Yeah, I went to La Marque and we used to whip up on Laporte back in the day. I still think the Piston might be one of the 1st teams not to repeat. I think the Lakers turmoil had as much to do with them winning than anything.
Personally, I have no respect for Detroit as the Champions. Definitely the best in the East. Best in the NBA? I don't think so. In MY personal opinion, there are at least 5 teams more likely to win the championship next year than Detroit. Come on. Have you seen Yao go up against Ben? I really think we're the best. Minnesota: Great cast. But are cassell and Spree going to get better? Will they even be as good? They're both WELL into their 30's. They will have a healthier supporting cast though because Kandi, Wally, and Troy were all hurt last year. That's something to consider. Still. They don't have our starpower. Yao and T-Mac will dominate them. Who'll stop them? Don't forget our suporting cast: Howard, JJ, MoT, Barry (hopefully), Pike, Boki, whoever we get with the TE, Lue. We'll be pretty damn deep. San Antonio: If Ginobili comes back, they may be a problem. Not too talented, but I don't like betting against them. I can see Rasho being more comfortable, Parker's pretty good as well. If Ginobili is gone? It's over baby. There are reports that Denver will offer him a monster deal if Kobe says no to them, and Ginobili was quoted as saying he'll have to go to the team that offers significantly more money. He said it just a couple of weeks ago. Los Angeles: Legit threat if Payton and Malone are back. Malone won't be hurt as much this time around. Rudy T is the ULTIMATE player's coach. No team needs him more than the Lakers. I'd be worried. Sacramento: Vlade is declining. Webber is declining. Christie is also getting up there. Brad Miller is very good though. If they play with their roster, count them out. If they don't, consider them a threat. But as seen in previous years, this run n gun stuff can't beat star power. They have been eliminated by star power each of the past 5 seasons. Dallas: Can't coment. Dallas may be a totally different team by then. As of now? They can't possibly be better than they were last year. They added Stackhouse, Podolkzine, Devin Harris, and Laettner. They lost Nash and Jamison. I think they lost more than they added, unless Podolkzine is surprisingly good. Detroit: Like I said, I think they're a fluke. Chances of them repeating? Not very high IMO. I just can't see it happening. Even if they face the same Lakers again, I can't see them beating a healthy Lakers team. Indiana: We'll see what they'll do at PG and C. If they sign Fisher and Blount, for example, then they're a real threat. Big threat. As of now, we'll see. I know the goal is to wina championship. But we have to take steps. A crappy team won't win a championship. You can't hope for a championship until YOU can consider YOURSELF the best team in the league. I know that lots may change by the time the season starts, but it's looking good. As it is, if we trade Juwan Howard and part of the TE for Calvin Booth and Juwan Howard, then sign either McDyess or Keon Clark to our PF spot, we can easily be favorites: Yao/Booth MoT/McDyess JJ/Boki/AG T-Mac/Pike Daniels/Lue I don't think we understand how good McGrady is yet, I don't think we quite realize how much control Yao has over the C position, and I don't think we realize how good that combination can be.
