A LEGEND IS BORN III

[Fresh8]

Jay Gray and Bucks > LeBron and Cavs

Too bad it won't end up that way. Maybe if Lamrock steps up, Bucks can get closer to the Cavs.

[kibaxx7]

Tinsley stuck there. Nice roster in Indy though. U guys might be strong!

Strong? Tell that to the Ball Don't Lie guy.

[Fresh8]

Tinsley stuck there. Nice roster in Indy though. U guys might be strong!

Strong? Tell that to the Ball Don't Lie guy.

You should send an email of complaint haha

[Nuns 'n Moses]

I'm going against my hometown Cavaliers, looks like Milwaukee is going to swim.

[Fresh8]

I'm going against my hometown Cavaliers, looks like Milwaukee is going to swim.

Thanks big man.

Pac Div Preview out soon!

[Fresh8]

October 8, 2012
Pacific Division Preview
By Willard Smith

Division by division previews for all 30 NBA teams.


Can Moses Chara help Shaquille O’Neal win one last ring – or vice versa?

Golden State Warriors

Monta Ellis and Louis Nixon have never played together in the same backcourt for more than three minute stretches over the past two seasons. It’s starting to get a little bit ridiculous. We understand that the Warriors are a bit worried that having two undersized scoring point guards in the same backcourt could be bad. However, they really should experiment and see if there’s any chance it could work. If it does work, you have two All-Star caliber guards tearing apart other teams.

Nixon fell into the team’s lap in the 2010 NBA Draft and has not disappointed. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in his rookie year and had it not been for Jay Gray, he would have also been rookie of the year. Nixon doesn’t get the minutes because he is Ellis’ backup and that has clearly been on his mind this past Summer. Nixon has complained about his role but has not demanded a trade. Recently he admitted, “It’s frustrating because I want to start – who doesn’t? But I am a professional and I will keep doing my job.” The Warriors need to be careful with how they handle this situation as Nixon comes off-contract after next season. He may not demand a trade but that doesn’t mean he’s going to opt to re-sign with the Warriors after his rookie deal is up.

As for the Warriors as a team - they have a strong side and play a very distinctive brand of basketball. Biedrins and Wright can both run the floor with Belinelli opening up the court with his pinpoint shooting for Maggette and Ellis to score, score, and score. Nixon comes off the bench to give the team a scoring punch while proving that the team isn’t missing a beat without their All-Star Ellis on the court. Jason Terry and Anthony Randolph add even more firepower to the side.

The Warriors have too many weapons on the team, so expect them to challenge for a playoff spot because they are such a good team. It’s unfortunate though because these guys are really built for the regular season so don’t expect them to make too much noise if they do make it into the postseason.

Starting Five: Andris Biedrins, Brendan Wright, Corey Maggette, Marco Belinelli, Monta Ellis
Key Reserves Louis Nixon PG, Jason Terry SG, Anthony Randolph SF, Jermaine O’Neal C/F
2011-12 Team Record: 45-37
Projected 2012-13: 10th in the Western Conference, Third in the Division

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Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are in a state of flux right now. They’re not that bad but they’re not that good. That sort of sucks when you are a team that’s capable of making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference (typical for most of the West) and struggle to make the playoffs in the Western Conference.

Stoudemire and Lliach carry the Clippers and many are hoping that the signing of DJ White (who people think have a fair amount of untapped potential) can steer LA’s other team in the right direction. Richard Jefferson was a good pickup last season while Eric Gordon continues to improve. The Clippers don’t have a strong bench and that is their undoing in the wild wild west.

Mehmet Okur, Ricky Davis, and Rafer Alston are all has-beens and the team does not have any relevant young players on their bench. The team is too proud to tank and they’re not good enough to make the postseason. Even if they did – they’re not good enough to make any noise in the postseason.

This is a bad place for the Clippers to be.

Starting Five: Amar’e Stoudemire, DJ White, Richard Jefferson, Eric Gordon, Ray Lliach
Key Reserves Mehmet Okur C, Kyle Rogers PF, Ricky Davis SG, Rafer Alston PG
2011-12 Team Record: 40-42
Projected 2012-13: 13th in the Western Conference, Fourth in the Division

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Los Angeles Lakers

It just doesn’t make sense that the Lakers are consistently mediocre. It shouldn’t come as a surprise though with all of the strange strategy that the team employs.

Exhibit A: Playing Kobe Bryant at point guard. Exhibit B: Adam Morrison starting over Luke Walton and Rodney Stuckey. Exhibit C: Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol not dominating. Well, Exhibit C isn’t really the coaching staff’s fault but it’s still tied with the first two situations. Kobe is not a point guard. The team doesn’t have a competent point guard in the starting five who can distribute the ball and make sure that the big men are getting their touches and shots.

Bynum, Gasol, and Bryant are all All-Star caliber players but the team just has not played like everyone thought they would be. It’s been about 3 or 4 years now and the Lakers have won 1 title when everyone expected them to dominate and three-peat. Even their lone title was a lucky one as they won as seventh seeds against an underwhelming Miami Heat team.

Until they stop playing on cruise control and start making logical decisions, I don’t see them winning again. However, I do think that this team is focused to do well for the regular season and get a better seeding than last year. They’re capable of doing that but will it happen?

Starting Five: Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Adam Morrison, James Carter, Kobe Bryant
Key Reserves Rodney Stuckey PG, Brendan Haywood C, Hakim Warrick PF, Rickey Posey PF, Luke Walton SF
2011-12 Team Record: 44-38
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the Second Round, 3rd in the Western Conference, Second in the Division

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Phoenix Suns

Here’s another team that doesn’t look like improving on the previous season. Kevin Love was a great signing but he is not going to help the Suns’ chances. There is no direction for Phoenix – the team is made up mainly of outcasts or unwanted players from other teams.

The Clippers traded away Baron Davis because they would rather have a rookie in charge of the team. Davis has since seemed to have disappeared off the face of the planet after resurrecting his career in LA by posting All-Star numbers. The Suns have been trying desperately to offload the gun slinging Jason Richardson but have found it impossible to make it happen.

Nate Robinson’s attitude has turned teams away one after the other while Goran Dragic is proving again and again that he never had a chance to fill Steve Nash’s shoes in Arizona. Robin Lopez is nowhere near as good as his brother, which means he is pretty bad. Love was resigned by the Wolves for a reason and Leandro Barbosa is wasting away on the Suns’ bench.

GM Steve Kerr hasn’t made any big moves at all and I think a blockbuster deal is well overdue for the Suns. It’s sad to see the team where they are now after losing Nash, Amar’e Stoudemire, and any respectability in the Western Conference.

Starting Five: Robin Lopez, Kevin Love, Jason Richardson, Leonard Cassell, Baron Davis
Key Reserves Darnell Love PF (R), Junior Cardinal PF, Leandro Barbosa SG, Nate Robinson PG, Goran Dragic PG
2011-12 Team Record: 34-48
Projected 2012-13: 15th in the Western Conference, Last in the Division

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Sacramento Kings

Shaquille O’Neal said it all with his one quote in the surprising press conference announcing his one year deal to stay in Sacramento to play for the ‘Queens’. “I’m going to retire with one ring in Sacramento. We’re still queens until we win the ring. After that, we will be Kings. I’m a wise man and I always was. I knew what I was talking about ten years ago,” O’Neal stated.

The confidence in O’Neal’s comments has been there throughout his career. He has a great opportunity to make his final promise come true with the Kings. O’Neal admitted that his career was all but over but a couple of phone calls from superstar Moses Chara convinced O’Neal to change his mind. “Moses reached out to me,” O’Neal recites, “He said that he needs me and he said that he would love to help me win another title. I thought it sounded fair. That’s why I’m back.”

The Kings have a well balanced team with star players and role players all knowing their own jobs and responsibilities on a team that is geared towards winning the championship. These guys are in fact my favorites to win it all.

Chara is the best player in the NBA. LeBron James is the second best player. Chara has proven that he is the best. A smooth shooting stroke and an ability to do everything else despite middling athleticism – Chara is our generation’s answer to Larry Bird. He is flanked by smooth scorer Kevin Martin and the uber-athletic point guard Russell Westbrook. Jason Thompson is a young forward who works hard on both ends of the floor while O’Neal may be 40 but is still built for the game. He may have lost a step but still has some tricks in the bag.

The Kings have the luxury of having an All-Star coming off the bench in Michael Redd. Andres Nocioni and Steve Blake are starters on any other NBA team. The Kings have a tight knit group of players and the maturity and experience to win it all this season. They are so good that Shaq would rather have one last shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy. The Kings are good. Period.

Starting Five: Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Thompson, Moses Chara, Kevin Martin, Russell Westbrook
Key Reserves Michael Redd SG, Andres Nocioni SF, Steve Blake PG, Donnie Myers C, Jerry Stackhouse SG
2011-12 Team Record: 48-34
Projected 2012-13: NBA Champions, 1st in the Western Conference, First in the Division

[kibaxx7]

Man, I'm in love with the Kings starting lineup

[Nuns 'n Moses]

The Kings might go 82-0...

[Fresh8]

Man, I'm in love with the Kings starting lineup

They got a good team. I would love to control that them. Would be fun.

The Kings might go 82-0...

They're not that great... but I do hope they get to 60 wins this season.

[kaiser_kobe]

Yeah, the Kings' line up are pretty stacked...looks like the Kings-Lakers rivalry are back!

[|)e8*]

Except Kings>Lakers

[hova-]

The Kings are really great. How you cited Shaq, man, that's just what he'd say in real life. The only thing missing was like: Chara: "Hey Shaq, would you like to join me for another season?" - Shaq: "Maybe if your mother joins us?" or something like this.

The Pacific all in all is not a powerhouse. Tough to see the Suns and Lakers struggling (actually I don't care about the Lakers )

[Fresh8]

Yeah, the Kings' line up are pretty stacked...looks like the Kings-Lakers rivalry are back!

Lakers aren't good enough to make it a rivalry.

Except Kings>Lakers

Kings >>> Lakers.

The Kings are really great. How you cited Shaq, man, that's just what he'd say in real life. The only thing missing was like: Chara: "Hey Shaq, would you like to join me for another season?" - Shaq: "Maybe if your mother joins us?" or something like this.

The Pacific all in all is not a powerhouse. Tough to see the Suns and Lakers struggling (actually I don't care about the Lakers )

Thanks, I wanted to make Shaq sound like he would in real life.

And you're right about Pacific... only team that is a given to make the playoffs are the Kings. Lakers are more realistically a 6, 7, 8 seed... or could drop out all together. The Lakers have never been good in this association... maybe cause they lost Lamar Odom in FA and Jordan Farmar for one full season 2 years ago... they lost Fisher to FA... then Farmar a year later... definitely a mess in LA for the Lakers.

[Martti.]

That Kings team sure looks like the team that will win it all.

[Fresh8]

That Kings team sure looks like the team that will win it all.

What I love about NBA 2k9 is the fact that upsets happen all the time.

[Fresh8]

Updated: October 22, 2012
Sacramento Should Show Their Worth As Kings Of The Court
Last year’s NBA finalists should get there again. And maybe win it all.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Team To Beat: (From left to right) Redd, Chara, Westbrook, Martin, O’Neal

By Woody Hannes
ESPN.com Writer

The jubilation of winning Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals and clinching a spot to play against the seemingly inferior Atlanta Hawks quickly turned to tribulation as Manu Ginobili led Atlanta, with an NBA Finals MVP performance, to the NBA title. As Al Horford and Josh Smith gave each other chest bumps and Tayshaun Prince and Manu Ginobili shook hands, the Kings soaked up the atmosphere. They did not rush to leave the court as Moses Chara ordered each and every player to feel the pain of choking and losing a golden opportunity to start their trophy collection. As the crowd roared, Chara turned to his fellow teammates, got them to gather into a huddle, and said a few words…

At the London Olympics, Chara would be asked about what he had said in those final moments before the Kings were ushered to the visitor’s change room. He paused and then recited, apparently word for word, what he had told his team mates on that fateful day.

“This is the pain we will suffer every time we lose. That is where we want to be not just next year but for every year after that. I am not wasting my time on a losing team. We’re coming back next season to win.”

There was a bit of grumbling in the room as one bewildered journalist asked Chara to repeat himself. And he repeated the exact same words. That led to another question, “Don’t you think that’s a bit harsh after losing the NBA Finals?”

“No,” Chara would boldly reply.

“Your comments could be construed as arrogance,” a British reporter stated (Funny how he says this because some British soccer players are the most arrogant people in the Worlds).

Chara smiled, “There’s no problem with that.”

Fast forward another few months and you get to Sacramento training camp and you can feel the vibe that Chara has instilled in the locker room. The arrogance has rubbed off on all of the players. The sheer volume of pride as well as the juxtapositioning of hurting egos – all of this really creates a very defensive attitude from the team. And I’m not talking about defense on the court. I’m talking about defense in the interviews with people like me.

Out of all the bitterness from their NBA Finals loss last Spring as well as the newly found cockiness of the side, the Kings aren’t going to suffer any drop in popularity any time soon. Chara explains why, “Everyone knows that we are the best team in the league. Everyone knows that I am the best player in this league. Everyone knows that we have a great roster. That’s why there’s love for us.”

When you look at the Kings, they have one of the best rosters built in the NBA. Even if Shaq had not returned for one final season as he approaches the age of 41, the Kings would have been contenders. Shaq’s return makes them favorites to win it all.

O’Neal speaks fondly of why he chose to return for the Kings (or ‘Queens’ as he affectionately labels the team he once did battle with during his three-peat years in LA). “Moses Chara is the reason I am back. I am grateful and I am blessed to be in the presence of the true messiah of basketball,” O’Neal seriously jokes. And you read that right – the use of ‘seriously jokes’ can only apply to Shaq. He can make it happen.

The strength of Sacramento has the rest of the League worried. Chara’s all around game is scary. Even when he is shooting poorly, he finds ways to contribute and help the Kings pull out a win. Kevin Martin is a brilliant sidekick as he scores in many ways that Chara doesn’t. Michael Redd was a coup for the team as he has settled in on the Kings bench as a star sixth man. Shaq’s experience and underrated ball handling are important cogs of the Kings’ system. Meanwhile, the decision to give Russell Westbrook a chance to stay in the league paid huge dividends as he developed into a solid starting point guard by season’s end in 2011-12.

“This team is deep,” one Western Conference scout admits, “I have got to say that it will be scary to match up with them. They are just so talented and they don’t really have any major flaws. Shaq may have lost a couple of steps but they have a lot of guys covering his back. And you don’t ever want to get into a scoring match with them because they will outscore you with their hands tied behind their backs.”

As the Kings finish off a blowout of the Charlotte Bobcats in an exhibition game, Moses Chara boldly raises one arm in the air before walking towards the tunnel leading to the change rooms. He would later get up on the podium in front of the press for a post-game interview.

“Don’t ask me about tonight’s game. Let’s talk about next June,” Chara, chewing gum, speaks his mind fearlessly. Out of interest, Chara was asked (for the millionth time) who the main rivals were for the Kings. Chara started with his usual, "Well, no one really can challenge us. We're too talented." When prodded further for a better answer, Chara gave the media what they wanted, "Who can come close? Well, what about Cleveland and Miami. Atlanta isn't bad. I would also rate Portland." When asked about his old college rival Reshawn Tyson and his Seattle Stealth Chara replied, "Who? The last I heard was that Mike Tyson is a boxer. I thought Seattle was some other guy's team. Kevin who?"

It is that kind of attitude that will get the Kings back to the Finals. It is that kind of attitude that will help them show off what they have to flaunt. And it is that kind of attitude that will help them win the first of many NBA titles. It all begins soon.

[kibaxx7]

Wow, Chara is taller than I thought. Great article bro.

[|)e8*]

I thought Westbrook was Chara

[dare]

Chara is tall, what is his height? Very nice article about them I like the attitude of Chara

[Fresh8]

Wow, Chara is taller than I thought. Great article bro.

I thought Westbrook was Chara

Chara is tall, what is his height? Very nice article about them I like the attitude of Chara

6'9" I believe he is.

[Martti.]

Chara's attitude is legendary. Get through the previews already man.

[Fresh8]

I'm trying to man but there's just so much to write up and so little time. But only 2 divs left and one chapter to come and the season can finally begin!

[Lamrock]

You are the sensei of hype. While it is far easier to accumulate a lot of replies these days, its still impressive that you'll have 500+ replies before the season even starts.

Nice article about Sac-Town. Certainly a force to be reckoned with.

[hova-]

Loving that article. Chara's the man. He definitely looks quite cool compared to other rookies in the game.

[Fresh8]

You are the sensei of hype. While it is far easier to accumulate a lot of replies these days, its still impressive that you'll have 500+ replies before the season even starts.

Nice article about Sac-Town. Certainly a force to be reckoned with.

So are you saying this is all hype and no substance? Man, that's cutting me deep.

Actually, didn't have to be this way but thought previews plus review of the last season would be appreciated by everyone to set the scene... just didn't realize it would take so long.

And yeah, the Kings are tough. But we can beat them. Thanks to My Team Durant.

Loving that article. Chara's the man. He definitely looks quite cool compared to other rookies in the game.

Oh yeah, he looks like a man on a mission and wants to eat your sisters, mothers, and daughters... wait a second... thats someone else...