Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Atlantic Division was the worst in the NBA last season. Its teams combined for just 170 wins, the fewest total of any division in the league, and only the New Jersey Nets made the playoffs. The Nets again figure to dominate the Atlantic as they look to win their fifth division title in six seasons. Predicting the next four teams becomes much trickier ? you might as well throw four names into a hat ? as the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics all seem to enter the season with similar yet precarious hopes. None made enough dramatic personnel changes to challenge the Nets, so the balance of power should stay in the Meadowlands. But even with New Jersey likely to run away with the division, there are some intriguing issues to keep an eye on. In Toronto, the Raptors are making some interesting moves and appear poised to be the surprise team in the Atlantic. Bryan Colangelo took over the Raptors last February and immediately began a reclamation project. Wanting his team to run, he traded for speedy point guard T.J. Ford. Colangelo also locked up his star, Chris Bosh, to a three-year contract extension, and he went across the Atlantic to bring in several European stars to bolster the roster, including the 2006 draft's No. 1 pick, Andrea Bargnani. There is hope in Toronto, and the Raptors think they have a shot at the postseason. If there is drama to be found, look no further than New York. Isiah Thomas takes over as the Knicks' head coach, and he inherits the talented but flawed roster he put together as general manager. He'll try to find the right combination of players to form a rotation that makes sense ? something Larry Brown couldn't do last season. If Thomas fails and the Knicks falter, there's no telling what the future will hold in the Big Apple. Owner James Dolan has put all of his eggs in Isiah's basket, so it's time to see some results. If not, Thomas could be gone. A couple of other coaches who could be feeling a little heat are Boston's Doc Rivers and Philadelphia's Maurice Cheeks. Each presided over teams that had subpar seasons in 2005-06, as both the Celtics and 76ers underachieved, and a playoff appearance this season would go a long way towards providing job security. Both Rivers and Cheeks are hoping for major strides from a pair of talented wing players to help their respective causes. Gerald Green is a gifted, athletic scorer with loads of potential, and he'll get more playing time for the Celtics in his second NBA season. Paul Pierce enjoyed the best year of his career last season, but if Green emerges, Boston will be much improved. In Philly, Cheeks needs Andre Iguodala to become a more consistent performer. With the Allen Iverson/Chris Webber combination shaky at best ? particularly defensively ? Iguodala's athleticism and versatility are critical to helping the Sixers establish a tougher defensive mentality. Regardless of what happens in Toronto, Boston, New York and Philadelphia, however, the Atlantic is the Nets' division to lose.<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">STEVE KERR'S ATLANTIC PREDICTIONS </span> 1. New Jersey Nets ? The Nets are clearly the class of the division. The trio of Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter forms an exciting, high-wire act, but overall, this is a defensive-minded club. New Jersey ranked sixth in the NBA in points allowed last season and held opponents to under 44-percent field goal shooting.2. Toronto Raptors ? The recent success of international players on the world stage bodes well for Sam Mitchell's club. Chris Bosh will get plenty of help from Spain's Jorge Garbajosa and Jose Calderon, Italy's Andrea Bargnani and former 76er Anthony Parker, who has starred in Europe for many years.3. New York Knicks ? There are a million questions with this team, but the No. 1 issue is this: Can Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis play together? Eddy Curry's development is critical, too. Isiah Thomas gets to try to figure it all out.4. Boston Celtics ? Danny Ainge paid a steep price to get Sebastian Telfair. Can he take over the point guard duties and run this club, or will he be beaten out by Kentucky rookie Rajon Rondo? Either way, the Celtics will be a young club being led by a young point guard ? usually, that's not a good combination.5. Philadelphia 76ers ? This team has the potential to be decent, but they'll have to figure out who they are. Last season, the Sixers established an up-tempo offensive mentality, but their defense and rebounding was so bad that it didn't matter. They do have some talent, though.</div>LinkI don't fully agree with Kerr's rankings. I think it'll be:1.Nets2.Raptors3.Celtics4.Knicks5.76ersI do agree though that its New Jersey's to lose though. Unless there is a big injury or a complete metdown by the Nets will they lose the division in my opinion.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction 1. Nets2. Raptors3. Celtics4. Sixers5. KnicksI'm glad Steve Kerr is giving the Raps some much needed love.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction hahaha, we paid a steep price in the trade? are you kidding me?? Raef LaFrentz (trash), dan dickau (trash), and the 7th pick, which we would've picked rondo with anyways. Steve Kerr is a complete idiot.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction Something being overlooked in Toronto is this: The Raptors have not addressed any defensive issues. They can score 100 PPG, but I still think they'll have trouble stopping opposing players down the stretch. If they don't blow teams out early, expect tons of late game losses
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMartAce @ Oct 12 2006, 10:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Something being overlooked in Toronto is this: The Raptors have not addressed any defensive issues. They can score 100 PPG, but I still think they'll have trouble stopping opposing players down the stretch. If they don't blow teams out early, expect tons of late game losses</div>THANK YOU. I have been saying the same exact thing. Anthony Parker is not a lockdown defender cb4, I don't care what you say. They are still pourous and weak defensively.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Oct 12 2006, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>THANK YOU. I have been saying the same exact thing. Anthony Parker is not a lockdown defender cb4, I don't care what you say. They are still pourous and weak defensively.</div>Actually the only "lockdown" defender the Raptors are remotely close to having is Morris Peterson. Aside from him, you'll still be seeing Guards and Forwards alike skipping down the lane with regularity.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction I honestly think that if the Celtics stay healthy this season, they will get 2nd in the Atlantic. Their guard set is absolutley overpowering in the sense that they have so much depth. At the pg spot alone, they have Rondo, Bassy, and Delonte. Any one of those players is capable of that starting spot IMO. They have Wally at the 2 guard spot(who if healthy can get 15 plus a night easy for the celtics) and the backup will most likely be Delonte once again. They have a top 10-15 player in the league in Pierce. Good rebounder, scorer, and leader. There isnt a whole lot of time where he will be off the court so his backup job is nearly irrelevant. And at the PF spot, they have Jefferson and Gomes who both show great promise. Gomes showed that he was a top 10 rookie last season putting up great games and stats in the 2nd part of the season when he got minutes. Good hustle player who gets a ton of offensive rebounds. Good post moves for an undersized PF as well. Jefferson's footwork is amazing and he got in shape over this summer as well. I am very eager to see how he does. And at the center spot, you have two defensive minded players in Perkins and Ratliff. Ratliff can still be a great shot blocker if he stays healthy and Perkins had a few games last year were he got 5 blocks in a game. Also, the celtics backup squad is so young and their defense is starting to pick up. The Raps have alot of young talent as well, I will give them that. I just dont think that their team has enough defensive weapons to do it. Mo Pete is an average defender and Rasho can get a decent amount of blocked shots, but thats about it. Bosh isn't strong and can get taken advantage of by alot of good PF's. TJ Ford is a decent defender but is too small and that will hurt him. Fred Jones is a decent defender but his lack of size will hurt him. I just see the Celtics as having more weapons and can play both sides of the ball better.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction I'm not really feeling the "Mo Pete = Average Defender" comment ballerman; that as well as your avatar. However, I am liking the long posts you put in. *Claps*
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction Yeah I think the Knicks are going to suprise alotve people, they just have no guidence, they have tons of talent...maybe to much. Thats why they went for the hustle player in Balkman.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction and u think Mo Pete is a better than average defender because....I never said he was a bad defender, but he isnt going to be able to limit a star or superstar better than alot of players in the league.and what is wrong with my sig? ha
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction Talent? If being able to hit the three but do nothing else is talent, the Knicks are the Al Di Meola of basketball! No.A genuine comparison would be to Yngwie Malmsteen, as the Knicks can do nothing but shoot.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz76 @ Oct 12 2006, 11:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah I think the Knicks are going to suprise alotve people, they just have no guidence, they have tons of talent...maybe to much. Thats why they went for the hustle player in Balkman.</div>That or because they went for Balkman because they are idiots. When you have alot of talent left to draft, why would u go with a guy who didnt even average double digit points in college? The only reason he was drafted is because he did decent in teh NIT tourney.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction Its not all about talent. They need the hustle player who can bring toughness and defense and thats what Balkman does. Maybe it wasnt such a bright pick to get him in 1st rnd, but hes a good addition for NY. He can be a lockdown defender, sortve like a Dennis Rodman or Bruce Bowen...every team needs one.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction How many times have u seen him play to consider the possibility that he could be a "lockdown defender"?
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz76 @ Oct 12 2006, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Its not all about talent. They need the hustle player who can bring toughness and defense and thats what Balkman does. Maybe it wasnt such a bright pick to get him in 1st rnd, but hes a good addition for NY. He can be a lockdown defender, sortve like a Dennis Rodman or Bruce Bowen...every team needs one.</div>The only thing about them picking Balkman isn't the fact they they drafted him, its that they picked him with the 20th pick. It is clearly evident that Balkman was a 2nd rounder. Now they didn't have a 2nd round pick, but they could of traded for one or picked him with the 29th pick, which would of been at least somewhat exceptable and logical. They could of got plenty of other players that would of been better than Balkman. Rajon RondoMarcus WilliamsJosh BooneKyle LowryShannon BrownMaurice AgerThey would of all been better picks. They at least have a chance of being average starters in the NBA while Balkman only has a chance of becoming a great backup.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction Very few....but scouts are here for something, from what I have heard,read and highlights(which really dont mean anyhting though) hes a great defender. And most the times, defenders go unnoticed, such as Dennis Rodman, Bruce Bowen etc. etc. So Balkman might be better than yall think. Scout reports say hes like a Ron Artest/Dennis Rodman type of player.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pjcolpitts? @ Oct 12 2006, 11:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The only thing about them picking Balkman isn't the fact they they drafted him, its that they picked him with the 20th pick. It is clearly evident that Balkman was a 2nd rounder. Now they didn't have a 2nd round pick, but they could of traded for one or picked him with the 29th pick, which would of been at least somewhat exceptable and logical. They could of got plenty of other players that would of been better than Balkman. Rajon RondoMarcus WilliamsJosh BooneKyle LowryShannon BrownMaurice AgerThey would of all been better picks. They at least have a chance of being average starters in the NBA while Balkman only has a chance of becoming a great backup.</div><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Its not all about talent. They need the hustle player who can bring toughness and defense and thats what Balkman does. Maybe it wasnt such a bright pick to get him in 1st rnd, but hes a good addition for NY. He can be a lockdown defender, sortve like a Dennis Rodman or Bruce Bowen...every team needs one</div>
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (austingriz76 @ Oct 12 2006, 11:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Very few....but scouts are here for something, from what I have heard,read and highlights(which really dont mean anyhting though) hes a great defender. And most the times, defenders go unnoticed, such as Dennis Rodman, Bruce Bowen etc. etc. So Balkman might be better than yall think. Scout reports say hes like a Ron Artest/Dennis Rodman type of player.</div>I hope your right for God's sake. I actually want Isiah Thomas to do something right for once. Although, he isnt going to get crap for playing time this year.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction History shows he always drafts good players. Thats why I have some faith in Balkman.
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction Yep, that's about a minute into this.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzSjn9lBbJ4
Re: Steve Kerr's Atlantic Prediction Ive been looking for that...only found the avatar though..great!! BTW, yall see Kirks reverse? :HAHAHA:
