Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:24 am
Pacific Division
The Pacific Division has made quite the resurgence the last few seasons. It now stands as the deepest division in basketball only rivaled by the Southwest. It features two championship caliber teams(both LA teams) and 5 playoff caliber teams. Each team has impressive depth and plays on both ends of the floor. Featuring some of the games best big and small talent with names such as, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and many more.
Favorites to win the division: Los Angeles Lakers
Most exciting team: Los Angeles Clippers
Deepest team: Golden State Warriors
Darkhorse: Golden State Warriors
Predictions
Los Angeles Lakers: 48-10 Lose in WCF
Los Angeles Clippers: 44-14 Lose in 2nd round
Sacramento Kings: 43-15 Lose in 1st round
Golden State Warriors: 40-18 Lose in 1st round
Phoenix Suns: 25-33 Miss playoffs
Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:37 am
Fri Apr 13, 2012 1:48 pm
.dan wrote:Top notch presentationYou're pretty solid with graphics.
So I'm a little confused.... This is a MyPlayer and association? How are you gonna make the same things happen in both?
Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:37 am
Southwest Division
The Southwest, home to some of the most dangerous teams in basketball. It's been that way for years, but this year it adds one of the NBA's best in the young and exciting Oklahoma City Thunder who make their move from the Northwest finally since actually moving from the Northwest. The division also includes the revamped Mavs with their double D duo of Dirk & Deron, the Memphis Grizzlies who are deeper than ever, the rarely talked about Houston Rockets, and the young rebuilding Spurs(yes I know it doesn't sound right saying young with this team). This division has the capability to produce 5 playoff teams, but 4 are expected to make it and 3 of those are legit title contenders. Expect big time battles this year down South!
Favorites to win the division: Oklahoma City Thunder
Most exciting team: Oklahoma City Thunder
Deepest team: Memphis Grizzlies
Darkhorse: Houston Rockets
Predictions
Oklahoma City Thunder: 49-9 Lose in NBA FInals
Dallas Mavericks: 47-11 Lose in 2nd round
Memphis Grizzlies: 45-13 Lose in 1st round
Houston Rockets: 41-17 Lose in 1st round
San Antonio Spurs: 29-29 Miss playoffs
Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:11 pm
Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:05 pm
Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:27 pm
Cruzerr wrote:So you are a Cav? Not bad, not bad at all
Manimalia wrote:Mavs should start Chandler at SG, and Kidd of the bench. Great graphics work.
Fri May 18, 2012 4:39 pm
Northwest Division
Its not often you say this, but the Northwest division is the worst division in basketball, but it may be the most interesting. With such a combination of young upstart teams that play with fire and deep rosters, this division may not produce any NBA champion, but it does supply thrills. The Denver Nuggets are the clear favorites from the division, namely due to them having the most talent of every team in the division. New Orleans moves to the Northwest this year so OKC moves to the Southwest division. Portland and Minnesota look to pose threats, but may not be able to sustain whatever momentum they gain in the beginning of the season.
Favorites to win the division: Denver Nuggets
Most exciting team: Denver Nuggets
Deepest team: Denver Nuggets
Darkhorse: Minnesota Timberwolves
Predictions
Denver Nuggets: 39-19 Miss playoffs
Portland Trailblazers: 31-27 Miss playoffs
Utah Jazz: 32-26 Miss playoffs
Minnesota Timberwolves: 31-27 Miss playoffs
New Orleans Hornets: 18-40 Miss playoffs
Fri May 18, 2012 4:51 pm
Central Division
The Central division isn't as stacked as some other divisions, and it isn't a contest for who will win the division, but it does contain some interesting teams. Chicago is the odds on favorite after winning the NBA title and having the back-to-back league MVP, Indiana now has one of the deepest teams and one of the best starting 5's in basketball. Cleveland improved vastly over the summer and should have a playoff roster, while Milwaukee made an addition by subtraction by trading their franchise big man Andrew Bogut for Monte Ellis. Detroit continues along their rebuilding process, but do have a very talented young group in the Motor City.
Favorites to win the division: Chicago Bulls
Most exciting team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Deepest team: Chicago Bulls
Darkhorse: Indiana Pacers
Predictions
Chicago Bulls: 50-8 Win NBA Title
Indiana Pacers: 39-19 Lose in 1st round
Cleveland Cavaliers: 35-23 Lose in 1st round
Milwaukee Bucks: 29-29 Miss playoffs
Detroit Pistons: 19-39 Miss playoffs
Fri May 18, 2012 5:05 pm
Southeast Division
The Southeast, home to some of the most media covered teams of the last two decades. It's been that way ever since LeBron James decided to take his "talents to South Beach" 3 years ago. Then from the mold he made Dwight Howard tried to jump ship, only he didn't, and then he did again, then he didn't...Now there are other teams including the Atlanta Hawks who are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs, the Washington Wizards who want to return to the playoffs, and reach them for the 1st time in the John Wall era. And then there's the Charlotte Bobcats who Micheal Jordan has in rebuilding mode. This looks to be another exciting year in the Southeast as 3 of the top 6 teams out east are located in this division.
Favorites to win the division: Miami Heat
Most exciting team: Miami Heat
Deepest team: Atlanta Hawks
Darkhorse: Washington Wizards
Predictions
Miami Heat: 49-9 Lose in ECF
Atlanta Hawks: 44-14 Lose in 2nd round
Orlando Magic: 41-17 Lose in 1st round
Washington Wizards: 28-30 Miss playoffs
Charlotte Bobcats: 17-41 Miss playoffs
Fri May 18, 2012 10:15 pm
Mon May 21, 2012 5:27 pm
Mon May 21, 2012 6:22 pm
Atlantic Division
The Atlantic doesn't have much to talk about outside of the New York metro area. The Knicks look to avenge their Eastern Conference Finals loss with the additions of Tyson Chandler and Steve Nash, Brooklyn finally has a professional sports team again, but don't expect the Nets to be more than the Nets after striking out on the Deron Williams-Dwight Howard plan. Toronto has some of the best young talent in the East for a rebuilding team while Philly looks to still be competitive. Boston seems to be somewhere in between mediocrity and lottery bound with core players Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce now flanked by a plethora of young talent for the future.
Favorites to win the division: New York Knicks
Most exciting team: New York Knicks
Deepest team: Philadelphia 76ers
Darkhorse: Boston Celtics
Predictions
New York Knicks: 46-12 Lose in 2nd round
Philadelphia 76ers: 34-24 Lose in 1st round
Boston Celtics: 29-29 Miss playoffs
Brooklyn Nets: 20-38 Miss playoffs
Toronto Raptors: 22-36 Miss playoffs
Mon May 21, 2012 6:24 pm
Radioman wrote:Those Team Previews are really great! I predict the Mavericks win it all this time.
Cruzerr wrote:Really awesome previews, enjoying them heavy.
Mon May 21, 2012 6:37 pm
Tue May 22, 2012 6:14 pm
Cavs release pre-season schedule
To show they mean business in becoming a dominant franchise again, the Cleveland Cavaliers have announced they will play the top 3 ranked teams in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks. They will also face the best from the West, the OKC Thunder.
The pre-season is set to begin on Sunday, October 7th.
Tue May 22, 2012 7:26 pm
Thu May 24, 2012 1:57 pm
Bulls look like champs in pre-season win over Cavs
Quincy Calloway attacking the basket late in the 3rd qtr. Calloway had a rough debut for the CavsCavaliers-80
Bulls-92
The Cleveland Cavaliers played their first pre-season game tonight against the reigning NBA champs, the Chicago Bulls. The Cavaliers lost 80-92 thanks in large part to Derrick Rose who had 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists on 7-9 shooting.
For the Cavs, 5 players made their Cavalier debuts, Quincy Calloway, Tracy McGrady, Andrei Kirelenko, John Salmons, and Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist. Calloway had scored 30 points, but shot a dismal 9-24 in his first Cavalier outing. No one else shot the ball well either, with the exception being Tracy McGrady and Tristan Thompson who both shot 7-9 from the field. Kyrie Irving was in foul trouble the majority of the night and the Cavs offense struggled mightily due to the Bulls' defense and the loss of Irving.
The Cavaliers' offense looked pretty stagnant in their first game as there were several moments where the Cavs gave the ball to a particular player and said go one-on-one. They also had a plethora of turnovers, 15 to be exact, with 7 coming in the 3rd quarter.
This caused the Cavaliers to fall behind by 21 in the 3rd quarter before making a run in the 4th to close the gap.
The Cavaliers second pre-season game is next Monday in Madison Square Garden at 7:30pm ESt. against the New York Knicks.Highlight of the Night Player of the Game
Derrick Rose
21 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
Thu May 24, 2012 8:58 pm
Fri May 25, 2012 8:19 pm
Sat May 26, 2012 6:40 am
Cavs Take out Knicks with 2nd unit led by T-Mac
Tracy McGrady has contributed a lot to the Cavs off the bench and is looking like he will get a contractCavaliers-108
Knicks-90
The Cleveland Cavaliers looked like a totally different team on both ends of the floor tonight, as they jumped on New York from the start and went on to a blowout win. The Cavs forced turnovers and got out on the break, they limited what Melo, and negated Nash's pick & rolls with Amar'e. They swarmed 3 point shooters and forced them to dribble.
The Cavs' offense looked a lot crisper as well, thought there were still times where the ball stuck. Kyrie Irving is still struggling to find his rhythm and Cavs Head Coach Byron Scott might know the problem."Well, with Quincy out there it does create a dynamic where Kyrie has to step back to let him get involved and the same can be said for Quincy. When I put Tristan(Thompson) out there, Kyrie did have a better look about his game which is to be expected as Tristan isn't as much of a scorer and he has continuity with Kyrie."
The Cavaliers third pre-season game is next Sunday in Ceveland at 7:30pm EST. against the OKC Thunder.Highlight of the Night Player of the Game
Quincy Calloway
13 points, 2 steals, 1 rebound
Sat May 26, 2012 6:54 am
Apparently Durant and Calloway don't know it's preseason; As Thunder top Cavs
Quincy Calloway was remarkable at beating his man off the dribble tonightThunder-77
Cavaliers-70
This game had the feel of a playoff game, and yes it's still the pre-season. With the Thunder in town, the Cavs were ready to make a statement at home, but the Thunder came out looking like a team that could win the championship, by halftime they were up by 17. That's when the fun started.
Starting in the third Quincy Calloway decided to try and will the team to victory scoring 20 of his 42 points in the period! He also stepped it up on defense as he had 2 blocks and 8 rebounds as well. At the end of the third the Cavs were within 5 points. In the 4th Durant came back and scored 8 consecutive for the Thunder leading to Calloway coming back in. The Cavs made another surge led by Calloway getting to within 4, but Durant and Westbrook were too much for the Cavaliers this night as they combined for all 21 of the Thunder's 4th quarter points.
Magic Johnson tweeted after the game that, "I wish these 2 teams were in the same conference!" Don't we all Magic, don't we all.
The Cavaliers fourth and final pre-season game is next Monday here in Cleveland at 7:30pm EST. against the Miami Heat.Highlight of the Night Player of the Game
Kevin Durant
28 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Sat May 26, 2012 7:07 am
Cavs beat Heat in pre-season finale
MKG was superb on defense today and showed his potential on offense as wellHeat-92
Cavaliers-95
This was an interesting bout between these two teams. It's obvious the LeBron James thing will always make these two franchises have animosity towards one another, but tonight was pretty easy going.
The Cavs got out early and often and the benches came in and Miami's worked harder to bring the game to a respectable difference. Then LeBron and D-Wade brought the Heat all the way back into the lead with 2 minutes left and Kyris Irving and Quincy Calloway stopped the Heat in their tracks and closed them out. With the pre-season over it's time to speculate how much potential this Cavaliers squad has, even in going 2-2 against these top teams, they showed they can hang with them. Expect a playoff year for Cleveland and maybe even an award or 2 for some of their most talented players.Highlight of the Night Player of the Game
Quincy Calloway
25 points, 2 blocks, 1 rebound
Sat May 26, 2012 7:10 am
Radioman wrote:Its going to be tough to keep up with those teams...but the Bulls defense looks very helpless in this video.
Cruzerr wrote:Rose is one of the toughest of them though. Still, you are a very young team, so no sweat about a preseason loss
Sat May 26, 2012 9:08 am