Cyclops Inc.'s Eye on the Playoffs

The playoffs are (nearly) here, and even though only one game remains before they begin, we still don't know who is going to get the West's #2 spot. The Koality Times has got you covered for every scenario and potential playoff matchups.

But First, a Quick Look at the East

The playoff matchup has been set here for multiple days: Chicago will take on Boston in a best-of-3 matchup for the Eastern crown. This matchup will be quite entertaining, as both teams have played exceptionally well recently, particularly considering the injuries to their respective star players, Walter Yensid and Anthony Bridges. Chicago, however, will have both Yensid and home court advantage to boast in their favor, whilst Bridges continues to watch from the sideline for Boston. Nevertheless, the Charms have proven themselves quite capable without him, going 6-3 without him and beating the Blues during that stretch, and the Blues have looked a little shaky recently after Yensid's return. It is far from a foregone conclusion, but the Blues are betting favorites-- handicappers have them at 68% to win the series.

As for the East's lottery teams of New York and Miami, the last game of the season is extremely insignificant and extremely significant respectively. New York is locked into the #4 spot in next year's draft, though their franchise is hardly stable from every angle-- their star player, Cedric Hardwicke, requested a trade in the last week. "We remain committed to building a talented team, and we plan to build one around [Cedric]," said the Empire's front office in a statement. Nevertheless such news was jarring.

Miami, on the other hand, could get anything from the #1 pick to the #3, depending on how the last slate of games plays out, thanks to the PPG tiebreakers. MIA owns the tiebreaker over Houston and LA, but SF owns the tiebreaker over MIA. If SF beats BOS, HOU beats NY and LA beats MIA, Miami will get the #1. However, SF wins but Houston loses, Miami gets either the #2 or #3 depending on whether it beats LA. If MIA beats LA, it gets the #3, but if it loses, it gets the #2. Miami brass has been mum on whether or not they will intentionally lose against Los Angeles, a game that has adverse effects on the West's playoff race, but it would be in their drafting interest for them to lose. In short, it is complicated to say the least, and Miami fans can only hope that everything goes their way.

The Wild, Wild West

Only one fixture remains in our 28 game season, and the Western Conference's #2 spot is somehow still a three-team race. Every team has a chance of nabbing that spot and earning a matchup with the Portland Roses, but they range in likelihood. Here's the breakdown.

Los Angeles Stars (10-17)

Tiebreaker Status: LA>HOU, SF>LA

Opponent: @MIA

The Stars, as the team currently in possession of the second spot, have the best odds to get the spot. They also own the PPG tiebreaker over the Cosmos, the second most likely team to make it into the playoffs. Finally, they very much control their own destiny in that they are the only team of the three contenders for the spot that can clinch with a victory, and a victory against the mediocre Miami Tides seems relatively doable.

Of course, the route to the playoffs for them is not simply a stroll, particularly if they lose. If they lose, both Houston and San Francisco would have to lose for them to make it in, as if Houston wins, they would get in due to having one more win, and if San Francisco wins, they would get in by virtue of the PPG tiebreaker. Both Houston and SF losing is not far-fetched per se, but the simplest route for LA is this: win and get in, or lose and bite your nails.

Houston (10-17)

Tiebreaker Status: SF>HOU, LA>HOU

Opponent: @NY

It is amazing, considering Houston's 0-11 start, that they are in this position at all. Nevertheless, that putrid start is greatly hampering their ability to make the playoffs, which for them is pivotal, considering the win-now move they made to acquire Joseph Canny and their (relative) success against the Roses post-1.6.

Houston, therefore, needs a bit of luck to get in. Not only would they need to beat New York in New York (not a given, considering their play of late), but they would need LA to lose to MIA. Both are relatively within reason, but it is a stretch, to say the least, and such is why they are at only about 30% to make the playoffs as is.

San Francisco (9-18)

Tiebreakers: SF>LA, SF>MIA

Opponent: vs. BOS

The Quakes are in quite a pickle, and are barely alive in the race as is. Yet, they are still distinctly alive, albeit in a somewhat zombified form, as their PPG tiebreaker is the only thing that sustains them. They need a lot of luck to get in-- their odds are only 6%-- but it could happen.

They would need to beat Boston. The good news is that it is at home. The bad news is that out of the three teams, they have the hardest opponent by a wide margin. Then, they would need BOTH Houston and LA to lose. If either LA or HOU wins, SF is out of the picture. That is certainly a tall order, and it's going to require a lot of lucky bounces. But it could happen.

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Whatever happens, it's sure to be interesting, and the Koality Times will be sure to cover it. Which one do you think is the most likely to happen? Let us know!

Until next time, this is Cyclops Inc.