People seem to be mistaking improved teams for sleeper teams.Example,last years sleeper team was Seattle.No one talked about them or considered them as anything and they played way beyond everyones expectations.Everyone expects the Warriors to do something.Not a sleeper.
I agree with most people with the Warriors, but look out for Utah if they stay healthy and get a experienced guard like Watson or Knight. Then if they add Willie Green or Steven Hunter they will be hard to beat with Jerry Sloan controlling the Jazz's reigns. Sloan no matter what players he has can make defense that can be put in the category of the Spurs and Pistons.
I say, and yes I am biased, the Sixers. A free agent like Donyell Marshall or Shareef would help, but even if we just re-sign our free agents we will be suprising. A full season from a fit Chris Webber, another year under the belt for Iguodala and Korver and Dalembert, Iverson always doin his thing and then the guidance and coaching skills of Mo Cheeks, I am predicting 50 wins this year!!!! Other than that though, I think Orlando and Cleveland will make playoffs, the Warriors should be a lot better as well as Charlotte. I will look at this again after the free agency period ends though!!!
nets will come off great the next season the amount of talent is huge in that team with VC,RC,JK... Another team-the wolves. they are going to get things straight this summer, KG is being resting since April and with mccants added to the team,wolves are going to have amazing offensive abbility and with time youll dismiss your underating looks over rashad because he has some' to prove to all you guys...resigning EG and a few trades,signing an average center(hunter?) and wolves are back,my word on the money.
The Clippers could do something next season if they allocate their cap space appropriately. They never seem to do that though. With a PG they could do some damage and maybe even sneak up on some of the teams that have been sleeping on them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">People seem to be mistaking improved teams for sleeper teams.Example,last years sleeper team was Seattle.No one talked about them or considered them as anything and they played way beyond everyones expectations.Everyone expects the Warriors to do something.Not a sleeper.</div> I totally agree. Warriors are not a sleeper at all. I nominate the sleepers to be Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks... and just to be biased, The Houston Rockets hehehe.
Its the Kings and the Magic.Dwight Howard may become a beast next year.They play in the east and they have good talent and depth on the team.The Kings because theyve pretty much fallen off the radar of teams people talk about.After a season plagued by injuries and mixed up by trades they won 50 games.Thats 5 games fewer than 55 which is a damn good season.No reason they cant be a top seed next year.
if the free agency works out for these teams Cavs Daniels/Snow Redd/Luke Jackson Lebron/Newbie Gooden/Taylor Zydrunas/Varejao Clippers Livington/Brunson Ray Allen/Simmons Maggette/Simmons Brand/Wilcox Kaman/Mikki More
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j0se:</div><div class="quote_post">if the free agency works out for these teams Cavs Daniels/Snow Redd/Luke Jackson Lebron/Newbie Gooden/Taylor Zydrunas/Varejao Clippers Livington/Brunson Ray Allen/Simmons Maggette/Simmons Brand/Wilcox Kaman/Mikki More</div> dude you already know allen stays with the sonics so wtf?
the warriors will surprise, the cavs will make it to the playoffs, the nets will go to the second round and the suns will win it all.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Cavs Daniels/Snow Redd/Luke Jackson Lebron/Newbie Gooden/Taylor Zydrunas/Varejao Clippers Livington/Brunson Ray Allen/Simmons Maggette/Simmons Brand/Wilcox Kaman/Mikki More</div> Daniels isn't going to the Cavs... most likely Miami. Redd just resigned with the Bucks for the max deal. Ray Allen also resigned with the Sonics so i guess both those 2 teams you mentioned are out of question. I said Warriors before, and now I say another will be the Bucks... Ford is back and 100%, Mason, Redd, Bogut... that is extremely solid for the East.
I know im beating a dead horse (whatever that means),but will any of you really be surprised if the Warriors make the playoffs?The answer is no.
My sleeper pick for next season is going to be the Bucks in the East and the Jazz in the West. The Bucks added the #1 overall pick, Andrew Bogut which gives them a legit low post threat and is an immediate upgrade. In addition to Bogut they get TJ Ford back and they just re-signed Michael Redd. The Bucks still have enough to sign another player. The Jazz were one of the hottest teams out of the gates last year, then they caught the injury bug and never recovered. They got exactly what they needed in the draft by trading up for Deron Williams. They gave up a lot to get him, but he's perfect for the team. I agree with GiantMidget, I think the expectations are already there for the Warriors to be a top 8 team next year in the West. If the Clippers bring back Simmons and Jaric, and don't do any stupid trades, I'd put them in the running as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">Daniels isn't going to the Cavs... most likely Miami. Redd just resigned with the Bucks for the max deal. Ray Allen also resigned with the Sonics so i guess both those 2 teams you mentioned are out of question. I said Warriors before, and now I say another will be the Bucks... Ford is back and 100%, Mason, Redd, Bogut... that is extremely solid for the East.</div> for the east? The east isn't that bad, the East has proven they can compete with the west, West is overrated now, all the upcoming teams come from the East now Heat Wizards Nets Bulls The East still have elite teams like the Pacers and Pistons.
The Pacers are not an elite team, they haven't even made the finals with that group. I think in the East, I'm going with the crowd and I'm saying Milwaukee. TJ Ford will be back, Michael Redd is on his way back, throw in Andrew Bogut and another possibly good free agent and you have yourself a top 8 team in the east. As for the West, Utah drafted Deron Williams, the best pg to hit the town since Stockton left and Williams hasn't even played a game in the league yet. Add the most versatile player AK47 and big-bodied Carlos Boozer to the mix, that is one hell of a team if they can stay healthy.
Start of the last season was crazy for Utah. AK-74 avareged 4-5 block shoots a game before the injury. If AK-47 will recover from injury and with D-Will on roster, we can expect big things from Utah again...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">In the west my vote is definatly in favour of Golden State. If B-diddy stays healthy. The warriors were on a tear after the Baron trade, but their record was already too bad, so they ahd no chance of making the playoffs... Warriors are deadly.</div> I totally agree. We have so many potential starters on the bench that will make us great during the final quarters
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">The Pacers are not an elite team, they haven't even made the finals with that group. I think in the East, I'm going with the crowd and I'm saying Milwaukee. TJ Ford will be back, Michael Redd is on his way back, throw in Andrew Bogut and another possibly good free agent and you have yourself a top 8 team in the east. As for the West, Utah drafted Deron Williams, the best pg to hit the town since Stockton left and Williams hasn't even played a game in the league yet. Add the most versatile player AK47 and big-bodied Carlos Boozer to the mix, that is one hell of a team if they can stay healthy.</div> Pacers with Ron Artest are elite, they had the best record in the NBA when Artest wasn't suspended, and will be more matured and at their prime
