Friday, October 30, 2009
Whew, I was impressed with Chicago's victory over San Antonio last night. I really believe this team is balanced with bigs who can score and defend and perimeter players who can penetrate and shoot. But what's even more impressive is how Boston dismantled this team at home tonight. These Celtics look to be in midseason form. Rasheed has clicked early and they really haven't even needed KG to play a big offensive role yet. It's apparent to me that this is clearly the best team in the East.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW
Now let's move on to the Western Conference while deep, it is a completely different look than the East at the top. There is no speculation about who the best team is in the West, it's the LAKE SHOW!
1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
After playing a game of addition by subtraction with Artest coming to town, the Lake Show has not only solidified its stranglehold on the West but on the rest of league as well. With Bynum healthy again, this team has very little weaknesses. Did I mention they have the best player on the planet? I mean the Dobermamba himself will only be needed on some nights. The only thing to worry about is will Odom be able to keep up with his new party life and Khloe with his basketball commitment?
2. DENVER NUGGETS
Teams in the West made moves, but I don't think anybody pushed past the Nuggets. Big Shot is one of the top 3 leaders in the league. Is it any coincidence that it didn't matter what conference he is in, he returned to the conference finals? Unfortunately he's not one of the best players which is where he will need Melo to bounce back from an subpar 08-09 campaign. This team is athletic, they can shoot the ball, they can post Melo, they have almost all of it. They just don't have the equalizer to Kobe.
3. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Health is the key with this team and I'm a little scared to put them this high given they couldn't hold up last year, but neither is Dallas a relatively healthy team either so edge goes to championship pedigree here. There's not much that separates 3-8 in the West like the East. One thing I don't see is how Richard Jefferson is going to fit in with a hard nose coach like Popp, who by the way I think is the best coach in the league (that's right, better than Phil), because the past says that Jefferson is soft.
4. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Dirk with a summer off, the addition of the Matrix and this team seams ready to make a deep playoff run. Problem here, they didn't get Gortat or Bass. The starters got better, the bench got worse. I wonder how that plays out? For sure though, Dirk is due for a huge year.
5. UTAH JAZZ
Motivation will be the key word here. D Will is the best pg in the league. Did I just say that? Let me repeat it one more time. D Will is the best pg in the league. Now you're saying I'm crazy. Let me explain. In the playoffs, I'm taking D Will over CP3. Sorry folks, I'm about winning and in my mind the regular season doesn't count. Booz is about $, who doesn't see him averaging 20 and 10, not to mention Millsap can fill in at the 3 or the 4 when AK47 decides to take a night off. Then another weapon in Okur. Then the second best coach in the league in Sloan (yep I dissed Phil again). They will be ready this season.
6. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
I wanted to put Phoenix here, but Portland is too deep. They could go a lot higher too if Oden ever lives up to any kind of potential. The addition of Miller will stabilize the pg position if MacMillan ever realizes that Blake should be coming off the bench. Aldridge is a future perennial All-Star, problem is he needs to rebound and defend better. Martell Webster should provide an outside threat they didn't have last season at the 3 position and Brandon Roy is one of the most complete guards. It's hard to identify a total weakness in his game.
7. PHOENIX SUNS
It's back to the run and gun, fun in the sun, offense. STAT is back and looks mighty impressive thus far, but this team can't get past this position unless he becomes the same type of force on the defensive end. I think the Suns have two of the worst defenders in the league with Amare and J Rich, then there is Nash who sometimes tries, but at 35 he doesn't have the ability to defend the quicker point guards in the West and they will run circles around him. They'll be fun to watch, but nobody will be watching them after the first round.
8. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
They have the most dominant pg in the league with CP3, most dominant doesn't translate to best. That's the difference between him and D Will. He has to do so much for this team, does anybody believe he might be frustrated with the Chandler-Okafor trade? Shinn once again cutting costs on his payroll. He's dismantled anything Charlotte could have had and now has dismantled a possible contender. Okafor reminds me of a Honda Accord. He'll last for 15 years but no one will ever recognize him for it.
9. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Does anybody think the Warriors will have 10 games with less than 100 points? Does anybody think that half the Warriors opponents will avg. 115+ points? Don Nelson needs to check in to the Cuckoo Nest. It's one thing to constantly mess with veterans minds, but it's too much young talent that he is influencing with his nonsense now. I'm not sure how Golden State's front office management can stand to look at this every day. His leadership from a coaching standpoint with this team is worse than Isiah's with the Knicks. Don't even get me started on Capt. Jack. I could only pull for him if he was a Laker.
10. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Debo Zach Randolph, the Answer, Rudy Gay, OJ Mustard over Mayo, and Pau's little brother. Not a bad combination save for the fact that none of them have won in the league outside of AI's small run with Larry back in the day. This team has 3 of the most selfish players in the entire league when it comes to shot selection. How will this work? The best player on the team may average 8 shots a game and that's Rudy Gay. He wasn't assertive last year with just Mayo, not sure how he's going to exist with AI and Randolph.
11. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
I like this young nucleus, but not enough to have them in a playoff run in the mighty West. KD might lead the league in scoring this year, Jeff Green is a surprisingly consistent young threat, and Westbrook is a game or two from soaring confidence that could push him into the elite of pg's. I loved the addition of Harden, but the bench is weak and Krstic hasn't been the same since his injuries. If Krstic can impose some will in the paint, they might even do better than 11th.
12. HOUSTON ROCKETS
I was ready to put Minnesota here until Kevin Love went out for the next 8-10 weeks. This team has dropped though and they have fallen hard. They were solid with Artest because he willed them to play hard and he also could break down defenses. He provided leadership that TMac and Yao never have provided. Ariza is an average player who looked great on a great team. Scola is a bright spot here in one room full of darkness. It's too bad for McGrady. He was one of the most prolific scorer's in his time, but its hard for me to see him making a comeback at this point.
13. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
I love Big Al, but he is struggling returning to the court from his injury and now with Love out their frontline is decimated. Big Al will be back but this team will be lucky to win 35 games this year. I love their pick for Johnny Flynn which is why I didn't understand the Rubio hype. Sometimes this international craze for players really ticks me off. Flynn proved himself time in and time out throughout his last year at the Cuse and now he's got to live through the Rubio crazy. I guess that's why he put up nice numbers in the preseason which I believe proves how valuable he will be one day. Beating out Sessions was no small feat. Sessions played very well at the end of the season last year.
14. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
BD is a complete waste of talent, Al Thornton never was taught how to pass, Camby's health is worse than Chandler's, and Kaman can be beat in the post by my mother. However, Griffin will be a star if he doesn't succomb to the losing of the Clippers and Eric Gordon can flat out score. So while there are a couple positives to this team, it's about the average of their yearly positives. 2 positives to the millions of negatives for this franchise.
15. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Shaq said it best. The Queens are back! These boys are bad, worse than the Nets. Kevin Martin has a man's one track mind to scoring and I'm not sure why they are trying to kill the confidence of Spencer Hawes who played very well in April along with Jason Thompson, a surprise pleasure at the end of the season. Tyreke Evans will be in the running for ROY because he will certainly get the time on this team.
NBA FINALS PREDICTION
The Lake Show in 7 over the Celtics, why? DOBERMAMBA! Wayne said it best "Pass me the d*mn ball, I don't need a pick at all"
Bring on Oct. 27th, let the games begin
1. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
After playing a game of addition by subtraction with Artest coming to town, the Lake Show has not only solidified its stranglehold on the West but on the rest of league as well. With Bynum healthy again, this team has very little weaknesses. Did I mention they have the best player on the planet? I mean the Dobermamba himself will only be needed on some nights. The only thing to worry about is will Odom be able to keep up with his new party life and Khloe with his basketball commitment?
2. DENVER NUGGETS
Teams in the West made moves, but I don't think anybody pushed past the Nuggets. Big Shot is one of the top 3 leaders in the league. Is it any coincidence that it didn't matter what conference he is in, he returned to the conference finals? Unfortunately he's not one of the best players which is where he will need Melo to bounce back from an subpar 08-09 campaign. This team is athletic, they can shoot the ball, they can post Melo, they have almost all of it. They just don't have the equalizer to Kobe.
3. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Health is the key with this team and I'm a little scared to put them this high given they couldn't hold up last year, but neither is Dallas a relatively healthy team either so edge goes to championship pedigree here. There's not much that separates 3-8 in the West like the East. One thing I don't see is how Richard Jefferson is going to fit in with a hard nose coach like Popp, who by the way I think is the best coach in the league (that's right, better than Phil), because the past says that Jefferson is soft.
4. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Dirk with a summer off, the addition of the Matrix and this team seams ready to make a deep playoff run. Problem here, they didn't get Gortat or Bass. The starters got better, the bench got worse. I wonder how that plays out? For sure though, Dirk is due for a huge year.
5. UTAH JAZZ
Motivation will be the key word here. D Will is the best pg in the league. Did I just say that? Let me repeat it one more time. D Will is the best pg in the league. Now you're saying I'm crazy. Let me explain. In the playoffs, I'm taking D Will over CP3. Sorry folks, I'm about winning and in my mind the regular season doesn't count. Booz is about $, who doesn't see him averaging 20 and 10, not to mention Millsap can fill in at the 3 or the 4 when AK47 decides to take a night off. Then another weapon in Okur. Then the second best coach in the league in Sloan (yep I dissed Phil again). They will be ready this season.
6. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
I wanted to put Phoenix here, but Portland is too deep. They could go a lot higher too if Oden ever lives up to any kind of potential. The addition of Miller will stabilize the pg position if MacMillan ever realizes that Blake should be coming off the bench. Aldridge is a future perennial All-Star, problem is he needs to rebound and defend better. Martell Webster should provide an outside threat they didn't have last season at the 3 position and Brandon Roy is one of the most complete guards. It's hard to identify a total weakness in his game.
7. PHOENIX SUNS
It's back to the run and gun, fun in the sun, offense. STAT is back and looks mighty impressive thus far, but this team can't get past this position unless he becomes the same type of force on the defensive end. I think the Suns have two of the worst defenders in the league with Amare and J Rich, then there is Nash who sometimes tries, but at 35 he doesn't have the ability to defend the quicker point guards in the West and they will run circles around him. They'll be fun to watch, but nobody will be watching them after the first round.
8. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
They have the most dominant pg in the league with CP3, most dominant doesn't translate to best. That's the difference between him and D Will. He has to do so much for this team, does anybody believe he might be frustrated with the Chandler-Okafor trade? Shinn once again cutting costs on his payroll. He's dismantled anything Charlotte could have had and now has dismantled a possible contender. Okafor reminds me of a Honda Accord. He'll last for 15 years but no one will ever recognize him for it.
9. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Does anybody think the Warriors will have 10 games with less than 100 points? Does anybody think that half the Warriors opponents will avg. 115+ points? Don Nelson needs to check in to the Cuckoo Nest. It's one thing to constantly mess with veterans minds, but it's too much young talent that he is influencing with his nonsense now. I'm not sure how Golden State's front office management can stand to look at this every day. His leadership from a coaching standpoint with this team is worse than Isiah's with the Knicks. Don't even get me started on Capt. Jack. I could only pull for him if he was a Laker.
10. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Debo Zach Randolph, the Answer, Rudy Gay, OJ Mustard over Mayo, and Pau's little brother. Not a bad combination save for the fact that none of them have won in the league outside of AI's small run with Larry back in the day. This team has 3 of the most selfish players in the entire league when it comes to shot selection. How will this work? The best player on the team may average 8 shots a game and that's Rudy Gay. He wasn't assertive last year with just Mayo, not sure how he's going to exist with AI and Randolph.
11. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
I like this young nucleus, but not enough to have them in a playoff run in the mighty West. KD might lead the league in scoring this year, Jeff Green is a surprisingly consistent young threat, and Westbrook is a game or two from soaring confidence that could push him into the elite of pg's. I loved the addition of Harden, but the bench is weak and Krstic hasn't been the same since his injuries. If Krstic can impose some will in the paint, they might even do better than 11th.
12. HOUSTON ROCKETS
I was ready to put Minnesota here until Kevin Love went out for the next 8-10 weeks. This team has dropped though and they have fallen hard. They were solid with Artest because he willed them to play hard and he also could break down defenses. He provided leadership that TMac and Yao never have provided. Ariza is an average player who looked great on a great team. Scola is a bright spot here in one room full of darkness. It's too bad for McGrady. He was one of the most prolific scorer's in his time, but its hard for me to see him making a comeback at this point.
13. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
I love Big Al, but he is struggling returning to the court from his injury and now with Love out their frontline is decimated. Big Al will be back but this team will be lucky to win 35 games this year. I love their pick for Johnny Flynn which is why I didn't understand the Rubio hype. Sometimes this international craze for players really ticks me off. Flynn proved himself time in and time out throughout his last year at the Cuse and now he's got to live through the Rubio crazy. I guess that's why he put up nice numbers in the preseason which I believe proves how valuable he will be one day. Beating out Sessions was no small feat. Sessions played very well at the end of the season last year.
14. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
BD is a complete waste of talent, Al Thornton never was taught how to pass, Camby's health is worse than Chandler's, and Kaman can be beat in the post by my mother. However, Griffin will be a star if he doesn't succomb to the losing of the Clippers and Eric Gordon can flat out score. So while there are a couple positives to this team, it's about the average of their yearly positives. 2 positives to the millions of negatives for this franchise.
15. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Shaq said it best. The Queens are back! These boys are bad, worse than the Nets. Kevin Martin has a man's one track mind to scoring and I'm not sure why they are trying to kill the confidence of Spencer Hawes who played very well in April along with Jason Thompson, a surprise pleasure at the end of the season. Tyreke Evans will be in the running for ROY because he will certainly get the time on this team.
NBA FINALS PREDICTION
The Lake Show in 7 over the Celtics, why? DOBERMAMBA! Wayne said it best "Pass me the d*mn ball, I don't need a pick at all"
Bring on Oct. 27th, let the games begin
I just read my man Monday Morning Point Guard's last blog about the conference championships that don't exist in the Big 11 and the PAC-10. Even though we disagree on A LOT of subjects, I have to painfully admit, that he is right on this one. I listen to the Sports Reporters on ESPN pretty much every Sunday morning. And during college football season, it is preposterous that John Saunders sits up there every Sunday morning and tries to defend this current system in college football. The fact that some teams have to play an extra game to reach a nice bowl game or perhaps the national championship is ludicrous while other teams get the added value of not playing that possible other ranked team in their conference to just get out of their respective conference to reach the national title game. The PAC-10 and the Big 11 know that they are currently one team conferences (Iowa will lose at Ohio State) and because of that there is no way they want to take a chance to actually diminish their probability of reaching the title game since it is lower than almost every other BCS conference (outside the ACC). Preach on Monday Morning Point Guard.
NBA SEASON EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW
As for my first entry ever, it is definitely an exciting day for me. I'm here to give to you, the people, my predictions for the NBA season, the best league on the planet, the best sport on the planet. No 24 seconds today, we'll start that later. Today is about breaking down some good teams, some average teams, and some totally "stank" teams. Let's start with the Eastern Conference.
1. BOSTON CELTICS
Of course there is a lot of discussion about who the top team is in the East, but mine is for the hated Celtics (I mean I'm a Lakers fan). So this shows the type of respect I believe the Truth, Garnettzilla, and Jesus Shuttlesworth deserve. However, they go as far as Rajon "Scissorhands" Rondo takes them.
2. ORLANDO MAGIC
You might be thinking how the h*ll can the best player in the league with the addition of "The Big Lazy" not be No. 1 in the East? One, LBJ is not the best player in the league, and two, Orlando's transactions this summer will be more effective than Cleveland's. The addition of Vinsanity, getting Gortat back, and adding big Bass trump any move Danny Ferry made.
3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Now, I just completely dogged them but they are miles ahead of the 4th best team in the East. However, they don't go any farther until LBJ can dominate the game from 15-20 feet and not 5 ft in. That needs to be Shaq's territory only. It's still interesting to me how patient Cleveland has been with Mike Brown. Let's see how long that last without a Finals appearance this year.
4. ATLANTA HAWKS
I was tempted to place Washington here until Jamison's shoulder became questionable. The Hawks are good, but Joe Johnson is a reluctant superstar. I don't know how you can be reluctant when every kid dreams of being the man in the league. I always wondered why he was so quick to leave Phoenix but was it because he didn't want the limelight? Too bad the Hawks actually got good. To turn down $60 mil is bold statement in a free agency class that is loaded and a struggling economy. Atlanta better hope JJ is ready to live up to what he thinks his value is.
5. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Marc Stein and the boys at ESPN seem to think the Wizards have maximized their potential. I disagree and here's why. A healthy Arenas and Butler are not even in their 30s yet, a hopefully healthy Jamison is a steady rock. The return of B Wood and the additions of fire power in Mike Miller and Foye can prove fruitful. The Wiz have plenty of offense in a conference that is offensively handicapped. That should win them many regular season games.
6. CHICAGO BULLS
D Rose will have a lot of pressure to take his game to another level consistenly all season, but I'm convinced he can do it. I think they upgraded at the wing with Salmons and leaving Gordon out there for Detroit. Salmons can do more than just score. Deng is back and healthy. And I love this front line of Noah, Miller, Thomas, and the rookie James Johnson. All of them bring something different to the table. That bodes well against other frontlines in the East.
7. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Big question marks surround this team. Elton Brand's health? Lou Will replacing slow paced but effective Andre Miller? Iguodala's shot selection each and every night? However, I like Eddie Jordan and I like his 2 guard offense. If these players can adapt quickly to it, they have the combination of inside and out to be a balanced attack. Speights and Dalembert will help protect the paint leaving Brand to concentrate on scoring the ball and creating other opportunities for his teammates, something he has never been able to do before.
8. MIAMI HEAT
The ONLY reason they are here is because they are the ONLY team left with a player that can carry his team on his back into the playoffs. This team is bad otherwise. Chalmers is decent, but he's not great. Beasley is a disaster waiting to happen. Haslem is consistent, but JO runs a one-legged race every night. The bench is inconsistent. Pat Riley has a lot of decisions to make at the Feb. trade deadline if he hopes to keep D Wade in Miami or he truly will go MIA.
9. INDIANA PACERS
Next best player left on a halfway decent team, Danny Granger. This boy is a true warrior. I'm liking Hibbert more and more each day and if he can neutralize the middle the Pacers can compete for a playoff spot. I like Troy Murphy but he needs to bang a little more on offense. They are weak at guard, but Brandon Rush has potential. I think Dunleavy is done. Don't be surprised to see him on the way out soon.
10. TORONTO RAPTORS
I'm still not sure why Hedo came here, unless it was purely about the $. But isn't he too old to think that way? I would be thinking championships and clearly he wasn't by signing with this disaster of a franchise. Can somebody explain to me why we have a team in Canada in the first place? Who the hell wants to play up there in that cold azz place where your muscles are constantly tight and you're a hamstring away from the disabled list?
11. NEW YORK KNICKS
This won't be D'Antoni's year, but he's well on his way. One of my boys keeps telling me to expect Duhon to have a huge year. Not sure, but I want to tell him I could have a huge year if we took 100+ shots a night. Want to know why none of these guys will get great contract offers in 2010? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AS GOOD AS THEIR NUMBERS
12. DETROIT PISTONS
Many of you will say this is low, but let me put something out there. I don't like Ben Gordon, I don't like Villanueva. Bringing back Ben Wallace didn't do anything for me either and Kwame Brown, nough said. I feel sorry for Rip Hamilton and what he has to deal with up there. I think Joe D got big headed and lost his mind thinking that Ben Gordon and Villanueva can carry Detroit to the playoffs. Last time I checked UCONN competed in the NCAA.
13. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
I'd like to put them higher, but d*mn what did they do to convince me they can make a run at the playoffs? Felton has hit his ceiling, I'm taller than DJ, and my soon to be surgically repaired knee is healthier than Chandler's whole body. Diaw is this year's new Sean May apparently. LB should get out while he still has a chance.
14. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
It looks like Brandon Jennings is going to be good. Anybody who can muster 7 ast a night in the preseason with this team has to have some kind of talent. Redd will ball cause he needs a new contract, and I like Bogut if his back holds up, but I don't like much else on this team. They'll play hard, but they will lose harder.
15. NEW JERSEY NETS
I have to admit, I don't miss much, but I missed Devin Harris. This boy can play some ball. I love Brook Lopez, I expect a big year from him. Too bad no one else on this team is ready yet. See ya in Brooklyn soon.
1. BOSTON CELTICS
Of course there is a lot of discussion about who the top team is in the East, but mine is for the hated Celtics (I mean I'm a Lakers fan). So this shows the type of respect I believe the Truth, Garnettzilla, and Jesus Shuttlesworth deserve. However, they go as far as Rajon "Scissorhands" Rondo takes them.
2. ORLANDO MAGIC
You might be thinking how the h*ll can the best player in the league with the addition of "The Big Lazy" not be No. 1 in the East? One, LBJ is not the best player in the league, and two, Orlando's transactions this summer will be more effective than Cleveland's. The addition of Vinsanity, getting Gortat back, and adding big Bass trump any move Danny Ferry made.
3. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Now, I just completely dogged them but they are miles ahead of the 4th best team in the East. However, they don't go any farther until LBJ can dominate the game from 15-20 feet and not 5 ft in. That needs to be Shaq's territory only. It's still interesting to me how patient Cleveland has been with Mike Brown. Let's see how long that last without a Finals appearance this year.
4. ATLANTA HAWKS
I was tempted to place Washington here until Jamison's shoulder became questionable. The Hawks are good, but Joe Johnson is a reluctant superstar. I don't know how you can be reluctant when every kid dreams of being the man in the league. I always wondered why he was so quick to leave Phoenix but was it because he didn't want the limelight? Too bad the Hawks actually got good. To turn down $60 mil is bold statement in a free agency class that is loaded and a struggling economy. Atlanta better hope JJ is ready to live up to what he thinks his value is.
5. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Marc Stein and the boys at ESPN seem to think the Wizards have maximized their potential. I disagree and here's why. A healthy Arenas and Butler are not even in their 30s yet, a hopefully healthy Jamison is a steady rock. The return of B Wood and the additions of fire power in Mike Miller and Foye can prove fruitful. The Wiz have plenty of offense in a conference that is offensively handicapped. That should win them many regular season games.
6. CHICAGO BULLS
D Rose will have a lot of pressure to take his game to another level consistenly all season, but I'm convinced he can do it. I think they upgraded at the wing with Salmons and leaving Gordon out there for Detroit. Salmons can do more than just score. Deng is back and healthy. And I love this front line of Noah, Miller, Thomas, and the rookie James Johnson. All of them bring something different to the table. That bodes well against other frontlines in the East.
7. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Big question marks surround this team. Elton Brand's health? Lou Will replacing slow paced but effective Andre Miller? Iguodala's shot selection each and every night? However, I like Eddie Jordan and I like his 2 guard offense. If these players can adapt quickly to it, they have the combination of inside and out to be a balanced attack. Speights and Dalembert will help protect the paint leaving Brand to concentrate on scoring the ball and creating other opportunities for his teammates, something he has never been able to do before.
8. MIAMI HEAT
The ONLY reason they are here is because they are the ONLY team left with a player that can carry his team on his back into the playoffs. This team is bad otherwise. Chalmers is decent, but he's not great. Beasley is a disaster waiting to happen. Haslem is consistent, but JO runs a one-legged race every night. The bench is inconsistent. Pat Riley has a lot of decisions to make at the Feb. trade deadline if he hopes to keep D Wade in Miami or he truly will go MIA.
9. INDIANA PACERS
Next best player left on a halfway decent team, Danny Granger. This boy is a true warrior. I'm liking Hibbert more and more each day and if he can neutralize the middle the Pacers can compete for a playoff spot. I like Troy Murphy but he needs to bang a little more on offense. They are weak at guard, but Brandon Rush has potential. I think Dunleavy is done. Don't be surprised to see him on the way out soon.
10. TORONTO RAPTORS
I'm still not sure why Hedo came here, unless it was purely about the $. But isn't he too old to think that way? I would be thinking championships and clearly he wasn't by signing with this disaster of a franchise. Can somebody explain to me why we have a team in Canada in the first place? Who the hell wants to play up there in that cold azz place where your muscles are constantly tight and you're a hamstring away from the disabled list?
11. NEW YORK KNICKS
This won't be D'Antoni's year, but he's well on his way. One of my boys keeps telling me to expect Duhon to have a huge year. Not sure, but I want to tell him I could have a huge year if we took 100+ shots a night. Want to know why none of these guys will get great contract offers in 2010? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AS GOOD AS THEIR NUMBERS
12. DETROIT PISTONS
Many of you will say this is low, but let me put something out there. I don't like Ben Gordon, I don't like Villanueva. Bringing back Ben Wallace didn't do anything for me either and Kwame Brown, nough said. I feel sorry for Rip Hamilton and what he has to deal with up there. I think Joe D got big headed and lost his mind thinking that Ben Gordon and Villanueva can carry Detroit to the playoffs. Last time I checked UCONN competed in the NCAA.
13. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
I'd like to put them higher, but d*mn what did they do to convince me they can make a run at the playoffs? Felton has hit his ceiling, I'm taller than DJ, and my soon to be surgically repaired knee is healthier than Chandler's whole body. Diaw is this year's new Sean May apparently. LB should get out while he still has a chance.
14. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
It looks like Brandon Jennings is going to be good. Anybody who can muster 7 ast a night in the preseason with this team has to have some kind of talent. Redd will ball cause he needs a new contract, and I like Bogut if his back holds up, but I don't like much else on this team. They'll play hard, but they will lose harder.
15. NEW JERSEY NETS
I have to admit, I don't miss much, but I missed Devin Harris. This boy can play some ball. I love Brook Lopez, I expect a big year from him. Too bad no one else on this team is ready yet. See ya in Brooklyn soon.
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