What do u mean depends on the matchup, title contenders are title contenders..............it's either you are or you're not.Yes or No.............Dallas - YES and Lakers - NO, it's that easy.........what about the Nets yes or no ???
I don't really have a problem with the rankings. Yes, I think the Bulls and Knicks are overated, but overall, the rankings work for me. Nets are still not as good as the Heat, Bulls, Pistons, or Cavs. I see where all the Celtic fans are saying that the Celtics are underated here because of all the talent and potential they have. The only thing, is that Talent and potential almost never win in the NBA. Its chemistry, coaching, and experience that wins games in the NBA. Thats how teams win in the NBA. Look at the Spurs, Pistons, and Heat when they won championships. Were they the most talented team in the league? No, but they had great coaching, Coach Pop, Brown, and Riley, great team chemistry, and great experience. As I see it, this is practically the way I see the east finishing. If this was a ranking on talent and potential, Boston, Toronto, Charlotte, and Atlanta would be on top, but its not. Oh, I agree with a lot of you guys about the bottom east being wide open as well. I would not be suprised to see Boston or Toronto as that 7th or 8th seed at the end of the year.Here's how I see it. 1.Heat2.Cavs3.Pistons4.Bulls5.Nets6.Bucks 7.Wizards8.Magic9.Pacers10.Raptors11.Celtics12.Hawks13.Bobcats14.76ers15.Knicks
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lakersfoelyfe @ Sep 27 2006, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>What do u mean depends on the matchup, title contenders are title contenders..............it's either you are or you're not.Yes or No.............Dallas - YES and Lakers - NO, it's that easy.........what about the Nets yes or no ???</div>To a certain extent yes, but I feel there are 4 teams right now that are clearly above them....San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix and Miami. I feel each of the 4, top to bottom, have better teams. But I feel Nets are right in the mix with Pistons, Bulls, and Cavs. Title contender is a very vague term, but to a degree yes I feel they are.But what I meant by matchups is that in a 7 game series I feel Nets could give some teams a lot more trouble than other teams, and could possibly pull off an upset. Out of the top 4 I feel the Heat would be more vulnerable, despite being IMO the best team in the East.
Why can't you give a straight answer, Yes or No.The Nets are not title contenders but can reach the finals if given the right match-up...........would it kill you to say that.
But that can be said for most of the teams though. Suns are title contenders unless they face Spurs, Bulls aren't contenders unless they face the Heat, etc.... That is what makes it hard giving a straight answer, too many variables.If you want a yes or no answer, then yes, Nets are title contenders. Are they the #1 contender? No, but I feel if people are putting Pistons and Bulls as contenders, then Nets are right up there with them in the chase.
I'm much more scared of facing the Mavs than the Spurs. I'd call them title contenders no matter who they face. And what do you mean Bulls aren't unless they play the Heat? I think there are 4 title contenders in the league and each has a good chance at beating the other in a series. I wouldn't call another team a title contender right now. There can still be moves made later in the season though.
Title contenders are the teams that won't shock you if they go all they way.Will you be surprised if you see the Spurs, Mavs, Suns and Heat win the championship............NO why coz they are TITLE CONTENDERS.Now you start mentioning the Nets winning the title, what do you hear ??? Do you really think people who knows basketball consider the Nets as one of the favorites.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Sep 28 2006, 12:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm much more scared of facing the Mavs than the Spurs. I'd call them title contenders no matter who they face. And what do you mean Bulls aren't unless they play the Heat? I think there are 4 title contenders in the league and each has a good chance at beating the other in a series. I wouldn't call another team a title contender right now. There can still be moves made later in the season though.</div>I agree Mavs are very dangerous, as are Spurs and Suns (my pick for title this year assuming Amare stays healthy). But out of my top 4 elite teams (heat, Mavs, Suns and Spurs) the one team that I feel is most vulnerable is the Heat, especially against the Bulls. Their backcourt always does a number on DWade, and the one X-factor this past season was Shaq. With Ben in the middle Shaq will have more trouble, and if the Bulls want they can single team Shaq and focus more on stopping role players. Basically like what Pistons did to Lakers in 2004 Finals, except now Shaq won't be so effective. Not to mention they have the youth and athleticism to give the aging Heat some major problems.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Sep 27 2006, 09:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree Mavs are very dangerous, as are Spurs and Suns (my pick for title this year assuming Amare stays healthy). But out of my top 4 elite teams (heat, Mavs, Suns and Spurs) the one team that I feel is most vulnerable is the Heat, especially against the Bulls. Their backcourt always does a number on DWade, and the one X-factor this past season was Shaq. With Ben in the middle Shaq will have more trouble, and if the Bulls want they can single team Shaq and focus more on stopping role players. Basically like what Pistons did to Lakers in 2004 Finals, except now Shaq won't be so effective. Not to mention they have the youth and athleticism to give the aging Heat some major problems.</div>Okay so we are on the same page then, I didn't understand your post. That's all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lakersfoelyfe @ Sep 28 2006, 12:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Title contenders are the teams that won't shock you if they go all they way.Will you be surprised if you see the Spurs, Mavs, Suns and Heat win the championship............NO why coz they are TITLE CONTENDERS.Now you start mentioning the Nets winning the title, what do you hear ??? Do you really think people who knows basketball consider the Nets as one of the favorites.</div>Again, I said the 4 clear best teams in the league are those teams you just listed. But there are MANY people throwing around the words title contender along with Bulls, Pistons and even the Cavs. I feel the Nets are right up there with those 3 teams, and have a decent chance at getting to the Finals considering I feel they match up well with the Heat and even better with Cavs and Pistons, therefor I feel they are not-so long shot contenders.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ASUFan22 @ Sep 28 2006, 12:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm much more scared of facing the Mavs than the Spurs. I'd call them title contenders no matter who they face. And what do you mean Bulls aren't unless they play the Heat? I think there are 4 title contenders in the league and each has a good chance at beating the other in a series. I wouldn't call another team a title contender right now. There can still be moves made later in the season though.</div>Thank you, meaning title contenders can beat any team and not be called an upset.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lakersfoelyfe @ Sep 28 2006, 12:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Thank you, meaning title contenders can beat any team and not be called an upset.</div>And people who watch the Nets and know matchups know it wouldn't be much of a surprise if the Nets beat the Heat, Pistons or Cavs. To me a bigger surprise would be Phoenix getting past SA considering how badly SA beat them in the WCF in 2005, or the Pistons getting past the Heat/any fo the contending WC teams.Nets are a contender, not one of the top 4, but they are an extremely dangerous team that has gotten better. Kidd is still a top PG in the league, VC and RJ are 2 of the best SG/SF in the league, Nenad is an above average center, and they got a pretty good bench now. Them beating an aging Heat team, a shallow and depleted Pistons team, or a Cavs team that has shown the role players dissapear in big games/series' would not be a surprise.
