NBA Preview

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15 responses to “NBA Preview”

1. 

   Keith

   October 31, 2006

   Jazz over the Nuggets and the #3 seed?? Wow, showing a lot of faith in Deron Williams and AK47 staying healthy, huh? (that would be great for my fantasy team though!) I could definitely see them making the playoffs, but I think Carmello is going to have a big year, and I don’t see how the Nuggets wouldn’t make the playoffs…or be lower than 5th even. What makes you think they’re going to implode? I still hope the Warriors can find a way to get that 8th seed, but there’s going to be a lot of teams fighting it out for that 7-8 spot, and I don’t think there’s that big a difference between the teams that finish 7-11 or so.

2. 

   RotoScoop

   October 31, 2006

   Well, I don’t see Utah as the third best team in the West, probably more like the 8th, but whoever wins the Northwest division gets the automatic #3 seed….I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Denver came out of that division, but I have a hard time seeing both of them making it over any of the other teams in the West, which is once again ridiculously deep….I agree about Melo, it appears he’s in line to take another step, as he led that USA team…Still, I like the Rockets, Kings and Lakers all better, so Denver finished as my 9 seed. Granted, I could easily be wrong since Denver plays in a far easier division than the other 2, resulting in a better record than a team I foresee as superior…..I like Utah though, asking for AK and Boozer to stay healthy could prove to be too much, but Sloan and D. Williams make them my pick to come out of the Northwest.

   Do you like Denver more than the Rockets, Kings or Lakers? Bottom line, it’s pretty unfair playing in the West these days. I really wanted to put G. State in there as well. It’s my opinion that the Pacific division is the best in the NBA right now, and I wouldn’t be even a little bit surprised if the Warriors hang in the playoff race until the very end. They will be fighting with Denver for the 9th seed!

3. 

   RotoScoop

   October 31, 2006

   Chicago is going to win it all, apparently.

4. 

   tv

   October 31, 2006

   As much as I would like to think the Bulls are going to win it all I think you are going to see Cleveland win the division this year with the Bulls finishing second and Detroit 3rd.

   I also dont think that Miami is going to win the southeast division. My guess is they finish second behind the Wizards. I would like to think Orlando takes a step forward but that franchise is just awful so I figure something tragic will happen and they will miss the playoffs or just barely get in so I would pick them 3rd in the division and taking the 8th seed.

   In the west I dont see the Lakers doing much at all and I like Denver better than them. The kings will be ok and will probably do very well in the regular season. I like the Clippers to make a move into an elite team this year as well.

   Here are my picks:

   Southwest Division

   1. San Antonio Spurs (2)
   2. Dallas Mavericks (5)
   3. Houston Rockets (6)
   4. New Orleans Hornets
   5. Memphis Grizzlies

   Northwest Division

   1. Denver Nuggets (3)
   2. Utah Jazz (8)
   3. Minnesota Timberwolves
   4. Seattle Supersonics
   5. Portland Trail Blazers

   Pacific Division

   1. Phoenix Suns (1)
   2. L.A. Clippers (4)
   3. Sacramento Kings (7)
   4. L.A. Lakers
   5. Golden State Warriors

   EASTERN CONFERENCE

   Atlantic Division

   1. New Jersey Nets (3)
   2. Boston Celtics
   3. Toronto Raptors
   4. New York Knicks
   5. Philadelphia 76ers

   Central Division

   1. Cleveland Cavaliers (1)
   2. Chicago Bulls (4)
   3. Detroit Pistons (6)
   4. Indiana Pacers (7)
   5. Milwaukee Bucks

   Southeast Division

   1. Washington Wizards (2)
   2. Miami Heat (5)
   3. Orlando Magic (8)
   4. Charlotte Bobcats
   5. Atlanta Hawks

   MVP = LeBron James
   ROY = Rudy Gay

   Western Conference Finals
   SPURS over MAVERICKS

   Eastern Conference Finals
   CAVS over HEAT

   NBA Finals
   SPURS over CAVS

5. 

   RotoScoop

   October 31, 2006

   Nice TV. My Chicago winning it all comment was just a joke after tonight’s unreal start to the season. Still, they do look quite impressive. Their interior defense is going to make them a threat….So TV and Keith both backing Denver. Kobe sitting out the first few games doesn’t bode too well for LA, as apparently that knee issue is fairly serious….I agree about the Clips, I think they are legit contenders right now….I like your point about Orlando having a cursed franchise…I could see LeBron carrying the Cavs far, but reports of Detroit’s demise are greatly exaggerated….You’re big on Washington, I see. While I’m as big an Arenas fan that you’ll find, they don’t play enough defense to be taken seriously.

6. 

   tv

   October 31, 2006

   Im not huge on the Wiz but they are a really good regular season team ala the Suns. I like them enough to see them winning the division. I figure Shaq will sit out his normal 10 to 20 games and that will be enough for Washington to take the division.

   I dont like picking the Cavs but they really showed me a lot in last year’s playoffs and they should be even better this year so it was almost by default I picked them. Really though I could see any of the top 6 I have picked making the finals. In the end it wont matter if Dallas or San Antonio gets to the finals.

7. 

   Todd

   November 1, 2006

   It’s the Mavs beating the Cavs this year…Mark it down!!

8. 

   randy

   November 1, 2006

   i have a choice betwen reche caldwell and tony scheffler in keeper league, i already have lj smith and this team wont make playoffs, are you a believer in caldwell, iam thinking not——————-thank

9. 

   randy

   November 1, 2006

   if pennington in trouble are clemens or ramsey worth anything and is rosenfels anyhhting, so out of all 3 any worth anything long term———thanks

10. 

    Keith

    November 1, 2006

    I do think Miami is in a bit of trouble with J-Will being out for how long, and Shaq taking a while to get back into shape. Wade won’t let them sink too far, but I think they’re going to struggle. I also don’t think the Pistons are going to suffer too badly, as I can really see Billups carrying them. I might be the only one who thinks Ben Wallace is overrated (not that I think he’s bad, I just think having an offensive vaccuum on the floor is problematic unless you’re absolutely stacked at the other 4 spots). I think I do like Denver more than the Rockets (they’re just not going to stay completely healthy…but if they manage to, they very well could be an elite team), the Kings (I think they’re going to disappoint), and I’m not sure about the Lakers. Odom can certainly take the next step, and some of their role guys looked really good last night. Knee surgeries are always worriesome (come on J-Rich!), but I think Kobe will be back in a week. The Pacific is pretty sick. It’s going to take the Warriors staying healthy (I’m looking at you Baron, and you J-Rich), hitting their free throws (I’m looking at you Baron, and you J-Rich), and probably a few injuries around the league (T-Mac, Boozer, Bibby) to sneak in…but it’s possible. I also don’t think the Suns are going to be as good this year; definitely make the playoffs, but I don’t know about a top-3 seed. I did forget about the new seeding system, so I won’t bother to try and project every spot, as that requires too much thought, but I’m interested to see how it all plays out.

11. 

    Keith

    November 1, 2006

    Also, did Bynum look good or what? I’m wondering what he has to do in these next couple weeks to earn that starting gig. 5 assists from a 20 year old center in his 1st NBA start? Wasn’t expecting that. I’d be tempted to pick him up if I had somebody I was ready to drop! Even before last night, I kind of had the feeling Diaw would be in for a disappointing season; I’m wondering if he’s going to step it up at all.

12. 

    RotoScoop

    November 1, 2006

    TV – Not only could I see Shaq sitting out 10-20 games, but Wade seems reserved to resting during the regular season so he’s ready come playoff time. He’s already talking about being burnt out from too much b-ball over the summer, so you do have a god point there. Arenas, Butler and Jamison are def. the best scoring trio in the league. I agree tho, the Mavs and Spurs are the clear-cut favorites.

13. 

    RotoScoop

    November 1, 2006

    Randy – Caldwell does seem to be getting more comfortable in NE’s offense…He’s even been targeted 9 and then 8 times the last 2 weeks – a real decent amount….But he’s pretty much always been a bum throughout his career and I see Gabriel, Chad Jackson and Watson all being options before him, so his ceiling isn’t all that high, despite being in New England. I could see him being more valuable than Scheffler this year, but for the future I’d give Scheffler the nod. Don’t forget that Denver’s system used to produce huge TE numbers, it was thought of for TEs as it is for RBs. Granted, S. Sharpe had a lot to do with that, but aside from Javon Walker, there really aren’t many receiving options in Denver for the future, (Rod Smith is washed up) and Scheffler is pretty talented. I’d keep him, and hope the Cutler to Scheffler hook-up becomes big.

14. 

    RotoScoop

    November 1, 2006

    I think this Pennington job in jeopardy thing is media hype for the most part. Still, he has definitely had a couple of off games and his shoulder could go bad at any moment, so it is a situation to monitor. Even if Ramsey were to get the nod over Clemens this year (a distinct possibility), Clemens is the team’s future, and the one to own in a keeper league. He’s definitely the guy I’d want the most out of those 3. But again, it will take patience.

    Rosenfels looked good Sunday, but Carr is their QB long term. Rosenfels actually had a great preseason, and could be pretty good if given the opportunity. I just see Clemens having a slightly better chance at getting the job all to himself next year.

15. 

    RotoScoop

    November 1, 2006

    Keith – I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami makes it to the playoffs with a lower seed, but again, once there, Wade makes them as dangerous as anyone….I feel you about Ben Wallace. Last year teams finally exposed his huge weakness (offense and free throws) and he became a liability at the end of games. Plus, if you look at his rebound and block numbers, they have fallen off drastically last year; he’s a real upgrade as far as Chicago’s interior defense is concerned, but Detroit won’t implode without him. In many ways, N. Mohammed will help them…I was mad the Kings let Bonzi Wells go, and they could very well disappoint, but a full year of a healthy and happy Ron Artest makes them contenders. That and the huge upgrade of Musselman over the clueless Adelman.

    I definitely think it’s possible G. State sneaks in and Im hoping it happens. Supposedly both Baron and J-Rich worked hard on thier free throws, so we’ll see. Gotta love that big contract they gave to Foyle, he literally is going to be on the inactive list all year. The x-factor no one is talking about w/ them is Pietrus, who I think can take a step and make them interesting, him being the only one playing defense and all….If I’m a Suns fan, I’m probably a step past worried about Amare.

    The new seeding system I don’t quite get. It gives Utah/Denver the #3 seed, but not really, b/c it comes down to record, so the #3 label is all for show I guess. Bynum looked really good. If he keeps that up, no way they give Kwame Brown more minutes than him. I think Kwame was in line for his best year yet, but Bynum already looks special. They may have hit a home run with that draft pick. Keeper leaguers need to do everything they can to get ahold of him.

    Diaw signed a big contract and showed up fat after having not picked up a ball all summer long – never a good sign. Still, I think he’ll be big (triple double threat every night) and is available at center in most fantasy leagues. Last night his weak numbers were partially due to being in a lot of foul trouble and I think owning a Suns player is like owning a Colorado Rockie back in the day. There’s going to be a whole lot of points to go around each night.