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Watching Magic vs. Bulls right now, if Dwight can average 20-15, they will easily be a top 4 seed in the east.
1. The New York Knicks will make the playoffs. Most expect them to be in the Greg Oden race. But actually, they'll be in the playoff race.
2. Rudy Gay easily coasts to Rookie of the Year honors. Brandon Roy is good and Tyrus Thomas will own SportsCenter, but Gay will put up rebounds, steals and blocks at a stunning rate.
3. Deron Williams, Sebastian Telfair and Jarrett Jack will all explode onto the scene as the NBA enters a point guard rich era. Williams and Telfair will average at least 15 and 7, while Jack goes for 17 and 5.
4. Sam Mitc will be fired and will be replaced by the NBA's first European coach. The Rockets struggle with injuries again and Jeff Van Gundy takes the fall.
5. Dwight Howard will average 20 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks and will be the best bigman in the Eastern Conference. Carlos Boozer will average 20 and 10 in the West and will make the All-Star team.
6. Amare Stoudemire will miss time on and off until he's declared out for the season, at which point he'll say he's thinking about retirement.
7. LeBron James will average 33 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and will be the runaway winner of the MVP.
8. Carmelo Anthony will average 30 points and will put up better stats than anyone in the Western Conference, including Kobe.
9. Playoff seeding will be as followed:
EAST
1. Detroit Pistons
2. Chicago Bulls
3. New Jersey Nets
4. Miami Heat
5. Orlando Magic
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. New York Knicks
8. Washington Wizards
WEST
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Phoenix Suns
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Utah Jazz
8. NOKC Hornets
10. The conference finals will be Spurs vs. Mavs and Bulls vs. Magic.
Spurs take it down.
Watching Magic vs. Bulls right now, if Dwight can average 20-15, they will easily be a top 4 seed in the east.
*My own predictionsI didn't want to start a new thread.
Looking into the New Season
By usckk, UT Spurs Writer
October 27, 2006
As many of you already know, last year's season ended abruptly and very painfully. The Spurs were a shot, a foul, and a turnover away from getting into the NBA championship and even winning it all.
However, the Spurs, like always, reloads with new players without overspending. They traded Rasho Nesterovic for Matt Bonner and Eric Williams. Also, they let Nazr Mohommad go through free-agency and signed two free-agents in Butler and Elson. The pre-season is just days away, and the brand new season is about to jump-start. Thus, the following is my predictions for the upcoming season.
First of all, the center position needs to be addressed. This position had given us the most problem since losing David Robinson when he retired. In Rasho’s two years as a Spur, he had always defended well but never could get anything going offensively. As for Nazr, he was an integral part in our last championship, but the NBA has changed in the past couple of years.
Nowadays, more teams are playing small ball. Shaq’s decline in the past few years has yielded a different style of play. No longer do teams need tall, bulky big men to compete with Shaq’s team.
Teams now are more athletic and rely on dribble penetration to score. With the new defensive rules, defenses are no longer allowed to impede offensive penetration with their arms, only their bodies. Thus, many teams are taking advantage of the new rules, such as the Mavs’ dribble penetration by Devin Harris and Jason Terry. Ultimately, guard play is more important in today’s game.
However, the Spurs are also trying to go small to defend teams, such as the Mavs and Suns. Both teams have no centers, so big, lanky centers are not able to keep pace. San Antonio needs agile big men to compete with these teams. This was clearly evident in the 2006 Western Conference Finals. The Spurs could not contain Dirk Nowitzki. If they went big with Rasho or Nazr, Duncan would have to guard Dirk and allowed him to get into foul trouble.
Look for the Spurs to continue to go smaller compared to other seasons with Rasho and Nazr at center. Instead, Oberto will probably get the node to start early in the season with Duncan playing center. However, do not be surprised if Coach Pop starts Butler later in the season. In the last few years, Pop has made similar moves in starting Stephen Jackson and Tony Parker to get them experience early on.
Out of all our big men, Butler by far has the most potential. He has great post moves and has good hands, but now, he still needs to work on his team defense. Elson might also start some games. Coach Popovich will likely alternate starting centers according to match-ups. These new centers are more agile and fast, allowing to better guard players such as, Dirk Nowitzki and Amare Stoudemire,
As for the other positions, they will be similar to last season. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Bruce Bowen will continue start. However, like the Conference Finals against the Mavs, the Spurs might start Finley to help spread the court and allow Ginobili to come off the bench. Manu creates an instant spark off the bench. As always, Beno and Barry will come off the bench for their respective positions.
Look for the Spurs to start slowing early into the season. With new players at the center position, they need time to become acclimated to the Spurs system, mainly in defense. However, as always, they will catch fire after the All-Star game and take second in the Southwest Division behind the Mavs. The Spurs will likely win easily in the first round of the playoffs and will play the Mavericks or the Suns in the Conference Finals. Afterwards, they will face the Miami Heat for the Championships. Finals Prediction: Spurs win in five games.
Dwight Howard is going to blooow up this year. He's manhandling Chicago's frontline
Fine, except that the Raptors will be the ones who surprise and make the play offs. Oh Coach Mitc will be there too.1. The New York Knicks will make the playoffs. Most expect them to be in the Greg Oden race. But actually, they'll be in the playoff race.
2. Rudy Gay easily coasts to Rookie of the Year honors. Brandon Roy is good and Tyrus Thomas will own SportsCenter, but Gay will put up rebounds, steals and blocks at a stunning rate.
3. Deron Williams, Sebastian Telfair and Jarrett Jack will all explode onto the scene as the NBA enters a point guard rich era. Williams and Telfair will average at least 15 and 7, while Jack goes for 17 and 5.
4. Sam Mitc will be fired and will be replaced by the NBA's first European coach. The Rockets struggle with injuries again and Jeff Van Gundy takes the fall.
5. Dwight Howard will average 20 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks and will be the best bigman in the Eastern Conference. Carlos Boozer will average 20 and 10 in the West and will make the All-Star team.
6. Amare Stoudemire will miss time on and off until he's declared out for the season, at which point he'll say he's thinking about retirement.
7. LeBron James will average 33 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and will be the runaway winner of the MVP.
8. Carmelo Anthony will average 30 points and will put up better stats than anyone in the Western Conference, including Kobe.
9. Playoff seeding will be as followed:
EAST
1. Detroit Pistons
2. Chicago Bulls
3. New Jersey Nets
4. Miami Heat
5. Orlando Magic
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
7. New York Knicks
8. Washington Wizards
WEST
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Phoenix Suns
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Denver Nuggets
7. Utah Jazz
8. NOKC Hornets
10. The conference finals will be Spurs vs. Mavs and Bulls vs. Magic.
Spurs take it down.
The Raptors will beat out New York- sorry Malik- and get 7th or 8th spot. They won't be swept in the first round.
Because I am curious... L.J. - what in pre season gave you such confidence in the Knicks?
If by '"in the playoff race," you mean "not at all in the playoff race," then yes, the Knicks will be in the playoff race.
While I wonder about Mitc , I can see Isiah being gone (either his choice or not) by the ASB.
Lakers as the 4th seed? Knicks making the playoffs? Damn, those are bold predictions, Timvp...?
Bold, yet realistic.
Sorry but Toronto will be lucky to win 30. I just don't see it.
The Knicks have a lot of talent. In fact, they are probably a top 10 most talented team in the league. If they can play up to 75% of their potential, they are going to be good.Because I am curious... L.J. - what in pre season gave you such confidence in the Knicks?
People like to hate on Isaih Thomas, but he might be the best domestic talent scout in the game.
It's pretty easy to figure out the domestic talent in the game...however, you have to be smart enough to know which players to add and mix well and build your team around, otherwise it doesn't matter.
Starbury
Franchise
Jerome James
Eddy Curry
Jeffries
These are just a few of the "domestic talent" that Isahi has scouted....
adam morrison will win ROY
We'll see what happens. I think Toronto has talent, although are right that it will come down to games and the squad being cool under pressure.
I'm not saying it will be an easy road for the Raptors.
I do think Colangelo put together a talented team and I like Coach Mitc as their leader. Their team has an authentic chance.
I haven't followed New York. I'll have to research their squad.
From my limited knowledge two things come to mind: 1)Marbury who is obviously good but only one guy and 2) the lack of a consistency in the head coach position.
Isn't this like the team's third coach in that many years?
Even if Isaiah comes in with a great game plan- Marbury is historically not the most cooperative person on earth.
I think there is at least some reason to worry that New York's talent could go to waste due to lack of chemistry.
The team is at a cross roads; it will be interesting to see how they do.
Darn it L.J.- I missed the end of Top Model typing that!
Those are bold statements.....I like it!
No way Carmello puts up more ppg than Kobe
I'm talking about scout as in scouting the draft. Name someone who has the success rate that Isaih has in the draft. Tracy McGrady, Damon Stoudemire, Channing Frye, Nate Robinson, Trevor Ariza, Marcus Camby, David Lee, Jackie Butler. The list goes on and on. He's drafted well from every spot in the draft and has done so picking from the same group of players everyone else has scouted.
Starbury
Franchise
Jerome James
Eddy Curry
Jeffries
These are just a few of the "domestic talent" that Isahi has scouted....
I never said he was a good general manager. In fact, he's pretty horrible in mixing and matching personalities and is impulsive when it comes to free agents. And it also didn't help that LB quit on the team last year.
But as a domestic draft scout, he's the best there is.
No doubt. However, my point was, I don't understand how him being a good domestic draft scout and having "arguably a top 10 team talent-wise" is going to help them get to the playoffs when the team is basically made up of 6 or 7 selfish guards, all with a shoot first mentality, and a center like Jerome James?
EDIT: Knicks may have heard Timvp's praise as they are currently kicking a Gasol-less Grizz team's butt.
Renaldo Balkman is a nice draft pick.
Rasho Nesterovic, C 10 2-5 0-0 0-0 1 2 3 1 1 0 1 3 4
So much for him making a difference and the Raptors being worth a crap.
Got stomped by the Nets.
I'll be sure to bump this thread.
It is too early to count anyone out- especially based upon just one game in which the score differential was ten.
True, not like I saw him put up games like that consistently for 3 years as a Spur
I'll be sure to bump this thread.
Same here (to prove how wrong you were...)
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