Gotterdammerung's 2023 NBA Play-in Tourney Picks

[Gotterdammerung]

Play-In Critique:

For the record, the play-in tournament is a joke.

The format is flawed because the 7th seeded team never loses, and the 9th seeded team has never lost to the 10th seeded team.

Sure, the 9th seeded team has beaten the 8th seeded team three out of four times. Regardless, no play-in team has ever pushed a playoff series to seven games, much less win a series.

Also, the NBA does not include play-in stats with regular season or playoff stats. This obviously means the play-in games are more about generating revenue than fostering competition.

Eastern Conference Picks:

Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks - Miami Heat will clinch the 7th spot.
Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls - Toronto Raptors will advance.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Toronto Raptors - Toronto Raptors will secure the 8th spot

Miami Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks Analysis:
The Heat, despite homecourt advantage and the same core from their 2022 East Conference Finals appearance, have faced injuries and inconsistency. However, their depth and skill set them above the Hawks, making them a potential first play-in team to win a playoff series.

Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks Analysis:
The Raptors have had a sh!tty season but are poised to bounce back by winning two games and earning a playoff spot. The Hawks, on the other hand, have been the epitome of mediocrity since their 2021 fluke run to the conference finals, with a revolving door of coaches and lackluster records (41-41, 43-39, and 41-41).


Western Conference Picks:

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves - Lakers clinch 7th.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Pelicans will survive.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans - Pelicans will secure the 8th spot

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Analysis:
The Lakers, despite boasting two of the top 75 players in league history, have struggled this season. Their recent improvement is attributed to a healthy Anthony Davis, but they remain a lower-tier playoff team at best. But they'll easily take care of the T-Woofs.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans Analysis:
The Timberwolves have consistently shown low basketball IQ, and recent events have only reinforced this perception. Their best defensive player, McDaniels, is out for the season, and the status of the Stifle Tower is uncertain. In contrast, the Pelicans remain a tough and talented team even without the frequently injured Zion. They are the favorites to win their rematch against the Timberwolves and secure the final playoff spot.

[Jasper]

Play-In Critique:

For the record, the play-in tournament is a joke.

The format is flawed because the 7th seeded team never loses, and the 9th seeded team has never lost to the 10th seeded team.

.

No it isn't ... the process tells the league if you make it to the 7th seed your IN.
Just because you are the 8th seed , means you have to bitch the other two.
Adds drama to the playoffs... .no one is a shoe in unless you play well all season.

[Im Still Ballin]

Nice. I like Toronto as well.

[Gotterdammerung]

No it isn't ... the process tells the league if you make it to the 7th seed your IN.
Just because you are the 8th seed , means you have to bitch the other two.
Adds drama to the playoffs... .no one is a shoe in unless you play well all season.

In other words?
The play-in tournament is a showcase for teams that spent 82 games proving their mediocrity.
No play-in tourney team has proven to be anything other than mediocre.

NEXT!

[Gotterdammerung]

Nice. I like Toronto as well.

Indeed. The Raptors are kinda difficult to predict because of their uniqueness and versatility. The Bulls have been playing well lately, going 14-9 since the All-Star break, but the Raptors weren't that far behind with 13-10

[ArbitraryWater]

The format is flawed because the 7th seeded team never loses, and the 9th seeded team has never lost to the 10th seeded team.

what does that mean?

The 7th seed just lost, and if it wouldnt, it means the format would not be flawed but true.

Sadly, its not true.


The Heat who were 3 games better in getting to 7 than the Hawks, now have 1 game to even finish 8th.

The thing is a commercial joke.

[Gotterdammerung]

All the Lakers had to survive the play-in tourney was to survive a very mediocre Timberwolves team that was already in the throes of self-destruction. It didn't seem like the T-Woofs could make a play during the last 17 minutes (4th quarter & overtime), shooting 5-23 while coughing up the ball 9 goddamn times. At least they'll have another shot - a home game versus the winner of the Pellies-Thunder game.

[Gotterdammerung]

what does that mean?

The 7th seed just lost, and if it wouldnt, it means the format would not be flawed but true.

Sadly, its not true.


The Heat who were 3 games better in getting to 7 than the Hawks, now have 1 game to even finish 8th.

The thing is a commercial joke.

Yep this was posted prior to last night's shocker.

You'd think the Miami Heat would come ready to play.