SacRock, I'm curious as to why you think the Magic will take a step back from 59 to 53 wins. I know pre season never matters, but the Magic are DOMINATING in pre season and beating their teams by an average of 25pts/game w/ their new lineup..Lewis back at SF and Bass/Anderson at PF. If Howard wasn't there, I know they'd never use Lewis at the 4, but now...with Howard still and another big man down low (Bass starting)...I really don't know of a better starting 5 in the NBA. I'd possibly put the Lakers above them..but IMO, it's been the Magic/Lakers as THE teams in the NBA since their NBA Finals matchup.
I don't put much stock in the preseason. Orlando is 7-0, which is nice, but so is Memphis.
With Orlando, I see Jameer Nelson, a solid but unspectacular point guard who can't seem to stay healthy. Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter declined last season, and both aren't getting younger. It's pure speculation, but I can't see both of them holding up for the whole year.
I'm not a Q-Rich fan -- poor defender, chucker. Duhon is OK for what he is -- a floor manager, nothing more. I like Pietrus and Ryan Anderson. IMO the bench is below average -- some solid players but nothing that pops out to me.
Clearly, there is enough talent to win 50+. But I just see them taking a step back this year.
The Boozer injury is a blow to Chicago but when he's back, I like that team.
Originally posted by rigs49: Phuck the Lakers!! And LA the Kings are going to surprise you and alot of people.
Heat over the Spurs in the finals.
Wouldn't surprise me. I love the Evans/Cousins combo. Can't believe you guys got them with the 4th and 5th picks in back to back drafts.
I just think that the real leap into playoff contention is going to happen next year, but it's gonna happen. There's definitely a chance they're a year ahead of where I think they are though, no doubt. They have the brightest future of the teams that didn't make the playoffs last year, IMO.
I'd be really surprised if they contracted. And if they did, they should start with Memphis. The Kings need a new arena, not to be contracted.
The Hornets should be contracted - if only so the Suns can land Chris Paul and continue our run of incredible point guards and no dominant big men with which to team.
at least you got rid of Amare. He seriously will never win any championship anywhere ever.
Originally posted by SacRock14: I don't put much stock in the preseason. Orlando is 7-0, which is nice, but so is Memphis.
With Orlando, I see Jameer Nelson, a solid but unspectacular point guard who can't seem to stay healthy. Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter declined last season, and both aren't getting younger. It's pure speculation, but I can't see both of them holding up for the whole year.
I'm not a Q-Rich fan -- poor defender, chucker. Duhon is OK for what he is -- a floor manager, nothing more. I like Pietrus and Ryan Anderson. IMO the bench is below average -- some solid players but nothing that pops out to me.
Clearly, there is enough talent to win 50+. But I just see them taking a step back this year.
The Boozer injury is a blow to Chicago but when he's back, I like that team.
First off, Redick, Anderson, Gortat would start for most teams...so starting there alone I don't understand. We arguably had the best bench in the NBA last year (Lakers) again...and Q-Rich fits perfectly in our system. Only downfall to him is he isn't AS good of a defender as Barnes. Outside of that, um..Redick had talks of STARTING over Vince Carter this year if Carter didn't step up..but now Carter has had a full season in our system and has been pretty damn good so far. Finding his way to the basket. And don't even get me started on Gortat...I feel so bad for the guy. He's a starting C anywhere else in the NBA. Pretty much ANYWHERE. Jameer's last time he was healthy was a All-Star PG..always been a shoot first PG. And bringing in Chris Duhon brings a change of pace..good assist man. Oh, and yeah..Lewis is going back to his natural position SF..where he last scored 22.4 PPG at. With arguably the best starting lineup in the NBA, and a VERY deep bench (Redick, Anderson, Richardson, Pietrus, Duhon, Gortat, Williams, Orton) I just do NOT understand how the Bulls with Boozer starting the season hurt and adjusting to a completely different system is going to out of nowhere pass up Orlando. But, as before...to each their own.
Originally posted by jrg: I'm loving this Heat dick sucking...Gah! Can't wait for the season!
Pssht. How do you think we, the defending back to back champion, Lakers fans feel about it?
Ya..works for both of us ya know? You guys are defending champs...and the Magic and Boston are THAT team in the East...but suddenly because of the "icons" on the Heat suddenly the team to beat? Please. Who is going to defend Dwight Howard on the Heat? Joel Anthony? Ilgauskas? Go ahead..try and put Bosh on him..oh and is Mario Chalmers suddenly going to shut down Nelson? The ONLY teams that worry me as a Magic fan are the Lakers and Celtics..more so the Lakers. I'm not so sure the Celtics can "keep up" with Orlando. We all know what happens when Shaq comes to a team to "save the day". Just annoying as hell people shoeing in the Heat as the Eastern Conference Champions.
I also think Boston is getting a lot of attention due to the "streak" they had last year at the end of the season. Apparently people forgot about the "streak" when they were losing games to the Nets before that.
Go ahead..try and put Bosh on him..oh and is Mario Chalmers suddenly going to shut down Nelson? The ONLY teams that worry me as a Magic fan are the Lakers and Celtics..more so the Lakers. I'm not so sure the Celtics can "keep up" with Orlando. We all know what happens when Shaq comes to a team to "save the day". Just annoying as hell people shoeing in the Heat as the Eastern Conference Champions.
