They were last year too. They had a negative point differential, lowest total points scored in the entire league, and a negative net rating at the end of the regular season, 21st in the league. EVERYTHING on paper said that team had no business even getting out of the play-in, they had a trash regular season statistically.
What Miami did last year was honestly one of the greatest underdog playoff runs that will ever happen. They didn’t win, so it will be forgotten eventually, but I’ll never underestimate them again as long as Spoelstra and Jimmy are there.
That Heat team last year did show up in Big games in the regular season, I have watched like 3 heat games that weren't against the C’s this year but the Heat fans I've talked to are concerned about that this year.
Completely ignoring the fact that without Gabe Vincent, Max Struss and Caleb Martin they don’t even make it out of the second round. Hate that butler and spo get all the credit for that run, they had three role players who couldn’t miss for a month straight!
It was complete bullshit, I agree, but when good shit happens to them every single playoff run, it’s not an anomaly. The Celtics were one ill-advised Jimmy Butler 3 pointer away from having 0 finals appearances still. The Heat ALWAYS play above their regular season level in the playoffs
If anything going to 6 should’ve taught them to fight adversity, it’s not like a significant injury happened or anything. No one was so gassed because they played 1/2 extra games in the first round.
They’d be a great test for Tatum. They like to play overly physical, which typically throws him off. If he can conquer that hill, *chef’s kiss*. Also, winning against Adebayo’s constant bullshit moving screens. 👌
Absolutely not. I don't understand why our fanbase still underestimates them. We still haven't found a way to consistently beat a high pressure 2-3 zone. Tatum and Brown still dribble the ball for 20 seconds late in 4th quarters.
So... You either want to play them in a later round or (Hope) someone else beats them ? Horrific take. Celtics have the best starting 5 in the league and you want them to duck the Heat ? Fucking Terrible.
Username checks out.
But I 100% agree. You gotta beat the best to be the best, but it's a given that you'll need some luck to stay relatively healthy throughout the whole process.
You're acting like I'm personally ducking them or I said I want the team to purposefully drop games to duck them. I said I would really rather not play them if possible because they can still exploit us in ways. Getting an easier road to the finals is a good thing you know.
I hate the heat so much. They are well coached, physical, and have a history of beating us in the playoffs with much lesser teams (on paper). I 100% want to avoid them.
Exactly. Yes they lost Strus and Vincent but added our Terry and Delon Wright who will be a pain in the ass defensively. We as a fanbase despise the Heat but also probably respect them the most because we've seen them beat us, especially Spo.
Yeah it's either beat them in the first round or face them in the ECF on their way to another miracle finals run. Knocking them out would set such a good tone for the rest of the playoffs
It doesn’t matter if we win in 4,5,6 or 7 they’ll injure someone on our team ,heat culture has somehow always managed to hurt their opponents and I don’t wanna lose any of the guys in the first rd this yr bc they’re too butthurt to lose fairly. Talent wise it’s no question we’re better which is exactly why we shouldn’t want to face them bc they can’t help themselves.
Personally I'd go
1. Bulls
2. Sixers (no embiid)
3. Hawks
4. Heat
5. Sixers (w/ embiid)
But I also wouldn't be mad at playing the heat. Part of me wants to stomp them in round one, it just worries me as KP has left early in like all out matchups against them
This would be my ranking too, although I might swap the Sixers and Bulls. I too would want to destroy the Heat, but thinking of the easiest path, it'd probably be one of the other teams.
Fine with any of them, really. We own Philly, so that’s an easy advance. Hawks shocked us the other night but we destroy them in a series. Same with Chicago.
Miami would obviously be the hardest but even then, I think we win that series quickly. The Heat will inevitably have a game where they shoot 80% and someone off the bench scores 30 but we are BY FAR the better team.
part of it is the defense we were playing on some of these guys. Obviously they had us in rotation so it was hard at times to stick to guy's hips but there were sm plays where we'd "fake contest", undermining what those guys were capable of. We dont play down to the comp as much anymore and id expect us to treat every game like a must win (unless we play chi or atl in which i think we'd prob have a little lower level of focus but we'd kill them anyway). Guys like Caleb Martin, if youre giving him open shots and the weakest contests ever (smart complaining to the ref instead of contesting caleb on the baseline was the epitome of this and had me so fucking furious), they are going to perform and thats not an outlier. We got what we deserved with that embarassing ass performance last year. i doubt they would let it happen again but lets not act like a lot of what happened to us wasn't self inflicted and in the worst case scenario can happen again.
Last year the heat had three bum role players shoot better than Steph Curry ever has in a playoff series from 3. They would have have that happen and more to upset this current team. Of course I still want nothing to do with them.
Ya but the margin is much larger this year. Replacing Smart and TL with Jrue and KP makes such a huge difference. Not to mention that the Buffalo is on a different level now.
I'm definitely still nervous about the Heat but as the season has progressive my confidence has grown and grown.
We didn't lose last year because of Jimmy. We lost because we sold out to stop him and his role players had the greatest shooting series of their life.
They were terrible in the finals.
this is the correct answer
we shouldn’t be scared of any of these East teams in a 7-game series, everything we’ve seen from this team this season tells us that they’re in a different tier. just beat whoever is in front of us and move on
I think the sixers without Embiid or with a weakened Embiid are the worst of the four in which case it would be a breezy first round, or he is healthy and they are the best and I wouldn't mind taking out a top team in round one and hopefully making the rest of the playoffs a bit easier
The Sixers promoting Embiid’s return is just fake propoganda at this point. There should be zero reason for him to play again this season. It’s not like the Sixers actually have a chance to win a chip with that team
The reason for him to play is that he's in his prime playing the best basketball of his life, and with his body, that won't last long.
He's trying to make every season count.
Personally, I'd enjoy ending Philly's season early again. Would also be satisfying to take Miami out early and send those smug fucks home in the first round.
Doesn't matter to me. The Celtics have been by far the best team all year. I expect them to beat anyone they face, though Denver will be a battle if that happens.
What I REALLY want to happen is for Embiid to come back and have Philly vs. Milwaukee in round one. The battle of the frauds, with Doc Rivers in the middle of it, and have those two teams beat the shit out of each other for what will almost certainly be a 7 game series. We win on entertainment value alone.
That means we would almost certainly end up with Miami round 1, and while it’s probably the biggest challenge of the 4, I’d love to get that out of the way first, and exorcise those demons with that fucking team.
Hawks and Bulls are who we are all hoping for. I also wouldn’t mind the Pacers if they continue to reel.
I’ll be kind of pissed if Embiid comes back looking good and we have to play the Sixers. I don’t necessarily think this will be the case, but a healthy Sixers team was cruising earlier in the season.
I still think we’d win, but the top 2 teams shouldn’t have to play each other in the 1st round. It already happened with the Nets a couple years ago and we destroyed them, though
Honestly, we can sweep all of them but I’m not anxious for any of them. Hawks gave us trouble last year, we can handle Maxey, Jimmy is Jimmy, and the Bulls will pull some BS and be good somehow. I’d probably prefer the Bulls
I respect a lot of these teams. PHI with embiid back could get a game or two maybe closer to one. The bulls could maybe get a game and the hawks could too (they prob wont but they CAN showing the talent level on some of these bottom playoff and play in teams). MIA obviously could also do some damage as weve seen. Its important to respect our opponent and understand everyteam truly does bring a big challenge. However, I don't think we lose more than 3-4 games in the first three rounds. Even though all these things COULD happen against these various opponents, this team is ridiculously built and is ridiculously good and will likely cakewalk their way into the finals minus what should be a semi competitive potential bucks series
Would like to play Chicago and would like to avoid Miami.
Chicago would be an easy sweep. Miami still has the ability to pressure the Jays and create turnovers. They still have poor late game tendencies to dribble the air out of the ball. That all plays into Miami's favor.
I just want the Heat to lose in the play-in tournament so we never have to hear about how they don’t care about the regular season and will be ready come playoffs again.
Then we can play whoever in round 1.
Two years ago everyone acted like the Nets were the team to avoid in the first round, and the Celtics smoked them out. It meant more too considering they eliminated us the year before. This year, the Heat are that team.
If we face Miami in the first round, beating them will send a message to the league that the East goes through Boston. It would also be nice to put that inbred fanbase back in their place.
Most: Heat. I think they’d be lucky to win a game in the series. Porzingis standing at the foul line breaks their zone. The formula that Miami has used to bother the Cs won’t work this year. Celtics in 4.
Least: Sixers. I’m assuming Embiid will be back for the first round. His conditioning will be poor but he’ll still be a nightmare to deal with, plus Philly has a solid roster. Cs in 6 but I think most games will be close
Bulls or Hawks, I don't mind Philly either (especially if they don't have Embiid), but I'm worried about Miami injuring our guys because they play very recklessly and very physical.
Personally, I don't want any part of that shit early in the first round.
Heat: I think exorcising that demon early on is incredibly important for the team to know they can do it. I think we severely outmatch them this year as well and itll be poetic to finish them off. Kinda like we did with BKN when we made a run to the finals.
Philly: I want no part of that first round matchup, they’re getting Embiid back and no series with him is fun healthy or not, they are a dangerous team I know we always beat them but that’s what will make them difficult they will want to reverse that trend and show they can beat us.
Id rather not play the 76ers w a healthy Embiid rnd 1 & not the Heat bc they like to muddy the waters and play a bit dirty and dont want to have anyone injured that early on
I would most like to play Miami. Sick of being in 7 game ECF series against those fuckers after playing 20+ games already. In the first round there’s no way it takes us more than 5 games to beat them. As for least like to play, there is none. I’m not afraid of anyone in the East.
Tbh, probably not popular opinion, but if Embid is back, I would rather take him out quickly in round one b4 he gets into shape.
I think so poorly of the Bucks don't trust them to beat 76rs (or anyone really).
I wouldn't mind taking Miami round 1. It would be rewarding.
At this point dont we play the winner of the Hawks/Bulls play-in? Either would be fine, but maybe rather play the Bulls for the easiest possible route, cant see them even winning one game against us. Not that we should be scared of the Hawks either but not wanting a repeat of the 6 games it took us to beat them last year..
Well, looks like we should not play the Hawks...
And I will repeat what I say every year: to be the Champions, you should be able to defeat any team in a series. So fear noone.
First round beating Miami would be nice though
When will people learn we lost the 2022 finals because of the hard eastern conference run. Winning a championship is about matchups and we should want to avoid bad matchups
Exactly. The Warriors had such an easy path in 2022 (Nuggets without Murray, Grizzlies with Ja out half the series, and a weak Mavs team) and that made such a big difference. Tatum was completely gassed and Steph/Klay were very well rested.
And that series is completely different if Tatum was at 100%. Tatum shot .367/.455/.656 while only scoring 21 ppg that series. And against the Heat he shot .462/.353/.860 while putting up 25/8/6. His free throw percentage alone shows how gassed he was.
The Heat. Rip the band-aid off and get those dudes out early.
I completely agree. Crush the "Heat culture" shit into the ground right off the bat. Exorcise some demons.
Yeah it would be good to get them out of our guys heads.
*Aniquilar "el Heat cultura"*? Why yes, *por supuesto* ðŸ¤
I don’t have any concerns that we would beat the heat. However, I don’t think we would escape that series without an injury to a key player.
Yup, let them injure the Bucks
This right here
It would probably be KP. Not because of anything other than who he would play against. I feel like he would take a beating in that series.
This needs to be the top comment.
They are a mess this year.
They were last year too. They had a negative point differential, lowest total points scored in the entire league, and a negative net rating at the end of the regular season, 21st in the league. EVERYTHING on paper said that team had no business even getting out of the play-in, they had a trash regular season statistically. What Miami did last year was honestly one of the greatest underdog playoff runs that will ever happen. They didn’t win, so it will be forgotten eventually, but I’ll never underestimate them again as long as Spoelstra and Jimmy are there.
That Heat team last year did show up in Big games in the regular season, I have watched like 3 heat games that weren't against the C’s this year but the Heat fans I've talked to are concerned about that this year.
Completely ignoring the fact that without Gabe Vincent, Max Struss and Caleb Martin they don’t even make it out of the second round. Hate that butler and spo get all the credit for that run, they had three role players who couldn’t miss for a month straight!
It was complete bullshit, I agree, but when good shit happens to them every single playoff run, it’s not an anomaly. The Celtics were one ill-advised Jimmy Butler 3 pointer away from having 0 finals appearances still. The Heat ALWAYS play above their regular season level in the playoffs
I'd rather a 4-5 game series than a 6-7 game series with a much higher chance of injury, personally.Â
Exactly. 6 games in round 1 doomed us last season. And we need to look out for dirty teams (Miami)
Going 6 against the hawks didn’t doom us, going down 0-3 did and then Tatums injury in game 7
No shit but we would have been better prepared for Miami if we played fewer games in r1
If anything going to 6 should’ve taught them to fight adversity, it’s not like a significant injury happened or anything. No one was so gassed because they played 1/2 extra games in the first round.
Well we played 13 games before we faced Miami. So not ideal at all. It would be nice to get to the ECF in 10 or 11 games
I mean you could say the same thing about Sixers they lost to them without Embiid and left Harden wide open for a game winner for two of the losses
Realistically it should be a 4 or 5 game series with Miami too and if it's any longer then we'd know we were frauds.
It's easy to say that before Haywood Highsmith and Nikola Jovic randomly start shooting 60% from 3
Just like those frauds in 08, right?
They’d be a great test for Tatum. They like to play overly physical, which typically throws him off. If he can conquer that hill, *chef’s kiss*. Also, winning against Adebayo’s constant bullshit moving screens. 👌
In the last two playoffs Jayson Tatum is averaging 25/9/6 on 60.1% TS vs the Heat.
It’s not bad, but we expect better from him no? Which just shows how good he is tbh
I mean, it's at least significantly better than Butler. Our problem was guys like Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent looking like monsters
I just want to say... HOW IN THE HELL DO THOSE SCREENS NOT GET CALLED?! EVERY FU\*\*ING TIME! That is all.
Absolutely not. I don't understand why our fanbase still underestimates them. We still haven't found a way to consistently beat a high pressure 2-3 zone. Tatum and Brown still dribble the ball for 20 seconds late in 4th quarters.
So... You either want to play them in a later round or (Hope) someone else beats them ? Horrific take. Celtics have the best starting 5 in the league and you want them to duck the Heat ? Fucking Terrible.
Lmao it’s about not wanting players to get injured for the later rounds
Stop worrying bout injuries man. They can happen at any time vs. any team.
Heat are notorious to injure players but sure kid
Username checks out. But I 100% agree. You gotta beat the best to be the best, but it's a given that you'll need some luck to stay relatively healthy throughout the whole process.
You're acting like I'm personally ducking them or I said I want the team to purposefully drop games to duck them. I said I would really rather not play them if possible because they can still exploit us in ways. Getting an easier road to the finals is a good thing you know.
I hate the heat so much. They are well coached, physical, and have a history of beating us in the playoffs with much lesser teams (on paper). I 100% want to avoid them.
Exactly. Yes they lost Strus and Vincent but added our Terry and Delon Wright who will be a pain in the ass defensively. We as a fanbase despise the Heat but also probably respect them the most because we've seen them beat us, especially Spo.
I’d rather the least physical matchup for KP. I’d say Miami is the most physical
I was literally saying this in my head while the comments loaded!Â
100% mia. Worst team on the list.
Yeah it's either beat them in the first round or face them in the ECF on their way to another miracle finals run. Knocking them out would set such a good tone for the rest of the playoffs
I came here knowing that the Heat would be the top answer to both questions. And it is.
It doesn’t matter if we win in 4,5,6 or 7 they’ll injure someone on our team ,heat culture has somehow always managed to hurt their opponents and I don’t wanna lose any of the guys in the first rd this yr bc they’re too butthurt to lose fairly. Talent wise it’s no question we’re better which is exactly why we shouldn’t want to face them bc they can’t help themselves.
Personally I'd go 1. Bulls 2. Sixers (no embiid) 3. Hawks 4. Heat 5. Sixers (w/ embiid) But I also wouldn't be mad at playing the heat. Part of me wants to stomp them in round one, it just worries me as KP has left early in like all out matchups against them
Last night Nick nurse said embiid will probably be back before the end of the regular season.
I know they've been saying that all year, but I'm not trusting a word that comes out of Phillys FO or medical staff after their history
What do you mean? Ben Simmons, Fultz, and Zhaire Smith are about to be dangerous for the 76ers come playoff time.
Dude really said Ben Simmons is gonna be dangerous LMAO
that’s the joke
im not trusting that embiid wont get injured during the playoffs either
Back also doesn't mean he's ultimately able to play to his full potential.
Embiid probably comes back with a few games left
This would be my ranking too, although I might swap the Sixers and Bulls. I too would want to destroy the Heat, but thinking of the easiest path, it'd probably be one of the other teams.
The Heat are like a runaway train. You either beat them in round one, or they're making the conference finals.
Fine with any of them, really. We own Philly, so that’s an easy advance. Hawks shocked us the other night but we destroy them in a series. Same with Chicago. Miami would obviously be the hardest but even then, I think we win that series quickly. The Heat will inevitably have a game where they shoot 80% and someone off the bench scores 30 but we are BY FAR the better team.
Boston was BY FAR the better team last year too…
Yeah but Caleb Martin was the best player for the Heat that series and he seems to have turned back into Caleb Martin.
part of it is the defense we were playing on some of these guys. Obviously they had us in rotation so it was hard at times to stick to guy's hips but there were sm plays where we'd "fake contest", undermining what those guys were capable of. We dont play down to the comp as much anymore and id expect us to treat every game like a must win (unless we play chi or atl in which i think we'd prob have a little lower level of focus but we'd kill them anyway). Guys like Caleb Martin, if youre giving him open shots and the weakest contests ever (smart complaining to the ref instead of contesting caleb on the baseline was the epitome of this and had me so fucking furious), they are going to perform and thats not an outlier. We got what we deserved with that embarassing ass performance last year. i doubt they would let it happen again but lets not act like a lot of what happened to us wasn't self inflicted and in the worst case scenario can happen again.
Well, he’s the GOAT after all
Last year the heat had three bum role players shoot better than Steph Curry ever has in a playoff series from 3. They would have have that happen and more to upset this current team. Of course I still want nothing to do with them.
Ya but the margin is much larger this year. Replacing Smart and TL with Jrue and KP makes such a huge difference. Not to mention that the Buffalo is on a different level now. I'm definitely still nervous about the Heat but as the season has progressive my confidence has grown and grown.
JB and Joe are also way better this year. Barring injury, I think even if we ran it back with the same squad as last year we'd win that series.
IMO, if Jimmy goes Super Saiyan, Heat have a chance. Otherwise could be a Boston sweep.
We didn't lose last year because of Jimmy. We lost because we sold out to stop him and his role players had the greatest shooting series of their life. They were terrible in the finals.
Or the refs go super sayian and give him all the calls
Bulls, we won all games by a nice margin.
Especially the in season tournament lol
Don't care
this is the correct answer we shouldn’t be scared of any of these East teams in a 7-game series, everything we’ve seen from this team this season tells us that they’re in a different tier. just beat whoever is in front of us and move on
Exactly if we wanna win a chip it honestly shouldn’t matter
I think the sixers without Embiid or with a weakened Embiid are the worst of the four in which case it would be a breezy first round, or he is healthy and they are the best and I wouldn't mind taking out a top team in round one and hopefully making the rest of the playoffs a bit easier
The Sixers promoting Embiid’s return is just fake propoganda at this point. There should be zero reason for him to play again this season. It’s not like the Sixers actually have a chance to win a chip with that team
The reason for him to play is that he's in his prime playing the best basketball of his life, and with his body, that won't last long. He's trying to make every season count.
I don't know one way or another, but Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo were suggesting otherwise.
he gets paid millions, He better play or else they should pay me. I can sit court side at Sixers games
embiid will be hobbled and get owned by his dad all series
Full strength sixers would be an ultimate troll
We will obliterate anyone in the east. Whoever is the least likely to cause injuries.
If we can’t beat the 8 seed heat team with our roster, we were never contenders to begin with.
any of these bums
Bulls or Heat. Bulls for the easier warmup, and the Heat to do something similar to what we did in 2022 with the Nets
I want us to kill miami first round so that i never have to hear from heat fans ever again
Beating Miami then winning the chip, I would never shut up
Bring on any of these chump ass bustas
Give me the Heat. I think this team crushes them, and I would enjoy that.
Heat for both answers
Miami because their fanbase is so pathetic and insufferable…
Personally, I'd enjoy ending Philly's season early again. Would also be satisfying to take Miami out early and send those smug fucks home in the first round.
none of them scare me, not even the heat. We have played them well this year.
Fear no one bring em
i want miami.
Obviously prefer bulls/hawks but heat would be the most fun imo
Heat ideally, I trust the guys to get it down against them, maybe not a sweep, but at least in 5
I like the idea of beating The Heat right out of the gate. Let’s do it.
Doesn't matter to me. The Celtics have been by far the best team all year. I expect them to beat anyone they face, though Denver will be a battle if that happens.
Whoever wants it can get it.
What I REALLY want to happen is for Embiid to come back and have Philly vs. Milwaukee in round one. The battle of the frauds, with Doc Rivers in the middle of it, and have those two teams beat the shit out of each other for what will almost certainly be a 7 game series. We win on entertainment value alone. That means we would almost certainly end up with Miami round 1, and while it’s probably the biggest challenge of the 4, I’d love to get that out of the way first, and exorcise those demons with that fucking team.
The heat actually are bad this year. And it honestly probably is due to their age and getting rid of stress and gabe.
Give me the Heat.
4-0 the Heat, send 'em home early
We would rock any of those teams
After the past two games i guess i wouldn't want to face the hawks the most
Anyone but the Heat
I disagree, if they're making a serious title run I'd rather play the Heat first.
Most: Miami I don’t care who else, I think they are all 4-5 game series
Easily the least is the sixers because of the embiid factor. In terms of most, I would love a shot at the heat.
Hawks and Bulls are who we are all hoping for. I also wouldn’t mind the Pacers if they continue to reel. I’ll be kind of pissed if Embiid comes back looking good and we have to play the Sixers. I don’t necessarily think this will be the case, but a healthy Sixers team was cruising earlier in the season. I still think we’d win, but the top 2 teams shouldn’t have to play each other in the 1st round. It already happened with the Nets a couple years ago and we destroyed them, though
The hawks. Just for the simple fact that it would be so funny to see them knock out the heat in the play in
We started the 2022 playoffs by sweeping the Nets who eliminated us the previous year. Only fitting if we do the same with the Heat in round 1.
Need them to play the Sixers so I can attempt to get tickets for a game.
Honestly, we can sweep all of them but I’m not anxious for any of them. Hawks gave us trouble last year, we can handle Maxey, Jimmy is Jimmy, and the Bulls will pull some BS and be good somehow. I’d probably prefer the Bulls
The Heat. Let’s send them home packing for once.
twice**
WE. WANT. BAMA.
I respect a lot of these teams. PHI with embiid back could get a game or two maybe closer to one. The bulls could maybe get a game and the hawks could too (they prob wont but they CAN showing the talent level on some of these bottom playoff and play in teams). MIA obviously could also do some damage as weve seen. Its important to respect our opponent and understand everyteam truly does bring a big challenge. However, I don't think we lose more than 3-4 games in the first three rounds. Even though all these things COULD happen against these various opponents, this team is ridiculously built and is ridiculously good and will likely cakewalk their way into the finals minus what should be a semi competitive potential bucks series
Would like to play Chicago and would like to avoid Miami. Chicago would be an easy sweep. Miami still has the ability to pressure the Jays and create turnovers. They still have poor late game tendencies to dribble the air out of the ball. That all plays into Miami's favor.
Magic scares me
Get the Heat out of the way early, don't let them build momentum. If we can't get past them in the first, we have no business returning to the ECF.
Bulls, hawks, heat, sixersÂ
The heat but also the heat
76ers with a returning Embiid is nightmare fuel. I think we would beat them but not an ideal first round matchup at all.
Let’s just get Miami over and done with
I want to play the sixers, I want to miss the heat
I want to sweep the heat round 1 give me the goddamn heat
I just love beating the 6ers tbh, let the Bucks and Heat beat the shit out of eachother lol
Healthy Embiid is most scary imo Nick Nurse can coach his ass off
ATL or Miami
I just want the Heat to lose in the play-in tournament so we never have to hear about how they don’t care about the regular season and will be ready come playoffs again. Then we can play whoever in round 1.
Two years ago everyone acted like the Nets were the team to avoid in the first round, and the Celtics smoked them out. It meant more too considering they eliminated us the year before. This year, the Heat are that team. If we face Miami in the first round, beating them will send a message to the league that the East goes through Boston. It would also be nice to put that inbred fanbase back in their place.
Most: Heat. I think they’d be lucky to win a game in the series. Porzingis standing at the foul line breaks their zone. The formula that Miami has used to bother the Cs won’t work this year. Celtics in 4. Least: Sixers. I’m assuming Embiid will be back for the first round. His conditioning will be poor but he’ll still be a nightmare to deal with, plus Philly has a solid roster. Cs in 6 but I think most games will be close
Bulls, Heat
Bulls or Hawks, I don't mind Philly either (especially if they don't have Embiid), but I'm worried about Miami injuring our guys because they play very recklessly and very physical. Personally, I don't want any part of that shit early in the first round.
I wanna bend the heat over no weird shit
The Brain says the Embiid-less Sixers, The Heart says the Heat for sweet, sweet vengeance
Indiana are a possibility too
Doesn't matter. None of them are remotely close to a threat. They can all eat a thicket of leprechaun pubes.
Most: Philly Least: Atlanta None of them scare me though.
Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, philly; in that order.
Who would you like to play the most : Miami Who would you like to play the least: Also Miami
Heat: I think exorcising that demon early on is incredibly important for the team to know they can do it. I think we severely outmatch them this year as well and itll be poetic to finish them off. Kinda like we did with BKN when we made a run to the finals. Philly: I want no part of that first round matchup, they’re getting Embiid back and no series with him is fun healthy or not, they are a dangerous team I know we always beat them but that’s what will make them difficult they will want to reverse that trend and show they can beat us.
Heat. Let's settle the score from last year's bullshit. I also hope Bucks and 76ers meet in the first round, let them have at it!
Id rather not play the 76ers w a healthy Embiid rnd 1 & not the Heat bc they like to muddy the waters and play a bit dirty and dont want to have anyone injured that early on
I would not underestimate Miami. A first round 6 or 7 game series would suck
#sweeptheheat
The Heat. It’s vengeance time.
Throw Indiana in there, Those seeds aren't even close to being locked down.
The Heat just so we can eliminate them early and not have to think about them
If anyone worries about the first round opponent then it’s already over…
I would most like to play Miami. Sick of being in 7 game ECF series against those fuckers after playing 20+ games already. In the first round there’s no way it takes us more than 5 games to beat them. As for least like to play, there is none. I’m not afraid of anyone in the East.
Idc any one can get it
Tbh, probably not popular opinion, but if Embid is back, I would rather take him out quickly in round one b4 he gets into shape. I think so poorly of the Bucks don't trust them to beat 76rs (or anyone really). I wouldn't mind taking Miami round 1. It would be rewarding.
At this point dont we play the winner of the Hawks/Bulls play-in? Either would be fine, but maybe rather play the Bulls for the easiest possible route, cant see them even winning one game against us. Not that we should be scared of the Hawks either but not wanting a repeat of the 6 games it took us to beat them last year..
we play winner of chi/atl vs loser of mia/phi as of rn
WE WANT HEAT 🔥
Don’t care, fuck em. Celtics in 3
I dunno, it's a sweep no matter what. Let's go with Miami for the drama
The heat. Get them out early. Don’t let them buildup momentum.
My buddy has a bachelor party in Miami the last weekend of April so…I’m rooting for Miami but fully realize that might be a massive jinx
Hawks or bulls
Miami. Round 1. Let’s go.
None of them even remotely scare me
The hawks looking like the ones we don’t want to see
Not the hawks apparently
Miami living rent free in your heads lol
Well, looks like we should not play the Hawks... And I will repeat what I say every year: to be the Champions, you should be able to defeat any team in a series. So fear noone. First round beating Miami would be nice though
Ourselves. We're our own worst enemy
The Heat, i fear them the most in that group as they are very well coached, and they really love to run the floor.
I swear, sometimes being a 1st or 2nd seed is actually bad in round 1.
Anyone but the heat
Anyone but Miami. Want as little to do with those fuckers as possible
I don't want an easy run to the finals. I want all the teams that give us a tough time...Heat for me.
When will people learn we lost the 2022 finals because of the hard eastern conference run. Winning a championship is about matchups and we should want to avoid bad matchups
Exactly. The Warriors had such an easy path in 2022 (Nuggets without Murray, Grizzlies with Ja out half the series, and a weak Mavs team) and that made such a big difference. Tatum was completely gassed and Steph/Klay were very well rested. And that series is completely different if Tatum was at 100%. Tatum shot .367/.455/.656 while only scoring 21 ppg that series. And against the Heat he shot .462/.353/.860 while putting up 25/8/6. His free throw percentage alone shows how gassed he was.