Southwest Division
Atlantic Divison
Central Division
Southeast Division
Pacific Division
Northwest Division
Best division in basketball
1. Dallas Mavericks
What They've Done: Not much for once
Questions: Was Dirk's behavior in the playoffs him finally taking charge, or a sign that he's kind of an asshole? And if it's both, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Where They'll Rank: Oh yeah. Who's crazy. WHO"S CRAZY! That's right, you heard it here. Not only will San Antonio not finish first, they'll finish 3rd!!!!! Call this the bad karma theory. Everything's been going too good for the Spurs plus Dallas and Houston are very good. I'd still
take San Antonio in the playoff series between either, but I would not be surprised to see both pass San Antonio in the regular season. Do not forget that Dallas only lost one more game than them last year and ended the season on a Avery Johnson inspired "defense matters' rampage. I also like that Dallas made no whole-sale changes for once. And by the way, Dirk for MVP!
2. Houston Rockets
What They've Done: Signed Stromile Swift. Traded Mike James for "Skip To My Lou after I lose my shit" Alston. Drafted Luther Head.
Questions: Is it Yaoertime? Will Luther Head be able to contribute?
Where They'll Rank: I'm not sure about the Alston trade, but they are extremely well-coached, Yao is rested, and Swift seems like a great fit. And nice general managering (it is too a verb)! From a team that had two players and spare parts, they now have a plethora of solid players (Sura, Wesley, Howard, Swift, Head...). They also ended last year very strong.
3. San Antonio Spurs
What They've Done: Signed another foreigner who'll probably be great, drafted an unknown foreigner who'll also be great. Signed Van Exel and Finley
Questions: Will Van Exel play nice? Can Tony Parker be more consistent?
Where They'll Rank: Oh, who're you gonna call when I end up being right? Huh? Admittedly, San Antonio looks strong. Besides, you know, winning the championship, they've added nice-guy Finley and a player who can go 0 for 10 and then hit the game winner (Van Exel). This all seems like a very scarily good mixture, but it goes against the less-is-more Spurs mantra and I think it'll hurt them a little. I still pity the fools who draw them in the first round, but I think the regular season will not be the cake walk others are predicting.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
What They've Done: Made a really complicated and bizarre trade. Drafted Warrick. Lost Swift.
Questions: Will Warrick be a steal? Can Posey stay healthy?
Where They'll Rank: Bye bye Jason Williams, Stomile Swift, James Posey, and Bonzi Wells. Hello oft-injured Bobby Jackson, inconsistent Damon Stoudamire, and salary albatross-past-his-prime Eddie Jones. I don't know. Since West is a genious, I'll assume these really bad moves are actually great since the guys who left did seem to be locker room cancers wheras the new ones are nice guys. But does that actually ever work? I know you hear teams say that they're doing that, but I can't think of a time teams did get better when they traded talent for character. Or maybe I've just been living in Portland too long... Anyway, they've got some good team guys and Fratello is amazingly short. Maybe it'll all work somehow.
5. New Orleans Hornets
What They've Done: Signed a Lithuanian whose name I can't spell. Drafted Chris Paul. Traded Magloire for Mason and a #1.
Questions: Who won the Magloire trade? How much will JR Smith develop? Why Oklahoma City?
Where They'll Rank: Although I like the Magliore trade for them (10 ppg center for decent started and pobably a lottery pick), it definitely signals that this is one of those look-at-the-bigger-picture-years. They made no big signings, even though they had the money,
and seem happy to play for the worst record and stockpile draft picks. Still, it is probably the right decision. I like Chris Paul a lot, but he wasn't taking anyone to the playoffs this year. But next year, with a second year Paul, an emerging JR, 2 more lottery picks and a lot of money to spend, who knows?
Central Division
Southeast Division
Pacific Division
Northwest Division
Best division in basketball
1. Dallas Mavericks
What They've Done: Not much for once
Questions: Was Dirk's behavior in the playoffs him finally taking charge, or a sign that he's kind of an asshole? And if it's both, is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Where They'll Rank: Oh yeah. Who's crazy. WHO"S CRAZY! That's right, you heard it here. Not only will San Antonio not finish first, they'll finish 3rd!!!!! Call this the bad karma theory. Everything's been going too good for the Spurs plus Dallas and Houston are very good. I'd still
take San Antonio in the playoff series between either, but I would not be surprised to see both pass San Antonio in the regular season. Do not forget that Dallas only lost one more game than them last year and ended the season on a Avery Johnson inspired "defense matters' rampage. I also like that Dallas made no whole-sale changes for once. And by the way, Dirk for MVP!2. Houston Rockets
What They've Done: Signed Stromile Swift. Traded Mike James for "Skip To My Lou after I lose my shit" Alston. Drafted Luther Head.
Questions: Is it Yaoertime? Will Luther Head be able to contribute?
Where They'll Rank: I'm not sure about the Alston trade, but they are extremely well-coached, Yao is rested, and Swift seems like a great fit. And nice general managering (it is too a verb)! From a team that had two players and spare parts, they now have a plethora of solid players (Sura, Wesley, Howard, Swift, Head...). They also ended last year very strong.
3. San Antonio Spurs
What They've Done: Signed another foreigner who'll probably be great, drafted an unknown foreigner who'll also be great. Signed Van Exel and Finley
Questions: Will Van Exel play nice? Can Tony Parker be more consistent?
Where They'll Rank: Oh, who're you gonna call when I end up being right? Huh? Admittedly, San Antonio looks strong. Besides, you know, winning the championship, they've added nice-guy Finley and a player who can go 0 for 10 and then hit the game winner (Van Exel). This all seems like a very scarily good mixture, but it goes against the less-is-more Spurs mantra and I think it'll hurt them a little. I still pity the fools who draw them in the first round, but I think the regular season will not be the cake walk others are predicting.
4. Memphis Grizzlies
What They've Done: Made a really complicated and bizarre trade. Drafted Warrick. Lost Swift.
Questions: Will Warrick be a steal? Can Posey stay healthy?
Where They'll Rank: Bye bye Jason Williams, Stomile Swift, James Posey, and Bonzi Wells. Hello oft-injured Bobby Jackson, inconsistent Damon Stoudamire, and salary albatross-past-his-prime Eddie Jones. I don't know. Since West is a genious, I'll assume these really bad moves are actually great since the guys who left did seem to be locker room cancers wheras the new ones are nice guys. But does that actually ever work? I know you hear teams say that they're doing that, but I can't think of a time teams did get better when they traded talent for character. Or maybe I've just been living in Portland too long... Anyway, they've got some good team guys and Fratello is amazingly short. Maybe it'll all work somehow.
5. New Orleans Hornets
What They've Done: Signed a Lithuanian whose name I can't spell. Drafted Chris Paul. Traded Magloire for Mason and a #1.
Questions: Who won the Magloire trade? How much will JR Smith develop? Why Oklahoma City?
Where They'll Rank: Although I like the Magliore trade for them (10 ppg center for decent started and pobably a lottery pick), it definitely signals that this is one of those look-at-the-bigger-picture-years. They made no big signings, even though they had the money,
and seem happy to play for the worst record and stockpile draft picks. Still, it is probably the right decision. I like Chris Paul a lot, but he wasn't taking anyone to the playoffs this year. But next year, with a second year Paul, an emerging JR, 2 more lottery picks and a lot of money to spend, who knows?
posted by chuckdaddy2000 at 4:29 pm
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