At last.
How fitting is it that on the first day of the NBA season, the day that many like myself get giddy at the thought of competitive basketball returning, that George and I finish this preview up with the two conferences that house the most likely Finals participants? I say it's not a coincidence at all, but I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.
There are some other interesting stories in this division beyond the Cheat, though. The regular-season has been kind to the Orlando Magic in the past, but can they finally get that ring? Gilbert Arenas holsters his guns long enough to return to help rookie John Wall out in the nation's capital, but to what effect? Joe Johnson received the biggest contract this off-season (read that statement again and try not to put your head through a wall) but what does that mean for the Atlanta Hawks? And how far can the greatest basketball player of all-time run the Bobcats into the ground? The answers to these questions and more. . . now! (ESPN SportsCenter Theme Song)
1. MIAMI CHEAT (LY: 47-35, 3rd in division, 5th in conference, first round exit)
What hasn't been said about the team from South Beach? Let's look at this from a basketball-only perspective for a second. The truly scary thing about these guys joining forces is a combination of their age (LBJ: 25, Bosh: 26, Wade: 28) and their contracts (all six years, with an opt out option after 4, but I mean, c'mon. . .). This means that they'll be playing their prime of their careers together, taking out anyone in their way, and only getting better as time goes on (especially once the Heat can start signing mid-level veterans in the next couple years - I mean, what types of players can they attract who might just want to win a title?). They are going to win a lot of games, even with as little as they've played together (although they did have the summer of 2008 and every All-Star over the last 5 years, so they're at least familiar) and they get used to the tendencies that each other has. And a crunch-time lineup of James-Wade-Miller-Bosh-Haslem is a quick, frightening unit. . . not to be confused with the skills of Rick Pitino's penis (zing!).
But here's where I look at the half-empty portion of their glass. They have no size, save for Big Z, who doesn't spend any amount of time in the paint anyway. Neither does Bosh. And their next two tallest guys are Joel Anthony and Juwan Howard (yes, still that Juwan Howard) both listed at 6'9''. Um, this is a problem. Just ask my beloved Phoenix Suns. Also, injuries are already plaguing this team, as both Wade and James sat out some of the preseason for little nicks and bruises and now Mike Miller (the sleeper pick for 6th man of the year) is out for potentially a third of the year. These are real issues and their depth is not something to be praised (although it is understandable - they put a little bit of money into those three main guys).
But let's be real. This is two of the top 5 players in the league and Chris Bosh (you're not a superstar, CB. . . I'm sorry but it's the truth) and it's the most lethal "big 3" in the league. They won't challenge the 1996 Bulls record this year, or maybe even next, but it's definitely in play over the course of their contracts. They'll cruise pretty convincingly to the best record in the East and then we'll see how they perform in the nitty gritty of the Playoffs against tested rivals. It's tough to see them not making the Finals though. I'd love to say Boston or Orlando can take them down, but I just don't see it happening. The Lakers on the other hand. . .
Prediction: 62-20, 1st in division and conference, Finals loss
2. ORLANDO MAGIC (LY: 59-23, 1st in division, 2nd in conference, ECF loss)
After sweeping through Charlotte and Atlanta to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic looked ready to rematch with the Lakers (who were heavily favored against the Suns) for league supremacy. But the Celtics had other things in mind and eliminated the Magic in 6 games (although it really should have been 4 or 5), sending them back to Orlando to think about things. And what did they do with that time?
Very little.
They re-signed J.J. Redick (smart) and added Chris Duhon and Quentin Richardson to their already wussified back-court (just with the presence of Vince Carter alone). Dwight Howard turned down an opportunity to play in the WBC and a chance to be "the guy" on a competitive team and get some awesome practice/experience playing in big games (always helpful). Instead, it was Kevin Durant who blew up and carried the American team to first place and now has all sorts of MVP buzz. That could've been you, Dwight!
This is a talented team at times. Jameer Nelson is a nice point guard (but boy would they much rather find a way to get CP3 from the Hornets) and Vince will win you some games when he decides to play. Rashard Lewis has one of the worst contracts in the league, though, as he doesn't nearly deserve the almost-$100 million he is getting from the organization. And to top it off, two summers ago, they gave money that they should've just given Hedo (can you imagine a Jameer-Vince-Hedo-Rashard-Dwight lineup?) to Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat. Again I say: Um?
I think it's a carbon copy of last year for the Magic with just a few less wins. They'll get to the ECF and will immediately be trounced out, left to think about what to do differently next year. And maybe they'll learn their lesson and go do something! But probably not. . .
Prediction: 55-27, 2nd in division and conference, ECF exit
3. ATLANTA HAWKS (LY: 53-29, 2nd in division, 3rd in conference, second round embarrassment by the Magic)
Ugh.
I'm not even close to impressed, but the East is really top-heavy (I mean, I like the Bucks, but c'mon, if that's a potential division winner?) and teams still have to win games!
The Hawks gave Joe Johnson 120 million reasons to stay in Georgia which made everyone immediately think "really?". Ok, think about this Hawks executives. . . You give about $20 million a year to a second fiddle (don't deny it Joe!) and you will never ever get past the second round. Ever. Ever ever!
His supporting cast isn't terrible, though. Athletic big-man Josh Smith is a defensive vulture, blocking shots and stealing passes left and right. But what is his offensive prowess like? Al Horford is a hard-worker and a great rebounder, but can he hit a jump shot? Jamal Crawford is a shoot first, shoot second, shoot third, and I-guess-I-can-pass fourth type of player, which ends well only once in a million (like his assist total!). And despite being nearly ten years apart, Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby will continue their contest of who can be more of a corpse on the basketball court. Edge: Bibby.
I don't like the Hawks. I think they're more over-rated than the Bulls and last season's complete giving up against the Magic proved that when your best player is a jump shooter who works best as a second or third option, you can only get so far in this league.
Prediction: 44-38, 3rd in division, 6th in conference, first round exit
4. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (LY: 26-56, last in division, 14th in conference thanks to the Nets)
We'll actually be hosting a guest in the next couple days to DIE-HARDS in the form of my cousin Josh, a Wizards fanatic. He put together an awesome preview of his beloved Wizards and I'll be putting that up either tomorrow or Thursday. But for now, you get my outside opinion. . .
I actually think they can squeak into the playoffs. I saw them in Las Vegas this summer and was really impressed with two things: the John Wall hype and the improvement of Javale McGee. Wall is going to be great. He's super quick, unfazed by any pressure, and unafraid to take the ball to the hole. The only thing in his way of having an 18-point, 10-assist season is the return of Gilbert Arenas, The Artist Formerly Known as "Agent Zero" (which has to go away now, in a sad turn of events for a fantastic nickname - Gil is now #9, apparently for how many lives in the NBA he has). And McGee, through his attempts at making the WBC team, looked like a much improved big, a guy capable of contributing in major ways. The Wall-McGee combo is going to attribute for a lot of fun in the form of alley-oops and the like, and they'll definitely be a fun team to watch.
Supporting them will be an odd mish-mash of talent. Veterans like Kirk Hinrich and Josh Howard will do what they can when healthy, Yi Jianlian will try to prove he can do more than score on a chair, and younglings Andray Blatche, Al Thornton, and Nick Young will do their best to get minutes and be productive in that time. And I think they'll be successful. Sometimes young teams who don't know any better can accomplish some things and I think this is the sleeper team to sneak into the playoffs (you know, except for Indiana).
You know, unless Gilbert shoots everyone. Then all bets are off.
Prediction: 41-41, 4th in division, 7th in conference, first round exit
5. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (LY: 44-38, 4th in division, 7th in conference, swept by Magic in round one)
Well, MJ, I don't know what to tell you. . . you know, other than that last season's playoff appearance won't be repeated.
The Bobcats are "led" by Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson, two hot-and-cold players, one (Wallace) who scores mostly because he rebounds and plays great defense, and the other (Jackson) who will absolutely keep shooting regardless of how many times he misses. Now I understand how Wallace gets so many rebounds! They make a great team!
Other than that, they run the floor with Boris Diaw (did I say run? I meant to say waddle), Tyrus Thomas (the poor man's version of. . . Gerald Wallace), D.J. Augustin (a slightly capable replacement of Raymond Felton - yes, that's a put-down), and. . . well, that's about it. Oh, shoot! I forgot about Kwame Brown. I doubt I'm alone in that sentiment. . .
Not even the great Larry Brown can save this team from the lottery. Good night, and good luck.
Prediction: 39-43, 5th in division, 9th in conference, miss the playoffs
- - - - -
So there you have it!!!
Six divisions previewed just in time for the season to start tonight (games this evening include my beloved SUNS in Portland to play the Blazers - 1-0 baby! - the defending champs getting their rings and then battling the Rockets, and the much-discussed battle between Miami and Boston in Massachusetts. . . oh, it's on!). . . .
Hope you enjoyed. Hope you agreed. Hope you disagreed! Either way, pass a link along, won't you? We aren't biased about our readers. Just as long as you love the NBA!
Until later,
JUSTIN
Showing posts with label preview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label preview. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
2010-2011 Season Preview: Central Division
Welcome to Shake-Up Central (pun absolutely intended). . .
Last year saw another dominant performance by the Cleveland Lebrons as they won this division by a whopping 15 games! But as you might have heard, "The Man Who Could Be King (but will probably choose to be co-King instead)" took his talents or whatever to South Beach and now this division is wide open. Well, except for the Cavs. They're done. Let's get it started with. . .
1. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (LY: 46-36, 2nd in division, 6th in conference, first round exit)
Ok, George. I see your Memphis Grizzlies and raise you a Milwaukee Bucks. . . Fear the DEER!!
This was an average team last year that over-achieved. This year, they take that formula, mix in some herbs and spices, and hopefully avoid blowing up the laboratory.
The Bucks made a couple sneaky additions this off-season. They added NBA whore (no, not you Meg Whitman) Drew Gooden, veteran scoring-only forward Corey Maggette, and utility swing-man Chris Douglas-Roberts. They also re-signed John Salmons who provided the team with a huge punch last year and carried a lot of that offense after Michael Redd's body failed him yet again.
They also get big-man Andrew Bogut back after last season's freak injury and have another year of Brandon Jennings, the point guard sensation from last year. Wait, what? You're saying he only had a couple spectacular games and only an average season? Hmm. I thought everyone was saying he was the second coming of Isaiah Thomas. Guess I was wrong. But even with a bit of improvement, he will continue to be an interesting piece to this bizarre, star-less puzzle.
This pick is more of a lack of confidence in the Bulls (more on this in a second) then a huge amount of confidence in the Bucks, but I do think that Scott Skiles has a productive way of getting what he wants out of his teams and they are a fantastic antithesis (that's two straight posts where that word has been used - you just can't get that type of vocab anywhere else!) to the Miami Cheat in that there isn't a big name to be found on this squad, but they have the potential to get it done!
Prediction: 48-34, 1st in division, 3rd in conference (because of the division champion-top 3 rule), second round exit
2. CHICAGO BULLS (LY: 41-41, 3rd in division, 8th in conference, out in first round)
I think what we have here is a case of Overrateditis (sound it out).
Let's start with their "big" off-season pickup of forward Carlos Boozer. The former Jazz under-achiever signed an $80 million contract with the Bulls after they missed out on the Lebron-Wade-Bosh trio (just like everyone else). . . and then proceeded to trip over some luggage or something and now he's out for two months. Even if he was healthy, Boozer is still a small power forward who has famously disappeared from important games (mostly against the Lakers).
The Bulls continued their efforts of signing every Jazz player from Utah when they also brought in shooting guard Ronnie Brewer and sharp-shooter Kyle Korver. This is of course an addition to the already-present Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, who everyone feels is the greatest thing since sliced bread. This is what I mean by overrated. Rose is another of those point guards of the next generation who forgets from time-to-time that a point guard is supposed to create opportunities for other players and run an offense. Yes, it's fine to be able to create your own shot, and of course you should be a threat to score. But when your priorities as the PG are "drive-shoot-pass" then I'm not as confident in your team-leading abilities.
They have nice pieces in addition to these five. Taj Gibson showed flashes last year (but didn't they have the same thing in Tyrus Thomas?) and Luol Deng is still Luol Deng. Which means very little actually. Deng might be the least intimidating player in the NBA next to Brian Scalabrine (who the Bulls also signed!). I'm just not ready to claim them as the second best team in the East yet just because they signed Boozer and they have Rose and Noah. They'll be a contender, but they're not in the upper echelon just yet.
Prediction: 45-37, 2nd in division, 5th in conference, first round exit
3. INDIANA PACERS (LY: 32-50, 4th in division, 10th in conference, no playoffs)
This is the year.
Each of the last two seasons I have picked the Pacers to finish in the 8th and final playoff spot and both years so far they've come just short (9th in 2008-09, 10th last year). Not this time. They're getting the 8th spot.
The Pacers have a nice young nucleus with UCLA alum Darren Collison (acquired from the Hornets. . . fantasy sleeper alert!), Mike Dunleavy (you know, except for the fact that his dad's genes are inside of him), Roy Hibbert (due for a breakout big-man year), and of course all-star Danny Granger. I like the awkward white guy volume on this team for comedic purposes only (in addition to Dunleavy, they also feature Jeff Foster, Josh McRoberts and Tyler Hansbrough). And in addition to getting their PG of the future in Collison in a trade that sent veteran big-man Troy Murphy out to the Nets, they also got James Posey, who can help show these young guns a thing or two about winning.
C'mon Pacers! Let's stop proving me wrong! I don't ask for much from you. . .
Prediction: 40-42, 3rd in division, 8th in conference, swept by the Cheat in the first round
4. DETROIT PISTONS (LY: 27-55, 5th in division, 12th in conference, no playoffs)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Gone are the days of four all stars. Gone are the days of playoff basketball in Detroit and everyone being able to actually enjoy the "De-troit bas-ket-ball" chant after a turnover. Gone is hope at all for anything good in the Motor City.
This is just an oddly constructed team. There are scorers all over the place in Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton, and Charlie Villanueva. Their PG, Rodney Stuckey, suffers from the same delusions that Derrick Rose does in that he thinks passing is a bad thing. And then there's the leftovers from their mid 2000s, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace, both of whom are shells of their former selves (Wallace more than Prince, though). You know what, I feel bad. Here Pistons fans. This should make you feel better:
Best. Block. Ever.
But like I said, those days are gone. They have talent, but it's a weird mix that doesn't work and I didn't even mention the fact that they have Tracy McGrady. Yes, THAT Tracy McGrady. Oh, man. . .
Prediction: 32-50, 4th in division, 11th in conference, still no playoffs
5. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (LY: 61-21, 1st in division and conference, epic collapse against Boston in round 2)
I really just feel bad. The sports gods clearly hate Cleveland. And I'm not going to pour salt into that gaping wound.
The Cavs are bad. Very bad. I know this. You know this. Cleveland knows this.
End of story.
Prediction: 19-63, last in division, 14th in conference, only important when they play Miami.
- - - -
Last year saw another dominant performance by the Cleveland Lebrons as they won this division by a whopping 15 games! But as you might have heard, "The Man Who Could Be King (but will probably choose to be co-King instead)" took his talents or whatever to South Beach and now this division is wide open. Well, except for the Cavs. They're done. Let's get it started with. . .
1. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (LY: 46-36, 2nd in division, 6th in conference, first round exit)
Ok, George. I see your Memphis Grizzlies and raise you a Milwaukee Bucks. . . Fear the DEER!!
This was an average team last year that over-achieved. This year, they take that formula, mix in some herbs and spices, and hopefully avoid blowing up the laboratory.
The Bucks made a couple sneaky additions this off-season. They added NBA whore (no, not you Meg Whitman) Drew Gooden, veteran scoring-only forward Corey Maggette, and utility swing-man Chris Douglas-Roberts. They also re-signed John Salmons who provided the team with a huge punch last year and carried a lot of that offense after Michael Redd's body failed him yet again.
They also get big-man Andrew Bogut back after last season's freak injury and have another year of Brandon Jennings, the point guard sensation from last year. Wait, what? You're saying he only had a couple spectacular games and only an average season? Hmm. I thought everyone was saying he was the second coming of Isaiah Thomas. Guess I was wrong. But even with a bit of improvement, he will continue to be an interesting piece to this bizarre, star-less puzzle.
This pick is more of a lack of confidence in the Bulls (more on this in a second) then a huge amount of confidence in the Bucks, but I do think that Scott Skiles has a productive way of getting what he wants out of his teams and they are a fantastic antithesis (that's two straight posts where that word has been used - you just can't get that type of vocab anywhere else!) to the Miami Cheat in that there isn't a big name to be found on this squad, but they have the potential to get it done!
Prediction: 48-34, 1st in division, 3rd in conference (because of the division champion-top 3 rule), second round exit
2. CHICAGO BULLS (LY: 41-41, 3rd in division, 8th in conference, out in first round)
I think what we have here is a case of Overrateditis (sound it out).
Let's start with their "big" off-season pickup of forward Carlos Boozer. The former Jazz under-achiever signed an $80 million contract with the Bulls after they missed out on the Lebron-Wade-Bosh trio (just like everyone else). . . and then proceeded to trip over some luggage or something and now he's out for two months. Even if he was healthy, Boozer is still a small power forward who has famously disappeared from important games (mostly against the Lakers).
The Bulls continued their efforts of signing every Jazz player from Utah when they also brought in shooting guard Ronnie Brewer and sharp-shooter Kyle Korver. This is of course an addition to the already-present Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, who everyone feels is the greatest thing since sliced bread. This is what I mean by overrated. Rose is another of those point guards of the next generation who forgets from time-to-time that a point guard is supposed to create opportunities for other players and run an offense. Yes, it's fine to be able to create your own shot, and of course you should be a threat to score. But when your priorities as the PG are "drive-shoot-pass" then I'm not as confident in your team-leading abilities.
They have nice pieces in addition to these five. Taj Gibson showed flashes last year (but didn't they have the same thing in Tyrus Thomas?) and Luol Deng is still Luol Deng. Which means very little actually. Deng might be the least intimidating player in the NBA next to Brian Scalabrine (who the Bulls also signed!). I'm just not ready to claim them as the second best team in the East yet just because they signed Boozer and they have Rose and Noah. They'll be a contender, but they're not in the upper echelon just yet.
Prediction: 45-37, 2nd in division, 5th in conference, first round exit
3. INDIANA PACERS (LY: 32-50, 4th in division, 10th in conference, no playoffs)
This is the year.
Each of the last two seasons I have picked the Pacers to finish in the 8th and final playoff spot and both years so far they've come just short (9th in 2008-09, 10th last year). Not this time. They're getting the 8th spot.
The Pacers have a nice young nucleus with UCLA alum Darren Collison (acquired from the Hornets. . . fantasy sleeper alert!), Mike Dunleavy (you know, except for the fact that his dad's genes are inside of him), Roy Hibbert (due for a breakout big-man year), and of course all-star Danny Granger. I like the awkward white guy volume on this team for comedic purposes only (in addition to Dunleavy, they also feature Jeff Foster, Josh McRoberts and Tyler Hansbrough). And in addition to getting their PG of the future in Collison in a trade that sent veteran big-man Troy Murphy out to the Nets, they also got James Posey, who can help show these young guns a thing or two about winning.
C'mon Pacers! Let's stop proving me wrong! I don't ask for much from you. . .
Prediction: 40-42, 3rd in division, 8th in conference, swept by the Cheat in the first round
4. DETROIT PISTONS (LY: 27-55, 5th in division, 12th in conference, no playoffs)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Gone are the days of four all stars. Gone are the days of playoff basketball in Detroit and everyone being able to actually enjoy the "De-troit bas-ket-ball" chant after a turnover. Gone is hope at all for anything good in the Motor City.
This is just an oddly constructed team. There are scorers all over the place in Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton, and Charlie Villanueva. Their PG, Rodney Stuckey, suffers from the same delusions that Derrick Rose does in that he thinks passing is a bad thing. And then there's the leftovers from their mid 2000s, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace, both of whom are shells of their former selves (Wallace more than Prince, though). You know what, I feel bad. Here Pistons fans. This should make you feel better:
Best. Block. Ever.
But like I said, those days are gone. They have talent, but it's a weird mix that doesn't work and I didn't even mention the fact that they have Tracy McGrady. Yes, THAT Tracy McGrady. Oh, man. . .
Prediction: 32-50, 4th in division, 11th in conference, still no playoffs
5. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (LY: 61-21, 1st in division and conference, epic collapse against Boston in round 2)
I really just feel bad. The sports gods clearly hate Cleveland. And I'm not going to pour salt into that gaping wound.
The Cavs are bad. Very bad. I know this. You know this. Cleveland knows this.
End of story.
Prediction: 19-63, last in division, 14th in conference, only important when they play Miami.
- - - -
Thursday, October 21, 2010
2010-2011 Season Preview: Atlantic Division
Have you ever heard the phrase, "If it bleeds, it leads" when related to journalism? It's a pretty self-explanatory saying that helps editors decide what stories head to the front page. In the (begin Mark Schlereth impression) National Basketball Association, there is one division above all others that would be considered wounded and bleeding, and that is the Atlantic Division.
Led by the seventeen-time champion Boston Celtics, the Atlantic contains no more than two playoff teams (and in my opinion, just like last season, that would be stretching it). It's kind of like the NFC West of the NBA, except there actually is a good team in this division. So let's start with them. . .
1. BOSTON CELTICS (LY: 50-32, 1st in the division, 4th in the Conference, lost in NBA Finals)
The old just keep getting older, as it were.
Future Hall-of-Famers Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce welcome in "The Big Veteran's Minimum" Shaquille O'Neal to their starting five, alongside officially overrated Rajon Rondo. Now, don't get me wrong. Rondo is a talented point guard who does a lot of little things and has really come into his own the last couple seasons. But when you can dare him into shooting a 17-foot jump shot and/or foul him and put him on the free throw line, his impact diminishes greatly. He's not going to take over a game, so to speak, because he'd have to get to the hole every time down the floor, and eventually some big man is going to put him on his ass and make him hit two freebies. And he'll miss them.
Other notable additions to the Celtics include always-injured Jermaine O'Neal and Lebron's potential step-father Delonte West (and if you don't get that joke, then you need to go to this link). They still have the fire-crackers Glen Davis and Nate Robinson off the bench and once Kendrick Perkins gets back from his knee surgery rehabilitation (he is out for the first several months of the season), they'll have a very large lineup that can come in and dominate the paint. I'm still not sure that's going to make the difference for them, but they will provide a fantastic match-up problem for the Miami Cheat, though, since they have next-to-no size except for Big Z (and don't you dare say Chris Bosh - he is just as soft as Pau Gasol. . . yeah, I said it!).
The Celtics will still be there in the late rounds of the playoffs simply because of the heart of their Big Three, the continued emergence of a scrappy point guard with (cue Mike Breen) enormous hands, and a veteran savvy that always equals a few playoff wins. They will be title contenders, but their regular season will probably match last season's laziness step-for-step. Doc Rivers better thank his lucky stars that his division is as crappy as it is.
Prediction: 52-30, 1st in Division, 4th in Conference, second round exit)
2. NEW YORK KNICKS (LY: 29-53, 3rd in Division, 11th in Conference, no playoffs)
I feel like the Knicks fans should be wearing one of those shirts you always see little kids wearing after their grandparents went on a trip to Hawaii or something: "My grandparents went to Hawaii and all I got was this t-shirt". The difference would be theirs would say something like "I went through years of sub-par seasons, torturous tanking, and catastrophic contracts and all I got was Amare Stoudemire". You know, something like that.
As a SUNS fan, I can vouch for Amare's abilities. He is an incredible athlete who is dynamic in ways only a few players in the NBA are. However, he is injury-plagued (although not as bad as your Andrew Bynum's and Greg Oden's of the world) and a six-year contract on those knees may not have been the best idea. I hope for the best with him, I really do. He grew up over the last few years, undoubtedly because of the influence of veterans like Steve Nash and Grant Hill showing him the ropes.
But. . . now he is the veteran influence on his team, which features streaky shooter Danilo Gallinari, "point guard" Raymond Felton (I put that in quotes because I think he's terrible - in fact, I might even put the word "player" in quotes as well to describe him. . .), and athletic freak Anthony Randolph, who the Knicks got in their trading of star David Lee.
This roster is not a good one as currently constructed. Amare will regret leaving the comfort of the Nash pick-and-roll after Felton throws a couple passes into the fourth row of Madison Square Garden. Young guys like Wilson Chandler and Kelenna Azubuike (who they also got in that Warriors trade) are also a bit streaky and can single-handedly win the Knicks a few games. . . but that's about all they'll get.
The only IF with this team is the Carmelo IF. If they can convince Denver to take Galo, stiff-as-a-board Eddy Curry, and something else in return for one of the most automatic scorers in the league, then they are officially playoff-bound. But they're still not dangerous. They'd literally only have two guys at that point and one of them is a beast of an athlete power forward who manages to get about 7 rebounds a game. Trust me. This team is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Prediction: 38-44, 2nd in Division, 10th in Conference, no playoffs. . . again
3. NEW JERSEY NETS (LY: 12-70, 5th in Division, Last in Conference, one of the worst records in NBA history)
Anything will be better than last year.
The Nets were an absolute embarrassment last season. I'd say the two highlights of their season was that Devin Harris shot from half-court to beat the 76ers and the emergence of Brook Lopez. A fantasy basketball stud, Lopez proved himself last year to be on the short-list of centers in the NBA actually worth having on your team. He's young and seems willing to work hard and this could prove to be a big deal for years to come for the Brooklyn. . . I mean, New Jersey Nets.
So the Nets had the third pick and took Georgia Tech "big-man" Derrick Favors who is listed at 6'10'' but doesn't seem to always play that way. I think he will be a decent NBA player but I think not drafting slightly-crazy DeMarcus Cousins is going to come back and haunt them.
Devin Harris is still there (for now) and beyond that, the Nets don't have a lot going for them. They traded for Troy Murphy (nice!) only to have him get hurt in the off-season and be listed as being out "indefinitely" which is the nice way of saying "Don't count on it". Swingman Travis Outlaw will get some good minutes and produce a little bit and point guard Jordan Farmar might be able to show his stuff, especially if Harris gets traded before the deadline. But these things are not huge deals and the Nets are still definitely a few years away from making any run at the playoffs. They're bad. And losing out on all the free agents this past summer was just a kick to the groin to an already bloodied-nose and black-eyed weakling.
Prediction: 26-56, 3th in Division, 12th in Conference, no playoffs
4. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (LY: 27-55, 4th in Division, 13th in Conference)
Doug Collins will immediately regret his decision to come coach this team.
When you look at this roster, you just really have to scratch your head. They are giving over $40 million this season to these four players: Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, Andres Nocioni, and Jason Kapono. Oh, man.
What's interesting is that they have some nice young talent. Point guard Jrue Holiday is playing really well so far this preseason, center Marreese Speights could potentially be a double-double machine (you know, once Brand gets hurt for the 100th time) and Spencer Hawes just works hard in the post.
They also drafted Evan Turner. Turner was an absolutely amazing college player at Ohio State. However, so far at least, his skill set is not translating to success in the NBA. He has had a rocky start and is already getting "bust" buzz. Never a good thing. Throw in the fact that he basically plays the same position as their "star" in Iguodala and it's a real shame. It just seems to me that the 76ers are on a long, winding road downhill that takes them nowhere but further down the standings in the East.
Prediction: 23-59, 4th in Division, 13th in Conference, no sight of the playoffs
5. TORONTO RAPTORS (LY: 40-42, 2nd in Division, 9th in Conference, one game out of the playoffs)
No wonder Chris Bosh wanted out so badly.
In my post a few weeks back that gave some early standings predictions, I had this to say about the Raptors: "Name me 3 Raptors. Do it! I dare you! (Ok, you can: Bargnani, Calderon, Jack. . . but when Jarrett Jack is your third "named" player, you're bad)". . .
And I stand by it. This is a bad bad team. Their oldest player is 30. Leandro Barbosa (who I love - the Brazilian Blur will always be a fan-favorite in PHX) will get quality minutes and while that used to be an ok thing, well, it's just not the same anymore. Players like Sonny Weems, Julian Wright, Reggie Evans, Amir Johnson, and Linas Kleiza are going to be contributing to the efforts in Toronto. Are you afraid at all by these names if you're preparing to face them? Let me help you: no.
In any other division, Philadelphia and New Jersey would be the easy choice for the last spot. However, in the Atlantic, the Raptors are by far the worst and may even challenge last year's Nets' record of 12-70. I'm sure that's not quite the challenging that they had in mind up in Toronto, but it's all they really have at this point. Go Leafs!
Oh. . . and THIS. No team can come back from that.
Prediction: 16-66, last in Division and Conference, best chance at the 1st pick in the next draft
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
So there you have it. . . the Atlantic Division. George will be taking the Western Conference duties and I will be back over the next couple days with the other two divisions in the East. This will all lead into the first day of the season, next Tuesday, or as I like to call it, the "Greatest Day of the Year".
Until later,
JUSTIN
Led by the seventeen-time champion Boston Celtics, the Atlantic contains no more than two playoff teams (and in my opinion, just like last season, that would be stretching it). It's kind of like the NFC West of the NBA, except there actually is a good team in this division. So let's start with them. . .
1. BOSTON CELTICS (LY: 50-32, 1st in the division, 4th in the Conference, lost in NBA Finals)
The old just keep getting older, as it were.
Future Hall-of-Famers Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce welcome in "The Big Veteran's Minimum" Shaquille O'Neal to their starting five, alongside officially overrated Rajon Rondo. Now, don't get me wrong. Rondo is a talented point guard who does a lot of little things and has really come into his own the last couple seasons. But when you can dare him into shooting a 17-foot jump shot and/or foul him and put him on the free throw line, his impact diminishes greatly. He's not going to take over a game, so to speak, because he'd have to get to the hole every time down the floor, and eventually some big man is going to put him on his ass and make him hit two freebies. And he'll miss them.
Other notable additions to the Celtics include always-injured Jermaine O'Neal and Lebron's potential step-father Delonte West (and if you don't get that joke, then you need to go to this link). They still have the fire-crackers Glen Davis and Nate Robinson off the bench and once Kendrick Perkins gets back from his knee surgery rehabilitation (he is out for the first several months of the season), they'll have a very large lineup that can come in and dominate the paint. I'm still not sure that's going to make the difference for them, but they will provide a fantastic match-up problem for the Miami Cheat, though, since they have next-to-no size except for Big Z (and don't you dare say Chris Bosh - he is just as soft as Pau Gasol. . . yeah, I said it!).
The Celtics will still be there in the late rounds of the playoffs simply because of the heart of their Big Three, the continued emergence of a scrappy point guard with (cue Mike Breen) enormous hands, and a veteran savvy that always equals a few playoff wins. They will be title contenders, but their regular season will probably match last season's laziness step-for-step. Doc Rivers better thank his lucky stars that his division is as crappy as it is.
Prediction: 52-30, 1st in Division, 4th in Conference, second round exit)
2. NEW YORK KNICKS (LY: 29-53, 3rd in Division, 11th in Conference, no playoffs)
I feel like the Knicks fans should be wearing one of those shirts you always see little kids wearing after their grandparents went on a trip to Hawaii or something: "My grandparents went to Hawaii and all I got was this t-shirt". The difference would be theirs would say something like "I went through years of sub-par seasons, torturous tanking, and catastrophic contracts and all I got was Amare Stoudemire". You know, something like that.
As a SUNS fan, I can vouch for Amare's abilities. He is an incredible athlete who is dynamic in ways only a few players in the NBA are. However, he is injury-plagued (although not as bad as your Andrew Bynum's and Greg Oden's of the world) and a six-year contract on those knees may not have been the best idea. I hope for the best with him, I really do. He grew up over the last few years, undoubtedly because of the influence of veterans like Steve Nash and Grant Hill showing him the ropes.
But. . . now he is the veteran influence on his team, which features streaky shooter Danilo Gallinari, "point guard" Raymond Felton (I put that in quotes because I think he's terrible - in fact, I might even put the word "player" in quotes as well to describe him. . .), and athletic freak Anthony Randolph, who the Knicks got in their trading of star David Lee.
This roster is not a good one as currently constructed. Amare will regret leaving the comfort of the Nash pick-and-roll after Felton throws a couple passes into the fourth row of Madison Square Garden. Young guys like Wilson Chandler and Kelenna Azubuike (who they also got in that Warriors trade) are also a bit streaky and can single-handedly win the Knicks a few games. . . but that's about all they'll get.
The only IF with this team is the Carmelo IF. If they can convince Denver to take Galo, stiff-as-a-board Eddy Curry, and something else in return for one of the most automatic scorers in the league, then they are officially playoff-bound. But they're still not dangerous. They'd literally only have two guys at that point and one of them is a beast of an athlete power forward who manages to get about 7 rebounds a game. Trust me. This team is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Prediction: 38-44, 2nd in Division, 10th in Conference, no playoffs. . . again
3. NEW JERSEY NETS (LY: 12-70, 5th in Division, Last in Conference, one of the worst records in NBA history)
Anything will be better than last year.
The Nets were an absolute embarrassment last season. I'd say the two highlights of their season was that Devin Harris shot from half-court to beat the 76ers and the emergence of Brook Lopez. A fantasy basketball stud, Lopez proved himself last year to be on the short-list of centers in the NBA actually worth having on your team. He's young and seems willing to work hard and this could prove to be a big deal for years to come for the Brooklyn. . . I mean, New Jersey Nets.
So the Nets had the third pick and took Georgia Tech "big-man" Derrick Favors who is listed at 6'10'' but doesn't seem to always play that way. I think he will be a decent NBA player but I think not drafting slightly-crazy DeMarcus Cousins is going to come back and haunt them.
Devin Harris is still there (for now) and beyond that, the Nets don't have a lot going for them. They traded for Troy Murphy (nice!) only to have him get hurt in the off-season and be listed as being out "indefinitely" which is the nice way of saying "Don't count on it". Swingman Travis Outlaw will get some good minutes and produce a little bit and point guard Jordan Farmar might be able to show his stuff, especially if Harris gets traded before the deadline. But these things are not huge deals and the Nets are still definitely a few years away from making any run at the playoffs. They're bad. And losing out on all the free agents this past summer was just a kick to the groin to an already bloodied-nose and black-eyed weakling.
Prediction: 26-56, 3th in Division, 12th in Conference, no playoffs
4. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (LY: 27-55, 4th in Division, 13th in Conference)
Doug Collins will immediately regret his decision to come coach this team.
When you look at this roster, you just really have to scratch your head. They are giving over $40 million this season to these four players: Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, Andres Nocioni, and Jason Kapono. Oh, man.
What's interesting is that they have some nice young talent. Point guard Jrue Holiday is playing really well so far this preseason, center Marreese Speights could potentially be a double-double machine (you know, once Brand gets hurt for the 100th time) and Spencer Hawes just works hard in the post.
They also drafted Evan Turner. Turner was an absolutely amazing college player at Ohio State. However, so far at least, his skill set is not translating to success in the NBA. He has had a rocky start and is already getting "bust" buzz. Never a good thing. Throw in the fact that he basically plays the same position as their "star" in Iguodala and it's a real shame. It just seems to me that the 76ers are on a long, winding road downhill that takes them nowhere but further down the standings in the East.
Prediction: 23-59, 4th in Division, 13th in Conference, no sight of the playoffs
5. TORONTO RAPTORS (LY: 40-42, 2nd in Division, 9th in Conference, one game out of the playoffs)
No wonder Chris Bosh wanted out so badly.
In my post a few weeks back that gave some early standings predictions, I had this to say about the Raptors: "Name me 3 Raptors. Do it! I dare you! (Ok, you can: Bargnani, Calderon, Jack. . . but when Jarrett Jack is your third "named" player, you're bad)". . .
And I stand by it. This is a bad bad team. Their oldest player is 30. Leandro Barbosa (who I love - the Brazilian Blur will always be a fan-favorite in PHX) will get quality minutes and while that used to be an ok thing, well, it's just not the same anymore. Players like Sonny Weems, Julian Wright, Reggie Evans, Amir Johnson, and Linas Kleiza are going to be contributing to the efforts in Toronto. Are you afraid at all by these names if you're preparing to face them? Let me help you: no.
In any other division, Philadelphia and New Jersey would be the easy choice for the last spot. However, in the Atlantic, the Raptors are by far the worst and may even challenge last year's Nets' record of 12-70. I'm sure that's not quite the challenging that they had in mind up in Toronto, but it's all they really have at this point. Go Leafs!
Oh. . . and THIS. No team can come back from that.
Prediction: 16-66, last in Division and Conference, best chance at the 1st pick in the next draft
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
So there you have it. . . the Atlantic Division. George will be taking the Western Conference duties and I will be back over the next couple days with the other two divisions in the East. This will all lead into the first day of the season, next Tuesday, or as I like to call it, the "Greatest Day of the Year".
Until later,
JUSTIN
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