With Teams like Celtics,Lakers,Cavs,Spurs,Mavericks and Magic making big moves this off season just want to know everyone predictions! Who will win the EAST? Who will wind the WEST? Who will win it ALL????????
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2009-2010 NBA Season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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With Teams like Celtics,Lakers,Cavs,Spurs,Mavericks and Magic making big moves this off season just want to know everyone predictions! Who will win the EAST? Who will wind the WEST? Who will win it ALL????????
Nuggets coming back largely intact and looking good in the preseason. I predict another Denver-L.A. showdown in the West.
+1... i agree with chris on this.."HEALTH IS THE KEY"...Celtics were the favorites last season but due to Kevin Garnett injury cost them to repeat. Even thou they did do a pretty good run without him. Now with the added big man of Rasheed Wallace in the mix , They should be able to compete with the big frontline of the lakers.
+1 to that.
if the amount of games was cut 75% or so and the playoffs were single elimination, I would be glued.
It's depressing, isn't it? From Webber, Sprewel, Joe Smith, and so many others.
Baron Davis left, now it's Ellis and Jackson that aren't happy, and I have no idea if this team will ever field a winner again. Unless they have a SF Giants-like suprise season, I'm going to be seriously depressed. At this point, I'm content if they compete for a playoff spot.
I spit at you.
I still haven't received all my beer from the last little wager. (Hint, Hint GregC and SoCom Surfing)
How about Shaq going to the Cavs? I love the big man but I think he's done...of course, I said the same thing when he went to Miami.
Burks Pre Trade deadline NBA picks:
I have to go with the Celts (healthy), they are by far the most complete team competing for the title. With Sheed, Perkins, and Garnet I don't see any team competing with that defense around the basket. They really could use a shut down outside defender (ala Posey). Also while Sheed has his foibles I suggest he'll be rejuvenated and he is one of the most skilled big men in the league on both ends of the floor. And unlike a lot of skilled players in the league he won't complain when he doesn't have the ball.
The Lakers are as skilled as the Celts but not as strong or physical. Who would you want grabbing rebounds, setting physical picks, and defending in the low post. Sheed, Perkins, and Garnett or Bynum and Gasol. Orlando had one physical post player, not enough to expose LA's weakness inside, the same can't be said of a healthy Celts team. The real issue is the Lakers don't have a legitimate four on the roster The other question for the Lakers is how much gas does Derek Fischer have in the tank, and can Artest play nice for a whole season.
The Cavs, added another slow big man who can't cover pick and rolls, the very thing that killed them during the conference finals. Garnett and Sheed will have a field day watching Shaq and Illgaskus trip over each other while their shooting uncontested. The Delonte West situation leaves them a big hole at the two guard, and Mo williams sure looked not ready for prime time in last seasons conference finals.
The Spurs may be the dark-horse. They are a fundamentally sound team that knows how to win and have added areal offensive horse in Jefferson. The question for them is do they have the rebounding, and can Ginobli stay healthy something he's failed to do for the last two seasons.
The Magic gave up their best playmaker who created major match up problems for a me first/no defense ball hog. I don't see how that can be a step up. Lots of regular season wins, major playoff fail. Any other center in the league but Howard, I'd predict a first round exit. Brandon Bass will help, but Carter will find a way to blow it in the clutch.
None of the top teams are perfect and all of the teams underneath these five have serious flaws, and barring some trade deadline magic, I don't see any of the others in the finals. Here is the Burk's list of what makes a championship team:
1) At least two players who can generate offense in the low post
2) At least three players who can break down a defense and get their own shot
3) Every starter can not have any serious defensive flaws. You can hide defensive liabilities in the regular season, but not in the post season. This is why the Dallas Mavs are also rans, Dirk can't guard any quality player at his position.
4) At least three players who can do dirty work, rebound, set picks, block shots, take a charge.
5) A point guard who makes smart decisions with the ball and avoids turnovers, why do you think the Pistons were so strong with Billups?
6) At least one player who can "get the calls" in the clutch and get to the foul line, and make foul shots when he gets there.
7) One very good defensive "stopper" who can make the other teams star wing players work much harder for their shots then normal. This is the reason that the Spurs with Bruce Bowen were always in the mix.
One last question: How did the effin Mavs get in this poll? I can think of several teams that could finish ahead of the mavs who may not even be a sixth seed in the conference.
I have to go with the Celts (healthy), they are by far the most complete team competing for the title. With Sheed, Perkins, and Garnet I don't see any team competing with that defense around the basket. They really could use a shut down outside defender (ala Posey). Also while Sheed has his foibles I suggest he'll be rejuvenated and he is one of the most skilled big men in the league on both ends of the floor. And unlike a lot of skilled players in the league he won't complain when he doesn't have the ball.
The Lakers are as skilled as the Celts but not as strong or physical. Who would you want grabbing rebounds, setting physical picks, and defending in the low post. Sheed, Perkins, and Garnett or Bynum and Gasol. Orlando had one physical post player, not enough to expose LA's weakness inside, the same can't be said of a healthy Celts team. The real issue is the Lakers don't have a legitimate four on the roster The other question for the Lakers is how much gas does Derek Fischer have in the tank, and can Artest play nice for a whole season.
The Cavs, added another slow big man who can't cover pick and rolls, the very thing that killed them during the conference finals. Garnett and Sheed will have a field day watching Shaq and Illgaskus trip over each other while their shooting uncontested. The Delonte West situation leaves them a big hole at the two guard, and Mo williams sure looked not ready for prime time in last seasons conference finals.
The Spurs may be the dark-horse. They are a fundamentally sound team that knows how to win and have added areal offensive horse in Jefferson. The question for them is do they have the rebounding, and can Ginobli stay healthy something he's failed to do for the last two seasons.
The Magic gave up their best playmaker who created major match up problems for a me first/no defense ball hog. I don't see how that can be a step up. Lots of regular season wins, major playoff fail. Any other center in the league but Howard, I'd predict a first round exit. Brandon Bass will help, but Carter will find a way to blow it in the clutch.
None of the top teams are perfect and all of the teams underneath these five have serious flaws, and barring some trade deadline magic, I don't see any of the others in the finals. Here is the Burk's list of what makes a championship team:
1) At least two players who can generate offense in the low post
2) At least three players who can break down a defense and get their own shot
3) Every starter can not have any serious defensive flaws. You can hide defensive liabilities in the regular season, but not in the post season. This is why the Dallas Mavs are also rans, Dirk can't guard any quality player at his position.
4) At least three players who can do dirty work, rebound, set picks, block shots, take a charge.
5) A point guard who makes smart decisions with the ball and avoids turnovers, why do you think the Pistons were so strong with Billups?
6) At least one player who can "get the calls" in the clutch and get to the foul line, and make foul shots when he gets there.
7) One very good defensive "stopper" who can make the other teams star wing players work much harder for their shots then normal. This is the reason that the Spurs with Bruce Bowen were always in the mix.
One last question: How did the effin Mavs get in this poll? I can think of several teams that could finish ahead of the mavs who may not even be a sixth seed in the conference.
