NBA.com Poll Question - How Far will the East-Leading Raps go this Year?

[Joey]

23,000 votes in so far...

~3,000 for NBA Champs
~2,000 for Lose in the Finals
~11,000 for Lose in East Finals
~6,000 for Early Playoff Exit


What do you guys think? Vote above, and on NBA.com!

[S.R.]

I'd be super happy with an ECF appearance. Going from a first-round exit, first playoff appearance in five years, straight to the ECF would be fantastic and it looks like it's within reach.

Honestly though, if Cleveland keeps struggling anything is possible in this year's East, isn't it? The Raps could win a series against any of top East teams if they played really well - Chicago would be the toughest, but the 2nd and 3rd rounds should provide some good match-ups.

[rocwell]

I put a tenner on Raps to win NBA at 50/1 back in October, so I'm going with "NBA Champs" lol.

In all seriousness... I think we're good enough to reach East Finals.. what happens next, no one knows.

[MixxAOR]

~11,000 for Lose in East Finals

[yabadabayolo]

lol. the poll says that we either lose in the first round or make it all the way to the east finals. Theres no inbetween

[Other Scott]

lol. the poll says that we either lose in the first round or make it all the way to the east finals. Theres no inbetween

Maybe that's why so many predict the East Finals, because they think early exit = 1st round, whereas I think NBA.com interprets early playoff exit as 1st or 2nd round.

I'm optimistic about East Finals, as the only team that I'm confident is better than the Raps is the Bulls, but Hawks, Wizards and Cavs are all tough teams as well. It'll be tough.

[TeamEd]

So far, I'd say we'd be solid underdogs against only Chicago, 60-40 to win a series against the Cavs, Hawks and Wizards and overwhelming favorites against the rest of the East.

To me, that puts the Raps as favourites to get to the ECF with a lot depending on when they hit the Bulls.

[Joey]

Fuck Chicago.


That's our new rallying cry, yes? Lol

[Shantz]

Fuck Chicago.


That's our new rallying cry, yes? Lol

I can't help but think the Bulls will wear out come playoff time. Butler is playing over 40 minutes a game. Pau is playing 35 minutes per game, and hasn't seen that number since 2011-12.

If Pau plays the majority of their games, I worry about him come playoff time.

[rocwell]

Fuck Chicago.


That's our new rallying cry, yes? Lol

I love Chicago... fuck the bulls tho..

[S.R.]

I'm not writing off Cleveland until they officially implode, though. Even now, their struggles and all the bad press are after playing .500 ball for 10 games. A couple bad losses, but if rock bottom is a 10 game .500 stretch then things are not that bad. We'll see.

[DogeLover1234]

I'm not writing off Cleveland until they officially implode, though. Even now, their struggles and all the bad press are after playing .500 ball for 10 games. A couple bad losses, but if rock bottom is a 10 game .500 stretch then things are not that bad. We'll see.

From what I have seen, it seems like Lebron is coasting out there for much of the game. In the Orlando game recently, he did little until the fourth, at which point they crushed the Magic, so i'd still be scared. I bet their roster looks different by playoffs too, they need rim protection.

[iblastoff]

hmm i dont see this poll anywhere on nba.com?

[007]

I think we can definitely make the Conference Finals.

Haven't said that about a sports team I like since the Canucks in 2011.

[Joey]

hmm i dont see this poll anywhere on nba.com?

Ah, they must've taken it down for a new poll... With a Lebron picture. Lol Those always get a lot of hits.