There are so many teams this year, IMO, that seemed to be falling off to the point where you would have to say "Yea, I think it's time for them to blow it all up". My nominees Dallas: Problems -They play against a team that has a speedy point guard and it's pretty much over before tip off -Josh Howard looks so disinterested in playing or even suiting up for that matter -Kidd is no Devin Harris Phoenix: Problems -Amare doesn't play well with Shaq. -Their lack of any kind of defense at the 1,2,4, and 5 positions is kind of glaring -Nash is on life support -This team was supposed to run more of a half court offense but when most of your best players (Nash, JRich, Barnes, Amare, Barbosa) are used to break neck pace, that spells for disaster Detroit: Problems -I think ever since Dumars said "no one is safe", everyone on that roster save for Stuckey has mailed it in this season -Their front court can no longer get it done against the other top East teams -Iverson's not the problem--trading for him and having him change his game is the problem Toronto: Problems -What they should have done was trade TJ Ford to Miami for Shawn Marion. That would have helped both teams' problems. A frontline of Bargnani, Bosh and Marion is better than Bargnani, Bosh, and O'Neal's remains -Their overachieving players have all regressed back to their true value
clippers bucks wizards They aren't contenders but i think they have alot of money dedicated to players that you can't, or shouldn't, build around. I think any franchise needs a big man dedicated to defense and rebounding, a perimeter player who can score and create for his teammates, and they need post scoring. If the rockets can get healthy [i know, big IF] and gel before the playoffs then they have the makeup of a great team, unlike the other teams that's window is closing.
NO, Rockets will peak but not decline, They can be only better assuming Yao is relative healthy. They have flexible salary and excellent support team. Only coach and superstars need to prove themselves.
Yes, I agree that Phenix, Dallas and Piston are falling, but raptors were never up. For Suns falling, I think the only reason is Nash aging after his two mvp season. Amare had never been a go-to guy or franchise player as he's stats supposed. Without nash, he probably likes Z randoph with better attitude.
Houston is actually wild card, not as bleak as the other. #1 - Houston is actually getting better compared to the early Tracy-Yao years (04 - 05) #2 - The Rockets have a better (and younger) supporting cast than most teams in the league,...I think Wafer, Landry, Brooks, Dorsey, and even Hayes are all under 27. If you subtract Mutombo, Alston, and Barry. This team would be fairly young. #3 - Bringing in the right players/superstars (as FA) and keep drafting well, if we suddenly lose one of the one's on our team now. This team is not going to drop off, like those others. If they can most of the nucleus, together.
Toronto, for sure. For as much risk that was involved in the Jermaine O'Neal deal it was also a "win now" move. They foolishly banked on him returning to form under the impression that a Bosh/O'Neal front line would have been unstoppable. As it turns out: that's only the case on NBA 2K9. You don't make that kind of move to finish last place in your division. And when I say 'last place' I mean BEHIND THE KNICKS. Absolutely pitiful. Sound the alarm.....blow it up.
devin harris is a stud but it wouldn't have worked in Dallas he would've always been option #4 behind dirk,josh,and terry so he would have never become the devin we see today. Kidd is perfect for that team because he doesn't need to score. The problem with Dallas is they have no low post players, Dampier is awful and Ryan Hollins isn't gonna help any more than Diop.
The Spurs' window is not closed as long as Tim Duncan plays at a high level, which I expect to continue for at least another 2-3 years.
Yeah that win now, isnt exactly working out considering the lakers,trailblazers and jazz young players are better than ours.
and the Spurs got slaughtered by LA (lost by >20 pts) in the Staple Center, when Kobe, Bynam, Fisher, et al, all sat out of the 4th Q. it means that the Spurs are not as talented nor has as much depth as the Lakers
dismissing San Antonio before the All-Star break is pretty much pointless. The Rodeo-forced road trip they have after the All-Star break is always their true litmus test. They might not be as deep as years past and their players are aging pretty quickly, but I wouldn't count them out of anything. After all, weren't they the ones looking up at us in the standings back in November? And now look at where they're at.
