NBA Thoughts
The following was originally published at InTheTeeth.com.
Yeah, I know: The NBA has already started. This means I don’t get credit for any of my predictions and look like a bigger idiot if they’re wrong.
Atlanta Hawks - Josh Childress was better than you thought. The starting five is one of the best in the league. If they stay healthy and their bench isn’t awful, they’ll battle for a 7 or 8 seed.
Boston Celtics - Even with the loss of Posey, the East favorite’s bench should still be awesome as many of their key guys (Leon Powe, Glen Davis, Tony Allen) are young and still developing. The real question is how well the big three hold up. Is winning a championship the second time ever as good as the first time?
Charlotte Bobcats - Jason Richardson has established himself as “the man”, Gerald Wallace needs to rebound back from a mediocre season and Emeka Okafor needs to realize what his role is… This team has too many question marks to make the playoffs in a suddenly more competitive East. Larry Brown sucks.
Chicago Bulls - I wanted them to draft Beasely, but Rose has looked pretty good. Even still, most point guards take a few seasons to develop (see: Billups, Chauncey & Nash, Steve). Expect them to compete for a low seed in the East.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Mo Williams is exactly what this team needs. The front court still lacks youth and depth, but with LeBron able to play the 4 it may not matter. The Cavs should compete for a Top 4 seed assuming Bron Bron doesn’t get injured.
Dallas Mavericks - Harris for Kidd was a god awful trade. They overpaid Diop, but at least the Gerald Green signing was smart. Expect them to compete for a low seed in the West carried on the back of Dirk.
Denver Nuggets - Trading Camby was a stupid move, but this team is still loaded with talent. They signed one of the most underrated players in the league, JR Smith, to a very cheap contract and he should see significantly more playing time this season. With Billups they could snatch a 5 or 6 playoff seed.
Detroit Pistons - Same old Pistons, same old story. Stuckey looks great as do Maxiel and Amir Johnson, but the starting 5 is getting worse each year. Allen Iverson was not what this team needed in the short term, but the salary cap flexibility gives them what they need in the long term.
Golden State Warriors - Before the season, I liked this team as a dark horse. Maggette is an amazing scorer (even if he is a ball hog), Wright looked awesome last season and Turiaf gives the team depth at their weakest position. However, with Monta being an idiot, no solution at PG, and Maggette already injured this team is lottery bound.
Houston Rockets - A potential top seed in the West as long as Artest doesn’t explode. They are deep at every position except point guard, but Alston isn’t as bad as everyone thinks he is. A line up of Yao/Scola/Battier/Artest/McGrady could solve the problem any way.
Indiana Pacers - Already better than everyone expected, but I think they started off pretty hot last year. Getting TJ Ford for a broken O’Neal was a steal. Could easily grab a 6 or 7 seed if they keep it up.
Los Angeles Clippers - Expect Baron Davis to spend a lot of time on the injured list. Half their players shouldn’t be in the NBA. See you in the lottery.
Los Angeles Lakers - Unbelievable depth and balance; they have 6 guys who could easily put up 20 points in a night. Their one “weak” spot is the 3, but Ariza has looked awesome. 1 or 2 seed in the West.
Memphis Grizzlies - Bad and young. Rudy Gay is a player and the Gasol trade is looking better. Should start Lowry over Conley.
Miami Heat - This team has the worst depth in the NBA. How bad is it? – they start three power forward (Haslem, Beasley, and Marion). Not even Dwyane Wade can take this team to the playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks - Such a weird team. You look at their line up and think: “that’s a solid group of players”. But then you realize, none of them can play defense. Probably lottery bound.
Minnesota Timberwolves - Young and bad (noticing a trend for the West Coast bottom feeders). Teams have finally caught on that rebuilding Sonics/Trailblazers style is the way to go. Should play McCants/Roye/Miller/Love/Jefferson as often as possible.
New Orleans Hornets - This team has the best point guard (Chris Paul), one of the most underrated players in the league (David West), a sniper (Peja) and a guy who can hit the 3 and play multiple positions (Posey). The only question is 2 guard; Mopete doesn’t cut it. Expect a Top 3 seed.
New Jersey Nets - Devin Harris is their only real asset. See you in the lottery. LeBron sweepstakes 2010.
New York Knicks - D’Antoni at least makes them fun to watch. Curry and Marbury should be exiled. The bottom seeds in the East so wide open
Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard is the best center in the league. Rashard Lewis’ contract is going to bite them soon. Need back court help before being considered a contender.
Philadelphia Sixers - Slow start, but I really like this team. Numerous guys that can shoot the 3 and draw fouls. However, they still need another shooter or two to be considered a top seed contender.
Phoenix Suns - The Matt Barnes signing was one of the most underrated moves of the summer. He can play & guard three positions, take the ball to the hoop and shoot the three. O’Neal looks revitalized – should draw a 5 or 6 seed.
Portland Blazers - Young and overrated. Many good pieces, but this team should be playing fast – not slow. Could compete for the 7 or 8 seed if Oden is healthy, but right now they better be working on their plan if Oden ends up being an “always injured”.
San Antonio Spurs - Old. Parker & Ginnoboli being injured killed the Spurs’ title chances and no one else on their roster (save Duncan) is a player. This team is lottery bound.
Sacramento Kings - Bad with too many horrible contracts. Kevin Martin is good, but who else is there to help him? Trading away Webber for a plethora of awful contracts was a stake in the heart.
Seattle Sonics - I’m not calling them their horrible new name yet. This team is young & terrible, which is better than old & terrible. Presti has his shit together and should make them a playoff contender within 3 years.
Toronto Raptors - They were essentially forced to trade away TJ Ford away for below market value (Hi Jermaine O’Neal). Even still, this team has looked pretty good as Calderon is the best PG in the East and Bosh is an MVP contender.
Utah Jazz - Other than the Lakers, this team has the most depth in basketball. Many of their bench players could start for teams in the NBA. Top 3 seed for the foul-happy Jazz.
Washington Wizards - My adopt a team favorites (I recently lived in DC for two years before moving to Boston). Should not have resigned Gilbert. Will “compete” to be one of the worst teams in the East.
