After some key offseason moves, there are always a few teams that surprise the NBA and become instant contenders. This year, Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat have done it. Ando ther teams who have dramatically improved such as the Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets. Now I know the 2005 offseason has hardly got off the ground, but based on offseason rumours, which teams can surprise us NBA Fans with a solid season?
Like usual, I think Raptors are sleepers... but this is every year. People think Vince was gonna explode again every single year and called the Raps sleepers, but now it's not cause of Vince... it's Bosh. And instant offense Rose, Mopete and Graham can hold the perimeter, and Bonner and Charlie off the bench. Not saying we're gonna do anything special, but look out for the Raps, just incase something nice happens. Other teams, I feel the Pacers are gonna surprise people and maybe win it all... they pushed Detroit to the brink without Artest, and although Miller is gone, Jackson can fill the void at SG... plus Granger is a servicable backup from the 2 to the (maybe) 4. Hmm... there are actualy quite abit of crapy teams who could be playoff bound, in the East I'll have to go with Milwaukee... I mean, T.J Ford is officially back, and Bogut is at the center position... if they sign Redd they will have an impressive team. In the west my vote is definatly in favour of Golden State. If B-diddy stays healthy. The warriors were on a tear after the Baron trade, but their record was already too bad, so they ahd no chance of making the playoffs... Warriors are deadly.
One team will rise . the Minnesota Timberwolves looks focused this time around, and im not not suprised if they push at least to the WCF.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post"> Other teams, I feel the Pacers are gonna surprise people and maybe win it all... they pushed Detroit to the brink without Artest, and although Miller is gone, Jackson can fill the void at SG... plus Granger is a servicable backup from the 2 to the (maybe) 4.</div>Granger will start next year, guaranteed. After what Artest did last November, I find it hard to imagine seeing him in a Pacers uniform. As far as teams that will surprise, I'm definitely going to have to go with Golden State. After they went 18-10 under Baron last year, things were looking promising. Also, I think Chris Taft is a player who can come in and give some immediate help at the 4 and 5....assuming his work ethic and attitude change from when he was in college.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheTruth5:</div><div class="quote_post">Im also going with the Warriors but only IF BD STAY HEALTY.</div> Ill agree with that and also charlotte is gonna be a suprise because of their youth, their draft picks, and how their players have improved last year
new jersey nets if they sign abdur rahim as rumoured then they will have a very good core kidd jefferson carter abdur rahim krstic
The Nets will be a surprise. The East standings to me are: Heat Pacers Nets Pistons The Heat will still be #1 j0se, but the Nets will contend.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ArizonaSportsFan22:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nets will be a surprise. The East standings to me are: Heat Pacers Nets Pistons The Heat will still be #1 j0se, but the Nets will contend.</div> I dont know i agree with that except i would put the pistons over the nets. Nets are gonna be great and will improve, but to rank the pistons that low is wrong i mean with practilly the same roster theyve made the nba finals twice so i mean i would put them as a 3rd seed over NJ
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Other teams, I feel the Pacers are gonna surprise people and maybe win it all... they pushed Detroit to the brink without Artest, and although Miller is gone, Jackson can fill the void at SG... plus Granger is a servicable backup from the 2 to the (maybe) 4.</div> Will it actually be a surprise with the Pacers considering 2 years ago when healthy they had the best record in the league. I don't think it will be a surprise because I'm already expecting them to be Top 3 in the East record wise.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheTruth5:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont know i agree with that except i would put the pistons over the nets. Nets are gonna be great and will improve, but to rank the pistons that low is wrong i mean with practilly the same roster theyve made the nba finals twice so i mean i would put them as a 3rd seed over NJ</div> I put the Pistons 4th because they will be good but won't beat the Pacers for the division without Larry Brown. The Nets are 3rd because they will win the Atlantic division. Division winners get the top 3 spots....
I'm saying the Pacers will be a surprise because I had them winning the championship last year, but the brawl happened... noone expects the Pacers to win the championship... it's all Miami, Detroit and Spurs even some Suns... Depending on if they keep Artest or not, I have them winning this year.
My sleeper team is the Kings.People dont realize how much talent is on the team and dont recognize that they won 50 games during a season where they were completely destroyed by injuries and went through huge team changes.Nobody really even mentions them.I wonder how people will react when the Kings win 55+ games next year.Not that it bothers me but the best team out of four teams in the state gets the least mention and respect.
I dont think G-state is a sleeper because EVERYONE knows theyre going to be much better than theyve been in recent years.
I will say the New Jersey Nets. They will have Richard Jefferson returning at full health to play along Vince Carter, and Jason Kidd that right there if you add there points per game it may very well add up to be more than half of the Nets offense. Then also they have the possibility of signing Shareef Abdual Raheem which would give them a solid starting five, and they also have Wright, and Vaughn coming off the bench if they get one more player they will have a solid eight man rotation. Another team could be the New Orleans Hornets I do not think they will make the playoffs, butt hey will be better than people expect. I think they might even have a chance to have an over .500 record. Chris Paul coming into the league averaged more points per game in college then Baron Davis so there is no reason to believe that he can not have as an immediate an impact as Davis did. Then remember that there all star center was out most of the season last year with injury, and there team does not look that bad. With Brown, Paul, Smith, and Maglouire coming back they have four fifths of there starting lineup give them a small forward and bench, and there team is looking pretty good.
I have to say the Golden State Warriors, they finished pretty well, and didn't do to bad in the draft. Utah I think will start out ok but by the end they will finish strong, I don't think the playoffs though
