Northwest Division Predictions
Atlantic Divison
Central Division
Southeast Division
Pacific Division
Three good teams, two bad teams.
1. Denver Nuggets
What They've Done: Drafted Julius "Podge" Hodge, signed Earl Watson.
Questions: Will Anthony rebound back on to the superstar track? Will they get sick of Karl? Did they sign Watson because they're planning on trading Miller?
Where They'll Rank: Denver didn't do much in the off-season, but if they continue to play like they were at the end of last year, it won't matter. The main issue seems to be whether they'll start to tune out Karl, and it doesn't take a psychic to forsee that he and Carmelo will not be a good long-term match. But it usually takes a few years before Karl begins to grate. for now, they are the team to beat in this division
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
What They've Done: Sprewell left the building. Traded Cassell for Jaric. Drafted McCants
Questions: Will they trade Szczszczerbiak? Can Garnett lead them back to the playoffs?
Where They'll Rank: The Timberwolves always seem to have very uneventful off-seasons (other than 2 years ago), and this year's blockbuster trade of The Human Fetus for Jaric was no different. At least they got to draft this year (although they've alreadyt raded away next year's pick), and Rashard "MeCan"McCants is a risk that might pay off. Nevertheless, other than last year, Garnett and the other guys were enough to get to the playoffs and I see this year being no different. Having one coach for the whole year will add stability, as will the losses of complainers Cassell and Sprewell. I don't see them as contenders, but I do think they'll be a solid playoff team.
3. Seattle Supersonics
What They've Done: Lost Daniels and James. Got a new coach. Resigned Allen.
Questions: Was last year a blip, or are they really contenders now? How much will they miss
Daniel and Jerome "Jesse" James?
Where They'll Rank: In what could have been a terrible offseason, Seattle emerged with limited casualties. They still have a star in Allen and a highly skilled player in Lewis. But losing McMillan and Casey should hurt them. I don't know much about Weiss, but I am aware that he coached the Atlanta Hawks at some point, which is always a bad sign. They also have Fortson already complaining. I think they'll still compete for a playoff spot, but will not rereach the hegiths of their charmedlast season.
4. Utah Jazz
What They've Done: Drafted Deron, traded two former first rounder for the Tagman, and lost Raja "Ring My" Bell.
Questions: Will Deron Williams be better than the other point guards drafted after him? Wil Mehmet break out?
Where They'll Rank: A lot of people are getting excited about Utah's chances this year and I do not see why. I, personally, don't think Deron is going to be that great, but even if he is, it's probably not going to happen this year. He's a rookie at the hardest position to learn. I also think Boozer's going to be this generation's Juwan Howard, a tough solid player who got paid like a superstar and then got crucified for not being one. Besides having the best nickname ever, AK-47 is a huge talent, but seems very injury prone. Maybe Sloan can get this to wok, but I don't see it.
5. Portland Trailblazers
What They've Done: Signed Juan Dixon. Drafted Webster and Jack. Lost Shareef and "Main Man" Damon. Gave Nate McMillan a lot of money.
Questions: When will the rebuilding end? Why are there no vowels in the first 5 letter of Joel Przybilla's name? Will Miles do better as a starter?
Where They'll Rank: This should be a long year. I think Nate was a good choice and that Sebastion has a bright future, but they should be really bad this year. They have virtually no veterans. They can't shoot. And they have 5 small forwards and no half-decent shoot guard options. Also, Zack Randolph is returning from serious surgery on his knee. By the way, could there have been a worse extension ever? Instead of letting him be a RESTRICTED free agent they give him a maz contract. He then goes out and has a mediocre season and gets seriously injured. How much do think they would have had to pay him if they had waited a summer? Anyway, at least the Blazers have a plan now. Unfortunately though, Blazer fans are going to be quickly reminded that rebuilding sounds much better than it actually is (ss Jordan once said, the Cubs have been rebuilding for 90 some years now).
Central Division
Southeast Division
Pacific Division
Three good teams, two bad teams.
1. Denver Nuggets
What They've Done: Drafted Julius "Podge" Hodge, signed Earl Watson.
Questions: Will Anthony rebound back on to the superstar track? Will they get sick of Karl? Did they sign Watson because they're planning on trading Miller?
Where They'll Rank: Denver didn't do much in the off-season, but if they continue to play like they were at the end of last year, it won't matter. The main issue seems to be whether they'll start to tune out Karl, and it doesn't take a psychic to forsee that he and Carmelo will not be a good long-term match. But it usually takes a few years before Karl begins to grate. for now, they are the team to beat in this division2. Minnesota Timberwolves
What They've Done: Sprewell left the building. Traded Cassell for Jaric. Drafted McCants
Questions: Will they trade Szczszczerbiak? Can Garnett lead them back to the playoffs?
Where They'll Rank: The Timberwolves always seem to have very uneventful off-seasons (other than 2 years ago), and this year's blockbuster trade of The Human Fetus for Jaric was no different. At least they got to draft this year (although they've alreadyt raded away next year's pick), and Rashard "MeCan"McCants is a risk that might pay off. Nevertheless, other than last year, Garnett and the other guys were enough to get to the playoffs and I see this year being no different. Having one coach for the whole year will add stability, as will the losses of complainers Cassell and Sprewell. I don't see them as contenders, but I do think they'll be a solid playoff team.
3. Seattle Supersonics
What They've Done: Lost Daniels and James. Got a new coach. Resigned Allen.
Questions: Was last year a blip, or are they really contenders now? How much will they miss
Daniel and Jerome "Jesse" James?Where They'll Rank: In what could have been a terrible offseason, Seattle emerged with limited casualties. They still have a star in Allen and a highly skilled player in Lewis. But losing McMillan and Casey should hurt them. I don't know much about Weiss, but I am aware that he coached the Atlanta Hawks at some point, which is always a bad sign. They also have Fortson already complaining. I think they'll still compete for a playoff spot, but will not rereach the hegiths of their charmedlast season.
4. Utah Jazz
What They've Done: Drafted Deron, traded two former first rounder for the Tagman, and lost Raja "Ring My" Bell.
Questions: Will Deron Williams be better than the other point guards drafted after him? Wil Mehmet break out?
Where They'll Rank: A lot of people are getting excited about Utah's chances this year and I do not see why. I, personally, don't think Deron is going to be that great, but even if he is, it's probably not going to happen this year. He's a rookie at the hardest position to learn. I also think Boozer's going to be this generation's Juwan Howard, a tough solid player who got paid like a superstar and then got crucified for not being one. Besides having the best nickname ever, AK-47 is a huge talent, but seems very injury prone. Maybe Sloan can get this to wok, but I don't see it.
5. Portland Trailblazers
What They've Done: Signed Juan Dixon. Drafted Webster and Jack. Lost Shareef and "Main Man" Damon. Gave Nate McMillan a lot of money.
Questions: When will the rebuilding end? Why are there no vowels in the first 5 letter of Joel Przybilla's name? Will Miles do better as a starter?
Where They'll Rank: This should be a long year. I think Nate was a good choice and that Sebastion has a bright future, but they should be really bad this year. They have virtually no veterans. They can't shoot. And they have 5 small forwards and no half-decent shoot guard options. Also, Zack Randolph is returning from serious surgery on his knee. By the way, could there have been a worse extension ever? Instead of letting him be a RESTRICTED free agent they give him a maz contract. He then goes out and has a mediocre season and gets seriously injured. How much do think they would have had to pay him if they had waited a summer? Anyway, at least the Blazers have a plan now. Unfortunately though, Blazer fans are going to be quickly reminded that rebuilding sounds much better than it actually is (ss Jordan once said, the Cubs have been rebuilding for 90 some years now).
posted by chuckdaddy2000 at 5:20 pm
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