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Yeah, I think it's more a "well, we didn't like that guy anyway" reaction to Nate bolting.
Um, no. Maybe he is a Top Ten center, but he is not a top ten player. Yao Ming is a soft pussy with no power and commands no respect. He was overhyped when he came into the league and he still is now.
Yeah, I think it's more a "well, we didn't like that guy anyway" reaction to Nate bolting.
I think you guys are overrating the Jazz...
1 SPURS
2 HOUSTON
3 DENVER
4 DALLAS
5 PHOENIX
6 SACTO
7 GOLDEN STATE
8 L.A. LAKERS
9 MEMPHIS
10 UTAH
11 SEATTLE
12 MINNY
13 L.A. CLIPS
14 PORTLAND
15 NEW ORLEANS/OKLAHOMA CITY
If anything, they are underrated.
The Jazz with a healthy AK47, and Boozer aswell as their acquisitions during the offseason..
They are a playoff team, or should be.
Devin Brown I predict will average around 15ppg with the jazz, if not more. I think Brown will have a huge impact, not so much statistically but just what he brings to the team, that winning spirit. And Jerry Sloan is one of the greats at coaching. So I don't think the Jazz should be factored out just yet.
Both Denver and Houston are getting overrated. Neither have proven anything yet. Denver is still undersized in the frontcourt and lack outside shooting.
Denver and Houston are better than Dallas right now.
Did you just post Denver is undersized?
They might be overrrated but they are still better than Dallas.
I figured that's what I would read from sense because he thrives on pissing me off. I don't see Dallas getting any worse and despite Finley's terrible shooting in the playoffs Dallas was close to beating Phoenix. Finley cost us the series and I'm glad you have him now to screw things up. Stackhouse, Christie, and Daniels could all do better than what Finley showed when it really counted.
headcases? you really dont know the Nuggets too well do you?.....The team chemistry under Karl is amazing and everyone meshes so well. Dont confuse Kmart's at ude and iness with being a headcase, two totally different things. Rodney White was a head case and we got rid of him and now he is with the clips. The Nuggets will have one of the best chemistries in the NBA, why do you think we didnt make much noise in the offseason ? (dont believe all those trade talks), sure the Nuggets would have loved a star sg (but not Pierce, too many issues) but Kiki and Karl love the guys they have, the players like the team they have and you cant get any better than that.
I thought Nene wants out asap. Isnt he upset about not starting??
LOL @ mavs fan talking about an undersized frontcourt (Nene, camby and Kmart are one one of the better frontcourt rotations in the league) and lack of defense.
I don't see Camby, Nene and KMart as a front court with great size. That doesn't mean they aren't good players, and it doesn't mean that they won't succeed. But if you watched the First Round series between the Spurs and the Nuggets, it was pretty obvious that there was a front court with great size playing against a group of good front court players.
I think Denver will be one of the more dangerous teams in the West as long as Karl doesn't revert back to some of the crap he pulled in Milwaukee and Seattle, and spends his time just trying to keep that team together and playing within the system.
I think Dallas has a chance to be better, mostly because they've trimmed some of the fat off of their roster and can narrow down to an 9-man rotation of guys who will play set minutes every night and find some cohesion. I think AJ will get those guys to play some defense and I think because of that, the Mavs have a chance to compete for HCA in Round 1.
Sacramento is really deep, but I'm not sure they have great quality anywhere. They have pretty good quality in a lot of places, but pretty good quality doesn't often get it done (at least not at the highest levels) in the NBA.
I would be surprised if the T'Wolves missed the 2006 playoffs, and I'd be surprised if the Grizzlies made the 2006 playoffs.
All in all, something like this:
Going up:
San Antonio
Houston
Denver
Golden State
LA Lakers (they'll be better because the NBA wants that)
Utah (a little better overall)
Going Down:
Seattle
Memphis
Phoenix (by a small amount)
Going Sideways:
Sacramento
Dallas
LA Clippers (I can't buy that all in that gang will stay healthy for 82 games)
Minnesota
Going Nowhere:
Portland
New Orleans/Oklahoma City/Bossier City
1) Spurs-50 million Elvis fans can't be wrong. Everyone is picking the Spurs for a reason. Well except for the Artest Factor, but to each his own.
2) Rockets- Even with a patch work back court they managed to be one of the best teams in the second half of the season. Yao will be in better shape, and while Alston is a head case I'm going to give JVG the benefit of the doubt. He managed to keep Sprewell on a leash for a while in New York so maybe he can make this work. Swift adds a little speed to the front court, and TMac won't have to go through the adjustment period that he did last year. If and when they get Sura back they are going to look even better. (If anyone tells my friends in Houston that I complimented the Rockets-I WILL CUT YOU, SUCKA!)
3)Suns-They've got the stars, they've gotten deeper. Defense remains to be seen, but if Shawn Marion steps up and really earns that paycheck they'll run away with their division again. I remain concerned about Nash not having a back-up. If that hamstring starts acting up again they could slide down this list a lot.
4)Utah-This sounds ambitious but they were on pace for a similar finish before AK-47 went down in a heap. Sloan is possibly the best coach behind Pop, they drafted well, Devin could have a breakout season, and Boozer is probably hungry to get out there and show his stuff. If they stay healthy they will be in the thick of things.
5)Mavs-AJ has to deal with a team that is without a real lockerroom leader and a lot of new faces once again. Finley's exit will open up the rotation for some of their young talent, and AJ's defensive philosophy will help but I can't put them in the top 4 until I see Dirk get some real maturity and leadership skills.
6) Nuggets-They're still young and my gut is telling me that they could well finish out of the playoffs if George wears out his welcome like he so often does. Still, too much talent to ignore their chances.
7)Kings-Great starting five, but the bench isn't what it once was. Look for Bibby to blow up (in a good way.)
8)Lakers-A healthy Kobe with a decent enough team around him should be able to manage this. It could go up in smoke real quick but I have to believe that Kobe is focused on quieting some critics enough that he'll keep his mouth shut and just play ball.
There's a logjam at the nine spot with Golden State (Baron will never stay healthy), Minnesota (KG is great but the west is just too deep), Clippers (good front 5, but lack the D's-defense and depth), and Portland (super young, but loaded with potential and a good coach.) If there's a key injury or something in Sacto or LA any of them could theoretically squeak in.
I can't see it, but if this comes true, you should get Prognosticator of the Year award.
Amazing the predictions - amazing !
1. Spurs - The best team with the best player and the best coach along with a whole slew of guys who know thier roles and fulfill them.
2. Mavs - Dirk. Dude is amazing to me. Couple that with a serviceable center in Erik Dampier - Josh Howard, MArquis Daniels and Stackhouse on the wing with Devin and Jason Terry - not to mention they have a Pop protege and Ex-Spur running the team - They were good last year and they will be better this year.
3. Suns - I am not too sure about them but if we are talking regular season then they will win a lot of games again by just running people out of the gym - they are a weaker team this year than they were last year - losing joe johnson and Q bang your forehead Richardson but they still have Amare and Nash with some good shooters but Nash will get hurt and they still are not deep at all. They will not do anything in the playoffs.
4. Rockets - MCgrady - Yao and they made some nice additions - but in the end - Mcgrady will end this year without getting out of the first round as he has his entire career.
5. Nuggets - THey play well and they have a lot - a whole lot of players to throw at you. I think Julius Hodge was a great pick and will be a really nice addition to this team - HE quite possibly could be rookie of the year. THey have solid guard play and good post presence with camby and martin - on both ends of the floor - but especiallyon defense. now if they could just get Melo to understand the concept of shot selection .....
6. Minnesota- I just dont think you can bet against KG - they got rid of a lot of bad apples that were ruining the team and they still have a nice team. I guess it will boil down to how well Mccants plays and how productive JArko and Niko will be.
7. Kings- I think Shareef is a great addition to this team - he will be a 20 10 guy and free up peja to get some more open looks. Bibby is solid and with bonzi - if he can control his at ude and temperment they make a solid back court. Not to mention they have Brad MIller who is easily a 15 p 10 r guy at Center.
8. Utah- I was torn here between the Jazz and the LAkers but I just can't root for an alleged rapist and confessed adulterer no matter how good he is - not to mention their roster is crap. Kobe and a bunch of goons - I have to root for Bynum because he played for the mighty U but Phil will probably turn him into Luc Longley II. Phil is so overrated - so I pick the Jazz in this spot because of JErry Sloan and because they Jazz are all healthy. They have a bunch of solid players and they finally have a guy who can play point like Jerry wants.
no doubt he wants to start but he knows he hasnt consistently proven himself yet as a worthy starter over Camby BUT if it was up to me id start Nene and bring Camby off the bench so it preserves his body a bit. Camby's health is a big part of how succesful we will or wont be
Houston will not be second. Third at best but I see them more as #4.
1. Spurs
2. who cares?
3. who cares?
4. who cares?
5. who cares?
6. who cares?
7. who cares?
8. who cares?
Houston hasn't even gotten beyond the first round with Yao Ming in the roster...
WTH, Duncan slowing down? That's just his carribean style..
1. San Antonio Spurs starting five
2. San Antonio Spurs second team
3-9. Who cares?
Couldn't agree more!
1) San Antonio
2) Dallas
3) Houston
4) Sacramento
5) Pheonix (in light of Amare's new injury)
6) Lakers
7) Denver
8) Warriors (if Baron stays healthy) or TWolves
I bet that Memphis will lose out in the playoff race this year.
Ok you "amateurs" have had your say! Debate this:
1) Spurs - locked and loaded!
2) Suns - improved where they needed to but it all depends on Nash's health.
3) Mavs - don't dismiss this team!
4) Rockets - 4-6 almost interchangable, not convinced they will ever win unless ball goes into Yao over and over again!
5) Denver - this year we find out if Carmello can do it for a full year
6) Kings - may be ranked too low! Some great off season additions!
7) Sonics - still a deep and dangerous team
8) Golden State - will keep LAL out of playoffs as BD is a stud!
9) Wolves - Garnett implodes in a pique of anger as team misses playoff again.
10) Lakers - Ditto for Kobe!
11) Jazz - Devin Brown in contention for both 6th man and most improved?
12) Clippers - should be higher but damm they are the Clippers - they always screw it up.
13) TrailBlazers - a year away from a move back up, but at least have the players don't need ankle bracelets for their felonies anymore.
14) Hornets - this poor franchise, would love to see them better but they are as bad off as their homestate right now.
"SportsDoc to the Fans", Basketball News Service (www.Hoopsworld.com)
This "The Artest Factor" may be another version from the "asterisk" family. We may need to keep our board clean.
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