My vote is Philly. Iverson will prolly win another scoring title, but the Sixers will be close to terrible. Like I've been sayin, Iverson's style of play doesn't equal winning. The only way the Sixers do anything this season is if they re-hire Larry Brown. I also don't expect anything special from Memphis.
Lol. Who ever said they were going to be a success in the first place? Philly most dissapointing team? It's arguable. I'm not putting my money on it. Put it's a very reasonable possibility.
Its not like a lot of people are predicting big things for the Sixers (check the playoff spot thread, almost everyone don't have them in), so technically I don't really think you can call them disappointments even if they do crash and burn this season. However, I must say this. If everyone's expectations for them are to have around the same record and wins as last year, then I don't see why they can't meet those expectations. Its virtually the same roster and the younger players in Iguodala, Dalembert, and Korver also have another year on their belts so their games should have improved. So, we'll see.
I'm going to say Minnesota, or Boston. Most likely the latter, I just cant see either team getting it together this season.
I'm going to say the Rockets. While I think they'll make the playoffs, I don't think they're going to be nearly as good as a lot of people here think they'll be. I think 45 wins is about where they should be. They play in the same division with the two best teams in the West, so they're not going to be finishing any higher than 3rd in that division. They're likely to have health issues with TMac, which is going to hurt. We saw how pathetic they were without him last year, and I don't know how much that's going to change. I like the team for the playoffs, but they're not going to be any higher than the 6th or 7th seed.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm going to say the Rockets. While I think they'll make the playoffs, I don't think they're going to be nearly as good as a lot of people here think they'll be. I think 45 wins is about where they should be. They play in the same division with the two best teams in the West, so they're not going to be finishing any higher than 3rd in that division. They're likely to have health issues with TMac, which is going to hurt. We saw how pathetic they were without him last year, and I don't know how much that's going to change. I like the team for the playoffs, but they're not going to be any higher than the 6th or 7th seed.</div> Yea you're right that Rockets play in the same division as the Mavs and Spurs, but we think that we are capable of competing against them. We have Bonzi Wells, a guy who tore the Spurs up in postseason, and a defensive specialist, Battier. I predicted for the Rockets to be 3rd in the division either behind Mavs/Spurs or Mavs/Suns. McGrady has chronic back problems but in the offseason, when he was finally back to the court, he said his back was feeling real great in a long time. You were saying that they were pathetic last year, and that will not change. Why wouldn't it change? We had Bogans and Wesley last year, we got rid of them both, and now we have Battier and Wells in their spots. Why wouldn't they make the team better? Ok say if Rockets lose Tmac to an injury, we still have Battier and Wells, who imo, will help out Rockets more than Wesley and Bogans did. They will definetly make playoffs unless we have some sever injury to Yao/Tmac, but if they don't get injured I am definetly picking second round or higher.
This season is a crapshoot, at least right now. The only team I'd call a lock to compete for the best record in the NBA is the Mavs. I expect one great team from last season to fall hard and some new contenders to emerge from nowhere.
New Orleans could be a disappointment with the additions they made if they don't at least get an 8th seed.
Personally if the Raptors dont make the playoffs I'll be dissapointed. At least fight for a spot instead of knowing your not going to make the 3 months before playoffs
I'm thinkin Pistons will disapoint all citizens of Detroit. I don'tt know about the Lakers returning to playoffs. Milwaukee will not be back in the play-offs either
I am going to say the Bulls/Bobcats in the east and the Rockets in the west. Bulls - If you see them getting beyond the 2nd round, your hopes are too high. They have some interesting new acquistitions who may or may not get significant minutes. Sure they have DPOY Ben Wallace, but do you think he will see the floor late in the 4th with the abysmal freethrow shooting performance he showcased during the 05-06 playoffs? Also, the closest thing they have to a closer is an undersized inconsistent Ben Gordon. Bobcats - As much as I like Morrison, I don't think they are a playoff team just yet. They don't have a go-to-guy. Some people are saying Morrison is there go-to-guy, but he is going to need time to develop and you can't expect him to be ready right away. I don't know who else is capable of being their 1st option offensively. Emeka Okafor is always injured, so don't count on him. Rockets - They are getting a lot of hype now that they have acquired Bonzi Wells. If you expect them to get passed the 2nd round, you are most likely in for a dissapointment. The Rockets are too iffy. If T-Mac is healthy, if Yao is healthy, if we get 05-06 Playoff Bonzi, or if we get 03-04 Bonzi who only played 13 games, if Battier can play the 4, if Rafer can hit the open outside jumper, if the bench can be productive etc...The Rockets have 9 new players this season, and 5 new players from last season *who never got to play with our stars* so chemistry problems are going to be there. I expect Minny to be a playoff team.
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I am going to say the Bulls/Bobcats in the east and the Rockets in the west. Bulls - If you see them getting beyond the 2nd round, your hopes are too high. They have some interesting new acquistitions who may or may not get significant minutes. Sure they have DPOY Ben Wallace, but do you think he will see the floor late in the 4th with the abysmal freethrow shooting performance he showcased during the 05-06 playoffs? Also, the closest thing they have to a closer is an undersized inconsistent Ben Gordon. Bobcats - As much as I like Morrison, I don't think they are a playoff team just yet. They don't have a go-to-guy. Some people are saying Morrison is there go-to-guy, but he is going to need time to develop and you can't expect him to be ready right away. I don't know who else is capable of being their 1st option offensively. Emeka Okafor is always injured, so don't count on him. Rockets - They are getting a lot of hype now that they have acquired Bonzi Wells. If you expect them to get passed the 2nd round, you are most likely in for a dissapointment. The Rockets are too iffy. If T-Mac is healthy, if Yao is healthy, if we get 05-06 Playoff Bonzi, or if we get 03-04 Bonzi who only played 13 games, if Battier can play the 4, if Rafer can hit the open outside jumper, if the bench can be productive etc...The Rockets have 9 new players this season, and 5 new players from last season *who never got to play with our stars* so chemistry problems are going to be there. I expect Minny to be a playoff team.</div> very good post. i agree with alladat. Also, i would add ORlando
<div class="quote_poster">igotask8board Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I am going to say the Bulls/Bobcats in the east and the Rockets in the west. Bulls - If you see them getting beyond the 2nd round, your hopes are too high. They have some interesting new acquistitions who may or may not get significant minutes. Sure they have DPOY Ben Wallace, but do you think he will see the floor late in the 4th with the abysmal freethrow shooting performance he showcased during the 05-06 playoffs? Also, the closest thing they have to a closer is an undersized inconsistent Ben Gordon.</div>Why are hopes too high? They improved in the place they lacked most, which was the interior, by landing PJ Brown and Ben Wallace. Those two will give them a terrific duo on the inside, especially with defense and hustle. Beyond that, they're each great locker room leaders. Aside from the obvious defensive improvements, they're offense will be better as well. Gordon, Noc, Hinrich, and Deng will all be improved again this year, and I think Ben will be that 20+ppg scorer they need. If he can, they'll be tough. People make a lot of gripe about their lack of an offense, and personally, I don't see it. They may not have a huge scorer, but they have at least 4 people that will be getting 15ppg a night or so. So, in my opinion, that concern is overrated. And what's wrong with Ben as a closer? He was second in the NBA in 4th quarter points his rookie year next to LeBron. He may not have done the same thing last year, but people knew what to expect. I think he'll be more accustomed to starting this year and won't have consistency issues to start the year, giving us a consistent threat early and often. The man can shoot the lights out and can get off any jump shot he wants with that quick release. He's also got a great floater that wasn't displayed nearly as much last year. To say the least, I have no issues with him closing out games for us in the 4th. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Bobcats - As much as I like Morrison, I don't think they are a playoff team just yet. They don't have a go-to-guy. Some people are saying Morrison is there go-to-guy, but he is going to need time to develop and you can't expect him to be ready right away. I don't know who else is capable of being their 1st option offensively. Emeka Okafor is always injured, so don't count on him.</div>He is they're go to guy. He's got a polished offensive game already, the only thing he needs to work on is his defense, and that'll come. He can get off any shot he wants, he's great at getting to the hoop, and he's great at drawing contact. He's going to be able to produce immediately for them on the offense this year, giving them that scoring punch they need. If his defense improves, he could turn out to be the best player of the draft. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I expect Minny to be a playoff team.</div>No way are they making the playoffs, as they're not even the best team in their division. Only one team will be making the playoffs out of this division, and it's going to be either Utah or Denver. Minny has some issues in my opinion. Firstly, how will Mike James mesh with others? The guy likes to shoot, but than again, so does Ricky Davis, and beyond him, Foye needs to get his shots and KG needs his shots more than anyone else. I think he's going to have an issue with being a team player, as he's never really been one. That could creat chemistry issues. Beyond that, their bench isn't too deep either. I just don't see this team being very successful, and even though they're in the weakest division, I still don't think they have enough to win that division, or even have enough to take away from the lower seeds.
<div class="quote_poster">hustler Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Utah Jazz.</div> What the hell, are you serious? Have you seen the moves and drafts they made? I completely disagree with you. I see the Jazz making the playoffs this year. We'll see.
