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NLL Insider - If They Started Today

by RyanChiasson, updated on Monday, March 23 2015, 04:15 am EST

If They Started Today

Three quarters of this NLL season are in the books. Around this time certain teams are starting to clinch playoff spots while others are fighting for their lives (others are tanking for picks!). But one of the more interesting parts of the year is jockeying for playoff seeding. Here we will break down how the playoffs would look if they started today instead of a month from now.  It won’t be as in depth as the breakdowns that should come closer to the real thing, but it is an interesting hypothetical exercise. We begin in the east… (RyanChiasson)

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

 

#1 Cleveland vs. #8 Atlanta

We start with the leagues crown jewel against one of the perennial cellar dwellers.  While many Atlanta fans would be happy to simply sniff the playoffs, others are starting to dream a little bigger when looking at the potential roster when healthy. Cleveland on the other hand is accustomed to winning, and look at presumptuous teams like Atlanta with a certain distain. Their fans see another team whose eyes are bigger than their stomachs. As with any one against eight series the one seed is the obvious favorite. Even for these Hawks, who don’t see themselves as your average 8th in terms of roster, it will be hard to win a game, let alone a series. The health of Mr. Ibaka will be key, because the Hawks have very few advantages they can press. Lebron will obviously dominate his matchup, as well as offset the wing contributions of his friend Dwyane. Drummond and Parker neutralize the other Hawk strengths in Paul and Howard. Hard to see a team like Cleveland losing, but don’t try telling the Hawks management that!

 

#2 Philadelphia vs. #7 Milwaukee

The team other than the Cavs to clinch a playoff spot are these 76ers. After early injuries, the team is now sailing. Milwaukee on the other hand has slid down the rankings a little bit, and look to have their hands full in a potential matchup vs Philly, who are just so much more well-rounded.  These young Bucks will try and give the 76ers a reason to Fear the Deer, but it’s tough to imagine. Another situation of the team stars being offset at PG and C, with worse news on the way for the Bucks being that Philly is stacked 2-4. Look for the youngsters to get their feet wet, and try and learn a thing or two.

 

#3 Boston vs. #6 Miami

Here we get our first look at a series most people would pick to potentially go the distance. Obviously the cloud of Kevin Durant hangs over the Celts season from here on out, and if he isn’t back, all bets are off. If he is, bet the house on Boston. The Celtics are 32-1 with Durant, and 15-14 without. Miami on the other hand is building a team that can hang with anyone, led now by Rondo, Gasol and Duncan. One of the rare series with 4 talented offensive bigs, the series will come down to health.  Durant is the difference, and the Celts just don’t lose with him in the lineup.

 

#4 Indiana vs. #5 New York

The toughest matchup to decide on in the East, two teams that are just tough to figure out. Indiana seemed stronger earlier in the year, but Blake Griffin has also been out an extended period of time, which makes it even harder to judge the current roster. New York hasn’t quite lived up to the massive talent on the roster, and expectations are always high in the Big Apple. New York though has more proven players across the roster, where Indiana will need players like Tim Hardaway not to be blinded by the bright playoff lights. While both teams have good third bigs and talented starters, the difference in the series may be at SG. As great as J-Cross is, look for the Beard to dispatch with him, and potentially the series for the Knickerbockers.

 

East Second Round Predictions

Cleveland, Philly, Miami, New York

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

 

#1 Lakers vs. #8 Denver

The Lakers have been the class of the West all season, and in this exercise would face off against the rising Denver Nuggets. The Nuggs have a tremendous talent in John Wall and a terrific big in Derrick Favors, and have done their best to surround them with starters who can raise their games to the levels needed to compete every night. While they have done so, they would be in tough against the Lake Show. The Lakers have so much talent, and can just play both ends of the floor so well. Gerald Green has shown no signs of slowing down, but it will be interesting to see if the recent, albeit minor, ratings changes derail him at all.

 

#2 Sacramento vs. #7 New Orleans

The one of leagues deepest stable of bigs, against a team that has seemingly pulled the plug on the season. We won’t spend as much time on this matchup, as we can probably imagine that one of these teams won’t be standing in this position come playoff season. If it were to hold, Sacramento would handle this current iteration of the Pellies. They out-talent the team as currently constructed at most positions, and on the go to round 2!

 

#3 Dallas @ #6 San Antonio

The matchup of bothers.  Both teams have seen overhauls of late, which makes it a difficult series to break down. Questions of fit aside, the Mavs seem to have a more well-rounded squad, which should suit them well come playoff time. But who knows what kind of magic Reggie Jackson will spin, and maybe he can unlock the offense in Anthony Davis. But that Dallas team is so strong in the starting lineup and deep in the bench, it’s hard to imagine them falling in the first round.

 

#4 Utah @ #5 Phoenix

Let me put this out there that if Rose is healthy, this is the most interesting series in round 1. The Cinderella team in Utah has slowed down without their star, but when he is in the lineup, look out. While not quite the same as the Durant Drop, the Jazz are 30-16 with Derrick, 7-9 without. On the other hand we have the Suns, who have been slaying all comers since making trades to fill out not only their starting lineup, but their bench as well.  For me the X-Factor of the series, and the rest of the Jazz season, is Mozgov. It remains to be seen whether Faried at C was a fun experiment, or if maybe it was something special. Is this team the same running a more traditional lineup, and there for a more traditional style? The questions are there, and Phoenix seems to be rolling. Chalk me up for the Suns, because who knows with Rose?

 

West Second Round Predictions

Lakers, Kings, Mavs, Suns

Archive

· NBA Starters on NLL Teams

· Playoff Races

· If They Started Today

· Rising Stars – VT’s Starters

· Rising Stars – VT’s Bench

· Rising Stars – Penny’s Starters

· Rising Stars – Penny’s Bench

· All-Star Spotlight: Rose

· All-Star Spotlight: Jordan

· All-Star Spotlight: Duncan

 

 

 

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