I think the Bobcats(If they can all stay healthy),Nuggets,Celtics,Hawks,and Bulls will surprise alot of people next year.
I don't see why the Bulls are listed, they are expected to be an Eastern Conference contender next year. Hell, if they aren't, they have had a disappointing season. Even with Atlanta's two top 11 picks, I don't know if I see them making the playoffs next year. Boston is completely up in the air. I think we are a playoff team when healthy, but we have a lot of work to do this summer.I think it's too early for a thread like this, because the offseason really hasn't even begun yet. At the start of training camp, this would be a good topic, but nobody knows what's going to happen this summer. It's too early.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jun 21 2007, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't see why the Bulls are listed, they are expected to be an Eastern Conference contender next year. Hell, if they aren't, they have had a disappointing season. Even with Atlanta's two top 11 picks, I don't know if I see them making the playoffs next year. Boston is completely up in the air. I think we are a playoff team when healthy, but we have a lot of work to do this summer.I think it's too early for a thread like this, because the offseason really hasn't even begun yet. At the start of training camp, this would be a good topic, but nobody knows what's going to happen this summer. It's too early.</div>By this thread I meant teams that will be significantly better. I think the Bulls will be significantly better next year so I put them on my list.Alanta has a very good nucleus of young players and with conley jr they may finally have the pg they have been searching for.I would also add Portland to the mix.I agree to an extent its too early for a thread like this but its still open for discussion.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Jun 21 2007, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>By this thread I meant teams that will be significantly better. I think the Bulls will be significantly better next year so I put them on my list.Alanta has a very good nucleus of young players and with conley jr they may finally have the pg they have been searching for.I would also add Portland to the mix.I agree to an extent its too early for a thread like this but its still open for discussion.</div>You think Chicago will be significantly better next year? They won around 50 games this year, I don't think they will make incredible leaps.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jun 21 2007, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You think Chicago will be significantly better next year? They won around 50 games this year, I don't think they will make incredible leaps.</div>Not everything is shown in number of wins. That is just a number. In terms of this year we relied heavily on gordons scoring and our defense. Most of our wins were tough wins and due to that the central division wasnt quite what it was the last 3 seasons. As a team we are growing and I wouldnt be surprised if we have a few allstars come out, I also expect our offense to run more fluently and not so much live and die with the jumpshot. Also if you watch the bulls you'll notice each year we usually start off slow but I think those days are over. So yes I say they will breakout from good team to an elite team in the NBA. Possibly close to 60 wins if we play like we should and dont have any major injuries.
I like the Bobcats as a possible breakout team. I think Sam Vincent is a coach that will take this team to the next level, we just have to see more production from Adam Morrison or he's going to be considered a bust very soon. They also have to bring back Gerald Wallace, he's the leader of that team next to Emeka.As far as my team goes, I think the Hornets will be much better next season. CP3 will have a full off-season to rest up, as well as our entire roster lol. We're at a good position in the draft to take a solid swingman to replace D-Mase, Peja will return next season and hopefully can continue the hot streak he was having before the back injury. Besides that, they're coming home to New Orleans, so maybe we can have one of those miracle runs like the Saints had. :winkglasses:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Jun 21 2007, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think the Bobcats(If they can all stay healthy),Nuggets,Celtics,Hawks,and Bulls will surprise alot of people next year.</div>I agree about the Bobcats, they've improved every year and have started to look like an actual basketball team. I dont agree about the Nuggets though, I think they'll be about the same next year. another team I'd like to add is the Blazers, the addition of Oden will make them a lot better.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Jun 21 2007, 09:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not everything is shown in number of wins. That is just a number. In terms of this year we relied heavily on gordons scoring and our defense. Most of our wins were tough wins and due to that the central division wasnt quite what it was the last 3 seasons. As a team we are growing and I wouldnt be surprised if we have a few allstars come out, I also expect our offense to run more fluently and not so much live and die with the jumpshot. Also if you watch the bulls you'll notice each year we usually start off slow but I think those days are over. So yes I say they will breakout from good team to an elite team in the NBA. Possibly close to 60 wins if we play like we should and dont have any major injuries.</div>I agree with you about the win total, but I don't think Chicago is gonna make improvements that make you say "Oh my god, I can't believe they're this good!" They are already viewed as Eastern Conference contenders, and this thread is about teams that will break out. Chicago isn't going to "break out" next year, they are already elite in the East.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Jun 21 2007, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree with you about the win total, but I don't think Chicago is gonna make improvements that make you say "Oh my god, I can't believe they're this good!" They are already viewed as Eastern Conference contenders, and this thread is about teams that will break out. Chicago isn't going to "break out" next year, they are already elite in the East.</div>I meant as far as an elite team period. This year chicago was good but next year I think they will be VERY GOOD to the point where they can play with any team in the east or west. Deng and Gordon will likely be allstars and Hinrich may get an all-defensive team while you have Tyrus Thomas likely getting close to a double double with him starting and dont get me started if we get a post player. :happy0144:
Bobcats, Gerald Wallace is a great player, and w/ Okafor in a not so great east, they can make some great leapsHawks- Like someone said earlier, the possibility of getting Mike Conley Jr. would help them bunch, add Joe Johnson who had a great year last year and they will have a better record, making it deep in the playoffs... not yetHornets- They will undoubtedly get better, the injuries really tore em upRockets- Not saying they will win 10 more games, but I think that the new coaching style will help the points come up. They have a great chance of becoming an "elite team" like SA, PHX, and Dallas
I think the Rockets are overrated year in and year out. They really arent outstanding at anything and are basically run through two players. They added James but they are still an old team with a weak bench and are generally a soft team. I dont see them being any better unless they land a player like an artest they wont suddenly be a better team out of no where. Im not even sure Adelman can do as good as van gundy(who is a very good basketball coach) but lets face it since Hakeem retired the rockets have been going downhill and adding Tmac and Yao were just pieces to a team that needed to be completely rebuilt. First and foremost they need a pf, then they need some kind of a bench. Until then they will win 50 games in the regular season but they will continue to lose to the better teams in the west. Right now I would take the Nuggets over the Rockets.
Hornets I think are capable making the playoffs this year. CP3 is a year older, Chandler too, and David West is back. If they can all stay healthy they could sneek into 6/7 seed.If Orlando finds a consistent scorer for the swingman they could be dangerous too. They made the playoffs with Grant Hill healthy. turk is too inconsistent to be the main option for the wing.
I really don't see the Bulls doing much differently from this past year, unless they get someone that can score consistently from the post, and provide a little bit of balance around the court. Offensive balance is the key word for this team, as they don't have any balance. The other teams bigs are able to rotate as they please because there is no one on the Bulls team that can score enough in the post to make the help defense have to stay on their big men. This causes Deng and Hinrich to be hounded on their way to the basket when they try to drive in. Ben Gordon relies to much on his jump shot, not enough to getting to the basket, and I really don't see that changing much this year. That is why he is so streaky, as jump shooters in general are streaky like that. I really don't see that changing at much for the Bulls this next season, as they will still have problems with the elite teams in the league when they have to play. I think a team that is going to impress next season, and might even make a playoff push, will be the 76ers. They have 3 draft picks in this draft, I'm sure they can get someone that will help them out this year. Last year they played really well once Iverson left, started moving the ball better, and the team really improved with it's new play. Igoudala showed he can be an effective leading scorer. Carney, Korver and Green will provide good depth, athleticism and skills on the wings. With Andre Miller pushing the ball and setting these guys up with alot of easy scoring oppurtunities, they have a chance to make the playoffs next year I think. They just need a little bit of offensive production for their low post area.
The 76ers, definitely. They might not make the playoffs, but they will open some eyes and turn some heads next year, even if they just continue playing they way the played after the AI trade this past season. With a full year without Iverson, the Sixers will show what they are capable of without him... and we won't be as far back in rebuilding as a lot of people may think.Iguodala will get the respect he deserves, also.
I think its hard to tell now about the Bulls but you have to wait until after the draft and see if we get any free agents. I think if we don't make any trades and draft Yi, Noah, or Hawes, you will see some more low post presence which therefore would make us so much better because that is our biggest weakness. Like PT said, we relied so much on Gordon's shooting and the teams' defense that we still have holes in our offense. And as obvious as it is, the team is so young and they're going to mature. This team played well together and with that experience of having a feel of your own team, they will play even better as a team this year. Luol Deng broke out during the playoffs and scored like 27 a night and hes going to be one of more consistent shooters from now on, even more than before.
Bobcats. They've got two picks in this draft, and a bunch of great young talent. If Ray and Gerald could mature a little bit more, they could carry this team to the playoffs. Hopefully Adam Morrison improves after his rookie hazing as well.The Hornets are a possibility...I'm not sure about their overall roster right now, but with Chris Paul they could become a good team.The Sonics and Blazers have a chance to be good just because of their draft picks....Although I think the Blazers have a much better chance than the Sonics to be good...The Blazers atleast play hardnosed defense and Greg should add to that. If their young guys step up the plate, they could be atleast a possibility for the 8th seed in the West next season.
I think the BobCats will play better than they did last year, but just a little bit off playoff contension...and the Hawks will have a break-out season if they draft right...And the Bulls had 49 wins this season, how can you have a break-out season after that record?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrpy @ Jun 22 2007, 06:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>...And the Bulls had 49 wins this season, how can you have a break-out season after that record?</div>I've already explained that in this thread. Look at my reply to that question on page one because I dont feel like typing an explanation for that again.
Well I'd absolutely love to say the Celtics, but we all know full well how their season will turn out before anything even happens. Here's to winning the lottery next year! PS. Just don't tank again.
