The West Is Going To Be Murder

[arthurracoon]

Spurs - They are young and will get better because of development and because of their cap space. The loss of the admiral could hurt TD.

Mavs - Cuban is going to add some big names and try to find an inside presence.

T-Wolves- Could get worse. Could get better.

Jazz - same as T-Wolves. Loss of Stockton and Malone will hurt.

Rockets - After a year under their belt Yao and his team will be better.

Grizzlies - Although losing out on a top 3 pick and making some wierd draft day trades Memphis will continue to improve under the solid coaching of Hubie Brown.

Denver - LOOK OUT! This team will be good. I they grab Areneas I would compare them to our Suns. A trio of Areneas, 'Melo, and Nene. SCARY.

Kings - This team will not improve much, but are still VERY good.

Lakers - They WANT to win.

Blazers - Could get a little worse or better.

Suns - We will get better after a year under our belts.

Sonics - Will be ok.

Warriors - If they lose Areneas they wont be as good.

Clippers - If the players believe they will win. Unfortunately, just as the Cards, they NEED to change their perception.

 

[boisesuns]

malone is close to signing with la now. payton comming there could make him sign.

ugh...

 

[elindholm]

And the possiblility of Juwan Howard going to Minnesota, which apprarently is being seriously discussed, is pretty scary. When four of your starters are Howard, Garnett, Szczerbiak, and Cassell, that's fairly impressive.

 

[SirStefan32]

Add Rasho to those four.

Payton/ Bryant/ Malone/ Shaq scares the crap out of me.

But guys, we have Marbury/ Marion/ Stoudemire/ Hardaway/ Johnson. Go Suns!

 

[Krangodnzr]

Originally posted by arthurracoon
Spurs - They are young and will get better because of development and because of their cap space. The loss of the admiral could hurt TD.

I agree. I don't think that they will defend their title, though they have the opportunity to sign a pretty good player.

Mavs - Cuban is going to add some big names and try to find an inside presence.

Not necessarily. The Mavs are always talking about adding big names, but it doesn't always happen. They will stick with what they have probably, and maybe add a seriously declined Mourning (no longer great).

T-Wolves- Could get worse. Could get better.

With the trade for Sam Cassell they are already better. Defense could be a problem, since Hudson will probably start at the 2.

Jazz - same as T-Wolves. Loss of Stockton and Malone will hurt.

It's hard right now to get a read of the Jazz. Either way (good or bad) I would say that they aren't a playoff team anymore. Probably will add Andre Miller, one of the more overrated players in the game.

Rockets - After a year under their belt Yao and his team will be better.

But they still need to reshape the roster. The pieces don't fit very well, and it would be smart to try and move a few players starting with Mobley.

Grizzlies - Although losing out on a top 3 pick and making some wierd draft day trades Memphis will continue to improve under the solid coaching of Hubie Brown.

IMO, they still will be awful.

Denver - LOOK OUT! This team will be good. I they grab Areneas I would compare them to our Suns. A trio of Areneas, 'Melo, and Nene. SCARY.

They still will be awful. Basketball is a game where a team isn't great because of three players (except for the Lakers who had possibly the two best players). Yeah they have Rodney White (who isn't very good), Tskitishvili (who showed nothing last year), and a few others to go with Nene and Melo, but even if they add Arenas (a SG playing point) they still will probably only win 30 games at the most.

Kings - This team will not improve much, but are still VERY good.

I agree.

Lakers - They WANT to win.

The Lakers are probably finished with this run. Time to reload.

Blazers - Could get a little worse or better.

Just like the Rockets, they need to reshape the roster. The problem is: The Blazers aren't good because of 2-3 superstars, they are good because of 6-7 good players. They need to find more elite talents.

Suns - We will get better after a year under our belts.

The Suns will win 50 games this year probably.

Sonics - Will be ok.

They will probably be a non-playoff team, but better than most in the East.

Warriors - If they lose Areneas they wont be as good.

If they lose Arenas, they will be bad again.

Clippers - If the players believe they will win. Unfortunately, just as the Cards, they NEED to change their perception.

Imo, the Clippers are overrated. Everyone always talks about the great talent and it puzzles me. The only player on the roster that is a true elite talent is Lamar Odom, and he hasn't exactly played like one. Elton Brand is a nice player, but not an elite big man. Corey Maggette is extremely athletic, but he is a bad defender.

 

[hcsilla]

MIN is already better and they are trying to create another trade with IND involving Brandon (for example Brandon, Hudson for Harrington,Croshere).
If a similar trades goes down then MIN:

1. will lose a lot of money
2. gets much better
3.will be in much better shape for keeping of KG.

If Jazz keeps Malone and gets Miller then they will be a play-off team again.

I think that Van Gundy can be the perfect coach for HOU. Slow, old-timer style builded around their C ala Patrick Ewing.The Rockets can be dangerous with Francis and Yao and without Mobley as focal points of their offense.

Without Pippen and Sabonis POR is only a borderline play-off team.

With Arenas, Maggette and Anthony DEN will be a +30 wins team but they won't be a play-off team unless they sign a decent C or Camby plays at least 60 games.

If Arenas leaves GSW (and I do think that he will) then we can cross the Warriors as play-off contenders.

Next season MEM will get a top10 pick.

As a Suns fan I didn't really like SEA's draft picks.They filled their biggest needs and I still think that both Collison and Ridnour will be decent pros.

LAC will have a top5 pick next year.

 

[arthurracoon]

Clips - They have had talent (Magette, Kandi, Odom, and a roster loaded with lottery picks)

Denver - I believe they will be good if they develop team chemistry. They will be serious contenders in at least 4-5 yrs

 

[Chaplin]

The Lakers won't get both Payton and Malone. One would have to take the minimum, and that won't happen. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers just settled on PJ Brown and that's it. Kupchak doesn't want to spend the money.

I think adding Payton is counterproductive. Yes, they'll probably win the title, but next summer, Laker fans will be extremely disappointed because with a big scorer/star like Payton on the team, Kobe will be that much more interested in bolting to become the outright leader of another team.

 

[Joe Mama]

Minnesota - they are already better with Sam Cassell. And if they can get someone like Howard or PJ Brown they'll be even better.

LA Lakers - the key for them is power forward. Obviously Gary Payton would be a nice addition, but I just don't see him doing as much as a power forward good for them.

Dallas Mavericks - if they are able to add PJ Brown or Alonzo Mourning (if he has anything left in his tank) and stay healthy I think they are the team to beat.

Sacramento Kings - I doubt they do much of anything this summer. They really just need to get healthy, but that's been a problem for them every year.

Houston Rockets - unfortunately I think the Rockets will be much improved. Van Gundy should have them playing much better defense. They will probably be incredibly boring to watch however.

Golden State Warriors - they will be OK without Arenas, but they aren't going to make the playoffs.

Memphis grizzlies - they might be if you gave is better than last season, but that's it. I don't know about the rest of you, but so far Jerry West has done very little to impress me, except for signing Hubie Brown.

Seattle sonics - they played pretty well after the Gary Payton trade last season. I don't think they've done anything so far to really improve though. I wasn't a big fan of their draft.

Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, LA Clippers, and Denver - who knows what these teams will look like at the end of this summer? I'm guessing San Antonio and Denver will be improved, although I don't believe Denver will be anywhere near the playoffs. The Clippers could potentially improve just because their players are happy to be there and getting paid although it's unlikely. You never know what Portland will do.

Joe Mama

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Memphis grizzlies - they might be if you gave is better than last season, but that's it. I don't know about the rest of you, but so far Jerry West has done very little to impress me, except for signing Hubie Brown.

Joe Mama

I agree. Jerry West definitely became to one of worse GM's in today's NBA.
His draft picks and the Gooden-trade were quite questionable.

 

[elindholm]

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers just settled on PJ Brown and that's it.

Am I the only one who thinks Brown would be a better choice for the Lakers than Malone?

Malone has constantly bitched in Utah whenever he's not the focal point of the offense. Well, he sure won't be the focal point in Los Angeles.

What the Lakers really need from their power forward is someone who can hustle and defend his position. That's P. J. Brown a lot more than it is Karl Malone.

And finally, Malone is one of the least popular players in the league. Adding him to their roster would interfere with the Lakers' crucial position as media darlings.

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by hcsilla
With Arenas, Maggette and Anthony DEN will be a +30 wins team but they won't be a play-off team unless they sign a decent C or Camby plays at least 60 games.

They also have Nene

 

[SirStefan32]

Originally posted by elindholm
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers just settled on PJ Brown and that's it.

Am I the only one who thinks Brown would be a better choice for the Lakers than Malone?

No you are not Eric. I agree with you. They have the most dominant player in the league, and one of the best overall players in the league. They don't need more superstars. They need a decent role player, preferably a power forward, though they could use a little upgrade on the point guard spot as well.

Stefan

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Houston Rockets - unfortunately I think the Rockets will be much improved. Van Gundy should have them playing much better defense. They will probably be incredibly boring to watch however.

Joe Mama

There's no question that Jeff Van Gundy is a good coach, but come on. Is there really that big of a difference between Van Gundy and Rudy T? It's not like they upgraded.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
There's no question that Jeff Van Gundy is a good coach, but come on. Is there really that big of a difference between Van Gundy and Rudy T? It's not like they upgraded.

OK, maybe "much improved" was an exaggeration. Let's put it this way. Offensively I don't think they'll be any worse, and on defense I believe they will be "much improved". I expect the Houston Rockets to make the playoffs next season.

Joe Mama

 

[Errntknght]

Overall, I don't think van Gundy is better than Rudy T. but Rudy was not himself last year and it showed. It was understandable considering what he was going through on the medical front but maybe he'd never get back to where he was. I think Houston will improve nearly as much on offense as defense because I can't see van Gundy letting Francis and Cuttino trying to be the whole show - from what I saw the team made no progress in running the offense through Yao last year, which is silly considering how well he scores and passes. (You'd think Frank Johnson was coaching the team!)

 

[jbeecham]

Yao wouldn't play if FJ coached the Rockets because he's too slow.

 

[hcsilla]

Originally posted by arthurracoon
They also have Nene

I know but I was talking about their new acquisitions.

 

[arthurracoon]

Originally posted by hcsilla
I know but I was talking about their new acquisitions.

ahh

 

[Yuma]

I have to disagree Joe. How many titles has Van Gundy won and how many has Rudy T. won? Van Gundy is a step down in coaching IMHO. The guy barely got the Knicks to win in the Eastern conference. Pesonally, I think he will be overmatched in the Western conference. Yao is their only real big guy at his position. They didn't make it last year because all four of their other spots are undersized. I think they NEED a good Free Agency period to make them contenders in the West.

 

[SirStefan32]

I disagree. Jeff is an excellent defense- oriented coach who will transform the Rockets from a lottery team to a title- contender.

The Rockets didn't make playoffs last years because Rudy T. let Francis and Mobley play one on one. Jeff is going to run offense through Yao.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by SirStefan32

The Rockets didn't make playoffs last years because Rudy T. let Francis and Mobley play one on one. Jeff is going to run offense through Yao.

What makes you so sure? It's not like Steve Francis is going to change overnight. If Rudy T couldn't make Francis play more team-oriented, then what makes you think Van Gundy could. I mean, it's not like he had any real superstars on any of his Knick teams with egos the size of trucks like Francis.

 

[Joe Mama]

Originally posted by Chaplin
What makes you so sure? It's not like Steve Francis is going to change overnight. If Rudy T couldn't make Francis play more team-oriented, then what makes you think Van Gundy could. I mean, it's not like he had any real superstars on any of his Knick teams with egos the size of trucks like Francis.

Rudy T's offense was based on one-on-one play from his guards. He was one of the reason that they got rid of the old illegal defense rules.

Joe Mama

 

[Errntknght]

If Stevie is too pig headed about it, Moochie Norris will get lots of playing time. I don't expect it to come to that, however. My take on last year is that Rudy left it on cruise control, not that Francis ignored the coache's offensive plan. After all it would have had to have been a mid-course correction since they weren't sure what they had in Yao until a fair number of games had been played.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Errntknght
Moochie Norris will get lots of playing time.

In today's NBA, that is a theoretical impossibility.