Ok........This year will be different from the get go. I am going to be realistic and say that the chances of us winning an NBA championship this year is slim to none. I am very confident in our young squad. Two years ago I thougth they had so much potential when they 45 games, and this year they are twice as good and deep. Looking at them on paper, they look as if they can contend right now but, talent is not the key to winning,m it is chemistry, and I think we are not at a top level with that yet because we have had so many injuries, and we have had so many key aquisitions this year. This is my predictions for the year. The Lakers will win there 4th championship in a row as long as Shaq and Kobe can stay healthy, and if the rest of there team stays in there role. 3rd in the west with about 54 wins The Kings are the best team in the NBA. They have no weaknesses, but the Lakers have there number, I think they will end with about 64 wins this year, but when they play the third seeded Lakers in the quarter finals they will again see defeat. Bibby, Webber, and Stokivich will all make the all-star team this year. This team is deep, there bench could hang with some eastern conference teams.(Thats scary) 1st in west between 62-65 wins The Mavericks are the most talented team in the league when it comes to scoring. They have around 5 guys that could drop 25 points any givven night, but the play no defence. Novinski will be there only all star this year, and again they will lead the league in scoring. If Bradely really has improved as much as Don Nelson is saying this team could make a push for a title, but it is all up to thier defence. Remember, offence sells tickets, defense wins games! 2nd in the west 60 wins This is my sleeper of the year......THE HOUSTON ROCKETS.........This team has as much talent as the the three teams above, but they are still young and raw. This year there will be flashes of greatness, but consitincy will be the problem as the season moves on. If Nachbar or Morris can step up and fill the small forwar, this team could be very dangerous. I know Ming will flourish this year. He is the real deal, and I know that when he adjusts to the NBA style of play, he will be the second best center in this league. EG will step up this year as well, he will improve alot and will start to show his Wallace/Duncan type of game. We all know how good our gaurds, and if they can stay healthy, Francis could end having a very special year. We are going to the playoffs this year, but the only problem is that we will be nocked out by the 5th seeded Spurs. Maybe next year they will show thier full potetial. 4th in the west with 54 wins The Spurs play conservative basketball, they play great great defense, and they can shoot the three. This veteran ball club plays smart ball and that will carry them into the second round of the playoffs before they are beat by the kings. Led by Duncan, the Spurs will be able to contend, but they need another scorer to be affective. 5th in the west 50 wins. The Clippers, whoa....tons of talent, but not enough balls on the court. Maybe with the addittion to Ander Miller they can play much more consisteent basketball. Odom need to step up this year, and if Brand and Olawakandi can play well in the post. This team could also be dangerous. They are very raw, with tons of talent. But there chemistry is a question. If all goes well, this team will be in the playoffs, and they will be the 6th seed with 49-51 wins The level of basketball drops off here. Garnett and the crew, wish the were in the East because there is just no room in the west for them to contend. They have some solid players, but with loss of Billups this team will have troublefinding someone to take his spot at the gaurd. Garnett, and Szerbiac will do all they can, but they need another stud to contend. Sorry not this year. 7th seed 44-48 wins. Portland will squeeze into the playoffs. They have tons of talents, buit with hot head Wallace, and greedy Pippen. This team is not going to make very far. They are deep at the forward and gaurd. The addition of Woods, and Sabonis will help, but not enough to compete. Not even Phil Jackson could put these thugs together. 8th seed 45 wins. The Sonics, and the Jazz are out of luck. They both stay a float of 500, but they pray everyday that Davis Stern would send them to the easteren conference, but that will never happen, so we will see you guys in the Lebron Jmaes sweepstakes!
I think the Rockets have a deep team, talent wise. But I think Sacramento might have the deepest. Their second team isnt bad at all. Jackson, Turkey-glue, Pollard, Wallace and Clark. They are so deep. Its hard to match up 1-10 with that roster.
You dont think much of the Team if you realy think that the Spurs are better! Just wait till after the two preseason Games and I think you will change your mind a little.
Its hard to say one team is better than they other based on a preseason match up. Hell the Texans beat the Saints in the preseason but no one said they were a better team afterward.
I really don't care what Laker fans think. The Kings had the 6th game taken away from them by the refs. There would not have been a 7th game if the refs had been honest. The Lakers are bragging about a game that they did not win but was given to them.
The Spurs are better.....this year. LA, SA, Sac and Dallas are the big four again this year, with us fighting for a spot in the next group.
That doesn't bother me. I think too many posters are letting their dislike of SA combine with the excitement of this young team and it's leading them to place expectations on this team they can't live up to. There is no shame in being the 5th or 6th seed in this conference, but I feel some here won't be happy unless we are top 3.
I agree. Any REAL Rocket fan hates SA, you and I included. But just cause you hate a team with a passion, doesnt mean we are better or as good as them. I think setting our sights on SA is too high. Ive always said, if you ask Steve and Cuttino, they would be happy as the #8 seed. You gotta walk before you can run.
As long as we get into the playoffs, regardless we are 5 or 6 seed, I still like us to be the under dogs, just like the 94-95 season.
Hmmm, doubting Thomas? With doubts like that you would never challenge and beat the champs. How do you think the Pistons ever got by the Celtics and Bulls during the late 80's, and then go and beat both the Blazers and Lakers? You would have said, "It can't be done."
Mrs. Cleo told me Rockets will make playoffs, Kings will dethrone Lakers and Kwame Brown will be traded to the Mavs for finley.
You know what would be incredible? If the Kings win 70 games or more, but still lose to the Lakers. Or, if they beat the Lakers, then lose to the East. Wow, that would be incredible. We're definitely playoffs this year. Steve Francis will be great, so will Cuttino. When I come to the next 3 spots, here's how I see it: C: Yao Ming and Cato. If Cato's better, then we're better than last year here. If Ming is better, we\re 2 times better than last year. PF: MoT and Griffin. One of these guys HAS to do well. They're both trying so hard, and worked so much, that it's a given one of them will surprise us. SF: Rice, TMO, and Boki. Again, it's almost impossible to think that none of these guys will do well. One of them is BOUND to play above average. So if ONE guy from every position plays at or above expectations, then we have a very solid team here.
