Haven't followed NBA at all this year but...

Why have you forsaken our Mavs and our Lord and Savior Dirk Nowitzki?

You're such a Paul Mainieri.

So the macs suck and all the sudden you don't follow the NBA? Some fan you are

Went to my first mavs game in March.

Vacation makes it hard to follow plus they have been at this level before like from 07-09

The Mavs don't suck.

If they get the Lakers in the first round they'll bitch slap them just like last year.

They'll beat the Clippers too. I think they're a 2nd round team.

Maybe if Kobe decides to quit shooting 42% when he's got two towers down low shooting around 54% combined.

Probably. With home-court, they really shouldn't lose a 7-game series to anyone.

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Maybe if Kobe decides to quit shooting 42% when he's got two towers down low shooting around 54% combined.

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yeah it boggles the mind that he keeps jacking up J's when they're both killing down low. Kobe kills the Lakers offense as much as Mike Brown does.

I don't know the Heat's deal. Good thing is that it's likely no one will beat them before the conference finals, so they'll have these last 10-15 games plus a few series to get things figured out.

And you can't tell anything about Chicago either, at least not until they play together. I really thought that the additional guard scoring to go alongside Rose would be crucial for them this year. Their front court has been amazing, so if Watson/Hamilton/Rose can remain healthy and play well, they will have scoring options at a lot of different spots on the floor, which is something they couldn't say last year.

Of course, that assumes Boozer isn't a bitch during the playoffs again and that Deng keeps playing at an All-Star level.

The teams that have the most to gain from all of this are Orlando, Boston, and Indiana. Not to say these teams could win a series against Miami or Chicago, but taking 2 or 3 games is certainly seeming more realistic. With the Heat's road struggles and the Bulls' injuries and lack of on-court time together, they aren't as invincible to the rest of the Eastern Conference as we originally thought.

I mean Indiana was competitive in every game with Chicago last season. I'd still say there's a 75% chance that it's Miami/Chicago in the conference finals, but that number certainly isn't getting higher as of now.

From an enjoyment standpoint, hopefully Miami draws Orlando in the 2nd round and Chicago draws Boston or Indiana. I think Orlando has the best shot of the three to beat Miami, and then Indiana has the best shot to beat Chicago of the three (Chicago's front line can match up with Dwight better than Miami can). Or you can get Rose vs. Rondo if it's Boston.

Those 5 teams in the East are going to make for some nice series. I hope Boston has enough fight to make a run this year. They are playing really well right now. Garnett has been amazing, and Pierce isn't shooting it as much anymore. If they can get Allen coming off the bench, they can certainly take two games off of either Chicago or Miami, IMO.