I agree with Race. I think last season was their last hurrah. Experience matters a ton in the NBA but the West is loaded with young athletic teams that also have at least some experience.
I've counted out the Spurs ever since they looked old and were swept by the Suns in 2010.
I'm tired of counting out the Spurs and looking foolish. The West is WIDE OPEN.
I think the two best teams in the NBA are the Heat and the Bulls(assuming Rose stays healthy all year).
Doesn't Rose have to get healthy before he can stay healthy?
The Pacers are better than the Bulls.
The Pacers are better but still don't know if they can beat Miami in a playoff series although they have came awfully close the last two years.
Bulls have more upside due to Rose, they also have some trade chips to land possibly an Al Horford or LaMarcus Aldridge which would give them that #2 scorer they desperately need.
Blazer fan here:
If you think a team with Rose and Aldridge as its two top players has the heart to win the East, you are AuburndoogFuckingStupid
I agree with Race. I think last season was their last hurrah. Experience matters a ton in the NBA but the West is loaded with young athletic teams that also have at least some experience.
I've counted out the Spurs ever since they looked old and were swept by the Suns in 2010.
I'm tired of counting out the Spurs and looking foolish. The West is WIDE OPEN.
I think the two best teams in the NBA are the Heat and the Bulls(assuming Rose stays healthy all year).
Doesn't Rose have to get healthy before he can stay healthy?
The Pacers are better than the Bulls.
The Pacers are better but still don't know if they can beat Miami in a playoff series although they have came awfully close the last two years.
Bulls have more upside due to Rose, they also have some trade chips to land possibly an Al Horford or LaMarcus Aldridge which would give them that #2 scorer they desperately need.
Blazer fan here:
If you think a team with Rose and Aldridge as its two top players has the heart to win the East, you are AuburndoogFuckingStupid
Aldridge would be their 2nd best scorer but third best player behind Noah. Big difference.
Considering Miami has a weak frontline they would struggle against an Aldridge/Noah combo with Gibson off the bench.
Bulls have trade pieces with Boozer's decent contract which is off the books in two years, this euro that everyone loves plus an unprotected Bobcats 1st round pick in 2016.
They are going to land someone whether it be Gasol, Aldridge or Horford.
I agree with Race. I think last season was their last hurrah. Experience matters a ton in the NBA but the West is loaded with young athletic teams that also have at least some experience.
I've counted out the Spurs ever since they looked old and were swept by the Suns in 2010.
I'm tired of counting out the Spurs and looking foolish. The West is WIDE OPEN.
I think the two best teams in the NBA are the Heat and the Bulls(assuming Rose stays healthy all year).
Doesn't Rose have to get healthy before he can stay healthy?
The Pacers are better than the Bulls.
The Pacers are better but still don't know if they can beat Miami in a playoff series although they have came awfully close the last two years.
Bulls have more upside due to Rose, they also have some trade chips to land possibly an Al Horford or LaMarcus Aldridge which would give them that #2 scorer they desperately need.
Blazer fan here:
If you think a team with Rose and Aldridge as its two top players has the heart to win the East, you are AuburndoogFuckingStupid
Aldridge would be their 2nd best scorer but third best player behind Noah. Big difference.
Considering Miami has a weak frontline they would struggle against an Aldridge/Noah combo with Gibson off the bench.
Bulls have trade pieces with Boozer's decent contract which is off the books in two years, this euro that everyone loves plus an unprotected Bobcats 1st round pick in 2016.
They are going to land someone whether it be Gasol, Aldridge or Horford.
I remember watching that Euro's highlight tape and making a prediction that he is a future All Star.
Agree with you about Aldridge instead of Boozer. Noah, Aldridge, Deng (Another guy they could trade, Jimmy Butler, and Rose is a great starting 5. They have Dunleavy, Gibson, and Hinrich off the bench. They look dangerous. If anyone is beating Miami, I think it is Chicago. It will never happen without a healthy Rose though.
I think the Pacers, Bulls and Nets can all beat them. I think all three of those teams pose matchup problems for the Heat.
The Heat played in two game sevens last year and the Spurs had them beat. Rebound the ball and Spurs win. They aren't some unbeatable juggernaut. Add the fact that they have played in three straight Finals, the mental and physical fatigue I believe will take its toll and they'll get knocked out.
I think they have a shot, Lebrons the best player in the word, but if they have to play the Bulls and Pacers in back to back series I'd say they have zero chance at getting back.
I think the Pacers, Bulls and Nets can all beat them. I think all three of those teams pose matchup problems for the Heat.
The Heat played in two game sevens last year and the Spurs had them beat. Rebound the ball and Spurs win. They aren't some unbeatable juggernaut. Add the fact that they have played in three straight Finals, the mental and physical fatigue I believe will take its toll and they'll get knocked out.
I think they have a shot, Lebrons the best player in the word, but if they have to play the Bulls and Pacers in back to back series I'd say they have zero chance at getting back.
I won't go as far as you saying zero percent as counting out the best player in the game seems foolish.
However there is a reason why the 1984-87 Celtics were the last team to play in four straight finals. The mental and physical exhaustion you go through starts to affect you.
I don't fear the Nets at all, I think the Nets are an old aging team with a first year head coach who will be lucky to get out of the first round.
Now playing a healthy Bulls and Pacers back to back then a tough Western Conference team? I don't see how they survive that.
I do think the Pacers were very fortunate that the series went 7 though. In the four Heat wins, three were blowouts and the Pacers blew the game(after the Heat blew it to let it get to O.T.). While all 3 Pacers wins were close games. I felt like that series could have easily ended in five or six games.
Why I think a healthy Bulls in the West or the East is the best bet to beat the Heat.
I don't think anyone in the West besides an aging Spurs team poses matchup problems for them.
I think the Pacers, Bulls and Nets can all beat them. I think all three of those teams pose matchup problems for the Heat.
The Heat played in two game sevens last year and the Spurs had them beat. Rebound the ball and Spurs win. They aren't some unbeatable juggernaut. Add the fact that they have played in three straight Finals, the mental and physical fatigue I believe will take its toll and they'll get knocked out.
I think they have a shot, Lebrons the best player in the word, but if they have to play the Bulls and Pacers in back to back series I'd say they have zero chance at getting back.
I don't agree about the Nets, but otherwise, good post.
I think the Pacers, Bulls and Nets can all beat them. I think all three of those teams pose matchup problems for the Heat.
The Heat played in two game sevens last year and the Spurs had them beat. Rebound the ball and Spurs win. They aren't some unbeatable juggernaut. Add the fact that they have played in three straight Finals, the mental and physical fatigue I believe will take its toll and they'll get knocked out.
I think they have a shot, Lebrons the best player in the word, but if they have to play the Bulls and Pacers in back to back series I'd say they have zero chance at getting back.
I won't go as far as you saying zero percent as counting out the best player in the game seems foolish.
However there is a reason why the 1984-87 Celtics were the last team to play in four straight finals. The mental and physical exhaustion you go through starts to affect you.
I don't fear the Nets at all, I think the Nets are an old aging team with a first year head coach who will be lucky to get out of the first round.
Now playing a healthy Bulls and Pacers back to back then a tough Western Conference team? I don't see how they survive that.
I do think the Pacers were very fortunate that the series went 7 though. In the four Heat wins, three were blowouts and the Pacers blew the game(after the Heat blew it to let it get to O.T.). While all 3 Pacers wins were close games. I felt like that series could have easily ended in five or six games.
Why I think a healthy Bulls in the West or the East is the best bet to beat the Heat.
I don't think anyone in the West besides an aging Spurs team poses matchup problems for them.
I think the Nets are being underrated. They're a little old but Deron Willams and Brook Lopez aren't. The Heat don't have anyone to guard Lopez. I think crunch time would be a real problem for the Heat. Ray Allen can't guard anyone and they would have nowhere to hide him. I think in the end it comes down to believing that Garnett and Pierce will have a huge impact on the team mentally. The Nets lost to the Bulls last year because they were soft. I think those two guys can transform them. And any time you get the Jet against the Heat, the Heat will be nervous.
If the Pacers were bringing back the same team I'd like Miami over them for the reasons you stated but the Pacers are going to be much better. You could also say that if George doesn't make a small misstep against Lebron they probably win game one.
The Rockets with Dwight would be a big matchup problem. They have nothing for him. But that would require the old Dwight Howard to show up and that's definitely not a certainty.
The Finals, from a entertainment standpoint, that I'd most like to see is Warriors Heat. I think the Heat would win but Golden State can go toe to toe with them, athletically, on the perimeter.
An underrated team I really like is the Pistons. With Monroe, Drummond, and Josh smith on the court that will be an insane defensive front. I think they are going to surprise some people.
An underrated team I really like is the Pistons. With Monroe, Drummond, and Josh smith on the court that will be an insane defensive front. I think they are going to surprise some people.
I like what they did too. They'll have some spacing issues. Smith and Brandon Jennings are talented players that have glaring flaws. I think a really good coach could the best out of them but the problem is they hired Mo Cheeks. Love him as a national anthem singer but he's a terrible coach. He was on OKCs staff the last few years, so, that should tell you everything you need to know. I do think they'll make the playoffs though.
I think the Pacers, Bulls and Nets can all beat them. I think all three of those teams pose matchup problems for the Heat.
The Heat played in two game sevens last year and the Spurs had them beat. Rebound the ball and Spurs win. They aren't some unbeatable juggernaut. Add the fact that they have played in three straight Finals, the mental and physical fatigue I believe will take its toll and they'll get knocked out.
I think they have a shot, Lebrons the best player in the word, but if they have to play the Bulls and Pacers in back to back series I'd say they have zero chance at getting back.
I won't go as far as you saying zero percent as counting out the best player in the game seems foolish.
However there is a reason why the 1984-87 Celtics were the last team to play in four straight finals. The mental and physical exhaustion you go through starts to affect you.
I don't fear the Nets at all, I think the Nets are an old aging team with a first year head coach who will be lucky to get out of the first round.
Now playing a healthy Bulls and Pacers back to back then a tough Western Conference team? I don't see how they survive that.
I do think the Pacers were very fortunate that the series went 7 though. In the four Heat wins, three were blowouts and the Pacers blew the game(after the Heat blew it to let it get to O.T.). While all 3 Pacers wins were close games. I felt like that series could have easily ended in five or six games.
Why I think a healthy Bulls in the West or the East is the best bet to beat the Heat.
I don't think anyone in the West besides an aging Spurs team poses matchup problems for them.
I think the Nets are being underrated. They're a little old but Deron Willams and Brook Lopez aren't. The Heat don't have anyone to guard Lopez. I think crunch time would be a real problem for the Heat. Ray Allen can't guard anyone and they would have nowhere to hide him. I think in the end it comes down to believing that Garnett and Pierce will have a huge impact on the team mentally. The Nets lost to the Bulls last year because they were soft. I think those two guys can transform them. And any time you get the Jet against the Heat, the Heat will be nervous.
If the Pacers were bringing back the same team I'd like Miami over them for the reasons you stated but the Pacers are going to be much better. You could also say that if George doesn't make a small misstep against Lebron they probably win game one.
The Rockets with Dwight would be a big matchup problem. They have nothing for him. But that would require the old Dwight Howard to show up and that's definitely not a certainty.
The Finals, from a entertainment standpoint, that I'd most like to see is Warriors Heat. I think the Heat would win but Golden State can go toe to toe with them, athletically, on the perimeter.
Yes the Pacers had the worst bench I've seen from a final four team other than 2011 Heat in the past 20 years. With improved bench they should be good although I'm still not quite sold on Vogel being a championship coach(his game 1 ECF was a real head scratcher) plus Hibbert is very inconsistent.
The Nets on paper have a good starting five but Pierce and KG have been broken down by playoff time three years in a row now. I think Lebron would go off on them as well. Plus a rookie head coach is going to be tough beating a Thibs or a Spol in a playoff series. I would take the Nets over the Knicks in a 4-5 playoff matchup though.
Houston has Howard who should dominate Miami but they don't have the perimeter defenders to defend Lebron or Wade. Plus Bosh is a perimeter big so he'd frustrate Howard.
I'm higher on Houston than most are. I think with Harden-Howard combo who were 1-2 in FT attempts you are going to get every single team in foul trouble which will play a factor.
For now my preseason NBA rankings would go as follows.
Comments
If you think a team with Rose and Aldridge as its two top players has the heart to win the East, you are AuburndoogFuckingStupid
Considering Miami has a weak frontline they would struggle against an Aldridge/Noah combo with Gibson off the bench.
Bulls have trade pieces with Boozer's decent contract which is off the books in two years, this euro that everyone loves plus an unprotected Bobcats 1st round pick in 2016.
They are going to land someone whether it be Gasol, Aldridge or Horford.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Mirotić
Agree with you about Aldridge instead of Boozer. Noah, Aldridge, Deng (Another guy they could trade, Jimmy Butler, and Rose is a great starting 5. They have Dunleavy, Gibson, and Hinrich off the bench. They look dangerous. If anyone is beating Miami, I think it is Chicago. It will never happen without a healthy Rose though.
The Heat played in two game sevens last year and the Spurs had them beat. Rebound the ball and Spurs win. They aren't some unbeatable juggernaut. Add the fact that they have played in three straight Finals, the mental and physical fatigue I believe will take its toll and they'll get knocked out.
I think they have a shot, Lebrons the best player in the word, but if they have to play the Bulls and Pacers in back to back series I'd say they have zero chance at getting back.
However there is a reason why the 1984-87 Celtics were the last team to play in four straight finals. The mental and physical exhaustion you go through starts to affect you.
I don't fear the Nets at all, I think the Nets are an old aging team with a first year head coach who will be lucky to get out of the first round.
Now playing a healthy Bulls and Pacers back to back then a tough Western Conference team? I don't see how they survive that.
I do think the Pacers were very fortunate that the series went 7 though. In the four Heat wins, three were blowouts and the Pacers blew the game(after the Heat blew it to let it get to O.T.). While all 3 Pacers wins were close games. I felt like that series could have easily ended in five or six games.
Why I think a healthy Bulls in the West or the East is the best bet to beat the Heat.
I don't think anyone in the West besides an aging Spurs team poses matchup problems for them.
If the Pacers were bringing back the same team I'd like Miami over them for the reasons you stated but the Pacers are going to be much better. You could also say that if George doesn't make a small misstep against Lebron they probably win game one.
The Rockets with Dwight would be a big matchup problem. They have nothing for him. But that would require the old Dwight Howard to show up and that's definitely not a certainty.
The Finals, from a entertainment standpoint, that I'd most like to see is Warriors Heat. I think the Heat would win but Golden State can go toe to toe with them, athletically, on the perimeter.
The Nets on paper have a good starting five but Pierce and KG have been broken down by playoff time three years in a row now. I think Lebron would go off on them as well. Plus a rookie head coach is going to be tough beating a Thibs or a Spol in a playoff series. I would take the Nets over the Knicks in a 4-5 playoff matchup though.
Houston has Howard who should dominate Miami but they don't have the perimeter defenders to defend Lebron or Wade. Plus Bosh is a perimeter big so he'd frustrate Howard.
I'm higher on Houston than most are. I think with Harden-Howard combo who were 1-2 in FT attempts you are going to get every single team in foul trouble which will play a factor.
For now my preseason NBA rankings would go as follows.
1. Heat
2. Spurs
3. OKC
4. Bulls
5. Pacers
6. Houston
7. Grizzlies
8. Clippers
9. Warriors
10. Nets
#sterndreckfest