Just wanted to post a couple quick notes about the upcoming season which looks like a battle of 5-6 teams...yep, blame it on the recession!
Atlanta Hawks: A lot will depend on their defensive efficiency since they are now deeper (i.e. Jamal Crawford) and more experienced. Joe Johnson didn't sign an extension and is poised to hit the crazy FA class of 2010, Josh Smith didn't shoot (not made) a single 3 during this preseason and his FT percentage was bellow 50%. Coach Woodson seems unable to maximize this team's potential but they are a lock for the playoffs.
Boston Celtics: They are my pick for the NBA championship as long as they stay healthy. Rasheed Wallace playing DHoward 1-1 and KG on the weak side eliminate Orlando's advantage plus they match up well with the Lakers. Might need to sign a back up PG since Eddie House is a 2 and Marquis Daniels has played SG/F for his entire career.
Charlotte Bobcats: The team has been up for sale the last months and Larry Brown is known for taking bad teams and leading them to the playoffs but it takes time and this ain't happening this year...
Chicago Bulls: Losing Ben Gordon to free agency might have hurt them but I expect DRose to take over and the rest of the youth do develop. The mix of youth and veterans in their roster will take them to the playoffs but they only seem to be first round bound.
Cleveland Cavaliers: They needed versatile wings but they ended up with Shaq, Anthony Paker and Jamario Moon..Still, they got Lebron who claims to be a year stronger and better but it's hard to envision them taking it all the way; injuries will play a big part on their quest to success.
Dallas Mavericks: On paper they got better (Marion, Gooden, Tim Thomas), Dirk looks better than ever taking the summer off and Rick Carlisle is an established coach.; the bad? Josh Hpward could be out for a few more weeks...Expect BIG things!
Denver Nuggets: Carmelo is probably gonna have his best year in the league and like Sir Charles said he's probably the best pure scorer in the league. They lost some firepower (Kleiza, D.Jones) but J.R. Smith should explode as a starter.
Detroit Pistons: A big question mark; John Kuester (Detroit's fifth coach in nine seasons btw) seems to have abandoned Motown's traditional defense for a more up tempo style,;expect Hamilton or Prince to get traded..
Golden State Warriors: The Dubs once again have turmoil surrounding their season; it all starts up at the top of the organization though so let's just hope for more exciting basketball and less drama.
Houston Rockets: Clearly on a transition season with Yao and T-Mac probably lost for the season; don't expect them to quit though as Rick Adelman has made the playoffs for 17 years except for 2 season with, gues what, the Warriors...
Indiana Pacers: Another team on rebuilding mode, Danny Granger is phenomenal but he's gonna be alone with Lil Dun sidelined..
L.A. Clippers: They made some moves and they should be in the playoffs come season end as long as they stay healthy and develop some chemistry; Blake Griffin is either gonna be the ROY or the second coming of Danny Manning (he injured his knee during the last preseason game).
L.A. Lakers: Questions about the team's chemistry have risen since Ron Ron joined the Lakers show but this is where Zen Master comes in plus, although I hate to admit it ,Kobe is the best leader/player in the game..I can only see Boston preventing them from repeating but it's a long a season so we just have to wait and see.
Memphis Grizzlies: Yes Zach Randolph and AI are a bad fit for the exciting young trio of OJ, Gay and Conley..expect Z-Bo to get into a fight with one of his teammates and AI to be traded, a disaster in the horizon.
Miami Heat: They really haven't upgraded to any position since last year so the pressure is again gonna be on DWade to deliver unless Beasley explodes..Jermaine O'Neal claims to be in top form from his Pacers years just like Beasley said he was going for the MVP award last year..what's wrong in South Beach???
Milwaukee Bucks: Jennings leads the league in turnovers and Michael Redd gets traded for a 2nd rounder..what do you expect after this summer's sellout???
Minnesota Timberwolves: Season doesn't look good with a rookie PG running the team (no it's not Rubio) and Love, Jefferson sidelined at least for the first month but they weren't going to be good even if they were healthy..
New Jersey Nets: Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov reached an agreement to buy 80 percent of the team last week and nearly half of a project to build a new arena in Brooklyn then went on to spend $18757 on Lunch with Six Friends..oh, and for $25K Brook Lopez will come to your house for your birthday party!
New Orleans Hornets: CP3 all alone..Byron Scott is gonna be the first coach getting the axe this season and although he's just a mediocre head coach it's the management that blew it the last couple years.
New York Knicks: Hmmm, now that the Yankees play the Phillies for the world series they should be irrelevant for another month or so..clearly, they are shooting for next year's big FA market so expectations are kinda low..
Oklahoma City Thunder: You gotta love the young nucleus of Durant-Westbrook-Green-Harden but they were afraid to spend during the summer and add some veterans who are known to win in this league; defense has to reach the NBA level, otherwise they will remain a joke.
Orlando Magic: They are deeper and tougher (Bass & Barnes); everybody slept on them last year but they made the NBA Finals and lost only because of inexperience so they are poised to make it back there..
Philadelphia 76ers: New coach (Eddie Jordan) and Elton Brand is back but they will be missing Andre Miller's leadership..
Phoenix Suns: The Nash-Amar'e era is not over but they need to rebuild as this group of players hasn't been able to take it to the next level.
Portland TrailBlazers: High expectations for a team that added Andre Miller (although he won't be a starter); Greg Oden has been playing up to his potential but for some reason they don't look like contenders.
Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans is good, the rest of the team??? ugh
San Antonio Spurs: They are back on track with Manu healthy and a new SF, Richard Jefferson; Tim Duncan will be playing with a knee brace for the season and their starting C is 35y old Antonio McDyess. Sure they will be trouble for the Lakers but I don't see them beating the trio of Gasol-Bynum-Odom..
Toronto Raptors: People expect a big season for them but I'm afraid they will probably miss the playoffs..their roster has "overpaid underachievers" written all over. And hold on, Jay Triano is an NBA head coach???
Utah Jazz: Once again, a solid team with a solid head coach, question is can they make it to the next level? Yes if they stay healthy and figure out the SG position.
Washington Wizards: Arenas needs to become a true leader and the whole team has got to stop the beef with Lebron..It appears that they are cursed as Jamison is out for a few weeks but even if they are healthy they lack the big bodies to compete with the rest of the powerhouses..
Atlanta Hawks: A lot will depend on their defensive efficiency since they are now deeper (i.e. Jamal Crawford) and more experienced. Joe Johnson didn't sign an extension and is poised to hit the crazy FA class of 2010, Josh Smith didn't shoot (not made) a single 3 during this preseason and his FT percentage was bellow 50%. Coach Woodson seems unable to maximize this team's potential but they are a lock for the playoffs. Boston Celtics: They are my pick for the NBA championship as long as they stay healthy. Rasheed Wallace playing DHoward 1-1 and KG on the weak side eliminate Orlando's advantage plus they match up well with the Lakers. Might need to sign a back up PG since Eddie House is a 2 and Marquis Daniels has played SG/F for his entire career. Charlotte Bobcats: The team has been up for sale the last months and Larry Brown is known for taking bad teams and leading them to the playoffs but it takes time and this ain't happening this year... Chicago Bulls: Losing Ben Gordon to free agency might have hurt them but I expect DRose to take over and the rest of the youth do develop. The mix of youth and veterans in their roster will take them to the playoffs but they only seem to be first round bound. Cleveland Cavaliers: They needed versatile wings but they ended up with Shaq, Anthony Paker and Jamario Moon..Still, they got Lebron who claims to be a year stronger and better but it's hard to envision them taking it all the way; injuries will play a big part on their quest to success. Dallas Mavericks: On paper they got better (Marion, Gooden, Tim Thomas), Dirk looks better than ever taking the summer off and Rick Carlisle is an established coach.; the bad? Josh Hpward could be out for a few more weeks...Expect BIG things! Denver Nuggets: Carmelo is probably gonna have his best year in the league and like Sir Charles said he's probably the best pure scorer in the league. They lost some firepower (Kleiza, D.Jones) but J.R. Smith should explode as a starter. Detroit Pistons: A big question mark; John Kuester (Detroit's fifth coach in nine seasons btw) seems to have abandoned Motown's traditional defense for a more up tempo style,;expect Hamilton or Prince to get traded.. Golden State Warriors: The Dubs once again have turmoil surrounding their season; it all starts up at the top of the organization though so let's just hope for more exciting basketball and less drama. Houston Rockets: Clearly on a transition season with Yao and T-Mac probably lost for the season; don't expect them to quit though as Rick Adelman has made the playoffs for 17 years except for 2 season with, gues what, the Warriors... Indiana Pacers: Another team on rebuilding mode, Danny Granger is phenomenal but he's gonna be alone with Lil Dun sidelined.. L.A. Clippers: They made some moves and they should be in the playoffs come season end as long as they stay healthy and develop some chemistry; Blake Griffin is either gonna be the ROY or the second coming of Danny Manning (he injured his knee during the last preseason game). L.A. Lakers: Questions about the team's chemistry have risen since Ron Ron joined the Lakers show but this is where Zen Master comes in plus, although I hate to admit it ,Kobe is the best leader/player in the game..I can only see Boston preventing them from repeating but it's a long a season so we just have to wait and see. Memphis Grizzlies: Yes Zach Randolph and AI are a bad fit for the exciting young trio of OJ, Gay and Conley..expect Z-Bo to get into a fight with one of his teammates and AI to be traded, a disaster in the horizon. Miami Heat: They really haven't upgraded to any position since last year so the pressure is again gonna be on DWade to deliver unless Beasley explodes..Jermaine O'Neal claims to be in top form from his Pacers years just like Beasley said he was going for the MVP award last year..what's wrong in South Beach??? Milwaukee Bucks: Jennings leads the league in turnovers and Michael Redd gets traded for a 2nd rounder..what do you expect after this summer's sellout??? Minnesota Timberwolves: Season doesn't look good with a rookie PG running the team (no it's not Rubio) and Love, Jefferson sidelined at least for the first month but they weren't going to be good even if they were healthy.. New Jersey Nets: Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov reached an agreement to buy 80 percent of the team last week and nearly half of a project to build a new arena in Brooklyn then went on to spend $18757 on Lunch with Six Friends..oh, and for $25K Brook Lopez will come to your house for your birthday party! New Orleans Hornets: CP3 all alone..Byron Scott is gonna be the first coach getting the axe this season and although he's just a mediocre head coach it's the management that blew it the last couple years. New York Knicks: Hmmm, now that the Yankees play the Phillies for the world series they should be irrelevant for another month or so..clearly, they are shooting for next year's big FA market so expectations are kinda low.. Oklahoma City Thunder: You gotta love the young nucleus of Durant-Westbrook-Green-Harden but they were afraid to spend during the summer and add some veterans who are known to win in this league; defense has to reach the NBA level, otherwise they will remain a joke. Orlando Magic: They are deeper and tougher (Bass & Barnes); everybody slept on them last year but they made the NBA Finals and lost only because of inexperience so they are poised to make it back there.. Philadelphia 76ers: New coach (Eddie Jordan) and Elton Brand is back but they will be missing Andre Miller's leadership.. Phoenix Suns: The Nash-Amar'e era is not over but they need to rebuild as this group of players hasn't been able to take it to the next level. Portland TrailBlazers: High expectations for a team that added Andre Miller (although he won't be a starter); Greg Oden has been playing up to his potential but for some reason they don't look like contenders. Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans is good, the rest of the team??? ugh San Antonio Spurs: They are back on track with Manu healthy and a new SF, Richard Jefferson; Tim Duncan will be playing with a knee brace for the season and their starting C is 35y old Antonio McDyess. Sure they will be trouble for the Lakers but I don't see them beating the trio of Gasol-Bynum-Odom.. Toronto Raptors: People expect a big season for them but I'm afraid they will probably miss the playoffs..their roster has "overpaid underachievers" written all over. And hold on, Jay Triano is an NBA head coach??? Utah Jazz: Once again, a solid team with a solid head coach, question is can they make it to the next level? Yes if they stay healthy and figure out the SG position. Washington Wizards: Arenas needs to become a true leader and the whole team has got to stop the beef with Lebron..It appears that they are cursed as Jamison is out for a few weeks but even if they are healthy they lack the big bodies to compete with the rest of the powerhouses..
