FBB GM statements.

The New Jersey Nets enter the new fbb season with a new sense of Hope. Deciding once again to trade their draft pick, The Nets Acquired Super Star SG Tracy McGrady and Super Rebounder Marcus Camby from the Orlando Magic. Donyell Marshall was the big FA signee, after receiving a very large contract, Marshall is expected to produce good numbers.

Positional Breakdown -

C - Marcus Camby gets the start here, the Nets look for him to be a force on the Boards all season long. Incumbent Jarron Collins will see plenty of action as well, He still needs work on defense although he is an excellent inside scorer.

PF - Brian Grant retains the starting job here with no one really to push him, Suprise Rookie FA Rick Rickert will get minutes as the backup.

SF - Donyell Marshall starts, Looking to duplicate the success he had before being buried in Portland. Capable starters Matt Harpring and Noah Ruiz will battle for time at the team's make or break position.

SG - T-Mac easily starts and will get a load of minutes, Russell Lister gets the backup job. Liam Luisetti will get a bench spot, Kerry Kittles heads to the IR.

PG - The Team's strong point, Kirk Hinrich grabs the starting job, Brevin Knight won the backup job. Corey Malone and Eric Snow will see duty on the IR.

 

The Spurs are coming off a successful year under new ownership...though this year should produce another major change, as they are planning to move to Vancouver and take on a new team name: Vancouver Mounties.

The new ownership led the Spurs to their 2nd ever Playoffs with a Western Conference leading record (tied). The Spurs charged into the playoffs with a lot of confidence, but were halted by the Warriors in a tough 6 game series in the 2nd round. The Vancouver Mounties look forward to an even more successful season, guaranteeing their fans a playoff birth and hoping for much more.

The Mounties will be starting two Centers this year, as they have made some very hopeful offseason aquisitions. Here is a breakdown of the team entering this new season:

Center: Jason Collins (aquired in the Pierce Trade with the Magic) looks forward to starting as the big man on this team. Fans should expect great defense, solid rebounding, and double figure scoring. Jermaine O'neal is also expected to see some time at the center position, leaving Emmanuel Clark sitting on the bench most of the time.

Power Forward: Jermaine O'neal will be starting here this year, which is a change from what he's used to, but the management is expecting great results. Jermaine should continue his double-double average and possibly pull off a 20/10 year. Samaki Walker, last years starter, will provide a strong backup in this position as he brings in solid defense and rebounding.

Small Forward: This is the most changed position for the Mounties this year. Paul Pierce is gone, and Grant Hill is here. Grant Hill is a great team player that brings a well rounded game to Vancouver. Hill averaged over 18ppg/5rpg/6apg last year, and the Mounties expect another solid year from the aging star. This is Hill's last year under contract, and possibly only year with this team, as it is unlikely the Mounties will renew such a large contract with an expiring player. Darius Rice and Bryce Ketner share the backup role.

Shooting Guard: Jason Terry will lead the team again this year. Last season Terry was part of the All-League Second Team which is quite an honor for him and the organization. He also set a team record in points last season recording 50 in one outing. He averaged 25.1ppg, 10.3apg, and 5.1 rpg last season. He is one of the leagues brightest stars, and should help guide the Mounties to a successful season this year. Dermarr Johnson is a newly aquired backup, Johnson brings a scoring touch, a defensive presence, and a will to win.

Point Guard: T.J. Ford (All-League 3rd Team) will be starting at PG as expected. T.J. brings great ball-handling skills, top-notch defense, and a nice scoring touch to the team again this year. His backup will be Noah Stroam, who is a solid defender and young rookie lookin to solidify his dream of being in the NBA.

Outlook: The Mounties look to capture the Western Conference crown this year, and are expecting a tough match in the Finals if they get there successfully. With a top notch backcourt, Grant Hill at the 3, and three very solid big men in the frontcourt, these Mounties should have a great season ahead of them. There is a rivalry brewing between them and the Memphis Grizzlies, as both of them tied for the Conference crown last season, and the fact that Memphis moved from Vancouver a few years before the Mounties decided to move in. The Vancouver Mounties also give warning to the G.S. Warriors: You will not get in our way again!

Prediction: 59-23, League Finals.

 

After failing to make the playoffs last season, the Sonics found a new owner and a new home in Siberia. They also unveiled their new Ice Blue color scheme.

Fortune has smiled on the team thus far as Siberia won the draft lottery. Longtime Sonics and fan-favorites, Rashard Lewis and Brent Barry were dealt to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the rights to the number ten pick, Darvin Ham, Jorge Wingate, and Phil Cardinal.

The Sonics seek to return to the playoffs again and compete for a title while Kidd is still onboard, while at the same time rebulid for a future without him.

Center: With the first pick of the draft, the Sonics selected Hakeem Olajuwon, Jr. Olajuwon is the foundation that the team will be built upon in preparation for the post-Kidd era. Backing up Olajuwon is Calvin Booth, one of the best defenders at the position in the league. If Olajuwon develops into half the player his father was, the Sonics will be more than happy.

Power Forward: Troy Murphy was signed to a six-year extension over the summer and will get the start. Coming off the bench here is the number ten pick of the draft, Marcus Julian. Though a project, Julian will still see plenty of minutes.

Small Forward: Coming over as part of the Lewis/Barry deal is Darvin Ham. Ham is an excellent defender and fits ideally into the Sonics starting lineup. Backing him up are youngsters Jonathan Bender and Jordan Reeves. Both have a lot of potential and are planned to help Olajuwon carry the team into the next decade.

Shooting Guard: Darren Jones has improved his defense and outside shooting over the offseason and is expected to start. Limited to only 16 games last season, if he can stay healthy, Jones will see much more action this year. The Sonics are banking that his potential will deliver a breakout season.

Point Guard: The Sonics will only go as far as Jason Kidd can carry them. Though still one of the best point guards in the league, at 33 years of age, Kidd is entering the twilight of his career and is beginning to show signs of mortality. Backing him up is newly-signed journeyman Ramon Kersey. Kersey has nice potential, and like Jones seems poised for a breakout season. Word has it that Nikolas Peterson and bust Liam Stoudamire are in the doghouse and the Sonics will not play or attempt to re-sign them next year.

Outlook: The Sonics have one of the best defensive lineups in the league. Their frontcourt with Olajuwon, Booth, Murphy, and Ham looks impenetrable. Inside scoring and rebounding remains a problem though, as the youngsters haven't fully developed in these areas yet.

The Sonics are loaded with potential, and amazingly are $10 million under the cap. This should lead to a smooth transition into the post-Kidd era.

A title has eluded Jason Kidd his entire illustrious career. If he hopes to get one before it's over, the youngsters in Siberia will have to grow up fast.

Prediction: 45-37, Conference Semis

 

The Mexico City Jazz are looking to improve on last year's showing of losing in the conference semifinals. The Jazz had a great year under new management, and mgmt's big move in the off-season was locking up C Raef LaFrentz to a max contract which was accomplished. With only 2 players over 30 (both are 31 in Joe Smith and Malik Rose), this is a young, talented, and exciting team.

Postions analysis:

C - LaFrentz is the man when it comes to rebounding. He was pursued hot and heavy by several teams before deciding to return to the City. He will be counted on once again to lead the very tall and bruising front line in rebounding, to play solid defense and provide around 10 points or so a game. Nigel Polynice can rebound but that is about to it but he helps spell LaFrentz from time to time. Keep an eye on rookie Enrique Bunn who could surprise.

PF - Nickolas Wootten is dominating to say the least. The superstar of the Jazz, he had another outstanding season last year. He will be counted on once again to shoulder the scoring load. Malik Rose is one of the best subs in the game and can fill in at center as well. The Jazz have lots of flexibility in that Chris Porter and Joe Smith can play the 4 spot as well. Probably the strongest postion on the team.

SF - Joe Smith was really playing out of position last year at the 3, but he was the Jazz's best option there. He'll never be a great outside shooter, but with his 6'10" frame and his propensity to be active around the basket gives all kinds of other 3s problems. He had a great first season in the City after coming (along with Jay Williams) from the Lakers. Porter will be the chief backup here, and when the team wants to go small, look for Andre Najera to fill this spot to give a different look.

SG - Jeremy Brandon goes from being supersub to being the starter. He had a great off-season and the team is expecting big things from him. He replaces Frank Williams, who came over in a mid-season trade from the Knicks for Chris Duhon. Frankie is really a 1, but will still see plenty of time at the 2 as will Andre Najera who almost won this spot. Although not as glamourous as the 4 spot or the 1 spot, this postion is a solid one for the team.

PG - Jay Williams who came with Joe Smith from the Lakers last season, showed that he was one of the most talented 1s around last season. However, he must cut down on his turnovers to reach that next level. Frankie Williams will see more time this season as the backup PG and he brings defense and a calming effect over the team. Rookie Seth Gruenig will be the 12th man and probably won't see much time this season.

Overall, the Jazz are a young team that will get better and better as the season goes along. That was a problem for them last season as they got off to a great start but their immaturity showed as some of them hit a wall and it cost them the Midwest Division. But they recovered nicely in knocking off the #4 seed T-Wolves before falling to the Grizzle. If they can avoid injuries to their key guys like Wootten, Jay Williams, Smith, etc., then they have a chance to be one of the best teams in the west.

Prediction: 52-30, 2nd in Midwest, runner-up in Western finals.

 

Just a year removed from winning the championship, the Magic decided they needed a change. Gone are 4 starters from last year : McGrady, Hill, Camby, and Collins. Enter Paul Pierce, Roberto Fiends, Maybyner Hilario, and Reece Gaines. Only time will tell if dealing McGrady to a division rival was the right move, but the Magic feel they recieved ample talent in return for the moves they made this offseason. With a younger nucleus, the Magic hope to be playoff bound for years to come.

Not only have the faces changed, but the team philosophy has changed as well. Gone is the balanced, swing player dominated team that pushes the ball and takes chances defensively. The Magic are now a slow paced inside halfcourt team.

Position Breakdown

C: Nene Hilario is the starter here. He will get a majority of his minutes as a center, but also log some at his natural position, pf. Behind him is free agent signee Nolan Donovan, who will see time at backing up both center and power forward. Fan favorite Jeff Foster, resigned to a one year deal, will see any leftover minutes. After signing a massive 6 million 3 year contract 2 years ago, Doleac once again has a dissappointing offseason. He will see no time on the court, and will have to endure another year of fans throwing batteries at his fat melon head.

PF: Uber stud Roberto Fiends will start here unless Nene struggles with center duties, in that case they Fiends will move over to center. Fresh out of prison, Fiends is ready to prove he can be a force in the FBB league. Hilario and Donovan will be the pf backups, as well as Foster.

SF: Team Captain Paul Pierce owns this spot, and is ready to be Fiends complimentary star for years to come. Backing him up are free agent signees Ron Mercer and DeAndre Bush.

SG: Stephen Jackson gets the starter minutes here. He may not put up huge stats, but he proved he was clutch during the championship run, and his outside shooting is a huge plus in this inside-out offense. Should Jackson suck, Mercer is ready to step in and put up some good numbers. Newcomers Gaines and Schayes will get any remaining minutes. The hugest dissappointment in FBB Magic history other than Mike Miller would have to be last year's free agent acquisition of Latrell Sprewell. After an offseason consisting of eating 3 bags of cheetos a day, beating up random old ladies, and filing lawsuits against the same old ladies, Spree has been suspended indefinitely.

PG: Shooting guard Reece Gaines really wanted to start this year, so he worked on his handles really hard over the offseason and will start over Stoudamire. Right now its Gaines' position to lose, but Stoudamire is ready to start should he falter. Moochie Norris is the 3rd string pg, right where he belongs.

Prediction: 42 - 40 1st round and out.

 

After removing all defensive liabilities, with the exception of Woods, and trading for good defenders in Shawn Marion and Andre Miller, the Bulls finally made it past the first round, and went all the way through the finals. Now this year, the team stays built around defense, with Allen and Woods as the primary offensive weapons.

C and PF: These positions are interchangeable, with Desagana Diop and Chris Wilcox always starting. Wilcox and Diop have been kept around for their defense and rebounding, and get most of their points off of putbacks inside.

SF: Qyntel Woods, the #2 pick a few seasons ago, is the starter here. Woods is by far the weakest defensive starter, but he is arguably the best scorer on the team.

SG: Ray Allen played here last year, after playing PG and winning MVP at the position the two seasons before. Allen is the leader of the team and puts up great all around numbers. However, Allen's numbers were much better when he was at PG, so he may be moved back there, with Andre Miller moving to the 2 spot.

PG: Andre Miller is the PG starter for now, with a possible move to SG in the future. Miller plays tough defense, while dishing out a good amount of assists every night.

Bench:
Shawn Marion is the entire bench. The "Matrix" is a solid scorer and arguably the best defender in the league. He comes off the bench, but plays starter minutes.

Other players that may play:
Newly acquired Eddie Robinson and David Wesley should see some action.
Richard Jefferson doesn't score much, but may see some time for his defense.
Parker Shaw and Rod Grizzard are both nice shooters and may get in the rotation soon.
Sunny Stover is the enigma of the team with his energy on the sidelines. He is also affiliated with the MLB and the Seattle Mariners.

Prediction: 58-24

 

After another sub-par season for the under-achieving 76ers, GM mduke hopes to go 82-0 and 15-0 in the playoffs....

C: There are high hopes for Kendrick Perkins in Philly. Backing him up will be PF Stromile Swift.

PF: Starting at PF is 2nd year C Harrison Ontko. His backups will be Stromile Swift and Aaron McGhee.

SF: G/F sensation LeBron James will be starting at Small Forward this year. With no real SF threat besides backup Tim Thomas, the 76ers will also use SG's Ebi Ere and Rickey Paulding to backup LeBron up.

SG: With no real star at SG, the 76ers are experimenting with Ere and Paulding as the starter. These 2 will basically split time at the 2.

PG: Steve francis, the star of this team, starts at PG. Backing him up will be newly-inked Tony Price, and his 7 year, 60 million dollar contract


All in all, a very talented bunch, but can they put it together?

Prediction: 49-33