Maybe not as a whole, but there are now 2 teams that I belive actually have a shot at winning the title this year: NY and Philly obviously. At the beginning of the season I was about 90% sure that the winner would come out of the West this year, but now it's dropped. I believe Philly has the capability with Mutombo to beat LA, SA, or anyone else in the finals. And while NY doesn't have a great frontcourt, Mark Jackson will help them tremendously. The bad thing for Philly is that I think the trade will hurt them in the longrun, and especially if Dikembe leaves after the season. I thought Theo Ratliff had a great future with that team, and if they couldve gotten another decent big man w/out trading him they would be right there. I guess they have decided that this is their year, and they're going to go all out for the title, so they pulled the trigger and got the big man they needed. Thoughts? ------------------ "Steve is good. Steve is real good." -- Cleveland's rookie point guard Andre Miller on Rocket rookie point Steve Francis
Philly could win the chamiopship this year, I don't think the Knicks could do it with Marcus Camby as their starting center. ------------------
What's sweet is we're through playing these two teams for the season, so we don't have to worry about it. Phoenix and Seattle still have to play both teams, along with other Western Conference teams, but not Denver, Minn., or Dallas. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Relativist (edited February 22, 2001).]
I was just about to say that, Relativist. I think those two games against Atlanta will be a bit easier now. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
And Milwaukee isn't that far behind. All they need is a decent big man to be a title Contender. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
I think the east, and possibly even the title, is now philly's to lose. The knicks got a little better, but not enough, while philly improved tremendously defensively and on the glass by getting mutombo. ------------------
I still am not sure Philly can score over the course of a 7 game series if you can defend Iverson (easier said than done). They lack a solid #2 option. I'd still make them the favorite in the East, but Sacramento's my choice overall, right now. I think CWebb's the best player in the game this season and he's surrounded by a quality supporting cast. But it would be an entertaining series. ------------------ In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.
IMHO Philly now has a legitimate low post presence that can bang with the big boys in the west. I have always thought that Theo Ratliff would ware down on a steady diet of the wests big boys. Sorry but no way do I believe that he could stop Webber, Duncan, Garnet, Malone or Shaq consistantly in a seven game series. He is just not big enough. Motumbo on the other hand gives you the same defense that Ratliff did but with a lot more size and a lot more rebounds. And he can score just as well as Ratliff. A Lakers - 76ers finals would take on a whole new look now. Iverson and Motumbo vs. Kobe and Shaq. I give the edge to Kobe and Shaq but the 76ers have a much better supporting cast. I believe the 76ers are a letitimate contender now but I still think in a seven game series against the Kings, Spurs, Blazers or Lakers they come up just a little short. ------------------
I think people missed the significance of the Knick Trade Philly Vs Knicks While everyone is looking at Camby vs Mutombo I look at Mark JACKSON vs Iverson on the low post Can SNOW or Iverson guard him there Look for the ISO in the post to be feast or famine for NY IF the Refs call illegal D correctly Mutombo will be looking at Camby around the 3 pt line. . . Which means the Double team will have to come from somewhere If mutombo comes. . Camby is quick enough and Jackson is smart enough to find him for some easy dunks Rocket River ------------------
