With the Celtics adding Ray Allen to their roster, a Paul Pierce and Ray Allen duo has the potential to be deadly. I really don't see how with those two, plus the development of their young players, especially Al Jefferson, they can miss the playoffs. The Nets, with Nenad Kristic returning, and a possible trio of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson, baring no trades, are pretty much playoff locks as well. Same with the Toronto Raptors. We have a great chance of finishing last in our division next year. Now whether that be good or bad, I don't know (high draft pick or experience for the youngsters). I'm just putting the thought out there. I really don't see how we can make the playoffs next season, but maybe Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller can surprise me
Honestly, I don't want to sound like a pessimist here but with OJ Mayo and several other can't miss prospects at the top of next years draft class, and Young/Iguodala already in the fold. Would finishing last be a bad thing?
The Knicks have improved as well with the addition of Zach Randolph. We'll have to wait and see, I won't be too mad if we finish last, OJ Mayo! I'm not going to root for this team to tank...but they aren't ready to be contenders either way.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Honestly, I don't want to sound like a pessimist here but with OJ Mayo and several other can't miss prospects at the top of next years draft class, and Young/Iguodala already in the fold. Would finishing last be a bad thing?</div> Agreed. To the best of my knowledge we still have our first round draft pick for next year, and a guy like Mayo would be absolutely perfect for this squad. He is a big point guard that can score, and has that particular swagger that he wants to take over a ball game by himself and score; we don't have somebody like that as of now. Part of me wants to tank the season for a good chance of getting this guy, but viewing teams last year that tanked makes me think twice about it. This team is not talented enough to be a serious contending in the division with how everyone else improved. This team is clearly built for a 2008-09 run, hopefully after drafting Mayo and landing a guy like Brand in free agency.
I could see you guys finishing last but you will have some major competition. Despite the Celtics acquiring Ray Allen to pair up with Paul Pierce, the rest of their core is still either young or not good enough to support Pierce and Allen to be contenders or even that high in the division. The Raptors will be a threat because Chris Bosh will come back even better than he was last year and put up great numbers and play good for the Raps to make some good runs. He has a good supporting cast and a decent coach. The Nets might be the biggest threat, IMO. Putting all bias aside, they still have the best point guard in the game, a complementary 2nd scorer who comes up big when needed, and a superstar who is coming off his worst playoffs in his career. I think that will make Vince stronger for the up-coming season. We will also have Krstic back, but who knows how the injury has effected him, and we have Mikki Moore (if he re-signs, which he most likely will) a guy is coming off his best career ever despite his age. We also have Boki Nachbar coming off the bench and hiving the team a spark. Maybe with a few key free agents, the Nets could become championship contenders. But the one team that still is in trouble is the New York Knicks. They have gotten Zach Randolph, but is a core of Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, David Lee, and Eddy Curry strong enough to beat a core of Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller, yes. But do they have the right coaching, management, and chemistry to do so, no. So I still don't know how the Sixers will do. But if the Knicks clean up their act and Isiah Thomas some how learns to coach, I see this team finishing last in the Atlantic division. But is this necessarily a bad thing for such a young squad? Like Blur said, the next draft class will also be a good one. You guys could use that young talent and build around Iggy. Your current standings may not look good now, but in a few years, they won't look bad at all.
<div class="quote_poster">A.F. Venom Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Knicks have improved as well with the addition of Zach Randolph. We'll have to wait and see, I won't be too mad if we finish last, OJ Mayo! I'm not going to root for this team to tank...but they aren't ready to be contenders either way.</div> Yeah, I completely forgot about the Knicks as well. I'm not so sure if they'll make the playoffs next year, but with the amount of talent on that roster, I definetly see them finishing above us. The biggest question for the Knicks is chemistry and defense. They've put together a whole bunch of egos, how will they co-exist? Also, Curry, Randolph, and Marbury aren't exactly known for their defensive skills, neither istheir entire roster Anyways, here are the 8 teams I see making the playoffs, in no particular order: Detriot, Miami, Cleveland, Chicago, Washington, Toronto, New Jersey, and Boston or Orlando. Followed by teams like New York, Miluakee (they were good last season before all the injuries), and Charlotte, who improved by aquiring Jason Richardson. I honestly don't see us finishing above any of those teams mentioned, except maybe Charlotte. But we'll see how things play out. Either way though, for once I'm actually excited about this team's future
I am not an advocate of finishing last on purpose. If it takes the young guys a season or two to mesh and we are not overly competitive then that's one thing, but losing on purpose is not a proud thing to do. Improve the team by winning and smart player trades and deals, not by throwing games hoping for OJ Mayo. I know he is going to be awesome, but so are some of our young guys!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Gee_Dupe11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">whats all the talk about OJ for? Bayless is better then him. and Derrick rose is better then both</div> Not to get off topic, but Bayless? You must be out of your mind or an Arizona fan. If anyone is even going to challenge Mayo for the number one spot it would be Batum or Beasley imo.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">According to nbadraftnet, they have Rose, Beasley, and Batum going before OJ Mayo</div> Draftnet's rankings are usually poor around this time. Remember when Chris Taft, and that Alekesndrov dude were projected to go #1? (in different drafts) While Bogut was in the 20's, Okafor not being in the top 5 and all. Right now the competition is fairly close. Batum was the talk among these prospects a couple months ago so he skyrocketed. It'll be between Mayo and Rose the way I see it. It'll depend on the teams preference just like how Utah picked Deron over Chris Paul.
I wouldn`t be suprised if we landed last at all, its gonna take some time for some Sixers to show some major improvement.
You're the only team in the division who's in the middle of a full-blown rebuilding process, so you'll most likely finish last. But I don't see why that's all that surprising or even bad. The focus is clearly on building a contender 2-4 years down the road.
Eric Gordon is another solid player. Anyways, the 76ers won't tank, but won't make the playoffs either. I'll still watch them because they should be exciting as always. AI will put up his usual stats and dunk like crazy.
<div class="quote_poster">Legacy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I could see you guys finishing last but you will have some major competition. Despite the Celtics acquiring Ray Allen to pair up with Paul Pierce, the rest of their core is still either young or not good enough to support Pierce and Allen to be contenders or even that high in the division. The Raptors will be a threat because Chris Bosh will come back even better than he was last year and put up great numbers and play good for the Raps to make some good runs. He has a good supporting cast and a decent coach. The Nets might be the biggest threat, IMO. Putting all bias aside, they still have the best point guard in the game, a complementary 2nd scorer who comes up big when needed, and a superstar who is coming off his worst playoffs in his career. I think that will make Vince stronger for the up-coming season. We will also have Krstic back, but who knows how the injury has effected him, and we have Mikki Moore (if he re-signs, which he most likely will) a guy is coming off his best career ever despite his age. We also have Boki Nachbar coming off the bench and hiving the team a spark. Maybe with a few key free agents, the Nets could become championship contenders. But the one team that still is in trouble is the New York Knicks. They have gotten Zach Randolph, but is a core of Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, David Lee, and Eddy Curry strong enough to beat a core of Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller, yes. But do they have the right coaching, management, and chemistry to do so, no. So I still don't know how the Sixers will do. But if the Knicks clean up their act and Isiah Thomas some how learns to coach, I see this team finishing last in the Atlantic division. But is this necessarily a bad thing for such a young squad? Like Blur said, the next draft class will also be a good one. You guys could use that young talent and build around Iggy. Your current standings may not look good now, but in a few years, they won't look bad at all. </div> Isiah Thomas isn't a bad coach. He led the Pacers to a few very successful seasons and once the best record in the league. It's his player personnel moves as a GM that are suspect.
