Pacific Division Prediction
Atlantic Divison
Central Division
Southeast Division
With the weakening of the Suns and strengthening of the Warriors, this has become a solidly middling division.
1. Phoenix Suns
What They've Done: Traded their draft pick (who ended up being Nate Robinson) and
Quentin Richardson for Kurt Thomas, traded Joe Johnson for Hawks' pick and French Super Star Boris Diaw, signed Brian Grant and Raja Bell.
Questions: Can they keep up their break-neck pace with Thomas? Who's going to hit their 3-pointers? Will Nash have any injury issues?
Where They'll Rank: I think Amare Stoudemire has played a very underrated role in all the bad things that happened to the Suns this summer. I've read he pretty much required not playing center. So in comes Thomas. And Joe Johnson? They didn't want to overpay (smartly) because they knew they'd have to pay Amare. So I think they will be worse, but still good enough with Nash and man-child Amare to win this division.
2. Los Angeles Laker
What They've Done: Traded Chucky and Caron for Kwame. Brought back Chief Big Triangle. Drafted a tall high school project.
Questions: Will Kwame resurrect his career? Can Kobe stage a comeback? And of course, can Kobe and Phil get along?
Where They'll Rank: That's right. Second. You heard it hear. And I hate the Lakers so this is not a sentimental pick. Everyone is just relishing in the Laker's and Kobe's demise and writing them off. Bad idea. As much as I hope I'm wrong, Kobe is an incredible player who just might take revenge on the league this year. And Phil is a great coach. As much as they stunk last year, they also probably would have made the playoffs if Rudy (Phil-lite) had remained as coach, and if Kobe/Lamar had avoided injury. I don't see home court advantage in the first round, but I also pity the team that has to play them then.
3. Sacramento Kings
What They've Done: Lost Bobby Jackson and Darius "Malaria" Songalia, gained Francisco, Bonzi, and Shareef.
Questions: Will Bonzi behave himself? Will this team mesh?
Where They'll Rank: I probably shouldn't second guess Geoff Petrie, but I think prognosticators are overrating his team. His line-up sounds great with Bibby the clutch shooter, Bonzi the talent, Peja the shooter, Shareef the standard, and Miller the defensive stalwart. But
all are limited as well. Bibby has never reached his superstar potential, Bonzi has been a cancer on 2 teams, Peja a choker, Shareef never stunning, and Miller limited offensively. More worryingly for me, is that they aren't like the recent Kings who all fit together into a great team, where every player could score and pass and run. This looks more like a fantasy basketball team. I wouldn't be too surprised if Geoff pulls it off, but right now I see them at 3rd in the division and a non-home court playoff team.
4. Golden State Warriors
What They've Done: Drafted Ike Diogu and Chris Taft.
Questions: Will they keep up their winning ways?
Where They'll Rank: Golden State ended the season on fire after the Baron Davis trade and a lot of people are picking them to be the season's surpise team. I'm not sold. I do not trust Baron for an entire season. He always gets injured and in the West I think they'll need him all year to make the playoffs. Also their biggest problem was rebounding, and although they drafted for it with solid picks, I don't see either remedying the problem this year. Sorry Mullin, but I ain't drinking the Golden State Kool Aid just yet.
5. LA Clippers
What They've Done: Drafted somthing-o-slav, traded Jaric for Sam Cassell, lost Simmons, gained Mobley.
Questions: Will Livingston hold up? Can Dunleavy lead these guys to the playoffs.
Where They'll Rank: I don't think they'll be bad, but that they'll be just a little bit worse than the other teams. Livingston could be the wild card here. He showed some flashes of brilliance last year, but it's hard to imagine him lasting a season and making them a playoff team. Mobley
adds some 3-point shooting, but him and Cassell and Maggette just give me a bad vibe. The Clippers seem to go 1 step forward and 1 step back often in their history and I see them dropping back from their low peak of last year.
Central Division
Southeast Division
With the weakening of the Suns and strengthening of the Warriors, this has become a solidly middling division.
1. Phoenix Suns
What They've Done: Traded their draft pick (who ended up being Nate Robinson) and
Quentin Richardson for Kurt Thomas, traded Joe Johnson for Hawks' pick and French Super Star Boris Diaw, signed Brian Grant and Raja Bell.Questions: Can they keep up their break-neck pace with Thomas? Who's going to hit their 3-pointers? Will Nash have any injury issues?
Where They'll Rank: I think Amare Stoudemire has played a very underrated role in all the bad things that happened to the Suns this summer. I've read he pretty much required not playing center. So in comes Thomas. And Joe Johnson? They didn't want to overpay (smartly) because they knew they'd have to pay Amare. So I think they will be worse, but still good enough with Nash and man-child Amare to win this division.
2. Los Angeles Laker
What They've Done: Traded Chucky and Caron for Kwame. Brought back Chief Big Triangle. Drafted a tall high school project.
Questions: Will Kwame resurrect his career? Can Kobe stage a comeback? And of course, can Kobe and Phil get along?
Where They'll Rank: That's right. Second. You heard it hear. And I hate the Lakers so this is not a sentimental pick. Everyone is just relishing in the Laker's and Kobe's demise and writing them off. Bad idea. As much as I hope I'm wrong, Kobe is an incredible player who just might take revenge on the league this year. And Phil is a great coach. As much as they stunk last year, they also probably would have made the playoffs if Rudy (Phil-lite) had remained as coach, and if Kobe/Lamar had avoided injury. I don't see home court advantage in the first round, but I also pity the team that has to play them then.
3. Sacramento Kings
What They've Done: Lost Bobby Jackson and Darius "Malaria" Songalia, gained Francisco, Bonzi, and Shareef.
Questions: Will Bonzi behave himself? Will this team mesh?
Where They'll Rank: I probably shouldn't second guess Geoff Petrie, but I think prognosticators are overrating his team. His line-up sounds great with Bibby the clutch shooter, Bonzi the talent, Peja the shooter, Shareef the standard, and Miller the defensive stalwart. But
all are limited as well. Bibby has never reached his superstar potential, Bonzi has been a cancer on 2 teams, Peja a choker, Shareef never stunning, and Miller limited offensively. More worryingly for me, is that they aren't like the recent Kings who all fit together into a great team, where every player could score and pass and run. This looks more like a fantasy basketball team. I wouldn't be too surprised if Geoff pulls it off, but right now I see them at 3rd in the division and a non-home court playoff team.4. Golden State Warriors
What They've Done: Drafted Ike Diogu and Chris Taft.
Questions: Will they keep up their winning ways?
Where They'll Rank: Golden State ended the season on fire after the Baron Davis trade and a lot of people are picking them to be the season's surpise team. I'm not sold. I do not trust Baron for an entire season. He always gets injured and in the West I think they'll need him all year to make the playoffs. Also their biggest problem was rebounding, and although they drafted for it with solid picks, I don't see either remedying the problem this year. Sorry Mullin, but I ain't drinking the Golden State Kool Aid just yet.
5. LA Clippers
What They've Done: Drafted somthing-o-slav, traded Jaric for Sam Cassell, lost Simmons, gained Mobley.
Questions: Will Livingston hold up? Can Dunleavy lead these guys to the playoffs.
Where They'll Rank: I don't think they'll be bad, but that they'll be just a little bit worse than the other teams. Livingston could be the wild card here. He showed some flashes of brilliance last year, but it's hard to imagine him lasting a season and making them a playoff team. Mobley
adds some 3-point shooting, but him and Cassell and Maggette just give me a bad vibe. The Clippers seem to go 1 step forward and 1 step back often in their history and I see them dropping back from their low peak of last year.
posted by chuckdaddy2000 at 8:34 pm
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