<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">TIP-INS: The new NBA.com survey of general managers is out, and the Warriors appear to have convinced more than just the 3,000 new season ticketholders that their rebirth is for real. Two of the approximately 25 GMs who filled out the survey picked the Warriors to win the Pacific Division. (Defending champion Phoenix is still the favorite at 81 percent.) The Warriors were first, with 28 percent of the votes, in the category "Which team will be most improved in 2005-06?" And Golden State's Mickael Pietrus (21 percent) was the top choice for international player most likely to have a breakout season. ... </div> http://www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_3152427 I find it interesting that two GM's picked the Warriors to win the Pacific. Well, I guess at least two GM's think the Warriors are this year's Phoenix Suns.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting wtwalker77:</div><div class="quote_post"> I find it interesting that two GM's picked the Warriors to win the Pacific. Well, I guess at least two GM's think the Warriors are this year's Phoenix Suns.</div> Yeah, WT, that is very interesting. Winning the Pacific is quite a reach, but it seems that the W's have at least earned some respect, albeit, without even getting onto the floor yet. However, if we break down each Pacific team, it seems that the W's did the most with just drafting and keeping their core. The Lake Show, Seattle and Portland have new coaches, well Nate McMillian just seems to have driven south and Phil isn't very new to the scene... The Kings have a new lineup that seems to be more blue-collar that anything else, they'll probably play better D then in past years. The Clips have new players, which in Clip town means new headaches. And of course, the Suns lost their best player in Amare, but still have Nash and Marion, they should also be slowed down by Kurt Thomas and James Jones...who is that guy? I like the enigma of the W's, at least their a question mark with hope, unlike in years past when we asked, just how bad are they. Now, its just how good are they, and will they live up to their potential and tap into a talent pool that is obviously there. I'm hoping Pietrus does have a breakout year, but can do it quietly without upsetting the clubhouse. If the boat starts rocking, I wouldn't be surprised if Pietrus and Fish are packaged up and shipped off, that'll be the only way to dump Fish's contract.
That last paragraph was on point .However, I cant agree with this <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Kings have a new lineup that seems to be more blue-collar that anything else, they'll probably play better D then in past years.</div> Seems more to me like the Kings a scoring machine and a horrible defensive team....once again.
Scoring teams should equate to a lot of wins especially with Bibby and Brad Miller feeding guys like Shareef, Wells, and Peja. I predict the Kings as Pacific Division winners because all 5 of their starting lineup are all around players and are either allstars or close to it. Warriors could be anywhere... it all depends on a few players.
