Have the elite teams ever been this far ahead of the compe ion?

[BUMP]

Wasn't Roger Mason anointed the next Robert Horry before the playoffs even started?

[ElNono]

Wasn't Roger Mason anointed the next Robert Horry before the playoffs even started?

No, that was Matt Bonner...

[Rogue]

Dallas lost Wright- so their offseason has them worse. Plus they aren't really an elite team anyway.

Mavs lost breath as well, so that trade wasn't bad at all, even though Donnie's work is not pretty satisfying and he still has pretty much work to do this off-season.

[NugzFan]

The first round Blazers stood pat as well. They lost their back-up power foward as well. Denver lost their starting two guard. Dont expect either of those teams to do well this year.

and replaced him with someone just as good (and cheaper).

[Killakobe81]

jefferson is instant offense my friend and he is ok on defense unlike fisher who is ok at shooting that 3 and just damn horrible at defence and dyse mite be a old man bt he hustles everygame even when he knws hes on the losing side nw thats heart to me dyes hasnt lost a step did u see him in this years playoffs even though detroit got the boot he still played his ass off and dnt even get me started with blair he is gna be a flat out stud book it

I would think of ALL NBA teams the Sprs and their fans would repect his gangsta ...You dont have to like him but you dams sure as better respect and fear hist "clutch".
Let's take a trip down memory lane:
2001 unleashes a barrage of 3's shooting almost 75% from 3point land
2004 .4 'nuff said
2008 The great defense on Barry's shot in game 4 ...

Dfish is the spurs kryptonite more time than not (yall did make him cry in 2003)

[wijayas]

The Lakers and the Spurs are better, but the Mavericks didn't get better at all. Shawn Marion is washed up, and the Mavericks are only getting older.

With Kidd distributing the ball, Shawn Marion's career may have zoomed up again a la his time with Nash in Phoenix. Dallas matches up well with the Spurs and remains a dangerous opponent.

[Killakobe81]

theer is a gap not the Lakers/Celst mid 80's gap or the Bulls late 90's gap ...but if you look at what the Cavs, magic Celts Spurs to close the gap on the defending champs I would say that is pretty impressive Outside of that group I would say the Mavs, Nuggs Blazers are the next tier with
Mavs & nuggs a bit ahead due to experience ...
I will say it again I LOVE the Blazers talent ..but it's not agreat mix they have too many of the same type of players and could use another leader on that team besides roy and another banger ..I thought milsp woulda been a "great fit" Kidd or Hinrich as well ..i deal some of that talent and i either get a superstar or vet leader ...If oden can do a Dwight howard impersonation they could make some noise but as prently constructed ...I see regular season noise lack of post-season poise ...2nd round would be impressive

[picc84]

Shawn Marion is a good pickup for Dallas simply because of Jason Kidd. He excels when playing with great pass-first point guards. If Dallas had an equally good shoot-first point guard it wouldnt be as solid a signing.

Only problem is that from what i've seen of Mavs games, Kidd doesn't have the ball in his hands and run the offense as much as he and Nash did in Phoenix. So thats going to reduce the PG/Marion effectiveness somewhat. Still, he'll improve their rebounding and team defense and present another athletic option on fast breaks.

Dont see them in the first tier of teams with SA/LA/Boston/Cleveland/Orlando though. More second tier with Portland and Denver.

[Red Hawk #21]

All the Hornets did was stand pat on a team that lost by 60 on its home court