Early 2011-2012 NBA Predictions*

[DeadlyDynasty]

*subject till change till season officially starts. Will be more in-depth predictions as the season nears, but just the basics for now...

ECSF: Heat over Celtics, Bulls over Knicks
ECF: Heat over Bulls

WCSF: Lakers over Nuggets, Mavs over Thunder
WCF: Lakers over Mavs

NBAF: Heat over Lakers, 4-2.
FMVP: Dwyane Wade

Awards:

MVP: LeBron James (with Melo surprising as 2nd)
DPOY: Dwight Howard
6th Man: Jason Terry
COY: Doug Collins
ROY: Derrick Williams

[Muser]

Just out of interest, what makes you think the Lakers can go from being swept by the Mavs to beating them?

[mavs>spurs]

Prediction: Lakers have to get doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooown when they see DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRK!!!

[lil_penny]

I think the Mavs will Repeat if they stay healthy

[DMC]

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181854

[DeadlyDynasty]

Just out of interest, what makes you think the Lakers can go from being swept by the Mavs to beating them?

Guesstimation

[TIMMYtoZO]

Miami over OKC in 5-6 games in the finals. LA is old and declining. The Mavs are old and declining.

[Nathan89]

MVP: Dirk
All-Star MVP: Durant
MIP: Splitter
DPOY: Howard
6MOY: someone on the nuggets
Champions: Heat
Finals MVP: Lebron

[BanditHiro]

Spurs keep their 50 win season streak alive :toast

the Heat win the NBA Title

Mike Brown and Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers into the lottery

[DeadlyDynasty]

Miami over OKC in 5-6 games in the finals. LA is old and declining. The Mavs are old and declining.

I was going to pick Thunder as the WCF winner...but then I remembered Russell Westbrook is still there.

[TIMMYtoZO]

I think the Mavs will Repeat if they stay healthy

Nah they are old. Last year was a 1 and done thing for them. Miami was 2 wins from the finals with no center, an injured Haslem/Miller, and the big 3 learning to play with one another. Now, they will have a center in Dalembert (A lock if no Nene) or Nene (very unlikely), a healthy Haslem/Miller, and the big 3 will have had a full year and another training camp playing together.

[TIMMYtoZO]

I was going to pick Thunder as the WCF winner...but then I remembered Russell Westbrook is still there.

Westbrook tends to be an issue for them, but OKC has gotten better every year. OKC's bigger issue is lack of a scoring bigman. Ibaka is worthless offensively.

[Axe Murderer]

I'm picking the Suns to come out of the west

[DeadlyDynasty]

I'm picking the Suns to come out of the west

:lol

[NASpurs]

The Mavs are winning it again. Just the thought of Butler and Beaubois coming back to a team that won it all without those two, seems ridiculous to me. I'm sure they'll manage minutes as well with the talent they have so saying they're old is pretty stupid to me plus it's not a full 82 game season.

[mavs>spurs]

who said anything about getting butler back? with what cap space exactly? did something change under the new agreement where before they were saying we couldn't afford to resign everyone and now somehow we can?

[DeadlyDynasty]

The Mavs are winning it again. Just the thought of Butler and Beaubois coming back to a team that won it all without those two, seems ridiculous to me. I'm sure they'll manage minutes as well with the talent they have so saying they're old is pretty stupid to me plus it's not a full 82 game season.

I think a lot of it has to do with attitude and "hunger"--to be cliche. That Mavs team last year was full of ringless, hungry vets going all-out. Staying focused and having the same fire to defend your title isn't easy...just ask the Spurs, who are a cool 0-4 in that department. I think the West will come down to Dallas, LA, and OKC with all having a chance to make a run.

That being said, I think this is ultimately LeBron's year and I'd be very surprised to see him not win it all this year.

[DPG21920]

I can't say anything until FA is over with, but if all remains pretty much the same player wise I can't fathom the Mavs repeating. That was one of the most unconventional title runs I've ever seen and I don't think it's any where close to sustainable again. They will be a legit threat but I don't think their style can repeat.

I also don't see how the Heat don't win if they add any sort of depth up front.

Teams I can see having a legit shot as well: LA, OKC, CHI, ORL (if they add a piece)

[DPG21920]

who said anything about getting butler back? with what cap space exactly? did something change under the new agreement where before they were saying we couldn't afford to resign everyone and now somehow we can?

Dallas could afford to sign everyone it was a case of do they want to. You can always sign your own players if you want.

[NASpurs]

who said anything about getting butler back? with what cap space exactly? did something change under the new agreement where before they were saying we couldn't afford to resign everyone and now somehow we can?

I was under the impression that he was still under contract this upcoming year. I just checked and yep, he's a free agent. My bad, total brain fart.

[TIMMYtoZO]

I can't say anything until FA is over with, but if all remains pretty much the same player wise I can't fathom the Mavs repeating. That was one of the most unconventional title runs I've ever seen and I don't think it's any where close to sustainable again. They will be a legit threat but I don't think their style can repeat.

I also don't see how the Heat don't win if they add any sort of depth up front.

Teams I can see having a legit shot as well: LA, OKC, CHI, ORL (if they add a piece)

Samuel Dalembert is pretty much a lock. He already made his big bucks, he is ringless, he will start, and he will be close to his home country. The full mle will be more than enough to land him.

[Nathan89]

Memphis could knock any team out in any given series.

[Axe Murderer]

Memphis could knock any team out in any given series.

What gives you that idea?

All they did last season was knock out a team full of 3 point chuckers; a formula that has never been successful in the playoffs

[DeadlyDynasty]

What gives you that idea?

All they did last season was knock out a team full of 3 point chuckers; a formula that has never been successful in the playoffs

stole my thunder you bastard

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

:lol classic Spurfan glorifying any team/player who does well against the Spurs in the playoffs.

The 2011 Spurs were the 2007 Suns only older, beating them in the playoffs was nothing extremely heroic.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I am interested to see the effect that Rudy Gay has on that team, especially since they looked so good w/o him. He has the potential to make them great, imo...but he could also destroy their chemistry

[DPG21920]

Memphis is a solid team. Not just bc they beat the Spurs but because they are very good defensively and are very balanced team. If Rudy can come back healthy and fit in, they will be a legit threat.

[Nathan89]

They had the capability of knocking out the thunder and many other teams, IMO.

[skut_farkus]

Memphis could knock any team out in any given series.

great fucking team. any team who lives by the 3 with a old shit bag down low will be in trouble:(

[NASpurs]

I think a lot of it has to do with attitude and "hunger"--to be cliche. That Mavs team last year was full of ringless, hungry vets going all-out. Staying focused and having the same fire to defend your title isn't easy...just ask the Spurs, who are a cool 0-4 in that department. I think the West will come down to Dallas, LA, and OKC with all having a chance to make a run.

That being said, I think this is ultimately LeBron's year and I'd be very surprised to see him not win it all this year.

Miami might have something to prove next year so yeah, they'll probably be the hungriest but that team is still full of holes and can be exploited.

[DPG21920]

What gives you that idea?

All they did last season was knock out a team full of 3 point chuckers; a formula that has never been successful in the playoffs

Worked for the Mavs tbh

[DeadlyDynasty]

Russell Westbrook had the capability of knocking out the thunder.

fify...they win that series in 5 if RW isn't a complete assclown

[skut_farkus]

okc aint doing shit. they need a closer on that team durant folds like a cheap tent late in games

[Axe Murderer]

Worked for the Mavs tbh

A superstar player who could get his own shot anytime withstanding

tee, hee

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

A superstar player who could get his own shot anytime withstanding

Also a center who wasn't a red headed honky with T-Rex arms outstanding

[DPG21920]

Miami might have something to prove next year so yeah, they'll probably be the hungriest but that team is still full of holes and can be exploited.

Even with their holes they still got to the finals and should have won if not for an epic game 2 collapse.

[skut_farkus]

Worked for the Mavs tbh

theres a difference between chucking up 3's and making them

[DeadlyDynasty]

Miami might have something to prove next year so yeah, they'll probably be the hungriest but that team is still full of holes and can be exploited.

Mainly in the FC, tho. Chalmers played very well in the playoffs and would be a solid starter around that talent. Despite the holes they had, they had numerous chances to win the Finals in their first year together. Dallas was just hungrier, more veteran, and better coached. Miami will be a bitch to contend with this time around.

[Giuseppe]

Just a hunch, but, I'm taking the Suns again to come out of the West.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Miami has the potential to be completely dominant over the rest of the NBA.

As DPG said, they win it all last year if not for a game 2 collapse. That's without a center on the roster, with Haslem and Miller banged up all year and never having any rhythm, and plenty of other weaknesses I don't feel like listing.

If Miller and Haslem stay healthy, they get a real center (Dalembert is the rumor everyone keeps hearing), and Chalmers improves, they'll have the potential to roll through the playoffs regardless of how much better Lebron gets.

[skut_farkus]

mavs have a good shot at making it back to the finals i really dont see a threat in the west other than if the blazers are healthy they might be a big speed bump. the heat will be a tougher matchup this year, but i think we can get it done again.

[DMC]

theres a difference between chucking up 3's and making them

One generally precedes the other. You have to chuck it before you can hit it.

[Axe Murderer]

i really dont see a threat in the west other than if the blazers are healthy they might be a big speed bump.

Weren't the Blazers healthy last season?

[skut_farkus]

i cant argue with that Dmc

[Giuseppe]

One generally precedes the other. You have to chuck it before you can hit it.

& it helps when Pierce forgets.

tee, hee.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Vegas currently has Miami as the favorites to win the title, at 2-1, followed by:

Lakers 5-1
Bulls 6-1
Mavs 7-1
Thunder 7-1
Celtics 10-1
Knicks 15-1
Magic 20-1

I'm half-tempted to put $50 on the Knicks, just for the fuck of it.

[DMC]

& it helps when Pierce forgets.

tee, hee.
Hello McFly, you're still in the past. Come forward a few years.

[baseline bum]

ECF: Heat over Bulls
WCF: Thunder over Lakers
NBAF: Heat over Thunder
FMVP: King Rogaine

MVP: Dwight Howard - Doesn't have one and the media doesn't want to give it to LeBron anymore.
DPOY: Dwight Howard - Obvious
COY - Who knows? Someone who sucks, so maybe Collins was a good guess above.
ROY: Kyrie Irving, as he is their immediate franchise player there

[Giuseppe]

Hello McFly, you're still in the past. Come forward a few years.


Uh, uh. None of that shit.

Pierce forgot & Artest made him sorry.

[skut_farkus]

Weren't the Blazers healthy last season?

i dont think they were as healthy as they could of been. imo they gave us the most trouble.

[ElNono]

I'll post mine after free agency/amnesty... I'm thinking the Lakeshow might drop Artest with it...

[skut_farkus]

the basketball player formerly knowns as artest

[TIMMYtoZO]

People keep talking about game 2 of the 2011 finals. What about games 4/5? Miami had a 2-1 series lead and a 9 point lead in the 4th quarter of game 4. In game 5, Miami had a 4 point lead with the ball late in the 4th quarter. This was with all those flaws. They will shore up their center issue in the next week or 2. Haslem/Miller will be healthy this time around. The team chemistry will be even better. The hunger and determination will be there.

[DMC]

Uh, uh. None of that shit.

Pierce forgot & Artest made him sorry.
You had your glory from that time. It's a new year, two years past the one you are still clinging to.

[Trill Clinton]

Anybody else impressed with how Peter Holt basically set the Spurs up to win another ship?:hat

[Axe Murderer]

People keep talking about game 2 of the 2011 finals. What about games 4/5? Miami had a 2-1 series lead and a 9 point lead in the 4th quarter of game 4. In game 5, Miami had a 4 point lead with the ball late in the 4th quarter. This was with all those flaws. They will shore up their center issue in the next week or 2. Haslem/Miller will be healthy this time around. The team chemistry will be even better. The hunger and determination will be there.

I'm pretty sure most everybody in this thread has acknowledged that Miami could've won last year dumbass

[skut_farkus]

coulda, shoulda, woulda.....:lol

[DeadlyDynasty]

Anybody else impressed with how Peter Holt basically set the Spurs up to win another ship?:hat

?

I don't remember them tanking another season for a dominant big man in the draft

[Nathan89]

Vegas currently has Miami as the favorites to win the title, at 2-1, followed by:

Lakers 5-1
Bulls 6-1
Mavs 7-1
Thunder 7-1
Celtics 10-1
Knicks 15-1
Magic 20-1

I'm half-tempted to put $50 on the Knicks, just for the fuck of it.

30-1 for Memphis seems like a nice pick. I definitely like them over a lot of team with better odds.

[DMC]

I'd take the Mavs over the Bulls or Lakers, that would be a good pick. I don't see the Knicks doing anything, and Memphis is a pipe dream (crack pipe that is).

[DeadlyDynasty]

30-1 for Memphis seems like a nice pick. I definitely like them over a lot of team with better odds.

I'd like to see how Rudy Gay affects that team first, but you may be right...throw at least $20 on them

[Trill Clinton]

?

I don't remember them tanking another season for a dominant big man in the draft

WINNERS: Player development experts

With luxury tax more punitive than ever, there will be a premium on those who can help a team round out a roster with incredibly cheap but productive players. The Spurs have had a habit of finding and developing those guys -- now every team will have to do so.

lets see the laker fans :downspin: this shit/lkrfan

[Nathan89]

I'll post mine after free agency/amnesty... I'm thinking the Lakeshow might drop Artest with it...

Luke Walton. They won't get rid of World Peace because they can't replace him.

[DMC]

Luke Walton. They won't get rid of World Peace because they can't replace him.
Everyone wants World Peace.

[Muser]

So just because the Spurs have drafted well over the past 10 years sets them up for a title? Sorry son, Tiago Splitter isn't going to turn into Hakeem Olajuwon.

[baseline bum]

WINNERS: Player development experts

With luxury tax more punitive than ever, there will be a premium on those who can help a team round out a roster with incredibly cheap but productive players. The Spurs have had a habit of finding and developing those guys -- now every team will have to do so.

lets see the laker fans :downspin: this shit/lkrfan

Look how much Bonner has developed!

[Nathan89]

I'd like to see how Rudy Gay affects that team first, but you may be right...throw at least $20 on them

The odds won't be as good. I think it's a definitely a good pick with those odds.

[DeadlyDynasty]

WINNERS: Player development experts

With luxury tax more punitive than ever, there will be a premium on those who can help a team round out a roster with incredibly cheap but productive players. The Spurs have had a habit of finding and developing those guys -- now every team will have to do so.

lets see the laker fans :downspin: this shit/lkrfan

What's to spin? The Memphis series showed what we already knew about the Spurs...2/3 of their go to guys are either ancient or injury-prone, and the other 1/3 got abused by Mike Conley.

You can add all the productive parts you want, but your main guns don't scare anybody anymore

[DeadlyDynasty]

Look how much Bonner has developed!

:lol

[Nathan89]

Everyone wants World Peace.

Brings new meaning to beauty contestants wanting World Peace.

[DMC]

What's to spin? The Memphis series showed what we already knew about the Spurs...2/3 of their go to guys are either ancient or injury-prone, and the other 1/3 got abused by Mike Conley.

You can add all the productive parts you want, but your main guns don't scare anybody anymore
Neither do yours tbh.

[Trill Clinton]

Look how much Bonner has developed!

:lol

:lobt2:

[DeadlyDynasty]

Neither do yours tbh.

Fair point, but I'll reserve judgment after more than just a shitty 4-game stretch. Spurs have looked old for 3+ years now...

[Muser]

Not gonna happen but Duncan/Manu should retire or be traded for expirings + picks and tank the damn season. Isn't the next draft supposed to be stacked?

[Bill_Brasky]

RJ will have an incredible first 20 games of the season and the Spurs will somehow manage to dump him for picks/rookies.....anything would be better than RJ.

[adrienne]

I'd love to say the Mavs will win it again, but a good chunk of their success last year was due to Dirk's action hero performance. Not that they won't be motivated, but it's not going to have the same edge.

I could really see the Thunder doing something this year, making it to the finals. But my greatest fear, Miami winning it all, could be realized.

[DMC]

Fair point, but I'll reserve judgment after more than just a shitty 4-game stretch. Spurs have looked old for 3+ years now...
But the point of that piece was that the Lakers will be forced to develop players instead of buying the natural talent.

The Lakers will have a chip on their shoulders, but so will a few other teams who's star players realize they almost lost a year of their career. That ring is right there and Mike Brown isn't Phil Jackson in terms of dealing with egos.

[Leetonidas]

The Lakers will not win the NBA title

[DMC]

I'd love to say the Mavs will win it again, but a good chunk of their success last year was due to Dirk's action hero performance. Not that they won't be motivated, but it's not going to have the same edge.

I could really see the Thunder doing something this year, making it to the finals. But my greatest fear, Miami winning it all, could be realized.
I feel that the Heat could win it all. I don't see anyone in the East stopping them. The West has at least 2 teams as good as the Heat though, perhaps more. For some of the West teams, it's more an issue of confidence than ability. The Thunder could beat anyone if they had the savvy, if Westbrook understood he had weapons other than himself.

I don't want Miami to win, but it wouldn't be the kiss of death that it would have been last year. With the new CBA, teams cannot just buy superstars and lump them together to dominate the league. These guys will have to accept smaller payouts to team up. Not saying it won't happen, but a lot of people are money motivated and don't sacrifice that for a ring until much later in their careers.

[adrienne]

So much of the Thunder's weakness is maturity. They could be scary good, you're right. I saw it in the WCF last year...I honestly think it was a lot closer than the 5 games the series went.

[DeadlyDynasty]

But the point of that piece was that the Lakers will be forced to develop players instead of buying the natural talent.

The Lakers will have a chip on their shoulders, but so will a few other teams who's star players realize they almost lost a year of their career. That ring is right there and Mike Brown isn't Phil Jackson in terms of dealing with egos.

Phil Jackson is not a developer of talent either:lol--but like you said he is the best ego-manager. LA is still the most desired career destination in the nba, so although they'll be more constrained financially, FA's will still flock to here first before testing the waters elsewhere.

[DeadlyDynasty]

This season--besides the lockout--already has me thinking about the 1991 team. Brown is our new Dunleavy, and this aging Lakers squad will have one last run in them before the new dynasty takes over (bulls, heat)

[ElNono]

Nah... Brown is Rudy Tomjanovich part 2... Lakeshow will need to make a move... Pau alone won't take them all the way

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Holy hell Trill Clinton is retarded

[djohn2oo8]

LOL JR Smith AND Kenyon Martin stuck playing overseas.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Nah... Brown is Rudy Tomjanovich part 2... Lakeshow will need to make a move... Pau alone won't take them all the way

If only we had a coach who started a fruitcake sf, a 6-5 pf, and gave a useless ginger 30+ minutes/game we'd be set

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

Mike Brown was actually a decent hire for LA imo.

His Cleveland teams overachieved given their talent level, at the very least he'll improve LA's defense from last year.

[NASpurs]

If only we had a coach who started a fruitcake sf, a 6-5 pf, and gave a useless ginger 30+ minutes/game we'd be set

But you don't have him and we do so ha! Oh wait all those things are bad... :depressed

The man has gone senile.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Mike Brown was actually a decent hire for LA imo.

His Cleveland teams overachieved given their talent level, at the very least he'll improve LA's defense from last year.

That's the hope at least...I'm excited for the effect his defensive mentality will have on Bynum...could turn him into a monster on D. Ron should have no problem buying into his defensive mindset either.


But you don't have him and we do so ha! Oh wait all those things are bad... :depressed

The man has gone senile.

:lol
The thing is Pop is still a good coach, as evidenced by his record with that roster last year...he got caught up in his own success though and never made a concerted effort to develop Splitter. Yes, he was injured for a part of the year, but there was still ample time to give him big minutes. Bonner-ball was doomed to fail.

[Axe Murderer]

WINNERS: Player development experts

With luxury tax more punitive than ever, there will be a premium on those who can help a team round out a roster with incredibly cheap but productive players. The Spurs have had a habit of finding and developing those guys -- now every team will have to do so.

lets see the laker fans :downspin: this shit/lkrfan

lol Patriots looking to trade Wilfork to the Cowboys

[Brazil]

I don't understand why lakers are still so hyped. They have been swept by the mavs. They won't be better next year, there is absolutely no reason for that.

Lakers like Spurs are done

[daslicer]

*
WCF: Lakers over Mavs

NBAF: Heat over Lakers, 4-2.
FMVP: Dwyane Wade

Awards:



Looks like Deadly Retard is still in denial about the Lakers no longer being contenders. Lakers are washed up they will have the same problems the Spur have had with their big 3 the last few years. Kobe is old,Artest is done, Fisher is done, and the Lakers have no bench. I don't see the Lakers beating the Thunder or Mavs in a 7 game series they lack the youth and the depth to do it. Also with Phill gone I don't see the lakers getting special treatment from the refs. Lakers are a second round team at best.

[DMC]

Looks like Deadly Retard is still in denial about the Lakers no longer being contenders. Lakers are washed up they will have the same problems the Spur have had with their big 3 the last few years. Kobe is old,Artest is done, Fisher is done, and the Lakers have no bench. I don't see the Lakers beating the Thunder or Mavs in a 7 game series they lack the youth and the depth to do it. Also with Phill gone I don't see the lakers getting special treatment from the refs. Lakers are a second round team at best.
I will say this for them though; if Pau gets his game on and Kobe becomes as much a playmaker as a scorer, and if Bynum improves on both ends of the floor, they could surprise a few.

They went from champs to chumps in one year. That's usually a sign of an internal issue, because it wasn't injury related. We all know Pau was butthurt over his fiancee' fucking Shannon Brown.

Don't be surprised to see the Lakers back in form, regardless of how much I would like to see otherwise. Mike Brown would be the only detractor there.

[daslicer]

I will say this for them though; if Pau gets his game on and Kobe becomes as much a playmaker as a scorer, and if Bynum improves on both ends of the floor, they could surprise a few.

They went from champs to chumps in one year. That's usually a sign of an internal issue, because it wasn't injury related. We all know Pau was butthurt over his fiancee' fucking Shannon Brown.

Don't be surprised to see the Lakers back in form, regardless of how much I would like to see otherwise. Mike Brown would be the only detractor there.

I think they will win a good amount of games during the regular season and at times people will think they are back to being contenders but they have several holes that will get exploited during the playoffs. Their PG position is absolute trash,the SF spot is also garbage and this includes Artest, and their bench is garbage. They have no legit backup center,pg,sg,sf and that in itself is horrendous. I'm sure they will get one solid FA with their mle but that will only fix one of their holes. Coaching is also an x-factor and the reality is they got a dumber version of Pop so look for some stupid coaching errors to be made at crucial times. They will miss Phill when it comes to manipulation. They also don't have the aura of invincibility like they once did. Your right they went from being champs to chumps in a year even though they were healthy but the same could be said about the '08 spurs. Just like the spurs what really happened was AGE caught up to them. The Lakers have no young prospects under 30 besides Bynum.

[Nathan89]

As far as i'm concerned Lakers are still contenders. Is Kobe a shitbag? Yes, but that's because he hasn't accepted it. If he does the team will perform better he will defer to his team more. As a result chemistry will flourish. Pau will play up to what he is capable of doing. If Bynum didn't eat donuts all off-season he should be better. Bynum is a beast and he should only get better. Bring in a piece or two and they are in it. Even a player like B. Davis will help, IMO. Mike Brown should help with the defense. Boiled down the Lakers are contenders and it's stupid to think other wise.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I think they will win a good amount of games during the regular season and at times people will think they are back to being contenders but they have several holes that will get exploited during the playoffs. Their PG position is absolute trash,the SF spot is also garbage and this includes Artest, and their bench is garbage. They have no legit backup center,pg,sg,sf and that in itself is horrendous. I'm sure they will get one solid FA with their mle but that will only fix one of their holes. Coaching is also an x-factor and the reality is they got a dumber version of Pop so look for some stupid coaching errors to be made at crucial times. They will miss Phill when it comes to manipulation. They also don't have the aura of invincibility like they once did. Your right they went from being champs to chumps in a year even though they were healthy but the same could be said about the '08 spurs. Just like the spurs what really happened was AGE caught up to them. The Lakers have no young prospects under 30 besides Bynum.

Wow, you seem pretty sure of yourself:lol.
So you really believe LA can't even get out of the 2nd round?

[ElNono]

If only we had a coach who started a fruitcake sf, a 6-5 pf, and gave a useless ginger 30+ minutes/game we'd be set

Some coaches know how to ride on HoF talent. Mike Brown isn't one of them.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Some coaches know how to ride on HoF talent. Mike Brown isn't one of them.

How do you know?

[Giuseppe]

shitbag

I'm a trend setter.

I set trends.

[DeadlyDynasty]

Although you're right...im still baffled he couldnt get by dwight howard, or the celtics with the trifecta of lebron james, ilgauskas, and boobie gibson. That team was dynastic, and loaded with hof'ers

[daslicer]

Wow, you seem pretty sure of yourself:lol.
So you really believe LA can't even get out of the 2nd round?

Yeah I'm pretty sure they won't get out of the second round. My reasons for that are in my earlier posts. Don't see them being able to fix all of their holes in 1 year.

[ElNono]

How do you know?

Swept by Tony Parker?

[DMC]

I'm a kid fucker.

I fuck kids.
fify

[Nathan89]

I can see the Lakers losing in the second round but I can also see them winning a championship.

Dallas
Thunder
Memphis

Any of those teams can beat them. I wouldn't guarantee any of those teams to beat them.


Edit- said would meant wouldn't

[DeadlyDynasty]

Yeah I'm pretty sure they won't get out of the second round. My reasons for that are in my earlier posts. Don't see them being able to fix all of their holes in 1 year.

Ok, since you're sure let's bet on it. Name your price, but whatever it is you have to paypal that amount into kori's account. Once she confirms the money's there i'll do likewise.

[ElNono]

Good lord... suckering people into bets already? :lol

I think the Lakers will make a move... that's why it's early yet to prognosticate much...

[DeadlyDynasty]

Swept by Tony Parker?

And bruce bowen. And tim duncan. And manu ginobili. And robert horry.

Cavs had lebron james and...










































???

[DeadlyDynasty]

Good lord... suckering people into bets already? :lol

I think the Lakers will make a move... that's why it's early yet to prognosticate much...

I prey on the weak:lol

[DeadlyDynasty]

I can see the Lakers losing in the second round but I can also see them winning a championship.

Dallas
Thunder
Memphis


That's fair.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I will say this for them though; if Pau gets his game on and Kobe becomes as much a playmaker as a scorer, and if Bynum improves on both ends of the floor, they could surprise a few.

They went from champs to chumps in one year. That's usually a sign of an internal issue, because it wasn't injury related. We all know Pau was butthurt over his fiancee' fucking Shannon Brown.

Don't be surprised to see the Lakers back in form, regardless of how much I would like to see otherwise. Mike Brown would be the only detractor there.


Btw, this post was spot on...especially the middle paragraph.

[ElNono]

And bruce bowen. And tim duncan. And manu ginobili. And robert horry.

Cavs had lebron james and...???

Not really. He got raped by Tony Parker and after 4 games he still had no answers for him. Not surprisingly Tony didn't do a whole lot more afterwards.

Lebron was taking jumpshots all series long, exactly what Pop wanted. That was an awful display of coaching.

This time might be different though, as I expect Kobe to throw a tantrum and be the de-facto coach 3 months in.

[BRHornet45]

*subject till change till season officially starts. Will be more in-depth predictions as the season nears, but just the basics for now...

ECSF: Heat over Celtics, Bulls over Knicks
ECF: Heat over Bulls

WCSF: Lakers over Nuggets, Mavs over Thunder
WCF: Lakers over Mavs

NBAF: Heat over Lakers, 4-2. *
FMVP: Dwyane Wade *

*Awards:*

MVP * : LeBron James (with Melo surprising as 2nd)
DPOY * : Dwight Howard
6th Man * : Jason Terry
COY * : Doug Collins
ROY * : Derrick Williams

asterisk are added

[DeadlyDynasty]

Not really. He got raped by Tony Parker and after 4 games he still had no answers for him. Not surprisingly Tony didn't do a whole lot more afterwards.

Lebron was taking jumpshots all series long, exactly what Pop wanted. That was an awful display of coaching.

This time might be different though, as I expect Kobe to throw a tantrum and be the de-facto coach 3 months in.

Oh...so bowen's lockdown perimeter d and duncan anchoring the paint had nothing to do with lbj shooting jumpshots? Interesting...if only mike brown wouldve told him to drive, the series couldve turned. For shame...

[ElNono]

Oh...so bowen's lockdown perimeter d and duncan anchoring the paint had nothing to do with lbj shooting jumpshots? Interesting...if only mike brown wouldve told him to drive, the series couldve turned. For shame...

Worked for LA a mere season later... but what would've really changed the series is if he could've figured out before 4 games that Tony Parker layups needed to stop...

But don't take my word for it. Soon enough we'll see what's he bringing to the table. IMO, he'll be Rudy Tomjanovich part II.

[DeadlyDynasty]

I dont think he's a godsend, but i also dont see some precipitous drop-off after being 2nd-rd sweep-ees...you really think they'll do worse than that this year?

Like i said, he's nothing special...but look at his cavs teams' defensive #'s. His only 2 good defenders were LBJ (great) and varejao (scrappy but undersized).

[DeadlyDynasty]

Yeah I'm pretty sure they won't get out of the second round. My reasons for that are in my earlier posts. Don't see them being able to fix all of their holes in 1 year.


Ok, since you're sure let's bet on it. Name your price, but whatever it is you have to paypal that amount into kori's account. Once she confirms the money's there i'll do likewise.


(Crickets)

[ElNono]

I dont think he's a godsend, but i also dont see some precipitous drop-off after being 2nd-rd sweep-ees...you really think they'll do worse than that this year?

Like i said, he's nothing special...but look at his cavs teams' defensive #'s. His only 2 good defenders were LBJ (great) and varejao (scrappy but undersized).

I want to see the complete roster before guesstimating... If you're still trotting out Fisher/Blake, and your entire bench consists of Longoria's lover... it's going to be difficult.

I also think Odom coming off the bench worked while LA were the champs and Phil worked his zen magic, but not sure it's gonna fly now. That's why I think Metta World Peace is heading out. That'll make room for Kardashian.

And don't discount Kobe's production taking a harsh drop.

[DMC]

Kobe's shot attempts will not take a harsh drop, and I am torn between believing he will shoot his team out of contention and believing Pau won't let him.

[Nathan89]

1.Thunder
2.Mavs
3.Clippers
4.Lakers
5.Spurs
6.Grizz
7.Denver
8.Warriors