What's the deepest team in the league? I think it's the Heat and it's apparent after all the injuries they've suffered this season: Shaq, J-Will, James Posey, Shandon Anderson, Michael Doleac Look at the different lineups they've been able to put out: (James Posey injured) PG-Jason Williams SG-Dwyane Wade SF-Antoine Walker PF-Udonis Haslem C-Shaquille O'Neal 6th-Alonzo Mourning or Gary Payton (Shaq and Posey injured) PG-Jason Williams SG-Dwyane Wade SF-Antoine Walker PF-Udonis Haslem C-Alonzo Mourning 6th-Gary Payton (Shaq and J-Will injured) PG-Gary Payton SG-Dwyane Wade SF-James Posey PF-Udonis Haslem C-Alonzo Mourning 6th-Antoine Walker If any team right now was missing their MVP and their starting PG or SF do you think they would be as good and competitive as the Heat are? Discuss...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">What's the deepest team in the league? I think it's the Heat and it's apparent after all the injuries they've suffered this season: Shaq, J-Will, James Posey, Shandon Anderson, Michael Doleac Look at the different lineups they've been able to put out: (James Posey injured) PG-Jason Williams SG-Dwyane Wade SF-Antoine Walker PF-Udonis Haslem C-Shaquille O'Neal 6th-Alonzo Mourning or Gary Payton (Shaq and Posey injured) PG-Jason Williams SG-Dwyane Wade SF-Antoine Walker PF-Udonis Haslem C-Alonzo Mourning 6th-Gary Payton (Shaq and J-Will injured) PG-Gary Payton SG-Dwyane Wade SF-James Posey PF-Udonis Haslem C-Alonzo Mourning 6th-Antoine Walker If any team right now was missing their MVP and their starting PG or SF do you think they would be as good and competitive as the Heat are? Discuss...</div> The only problem with your choice is that they haven't done well without Shaq. They barely squeaked by Houston and New Jersey, and they have wins over Charlotte and New Orleans. But on paper, they are probably the deepest team out their in the East. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">detroit/indy(looked out they played last yr without JO/jax/artest)/spurs/including ur miami heat...</div> Indy is a great pick. Fred Jones, Austin Croshere and David Harrison are third stringers on this team. That is how deep they are. In the West, I'll go with San An. Their second string could be a starting 5. NVE, Barry, Finley, Horry and Nazr.
Spurs easy, when you can bring Van Exel and Finley (guys with potential to be number 2, number 3 scorers on any team) off the BENCH... that shows a lot.
Spurs and Detroit use their depth far better than Miami, and they're more balanced with their second unit.
spurs because they got a 2nd unit who has enough talent to win some games...and maybe the bulls because they are locked at the guards, their sf is pretty locked with deng and nucioni and the only lack is their forwards
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The only problem with your choice is that they haven't done well without Shaq. They barely squeaked by Houston and New Jersey, and they have wins over Charlotte and New Orleans. But on paper, they are probably the deepest team out their in the East.</div>Mind you, you are talking as if the Rockets and Nets are the Hornets and Hawks. Houston is a legit 50-win team, and even though TMac wasn't playing in the game, Yao Ming still had a hell of a night. The Nets are a lock for the playoffs in the East and have a strong starting lineup. If the Heat barely squeaked by Portland and Charlotte, we might see a problem, but winning close games against Houston and New Jersey are expected, especially when you're without your best player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Mind you, you are talking as if the Rockets and Nets are the Hornets and Hawks. Houston is a legit 50-win team, and even though TMac wasn't playing in the game, Yao Ming still had a hell of a night. The Nets are a lock for the playoffs in the East and have a strong starting lineup. If the Heat barely squeaked by Portland and Charlotte, we might see a problem, but winning close games against Houston and New Jersey are expected, especially when you're without your best player.</div> Good points. Agreed.
Miami is regaining depth with Posey and Anderson back but the only problem with SA is that their reserves are at an average age of aobut 32. It's between Miami and SA once Miami's guys get healthy.
Detroit: Players used: B. Wallace R. Wallace Prince Hamilton McDyess Billups Campbell Arroyo Delfino D. Davis M. Evans Milicic Hunter Total: 13, nuff said!
Detroit might have the MOST serviceable players...but campbell, Davis, arroyo, delfino etc.... would never get off the pine in SA. Other than McDyess, detroit does not have anyone offensive threat coming off the bench. Hunter is a great defender Davis can still contribute in the paint, but can't brag about. Arroyo is not trusted for obvious reasons Campbell has size......and he is only the roster for when they face miami in the playoffs. San Antonio has Rasho, Horry, Van Exel, Finley, Oberto, and the PG i can't remember his name but is as good as barbosa. Pistons definitely have the best starting five in the league....but SA will be able to go deeper down their bench during the playoffs. They could potentially use a 9 man rotation and wouldn't skip a beat. No other team in the league can do that.
My Rocekets (don't even mention the record because you will regret it) have a nice bench of: Head Sura Sromile Wesley Deke Barry Baxter....Play the damn rebound machine. It is certainly an improvement over last years bench. SA's Bench could be 5th in the East. Wow. Miami comes in second. I think they will just progress as the season passes by.
I'd say the Pacers are one of deppest team in the NBA, if not the deepest. Sarunas Jasikevicius Fred Jones Jonathan Bender Scot Pollard Anthony Johnson Danny Granger Austin Croshere Those guys are quality players but what makes them deep is the fact that they are versatile. That's the biggest thing with those guys. Sarunas and Jones can play the 1 and 2. Bender could play the 3, 4 and 5. Granger could play the 3 and 4 while Auston could play the 4 and 5. This is something you can't say about many benches in this league.
Elden Campbell isn't even on the Pistons roster this season. Dale Davis is the Pistons new Elden Campbell who will be used for the 2nd half of the season and in the playoffs. Oh and last of all, Maurice Evans is the Pistons main offensive player off the bench and maybe should be playing more minutes but Flip is still trying to work out his bench and how to use them in the right way minutes wise. Thats said when heathly, the Spurs clearly have the best bench.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd say the Pacers are one of deppest team in the NBA, if not the deepest. Sarunas Jasikevicius Fred Jones Jonathan Bender Scot Pollard Anthony Johnson Danny Granger Austin Croshere Those guys are quality players but what makes them deep is the fact that they are versatile. That's the biggest thing with those guys. Sarunas and Jones can play the 1 and 2. Bender could play the 3, 4 and 5. Granger could play the 3 and 4 while Auston could play the 4 and 5. This is something you can't say about many benches in this league.</div> The Pacers have a deep team overall, but what worries me about them is the lack of a go-to scorer now. When you're down 3 with 3 ticks to go, who do you dump the ball to? Jasikevicius, Croshere, Artest, Jackson and Jones are all great three point shooters, but can they create for themselves?
