With Shaq out of the west, and no big changes in San Antonio, the Wolves have got to be the favorites out here.
everyone keeps talking the lakers still, i read in the star tribune the lakers are still the favorites to win 4-1
Minnesota will be a strong contender, if the team can stay healthy and if they can resign Hassell and Hoiberg. This might be the final season where they can have a run at the championship. Minnesota and San Antonio are the leading contenders in the West and will be the favourites but we will need to see how the other teams, who have made some moves to improve themselves, will play.
I am saying this might be the last year where the Wolves can make a strong run at the championship because the team is getting older. The team can't keep playing at this level for at least 3 years because at that point some of the players will be too old to play the same way they did. I am just saying this might be the last chance, unless they make trades for younger players. Spree and Sam, who are a part of the big 3, are already 34 and 35 years old. Ervin is 37 years old. We might still be strong contenders after a couple of years. And there are younger teams who will be strong contenders in a couple of years.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KG is the MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">With Shaq out of the west, and no big changes in San Antonio, the Wolves have got to be the favorites out here.</div> Spurs adding Brent Barry is a very big move, he could make the Spurs unstoppable in the west. Re-signing Manu, Bowen and adding a few high talented rookies makes the Spurs favourites to win the west. It's not always good not to go out and improve your roster, even as defending NBA champions It would be a mistake not going out and signing talent.
The off season doesnt really affect the spurs or t-wolves all that much during the regular season. They only would play the lakers 3 or 4 games during the regular season and arnt in the same division. It might make a huge difference come playoff time. The real winners in the off season are going to be the suns and kings. I am one of the few around here that thinks Bryant is not as good as everyone thinks he is and the lakers are going to be lucky to make it to 45 wins this next season.
Honestly, though, I'm a little worried about the Spurs. They will be the ones giving us the biggest problems. HUGE upgrade from Turk to Barry. Barry is always a 3 point threat and him and Parker in the backcourt will be very nice for them. If I'm the Spurs I'm really liking my chances but if we resign Hoiberg and Hassell, then we're in good shape. Don't have to worry about the Lakers this year with Shaq gone and Fisher gone.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MainEvent:</div><div class="quote_post">Don't have to worry about the Lakers this year with Shaq gone and Fisher gone.</div> Yeah, especially without Fisher!!!
