00s Tournament: North Region

[IceMan2]

3 2006 Miami Heat



vs.




14 2000 Charlotte Hornets

Preview: The 2006 Miami Heat went 52-30 in the regular season and then won the NBA Championship. They are the last and lowest seed of all the NBA champions: A 3 seed. That though tells them they have a point to make. They are led by the duo of Wade & O’Neal, one of the best duos we saw in the 00s. Besides for these 2 they had many good veteran role-players. Ultimately they are champions so they will be tough to beat.

The 2000 Charlotte Hornets went 49-33 in the regular season. They are a balanced team with 6 players in double-figures, led by a prime Eddie Jones. Along with Eddie Jones they also had physical Derrick Coleman and Anthony Mason giving them a nice presence inside on the glass. They did not get very far in the playoffs losing in the 1st round.

The balanced Hornets square off against the superstar combo of the Heat. A classic battle between a more ‘team-orientated’ approach vs. ‘superstar’ approach. The Hornets have a prime Eddie Jones who was one of the top perimeter defenders to help slow down Wade, but can they stop Shaq? The Heat’s defense will also be key in getting the stops they should as the Hornets are not that good of an offensive team overall.

[IceMan2]

Game 1: at Heat 117, Hornets 95

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.O’Neal 26pts/13reb on 11/17 FG

Recap: The Heat take Game 1 with great offense. Wade and Shaq both had over 20pts, while Walker and Posey added 17 for the Heat. Overall in the 2nd half they scored 68 points as the Hornets just had no answer for the Heat offense.


Game 2: at Heat 105, Hornets 90

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: D.Wade 26pts/13ast/9reb on 12/23 FG

Recap: The Heat were simply too good for the Hornet again taking a 2-0 lead in the series. The Hornes made adjustments and slowed down Shaq Game 2 but Wade was able to free himself and have a good game. The Heat supporting cast was strong as well.


Game 3: Heat 107, at Hornets 103

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: E.Jones 32pts/8reb/5ast

Recap: The Hornets gave it all they had this game but it was not enough to take down the Heat. The game came down to the wire but Wade/Shaq put the game away in the 4th. Jones was named POG despite being on the losing end of this. The Heat now lead the series 3-0. .

Game 4: at Hornets 107, Heat 73

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: D.Coleman 14pts/14reb/5ast

Recap: [/B] The Miami Heat come out with no effort while the Hornets come out with full heart. It was a blowout. Kind of embarassing for the Miami Heat this game. Everyone is laughing at them and they need to get serious Game 5.


Game 5: at Heat 114, Hornets 92

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.O’Neal 23pts/11reb/4blk on 10/14 FG

Recap: The Heat felt like they had something to prove after the Game 4 blowout and they did. They came out strong today finishing this series off at home in 5 games. O’Neal, Wade, and Walker all had over 20 to seal the series off.

2006 Heat Win 4-1

[IceMan2]

And all 9 champions advance...on to the rest lol

So far the results I would say have been expected, hard to upset a champion anyways

[IceMan2]

4 2004 Indiana Pacers



vs.




13 2001 Toronto Raptors

Preview: The 2004 Indiana Pacers went 61-21 in the regular season good for the best record in the NBA. They lost in the ECF to the eventual champions Detroit Pistons in a very nice defensive series. They were led by All-Star PF Jermaine O

[KG215]

2006 Heat

Shaq: 33.2 MPG, 22.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.4 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 3.0 TOV, .602 FG%, .586 FT%

Wade: 41.8 MPG, 21.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 8.6 APG, 0.8 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 4.4 TOV, .433 FG%, .750 FT%

[IceMan2]

Game 1: at Pacers 92, Raptors 83

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: J.O

[IceMan2]

2006 Heat

Shaq: 33.2 MPG, 22.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.4 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 3.0 TOV, .602 FG%, .586 FT%

Wade: 41.8 MPG, 21.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 8.6 APG, 0.8 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 4.4 TOV, .433 FG%, .750 FT%

Series MVP: Shaq

Hornets did a good job defending Wade this series.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Has there been an upset yet?

[IceMan2]

Has there been an upset yet?

Nope lol
Full bracket link is posted on OP, here it is:
http://betterbracketmaker.com/#!/46ffb17c92c15

I mean its not that surprising, it is best out of 7 and all these upper-seeded teams were pretty good. I mean amongst the 4 seeded teams: 3 of them had the best record in the NBA that season and the one that didn't went to the finals.


A few Game 7s though so its been close.

[KG215]

2004 Pacers vs. 2001 Raptors

Jermaine O'Neal: 36.8 MPG, 21.6 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 3.0 BPG, 0.4 SPG, 3.2 TOV, .478 FG%, .782 FT%

Ron Artest: 38.8 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.6 BPG, 3.2 SPG, 2.0 TOV, .457 FG%, .454 3P%, .714 FT%

Al Harrington: 26.2 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.2 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .489 FG%, .285 3P%, .842 FT%

Reggie Miller: 30.6 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.4 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .394 FG%, .363 3P%, 1.000 FT%


Vince Carter: 40.2 MPG, 22.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.6 SPG, 3.6 TOV, .386 FG%, .400 3P%, .950 FT%

[IceMan2]

2004 Pacers vs. 2001 Raptors

Jermaine O'Neal: 36.8 MPG, 21.6 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 3.0 BPG, 0.4 SPG, 3.2 TOV, .478 FG%, .782 FT%

Ron Artest: 38.8 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.6 BPG, 3.2 SPG, 2.0 TOV, .457 FG%, .454 3P%, .714 FT%

Al Harrington: 26.2 MPG, 13.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.0 BPG, 0.2 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .489 FG%, .285 3P%, .842 FT%

Reggie Miller: 30.6 MPG, 8.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.6 APG, 0.2 BPG, 0.4 SPG, 1.4 TOV, .394 FG%, .363 3P%, 1.000 FT%


Vince Carter: 40.2 MPG, 22.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.6 SPG, 3.6 TOV, .386 FG%, .400 3P%, .950 FT%

Great defense by Artest smothering VC in this series

[IceMan2]

5 2000 Portlant Trailblazers



vs.




12 2002 Detroit Pistons

Preview: The 2000 Blazers went 59-23 in the regular season before coming very close to upsetting the eventual champion 00 Lakers in the WCF. This series is still regarded as one of the closest ever in the Shaq/Kobe era. This team was very deep with great veterans all-around. You had Rasheed, Pippen, Sabonis, Damon Staudomire, Steve Smith, none of these players were in their primes, but each were close to their primes. Overall the Blazers are a team that have proven they can beat anyone, so it wouldn

[IceMan2]

Game 1: at Blazers 116, Pistons 90

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: D.Staudomire 22pts/9ast on 8/15 FG

Recap: The Blazers start strong in Game 1 with a dominating performance. All 5 starters were in double-figures for Portland as they had no problem executing on offense. Their defense was also strong holding the Pistons to just 90 points. Detroit has a lot of things to figure out if they plan to comeback from this.

Game 2: at Blazers 92, Pistons 84

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: S.Pippen 16pts/5ast/3stl on 6/10 FG

Recap: This game was much closer as the Pistons gave up more of a fight. However, tough defense by the Blazers in the 4th quarter sealed the Pistons fate. It was another team effort from Portland with no one having a really good game, just good veteran play and a solid win.

Game 3: at Pistons 86, Blazers 77

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: B.Wallace 10pts/20reb/5blk

Recap: Ben Wallace says not so easy. In another tight game entering the 4th, this time the Pistons play tough defense to get themselves the win. They held the Blazers to just 33% shooting for the game and only 33 points in the 2nd half. This effort was of course led by DPOY Ben Wallace. The Pistons realize great defense is their best shot to beat Portland.

Game 4: at Pistons 100, Blazers 96

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: B.Wallace 6pts/26reb/5blk

Recap: The Pistons even the series up at 2-2 with an amazing effort in Game 4. Trailing by 8 entering the 4th, Chucky Atkins caught fire scoring all 14 points for the Pistons from 5:30 to 0:30 when the game was pretty much over. His 4th quarter offensive heroics, combined with the amazing effort on the glass and defense by Ben Wallace has the series all knotted up.


Game 5: Pistons 110, at Blazers 105

Box Score: http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: J.Stackhouse 41pts/8reb/6ast on 14/25 FG

Recap: The Pistons stun the Blazers with a Game 5 victory. The Blazers led by as many as 21 points in the 1st half, before seeing some of the hottest shooting performances they have ever seen. The Pistons shot lights out in the 2nd half scoring 69 points and eventually taking the game. Stackhouse who has struggled all series finally came through 41 points for the Pistons. Detroit now hopes to put away the series as we head back to Motor City.


Game 6: Blazers 98, at Pistons 79

Box Score:http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1


Player of the Game: S.Pippen 17pts/9reb/8ast

Recap: With the game within 5 points entering the 4th, the Blazers actually played like their season was on the line. It looked like the Pistons would steal another one in the 4th, but the Blazers played terrific offense and defense extending the series to 7.

Game 7: at Blazers 104, Pistons 93

Box Score:http://whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore...u=1&teamfee=-1

Player of the Game: R.Wallace 27pts/10reb on 11/16 FG

Recap: The Blazers win the series in a very tough Game 7. The Game was tied 86-86 with only 4 minutes remaining, but the Pistons had run out of gas as the Blazers finished the series strong. Rasheed Wallace was great on offense as the Blazers overcame a 20-20 performance by Ben Wallace. Stackhouse blamed himself for the loss with another poor shooting performance.

2000 Blazers Win 4-3

[IceMan2]

Wow what a series that was. I had the privledge of watching this series unfold slowly through the play-by-plays. Had a very real feel to it on how it all went down. We also were very close to our 1st upset.

[IceMan2]

We also now have our 1st 2nd round matchup:


2004 Indiana Pacers vs. 2000 Portland Trailblazers



2nd round is going to be much tougher lol