http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081028 I'd copy/paste but it's a loooong read. But read it if you've got the time; I found it to be pretty funny. *BONUS* There's even a great zinger against Jazz fans, as if the rest of it's not enough.
I didn't read the review, but I see he mentions the lady who plays Joan on "Mad Men" that woman is ridiculous they're spectacular
He always makes predictions that seem plausible if you simulated a season on NBA Live but will never come to pass in real life. No team coached by Mike Brown will win an NBA championship in Simmons' lifetime. He's also never high on the Rockets, which kind of annoys me, but granted, we are not a proven product. I still enjoy reading his articles, though.
I don't get this. The last 2 or 3 years, the Cavs have played far better in the playoffs than in the regular season. They got to the finals. They battled Boston to a 7-game series. Cleveland is a legit championship contender. And Mike Brown is an underrated coach.
They got to the Finals...and got swept. Atlanta took Boston to 7 games, but I don't think anybody considers them championship contender. In my mind they will maybe get to the conference finals if seeding winds up in their favor, but adding Mo Williams isn't enough to take them over the top.
Simmons believes that they will trade Wally Szerbiak's expiring contract for a significant player. Maybe Redd? Randolph? Marion? Whoever it is, he's positive that they'll add someone.
You're likely right, but I do think Mike Brown's brand of basketball can win you a championship. Outside of LeBron, he hasn't had a ton of talent to work with. BTW, did anyone else notice how terrible Mo Williams's defense was yesterday against Rondo?
I read this the other day and he has us losing in the first round to the Spurs. Can't really get upset about that because we haven't proven that we can get out of the first round (well at least not since '97 and never with McGrady and Yao).
How are we not a proven product? We won 55 games last season Suffered the loss of one of our 2 stars during the season and were punished for it in the playoffs. We faced the Jazz without Ming --> but Alston also missed 3 games (all losses). Add to all that the fact that 3 rotation guys were rookies... (Scola, Landry, Brooks) Even a harsh assesment of the Rockets MUST say that the additions of Artest and Barry for the loss of Bobby Jackson are ENORMOUS gains. Throw in the development of Brooks, Landry and Scola... It is well beyond me that anyone could be predicting less than 60 wins for this squad. Oh - and our coach has been there before... Sure - you can throw out the 'injury' line - but our stars aren't a whole lot more injury prone than any other teams (go check it out...) - PLUS we have 3 legitimate all-stars in their prime. Show me another team that can say that? Basically it's pure speculation that we'll be either rocked by Artest bashing someone up (McGrady + Ming?) OR all three stars will be injured all season long. Uh-huh!
Well - we've only been favourites one time (last season) and no Ming and a limited amount of Alston really hurt there... Plus we hardly choked in the series we played in! It hasn't been 4 and out..
I shot him an email asking why he left out the Rockets.. In his "projections" we're the only 50 win team he didn't bother to mention.
A playmate dared us to forecast "Spurs will win title in 2009" last week, based on the mathematical hint: NBA Champions San Antonio Spurs : 1999 .. 2003 .. 2005 .. 2007 ... so what stake should we put on table to challenge the bet?
Our injury situation has gotten so bad to the point where maybe we're just supposed to assume Yao, T-Mac or whoever is guaranteed injuries at this point?? Whichever the case may be, i'm sure that is probably implied in a prediction like that.
