2018-2019 Official Playoffs Predictions Thread

[Shaqdaddy11]

The Rockets can make it to the WCF if they stay healthy...but beating the Warriors?

Assuming Boogie returns to anywhere near pre-injury form, the Warriors got better. If he doesn't, they stayed the same.

The Rockets on the other hand, got worse. I don't see them beating a healthy Warriors. Especially if Boogie plays well.

Warriors got better?!?

They lost the might Javale McGee!

 

[msgkings322]

Warriors got better?!?

They lost the mighty two-time NBA champion Javale McGee!

FIFY

 

[WiggyRuss]

Insider predicts LeBron, Lakers miss playoffs

Many have questioned LeBron James’ move to the Los Angeles Lakers after the superstar signed a four-year free-agent deal with Los Angeles.

The roster appears nowhere near ready to compete for a championship in the rugged Western Conference and the Lakers might even struggle to make the playoffs, considering James is surrounded by a lot of young players and guys who may not really fit well next to him.

Yahoo Sports insider Chris Mannix believes the Lakers will miss the postseason altogether in 2018-19.

“It’s the island of misfit toys out there, and LeBron James,” said Mannix on the NBC Sports Boston podcast. “You have to assume it’s 48 wins to get into the playoffs in the Western Conference. I don’t see that team making up that difference.”

 

[bksballer89]

“It’s the island of misfit toys out there, and LeBron James,” said Mannix on the NBC Sports Boston podcast. “You have to assume it’s 48 wins to get into the playoffs in the Western Conference. I don’t see that team making up that difference.”

I disagree with the assumption that it is going to take 48 wins to make the playoffs in the west. I think that # is closer to 45 or 46

 

[WiggyRuss]

I disagree with the assumption that it is going to take 48 wins to make the playoffs in the west. I think that # is closer to 45 or 46

ya i thought that might be a tick high too....it depends on just how bad the lower rung of teams are like the Suns, Kings, Grizz, Clips, etc......if those teams are actually decent- and i think all of those teams will be trying- at least for the vast majority of the season- and can not just get stomped it may be hard for that number to be 48.....thats probably the upper limit with the lower limit being 45...but prob like 46 or 47 as you said.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Assuming health and jimmy not being traded the wolves will make the playoffs easy

That said, might be another 14 years after this

 

[bksballer89]

Assuming health and jimmy not being traded the wolves will make the playoffs easy

That said, might be another 14 years after this

Easy? So you have them at 50+ wins I'm assuming?

 

[WiggyRuss]

I really cant believe Budenholzer got fired. The Bucks lucked into that hiring in a huge way. I think he is easily a top 10 coach. I think he will be a big reason the Bucks are a better team this year- especially down the stretch once he gets his system into place.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Easy? So you have them at 50+ wins I'm assuming?

Yes. I’m assuming health in this prediction.

That’s right where they were at with Jimmy last year. And the dysfunction was just as dysfunctional

 

[bksballer89]

Yes. I’m assuming health in this prediction.

That’s right where they were at with Jimmy last year. And the dysfunction was just as dysfunctional

As a wolves/butler fan, what sense does it make to keep Jimmy if he is 100% walking next summer?

 

[WiggyRuss]

As a wolves/butler fan, what sense does it make to keep Jimmy if he is 100% walking next summer?

id rather have him stay in Minnesota- but i really think he is going to the knicks or nets with kyrie.

Kyrie/Butler/Porzingis in the East would be as good as anyone- and would just be HUGE marketing wise.

Knicks need to open up some of that cap room though---- i would INSTANTLY take Knox if the Knicks wanted the Cavs to eat say Noah AND OR Hardaway.

Hill and JR for Hardaway, Noah and Knox- or their pick?

 

[mr.hockey4242]

As a wolves/butler fan, what sense does it make to keep Jimmy if he is 100% walking next summer?

It’s a fair question.

I would say you gotta see how the year is going well and they looking like they will make playoffs. It might be better to just take 1 more playoff run and give fans some sort of enjoyment after all the futility.

But yeah, if the team is hovering. You gotta consider a deadline deal

 

[msgkings322]

East:
1. Celtics
2. Raptors
3. Sixers
4. Wizards
5. Pacers
6. Bucks
7. Heat
8. Magic

West:
1. Warriors
2. Rockets
3. Thunder
4. Timberwolves
5. Jazz
6. Lakers
7. Nuggets
8. Spurs

Damn. Pelicans and Blazers miss. Those teams would probably be the 4 seed in the East.

Very few people had the Twolves even in the playoffs in this thread, interestingly. I imagine this guy would like to change his West prediction now...

 

[msgkings322]

Assuming health and jimmy not being traded the wolves will make the playoffs easy

That said, might be another 14 years after this

How things change...

 

[ericd7633]

Very few people had the Twolves even in the playoffs in this thread, interestingly. I imagine this guy would like to change his West prediction now...

Yes, if the wolves blow it up.

 

[msgkings322]

Yes, if the wolves blow it up.

Even if they just trade Butler and keep everyone else I can't see how they get the 4 seed.

 

[ericd7633]

Even if they just trade Butler and keep everyone else I can't see how they get the 4 seed.

They won't. I gave that prediction with the assumption that Butler was going to be there. Without him they won't even make the playoffs IMO.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

How things change...

Well not really lmao

I mentioned the exact scenario in my post

 

[rmilia1]

EAST
1. BOSTON
2. WASHINGTON
3. MILWAUKEE
4. TORNOTO
5. PHILLY
6. INDIANA
7. MIAMI
8. CHICAGO

WEST
1. WARRIORS
2. LAKERS
3. THUNDER
4. JAZZ
5. ROCKETS
6. PELICANS
7. BLAZERS
8. PHOENIX

 

[YourFriendGannon]

^Look at the grapes on this guy, calling Phoenix a playoff team before they've even found their point guard. Gutsy.

Don't really see how Washington can get to #2 unless a few EC teams become injury stricken.