08-09 team previews.
Strong lineup, strong bench. 'What do they need then ?' is the question
that might come in your mind. Well, they're positions are rather wrong,
and they should pull off few trades to get one more backup or even a
starter PG for a SF, as they're SF is loaded with 3 good players, J. Smith,
F. Cruz(R) and J. Stackhouse, everyone is rated high. Most likely the
team will end up in playoffs and be eliminated on the first - second round.
The big three is still there, and they have help from Rondo at the point
and rookie Ripley at the center. Like Hawks, they should give more time to
their superstar Kevin Garnett, who will play just around 30 minutes, but
probably is not going to fail. Now with the Celtics having a decent center
and an improved PG, and every spot filled nicely, I don't see them not
going to the finals.
Another very talented team, though in a need of a backup C. Every spot
is filled with potential, but I see them failing without having a special
gamestyle, unless they turn into what they want more, defense or offense.
I think they will not get to the playoffs and will be in the same position for
the next year.
No question, very good team. They have got an inside stopper, good team
defensibly overall, they're PG is a playmaker and a shooter who might be
the next Steve Nash (Kirk Hinrich), Luol Deng at the SF position and
Andres Nocioni at the SG position, I see them going far.
With LeBron James getting just 60% of the playing time at the SF position,
it's not a real surprise they haven't got far. They need to get a young PG
who can set up assists after losing Boobie. They still have Hughes' huge
contract which could be traded for something good. If James and the Big Z
work it out together, the Cavaliers will have a spot in the playoffs, and
probably not going to get eliminated fast.
This team, if it doesn't work out this year, they are probably going to
rebuild it, and hey, they can do it for sure with these talented old players,
Nowitzki, Terry, Howard and so on. If they want to be succesful, they
should cut Keith Van Horn's contract and give Nowitzki the minutes. For
some reason I see them being out of the playoff race.
No. This team is built bad. Carmelo Anthony is playing under Shawn
Marion and gets just around 15 minutes, Allen Iverson plays the point and
doesn't start as a shooting guard, surprisingly he was even resigned, JR
Smith gets around 35 minutes with his bad shot selection and everything.
Still, this team has to be rebuilded and it's bad contracts are Isiah-like. (no offense)
Yes ! That's how a team is built. Every spot is filled with good players, they
can play D and offense aswell, they can shoot the ball, pass the ball, grab
it from the boards. I see them facing the Celtics in the Eastern finals conference.
Hmm, very versatile team, but still it doesn't make sense. They're spots
are filled nicely, none has too much minutes, neither too little amount of
them, just like Dallas, I think they will be out of the playoff race.
Just like the Pistons, the Rockets are built very well. They have got good
defense, good offense, nothing is bad and if the team stays healthy, they
will be unstoppable on offense, and 'unkillable' offensively. I think they will
be one of the top seeds in western conference.
Good team, good potential. If everyone stays healthy they'll be good.
They should also sign a mid-level expection, backup C to play behind Troy
Murphy. They should also improve their speed if they want to play fast
gamestyle, if not then improve their defense. If this kind of gamestyle fits,
the talented Pacers will not fail.
Summer league champions, led by Elton Brand who is a starter at PF and
gets a piece of C. The problem is, Chris Kaman doesn't have a real C
backup, so he gets lots of minutes, which tires him. Therefore, the team is
very talented at every position and I see them getting far if they play
without injuries.
Will Kobe be able to get another ring with Odom, Gasol and Bynum ?
None knows, but we know that with 3 superstars and 1 rising star, it's not
going to be a fail. We'll see if it counts true, and if the Lakers get far with
their current roster.
Talented, young team. Mostly young teams that are just put together,
won't get far in the first season, we'll see if that counts on Rudy Gay and
the Grizzlies too. I see them succeeding after 3 years.
Three main men, Wade, Martin and Mourning are trying to repeat their
championships two seasons ago, but will they be able to do it ? Not sure,
because they still aren't fully loaded and if there are injuries, we'll see a
lot of losses from the Heat. If they get a SF, they'll be good, and a backup
center wouldn't hurt either. I see them failing this season because of
injuries, and after 2 seasons they will be one of the top teams, again.
Probably the most talented team that was left out of the playoffs, but
thats the chemistry they haven't found yet. If this continues, they'll live in
the offseason for next 5 years, but if they find the chemistry and the
teamwork and everything, they'll most likely be a good team.
Yet another talented team, that was left out of the playoffs and won the
1st draft pick. This year, they'll try to work out. The team is led by two
Jeffersons, Richard Jefferson, who was traded to Minnesota last season,
and Al Jefferson, who has always been a Timberwolf.
With all positions filled, the Nets might look ready, but no. They are
looking to pull off a trade to get themselves a half court team, and there
already are some rumours about the trade. If the Nets are going to work
like they should, we see them going far enough.
The Hornets, led by CP3, are looking for a good season after drafting a
nice SF, B. Shaw who plays even over Peja Stojakovic. Hornets'
gamestyle still continues, with a lot of passwork, but they don't have many
weak sides, and that's what might bring them up. If they play nice, they
might be one of the top seeds in western conference.
Maybe.. Maybe, if everyone of the team could stay healthy, but still, we
guess it's a ' No Team ' until a few years until the bad contracts expire,
unless they are resigned. The team might go up after its rebuilded, which
might take time.
Good, good team. The front court, Howard and Lewis take care of most
things, but it's not sure how they do it. They're offense is versatile and
with many options, and they have huge inside stopper, franchise played
Dwight Howard and one of the best defenders, Bruce Bowen, so the team
is probably going to end up high.
Rookies D. Molony and D. Best joined with the offensive forces of Andre-
Miller and -Iguodala's, but still, the defense remains okay, as Iguodala
has it with his long arms and everything. If the team finds synergy, it's
going to be a nice team.
Last year champs, the team hasn't had many changes. If the same thing
continues like it did the last time, the team is kind an unstoppable and will
end up very high. Some say the Phoenix Suns will repeat last year, and
will win the championships this year also, who knows ? Maybe they will.
Youngest team still remains young, but now with new good players like Z.
Battie(R) and Kyle Korver, who is a terrific shooter and can score
anytime. Though, LaMarcus Aldridge, who starts as a PF has to backup
Greg Oden, and that gives Aldridge around 45 minutes, none knows if he
is capable, but if he is, don't be surprised if he is one of the most
improved players and the team leader, ofcourse.
Like always, the team just isn't so gifted as it looks like. With lots of stars
and good players like Ron Artest, Mike Bybby, Kevin Martin and Brad
Miller, also Shareef, the team still isn't so shining, what's wrong with it
then ? We'll see, but maybe this year they start shining ? We'll see, again.
The Spurs, not so many fans because of the gamestyle is boring, but with
a rookie A. Gomez, maybe it changes ? If their game continues, it shows
that they are just aiming to win, but do they ? No idea, until the playoffs.
Kevin Durant's SuperSonics, well, rookie Stewart has joined with him, and
with Wilcox improving over his younger years, maybe the SuperSonics will
turn Super soon ? None knows, let's find out in the coming year(s).
Chris Bosh and the Raptors are looking forward to a good season,
because they have got talent and they have got their plans and gamestyle
set on offense mainly, but that doesn't mean they don't have defense,
their defense is okay and it works out, so you are looking at a strong
team. Most likely it's going to be a good team in few years when they get
even more talent.
This team has a lot of talent, but they still got eliminated in the playoffs.
With Deron Williams at the point, AK-47 at the SF, Boozer at the PF and
Okur at the center, the team is extremly good with lots of potential. Now
they have N. Legrand, a rookie on SG position, so the team is going to be
stronger than before, maybe they don't get eliminated this time ?
Another team with good potential and talent. With Arenas, Jamison and
Butler doing their thing, the team is looking strong enough to get to the
playoffs, but I don't think people see them going far this year, but hey,
we'll see and the time tells, maybe the do ?
With the offseason over, every team is ready for the season, and we'll see who is the chosen one this year !