... and also will the weaker (at least record wise) teams from the east pull another upset this year?
2007-02-05 08:53:32 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Basketball
I believe there are currently like six teams in the western conference that have a better record then ANYONE in the eastern conference (Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, Utah, Houston, and the Lakers). It's difficult to imagine anyone other then Dallas or Phoenix winning the west, as well as those two teams are playing right now, but...who knows. A healthy Miami team could pose a threat to whoever comes out of the west, again, however. Don't sell the Heat short quite yet. In the weak eastern conference, if they can just make the field, they wouldn't necessarily need the home court advantage, to win the conference. Whoever wins the east will have an easier path to the finals, then whoever survives the tougher west, and therefore might have the advantage of not being so worn down.
2007-02-05 09:07:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is a very difficult question to answer, as since the NBA season is so long teams often do not hit their stride until the last 10-15 games of the season. Of course, your seed does make a difference in terms of home court advantage and playing weaker teams, but lets not forget what happened to the Detroit Pistons of last year. They had a phenomenal regular season, with FIVE all stars, while Phoenix this year only has three. Their defense was amazing with Lindsey Hunter and Antonio McDyess coming off of the bench. However, in the post-season they flopped big time. They could barely hold of fCleveland, which apart from Lebron James had nothing going last year (Add that to the fact that Larry Hughes was out for 4 of the 7 games in the Detroit-Cleveland series). Everyone is so sure that Phoenix will win this year, but last year everyone was even more certain that Detroit would win. They did not even make the finals. Someone mentioned not cutting out the Lakers, which I completely agree with. They have been able to win games without Kobe, and have shown consistency down the stretch. Houston has been playing amazing defense as of late and who know what will happen down the stretch. Phoenix fans need to realize that the great Steve Nash is getting old. At 32 he can no longer put up those 38-40 minute games, as he gets drained after the 30 minute mark. Im not saying that he is not the best player in the league. He is. Im saying that Phoenix plays a very high tempo offense which they are good at, but which can be broken if you take the series to 7 games because I personally dont believe that Leonardo Barabosa is capable of filling Nashes tired shoes down the stretch of a game 7 in the Western conference finals. Lastly, lets not forget the wannabe Phoenix Suns of the East, the Wizards. This team at this point is still uncapable of winning an NBA title, but lets not forget that no one thought they were capable of winning an Eastern Conference championship at the beginning of the season.
In conclusion, I apologize for my rant-like analysis, but there is simply too much to analyze, and honestly it is far too early to be picking favorites. There are about 35 games left this season, which is longer than an entire college regular season. Many things can happen until then. For all we know, the Clippers might make a run at the last second, qualify as a 7 seed, knock of the Suns or Mavericks, and win it all. They definitely have the ability. Lets not forget the Knicks a few years back that went to the NBA finals as an 8 seed.
In conclusion, for real this time, I think that it is too early to decide who will win the west. Saying the Phoenix Suns will win just cause they are playing well now is a naive answer, even if it ends up being true.
2007-02-05 18:07:02 · answer #2 · answered by tohms 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think The Phoenix Suns will win The West and The NBA Championship. They have a very good starting line up and extremely talented role players. Steve Nash will lead The Suns to win it all. The East is up for grabs but Orlando, Miami, and Detroit will not beat Phoenix or Dallas in a 7 game series. (Don't count The Lakers out)
2007-02-05 17:26:36 · answer #3 · answered by regjazz11 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Suns, Mavs, and the Spurs are in 1 category right now: the best. Some people mentioned the Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets, etc., but they cannot compete with the 3 top teams (I dont care if they got Kobe, Melo, AI all on the same team they still wont win).
2007-02-05 17:47:01 · answer #4 · answered by 000 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Phoenix Suns
2007-02-05 17:06:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
phoenix suns and I don't think the weaker teams from the east will able to pull an upset
2007-02-05 17:11:29 · answer #6 · answered by joshb2k4 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Definitely Dallas or Phoenix, they've kicked it up to the next level.
The East will put up a good fight, but a Game 7 in the finals? I doubt it.
2007-02-05 17:48:40 · answer #7 · answered by samwu09 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look for a rematch of the Heat-Mavs. Mavs will take the west b/c they can win in a slowdown, unlike Phoenix. Then look for the Mavs, with that giant chip on their shoulder, to win the ring.
2007-02-05 22:58:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Suns...or the Mavericks, but I'd pick the Suns. But from the East i like Cleveland
2007-02-05 17:46:25 · answer #9 · answered by m_moran07 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
THE PHOENIX SUNS because of Marion Stoudemire & Nash in the West No upset in the East
2007-02-05 17:00:55 · answer #10 · answered by hobo 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋