Which teams are sleepers this season?The Atlanta Hawks WILL make the playoffs next season, Speedy Claxton will have a much bigger impact than people give him credit for. He averaged a solid 12 points, 5 assists, 1.5 steals off the bench last season.With Atlanta having a true Point Guard running the show they should make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
Call it biased if you want, but I think the Celtics have a chance to make some noise if they come together. We just have too much young talent not to, plus Paul Pierce carries this team on his shoulders night in and night out. I think our PG situation is the best it has been in a good 5-7 years, I think our wings are very talented and all bring different things to the table, we are more defensive minded this year with Ratliff and Rondo, Big Al has put work in and he has lost 30 lbs. already, Gomes is the definition of solid, and I think with our new look at the PG position alone and a healthy TA, plus Theo bringing a veteran/defensive presence, we are going to be a better team this year. I think we have a chance to take 6th-7th seed, honestly.The Utah Jazz have a shot as well if they can stay healthy (eh hem.. Boozer and AK). AK47 is the most underrated player in the NBA and he does it all, Boozer is 17/11 when healthy, Okur has established himself as a top 10 center in the NBA, Deron Williams is comming along smoothly, Matt Harpring is a solid vet, Fisher provides leadership, Ronnie Brewer was an excellent pick, and I really like Paul Millsap (he might not play much to begin, but as the season progresses he is going to earn some minutes). To top it all off, they have a great coach. Jerry Sloan knows what he's doing and he's going to push this team hard. Health is the key for this team. If Boozer and Kirilenko can stay healthy this Yeah then Utah has a great shot at making the playoffs.New York. In my predictions, I put them as last in the Atlantic only to make a safe pick. This team is one of the most talented teams in the NBA, and Isiah is going to "let them loose," especially Marbury. I could see this team swing both ways, but I'm tellin ya - I would not be suprised if this team made the playoffs. They have a real good shot, and Isiah definitely gives this team a new look and a less structured offense. I'll be watching the Knicks very closely this season.
Houston Rockets....BIG TIME. With T-Mac and Yao last season they were 21-10 (and remember, T-Mac was injured and went through a hige cold spell for 1/2 the total games they played together, which happenned in February). They have a TON of depth at backcourt, and Yao will continue to improve like he did last year. Juwan will still be solid, and Mutumbo will be good defensively as always.But, it all rests on T-Mac's shoulders. if he is healthy, he is a 30/6/6 type guy who can at the VERY least get his team into playoffs, and with Yao and solid role players they will go farther.
I don't think Atlanta will be much better than last year. I think a sleeper team will be Boston. they have a lot of very young talent which has now matured, now with a young capible PG like Telfair, I think they can do some serious damage.
-the Sonics. -Firstly they have 2 allstar calibre players. Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Ray had career year last year. And this year is a contract year for Rashard.-Chris Wilcox - showed signs of being the Power Forward the Sonics have been missing for years. He fit into thier system really well. Luke Ridnour, He started to show signs of being a floor general late in the year and should improve again this year.Robert Swift. Nick Collison ,Johan Petro are all young still but have shown sign of being more consistant. The Sonics showed a glimpse of what they can do late last season. They had a winning record late in the season (since the addition of Wilcox + Earl Watson) They were a playoff team 2 seasons ago when they bowed out to the eventual champs.-Last year, they were trying to get into a new system, and a new coach, they will be ready this year, and used to the system and coach. Look out NBA the Sonics will be back this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Sep 23 2006, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Utah Jazz have a shot as well if they can stay healthy (eh hem.. Boozer and AK). AK47 is the most underrated player in the NBA and he does it all, Boozer is 17/11 when healthy, Okur has established himself as a top 10 center in the NBA, Deron Williams is comming along smoothly, Matt Harpring is a solid vet, Fisher provides leadership, Ronnie Brewer was an excellent pick, and I really like Paul Millsap (he might not play much to begin, but as the season progresses he is going to earn some minutes). To top it all off, they have a great coach. Jerry Sloan knows what he's doing and he's going to push this team hard. Health is the key for this team. If Boozer and Kirilenko can stay healthy this Yeah then Utah has a great shot at making the playoffs.</div>I've been saying it all along. Utah Jazz will win their division if the forwards can stay healthy.Pacers are another to add. Jamaal Tinsley, Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicus, Marquis Daniels, and Danny Granger in the backcourt. Jeff Foster, Jermaine O'neal, Al Harrington, and David Harrison up front. This team could win 50 games. Don't forget that Rick Carlisle is coach.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Sep 23 2006, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Houston Rockets....BIG TIME. With T-Mac and Yao last season they were 21-10 (and remember, T-Mac was injured and went through a hige cold spell for 1/2 the total games they played together, which happenned in February). They have a TON of depth at backcourt, and Yao will continue to improve like he did last year. Juwan will still be solid, and Mutumbo will be good defensively as always.But, it all rests on T-Mac's shoulders. if he is healthy, he is a 30/6/6 type guy who can at the VERY least get his team into playoffs, and with Yao and solid role players they will go farther.</div>Agreed, definitely. But I didn't list them as a "sleeper" because I actually expect a good season from them. A sleeper is a team that people don't expect to do much, but they end up doing well. I think Houston will do well, so in my eyes Houston isn't a sleeper.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I've been saying it all along. Utah Jazz will win their division if the forwards can stay healthy.</div>I say that too, but I have been diagnosed with a server case of Homerism.
