Assume we can get Mike James soon with no more deal.... 04-05, 51 wins 1, Sura, Mike James 2, Wesley, Jon Barry 3, Tmac, Nachbar 4, Howard, Padgett 5, Yao, Dike ( Did i miss some other key players?) 06-07 1, Alston, Mike James 2, Tmac, Head 3, Battier, Bowen/Novak 4, Howard, Hayes/Novak 5, Yao, Dike Position 1-3 and even 4 are interchangeble. Which team is better? IMO.. 1, Alston < Sura, MJ07 > MJ05 2, Tmac > Wesley, Head = JB 3, Battier < Tmac05 , Bowen/Novak =< Nachbar 4, Howard=Howard, Hayes/Novak = Padgett 5, Yao07 > Yao05, Dike07 < Dike05 and... 1, 07 > 05 2, 07 >>>>>> 05 3, 07 <<<< 05 4, 07 = 05 5, 07 >>> 05 We should win more than 51 games...
We need to resign Bogans. Yes I do believe the team with the addition of Battier and James should win 50 plus next season. Along with the 50 plus wins we should get a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs. Go Rockets!!!
The way the conference is shaping up its going to take mid 50 wins to get to the top half of the bracket. And even then its a longshot to get past the second round. In a normal year you would say that Dallas, Spurs, and Phoenix are a lock to get there. And then you got Denver, Lakers, Clippers, Rockets, Kings, and Hornets battling it out for the 4th and 5th spots. Amazingly one of those teams aren't even going to make the playoffs. (Hopefully its the lakers). Any of those teams could contend in the East now that Detroit lost Ben. Only Miami would be clear favorites on any of those six middle of pack western conference teams. Hopefully Phoenix starts to have chemistry issues with Amare coming back less then his former self, Spurs show their age, and Dallas implodes. Then we got a chance to contend.
Surely you don't think Denver is contending for the #4/#5 playoff spot. They'll struggle to make #8 at best -- easily the weakest link among the teams you mentioned.
I haven't been watching too many offseason moves......... but I don't see ps ho nix keeping their squad together..... I believe that team has missed it's window....... they'll be sliding backwards for the next few years, if they haven't realized the same thing.
I like this team better, although we still have a glaring weakness at the PF/backup C position(s). On paper, this team should win between 50 and 60 games. But we had a good team on paper at this time last year too. Until McGrady shows that his back problems are behind him, I'm preparing for the worst. I hope I'm wrong.
So you are guaranteeing us that before the trading and FA season even starts that Utah, Seattle, Minnesota or Portland will win the NW Divison instead of Denver? Because if they win their division, they won't be lower than 4th seed regardless of what their record is. That's a pretty bold statement so early given Nene is back and Martin could be dealt.
Pheonix is still going to be as good if not better than last year. They still have their nucleus in Nash, Marion , and Amare Stousemire (who will be returning from an year long injury). They still have nice role players in Diaw, Bell, Barbosa, and Jones. This year is Pheonix's year because next year they will be extending Diaw's contract, which means someone's has t go (probably Marion). Luckly rockets have Battier so now we can play small ball.
Basically, you take out Sura, Wesley and Barry; and you add Battier, Alston and Head. Replace Padgett with Novak and Bowen with Bogans. Alston < Sura Head < Wesley Battier < Barry Novak < Padgett Bogans < Bowen All of the above are representative of age, not ability.
