by Metsis on Fri Jul 23, 2004 6:50 pm
I hate to break it to you boys, but the Mavs can't win the title... They lost Nash to Phoenix and so the show is without the runner and they still don't have a legitimate big man to man the center position. Offense wins games, defense wins championships. And Mavs don't have defense... Haven't had in years... I wouldn't rank them to the top half in west.
The grizzlies and nuggets are really going to be dangerous next season. They have their cores intact and have improved lately.
In west:
Spurs are tough, although I just hate Duncan as he's a gray cardboard man (no color, show some feeling man).
Kings lost Divac but they got Ostertag to fill in and they still have Miller, Webber and Peja.
Wolves are going to be better next season... KG just can't be stopped...
Houston, we'll just have to see how Yao and T-Mac mix it up. And if Yao can improve his game (he needs to get more consistent to be one of the best centers in the league).
Lakers didn't really loose anything... The reason why all west teams needed to have dominant big men left to the east so Divac can fill the center slot more then well in the west now. Odom had an excellent year and Caron Butler will be better if he can stay healthy. And I don't think we've seen the last of Payton. I believe he was hurting bad during the finals as he was that bad and you don't get that bad in a year, so had to be hurt. And with the coaching change we should see him rejuvenated. Kobe, well he'll be Kobe unless he thrown into jail.
In the east:
Indiana will probably top the east (during regular season). Trading Al Harrington will hurt although they got a perimeter player in return. Harrington was good, but he was unhappy. O'Neal and Artest will determine the fate of the Pacers.
Pistons, the defending champs don't get the jump on anyone. Really haven't lost anyone cause McDyess can fill Okurs position well.
Miami should rank up there... Shaq, I don't think I have to say more. They'll surround him with some role players and Miami will be set. No one can stop the Angry-Shaq!
Nets are not done, they will find someone to fill the void left by KMart. Reports have Shareef coming over from Portland. A team with Jason Kidd is never going to suck, he just makes everyone else so much better than they are.
Knicks, (my favorite team) I see these guys pushing for a play-off spot for the first time in a long time... They collected the needed pieces last season and now they just have to play as a team and I see them making the play-offs. And with all the experience on the roster they could be dangerous in the playoffs.
But this all too early to really tell the tale... I have a feeling that the blockbuster moves aren't done for this summer yet... I see some potentially big moves ahead... The most exciting time for us speculators.