http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-e...=yhoo&type=lgnsFinally, a bit of respect to the Raptors I think putting the Knicks over the Celtics and Sixers was a mistake. But it was decent.
Charlotte has nothing exciting to look forward to? How about Raymond Felton, Adam Morrison, Emeka Okafor and Gerald Wallace? Thats something to look for.
Wow.. IMO they're terrible. Of course as a Celtics fan they suck and as a Raptors fan they're awesome. I think the Bucks, and Knicks are higher than they should be, and the Celtics are lower than they should be. Also I think the Bulls are being overrated by everone. We'll have to see how everyone plays together before we throw championship aspirations around with them.
NJ and Charolette are too low. If it wasn't for Cliff Robinson going bye bye in the semi's vs the Heat, Nets might have won that series. They got stronger, too, with Marcus Williams, Eddie House and Boone (who is hurt, but when he comes back will give us some more frontcourt depth). Another season for Nenad maturing will also do nothing but good.And Charolette has a very talented team. Emeka was injured last year, Felton will get more playing time, May will come back, and of course Morrison will become an instant factor.
I think its kinda hard to critisize his list. I mean, the bottom half of the east is nearly impossible to predict and the top half is pretty close as well. IMO, the Bulls, Cavs, or Pistons could all be the 2nd best team in the east behind Miami. I think that he did a decent job.
these things need to get off the bulls dicks, I hate the bulls, they're not gonna be amazing they're a completely new team they have to create chemsitry before they can shine.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Sep 27 2006, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>NJ and Charolette are too low. If it wasn't for Cliff Robinson going bye bye in the semi's vs the Heat, Nets might have won that series. They got stronger, too, with Marcus Williams, Eddie House and Boone (who is hurt, but when he comes back will give us some more frontcourt depth). Another season for Nenad maturing will also do nothing but good.And Charolette has a very talented team. Emeka was injured last year, Felton will get more playing time, May will come back, and of course Morrison will become an instant factor.</div>What? How is NJ better than either the Heat, Cavs, Bulls, or Pistons? The Nets are fine where they are.
I find them better than the Cavs, and right up there with Bulls, Pistons and Heat. They have arguably best PG in league, 2 of the best SG/SF's in league with VC and RJ, a great center in Nenad, and now a stronger bench.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Sep 27 2006, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I find them better than the Cavs, and right up there with Bulls, Pistons and Heat. They have arguably best PG in league, 2 of the best SG/SF's in league with VC and RJ, a great center in Nenad, and now a stronger bench.</div>figures, your a nets fan. They are not better than the Cavs what so ever. They have the 4th or 5th best PG in the league, their center is a little bit above average (very overrated), and their bench is decent. Good backup PG and an undersized SG that is one dimensional. And the Bulls, Pistons, and Heat are on different levels than NJ. Try not to be a homer next time.
Better than the Cavs? I doubt it. Larry Hughes will be alot better next year, they have 2 good rookies in Shannon Brown, and Daniel Gibson, they have a good interior scorer and rebounder in Big Z, Drew Gooden, who is a good scorer and rebounder, and the king, Lebron James. Lebron will be in his 4th season, and with a player like him on the team, I just cant expect the Nets to be better.Jason Kidd's value is going down, Vince Carter isnt the same old self, and they still don't have a Center.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Sep 27 2006, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>figures, your a nets fan. They are not better than the Cavs what so ever. They have the 4th or 5th best PG in the league, their center is a little bit above average (very overrated), and their bench is decent. Good backup PG and an undersized SG that is one dimensional. And the Bulls, Pistons, and Heat are on different levels than NJ. Try not to be a homer next time.</div>4th or 5th? How many PG's do you know that can shutdown Billups on a Sunday, and hold Steve Nash scoreless the next night? How many PG's rack up the triple doubles that he does? He doesn't have to carry as much of a load as he did with the Nets back in the ECF champion days as he has a great isolation type player in VC and RJ who doesn't need a Kidd pass to get his points, whereas Kidd had many more oppertunities with the fastbreak team he used to have with KMart, Kittle, Harris, etc... Still at very least top 3 PG.And Bulls, Pistons and Heat are not on different levels. Nets lost 3 games in playoffs vs Heat in last few min of game, and most of the time Nets were leading through nearly the whole game (led by 3 going into 4th in game 4, led in game 3 up until 5min to go in 4th in game 3, lost by 1 in game 5). What they missed was their best bench player, Cliff Robinson. Without him they had no bench, and just didn't have enough firepower. This year they have him back, and more firepower. And as you may or may not know, Nets have had the Pistons number for years.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Sep 27 2006, 09:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Better than the Cavs? I doubt it. Larry Hughes will be alot better next year, they have 2 good rookies in Shannon Brown, and Daniel Gibson, they have a good interior scorer and rebounder in Big Z, Drew Gooden, who is a good scorer and rebounder, and the king, Lebron James. Lebron will be in his 4th season, and with a player like him on the team, I just cant expect the Nets to be better.Jason Kidd's value is going down, Vince Carter isnt the same old self, and they still don't have a Center.</div>VC just came off of arguably his 2 best all around seasons. He can still score 30 on any given night, and has become a matured, disiplined player. RJ is a 20/7 guy and can also explode for 30 on any given night. JKidd is still a triple double machine and one of best defensive guards in league. And Nened is at 14/7, and arguably the best midrange shooter on the team who fits perfectly with the team. With another season of maturing, he will be even better. Cliff is a very solid 6th man, and now you have Marcus Williams, Boone (eventually, which will REALLY help the bench), Jason Collins, Eddie House (solid backup to VC), and now Illic (who will also add depth down low).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Sep 27 2006, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>4th or 5th? How many PG's do you know that can shutdown Billups on a Sunday, and hold Steve Nash scoreless the next night? How many PG's rack up the triple doubles that he does? He doesn't have to carry as much of a load as he did with the Nets back in the ECF champion days as he has a great isolation type player in VC and RJ who doesn't need a Kidd pass to get his points, whereas Kidd had many more oppertunities with the fastbreak team he used to have with KMart, Kittle, Harris, etc... Still at very least top 3 PG.And Bulls, Pistons and Heat are not on different levels. Nets lost 3 games in playoffs vs Heat in last few min of game, and most of the time Nets were leading through nearly the whole game (led by 3 going into 4th in game 4, led in game 3 up until 5min to go in 4th in game 3, lost by 1 in game 5). What they missed was their best bench player, Cliff Robinson. Without him they had no bench, and just didn't have enough firepower. This year they have him back, and more firepower. And as you may or may not know, Nets have had the Pistons number for years.House (solid backup to VC), and now Illic (who will also add depth down low).</div>Steve NashChauncey BillupsChris PaulAllen IversonGilbert ArenasTony ParkerBaron DavisNot all of those guys are better then him, but IMO, AT LEAST 3 of them are and the rest arent very far behind at all. Alot of those guys are also going to be getting better this season and J-Kidd is easily on his decline. Chris Paul, Gilbert, and Tony are all going on the rise and IMO, will all have better seasons than J-Kidd. For every time he does well on the defensive end, there is going to be some other player that lights him up. I could probably find some, but I am too lazy. You are blaming their loss to the heat on Clifford Robinson not being there? You dont know if they would have done better with him there or not. All that does is take away minutes from starters. They didnt have enough fire power in the first place. And you say how the Nets were winning going in to the 4th quarter of every game? All that shows me is that they dont know how to close out a game. Who on NJ is going to stop Lebron? How is New Jersey's offense going to hold up agaisnt Detroits great defense and superb teamwork? And how is NJ going to stop Shaq, and now one of the best 5 players in the league? ALONG with a very good supporting cast. J-Kidd is getting old, VC is going to have as good as a season, and u never know when RJ is going to be healthy. Their bench is very shakey and they still dont have a good center. (I am counting Nenad as their PF). And if you call him your center, they dont have a PF. They just dont have what it takes to keep up with those 3 teams IMO.
I like the rankings. I think the Knicks should be a bit lower but besides that I agree with everything. The Raptors are perfect where they are but Boston may surprise. Man Nitro, really overrating the Nets there, we'll see. I don't expect much at all from them, but if LeBron still doesen't get any help the Nets might go up to #4. Kidd is 33, will turn 34 during the season, he's had that microfracture surgery...he just won't be what he used to be. He's just barely a top 3 point guard to me right now and he could go farther down the list once the season starts.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Sep 27 2006, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Steve NashChauncey BillupsChris PaulAllen IversonGilbert ArenasTony ParkerBaron DavisNot all of those guys are better then him, but IMO, AT LEAST 3 of them are and the rest arent very far behind at all. Alot of those guys are also going to be getting better this season and J-Kidd is easily on his decline. Chris Paul, Gilbert, and Tony are all going on the rise and IMO, will all have better seasons than J-Kidd. For every time he does well on the defensive end, there is going to be some other player that lights him up. I could probably find some, but I am too lazy. You are blaming their loss to the heat on Clifford Robinson not being there? You dont know if they would have done better with him there or not. All that does is take away minutes from starters. They didnt have enough fire power in the first place. And you say how the Nets were winning going in to the 4th quarter of every game? All that shows me is that they dont know how to close out a game. Who on NJ is going to stop Lebron? How is New Jersey's offense going to hold up agaisnt Detroits great defense and superb teamwork? And how is NJ going to stop Shaq, and now one of the best 5 players in the league? ALONG with a very good supporting cast. J-Kidd is getting old, VC is going to have as good as a season, and u never know when RJ is going to be healthy. Their bench is very shakey and they still dont have a good center. (I am counting Nenad as their PF). And if you call him your center, they dont have a PF. They just dont have what it takes to keep up with those 3 teams IMO.</div>I don't really consider GA or AI true PG, they are more SG than PG's. And again, kidd is the ebst defensive PG in league, and he still goes for 15/7/7 a night. He doesn't have the players or type of coach that will let him flat out run like Steve Nash is able to do and how he used to be, so his stats are a bit decieiving. He is still arguably best passer and defensive PG in league, and still one of the smartest players to ever play the game.I never said they would have beaten Miami, but Cliff was a HUGE factor all season. Miami's biggest advnatage in the series was their depth, and the Nets didn't have enough of it at the end of the day. But I am confident with Cliff it would have been a much tighter series, as he WAS that important to the team. Outside of VC/Kidd/RJ/Nenad/Lamond Murray, the rest of the team averaged only 8PPG in the Miami series. Cliff would have helped that out a lot there. Outside of Wade/Shaq/Walker/Williams, the Heat's other role players averaged 24PPG. That was the difference in the series. Nets beat them 2-1 in season series (if their was a foul called in 1st game it would have been 3-0), and NJ matches up well with the Heat. I still feel Heat are best team in East, but Nets aren't much far behind. As for PF, Jason Collins is a good rebounder/defensive player, but that has been a weakness since Martin left. We had Sharrif which would have fixed that, but whatever...Detroit? NJ has always had their number. Nets won season series, was 1 Rip Hamilton miss away from beating the championship Pistons in 6 games (and you can argue that Nets team wasn't as good as this Nets team), and swept them year before. JKidd always gives them major problems, especially Chauncey. They exploit Detroit's weaknesses, and without Big Ben in the middle it will be even easier this year. But forgetting about the past, Detroit's depth isn't much of an edge to NJ's, and I feel NJ's starting lineup is just as good. We still don't know how Pistons will be without Big Ben, while NJ is going into its 3rd year with Kidd/RJ/VC/Nenad. So yeah, I respoect your opinion, but outside of Miami I feel they are the most proven of the top 4 teams in the East. Bulls could turn out great or just good, Pistons were very shakey at end of season with Ben, so I do not know how they will react without their heart and soul. Then you have NJ, who improved their depth problem, and you have an improving Nenad and same great 3 headed monster at PG/SG/SF. They may not be best team in East, but I feel they get underrated.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Sep 27 2006, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>NJ and Charolette are too low. If it wasn't for Cliff Robinson going bye bye in the semi's vs the Heat, Nets might have won that series. They got stronger, too, with Marcus Williams, Eddie House and Boone (who is hurt, but when he comes back will give us some more frontcourt depth). Another season for Nenad maturing will also do nothing but good.And Charolette has a very talented team. Emeka was injured last year, Felton will get more playing time, May will come back, and of course Morrison will become an instant factor.</div>NJ's too low? come on, they were 4th! And you're seriously saying that Cliff Robinson would have made the difference in the semi's against the WORLD CHAMPIONS? give me a break.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Sep 27 2006, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>NJ's too low? come on, they were 4th! And you're seriously saying that Cliff Robinson would have made the difference in the semi's against the WORLD CHAMPIONS? give me a break.</div>Yes. Nets had 8PPG outside of their top 5 scorers, whereas Miami had 24PPG outside of their top 5 scorers. 3 of their losses came in last quarter despite leading in all 3 games at some point in 4th. Cliff was their best bench player and would have taken pressure off of the stars (VC was at 30PPG, RJ was at 21PPG, Kidd was at 17PPG/9APG/8RPG). He would have given them an extra firepower, depth in frontcourt (where Miami excels), and would have made a difference. Would have they won? Maybe, maybe not, but it would have made things much more interesting.
Nitro, do you consider the Nets title contenders ???............just curious.If healthy, I could see the Pacers beating the Nets...........what do you think ???
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lakersfoelyfe @ Sep 27 2006, 10:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nitro, do you consider the Nets title contenders ???............just curious.If healthy, I could see the Pacers beating the Nets...........what do you think ???</div>Depends on the matchup, but I feel both Dallas and San Antonio could beat the Nets in a 7 game series, as could the Heat. No, although Pacers are very good when JO is healhty. Unfortunately in the past few years that has been a rare sight, and they haven't improved all that much from last year. I like the addition of Al Harrington and Daniels, but I do not think they and a healthy O'Neal could bring the Pacers back to a 50 win team, and do not think they could beat Nets in a 7 game series.
If the Celtics finish 12th in the East this year then I will probably cry, then hold up a "FIRE DOC/AINGE" sign right in front of the TD BankNorth Garden.I think the East is wide open though, and I can see 12-13 teams in the East making the playoffs. Injuries and future trades are going to affect the Eastern Conference playoff race though, so we'll see.
