General Chat / NBA

  • Coaster Ed%s's Photo
    Ostertag already signed with the Kings Mysjivus and I'm in the minority here, but I think he's a better backup than Vlade would have been.

    I'm on the Rockets' bandwagon too with that unstoppable duo. I don't know how well it will come together this year, but if they aren't already a contender for the championship than they will be very soon. I'm liking Boston a lot now with GP and Paul Pierce. Yes he sucked it up for the Lakers last year but it's not hard to see why. He didn't fit in that offense. Anybody not named Kobe or Shaq didn't fit in that offense. Oh and what's this I hear about Ainge trying for Shareef? If they could dump Ricky Davis in the process I'm gonna start tuning into Celtics games. (And isn't Portland where we all want that guy to end up anyway?)

    New York finally got their deal. I still see them as major underachievers though. They aren't going anywhere in the playoffs. I couldn't even say confidently that they're better than the new look Nets with Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson. I could say it, but not confidently. The Nuggets look impressive on paper though I still think K-Mart is overrated. He's going from Jason Kidd at the point to Andre Miller. He's a good player no doubt, but I don't see him putting Denver over the hump. They'll win a lot but they won't make it to the WCF.

    The Suns had the kind of offseason they wanted to have last year. Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson are great pickups for a team which already has a couple of stars at the forward positions. Steve Nash doesn't look like he's breaking down to me. Then again, I don't think he fit as well in Dallas as a lot of people think he did. He's an energy guy and the bigs in Dallas like to stand around and shoot. I see him being much more effective on an athletic team like Phoenix. I think the Suns will be better than Denver unless they underperform like they did last season.

    Oh yeah and Utah now has AK47 and Boozer. With the other movement out west, I don't think they gained much though. They're still on the verge and they'll have to fight Dallas and maybe Los Angeles for that last spot.

    Predictions:

    WEST PLAYOFFS
    1. Spurs (win the Southwest)
    2. Wolves (win the Midwest)
    3. Kings (win the Pacific)
    4. Rockets
    5. Suns
    6. Nuggets
    7. Grizzlies
    8. Mavs

    EAST PLAYOFFS
    1. Pistons (win the Central)
    2. Heat (win the Southeast)
    3. Celtics (win the Atlantic)
    4. Pacers
    5. Knicks (boy the rest of the East still sucks)
    6. Cavs
    7. Bucks
    8. Nets

    Got to go with the Pistons as the favorites from the East again even though Boston and Miami got a lot stronger and Indiana got a little stronger too. In the West, the Spurs Wolves and Kings are pretty much deadlocked in my mind but if I had to pick one it would be the Spurs of course. The Wolves pretty much treaded water while the Spurs undeniably got better meanwhile all signs point to another disappointing season for the Kings.


    Webber is the worst thing that's ever happened to the Kings. The Kings didn't need to trade Vlade Divac in order to win, they just needed to start Brad Miller. If Webber didn't alienate half the team, then maybe there would be some better team chemistry. Right now it's Mike Bibby and Chris Webber vs. Peja...and to be honest, most teams would rather have Peja. Statistically, it's a fact that the team did better without Chris Webber last year then they did with. When he was out, Peja was playing MVP basketball...and when he came back, the whole team, including Peja fell apart. If that's not the definition of a team cancer, then I don't know what is. Bobby Jackson will bolt the second he can unless Christie hurries up and retires so Jackson can start.


    I'm gonna have to disagree with you here iris. Webber has been with the Kings for six years during which time they were praised for having the best team chemistry in the league. Sure a lot of that has been contributed to Vlade but one man alone does not make great team chemistry - the team does. Six months of confusion and disappointment isn't going to change that. The Kings needed to lose Vlade because he didn't play anymore. I watched all the playoff games and he did nothing out there but take up space. He wouldn't have been much good coming off the bench because he can't run the high post with Webber in there - that's Webber's area of expertise. And he can't play the lost post anymore because none of his hook shots go in. The team did do better without Chris last year but not the 5 years before that. And considering Chris had a major surgery - which typically takes a year to recover from - that isn't cause for alarm yet. I think it's remarkable how well he did play considering the circumstances. It's tough for any team to adjust it's offense in the middle of the season. They have the whole offseason now to rediscover the team chemistry they once had. Losing Vlade is not going to ruin the best offense in the NBA. Kings management did not want Vlade back and didn't make him a realistic offer and that's why Peja was so upset. People are calling for a Chris Webber trade which is a horrible idea. They haven't even given him a chance to recover yet which means his stock is at an all-time low. A team fights it's way to the top exceeding expectations in the process and then when expectations are high, they suffer disappointment. It happened with the Lakers. The difference here is that none of the problems the Kings are having right now are unfixable problems. The arena and Peja wanting out and Chris Webber not being fully recovered - all of those things could work themselves out if people just keep their heads and do what they are supposed to. I think their roster is stronger than last year assuming everyone can stay healthy (which would be a first) and they can find the chemistry they once had. If Rick Adelman wants a contract extension, he's going to have to earn it this season. Oh yeah and Doug Christie is my favorite player on the Kings. I hope he never retires.
  • aero21%s's Photo

    Oh yeah and Doug Christie is my favorite player on the Kings. I hope he never retires.


    You are really going to like Kevin Martin (1st round draft choice), he is almost identical to Christie. It's scary seeing those two together in practice, they are like twins.

    NEWS

    Trade: Mavricks send A Walker and T Delk to Atlanta for J Terry and A Henderson.

    There you go, Mavricks pick up another talented shooter in Terry. he will fit right in with Stackhouse, Finley, and Daniels.
  • Fatha'%s's Photo

    And stop hatin on Steve Francis...I agree on Mobely, but Francis really is a 'franchise' player (no pun intended). He steps up in big games, and he did dish Yao the ball an awful lot, it's just that Yao was too unselfish and usually gave it back. Mobely is talented, but amazingly selfish and way too full of himself, but Francis is one of the best three point guards in the league in my opinion (with Kidd and Marbury).


    Youd have to be Rockets fan to understand how frustrating Francis is.
  • iris%s's Photo
    lol maybe I'm biased, Ive been a huge Francis fan since Maryland..

    Anyways, how ya been? You back from your vacation, and if so, how was it? Place wasn't the same without you.
  • Fatha'%s's Photo
    Ive been around... first went to mexico for two weeks, then came back for like a week, then I went to USC to do this architecture program thing for 3 weeks, then I got back like 2 weeks ago. Busy summer, now its on to senior year. glad to be back man.
  • Coaster Ed%s's Photo
    I changed my mind. Peja is being a total baby about this. I don't even want him on the Kings anymore. I'd make the Ron Artest trade. Make it for the future of the team.
  • aero21%s's Photo
    The Maloofs were on the radio yesterday and they flat out said Peja is staying, that is post conversation they had with him. I personally think Peja is just scared to be on a team without Vlade or any other Serbs for that matter. Vlade (before he left) told Peja it was his time to step up, so we will see if he can do that.
  • Mysjivus%s's Photo

    Ostertag already signed with the Kings Mysjivus...

    No shit? HAHAHA I was just being a smart ass *inserts foot in mouth*.
  • iris%s's Photo

    I'm gonna have to disagree with you here iris. Webber has been with the Kings for six years during which time they were praised for having the best team chemistry in the league. Sure a lot of that has been contributed to Vlade but one man alone does not make great team chemistry - the team does. Six months of confusion and disappointment isn't going to change that. The Kings needed to lose Vlade because he didn't play anymore. I watched all the playoff games and he did nothing out there but take up space. He wouldn't have been much good coming off the bench because he can't run the high post with Webber in there - that's Webber's area of expertise. And he can't play the lost post anymore because none of his hook shots go in. The team did do better without Chris last year but not the 5 years before that. And considering Chris had a major surgery - which typically takes a year to recover from - that isn't cause for alarm yet. I think it's remarkable how well he did play considering the circumstances. It's tough for any team to adjust it's offense in the middle of the season. They have the whole offseason now to rediscover the team chemistry they once had. Losing Vlade is not going to ruin the best offense in the NBA. Kings management did not want Vlade back and didn't make him a realistic offer and that's why Peja was so upset. People are calling for a Chris Webber trade which is a horrible idea. They haven't even given him a chance to recover yet which means his stock is at an all-time low. A team fights it's way to the top exceeding expectations in the process and then when expectations are high, they suffer disappointment. It happened with the Lakers. The difference here is that none of the problems the Kings are having right now are unfixable problems. The arena and Peja wanting out and Chris Webber not being fully recovered - all of those things could work themselves out if people just keep their heads and do what they are supposed to. I think their roster is stronger than last year assuming everyone can stay healthy (which would be a first) and they can find the chemistry they once had. If Rick Adelman wants a contract extension, he's going to have to earn it this season. Oh yeah and Doug Christie is my favorite player on the Kings. I hope he never retires.

    I'm just going by what I watched last season. That being, the Kings dominating the league without Webber. Peja was scoring about 26 ppg, was unstoppable every night, on fire all the time. Kings on top of the league, looks like no other team other then the T-Wolves had a chance. Our man Webber comes back, plays slow and lazy. Instead of going strong down low, he would put up soft floater/lay-up type of shots that wouldn't drop when any normal 'superstar' would have put it up strong, settling for that 18 footer that he thinks he's really good at but just....isn't, and lots of turnovers. Then he has the nerve to call somebody out in the locker room? Let the 'franchise player' prove he deserves a STARTING spot over Brad Miller before he challenges the best player on the team easily about playing hard. From the games I've seen Peja plays twice as hard as Webber on both sides of the court. Not to mention all the offcourt legal trouble Webber is always involved in and the distractions....how can you say he's not a team cancer? Once upon a time he was an amazing power forward, but that knee injury he got in the Mavs series two years ago ended his career as a franchise player..it's just gonna take a few years of him trying to hog the ball before he realizes that.
  • aero21%s's Photo
    Iris, Webber came back and his first game he went 24/10. Miller was hurt and barely recovered in time for the playoffs, and Bobby Jackson was not available. There was much more than just Webber that went into the debacle that was last season. Divac was starting to show his age, he couldn't even run down the court! Even though I believe Chris shouldn't have come back as soon as he did, that was still no excuse for Peja's shot turning into lame ducks. What Peja did last season is all on his shoulders and if Chris really wants to be the team "leader" then he has a right to call Peja on what happened. Peja needs to take it to hart and play with a chip on his shoulder, not as a puss who can't take a little challenge.

    Ostertag will be a great addition behind Brad Miller! Brad will never put anyone on thier ass if they come down the lane like Ostertag will. He injects a little nastynes into a team that is way too soft to compete for a championship.
  • Kumba%s's Photo
    1. Mavericks
    2. Wolves
    3. Nuggets
    4. Spurs
    5. Kings
    6. Rockets
    7. Grizzlies
    8. Lakers
    9. Suns
    10. Blazers

    EAST
    1. Detroit
    2. Pacers
    3. Celtics
    4. Heat
    5. Bucks
    6. Cavs
    7. Magic
    8. Bobcats
    9. Atlanta
    10. 76ers

    I love the Heat and all, but we got Wade, Shaq and who else? I agree it was good to ship grant, but Caron and Lamar too hurt. I hope Shaq really can domanate like he has, just im not sure he will. And yeah I think the Bobcats will do well, they are my sleeper pick :lol:

    And for the record we probly should not be makeing predictions so soon..
  • VC15SA%s's Photo
    Wow, Nuggets 3? Bobcats 8?
  • Coaster Ed%s's Photo
    You forgot Mavericks 1?
  • iris%s's Photo
    Celtics 3?
    They're gonna be one of the worst teams in the NBA next year.
  • Kumba%s's Photo
    yeah, yeah lets just wait and see................ ok so I picked out of a hat, meh :rolleyes:
  • Jellybones%s's Photo

    Celtics 3?
    They're gonna be one of the worst teams in the NBA next year.

    Pssssssssssssh.
    The Glove and Rick Fox will both have career renaissances.

    Really. They will.
  • VC15SA%s's Photo
    Yes and Wilt Chamberlain will lead the Sixers to a championship in 2005.
  • Jellybones%s's Photo
    But he's dead!
  • Corkscrewed%s's Photo

    Ive been around... first went to mexico for two weeks, then came back for like a week, then I went to USC to do this architecture program thing for 3 weeks, then I got back like 2 weeks ago.  Busy summer, now its on to senior year.  glad to be back man.

    YOU CAME TO USC TO DO THEIR SUMMER ARCH. PROGRAM AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME??? BASTARD!!! :p

    How was Paul Tang? (assuming he's still doing it)
  • Magnus%s's Photo

    1. Mavericks
    2. Wolves
    3. Nuggets
    4. Spurs
    5. Kings
    6. Rockets
    7. Grizzlies
    8. Lakers
    9. Suns
    10. Blazers

    EAST
    1. Detroit
    2. Pacers
    3. Celtics
    4. Heat
    5. Bucks
    6. Cavs
    7. Magic
    8. Bobcats
    9. Atlanta
    10. 76ers

    whaha
    mavs number 1 in the west. ok i'm big fan of dirk and the mavs, but hey they have a worse team then last season. i mean they should get shaq vince and tracy.
    cuban (teh biggest idiot i've ever seen) didn't take any of them. jsut waited until something happened and then he didn't get a good player.

    ok mavs have some good players, but most of them have no experience what 'll mean that they won'T come far in the plaayoffs.

    i hope there'll be some good trades for the mavs in the near future. then they might really be the new champ.
    and if dirk gets even better up to the start of the season he'll make over 25 points per game. far over 25.

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