The Basketball Thread

[scav]

Heat

[xi0]

Even with those additions, my gut still tells me there might be a Heat-Thunder final again. If those teams stay intact if might be the kind of year-to-year rivalry the NBA is craving. Heat-Celtics didn't last long because the Celtics were old to begin with. But this one has more potential being in different conferences as well.

[scav]

yeah. same here i believe in a Heat-thunder final. KD is still hot and Lebron want more rings.
lakers-celtics made their time already.

[Kaiten]

Talent trumps all in the NBA, I don't think the Thunder can get past Lakers this year. I still have questions about the Thunders interior defense, Nash tossing the ball in to Howard should expose Perkins lack of athleticism. The Thunder do have a bright future, but it won't be this year. Nash - Kobe - World Peace - Gasol - Howard is too much. Heat beat the Lakers in the finals.

^Whats your team?

Wizards >.>

[BASED Shinigami]

Talent trumps all in the NBA, I don't think the Thunder can get past Lakers this year. I still have questions about the Thunders interior defense, Nash tossing the ball in to Howard should expose Perkins lack of athleticism. The Thunder do have a bright future, but it won't be this year. Nash - Kobe - World Peace - Gasol - Howard is too much. Heat beat the Lakers in the finals.

Well, I don't think we should give the Lakers too much credit before the season has started. They certainly look good on paper, but we don't know how well they will gel together and chemistry is very important. Perkins may not be the most most athletic center, but he's more than capable of guarding Dwight Howard in the post. In fact, Howard said it himself he has the most trouble when Perkins is defending him than any other center. He always does a exceptional job, so I'm not worried about that. Not to mention Serge Ibaka continues to grow into a better defender each and every year. Their interior defense will capable trust me. Injuries next season might hurt the Lakers too; you never know about Nash bad back acting up and Kobe's lingering body issues with his fingers, ankles, knees etc he'll miss some games most likely, and Howard coming from back surgery even though it was minor will he really be the same? We'll see. Also, Mike Brown MUST do a better job coaching the offense this year otherwise they will be a mess. However, despite saying all that I do see them in the conference finals next year if anything.

---------- Post added at 10:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 AM ----------

Wizards >.>

Man it must be tough supporting them every year. I admire your courage sir

---------- Post added at 11:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:44 AM ----------

I'm so glad Brandon Roy has returned to the NBA. Before the injuries he was the third best SG in the NBA and still is my favorite. I hope for the best for him

[scav]

seems like Kevin Martin + Jeremy Lin will be a nice duo to watch

[BASED Shinigami]

Celtics are expected to sign Barbosa? Yes more depth at the guard position. If the Celtics can STAY healthy this year we can give Miami a serious run for it's money.

[FaustXIII]

Brandon Roy returned but Kevin Love was injured I hope the Timberwolves can still make it to the Playoffs they still have Kirilenko and Derrick Williams anyway

Though I hope for a Spurs-Heat Finals

LeBron vs. Duncan/Ginobili/Parker Rematch

Spurs-Cavaliers Finals 4-0! (2007)

[scav]

heh i want a Heat - Thunder rematch at the finals. tired of the Spurs already

[BASED Shinigami]

The Spurs are done sooner or later father time will inevitably kick in. Also, I suspect competition in the west will be even tougher this year. They won't make it past the second round.

The regular is very close I'm looking forward to the first game on the season.

[scav]

yeah the Lakers won't go down easily this year but they might have a bad start like last year

[Kaiten]

Man it must be tough supporting them every year. I admire your courage sir

I gave up halfway through last season I hated that team. I was so glad to see Nick Young, Blatche, and Mcgee get traded. Brad Beale looks like the real deal, that at least is one bright spot. I nearly cried like a bitch last year whenever I saw Ricky Rubio highlights. If anyone did not know: the Wizards traded the 5th pick in 2009 to Minnesota for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. The Timberwolves used the pick on Ricky Rubio. The Wizards in effect traded Ricky Rubio for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. I may never get over this. In a recent podcast Bill Simmons described that trade as the sports "...equivalent of pulling your pants down at work and exposing yourself to a female employee". Imagine the Wizards if they had drafted Rubio in 2009 and then Boogie Cousins in 2010.

---------- Post added at 09:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------

yeah the Lakers won't go down easily this year but they might have a bad start like last year

Depends on Kobe's health. If he is ready to play, the Lakers should immediately carve up the western conference. Kobe, Dwight, and Pau with a true point guard should be near unstoppable. Other than Miami, I don't think a team in the league matches up well.

---------- Post added at 09:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:03 PM ----------

Stripped last years MVP poll. Any suggestions for this years nominees, beyond the obvious:

• Lebron
• Kobe
• Kevin Durant
• Kevin Love
• Dwight Howard
• Dwayne Wade

[scav]

well they didn't do good during the preseason and the team need time for them to get used to play together.


for the poll, add CP3, Rondo and westbrook. is D.Rose healed? except him you kinda said everything. but better to wait a bit for the poll.

---------- Post added at 01:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 AM ----------

i like how you didn't even bother mentioning Melo

[Kaiten]

Melo? MVP?

They've been terrible, but I'm not sure how much of an indicator preseason is for such a veteran team. Nash has only played limited minutes, Kobe not at all. Someone named Devin Ebanks has been starting in place of Kobe. He also lead the team in shots. It's entirely possible they start the season cold, especially with Kobe hurt, but with more PT for the starters I expect a better showing in the regular season.

[TheMoa]

Rose will be back around january, or later... and ACL injuries take time to fully recover to the previous form. Old Rose will be back only on the next season.

Boston can put a good fight to Miami in the East, but I don't think anyone can beat them on that conference... a lot of teams are just plain bad. It would be interesting to see the 76ers on full power, how Bynum will gel and how Iggy will be missed. but that knees of the young fella jus aren't trustworthy.

Thunder took a major bump dealing Harden, let's see how it will affect their chemistry.

Lakers bench suck, from players to coach and Kobe probably will miss the first game, but I think the West is theirs to lose. It will take time to the offense to mesh, but I think they'll figure it all out.
Can't wait to watch some good games anymore.

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 PM ----------

ps: Knicks sucks and Melo kills their ofense with that iso game... I endorse him playing more PFs minutes.