espn insider "predictions"

MrSpur's WC rankings:

1) LA Lakers
2-t) Sacramento Kings
2-t) San Antonio Spurs
4) Portland Trailblazers
5) Dallas Mavericks
6) Houston Rockets
7) Minnesota Timberwolves
8) Utah Jazz

 

It seems Dallas will have a better record than the rockets this season. They have better interior defense in Bradley and Howard. Finley and Nowitzki are the stars in Dallas and can both score equally if not better than Francis and Mobley.

Also European players like Nowitzki will likley benifit from the ruel changes.

We´ll probably have to fight for one of the 6-8 playoff spots.

nilsrock

 

Mr. Spur-

You're rankings are right on in my opinion, although as much as I hate to say it, you can never discount Karla Malone and the Jazz, or, for that matter, the emergence of some random team by chance. But that doesnt happen as often in basketball as it does in football and/or baseball.

 

You're crazy to take Mobley over Finley. What do the Mavs have over the Rockets? 2 all stars to start, a good point guard and a solid 4 man. 5 on 5 the Mavs have a better team. The only advantage the Rockets do have is pg and nash is no slouch. I just think people are going to be surprised how strong the west is and how much better the east got. 5-8 will be a battle, i think.

 

Nilsrock, I don't think any of us were saying the Rockets are better than the Mavs. But I certainly am saying we are closer to the Mavs than they are to the Lakers, and probably the Kings as well. I would take the Rockets backcourt over the Mavs backcourt any day of the week, and I would take Francis over any player on either team, with Nowitski the 2nd player to build your team around. Interestingly, I expect the rule changes to impact the no- D Mavs and No-D Rockets similarly, I am just not sure which direction the effect will be.

Mr Spur, pretty fair job on your ranking but I think we should be in the 8 spot and I would break they tie in the 2 spot with the Kings being the sole team there

 

Im not saying the Mavs aren't better. Perhaps they do have an overall better talent pool (although I don't think by much) and they definitely have more experience now adter last year. BUT, it is a team that was 2-2 against the Rockets last year (if we're doing a direct compariosn), and they just barely scraped out that last game in March.

Why did hte Mavs play so much better than the Rockets overall, you ask? First, record-wise, it wasnt that much better. Second, they had things click on EVERY cylinder (something I can't see happening for them so perfectly this year). The Rockets, on the other hand, showed their experience and youth (such as the dichotomy between their records against the East and West). I expect the Rox to win more of the close games and more of the ames they're supposed to win this year, closing the gap on a Mavs team that I do not see improving record-wise at all.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Perhaps, but it's going to take some significant contributions from Kirilenko, Amaechi, and Stevenson (assuming no jail time) to see them avoid a significant drop off.

 

1. Lakers-Too good for the regular season.
2. Mavericks- not the second best record, but will win the midwest.
3. Blazers-Right behind the Lakers, better record than the Mavs.
4. Kings- Webber's injury will hurt them early on.
5. Spurs- Will barely edge out Houston for this spot.
6. Rockets- People are underestimating how good a Francis- Mobley-Rice-Griffin-Jackson core could be. Last year's Mavs.
7. Suns- Will make a late surge at the end of the season.
8. Sonics- Will surprise everyone, and will stun the Lakers in the first round.

9. T-Wolves- still only one star, surrounded by average crap.
10. Jazz- They will lose all hope after going 0-12 against Texas teams.
11. Clippers- People expect too much from them. The zone will hurt this poor-shooting squad.
12. Nuggets- I would have put them in the playoffs, but the injury to Mcdyess will be way too much to deal with. Probably a 2-20 start or so.
13. Warriors- They will show signs, but they won't be very good until 2002-03.
14. Grizzlies- Completed the worst trade in NBA history, and will challenge the Bulls for the worst record in the league, maybe ever.

 

Spurs in 5th?

 

I don't think Dallas will be as good as many people think. I don't know, I can't add really anything substantive to supprot my statement but for some reason I just don't think they will be an elite team as many people are saying.

 

agree...dallas will blow for no better reason than i said so...

ps...ZRB...i see the rockets play seattle on nov. 22? and mar 23?...3fingerdgus and i are planning on heading down to key arena with lots of signs and face paint...u in...as well as any other seattle people...