I think that the Hawks will make the playoffs but they will not make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
135866
Absolutely not. No inside-outside game that it takes. Joe Johnson is great but everyone who is there eventually ends up leaving...ie Harrington in this upcoming off season. Marvin Williams could develop, but until they have an all around good big guy they will struggle. Besides they are still young and you have to have some playoff experience. Joe Johnson barely played last year in the playoffs due to injury too so that doesn't help them experience wise.
99033
They should, although I do not agree with them being an 11th seed. I think they should of been somewhere between the 7th-9th seed.
119430
I don't think they'll make it past the first round if they make the tourney.
301446
I'm tired of the same teams in the Finals, so I hope the Mavs, Clippers, Suns, Cavs, or Nets make it.  Of those teams, I think the Mavs have a realistic chance.
199940
OH YEA, the Cards have an EDGE in the NFC WEST, if u know what i mean. come on, the 2 WR, the edge, warner is ok. their OL is coo, they'll make it to the playoffs. \nAs a niner fan, yes they'll be a better than a 4-12 team coming season, they'll move up to 8-8; or 7-9. i know thats not much different but improvment comes in small size, what can u say. \nthe Rams, forget bout it. they'll go no where, with that high powered offense and no D. its over. \nthe hawks will perform well again. u know y? well look at the schedule, only 3 really hard games: KC, DEN AND SD. the rest are ok.
141866
Yes, i'd say they're the biggest wild card in the West.  I bet nobody wants to play them in the 1st round.  If they keep getting solid play from Vesa Toskala and timely goals from Cheechoo, they can make a lot of noise.  Just gotta tighten the defense a bit.
293041
i see the suns in the finals
179962
I think it's gonna be a really good playoffs this season. To tell you the truth, no one could really tell what's gonna happen in the playoffs. You can't just base it on the teams' performance on the regular season. This links would prove that just because a team's on the number 1 spot, it could win the championship.\n\nhttp://www.nba.com/standings/2003/team_r...\n\nNotice that not one of the two teams on the number one spot made it to the finals. Instead, the (3)Pistons and the (2)Lakers faced each other. The Pistons won which is on the number 3 spot...\n\nhttp://www.nba.com/standings/2004/team_r...\n\nThe two teams on the number 1 spot didn't make it to the finals either. (2)Detroit faced (2)Spurs...\n\nSo, what we could really just do is just wait and see who takes "it" home...
391132
Dude they just lost to the lowly hawks last night. Go figure. The Magic ain't contending this year that's for sure. \n\nBut there is no stopping dwight howard. that kid is fast becoming an unstoppable force and he will be the next big thing, no doubt. just give him another year and a better supporting cast for him and the magic to make some noise in the east.
618790
Undoubtedly,  The west, at this point, is probably the strongest any conference has ever been.  First let me say that Dallas is playing as good as any team can be expected.  Not only have they stolen the NBA championship from the best team in basketball, (The San Antonio Spurs)  they even stole their coach from the Spurs.  Just joking !!!!  I am a Spurs fan but since they lost to Dallas, In what is probably the best series of the entire finals including the championship series, I have to pull for the Mavs all the way.  Keep it in TEXAS.  Maimi is 2nd rate to say the least.  Shack has seen his better days and should get out before he makes a bum out of himself.  As for Wade, he has all of the tools to become a real super star but not with the talent in Miami.  If anyone doubts the superiority of the western conference, just watch it next year.  #1 - Phoenix will have Stoudemar back.  #2 - The Clippers will only be better.  #3 - San Antonio is just one center away from being virtually unbeatable.  #4 Dallas will be the reigning NBA champs.  The Eastern Conference #1 - Ben Wallace will leave Detroit.  #2 Shaq will continue to deteriorate.  #3 - LaBron James can't do it all by himself.  #4 - Is there anyone else in the East worth mentioning?  Parity will be a long time coming.
27225
No, there are too many other good teams out there (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Miami, Vermont, etc.) for them to make it to the Frozen Four.  However, I have to admit they will definately play spoiler in the tournement, just as they have been doing all season.  They lack the great talent and consistency to make it to Milwaukee this year.  Keep up the good work though.
171817
I am a fan, but I dont think they have any chance of being the NBA champion this year.
291435
Kg hear speculation Lakers..Al? The top teams Mavericks Spurs Cavs lot of things could happen in the east I think the better teams are on there way down.
334189
wishful thinking... the cavs will put it away on game 6.\n\nI guarantee there wont be a game 7.\n--Z. Ilgaskaus
5596
It's going to be tough with milwaukee and cleveland this year.  If they do you better hope they don't face Detroit in the first round. They have gotten blown out in both games so far.
189597
The Red Wings have a really good team but the only way they are going to make it is if they have a sweep in the first round. Chelios and the older players are the achilles heel of the team. Not because of their skill but because of their age and the time that it takes for them to recover. I think that the Oilers will beat them and because they are a young team, they should be able to recover quicker and be able to go a long way. I think that the Oilers have a really good shot at going all the way.
193998
I don't think they will. It all comes down to the 2 games with Philly this week. They pretty much have to win both games to have a shot. If they lose 1 and win 1, the games are a wash and the Bulls will likely be 1-2 games out with 6 to play. If they lose both, well you can guess, its over. I simply don't think they are consistant.\n\nThey still have: vs. Ind, at Phi, vs. Phi, vs. NJ (hottest team in the league), at ATL, vs. WAS, at Mia, at Orl, vs. Tor. My guess is that they win 4 of those 9 games, finish 37-45 and miss the playoffs by 2-3 games. The Sixers just played their worst basketball of the year and in all likelyhood will not play that bad the last 10 games of the season.\n\nOh and I wouldn't worry about losing to get a lottery pick, we already have the Knicks #1, so whatever, just win and try to get in.