Yo! Want to talk about pressure next season, who is under it? I'll start with 3 top contenders. Please debate, it's fun. Isaiah Thomas - If the Knicks win 35 games, not only is he fired, he will go down in history as a guy who singlehandedly ruined and almost KILLED a franchise. If the Knicks win 40 games, all is forgiven, New York City cares about the Knicks again, and teams will be scared of facing a hungry and talented Knicks squad in the postseason. The Mavs organization and team: Last year the Mavs were not expected to do much. Avery was a new coach, only recently retired from playing. Dirk was their only star, and he is from Europe. Steve Nash, the MVP was gone, so really the team's best success was behind them. Of course all that changed. Mavs go into next year as a powerhouse team, a title contender, and must live up to those expectations, expectations that they've never had. If they don't get off to a solid start and have that same swagger, people will start talking about them being a one-hit wonder, steam will start flying out of Avery JOhnson's nostrils, and Stephen A. Smith will start taking potshots at the whole team on a weekly basis. Jeff Van Gundy: He has been given a whole lot of talent. He better take that talent to the playoffs this year, injuries or no injuries.
I won't say that Jeff Van Gundy is under any pressure at all. When he's had no injuries to the team, they've made the playoffs. It's not like the injuries last season was just another excuse in a string of them; what the Rockets faced in terms of players lost to injury is very understandable. Take in mind that they were 21-10 when TMac and Yao played together last season. JVG has some responsibility for the team's lack of ability to adjust to the loss of the two last season, but when you are forced to start a rookie at shooting guard and have him be your second option, you're obviously going to lose. Besides, the Rockets are very confident in him and can't afford to pay his salary anyways if they fire him.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Isaiah Thomas - If the Knicks win 35 games, not only is he fired, he will go down in history as a guy who singlehandedly ruined and almost KILLED a franchise. If the Knicks win 40 games, all is forgiven, New York City cares about the Knicks again, and teams will be scared of facing a hungry and talented Knicks squad in the postseason.</div>Personally, I think it's playoffs or bust for Isiah. If he can't find a way to make it to the postseason, he's probably gone. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Mavs organization and team: Last year the Mavs were not expected to do much. Avery was a new coach, only recently retired from playing. Dirk was their only star, and he is from Europe. Steve Nash, the MVP was gone, so really the team's best success was behind them. Of course all that changed. Mavs go into next year as a powerhouse team, a title contender, and must live up to those expectations, expectations that they've never had. If they don't get off to a solid start and have that same swagger, people will start talking about them being a one-hit wonder, steam will start flying out of Avery JOhnson's nostrils, and Stephen A. Smith will start taking potshots at the whole team on a weekly basis.</div>The Mavs actually had huge expectations last year. First though, Nash was gone the year before, last year being their 2nd year without him. Also, the Mavs might not have had any star outside of Dirk, but they sure had good players everywhere. Stackhouse was one of the best 6th men in the league, and most people knew that before the season began. The diehard NBA fan knew how good Jason Terry was, and he had a great season last year. Josh Howard continued to solidify himself as one of the best young players in the game. So, while they had no other superstar outside of Dirk, they definitely weren't shy on talent, and the expecations were, as always, high. And also, why does it matter that Dirk is from Germany? Just wondering why you felt it was necessary to point that out. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jeff Van Gundy: He has been given a whole lot of talent. He better take that talent to the playoffs this year, injuries or no injuries.</div>I don't think he's on the hotseat at all. Last year, his team battled injuries to their two stars all last year. Outside of them, they were a relatively thin team. They have upgraded somewhat for this year, but if they have another injury riddled season, it's not going to be Van Gundy's fault. Injuries are something coaches just can't control.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Personally, I think it's playoffs or bust for Isiah. If he can't find a way to make it to the postseason, he's probably gone. The Mavs actually had huge expectations last year. First though, Nash was gone the year before, last year being their 2nd year without him. Also, the Mavs might not have had any star outside of Dirk, but they sure had good players everywhere. Stackhouse was one of the best 6th men in the league, and most people knew that before the season began. The diehard NBA fan knew how good Jason Terry was, and he had a great season last year. Josh Howard continued to solidify himself as one of the best young players in the game. So, while they had no other superstar outside of Dirk, they definitely weren't shy on talent, and the expecations were, as always, high. And also, why does it matter that Dirk is from Germany? Just wondering why you felt it was necessary to point that out. </div> They were expected to be a solid presence in the West. Win 50 games maybe, average 105ppg. They were NOT however expected to CONTEND for the whole enchilada. Which is where they are at now. Second, I know Nash left the year before, but it was not until deep into that first year in Phoenix when he proved just how valuable he was, therefore they had a better picture of what they lost and their future as a result didn't look too amazing - i.e. the Nash trade appeared at first glance to be a mistake by Cuban. As far as Dirk being from Germany, the NBA has never had a team with a foreign guy as the #1 option and only real headliner, go that far, so it was tough for analysts to envision that much from the squad. They have much more expectations this year than last, it's pretty plain to see imo. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't think he's on the hotseat at all. Last year, his team battled injuries to their two stars all last year. Outside of them, they were a relatively thin team. They have upgraded somewhat for this year, but if they have another injury riddled season, it's not going to be Van Gundy's fault. Injuries are something coaches just can't control.</div> I suppose. But the best coaches have a Plan B a Plan C and a Plan D. Gundy's oft-repeated phrase last year was "When we're healthy we're AMAZING". yeah well jeff maybe you should think about what you should do when you're not healthy also. You look at someone like Rick Carlisle with the Pacers, he could have thrown in the towel after the suspensions - they too lost their best players - but he had a Plan B and a coaching strategy that didn't rely on the best guys being available....just throwing that out there.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">They were expected to be a solid presence in the West. Win 50 games maybe, average 105ppg. They were NOT however expected to CONTEND for the whole enchilada. Which is where they are at now. Second, I know Nash left the year before, but it was not until deep into that first year in Phoenix when he proved just how valuable he was, therefore they had a better picture of what they lost and their future as a result didn't look too amazing - i.e. the Nash trade appeared at first glance to be a mistake by Cuban. As far as Dirk being from Germany, the NBA has never had a team with a foreign guy as the #1 option and only real headliner, go that far, so it was tough for analysts to envision that much from the squad. They have much more expectations this year than last, it's pretty plain to see imo.</div>Might I ask, but according to who were the Mavs not favorites to potentially win? Almost everyone on the team from the year before (another 60 win team if I'm correct) had returned. Terry was in his 2nd year there and was expected to be better. Avery Johnson had them playing defense superbly near the end of his initial tenure for 30 games. To say they weren't supposed to contend is pretty ludicrous if you ask me.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Might I ask, but according to who were the Mavs not favorites to potentially win? Almost everyone on the team from the year before (another 60 win team if I'm correct) had returned. Terry was in his 2nd year there and was expected to be better. Avery Johnson had them playing defense superbly near the end of his initial tenure for 30 games. To say they weren't supposed to contend is pretty ludicrous if you ask me.</div> Your memory is a bit fuzzy, man, no offense. In 2005, the Mavs were nice, but they lost to the SUNS in the 2nd round, who then in turn lost to the SPURS, who beat the PISTONS. And when the Suns beat the Mavs, it was seen as yet another subpar post-season showing for the Mavericks, a team "built for the regular season". Following that finals, the media was basically talking about the Pistons and the Spurs as being by Far the best 2 teams in the league going into the 2006 season. Then when Pistons started to win every game, they were THE team and everyone else was JV. Dallas were consistent throughout the year and started to win some admirers but that was deep into the year. When I say "contend", I mean "come out", i.e. the best in the West. They were not expected to do that then. They pretty much are now.
<div class="quote_poster">THE DREAM Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Isiah Tmac TWolves</div> def. TWolves Tmac more than Yao you think? how come?
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> I suppose. But the best coaches have a Plan B a Plan C and a Plan D. Gundy's oft-repeated phrase last year was "When we're healthy we're AMAZING". yeah well jeff maybe you should think about what you should do when you're not healthy also. You look at someone like Rick Carlisle with the Pacers, he could have thrown in the towel after the suspensions - they too lost their best players - but he had a Plan B and a coaching strategy that didn't rely on the best guys being available....just throwing that out there.</div> I don't think that's a fair comparison. The Rockets didn't have anywhere near the same depth the Pacers had. This year is different. Even if Tracy and Yao experience the same injury problems as they did last year, we should at least win 40 games.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Your memory is a bit fuzzy, man, no offense. In 2005, the Mavs were nice, but they lost to the SUNS in the 2nd round, who then in turn lost to the SPURS, who beat the PISTONS. And when the Suns beat the Mavs, it was seen as yet another subpar post-season showing for the Mavericks, a team "built for the regular season". Following that finals, the media was basically talking about the Pistons and the Spurs as being by Far the best 2 teams in the league going into the 2006 season. Then when Pistons started to win every game, they were THE team and everyone else was JV. Dallas were consistent throughout the year and started to win some admirers but that was deep into the year. When I say "contend", I mean "come out", i.e. the best in the West. They were not expected to do that then. They pretty much are now.</div>Well heaven forbid they lose to a team with THE BEST RECORD IN THE NBA. Wow, who knew that was a bad thing to do. And just a thought on the Mavs, the year they lost to the 61-21 Suns in the second round, they were in the process of growing accustomed to playing under Avery. They weren't used to having to expell energy on defense at that point. However, under year two, they knew what to expect, and everyone out there knew Dallas would still be an offensive threat, and with Avery, would actually defend, something they never did under Don Nelson. There was no doubt that Dallas was supposed to be a contender last year in my mind. And no offense, my mind isn't fuzzy, I just don't know if you completely know what you're talking about. On what the media was saying, it doesn't matter what they say. Do you enjoy being spoonfed by BSPN? Sure, the Spurs and Pistons were favorites, but it's not like Dallas wasn't on the mind of people. A diehard fan would know just how good the Mavs were and how much potential they had last year with a full year under Avery Johnson. The Mavs, you're right, weren't supposed to be the cream of the crop in the West last year, but they were sure as hell a damn close second to the Spurs.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">def. TWolves Tmac more than Yao you think? how come?</div>I think there could be more pressure on TMac just to stay healthy. He didn't do that last year, and if he can't do that, they could be in trouble. As long as he's on the court, it doesn't matter what he's doing, he's making an impact. But, it's not possible for him to make that impact sitting the bench. So, I think the main pressure he's feeling is just to simply stay healthy and on the court for at least 72 games or so this year.
<div class="quote_poster">AirJordan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sam Mitchelle will be fired for sure if Bargnani turns out to be a flop</div> Sam Mitchell will be fired if the Raptors don't improve on their Defence.
Im surprised no ones said Big Ben Wallace. With his stacked contract not only does he have to perform but Chicago have to win games. Both of which i find unlikely. We'll see same old same old from Wallace, hes not on AS BIG A downwird spiral as people think, yes his stats have progressively gone down but so have his minutes. Sorry to tell Chicago but replacing Chandler with Wallace doesn't take you to a title.
<div class="quote_poster">Flight#4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Im surprised no ones said Big Ben Wallace. With his stacked contract not only does he have to perform but Chicago have to win games. Both of which i find unlikely. We'll see same old same old from Wallace, hes not on AS BIG A downwird spiral as people think, yes his stats have progressively gone down but so have his minutes. Sorry to tell Chicago but replacing Chandler with Wallace doesn't take you to a title.</div>Well, it's not just Ben Wallace that we got this offseason. PJ Brown is going to give us a solid 10/8 or so per game, giving us a pretty good post scorer. Tyrus Thomas, while he might not make an immediate impact, could turn into a defensive stud and maybe even make the turn this year under the tutoring of PJ Brown and Ben Wallace. Thabo Sefolosha increases our guard depth and gives us that big guard we've wanted for defensive purposes. And of course, Ben Wallace gives us a great post defender that will bring consistency and not foul a lot in the time he's in there the way Chandler did. All this, not only gives them depth, as they're going to be able to go 12 deep every night pretty much, but all those help the defense, something Scott Skiles preaches in order for you to get your minutes. Toss all this along with the fact that all our young guys are going to continue to get better, with Gordon potentially becoming that 20ppg scorer we want, to seeing Hinrich make the turn into one of the top points in the league. There's plenty of reason, outside of Wallace, to think that the Bulls will be legit title contenders.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, it's not just Ben Wallace that we got this offseason. PJ Brown is going to give us a solid 10/8 or so per game, giving us a pretty good post scorer. Tyrus Thomas, while he might not make an immediate impact, could turn into a defensive stud and maybe even make the turn this year under the tutoring of PJ Brown and Ben Wallace. Thabo Sefolosha increases our guard depth and gives us that big guard we've wanted for defensive purposes. And of course, Ben Wallace gives us a great post defender that will bring consistency and not foul a lot in the time he's in there the way Chandler did. All this, not only gives them depth, as they're going to be able to go 12 deep every night pretty much, but all those help the defense, something Scott Skiles preaches in order for you to get your minutes. Toss all this along with the fact that all our young guys are going to continue to get better, with Gordon potentially becoming that 20ppg scorer we want, to seeing Hinrich make the turn into one of the top points in the league. There's plenty of reason, outside of Wallace, to think that the Bulls will be legit title contenders.</div> While i agree with you about 70% on everything you said. The average fan wont go, oh look they added PJ Brown, Sefolosha. To expect 10/8 from PJ is abit much. Im thinking more 8/6, this is going on the fact that he had a 9/7 season last year in 30 minutes and is in decline(plus playing alone Wallace rebounds will dip). And i don't think the bulls can rely on any of their rookies to produce immediatly or on a consistent basis throughout the season. However i do think Hinrich will have a big year. Gordon less so but still improving, i think last year for Gordon was abit stagnet yeah he increased marginally but his minutes jacked up 7 minutes. So, so far Gordon hasn't shown anything for someone to beleive he can make the jump to become anything more then a nice scorer. But as ive said before, i could be completely wrong. So can't wait till the season starts.
Players who BETTER step it up: T-Mac KG Ray Allen Nash - He won 2 MVPs, but has no ring. That has got to be a first. Some may say it is not his fault, but the best player in the league (TWICE!)better make sure his team wins. Teams: Utah SEA ATL - they have had more than enough drafts.
Ummm....don't understand the Nash thing. He really can't step his game up anymore than he already has. His team just needs to defend a little better and other players need to step up more often. Plus, Amare is back this year, so they're going to be even better with that. And just a thought, an MVP doesn't make you the best player in the league for that year, it just makes you the most valuable. Kobe Bryant was the best player in the league last year (in my opinion MVP as well), but that's not what this thread is about.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">And just a thought, an MVP doesn't make you the best player in the league for that year, it just makes you the most valuable. Kobe Bryant was the best player in the league last year (in my opinion MVP as well), but that's not what this thread is about.</div> They're ("best player" and "most valuable player") not the same, but I think they're very closely linked. When I think of "best player", I consider the following scenario: if a new hypothetical season were to start in the near future where every player was surrounded by a random selection of teammates, who would I expect to be the most valuable for their respective team? That's sort of how I would define best player. Beyond skill, it also entails versatility, the ability to excel with a variety of teammates, and durability. I think this is a more practical way to consider the question of who the best player is. To often, fans assume that it only means who has the most talent or the most impressive one on one moves. There's much more to it than that.
