#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Kings vs. Timberwolves

Why They Will Win:
Kings – The most complete built team in the league have a top scorer in the league. Surround him by other scorers, who also have complimentary skillsets for the team. It is hard to find a way this team won’t win.
Timberwolves – With two young studs in Bosh and Hamilton, this team could find a way to push through the playoffs. As the only non scoring position on the court is center, they have a good supporting cast to those two superstars. Speaking of center, they have assembled a solid group of role players that can give just enough to make this team a contender

Why They Will Lose:
Kings – Depth. Simple as that. The injury to Marion is not a knockout blow with Deng waiting in the wings, but that means they are one injury away from not having a viable option on the wings. I expect to see the young guy Shaun Livingston have more of an expanded role on this team until Marion is fully healed.
Timberwolves – The 8th seed. They, unfortunately, got matched up against the powerhouse of the season this year. Against any other Western conference team, I would pick the Wolves to really make it a series. However, not in this one.

Prediction:
Kings 4 – Wolves 1

Jazz vs Spurs

Why They Will Win:
Jazz – Tim Duncan. The entire post season is going to focus around this one player for the Jazz. Are they going to be able to exploit his mismatch against every other player in the league? He is a difference maker and possibly the best player in the league.
Spurs – Experience. This is one of the older teams in the league. They have a lot of playoff experience, and they look to use that to make a run in the playoffs. With outstanding wing play, this team is outside use heavy.

Why They Will Lose:
Jazz – The point guard position. The starting point guard of Jamal Tinsley was a serviceable option for the team. They relied heavily on the other positions. Now, with Tinsley out for the majority of the playoffs, this team is going to be drowning at this spot. Going up against a top point guard in Nick Van Exel doesn’t help either.
Spurs – Tim Duncan. Tim is the most important player in this matchup. I expect the Jazz to move him to the power forward position and try to get at least 30 points from him each game. The spurs have a good chance against every other player, but Tim Duncan is the sole player that can be the demise of San Antonio.

Prediction:
Spurs 4 – Jazz 2

Rockets vs Nuggets

Why They Will Win:
Rockets – This is another one of those complete teams. Having three certifiable superstars in Kidd, Webber, and Ilgauskas is a team that nobody would want to play. With solid contribution from Shandon on points, this team is solid at 4 out of 5 positions. That alone can be enough to take this team to the next round.
Nuggets – Heat check. This is one of the hottest teams in the league. Since the Garnett trade, this team has turned its season around completely, and will be a force to be reckoned with. Having strong guard play to spell Garnet makes this team a menace both inside and outside.

Why They Will Lose:
Rockets – Guard play. Traditionally, this rockets team has been a down low team. From having Shaq to transitioning to big Z, this team is always a force on the blocks. They also have struggled against outstanding guard play. High volume scorers in Jones, Wade, and Arenas could be enough to outmatch the force in the post.
Nuggets – The other low post spot. Kevin Garnet can only be in one position while on the court. He can match up and possibly excel against both Webber and Big Z. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they have little to no assistance on the block. The fact that one of those two players will match up against someone significantly less talented will be a difference maker.

Prediction:
Nuggets 4 – Rockets 3

Mavericks vs Suns

Why They Will Win:
Mavericks - Antawn Jameson. He is scoring machine with the focus being inside. With a team full of bigs that rebound, having Jameson slicing to the basket creates opportunities for offensive rebounds and put backs.
Suns – Balance. A team without a superstar is in the playoffs and wants to make a run. With all starters averaging double figures, and only one averaging more than 20 ppg, this team has the ability to score from any position. This will allow the suns to take advantage of any matchup advantage no matter where on the court.

Why They Will Lose:
Mavericks – Injuries. The injury to Andre Miller is crucial. The Mavs have to hope that the makeshift backups can hold out until the possible game 5 to make it into the next round. With a lack of quickness on the perimeter from the back ups, the point guard position is the glaring weakness of the Mavs team with Miller injured.
Suns – Inexperience. With an extremely young balanced team, this organization doesn’t come in with a superstar to be the leader and take control of games. The Suns are hoping that the playoff experience of Tony Delk will help the young guys with any jitters and be able to take it to the next round.

Prediction:
Mavericks 4 – Suns 1

Hawks vs Celtics

Why They Will Win:
Hawks – Coaching. This is still a solid team even after unloading a large portion of their championship players. Wig is one of those GM’s that you can count on getting the most out of his team no matter who they have on their roster. This roster isn’t a juggernaut, but it is certainly a legitimate playoff roster.
Celtics – Bigs. If there is one thing Conroy knows how to utilize it’s a big man. With years of dominance having Zo in the middle, they have two formidable big men to deal with. Not to mention, they have a still quality Zo coming off the bench.

Why They Will Lose:
Hawks – Guard play. When you lose a powerhouse like Penny at point guard, you expect a downward fall at that position. Factor in the fact that Mason is a good not great shooting guard, this team will have their work cut out for them facing the duo of Steve Francis and Jason Terry.
Celtics – Youth. This team is solid at every position but they are young at most positions. And with Zo and Bryce Drew being the only veterans off the bench, the Celtics are hoping that talent will overcome jitters with such a young team.

Prediction:
Celtics 4 – Hawks 1

Raptors vs Magic:

Why They Will Win:
Raptors – Star Power. The three headed monster of Brand, Finley, and Billups are at it again. With years of playoff experience, these three players are enough to bring this team out of the first round.
Magic – Volume scoring. With players at the point guard, shooting guard, and power forward positions, they have the advantage to take control over any mismatch. These players can put up buckets all night. The biggest mismatch may be Keith Van Horn at the power forward position. He is able to take it down low, but also able to stretch the floor with outside shooting.

Why They Will Lose:
Raptors – Role players. Although they have the three headed monster, they don’t have much else. If any of these players get in foul trouble or injured, this team is going to be in trouble without anyone else that can pick up the slack.
Magic – Small Forward. The magic have NOBODY listed at the small forward position. They have some capabilities to play either small or big at this position, but that means moving an important player from their natural slot. Making a move in the lineup can be disastrous come playoff time.

Prediction:
Magic 4 – Raptors 2

Bulls vs 76ers

Why They Will Win:
Bulls – Starting 5. The bulls have one of the best starting five in the league. They have been together for years, and everyone knows their role on this team. We know what to expect from these players and we expect greatness.
76ers – Baron Davis. He is the key to this 76ers team. He is the biggest mismatch for this series. He is a complete player with the ability to score, distribute, and defend at his position.

Why They Will Lose:
Bulls – Depth. Same story, different year. As consistent as this starting five has been with talent, the same consistency has been apparent with the depth of this team. They have little talent behind their starters and if any foul trouble or injuries occur, look for a difficult time on the court.
76ers – Post D. The 76ers best post defender (Bradley) will more than likely not be guarding the Bull’s best post scorer (Thomas). Even if Shawn shifts down to the power forward position, he won’t be able to keep up with Thomas’ athleticism

Prediction:
Bulls 4 – 76ers 1

Wizards vs Hornets

Why They Will Win:
Wizards – Star Power. With the likes of Shaq and Lewis, this team is stacked with star power. Rashard as a 6’10” shooting guard is an impossible matchup for anybody in the league. Factor in the likes of a dominant low post player in O’Neal, and you have the star power that no other team possesses.
Hornets – Post depth. In a bit of a surprise for myself, this is really the strength of this team. They have quality big starters in Kemp and ZBO, but it’s the ability of James Jones and Nazr Mohammed to step in no matter what and bring a quality to the court that is essential to a playoff caliber team.

Why They Will Lose:
Wizards - Power Forward. This position seems to be the one glaring weakness on this team. Troy Murphy, although a decent player, can’t match up with the rest of the talent on this team.
Hornets – Perimeter D. I already discussed how much of a nightmare the shooting guard position is whenever you face the Wizards. The other issue is the point guard position. They have a decent defender in Jacque Vaughn, but he is lacking in athleticism for the point guard position. They have Shammond Williams who is crazy athletic, but does not have the defensive ability of a quality point guard.

Prediction:
Wizards 4 – Hornets 0

This is awesome, noce work Logan!



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Nice *

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Noice work Logan, going to be a fun serie for me.

logpmess wrote:Wizards vs Hornets


Prediction:
Wizards 4 – Hornets 0

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Shall see about that prediction.

When I see those 3 players though Nick, I'm left asking "What else?"

NOLa. wrote:When I see those 3 players though Nick, I'm left asking "What else?"

You just want me to post more pictures of my teams roster, don't you.

Great job Logan. You're definitely right about the first series. Kings gonna run away with it.

AWARDED 5 POINTS!