Dallas maybe, but not Detroit. They've still got one of the best rosters in the league and the only glaring deficiency is probably at C since Wallace doesn't look too natural at that spot and it creates a hole in PF as well with undersized McDyess and Maxiell. I expect them to land a tall big to make the roster set because it'd be stupid to break that up when all you need is one piece.
Especially out eat where the Celtics are old and probably only a threat this year and next, and the only other teams that look to be doing anything are Cleveland and Orlando. With such small competition, you might as well keep the team together as long as you can and try to get yourself at least one more ring until the wheels fall off. As for the Mavericks, they need to blow it up. The problem for them is that Dirk is at that place where if they trade him, they won't get true value in return, so they have to hold on to him. But holding on to him will hinder what the team can do going forward. It really is a quandry for them
How long have you been following the saga? This has been going on far before Deshawn Stevenson called LeBron overrated (which he is -- great player, but certainly overrated). He's already said that LeBron said some nasty things to him which provoked his remark, nasty enough that he'd rather not repeat it within the media. And lol @ the second comment. I'm going to take that as a joke.
Exactly. Dirk is in the Kobe problem now. If he realistically looks around at his team, he will notice that the talent around him simply isn't what it used to be and will never win a championship. Dallas would be smart to jettison some of those contracts and try to rebuild through the drfat (much like L.A. has done with Bynum, Walton, Turiaf, Farmar and Vujacic) than to hold on old timers like Kidd and wallow in mediocrity.
Thats to be determined. Wade has to stay healthy which is proving hard for him recently and some chips have to fall their way. I don't know much about their current coaching situation either with Riley leaving. Even if things break the right way for Miami and they are a threat, that still doesn't leave that many teams for Detroit to have to go through for a shot at the finals. The West is still the monster conference and should be for some time going forward. I am willing to wait and see with them though, but I think that they are probably closer to TWO years away from competing realistically, than one. Heck, I consider Washington to be a better team than them going forward and I purposely left them out of the equation.
Our new coach is a guy that has been Riley's groomed succesor Eric Spoelstra. Wade has had one major injury in his career. To say that he has been unhealthy lately is a bit of a misnomer. He was recovering this year from his one major injury and he missed hte last month of the season by choice. So he would have played 70+ games this year. I think we are back to a 4th seed and a threat to oust anybody int he playoffs. I see us as a Championship contender in 2010.
Orlando could be a major player in the East (not really that hard to do though). Detroit I think could pretty much keep things the way they are for the next 4-5 years. They've got a great young core and their "elders" can last for some time. I think they'll be the team to beat in the East for years to come. Mavs should just admit Kidd was a mistake and drop him fast. I don't expect Dirk to leave but the rest should be.
Fair enough, you know more about the Heat than I do. 2010 is where I had them too if things go their way.
Dallas has some talent on that team, but I think Cuban has made some boneheaded decisions which will hamper them going forward. They were a better team without Kidd in my opinion, much like Phoenix was without Shaq. Why did both of those trades happen? Because they were reactionary trades to the Lakers trade and NOT with what was best for their own team needs. If the Pau trade never happens, do you think PHoenix trades for Shaq? I doubt it. Dallas had rumors of a Kidd deal for weeks, but it didn't happen until WELL after the Gasol trade and they gave up a great young player to get him. Why? because they felt it better to keep up with the jones's than to secure their own well being first. Sucks to be them I guess. Going forward, the west should still be a dominant conference, just with a changing of who is dominant. I believe in the Hornets and think the Trailblazers will be monsters going forward. I also like the makeup of Utah as a strong team (although probably not a TRUE title contender) and of course, the Lakers with Bynum, Bryant and Gasol (and Lamar). The Spurs and Suns I expect to take a step back but still dangerous and Dallas and Golden State I can see regressing big time. The wildcard is Houston in my opinion. If they can add an actual #3 player to their mix and keep Yao and McGrady healthy, I think they can be good.
The smart thing to do would be to have Terry start at PG and put Kidd at SG. Minimizes Kidd's slow feet and lack of shooting touch. Then they should really bolster the bench in terms of PG's. I dunno if Houston will ever get McGrady and Yao healthy throughout a season and together. I like the Gasol trade because it not only makes us an instant contender right now, but allows us to remain a contender for a very long time. Bynum, Bryant, Gasol, and Odom have at least 3-5 years of great production and it's not unreasonable to think even further.
He also shoots poorly from the 3 point line and is a 72% free throw shooter. Not exactly fantastic. Plus he is in the East and has yet to win anything yet. Considering he has been touted as the greatest player ever already in some circles, me thinks he is a tad overrated at this point. Great player. Awesome player, but overrated? I tend to lean towards yes.
Indeed, especially when people try to compare him to Jordan. He's not anywhere close to Jordan. You wanna be like Mike, play better D, shoot better from 3 pt and FT ranges, and compete in a Dunk contest. If Dwight Howard can do it, why can't James.
Honestly? Because I think he is afraid to fail. Which is a tell tale sign that he isn't in the league of some of the all time greats. If LeBron competes in a dunk contest and doesn't win, then people may start to look at him as inferior. I honestly think that is how LeBron (and others) think about these things. So instead of going all out, they just don't even try. Which, to me, shows their mental makeup and tells me a lot about who and what they are made of come crunch time.
Indeed. They just don't have the competitive spirit. You compete to win and if you don't, try try again. Besides, LeBron should know the judges will be biased for him anyways.
I could. I don't hate the guy. I actually think he is pretty good. I just refuse to put him in the league of Magic, MJ, Kobe or even D-Wade until he actually does something, anything really. But I will write about him if you like. But first will come my draft weekend extravaganza sometime either tonight or tomorrow (whenever I finish it up).
D-Wade is GLASS Don't put Dwade with Magic, Jordan, or even Kobe. But I think you are right about Lebron. I myself don't think he is anywhere near the player Kobe or Jordan is/was. He has the potential but he needs improvement and I hate to see him get special treatment.
Wow, Hawks are really doing a number on the Celts so far. If they can keep that nucleus together and build on that, they could be a player in the Eastern Conf for years to come.
It's early in the series, but Atlanta's looking like Golden State East right now. Nobody thought they'd win a game in this series and they're looking competitive against the winningest team in the NBA.
Man the Hawks are ROLLING. Boston is playing like crap, their bench isn't helping at all. The Big 3 are dissappearing in the play offs. Pierce kept in the game in the 1st half, Ray Allen got them in the 3rd QT, KG did his damg in the 4th, Pierce gone in the second half. I tell you what we may see Detroit and Celtics gone from the playoffs.
Go Hawks! No not a bandwagon fan, I just can't stand them damn Celtics. Josh Smith btw is ridiculous lol, gotta love his talent. 7 blocks tonight, phew!
So how would Doc Rivers fare if the Celts lost the series? Good for the Hawks, they haven't won squat since Nique was playing. Between the Hawks, Hornets, Cavs and 6ers, there are some fun to watch young teams in the playoffs.
If the Pistons and Celtics lose in the first round, it will be the biggest chokejobs in NBA playoffs history. Oh and you could start engraving the trophy for the Lakers if that happens as well.
Doc Rivers is a horrible coach. I could coach the C's in the regular season and still end with the same amount of wins. He is a horrible playoff coach.
I agree. As for Doc, hes overrated. Some of you may not be familiar with this club but I will compare it to a soccer club in England by the name of Chelsea. They are loaded with talent, all you gotta do is sit back and watch as a coach and your likely to finish 1 or 2 in the standings.
Oh. My. God. Kobe Bryant has officially claimed Denver for his own. They will forever be known as the Denver Kobes. The last four minutes of the fourth quarter Kobe has gone 5 of 6 for 14 points and officially put the foot on the Nuggets throat and squeezed all the breath out of them. If anyonehas any doubt who the MVP is, just re-watch those last four or five minutes and all doubt will be removed. Some of those shots had NO business going in. :wow: Lakers sweep and await their second round opponent.
The rest will be very good and hopefully, Rockets/Jazz can go to 7 because those two just claw each other like crazy.
No. I think the Spurs are too old to go the distance this year. But IF anyone were to get in the way in the West. it would be them. I think the Western Conference Finals is going to be New Orleans and Los Angeles though.
Congrats Orlando!!!!! WooT!!! made easy work of the Raptors. More than I can say for the Smelltics. I'm glad the Celtics have been buying into their own hype. Eat that media up. I hope they don't lose to the weak *** Hawks, because I want to see them deal with Dwight Howard for 7 games. Bosh didn't have the bulk or size to handle Howard, and Garnett doesn't either.
oh, just another 20-20 for Dwight. I'm glad they get to rest up a little bit before they play the winner of the Sixers/Detroit.
the magic get the winner of the pistons and sixers next series... and since the sixers are going to be there and beat orlando, you wont be able to see Howard dominate the Celtics... sorry
