Lakers, if healthy, will dominate the West. Rockets aren't the same team. Blazers should be the second best team, if healthy.
Really? I'm a fan of the mullet - it's not just a style, it's a way of life. Guess I need to search the web for more mullet sweetness for a new pic.
Houston will be in scramble mode htis offseason. Yao is out for the year, if not more. Dikembe is done too.
So basically you're saying you have no confidence in your team if they face a fresh, healthy Spurs team? Richard Jefferson will have no problem meshing with the team. He is the prototypical player that Popovich looks for. Good all-around player with a team concept. Ginobili has had the entire offseason to recover and rehab. Parker's about to hit his prime. and the addition of Jefferson takes some of the offensive load off Duncan, who has also had the entire offseason for rest and rehab. True, he's another year older but Pop knows that. Duncan's minutes will be managed during the season to keep him fresh for the playoffs. And again, with Jefferson in the mix, San Antonio has another offensive option and another defensive presence. With another big in the mix (Wallace, McDeyess, etc.) Portland doesn't beat the Spurs.
I am saying that the Blazers need to exploit the Spurs weaknesses of old age. If Ginoboli can shut down Roy, then we'll have a little bit of a problem. My real genuine worry is simply containing Parker. If Roy has to guard Parker, he won't have enough energy on offense. I'm not worried about any other player match up on the spurs. I don't think anyone on the spurs can contain Aldridge AND our center.
Don't take the clippers lightly. They have a pretty good roster that was decimated by injuries last season. They could make some noise when healthy.
They have talented players, but showed no sense of wanting to play as a team. The Clips have great individual one on one players, but until they figure it out, then they'll still be the same ol' Clips.
I was just busting balls. I know what you meant. I doubt Ginobili will guard Roy all that much. As big a Manu fan as I am, I know he's not playing for the Spurs because of his defense. More than likely Jefferson will be put on Roy. RJ won't shut him down but he'll be able to give Roy problems. And the Blazers don't have anyone who can contain Parker. By the way, no one's been able to "exploit the Spurs weaknesses of old age". Their age is a factor, yes. But not as big a factor as people seem to think. SA's biggest problem last year was health, a bad bench and less of a focus on defense. I don't think defensive focus will be an issue this year. And it wasn't just the "old" guys getting injured. Even Tony Parker had some time off the floor due to injury. This is the 1st offseason in awhile when Ginobili hasn't played for Argentina. That will go a long way to his physical health. Duncan will be fresh for the season and his minutes will be watched carefully to not overplay him during the season. Last season was different. Duncan had to do more because Manu was out for a lot of games and Parker was out some games. When the playoffs came around he wasn't his normal self and his knees were banged up. But he still showed signs that he wasn't done against Dallas. Besides, he doesn't have to be more athletic or younger to match up to Aldridge or Oden. Athleticism hasn't been part of Duncan's game for years. He's good on the defensive end because he's a smart defender. Aldridge can be a tough matchup for almost anyone, I'll admit. But Oden? Come on. I seriously doubt he's going to be the player that Blazer fans hoped and prayed he would be. He'll end up being somewhere between Bowie and Duckworth in his prime. If he can smarten up a bit, ease up on the stupid fouls and improve his footwork, he'll be a better defender. Whether that happens remains to be seen.
Frankly, I'm a little bit of a band wagoneer. I don't know enough about other teams and have to go off what people tell me. I had heard that Manu was a lock down defender somewhere, so I assumed it to be true. Is Jefferson known for great defense, are you going on his size mismatch? I don't know how valid it is, but Ron did say Roy was the hardest guy he's had to defend. Yeah, i guess "old" dudes can still have good legs and lungs. (I put in quotes because it's old for nba standards) And the Blazers haven't been great at running the fast break when it's there. But I meant if they have to double Aldridge at all, it will leave the center open OR there would be a mismatch if they are switching to guard Aldridge.
I hope I'm wrong about Oden. I'm Portland (the city) born and raised. I'd love to see my home team return to greatness.
The fricking Lakers are the team we should fear the most. Unless Artest single handedly brings that team down, they are repeating IMO (as much as it kills me to say it). The Spurs (healthy) are better then us, but they have to prove they can stay healthy. They were one of two teams above .500 in the West we were able to beat on the road, so they may not be as bad as I think. From there, Denver could be better, but IMO, we are in the ballpark with them and Utah. Then Dallas, New Orleans, and possibly Phoenix round out the top 8 in the playoffs. Clippers could surprise if they aren't as injured and Davis is actually trying and not playing lazy. Thunder are still at least a year away.
No one. Respect, yes. An opponent should always be respected. Acknowledge the accomplishments and talent of other teams Fear no one.
