It's That Time Again
(Originally posted: 11/01/06)
My basketball-sounding-board coworker George told me yesterday he doesn't think the Heat will repeat as N.B.A. Champs this year. If they can't get any more motivated to play than they did last night, when they received their rings, I'd have to agree.
This is what I said to him in response:
They (the Heat) remind me of the 91 redskins. I guess it's the age, and at that I can only think of Mark Rypien. But I agree. I just hate (strong word) that it can't be said anymore that multiple All-Stars on one team (after seeing it tried in Houston and in L.A.) don't work. Damn. Then, who wins the east?
Detroit? Doubt it, not after Wallace's departure. Even though Nazr is a bit better on offense (if only by default), the drop off in defense, while not precipitous, overwhelms that aspect.Cleveland? Maybe, but I wouldn'tÂt put money on it. If Varejao continues to improve, and Hughes and Ilgauskas can stay healthy, they'll be up there.Chicago? I'd put them at least up with the previous three.New Jersey? See last remark. Kristc should get better. Probably depends on Kidd's health, age.Orlando might be a sleeper.
The West:It's kinda funny when I remember McGrady has never made it out of the first round. I'm not sure I would include them amongst the top four: Dallas, S.A., Phoenix and L.A.C. McGrady's health problems seem to have been the non-contact variety, and that doesn't sound promising.The Mavs are hearing, and will no doubt continue to hear, how few have lost in the finals and then gone back to win. True, but 3 of the most recent examples had to face the Shaq/Kobe Lakers (the Nets) and the Michael Jordan Bulls (the Jazz and TrailBlazers). Is there any team out there that compares to either of those three teams? They improved over the summer just how a team in their position should, with tweaks. I would bet on them winning 60+ games this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they started the season like Detroit started last year. Only, the Mavs would not have dragging them down the same thing i.e. new coach, a philosophical shift and some consequential conflict.
The Spurs are healthier if only counting Duncan (save for Frenchie's recently sprained ankle). I just hope they don't have to rely too much on their bench. As Horry said, they're "an old athletic".
Will there be as many balls to go around in Phoenix as there have been $$s? No wonder there was talk about trading Marion. I have a gut feeling they are bloated. I think in a rematch, they lose a playoff series to The Clippers. If Livingston is as good as I read (I donÂt remember seeing too much of him last year), they could wind up in the conference finals.
My basketball-sounding-board coworker George told me yesterday he doesn't think the Heat will repeat as N.B.A. Champs this year. If they can't get any more motivated to play than they did last night, when they received their rings, I'd have to agree.
This is what I said to him in response:
They (the Heat) remind me of the 91 redskins. I guess it's the age, and at that I can only think of Mark Rypien. But I agree. I just hate (strong word) that it can't be said anymore that multiple All-Stars on one team (after seeing it tried in Houston and in L.A.) don't work. Damn. Then, who wins the east?
Detroit? Doubt it, not after Wallace's departure. Even though Nazr is a bit better on offense (if only by default), the drop off in defense, while not precipitous, overwhelms that aspect.Cleveland? Maybe, but I wouldn'tÂt put money on it. If Varejao continues to improve, and Hughes and Ilgauskas can stay healthy, they'll be up there.Chicago? I'd put them at least up with the previous three.New Jersey? See last remark. Kristc should get better. Probably depends on Kidd's health, age.Orlando might be a sleeper.
The West:It's kinda funny when I remember McGrady has never made it out of the first round. I'm not sure I would include them amongst the top four: Dallas, S.A., Phoenix and L.A.C. McGrady's health problems seem to have been the non-contact variety, and that doesn't sound promising.The Mavs are hearing, and will no doubt continue to hear, how few have lost in the finals and then gone back to win. True, but 3 of the most recent examples had to face the Shaq/Kobe Lakers (the Nets) and the Michael Jordan Bulls (the Jazz and TrailBlazers). Is there any team out there that compares to either of those three teams? They improved over the summer just how a team in their position should, with tweaks. I would bet on them winning 60+ games this year. I wouldn't be surprised if they started the season like Detroit started last year. Only, the Mavs would not have dragging them down the same thing i.e. new coach, a philosophical shift and some consequential conflict.
The Spurs are healthier if only counting Duncan (save for Frenchie's recently sprained ankle). I just hope they don't have to rely too much on their bench. As Horry said, they're "an old athletic".
Will there be as many balls to go around in Phoenix as there have been $$s? No wonder there was talk about trading Marion. I have a gut feeling they are bloated. I think in a rematch, they lose a playoff series to The Clippers. If Livingston is as good as I read (I donÂt remember seeing too much of him last year), they could wind up in the conference finals.
posted by Chris at 8:36 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home