<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Heatfan32 @ Jun 13 2006, 12:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Hawks have such a history of losing I just don't see it happening. They don't have much of a talented squad either, Joe Johnson, Al Harrington(might leave the team) and the young talent in Josh Smith and Josh Childress. They need a good center and a good point guard, if they can get those two then they just might be a team.</div>I like the Hawks. They need to unload one of there wings to make room for playing time, but they have a very solid core. People say they need a center more than anything (which they need a PG more than anything) yet I see PG and PF being there first 2 problems. For one, the only 2 listed PG's on the team are Tyronne Lue and Royal Ivey, and that isn't saying much. I also don't count Salim as a point because he is basically an undersized SG. But when you take Harrington off the team (no way he is returning, he has already made comments about possible destinations as well), then who do they have at PF? Batista? lol. And don't even think about moving Williams to PF, even though he's 6'9''. He is no big man.But when you look at the roster, you see Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, Salim Stoudamire, Donta Smith, and Anthony Grundy at the wing. 1 or 2 HAS to go or the young guys will never develope due to playing time issues. 4-5 of these guys deserve to play, only 3-4 can recieve full time minutes. Then, you take a look at the center position. Zaza Pachulia isn't great, but he's not bad at all, and he's young. He's a 7 footer, soft hands, and a good rebounder with a decent tough around the basket. Having him start at center next year is not going to kill them. Having JJ, J-Smoov, Childress, Marvin, and Salim at the wings... with no PF... will kill them.I mean maybe they can unload a wing in a sign-and-trade deal (Harrington) and land a decent big man or PG, but if not, they have problems. But there #1 need is a PG. #2 need is a PF. #3 is another center other than John Edwards and Batista lol. They have zero need for a wing. But if they draft well (Marcus Williams/Randy Foye or the best available big) and then trade Harrington/wing for a PG/PF (whichever they didn't draft), then they are set for the future. Maybe sign a center as well. But I say in 2 years they are a possible playoff team, 4 years they are making noise in the playoffs.
I don't believe that the Bulls improving this year will be a huge surpirse, remember they're the "baby bulls" and they are growing to whoever said that. I think the biggest surprise will be the Hornets. The Hornets have a great young future All-star PG in Chris Paul who is improving every game he plays and J.R. Smith, another powerful gaurd who is in his sophomore year, young and full of talent. They still have Speedy Claxton as a gaurd and David West a great Forward on the team averaging 17 points and 7 rbds this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jun 13 2006, 12:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't believe that the Bulls improving this year will be a huge surpirse, remember they're the "baby bulls" and they are growing to whoever said that. I think the biggest surprise will be the Hornets. The Hornets have a great young future All-star PG in Chris Paul who is improving every game he plays and J.R. Smith, another powerful gaurd who is in his sophomore year, young and full of talent. They still have Speedy Claxton as a gaurd and David West a great Forward on the team averaging 17 points and 7 rbds this year.</div>I obviously agree with you on Paul, but Smith struggled to get time this year due to his attitude and disagreeing with the coach. He is going to get traded, everyone knows it, and they have said it. He was almost dealt at the trade deadline for Brent Barry too. And Speedy Claxton is a free agent. If he gets more money thrown at him, still with a decent amount of playing time, he will probably leave.But even on that note, I think the duo of Paul/West is awesome, and they could make the playoffs next year depending on what they do in the draft and offseason. Hell, until the final 2 weeks of the season, they were either in the playoffs or in the race. Then they just fell off. But Paul is a leader, and a future superstar. Yes, I said it, superstar. David West is also a good,underrated young big man who can get it done late it games as well. But nobody gives enough credit to PJ Brown. He does all the dirty work for the Hornets, by getting scrappy under the glass, playing defense, or just flat out hustling. He is also a very good guy, has class, and leads by example. Then we get to my boy, Desmond Mason. He not only is an exceptional dunker, but he is a slasher and is a good scorer in transition. I will say his shooting percentages round out to a decent batting average though lol, terrible. Even Rasual Butler off the bench is a sharpshooter who provides a defensive presence as well.New Orleans/Oklahoma City has #12 and #15 in this years draft, and could either trade up to get a decent player, or keep them and get 2 solid rooks who could contribute. I look for them to draft a wing and a center in the draft, that should help there team a lot, and they can make some noise sooner rather than later.
They should definetely attempt to resign Claxton, however for some strange reason I did not know this about Smith, they can get a pretty good deal with him though. Don't forget their 12 and 15th draft pick.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Jun 13 2006, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They should definetely attempt to resign Claxton, however for some strange reason I did not know this about Smith, they can get a pretty good deal with him though. Don't forget their 12 and 15th draft pick.</div>Well I mentioned the picks. And I don't think they can get a great deal for Smith. He is young and already has attitude and work ethic problems, and has gained weight. He doesn't have the same value he did as a rookie. I think that sucks because he has a lot of potential and could be a very good scorer in this league. But again, I don't think his value is very high right now.
Im jumping all over the MAGIC. Look what they did towards the end of the season. Im not sure how good it was but i know that they won alot of their games. They almost made the playoffs and they were like 5 games out with a descent amount of time left. They have an amazing young player in howard and a another good scorer in nelson. They have a pretty big cap i would think(just a guess) and darko is showing more promise. He had to have been picked number 2 for a reason. Ill say that the magic make a shot at being a number 6 or 7 seed next year in the playoffs.
The Magic beat a lot of good teams that were benching their starters for the playoffs...I don't take what they did seriously.
The Magic beat alot of teams that were in the running for playoff spots, and was trying to play their best ball. The Magic beat the Spurs who was trying to get the first seed in the West, they beat Dallas who was trying to do the same thing, they beat Milwaukee who was trying to keep in the playoffs and played their starters a majority of the game, they beat Philadelphia twice who was trying to get into the playoffs, they beat the Bulls during that stretch who was in the running for the playoffs and trying to get in.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Jun 13 2006, 09:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Magic beat alot of teams that were in the running for playoff spots, and was trying to play their best ball. The Magic beat the Spurs who was trying to get the first seed in the West, they beat Dallas who was trying to do the same thing, they beat Milwaukee who was trying to keep in the playoffs and played their starters a majority of the game, they beat Philadelphia twice who was trying to get into the playoffs, they beat the Bulls during that stretch who was in the running for the playoffs and trying to get in.</div>BCB, you just got ownedo and valo, thanks for listing the stuff that i was too lazy to put
If you don't add the Rockets, then go shoot yourself. The Rockets were 24-8 with T-mac and Yao on the court.
guys, would we really be surprised if the bulls or rockets made the playoffs next year? of course not.And even if no moves are made, i'm picking Celtics for the playoffs next year. They were really hurt by injuries this past year. Plus, we got rid of the lockerroom menaces, we're more of a team now. Gerald Green is matured and will now be a scoring threat. Tony Allen is healthy. Big Al is working his ass off right now. Delonte is a year older and better, Perk will be ready. The only question mark in my mind is if wally can bounce back from knee surgery. If he can, hello playoffs. If he can't, it'll be a struggle to find a genuine second option, but i can still see the Cs with a late season run to snag the last seed. That is, of course, if all goes well.
Only three that didn't make it this year that will make it next year are Boston, Houston, and New Orleans.Boston has more total potential on their roster than any team. Houston had an injury plague season. Yao and TMac will be back next year, along with Luther Head and their draft pick. New Orleans of course has Chris Paul, and a year older and wiser will give New Orleans some more wins. David West will keep up the scoring and rebounding, and JR Smith is going to step up. The draft should help out the depth chart a lot.
Well if the Sixer's don't trade AI they will be in the playoffs next season, but that would not be a surprise with AI on the team.But I really like how Orlando looks they should make the playoffs next season.Nelson, Howard, Darko wow looks good should deff make the playoffs.
If the Celtics do well next year, I wont be surprised. Theyve got a solid core, and looks like theyre getting to know each other well, and how to play as a team.
I think Toronto will go to the playoffs. They have a great young core with Bosh eading the way. I think Villanueva will see more minutes next season and his numbers will improve dramatically, also with the 1st pick in the draft this team could be a playoff team next year.Also, the Celtics will make the playoffs IMO, Jefferson will have a breakout year and Peirce will have more help. Also I think Chicago will make it deep into the playoffs next year if they draft or sign a good big man.
