It's Lebron. I expect greatness. It's the Lakers. I fear favoritism. It's the Blazers. I prepare for heartache. My vote is obvious.
Lebron dragged Cleveland to the playoffs. That was in a wanting eastern conerfence. The western conference is packed. I am not convinced the lakers are much better than the cavs. It will be interesting to see it play out. It may be closer than we expect. I still pick the Blazers.
Can you post the rosters? I really don't feel like going to ESPN.com or NBA.com - those websites are trash.
No blazer fan will ever vote for the lakers. Brain or heart, it's wired the same. You must hate the lakers.
Give me a sec and I'll compare rosters and see how I feel. I don know that LeBron doesn't have a lot of support and what he does half of them are NUTJOB journey men.
LeBron/Brandon Ingram/Kuzma/Hart/Ball/Beasley/KCP/Rondo/Lance/McGee Those are their 10 guys who will play. There is some talent there. They could be dangerous if 'Bron can keep Rondo, Beasley and Lance's heads in the game. Thats a tall order, but they may surprise some people if they do. LeBron won't have to run the offense every time up the court either with the PGs they have.
Outside shooting seems like it will be their downfall. Defenses will just sag off Rondo/Ball. I'm not sure about Ingram's shooting? With that said, despite being known as a poor shooter Rondo has always been able to find guys for open shots whenever he's played with anyone worth passing to.
Blazers will finish ahead of Lakers. I think they will struggle first half of season then miss the playoffs slightly.
I'm sure when it does happen Stotts' will go into the series with the gameplan of. 'LBJ isn't a good passer, he doesn't find teammates ever. Lets triple team him and make him prove his conditioning is at an elite level.'
I think the Lakers will struggle at the beginning of the season. Lot of people believe that LeBron won't have the ball in his hands a lot by bringing the ball up the court I will totally disagree with you. Maybe at first but if they come out struggle that will change in heartbeat. Plus it not LeBron game not doing those things. He been a play maker all his life in basketball. If doesn't bring the ball up I can almost bet the offense will run thru him one way or another.
I hate the Lakers. And I expect them to have a better record than the Blazers. The two are not mutually exclusive.
OF COURSE the offense will run though him. I'm just saying with the playmakers they have, he doesn't have to bring it up. He can get out and fill the lane on breaks more and go directly down in the post. He will be their number one option no question.