team, a much much MUCH less than 100% healthy Mavs team, and a somewhat less than 100% healthy Suns team. Face it, you won a title because of injuries, not because you were better than the Mavs, Lakers or Suns, or even the Kings for that matter had Webber not gotten injured. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub179.ezboard.com/bsanantoniospurs62937.showUserPublicProfile?gid=shaqattack2>ShaqAttack2</A> at: 11/1/03 8:00 pm<br></i>