well, it's not necessarily his supporting cast. the entire team is just scoring alot more. back in his MVP days, their were less scoring options on the team than there is now. they just play at a faster pace and more shots are taken now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Aug 27 2006, 02:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>well, it's not necessarily his supporting cast. the entire team is just scoring alot more. back in his MVP days, their were less scoring options on the team than there is now. they just play at a faster pace and more shots are taken now.</div>Hmm, I suppose that's true, however that really is one of two reasons, I stand by him being less unstopabble this year and he wil continue to deteriorate on that level in the years to come.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Aug 27 2006, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's putting up better numbers this year, becuase his team isn't helping him out as much. Just watch him play, don't only look at the stats you'll see how he's slowed down, not greatly as I said in my post but he isn't as strong. Big Mo that is the problem with so many teams in the league today, defense, if they improve it, they could shoot at a playoff spot.</div>I watch him 82 games a year, and he has not slowed down one bit. He's playing smarter basketball, and he's playing better basketball. He's not being thrown around the court by other players... he's the one creating the contact and he has learned how to take falls without hurting himself too much. He's getting everyone involved more than he ever has in his career. He's being more of a leader than he ever has in his career. He is in his prime right now.Also, if he indeed was putting up better numbers this year because his team isn't helping him out as much, wouldn't that lead to higher PPG, but lower APG and a lower FG% since he is forced to put up more shots? Well, that didn't happen. Not only did his PPG increase, but so did his FG% and his APG, meaning he chose his spots better than ever, and he created and got his teammates more involved than he ever has.I realize a lot of teams have defensive problems, but the Sixers were on a whole different level. They lost 18 games last year in which they had a lead in the final two minutes of the game... win even half of those and we're in the playoffs.EDIT: Oh yeah... his team sure as hell isn't helping him out as much. I guess all those other years he had better options around him than CWebb, Iggy and Korver, right?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PiN0Y Ba11a @ Aug 25 2006, 05:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Knicks will be BETTER than Raps this year. If they dont get a better record i will wear a RAPTORS sig saying Raptors own Knicks</div>I will be willing to bet that the Raptors will be a better team than the Knicks. What would you be willing to bet?IMO it is:1. Nets2. Celtics/Raps3. Celtics/Raps4. Sixers5. KnicksChris Bosh will have another superstar year. We will finally have another big to help out in Rasho. Our defense improved, we got a great pass first pg. And we have a ton of new players and more depth at each position.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Aug 26 2006, 10:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He's putting up better numbers this year, becuase his team isn't helping him out as much. Just watch him play, don't only look at the stats you'll see how he's slowed down, not greatly as I said in my post but he isn't as strong. Big Mo that is the problem with so many teams in the league today, defense, if they improve it, they could shoot at a playoff spot.</div>I find it hilarious that your telling one of the most knowledgable basketball fans here and the biggest Sixers fan here to watch basketball. Like BigMo doesn't watch the Sixers at all . Anyways I do agree that basically if we can get help at defense or just focus mostly on it this season we could really suprise people and get the 7th or 8th seed. We could even contend to win the division if our younger players also stepped up but that seems unlikely to happen with Iverson and Webber still in town. Probably though it will end up just like last season though with Iverson playing incredible, Webber throwing up bricks and not trying on defense, none of our younger players stepping up, and Mo Cheeks focusing on offense again. I'm thinking Boston takes second place this season with us in a close third, Toronto in 4th, and New York in 5th. Of course New Jersey will most likely wipe out the rest of the division...
1. You got the big trio in Kidd/Carter/Jefferson and a very impressive center in Nenad who will only get better. One of the reasons I ranked them 1st is simply because Carter is in a contract year, so watch out for him to go all out every game untill his knees cant take it anymore. RJ is really an elite player, this guy can steal the show whenever he wants, does anyone remember when everyone on the Nets was injured and RJ was all by himself? He put up amazing numbers in pts, rbs and asts...he was virtually unstoppable.2. I got to give this to the Sixers, the have the answer in allen iverson and seriously I dont see a decline in his game any time soon. He played through enough injuries last season that it was pretty shocking and also inspiring. Im not too sold on Iggy being anything more then a complemetary player, and as long as AI is in philly he'll make AI better. Philly should just trade CWebb, his shots from the elbow no longer drop constantly and he just stands on defense, get rid of this guy for like a project and a pick.3. I gotta give the nod to my Raptors, I think they'll edge out the Celtics by just like a game or so to get into 3rd in the division. With James gone and Ford in expect to see Boshs' production to increase in not only points but also assists! The roster made a complete 180 turn as they filtered out their extra baggage in Arujo, Williams, Williams and Wood, theres some more players.4. The only thing that bothers me about the Boston Celtics is that they're pretty much underachievers, like last season I was looking at Telfair and im saying to myself "okay this guy is going to break out this year" but I was wrong he tossed up a ton of shots a game, hes what I call a streaky player. Im not counting him out yet however. Gerald Green is another player whom I though would take the NBA by storm and I though drafting him 17th overall was a steal, but his first NBA season anything but impressive. Yes this guy is only coming out of High School but I still dont see any real production coming out of him this season. Jefferson again I though coming into 05-06 would break out to at least a double double or something along the lines of that but he didnt really show up to every game and then he got injured and then Gomes stole the show. I like the celtics they have alot of potential but im not sold on every single prospect they have, there will be studs and there will be busts. Oh I forgot about someone, Paul Pierce...umm he might make some noise this season.5. The New York Knickerboxers as I like to call them will most likely fall to dead last again this season as they havnt quite grasped the concept of a move called the chest/bounce pass. I dont think I have to go further here as everyone has pretty much sumed it up nicely.
How will Webber's knees hold up this year? That's the kicker. I think he can still score 17 ppg, with Iggy and Dalambert improving. They needed Marcus Williams though. Willie Green is coming back right?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Aug 28 2006, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>How will Webber's knees hold up this year? That's the kicker. I think he can still score 17 ppg, with Iggy and Dalambert improving. They needed Marcus Williams though. Willie Green is coming back right?</div>Green is coming back but I definitely agree that they could have used Marcus Williams at the backup PG spot. They signed Jay Williams a while ago but he didnt want to come to Philly because Iverson was going to stay with the team. He thought he would be starting. Another guy like Jordan Farmar would also do well with Philly. I feel that Webber can still contribute, despite the knee injuries and age. He has a very good set of skills on offense and how to move in the paint and score. He's still able to give the Sixers something on offense. If Iggy od Dally improve greatly this upcoming year, watch out for the Sixers.
They still don't have much depth. The guys coming off the bench are Korver or Carney, Steven Hunter, Kevin Ollie, and Willie Green.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SunnyD @ Aug 28 2006, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They still don't have much depth. The guys coming off the bench are Korver or Carney, Steven Hunter, Kevin Ollie, and Willie Green.</div>I'm guessing the lineup is this: PG IversonSG KorverSF IguodalaPF WebberC DalembertOllie, Green, and Hunter are all good contributers off the bench. Especially Hunter. When Dalembert was forced to come off the bench, Hunter took his place at C for a while and did a pretty good job from what I remember. Ollie brings good defense and Green provides scoring. We dont really know about Carney yet, though.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LightsOut @ Aug 27 2006, 01:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1. Nets...three all-stars on this team, easily best starting lineup in the division, but do have a weak bench and as stated before, if Kidd, Carter, or Jefferson get hurt, they can run into some trouble and possibly lose this spot.2. Celtics...should only improve, they have Pierce one of the more underrated superstars in the league, and loads of young talent with a ton of pitential, someone is bound to break out this year.3. 76ers...can't put them any lower with AI on this team, but I don't see them improving too much, unless maybe Iggy or Dalembert have a breakout season.4. Raptors...have an up and coming superstar and Colangelo is doing a great job so far re-building this team, but they have a lot of question marks, and I have to see how this team gels.5. Knicks...Isiah can't make this team any worse, could he? Lots of talent here, but no absolutely no chemistry. Also, with their terrible cap situation I don't see them going any where for a long time.</div>I agree with you on the nets first, but im still betting the raptors will get 2nd in this division. Their bench is rock solid. We dont have an impact or rellly rellly good player, but i think we have a lot "little things turn into big things" people. Yes we dont have a paul pierce or ai...but what abt chris bosh? u saw him on the USA team, hes improved dramatically and will continue too?question: if you guys dont think raptors wont make 2nd in the dvision will they make the playoffs as the 8th or if were dam lucky 7th seed???Boston Celtics: i agree with you 100 percent paul pierce is on of the best underrated players in the league. but Boston lacks a solid bench. No1 not even Kobe (including Chris Bosh last year mind you) could do it without at least 1 sufficient player to help around. Not even MJ himself. 1 man is not a enough force to deal witht he rest of the division.Sixers Fans: i also agree with you one hundred percent ai has been giving 100 percent for at least the last 5 years. but think abt it......he keeps giving it one hundred but no results, at this point hes probably considering the rest of his career dont ya think???Knicks fans: enuff said abt Isiah Thomas's crew. I think 5th theyll finish.Nj Fans: Sry lol abt the Thomas Jefferson... i watching ali G lol anyways, yea VC is an all star. but not Kidd, or Jefferson.... As i can see they both failed to make it last year, and i was right to say they need to make a bang.and for those of u who think VC is an all star/superstar and CB4 is not:<u>2005-06Statistics </u> Vince Carter PPG 24.2 RPG 5.80 APG 4.3 EFF + 21.00 Chris Bosh PPG 22.5 RPG 9.20 APG 2.6 EFF + 24.67 Who made the real differance??
Still don't understand half of your post. I'll manage.They could make the playoffs as an eight seed, but the whole Central Division could finish with a better record, that's what I bet will happen. Plus, the Wizards are better, and the Magic could be better.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Boston Celtics: i agree with you 100 percent paul pierce is on of the best underrated players in the league. but Boston lacks a solid bench. No1 not even Kobe (including Chris Bosh last year mind you) could do it without at least 1 sufficient player to help around. Not even MJ himself. 1 man is not a enough force to deal witht he rest of the division.</div>Sebastian Telfair, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Ryan Gomes, Tony Allen, Gerald Green, Delonte West, and Al Jefferson are all improving rapidly. Wally is also in Boston. They do have a pretty good bench.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>anyways, yea VC is an all star. but not Kidd, or Jefferson.... As i can see they both failed to make it last year, and i was right to say they need to make a bang.</div>Kidd and Jefferson are still amazing players, All-Star caliber. What do you mean about making a bang?
No therye not:2005-06 Statistics:R.JPPG 19.5 RPG 6.80 APG 3.8 EFF + 20.96 Comparison:R. LewisPG 20.1 RPG 5.00 APG 2.3 EFF + 18.72 Give me a f*kin break. R.J only averages one more assist and 1 rebound than this guy...and every1 is tellin me this guy is an All Star.....J.Kidd PPG 13.3 RPG 7.30 APG 8.4 EFF + 21.44 Comparison:Andre Miller (DEN)PPG 13.7 RPG 4.30 APG 8.2 EFF + 17.56 Same assists, points, and REB is on the only differance....and were comparing this guy to steve nash y??
Wow stats aren't everything man. First off, RJ is improving still. JKidd is slowing down, but he is so versitale.Plus, did you even think about defense? RJ and JKidd are both light years ahead of the comparison on the other side of the ball. Plus, the Nets have a better team than the other two.
how can you knock on jason kidd, he doesnt deserve to be compared to Steve Nash because he is a totally different player in his own and it would be kindof insulting to compare him to Nash...Kidd is getting old and slowing down but yeah LOOK at his stats!!! Hes almost averaging a double double
1. New Jersey Nets - The big three is going to be rolling again. Krstic is only going to get better, depth is a concern, if anyone in the starting lineup has an injury it really hurts. 2. New York Knicks - I know i'm going to get sh*t for this but I think they will be the suprise team of the year. 3. Boston Celtics - A young group, I don't see a ton of improvement. 4. Philadelphia 76ers - They hang on because of Iverson, outside of him it's a mess. 5. Toronto Raptors - Could be a suprise but they are really young and the defense will get eaten alive, no experience on this roster.
