A: Winner take all
Pickin' Magicians To The Seventh Power
Our Nets are out of the playoffs, but we think we should keep one of our traditions alive here at JNF - the seventh annual playoff Pickin' Magicians contest! The rules are as follows - YOU pick the winners of each series by round - the winner of this contest is the player who, at the end of the playoffs, has picked the most series correctly. Your "in x games" picks will break ties: most series picked exactly wins. If that's a tie, we'll pick the entrant who was least far off in the series he or she picked correctly (click here to see last year's game). Pithy comments not required but always appreciated.
Here are the first round entries:
Champagne
The silent partner of JNF(and we do mean silent) has never had a way with picks, mostly because he never pays any attention to anything but the Nets and Bulls. And where are they both now...? Anyway, give us your best shot, Champy...
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5.
Horts (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Mavs in 7 .
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Spurs in 6.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Rockets in 6.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 4.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Cavs in 5.
David Gutierrez
David's back in the game for another season, hoping to get the coveted Joe t-shirt and coffee mug. Well, this is a great year for doing so...
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 7.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Mavs in 6 .
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Suns in 7.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Rockets in 7.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 5.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 4.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 6.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Cavs in 6.
Doug S.
Our returning champion (and 2x winner, as Doug reminds us) says, "As I sit here drinking green tea (steep no longer than 2 minutes at 145 degrees) from my JNF mug (what a great prize) , I present to you this year's winning picks."
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Hornets in 6 .
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Spurs in 7.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 5.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 7.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Wizards in 6.
GMOTSL
I'm back yet again; thanks for running the game... on to the picks:
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5. It seems that I always pick the Nuggets to advance in the first round, and I'm always wrong. This time, this matchup makes it really easy to avoid picking them. The Lakers have amazing versatility AND they play defense. While Denver will be very competitive in every game, LA is a terrible matchup for them. Iverson's broken finger seems to be affecting his shooting (and FT shooting) far more than Bryant's injured pinkie affects KB24.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Hornets in 6. While Kidd made it to the playoffs and the Nets didn't, neither will be around in the second round. The Hornets have some amazing chemistry going and their Paul will destroy Kidd. Expect at least one game where David West grabs 18 rebounds.
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Suns in 5. The Spurs simply look unlike the Spurs teams of old... and that's the problem, they're old. If Gino isn't 100%, the Spurs have no shot at all. Meanwhile, the Shaq gamble will pay off big for the Suns, as Amare can direct most of his energy into the offense. And that's the key to the series, as Amare has turned into a great FT shooter. The Suns can out-run the Spurs, and can still out-grind them if San Ant wants to go to a slow-down game.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 6. Get the excuses ready, Houston. When things go right in Houston, McGrady talks about the Rox as being "his team." But when things go poorly, as they will in this series, McGrady talks about "the team didn't step up." That team needs a leader, and McGrady has never filled that role. McGrady will probably have great individual stats, again, but another first round exit, again.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4. No explanation needed.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 4. Tough call since Detroit has been coasting. However, that also means they're rested. The Sixers are a poor three point shooting team, and that hurts them all series as Detroit will pack in the defense to force Philly to shoot from outside often.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Raptors in 6. A very difficult series to pick. If Nesterovic can avoid fouling out quickly, and Dwight continues his best Shaq-at-the-FT-line impressions, this series goes to Toronto. If Dwight draws fouls on the Toronto bigs early and often, and they've got the threes falling, Orlando would win. I'll go with Toronto on the basis of Orlando's weakness at the point guard position, and that last in games, they always have the option of employing Hack-a-Shaq if they need to.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Wizards in 7. James can go off for 40-10-10 and win a couple of games single-handedly, but then what? The Wiz just have too much talent and will take advantages as he wears down.
Jen S.
Jen. S., last year's co-champ, is married to Doug S., 2006's champ. Can the family dynasty stay strong in '08? Good luck Jen...
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Hornets in 7. While I give Dallas a chance, I don't have the heart to root for a post-Nets Kidd team
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Suns in 6.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 6.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 6.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Cavs in 6.
Joe Netsfan
Ok, folks, isn't it time for Joe to bring home the first place trophy? Even if it's just playing for pride, it's still playing...
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 6. This is a deep Laker squad, and Kobe's jonesing for a title without Shaq. This might just be his best chance, if they stay healthy.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Hornets in 7. No self-respecting Netsfan wants Jason Kidd to win anything but pouter of the year, so we're forced to root for Byron Scott. If that ain't Karma...I'd like to see Kidd keep in front of Chris Paul.
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Suns in 7. Defense vs. offense, but the Spurs time may have finally come. It's probably a longshot, but I'd like to see the Suns make it deep into the playoffs, just to make certain everyone understands you can win in the NBA with offense and no defense.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 6. I just can't see the Rockets minus Yao getting past the Jazz, long winning streak or not.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4. Please.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5. This Pistons are a handful come playoff time. The Sixers had a nice run with our old friend Stefanski, but they need more firepower next year to compete with the likes of the Pistons.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors (6)
Pick: Magic in 6. Which team is overrated? You can make the argument that both are, but if the Magic don't move past Round 1, then it was a waste of a year for sure. The Raptors could surprise if they don't shrink like they did last year against the Nets.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Cavs in 6. Can't see the Wiz getting past LeBron, no matter how poor of a cast LBJ has around him.
Jon Lin
Jon's a newcomer, looking for the glory that is a JNF Pickin' Magicians title. Good luck, Jon!
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5. AI + Carmelo should ensure a sweep won't happen.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Mavs in 7. Of course counting on Kidd continuing his playoffs excellence.
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Spurs in 7. Just can't expect Spurs to go out round 1.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 6. The Jazz would be tough with their excellent play at home.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4. Nice season Hawks in becoming an average team.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5. Still quite a big difference in level here.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 6. Raptors are still not ready for the playoffs.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Wizards in 6. The big 3 are ready to play.
Ken Gerew
Ken was our other co-champ last year, looking for more glory.
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5. Lakers are looking tough, and with Melo having issues, see this as Lakers in 5
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Hornets in 7. Hornets are one solid team and I don't think Kidd has meshed with the Mav's yet.
And likely will not in time to win ...
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Spurs in 6. What is up with the Spurs? and the Suns have been up and down also ...
My heart says Spurs, my head says Suns, but till Spurs get beat can't go against them
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Rockets in 7. No big guy? Does not seem to slow them down ... Jazz are always in the game
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 5. Most people will go with Celtics in 4, but I think the Hawks can win a game at home, so Celtics in 5.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5. Hard to believe 76's won twice as Pistons are best team in the East.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 6. Was at the last Raptors / Nets game, if they shoot like that hard to beat but Magic has Howard ...
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Wizards in 5. I hope LJ is one and done, so tired of the fawning over him.
Matt Torby
Matt's another newcomer, who's looking for all the JNF gelt he can get his hands on. Good luck, Matt.
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5.
Horts (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Mavs in 7 .
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Suns in 7.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 6.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 4.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 5.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Cavs in 6.
Rich McCabe
Rich says, "Long time no speak. Been lurking on the site as I watched a tough season unfold. Hoping 08-09 brings better times." Amen to that, Rich.
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 6.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Mavs in 7.
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Suns in 7.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 6.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 7.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Cavs in 6.
Steven Charny
"Hey Joe- what a nightmare of a season! Trade Jefferson!!! Here are my picks:"
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 6.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Mavs in 7.
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Spurs in 6.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Jazz in 6.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 6.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Raptors in 6.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Cavs in 7.
Vince Vincenzo
"Joe/Champ, Long time - fustrating season. I'm putting my Net playoff money to use on a vacation this week, so I will have to do without my pithy comments until the second round." No worries, no hurries, Schnu - we're just jealous that you're putting your post-Nets season to good use...
Western Conference:
Lakers (1) vs. Nuggets (8)
Pick: Lakers in 5.
Hornets (2) vs. Mavs (7)
Pick: Hornets in 6.
Spurs (3) vs. Suns (6)
Pick: Spurs in 7.
Jazz (4) vs. Rockets (5)
Pick: Rockets in 7.
Eastern Conference:
Celtics (1) vs. Hawks (8)
Pick: Celtics in 4.
Pistons (2) vs. Sixers (7)
Pick: Pistons in 5.
Magic (3) vs. Raptors(6)
Pick: Magic in 5.
Cavs (4) vs. Wizards (5)
Pick: Wizards in 6.
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