Atlanta will make things interesting vs. Cleveland in round 2

This topic contains 40 replies, has 16 voices, and was last updated by OhCanada- 10 years, 2 months ago.

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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 7:35am #63559

Dazzling Dunks and Basketball Bloopers
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I know on this seems like a mismatch. On paper this is basically the same Atlanta team that got swept by a banged up Cleveland team a year ago with home court advantage. This year Cleveland is pretty much at full strength and this year’s hawks team wasn’t nearly as good in the regular season. However, I see this series going at least 6 games and I think Atlanta will make cleveland sweat before its over.
Last year’s hawks team peaked too early. They played their best ball in Jan and Feb and were banged up and resting their starters by the end of the season. They lost their momentum and the sefolosha incident was no doubt a huge distraction at the worst possible time. The team that played Cleveland in the playoffs last year was a shell of the team from earlier in the year.
This year, Atlanta is stronger defensively than they were a year ago and played their best ball in the second half of the season. Korver is healthy and shooting the ball well again and they are beginning to show the same ball movement and chemistry offensively that made them so good early last season. This is a deep and experienced team and they are much healthier than were last year. I think out of all the teams in the east they have the best chance to upset Cleveland, and I have the suspicion that Cleveland may be overlooking them somewhat. I’m not sure this year’s Cleveland team will play with edge last year’s team did, being down 2 starters and discounted.
Cleveland still probably will win this series because they have lebron and are the more talented overall team. However, I think they will have to work for it and this will be much more competitive than most projections.

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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 8:01am #1058621

XavierAllTheWay
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I think Cleveland will win series 4-1. Atlanta really needs to tank and start over. They will never get to contender level with the current roster. Superstars do not want to play there.
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- Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 9:18am #1058633
  
  frogman
  Participant
  By that logic 25 teams should tank every year.
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  - Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 9:31am #1058645
    
    celticsthug
    tanking is for suckers
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    - Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 3:11am #1058835
      
      bmac697
      Participant
      Or sixers lol
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    - Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 3:11am #1058954
      
      bmac697
      Participant
      Or sixers lol
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  - Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 9:31am #1058764
    
    celticsthug
    tanking is for suckers
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- Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 9:18am #1058752
  
  frogman
  Participant
  By that logic 25 teams should tank every year.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 8:01am #1058740

XavierAllTheWay
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I think Cleveland will win series 4-1. Atlanta really needs to tank and start over. They will never get to contender level with the current roster. Superstars do not want to play there.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 9:29am #1058641

Toronto16
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I think Cavs win in 5. Big 3 seems to be clicking at the right time.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 9:29am #1058760

Toronto16
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I think Cavs win in 5. Big 3 seems to be clicking at the right time.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 10:35am #1058651

Biggysmalls
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On one hand I want to agree with the OP. I do agree with the notion that ATL peaked entirely too early last year and with their style of play and system, their margin for error was small and being just a tick off threw them way off. They just didn’t look good last year in the playoffs, even before that Cleveland series.
With that said, I still just don’t think they’ve got enough to match up with the Cavs. They have to play darn near perfect basketball and guys like Teague and Millsap, who struggled last year, need to play as well as they ever have. ATL isn’t going to get any calls in this series either.
I hope the Hawks make it interesting, but I think at best, its a 5-game series.

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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 10:35am #1058770

Biggysmalls
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On one hand I want to agree with the OP. I do agree with the notion that ATL peaked entirely too early last year and with their style of play and system, their margin for error was small and being just a tick off threw them way off. They just didn’t look good last year in the playoffs, even before that Cleveland series.
With that said, I still just don’t think they’ve got enough to match up with the Cavs. They have to play darn near perfect basketball and guys like Teague and Millsap, who struggled last year, need to play as well as they ever have. ATL isn’t going to get any calls in this series either.
I hope the Hawks make it interesting, but I think at best, its a 5-game series.

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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 11:32am #1058667

PurpleMonkeyDishwasher
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I love Teague as player. I would absolutely love it if the Wolves could pry him away from Atlanta. That being said I think the Cavs could have their hands full with the Hawks.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 11:32am #1058786

PurpleMonkeyDishwasher
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I love Teague as player. I would absolutely love it if the Wolves could pry him away from Atlanta. That being said I think the Cavs could have their hands full with the Hawks.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 11:53am #1058673

Biggaveliii
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millsap will eat kevin love , this is going to be a way more competitive series than last year.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 11:53am #1058792

Biggaveliii
Participant
millsap will eat kevin love , this is going to be a way more competitive series than last year.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 12:12pm #1058677

XavierAllTheWay
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In response to frogman…. Yes the other 25 teams should tank. You want to be really good or really bad, not somewhere in between
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- Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 1:55pm #1058816
  
  Hype Machine
  25 tanking teams is what youre going with?
  
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- Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 1:55pm #1058697
  
  Hype Machine
  25 tanking teams is what youre going with?
  
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 12:12pm #1058796

XavierAllTheWay
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In response to frogman…. Yes the other 25 teams should tank. You want to be really good or really bad, not somewhere in between
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 12:13pm #1058679

halfdecayed
Participant
The Cavs are getting their brooms ready, mark my words, this will be a sweep… If they are lucky Hawks win 1 game.. Who’s going to guard Lebron? Bazemore? Smhh.. Millsap? We saw how that went last year.. Anyway, get your brooms ready.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 12:13pm #1058798

halfdecayed
Participant
The Cavs are getting their brooms ready, mark my words, this will be a sweep… If they are lucky Hawks win 1 game.. Who’s going to guard Lebron? Bazemore? Smhh.. Millsap? We saw how that went last year.. Anyway, get your brooms ready.
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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 7:40pm #1058916

BlueRivers25
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Kyrie is out to show he is the best PG in the East.
Reggie Jackson done. Jeff Teague next. I love Isaiah Thomas but the Celtics are out. Dragic/ Walker/ Lowry maybe in the next round, Irving can handle his own against those guys too.
Wall and the Wizards didn’t make the playoffs.
Am I missing any other PG in the East?

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Posted on: Fri, 04/29/2016 - 7:40pm #1058797

BlueRivers25
Participant
Kyrie is out to show he is the best PG in the East.
Reggie Jackson done. Jeff Teague next. I love Isaiah Thomas but the Celtics are out. Dragic/ Walker/ Lowry maybe in the next round, Irving can handle his own against those guys too.
Wall and the Wizards didn’t make the playoffs.
Am I missing any other PG in the East?

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- Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 4:05pm #1058945
  
  OhCanada-
  Participant
  Kemba Walker. Its okay though everyone forgets bout him although he is averaging 26-ppg (on bad percentages)in the playoffs. The guys headed into a game 7 matchup with the Heat and quite frankly I want them to win because the Hornets have never won anything since Charlotte got a team back. Kemba is proving his doubters wrong.
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  - Posted on: Sun, 05/01/2016 - 7:21am #1059145
    
    nill650
    Participant
    kemba yep never gets credit he deserves for his clutch factor,doesnt hurt to have lin playing so well too.
    i think miami wins the series but miami or buzz city are the only teams left in the east that could challenge lebron and co. but still don’t think anyone besides cavs are coming out of the east.
    atl cant , indiana cant toronto is choking hard and i would have said they could but not the way they are playing so far.
    nope the cavs are hell bound to a finals rematch and curry should be healthy just in time for that to happen, but something tells me it would be unwise to think gsw has enough to get past leo and the texas cow pushers the way they are steamrolling okc
    
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  - Posted on: Sun, 05/01/2016 - 7:21am #1059025
    
    nill650
    Participant
    kemba yep never gets credit he deserves for his clutch factor,doesnt hurt to have lin playing so well too.
    i think miami wins the series but miami or buzz city are the only teams left in the east that could challenge lebron and co. but still don’t think anyone besides cavs are coming out of the east.
    atl cant , indiana cant toronto is choking hard and i would have said they could but not the way they are playing so far.
    nope the cavs are hell bound to a finals rematch and curry should be healthy just in time for that to happen, but something tells me it would be unwise to think gsw has enough to get past leo and the texas cow pushers the way they are steamrolling okc
    
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- Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 4:05pm #1059065
  
  OhCanada-
  Participant
  Kemba Walker. Its okay though everyone forgets bout him although he is averaging 26-ppg (on bad percentages)in the playoffs. The guys headed into a game 7 matchup with the Heat and quite frankly I want them to win because the Hornets have never won anything since Charlotte got a team back. Kemba is proving his doubters wrong.
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Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 5:19am #1058851

Hitster
Participant
The Hawks had 8 seasons up to end of 2006-07 in the lottery. Since then they have made the play offs in 8 successive seasons but only won one divisional title in that time. After finishing 38-44 in 2013-14 then that might have been the time to rebuild.
They weren’t as good in regular season this year as last year but they still won 48 games and have won a play off series so I feel they carry on as they are. A lot may depend on what Horford does but they have excellent pros in the likes of Millsap, Teague, Korver etc and have a young gun in Schroder who has good trade value or they can look to rebuild around.
The Hawks aren’t the biggest franchise so I feel they carry on as they are and with good play off revenue they enjoy what success they are getting.
I’d back the Cavs to win in maybe 6 but the Hawks won’t make it easy for them.

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- Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 6:56pm #1059089
  
  RioRep
  Participant
  Kyrie is playing really good right now. Seems like they are finally jellying. Millsap won’t be easy for them to handle though.
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- Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 6:56pm #1058969
  
  RioRep
  Participant
  Kyrie is playing really good right now. Seems like they are finally jellying. Millsap won’t be easy for them to handle though.
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Posted on: Sat, 04/30/2016 - 5:19am #1058970

Hitster
Participant
The Hawks had 8 seasons up to end of 2006-07 in the lottery. Since then they have made the play offs in 8 successive seasons but only won one divisional title in that time. After finishing 38-44 in 2013-14 then that might have been the time to rebuild.
They weren’t as good in regular season this year as last year but they still won 48 games and have won a play off series so I feel they carry on as they are. A lot may depend on what Horford does but they have excellent pros in the likes of Millsap, Teague, Korver etc and have a young gun in Schroder who has good trade value or they can look to rebuild around.
The Hawks aren’t the biggest franchise so I feel they carry on as they are and with good play off revenue they enjoy what success they are getting.
I’d back the Cavs to win in maybe 6 but the Hawks won’t make it easy for them.

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Posted on: Sun, 05/01/2016 - 7:12am #1059143

nill650
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I have to admit I was surprised how bad the celtics have been with out bradley,figured they could still get past the hawks…
Bradley was having a stellar season, and the lack of consistancy from turner esp and the erratic play of smart and sullinger really hurt them in the atl series.
I do not think atl has enough to get past cleveland. they should not have to much trouble atl trying to double and triple team irving if they foloow the same gp they did against thomas. boston has no superstars and lebron,love are just that.
boston clearly did not game plan for bazemore…normaly you just live with what he gets.
I would imagine the cavs will have less touble stopping atl than anyone who is assuming the boston series is indicative of a better atl team than all season.
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Posted on: Sun, 05/01/2016 - 7:12am #1059023

nill650
Participant
I have to admit I was surprised how bad the celtics have been with out bradley,figured they could still get past the hawks…
Bradley was having a stellar season, and the lack of consistancy from turner esp and the erratic play of smart and sullinger really hurt them in the atl series.
I do not think atl has enough to get past cleveland. they should not have to much trouble atl trying to double and triple team irving if they foloow the same gp they did against thomas. boston has no superstars and lebron,love are just that.
boston clearly did not game plan for bazemore…normaly you just live with what he gets.
I would imagine the cavs will have less touble stopping atl than anyone who is assuming the boston series is indicative of a better atl team than all season.
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Posted on: Sun, 05/01/2016 - 11:44am #1059189

Oryan99
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Hawks got swept as a much better team last year, facing a Cavs team that was down Kyrie, Klove and for some of the series, Shump. No one on Atlanta, even Milsap can stop LeBron. And if they couldn’t stop Iasaih Thomas (no disrespect), what makes you think they can stop Kyrie? Especially considering that Kyrie is the second option. Last year TT and JR had a huge impact due to Love and Kyrie being out and it wouldn’t surprise me if they play a role in the series too. Cavs will win in four or five.
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Posted on: Sun, 05/01/2016 - 11:44am #1059068

Oryan99
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Hawks got swept as a much better team last year, facing a Cavs team that was down Kyrie, Klove and for some of the series, Shump. No one on Atlanta, even Milsap can stop LeBron. And if they couldn’t stop Iasaih Thomas (no disrespect), what makes you think they can stop Kyrie? Especially considering that Kyrie is the second option. Last year TT and JR had a huge impact due to Love and Kyrie being out and it wouldn’t surprise me if they play a role in the series too. Cavs will win in four or five.
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Posted on: Wed, 05/04/2016 - 3:07pm #1059893

mamadou
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Interesting, very interesting….
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Posted on: Wed, 05/04/2016 - 3:07pm #1059772

mamadou
Participant
Interesting, very interesting….
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Posted on: Wed, 05/04/2016 - 3:46pm #1059903

OhCanada-
Participant
Lol 98-60 half way through the 3rd. Why do you guys doubt Lebron all the time. This is a terrible matchup for the Hawks. Its not even like they are choking they just really can’t compete.
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Posted on: Wed, 05/04/2016 - 3:46pm #1059782

OhCanada-
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Lol 98-60 half way through the 3rd. Why do you guys doubt Lebron all the time. This is a terrible matchup for the Hawks. Its not even like they are choking they just really can’t compete.
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