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Ok, so who is cheering for us to win tonight?

DavidSomerset

By DavidSomerset
in Homecourt

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DrReality Rookie

DrReality

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I am fan, but at this point I am looking at the long haul, which means a loss would give us better chances in the long run to get a top three pick. As it is going, it would be a dream draft if we got a top three and then a 12-14 pick from Indy. That could be enough to make a major impact and turn us around.

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DrReality Rookie

DrReality

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Here's the scoop on the race for the last playoff spot. This was posted on RealGM a couple days ago so it is pretty current.

Today we will focus on those fighting to gain entrance into the Eastern Conference playoffs. Assuming the top six teams don’t hit a major cold streak or suffer a major injury, this study will analyze the second tier of six teams battling for both the 7th and 8th seed. Here they are by their current positions as of today:

7. New Jersey Nets (30-35) – 0 GB – 17 games remaining (9 home, 7 vs. +.500 teams)

With Richard Jefferson finally back from injury, the Nets are considered the favorite to capture one of the two final playoff spots. Missing only Nenad Kristic for the season, the Nets have learned to adapt to New Jersey basketball without him. Mikki Moore has stepped up huge for the Nets this season, and they figure to battle their way into the playoffs led behind the playoff experience of The Big Three. Also, the Nets will have the best opportunity to control their own destiny, as 7 of their remaining 17 games will come against the other five teams mentioned in this study. However, their final 8 games will be played against teams currently in a playoff position (including NY – tied for 8th seed). If the Nets can hang tough through this stretch of the season, watch for a very tough battle vs. newborn rival Detroit or the streaking Cavs in the first round.

8. Indiana Pacers (29-34) – 0 GB – 19 games remaining (9 home, 10 vs. +.500 teams)

Currently, the Pacers are without Jermaine O’Neal day-to-day, and are on a horrific 10 game losing streak. A month ago, Indiana seemed a playoff lock. Now, they are appearing to be the most vulnerable to plummet into the heart of the lottery. They are also facing the most games remaining vs. winning teams, and will close the season with 4 of their last 6 games on the road, including a tough match-up down in South Beach. On the bright side, Indy will play these other five contenders 6 times in the last 19, which could provide them the opportunity to move up while the others move down. Their best hope is to get O’Neal back as soon as possible, and ride his dominance to the postseason. However, if young players like Danny Granger and Ike Diogu don’t provide an impact, it could be the first time since 1997 that the Pacers fail to quality for the NBA’s second season.

9. New York Knicks (29-34) – 0 GB – 19 games remaining (10 home, 9 vs. +.500 teams)

The Knicks received a huge blow to their playoff hopes when Jamal Crawford went down for the season. They received another huge blow this week, when a second opinion on David Lee’s ankle revealed that he too could be sidelined for an additional 3-4 weeks. This would leave the team without its leading rebounder until the final week of the regular season. However, the Knicks have made it this far playing their best basketball when their backs were against the wall. They have surged after the brawl with the Nuggets while a large part of the team was inactive, and have recently managed to win without many of its key players.

However, for the fans of New York to be frequenting “The World’s Most Famous Arena” come playoff team, they are going to have to go through division-leader Toronto 3 times, New Jersey twice more, and also the extremely powerful Dallas Mavericks twice, and Detroit and Chicago on back-to-back nights. Another problem for the Knicks is that Indiana and New Jersey currently hold the head-to-head tiebreakers against them. The road ahead looks bleak for the Knicks, but they are also the only team in the league to improve each month this season, armed with a passionate desire to prove to everyone that last year’s dismal season was the fault of Larry Brown’s coaching, not the roster manipulation by Isiah Thomas.

10. Orlando Magic (29-36) – 1 GB – 17 games remaining (9 home, 7 vs. +.500 teams)

The Magic have suffered injuries to Trevor Ariza, Grant Hill, and Tony Battie during this present slide they are mired in since mid-January. After a 22-14 start, the Magic have gone 7-22 with limited production from their role players. Top draft pick J.J. Redick hasn’t provided nearly the reliable outside touch they were hoping to get with one of the nation’s leading scorers. Also, they are facing a tough schedule in the final weeks with 4 of their last 6 games on the road, including games at Detroit, at Washington, and home vs. surging Miami. Unless the Magic can regain the spark and fury they ended last season with that carried into the start of this season, it appears it will be another lottery year for a team struggling to find its identity. With an upcoming offseason looming around the doubts of bringing back key players like Grant Hill and Darko Milicic, the Magic will also be without their draft pick, unless it magically falls into the top 5. For Orlando to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002-03, they will need Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson to carry the torch.

11. Atlanta Hawks (26-39) – 4 GB – 17 games remaining (9 home, 6 vs. +.500 teams)

Yes, the Hawks are still alive. As amazing as that sounds, it is pure fact. The Hawks have been decimated by injuries this year to Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Zaza Pachulia, Josh Smith, Speedy Claxton, and more and are still fighting to the brink of a playoff berth. The Hawks currently have the fewest games remaining of this bunch, but also have the fewest vs. teams with a winning record. The majority of their games are at home, but they will most likely have to finish the season without either member of their starting backcourt, Joe Johnson or Speedy Claxton. However, the Hawks are very deep and have plenty of talent behind their youthful squad now being led by experienced veteran Anthony Johnson, whom they acquired from Dallas at the deadline. With 3 of their last 5 games at home, 4 of which are against teams with a losing record, don’t be surprised to see one of the league’s least attended arenas playing host to Detroit or Cleveland in the first round.

12. Philadelphia 76ers (25-39) – 4.5 GB – 18 games remaining (10 home, 10 vs. +.500 teams)

If anyone would have mentioned the 76ers in playoff talks during the period when neither Allen Iverson nor Chris Webber were suiting up, you might have received a Jim Mora-like response from head coach Maurice Cheeks. However, the trade of AI for Andre Miller and Joe Smith may turn out to be one that Philly fans might almost admit was beneficial. Despite their horrible start to the season, they have surged late in the season and had won 7 games in a row before Tuesday’s loss in Atlanta. However, this rush up the stagnant Eastern Conference standings have the fans from the City of Stallone perhaps more angry than when Donovan McNabb goes down with his customary mid-season, playoff-chance-crushing injury. They were all fixated on winning a spot in the Oden/Durant lottery, but now have the opportunity to lose all of their ping pong balls altogether. With a tough road ahead, the Sixers have demonstrated desire to win, and with only Rodney Carney battling injuries, there is still hope for this squad yet.

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BusBoyIsBack Newbie

BusBoyIsBack

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Quote:

I am fan, but at this point I am looking at the long haul, which means a loss would give us better chances in the long run to get a top three pick. As it is going, it would be a dream draft if we got a top three and then a 12-14 pick from Indy. That could be enough to make a major impact and turn us around.

Playing meaningful games down the stretch and a potential playoff berth also helps us down the long haul.

Pro-tankers don't seem to get this.

You think "What good is making the playoffs if we dont win?"

Because it makes confidence soar. That helps our young players get better. Look at Josh Smith. He's playing so well because he has confidence.

Also it helps us get respect from refs. We don't get jobbed if we are a playoff team instead of the old lowly Hawks.

THat is GUARANTEED to happen if we win.

If we lose NOTHING is guaranteed.

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TheNorthCydeRises Grand Master

TheNorthCydeRises

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Quote:

Quote:

I don't cheer against my team under ANY circumstances.

We need more fans like you!

I wish the tankers would go choose another team...It's embarrassing to have people claiming to be "fans" actually cheering for us to lose.

I understand the "tankers" position. It's just that their thinking is highly flawed. I got an hour left at work. I'm about to post a thread about the top 3 picks since the lottery. It'll be interesting reading, if I can get it done within the next hour.
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