<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Econizze @ Mar 19 2007, 09:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Denver. Denver Nuggets. They have finnaly learnt to play as a team.Next year they will be the best team. But so far the are the 4th</div>You're kidding right?No way shape or form will they be the best team next year. They won't be able to pass the Suns or Mavs for sure, and the Spurs, even as they get older, will still be thought of as better.Heck even the Rockets, if Yao and TMac are healthy for most of a season, and the Lakers, if they stay healthy, could be though of as better teams going into next year.Even if the Nuggs pull off something, and have the best record for most of the year next year, they'll still be though of after PHX and Dallas for sure.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Combs @ Mar 19 2007, 04:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Detroit is not better than the Rockets, Denver or the Jazz? Are you kidding? How do you come to that conclusion?</div>They are not better then the Rockets for sure. And yes the Jazz even though I think the Jazz are overrated. And Denver if they play anything close to what they did the first 3 periods again the Suns or even half as good they are also better yes.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Lefty @ Mar 19 2007, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Denver the best team next year? No way.They play a team with a good interior defense they are done. Make Melo and AI chuck the jumpers up all day, keep them from penetrating, which San Antonio and Dallas both do well.Detroit is another team, but they're in the East.</div>Yeah haha like they will stop both at the same time good one. Unless they stop them selfs there is not stoping them the teams are better of making sure no one else beats them then trying to take AI, or Melo out of there game.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Combs @ Mar 19 2007, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Detroit just killed Denver. You guys are getting suckered in with the star syndrome from Denver. They are not better then Detroit, and will not be for the foreseeable future.I'd say Detroit and SA for #3 is very arguable as well.But to me it just depends on what you are using to measure the rankings. I really can't see any team beating Detroit in a 7 game series this year. They just have to much of everything. They have been there before. They have done it before. And they are still hungry and very talented. Before Chris Webber...everything was up in the air. After Chris Webber though..things look amazing. He is so perfect for this team, and IMO it will only get better.The only real questions lie with how the bench will perform in the playoffs. Will Hunter, Flip, and Delfino cut it? I'm not worried about the bigs..mostly just those 3.I dunno, I'd like to think I'm no biased. And after watching Detroit kill Denver. Kill the Suns. And hang with Dallas without Billups, and with rip banged up in the 4th..I'd like to say they are up there.</div>Your nuts next year Denver is going to be one of the BEST teams in the league. And DET is not better then Rockets, Jazz, and Denver you people are nuts if you actually think that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Mar 19 2007, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I am not aruging that Denver doenst have the talent to be the 4th best team, but they way they are playing right now, its ridiculous to say that Denver is the 4th best team. They havent played very well since acquiring Iverson, and they just arent clicking. If they start clicking, they could be the 4th best, but they arent right now...That is just ridiculous. A team with a losing record or a 500 record is the 4th best team in the league? Thats stupid...How are the Jazz overrated? What makes them overrated? Why did the Lakers overachieve? They have had injuries all year and when they were healthy, they could compete with the best of them. Why are Detroit not better than the Rocekts, Denver, or the Jazz? They are first in the east, they have one of the best starting lineups in the game, and they have been doing great as of late. Give me a reasoning, because everything you are saying doesn't make sense.</div>They started to click WATCH the games before you talk. They are not below .500 not .500 either they are 2 games over .500 get's your facts straight atleast before talking.Rockets have great D 3 point shooters, and a big guy inside a go to like Shaq for a exmaple a big force like that with T-Mac.Jazz has a deep nice team.Denver if they keep clicking like the last few games I also have no problem putting them above DET even though it only been a few games since they started clicking.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Marvinmartian @ Mar 19 2007, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You're kidding right?No way shape or form will they be the best team next year. They won't be able to pass the Suns or Mavs for sure, and the Spurs, even as they get older, will still be thought of as better.Heck even the Rockets, if Yao and TMac are healthy for most of a season, and the Lakers, if they stay healthy, could be though of as better teams going into next year.Even if the Nuggs pull off something, and have the best record for most of the year next year, they'll still be though of after PHX and Dallas for sure.</div>Not sure about best team, but they deff be up there with Dallas, and Suns unlike this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Serge @ Mar 19 2007, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They are not better then the Rockets for sure. And yes the Jazz even though I think the Jazz are overrated. And Denver if they play anything close to what they did the first 3 periods again the Suns or even half as good they are also better yes.Yeah haha like they will stop both at the same time good one. Unless they stop them selfs there is not stoping them the teams are better of making sure no one else beats them then trying to take AI, or Melo out of there game.Your nuts next year Denver is going to be one of the BEST teams in the league. And DET is not better then Rockets, Jazz, and Denver you people are nuts if you actually think that.</div>Just because a team plays good for three quarters against someone like the Suns means nothing. If you use that to say why a team is good, then I could easily say that the Magic are one of the top 4 teams in the league because they stuck with Dallas for three and a half quarters, played great ball those three and a half quarters and blew it towards the end of the game. I'm not unrealistic like that though. I really don't see Denver as a top 4 or 5 team in this league, I don't even see them as a top 4 or 5 team in the West. Sure they have two top scorers in Carmelo Anthony, and Allen Iverson, but there is something wrong with the chemistry there, they don't play good defense, they don't run like they did before the Allen Iverson trade. I'm not seeing this as a dangerous team at all in my opinion.
The top three is easily Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio. Fourth is really between two teams IMO the Jazz and the Pistons. While the Jazz have had players step up this year and contribute to make this team as good as it is, I have to go with the Pistons. Even though they lost their best defender and a team leader, they are still one of the best teams in the league and will have the top seed in the East this year. While some say that isn't a big accomplishment, this team has shut up all the doubters and have continued their great team play. I also think Detroit could beat the Jazz in a seven game series and that's basically what it comes down to.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Serge @ Mar 19 2007, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They are not better then the Rockets for sure. And yes the Jazz even though I think the Jazz are overrated. And Denver if they play anything close to what they did the first 3 periods again the Suns or even half as good they are also better yes.Yeah haha like they will stop both at the same time good one. Unless they stop them selfs there is not stoping them the teams are better of making sure no one else beats them then trying to take AI, or Melo out of there game.Your nuts next year Denver is going to be one of the BEST teams in the league. And DET is not better then Rockets, Jazz, and Denver you people are nuts if you actually think that.</div>Your nuts if you say that. There is no Denver is even going to make the best 5 next year. Not only they not have a first round draft pick, they have the future of their team in Carmelo Anthony, Iverson, Camby, Nene, and Martin all signed to $40+ million dollar deals. Camby is an exception who was signed to a 30 million dollar deal. Add to that Najera's 10 million. No team in the NBA will ever pick up any of these players, making their real viable and movable option in JR Smith. They are also over the cap by like 15 million dollars. Denver is one of the worst spots this offseason, and if it wasnt for their 'amazing' lineup, are screwed next year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Mar 19 2007, 09:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Just because a team plays good for three quarters against someone like the Suns means nothing. If you use that to say why a team is good, then I could easily say that the Magic are one of the top 4 teams in the league because they stuck with Dallas for three and a half quarters, played great ball those three and a half quarters and blew it towards the end of the game. I'm not unrealistic like that though. I really don't see Denver as a top 4 or 5 team in this league, I don't even see them as a top 4 or 5 team in the West. Sure they have two top scorers in Carmelo Anthony, and Allen Iverson, but there is something wrong with the chemistry there, they don't play good defense, they don't run like they did before the Allen Iverson trade. I'm not seeing this as a dangerous team at all in my opinion.</div>There is 5 West teams better then ANY East team man I am telling you.They need time they will have chmistry don't worry about. And AI plays D, Camby blocks shots, and when he steps out and guards his men he does it all right alsnly thing is we need Melo to play better deal, and not force so many shots up.And AI runs they can't keep up that's what Karl said when they called them all out. Saying I see AI down the court then he has to pull back cause no one else is up there with him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RaptorFan#1 @ Mar 19 2007, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Your nuts if you say that. There is no Denver is even going to make the best 5 next year. Not only they not have a first round draft pick, they have the future of their team in Carmelo Anthony, Iverson, Camby, Nene, and Martin all signed to $40+ million dollar deals. Camby is an exception who was signed to a 30 million dollar deal. Add to that Najera's 10 million. No team in the NBA will ever pick up any of these players, making their real viable and movable option in JR Smith. They are also over the cap by like 15 million dollars. Denver is one of the worst spots this offseason, and if it wasnt for their 'amazing' lineup, are screwed next year.</div>JR+Nene can get them anything they want with a pick even Pau Gasol inside scorer.And they might go after Billups was reported on Yahoo.And there is no team u can say be better for sure then Nuggets next year except Dallas, and the Suns. Nuggets will be better then anyone else for sure. They be on Dallas/Suns level next season.
The starting lineup of the Pistons is BETTER with Chris Webber then it ever was with Ben Wallace. You guys may not believe that but it's complete truth. Ben Wallace was a nice factor to get past Shaq. It seemed last season though that he lost even that.The only thing that separates this team from the championship team is the great bench of Okur and Hunter and Mike James. Which is why I said if the smalls on the bench can step-up..we are going to be VERY tough to beat in any 7 game series.
Its the Pistons for me. I hate this team so much, yet I respect them the most. Its a little crazy, but their team is just that great and MUST be talked about in top in the league. I'm also sick of having to get no respect for the Cavaliers. Yeah, Yeah, you're all tired of me saying that but really. When they talk about the East race all they say is "Pistons are the team to beat, the Bulls are coming up, and the Heat are gonna take #2" I guess Cleveland should just give up now and go down to the 4th seed or whatever they put us at. Its ridiculous of how they put the team down. I also don't wanna make this topic into a Wade vs. James. But people say he is better but he couldn't bring his own team to above .500. While James did, with the same cast he has had since last year. James is on fire right now, these 8 games have been amazing and yet no one says jack sh*t about him, wanna know why? Because of the team he is, the guy would be talked about 24/7 if he was on Miami. Seriously, I'm not even kidding. Does anyone know what this guy is avg ever since the all star break? He is on FIRE! But Yeah, Cleveland gets less respect then anyone.Whatever, sorry if I went out of line but I needed to rant because I hate TNT/ESPN and all of those who doubt my team.[/rant]
Cleveland gets no respect because they haven't achieved anything yet in the East. The Pistons and Heat have both won titles with their core. The Cavs have not done anything close to that. You aren't given respect..you earn it. Earn it this year and it will be given to you next year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Combs @ Mar 20 2007, 01:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cleveland gets no respect because they haven't achieved anything yet in the East. The Pistons and Heat have both won titles with their core. The Cavs have not done anything close to that. You aren't given respect..you earn it. Earn it this year and it will be given to you next year.</div>I can understand that, I do 100%. But when we went into the 1st round this season and beat the Wizards all people talk about is how LBJ traveled and that is how we won the round. Even though we would of met in game 7 in Cleveland and I'm sure we would of won. Against the Pistons, Cleveland won 3 games in a row and I hear bull sh*t saying "Oh, they didn't play well". You kidding me? And why didn't they play well for 3 STRAIGHT GAMES? We haven't won a championship, I understand that. I'm not asking for a lot of respect, but what I do what is at least some. We 2nd in the East and right on the Pistons ass for #1. Yet all I hear is the Heat and the Bulls are teams to beat. Get that sh*t out of here, if the Heat don't got Wade they wont get passed round one. Bulls are having to many problems, IMO. Cleveland is on a 8 game winning streak, but yet all I hear is about the Bulls and Heat. :thumbdn1: [/rant(2)]
Not everything is about records. While I like this Cavs team a lil bit, I still have to agree with who you are talking about and put healthy teams of the Pistons, Heat and Bulls ahead of the Cavs. The Bulls to a lesser extent though of course...that would really be a tossup..but I'd personally take the Bulls.Beating the Wizards in a first round matchup doesn't earn you any respect man. I know it has been a million years since the Cavs have been good, and it was a STEP..but the Cavs still have a lot of work to do to put their name in the mouth of everybody when they mention legitimate contenders...everybody in the east does except Miami and Detroit. I was right there with ya as a Pistons fan a few years ago. We had been to the western conference finals and still weren't getting any respect. But then we went out there and earned it. Now everybody knows you can't just push the Pistons off the map...they are in it. Detroit and Miami's run doesn't look like it will last much longer however..so the Cavs and Bulls turns will come.
The Bulls added Ben Wallace and now people think this team is already gonna win a championship. I know what Ben can do, but their not there yet even for a ECF. They wont get pass the Pistons or the Heat(only with Wade). I didn't say beating the Wizards in the playoffs should get us some respect. The Cavaliers were a team less then 2 years ago fighting for the last seed in the east. After that, we went from 30 wins into a 50 win season. Cleveland has found an answer in Larry Hughes at the point guard as we are now 8-0 with him starting there. Sasha is starting to fill the shooting guard spot. Everything is falling into place. Cleveland is like NJ with just a better depth and big men. We have a big 3, (may not be big now of course) but it will be soon. I'm not asking for respect at all, I'm just asking for us to be at least TALKED about in the East as being a team that could make it to the show.All well, I guess I just gotta wait until Cleveland puts up and show the guy I hate the most shuts up(COUGH **BARKLEY** COUGH) [/rant(3)]
The Nuggs, may make it to the second teir of NBA teams next year...but they won't make it to the top tier.Right now you have Dallas, PHX, and SA as the top tier teams.With Utah, Detroit, Cleavland, and maybe even Houston...Then come the Nuggs and Lakers I'd think.The Nuggets might make it to the second tier next year, but no farther than that...
Well since serge said the Nuggets, I might as well say the Kings are. But for real it's probably the Pistons. Just about every team in the East do not wan't to have to play them in Round One. They have like the 3rd or 4th best road record in the league at 23-10 or something. Their home record sucks but an impressive road record like that can make it for it, since of course "you can't win in the playoffs without winning on the road". Since records don't really matter that's another reason to say the Pistons. Four of their 5 starters have plenty of experience together and even won a title together and knows what it takes to win. Chris Webber too has been in the playoffs plenty of times, though he didn't win anything. He knows how to prepare for the playoffs at least.The Jazz have been playing great this season and good for them but come playoff time they don't have the playoff experience as majority of the teams out West will have. Sure they have Jerry Sloan coaching them but a coach can make all the adjustments in the world but if the playoffs don't make plays then it won't matter.
Detroit is the 4th best... they are the best team in the east and im sure they could be the 4th best from the west
Honestly I think detroit is one of the top 3. What they did to the suns was very embarrasing last week. Utah doesn't even belong here due to lack of playoff experience. In the long run, without the playoff experience your pretty much a underdog. Utah could suprise us though. The forth team I would say is either San antonio or Detroit. Houston is pretty close if they keep their sh*t together. Lakers should not be mentioned in this thread just to note. So dont mention them. I need to see some playoff games before I could be completely sure of my 4th team pick. But for now I would say san antonio.Detroit with webber is just nasty now. Flip murray is getting his burn with chauncey out. When billups comes back they will have a decent bench with flip and mcdyess coming off as well as others not mentioned.-note I didnt read all of this thread- just skimmed.Wait what the fck am I talking about THE SONICS are 4th. other teams cant handle Ray and Rashard.
I think Detroit is #4 as well. They have a great well-rounded bunch, they have excellent chemistry, they play very good defense, they have more than one guy that can hit "the big shot," they have veteran leadership, they have players than go out and play hard every single night, and most importantly - they've won together before.However, I am very surprised at the lack of respect Houston is getting in this thread. Maybe I think a little too highly of them, but I don't think so. They have an excellent team, when healthy. Look how they have played this year, even without Yao. Even when T-Mac had a horrible start. Even when Bonzi Wells showed up out of shape and had problems with coach Van Gundy. This team has fought through some adversity this year. They kept their heads high, the always stayed positive, and they played as a cohesive unit and kept winning games. Now, Yao is back, T-Mac is heating up and playing like himself again, the role players (Battier, Mutombo, Hayes, Head, Howard) have been doing an excellent job, and their defense is easily one of the best in the league.In my opinion, Detroit is #4, but Houston is a close 5. Not THAT far off, in my opinion.Also, I'll just say this - people are ranking the top 3 with Dallas/Phoenix and San Antonio at #3 with no problem. In my opinion, everyone is overlooking San Antonio to a high degree. I feel that San Antonio has just as good a chance to win it all as Dallas or Phoenix. Don't overlook them.
