Team most likely to reach NBA Finals: Pacers or Blazers

[KingSpeed]

It was asked on PTI yesterday. Jason Whitlock said the BLAZERS.

 

[Strenuus]

That's surprising. I'd say the Pacers just based on that they were a game away from being there and we still have something to prove.

 

[tlongII]

The Pacers only have to get through one significant challenge. We have several challenges.

 

[Mediocre Man]

That's surprising. I'd say the Pacers just based on that they were a game away from being there and we still have something to prove.

Really not surprising at all considering the Pacers have to go through Miami.

 

[blue9]

It was asked on PTI yesterday. Jason Whitlock said the BLAZERS.

Because we don't have a team like MIA standing in our way. And since everyone seems to think MIA is the hands-down favorite to win the title, and there's absolutely no consensus in the West, it stands to reason that we have a better shot than IND at making the Finals.

 

[PapaG]

Pacers x 100

Whitlock is certifiably nuts, on a side note.

 

[PapaG]

Really not surprising at all considering the Pacers have to go through Miami.

An older Miami with an older Dwyane Wade.

Of course, Greg Oden will be putting up 25/12 by the playoffs, so that will change things for the Heat.

 

[Natebishop3]

The west may be stronger overall, but beating LeBron is still a much greater task than the Thunder, Spurs, or Rockets.

 

[ponderguy]

I'd say pacers just based on the conference. First round out there might as well be a bye

 

[BlazerWookee]

It's "More" likely, not "Most."

Neener.

 

[KingSpeed]

It's "More" likely, not "Most."

Neener.

You're right

 

[Strenuus]

I'd say pacers just based on the conference. First round out there might as well be a bye

Exactly. It's really not even a discussion. lol.

 

[Pritchslap Madness]

An older Miami with an older Dwyane Wade.

Of course, Greg Oden will be putting up 25/12 by the playoffs, so that will change things for the Heat.

That makes me sick to the stomach thinking about. Blazers in finals to get beat up by our previous # 1 pick.

 

[Draco]

If Wade or Bosh gets injured Miami will be much easier to beat. They've both had injury issues in the past two title runs. Not that Bosh is terribly great but their alternative big men options really suck. Even if Miami is healthy Indy has a great chance with their big men though.

Its going to be so tough in the west to win 3 playoff series against quality teams.

If the west wasn’t so deep I could see an argument for us; LeBron is on a hell of a run he is playing better basketball than Jordan ever played. He is nearly on pace to shoot 60/50/90. Jordan never had that kind of efficiency and never helped teammates like LeBron.

 

[BBert]

I think Indy is more likely than the Blazers, for all the reasons stated above.

 

[ponderguy]

LeBron is on a hell of a run he is playing better basketball than Jordan ever played. He is nearly on pace to shoot 60/50/90. Jordan never had that kind of efficiency and never helped teammates like LeBron.

No.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'd say that if it came down to the Blazers beating the Spurs in a seven game series or Indy getting past the (healthy) Heat I'd give a slight edge to the Blazers, but I'd only put the odds of the Blazers being in the WCF at about 5-10% right now.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'd say that if it came down to the Blazers beating the Spurs in a seven game series or Indy getting past the (healthy) Heat I'd give a slight edge to the Blazers, but I'd only put the odds of the Blazers being in the WCF at about 5-10% right now.

5-10%??? It's gotta be at least 30%!

 

[MARIS61]

Both.

 

[magnifier661]

5-10%??? It's gotta be at least 30%!

For nik, that really translates to 80%

 

[Nikolokolus]

5-10%??? It's gotta be at least 30%!

A whole lotta shit has to break right for any team to get to the finals.

 

[julius]

That makes me sick to the stomach thinking about. Blazers in finals to get beat up by our previous # 1 pick.

IF, and it's a BIG if, Portland makes it to the finals and it's against Miami, Greg Oden wouldn't be the reason the Heat won.






















the refs would be!


HA!


Actually no, it'd be because the Heat are a damn good team.

 

[<-=*PdX*=->]

That idiot also said the 49ers are better this year than the Seahawks yesterday. Take it for what its worth.

 

[KingSpeed]

A whole lotta shit has to break right for any team to get to the finals.

Right. 30% seems fair then.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

The 1977 Blazers beat the Dr. J, George McGinnis, Bobby Jones 76'ers. It can happen.

Chemistry and a coach that understands offense......hmmmmm? Are we on track for our second Cinderella season?!?!?!

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Been so long since the blazers made noise in the playoffs I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[crandc]

I saw that PTI as well. Just the fact that the question was asked at all shows how far this team has come this year. Going into the season, barely 6 weeks ago, the question was whether the Blazers would make it to the playoffs as a No. 8 seed. Well, if the playoffs started today (I know, I know, they aren't!) the Blazers would be the No. 1 seed in the West.

Few things on earth, well, OK, few things sportswise, would make me happier than Blazers and Pacers in the Finals. Because I remember 2000 when the Blazers played the Lakers in WCF and the Pacers played the Knicks in ECF, and the league and media were openly gloom and doom over the possibility of a Blazers/Pacers finals. Two small market teams in "unglamorous" cities. When the Pacers won their series the gloom and doom were palpable and you could hear the cheers when the Lakers came back on that bitter June day. At least they got one of their "glamour" teams! Portland is beautiful in June (don't now about Indy) so let them all come here and suffer over not breathing LA smog.