Post by Souper Troopers on Aug 26, 2014 14:04:07 GMT -6
Round One
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Regular Season Matches: 3-0 Bulls
Series Overview:
Chicago Bulls GM trolled TMBSL prior to the season by posting tweets that a new era was about to begin, leading many experts to believe that a rebuild was coming to the Windy City. Hours later Brian Bruns reported that his account was hacked and the team responded by winning their 3rd division title in as many years. With no true superstar on the team, the Bulls rely on a steady dose of unselfishness with all 5 starters averaging over 17 points per game. Chicago made easy work of the Hawks this season going 3-0, but all 3 games were played before the trade deadline moves made by Atlanta.
The Atlanta Hawks appeared to be dead in the water as this season progressed this year. With ownership becoming worried and GM John Keller's job in jeopardy, Keller went full YOLO and changed the entire landscape of the team. Players Tom Barker, Jim McIlvaine, Mel Bennett, Aaron McKie, and Clifford Ray were all traded in several trades that brought in a return of Billy Paultz, Tom LaGarde, Brian Taylor, and Mike Green. The consensus was that while the Hawks team did improve, Keller completely mortgaged their future to go win now mode. The result was barely sneaking in as the 8th seed by a mere tiebreaker. Now that they're in the tournament anything can happen, but I don't expect things to change.
Both the Bulls and the Hawks have had some injuries coming into this first round matchup. Kareem, Walt, and Mike Green all appear to be gametime decisions for game 1.
Prediction: Bulls win 4-2
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Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Magic
Series Overview:
A roller coaster of emotions for both the Orlando Magic and their fans this off season started when the worst possible scenario happened for the [HASH]1 odd's team in the lottery. They dropped to 4th and rumors swirled around the league of a possible GM M. Jay resigning. Convinced by ownership to stay on through at least free agency, the tides turned and the Magic landed the top prize in free agency. Coupled with spectacular performance of 1st round draft pick Greg Monroe in the TMBSL Summer League, the future looked bright for not so storied franchise. Later, wings Dan Roundfield and Adrian Dantley were added to round out the starting lineup. Orlando improved their win total by 51 games this season finishing with the Atlantic division crown and the number 2 seed in the ECF's.
After 3 years of miserable records, GM Enya Fason was determined to make a move this off season and he made the first big splash by trading for veterans Caldwell Jones and Leon Douglas. Teamed up with PF Brian Grant and PG Michael Jordan, the Sixers had high expectations heading into the season. The MJ PG experiment failed leaving Philly to comb through the league rosters looking for a serviceable floor general. Prayers were answered when the Clippers agreed to send proven veteran Doug Collins east giving the Sixers an excellent starting line up. Featuring the East's stingiest defense, Collins and company most hope that they can at least slow down MVP Magic Johnson's typical playoff performances if they hope to have a shot in this series.
Prediction: Magic win 4-1
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Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
The Miami Heat had arguably the top team in the East heading into this much anticipated season. Despite not having key starters Bob Lanier (22 games) and Truck Robinson (26 games), the Heat managed to managed to finish the year with 52 wins and 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference. Now at full health, Miami presents one of the most lethal foursomes in the aforementioned Lanier/Truck and PG Khalid Reeves and SG/SF Reggie King. Perhaps the most crucial move in the eyes of GM Kane Sphan was picking up defensive specialist Jim McIlvaine just hours before the trade deadline passed.
The New York's managed to split the season series with the Heat two games each, with with of their losses coming from a Reggie King full half court buzzer beater. The Knicks feature a deadly down low duo of Artis Gilmore and Dave Greenwood that exploits the weakest part of Miami's lineup. If New York can get the two going early and get Lanier/McIlvaine into foul trouble, they stand a real chance of upsetting the favorites in this series. Equally important will be how Nate Williams and Marvin Barnes matchup up against the efficient scoring of King and Truck.
Prediction: Heat win 4-3
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Regular Season Matches: 3-0 Pistons
Series Overview:
The Detroit Pistons appeared to be in short term rebuild this off season after sending Caldwell Jones and Leon Douglas to the Sixers for 3 first round picks. To the surprise of many, GM Tyler Odin offered big money contracts to bring in SG Jimmy Paxson and resign PF George Johnson. Business as usual for Paul Westphal and the Pistons finishing the season with 52 wins, the 4th seed and a first round meeting with the Boston Celtics whom they swept in the regular season. The Pistons will be without defensive stopper George Johnson for the entirety of the series.
It has been a real Jekyll and Hyde season for the Boston Celtics. With the impending cap hell looming on the horizon GM Joe Dump traded of once coveted FA prize Bob Lanier to the Miami Heat. In a separate deal, team heart and soul World B. Free was traded for younger version Butch McCrae. This resulted in a very slow start for the Celtics and cause the fans of Boston to start demanding some answers. Working the lines Dump was able to work some magic one last time and traded for PG John Williamson. Since the trade, the Celtics have looked like a different team and hope their new found success translates to the playoffs. Cliff T. Robinson looks to capitalize against a shorthanded front court of Detroit.
Prediction: Pistons win 4-3
Conference Semifinals
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Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Bulls
Series Overview:
This series is about as even of a series as you will find in the playoffs this year. Even though the Bulls took the season series 3 games to 1, all four games were determine by 4 points or less with 3 of the 4 being determined by 1 point. The key matchup in this series will feature one of the best offensive PG's in the game in Paul Westphal versus one of the league's elite perimeter defenders Lionel Hollins. If Hollins can hold Westphal to a reasonable stat line, the Bulls will have a great chance of advancing to the next round. This series turns very favorable for the Bulls if Jim Brewer and George Johnson can't stop George McGinnis, Donyell Marshall, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. However stars shine in the post season and there is perhaps no bigger star in the league than Westphal.
Prediction: Pistons win 4-3
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Regular Season Matches: 2-2 Split
Series Overview:
The battle for Florida and the battle for a seat at the ECF's table features the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat, both relative newcomers to success in 4.0 history. Orlando has turned heads all season long and have out performed all expectations and were believed to still be a year away from serious title contention. The real rookie of the year Greg Monroe has progressed ten fold and has the Georgetown product looking like the steal of the '05 draft class. Most of the matchup's with the Miami Heat are misleading since the Heat were without two of their starters for a big chunk of their season. On paper the Heat appear to be a much better team than the Magic, but MVP Magic Johnson has the pedigree of super performances come playoff time. To improve their chances of advancing, PG Khalid Reeves must find a way to slow down the leagues best player. If not, this could end up another early exit for GM Kane Sphan and Miami.
Prediction: Heat win 4-3
Conference Finals
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Regular Season Matches: 3-1 Heat
Series Overview:
Despite battling through several key injuries, the Miami Heat destroyed the Detroit Pistons in three of their matchup's this season taking the season series 3-1. Now at full strength, things could turn ugly as Miami holds a very big advantage at the 2-4 spots. The one match up that will cause concern for the Heat is point guard. Reeves can very well hold his own, but if history is any indication, Westphal will be a handful and make the Pistons a very tough out. For the Pistons to be able to advance to the sim league finals, they much have a productive series from wings Jimmy Paxson and Bob Dandridge on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Former MVP Bob Lanier should have a field day with PF Jim Brewer, however it will be interesting to see if the put defensive stopper George Johnson on the talented big man. Everything state, I think the Heat just have too many horses for the Pistons to stop.
Prediction: Heat win 4-2
