Looking ahead

Quotage

Mailman appreciation night

Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe, on Ray Allen and Paul Pierce sitting out Fan Appreciation Night:

“This was a night to give tickets to the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. A lot of mail carriers and car mechanics were rewarded for years of loyal service.”

Courage in the line of fire

Boston Coach Doc Rivers, on leaving Eddie House in to break General Manager Danny Ainge’s team record for three-point baskets:

“If I let Danny keep the record, then I get another two- or three-year extension. And [if] I let Eddie get it, then I might be gone, but I took the gamble.”

We weren’t that smart

Denver Coach George Karl on comparisons between his players and the 1987-88 Nuggets, whose team record for wins they tied:

“I’m not one that believes that older players are better than the new players. I think the guys now are bigger, stronger, faster and quicker. We always say we were smarter and we were more fundamental, but I’m not sure that’s true either.”

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Looking Ahead

THE POSTSEASON

April 18-June 16

This is our last NBA page, so we’ll have to guess how it’s going to go:

The Lakers reach the second round and beat Portland in a six-game war. The Trail Blazers say they were cheated one way or the other because the NBA wants the Lakers in the Finals.

The Lakers polish off whomever survives among Denver, San Antonio, New Orleans and Dallas, who are out on their feet after getting past the other three.

Cleveland comes out of the East, beating Orlando in a seven-game conference finals.

The Lakers beat the Cavaliers in a six-game war. The Cavaliers say they were cheated one way or the other because the NBA wants LeBron James in New York.

Kobe Bryant re-ups over the summer, giving the rest of the league something bigger than conspiracy theories to worry about.

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How they rank

FINAL REGULAR-SEASON RANKINGS

HAVE APPOINTMENT IN JUNE

1. LAKERS (65-17)

In their own league if they get Bynum up, running, integrated into what they do. (2)

2. CLEVELAND (66-16)

Defense, depth and you-know-who make them solid pick to come out of the East. (1)

NOT-QUITE-AS-BIG DOGS

3. ORLANDO (59-23)

With matchup problems they give top teams, may have another surprise left. (4)

4. PORTLAND (54-28)

Roy, Aldridge are Bryant and Gasol of Pacific Northwest, now just need a Bynum. (5)

5. BOSTON (62-20)

We could still see KG back by second round, if they last that long. (3)

6. HOUSTON (53-29)

Artest was big plus, but not big enough to offset McGrady’s continuing decline. (6)

7. DENVER (54-28)

Supposed to miss playoffs, get coach fired; tied team record for wins instead. (7)

8. SAN ANTONIO (54-28)

You can’t hold back hands of time, but they slowed them down as long as they could. (8)

9. DALLAS (50-32)

Carlisle starts 2-7, finishes 48-25 with remnants of once-powerful team. (9)

10. NEW ORLEANS (49-33)

Shinn still Shinn: Tried dumping Chandler’s money without asking basketball people. (10)

11. UTAH (48-34)

Best days may still be ahead if they ever find way to defend on the interior. (11)

COMERS/GOERS

12. ATLANTA (47-35)

Gained 10 wins with owners STILL suing each other, players smoldering at Woodson. (12)

13. MIAMI (43-39)

In best news of all, return from 15-67 makes Wade odds-on to stay in 2010. (13)

14. CHICAGO (41-41)

Finished 9-3 with new Rose-Salmons nucleus, busts Thomas, Noah starting to get it. (15)

15. OKLAHOMA CITY (23-59)

Trail Blazers of two years ago with dynamic young team that just needs a big man. (20)

16. PHILADELPHIA (41-41)

.500 magnets: Too flawed to rise, too good to fall -- unless Andre Miller leaves. (14)

17. DETROIT (39-43)

About to back up truck with Billups gone, Iverson and Wallace soon to follow. (16)

18. PHOENIX (46-36)

About to back up truck. Key is whether they can get Nash to re-sign. (13)

19. CHARLOTTE (35-47)

Basic first-year bonanza with Brown, but Year 2 isn’t as predictable. (18)

20. TORONTO (33-49)

Marion shines as they finish 9-5. Next: Stoudemire winds up with old GM Colangelo too? (26)

21. MILWAUKEE (34-48)

Won eight more games, but Skiles needs more of his guys like Mbah a Moute. (19)

22. NEW JERSEY (34-48)

Another year older, no closer to Brooklyn, but Harris, Lopez bring new hope. (21)

23. INDIANA (36-46)

Not bad, but still longest shot of teams trying to win big by going small. (22)

24. NEW YORK (32-50)

LeBron or no LeBron, won nine more games, dumped more than $100 million in salary. (23)

25. MEMPHIS (24-58)

Gay, Mayo, Conley, Marc Gasol give them hope for future, where none existed. (24)

26. MINNESOTA (24-58)

People forgot McHale once turned them around -- and may have done it again. (25)

27. GOLDEN STATE (29-53)

Say goodbye to Mullin, Crawford . . . and Ellis? (27)

MAILMEN

28. WASHINGTON (19-63)

Mailed in entire season: Should have won 30 games standing on their heads. (28)

29. CLIPPERS (19-63)

Shameful, even for them. (29)

30. SACRAMENTO (17-65)

Broke team record by six losses since moving there 24 years ago. (30)