If (X Team X) does not make it to the Finals, then what?

If (Kings) do not make it to the Finals, then what?

I think the two likely people to go are Adelman and Divac. They've hit their ceiling i think. Their most tradeable commodities are the players that they CAN'T trade away...whether they're too valuable (peja and bibby) or b/c of big contracts (webber). They need to rebuild their BENCH more than anything. Not getting enough production out of that bench other than a good 'bow to KG's grill.


If (Pistons) do not make it to the Finals, then what?

Getting to the ECF much less the NBA Finals would be an improvement. I think their main thing is to resign rasheed. I think they only need to keep either 'sheed or okur. And hopefully Brown will get Darko some PT or that kid's confidance will be shot. Bringing in a hired gun (return of Jon Barry?) would be something to look at.


If (Pacers) do not make it to the Finals, then what?

I don't know what kind of contract Pollard has but if it's decent, i think they'll let it run its course. I think they would trade Bender before Harrington though. Their PG situation......it's something....I think Mark Cuban should look real hard at either Bender or Harrington plus fillers in a sign and trade for Nash. Sure that's ANOTHER forward on the Mavs roster but it's a young forward playing relatively cheap and it could get them a draft pick or two....just MY opinion.

If (Nets) do not make it to the Finals, then what?

Obviously resigning Martin is a must. But not for the max. He's a good PF in the east and he fits in their run and gun style very well. But he shouldn't be treated like a max-type player. They need offense bad...as in half court offensive players. A shooter or two (jon barry....wesley person)....someone that can knock down shots when defenses (like detroit) lock down their fast pace game. A decent PG would be nice..but they never had one of those for the past few years so why bother.

If (Wolves) do not make it to the Finals, then what?

I think they have a pretty good bench. Not the best...but one of the more productive ones. Of course Wally is trade bait. Maybe working something with Detroit perhaps (Wally + pick for Williamson + Okur)? Because quite frankly, i think if Wally gets shipped out, it has to be for a center or someone that can man the post b/c Kandi...boy you talk about Cato being a bust...this guy is nuclear warfare...i think not having Troy Hudson for the playoffs that much has hurt them so getting him back on the roster will help.

If (Spurs) do not make it to the Finals, and they did not, then what?

Rasho got overpowered by O'Neal...who hasn't? His D on O'Neal wasn't THAT bad...hell the spurs could have made a bigger mistake by signing Kandi instead of Rasho. They need to lock up Manu and/or Hedo. I think Hedo isn't valuable. I never thought he was a good perimeter shooter and he's proven that against the Lakers. They would be better off signing a Hoiberg or a Person...i bet they miss Kerr more than they would admit. I don't think Manu, Parker, and TD are going anywhere. Horry....that's a big mystery considering how he infamously plays during the season. All in all, they need gunners...guys that can knock down shots consistently like Kerr did.


And i'll add one...

If (Lakers) do not make it to the Finals, then what?

Who cares?!??!?! that would be the ultimate slap in the face and i would enjoy it so much. but all in all, i think Payton will bolt. He's not happy there so if he dont' get his ring what makes ppl think he'll come back? Malone will stay like the b*stard that he is. Kobe.....don't know....

 

Steve Kerr killed both Dallas and Nets in the 6-th game in the fourth quarter last year when Dallas/Nets were having big lead. Spurs need 3-point shooters who can penalize the double-teaming on Duncan.

 

do you guy think we can market piak in a trade?

 

Kings - aren't far away from a fire sale if they lose Game 7. If they lose to the Wolves, than yes, Webber is up on the market because of his contract. Vlade would retire only if they win it all, he's actually talked about playing another 3 seasons. I don't see Christie moving since he's their only real defensive player. Adleman might get dropped if they don't make it to the conference finals. If they do meet the Lakers, don't expect a housecleaning. There's no shame to lose to the most talented and dominate team in the league, especially one that just ousted the champs. Besides, no one expects the Lakers to keep the entire team together, so there's no urgency to try and catch up.

Spurs - won't do anything drastic. If the Fisher shot doesn't go in, they win the series. They also know that virtually the entire supporting cast can play better than they did in that series. Rasho, Parker, and Ginobilli are all still developing and improving. Getting a shooter is a high priority, but not one that will break their bank. Manu is going to be resigned, probably to the tune of 7 or 8 million per.

Wolves - don't have the flexibility to alter their roster if they wanted to. I'd expect they'll try and dangle Wally for any takers, but that's nothing new. If he does go, I doubt they'll see much value in return. He's B-talent with max dollars, and that won't get you far with GMs.

Pistons - Dumars is making the Pistons into the Spurs East: long term contenders (built for today and 3 years from now) while keeping the payroll tight. He's become just about tops in managment, especially with that genius Rasheed trade. Their goal is to get all of their FAs resigned, which will be a tall order. First, they have to shave off Williamson ($5 mill) and/or Campbell ($5 mill). Next, they need Rasheed to agree to a reasonable contract. Dumars should be well aware that offering any more than 8 million is pushing it in terms of value, and to expect more than 4 or 5 productive years is also risky. The hardest task they'll have is keeping Okur. He's apparently looking at the Suns, since they have the money and more importantly, the playing time he wants. He'd have some competition for a role in Denver, and the Hawks are a wasteland. Utah may also be on his radar.

Pacers - They could try and finally rid themselves of Croshere's contract if they package him with Bender or Harrington. It's also possible that they'll move Reggie to backup and start Harrington and Artest. They're another team that doesn't need to change much and probably won't.

If the Nets are knocked out, it might get interesting. Word is, Ratner is going to have his hands full with moving the team to Brooklyn. As long as they stay in non-supporting NJ, this team is BLEEDING money (thanks to Thorn's money-tossing attempts to upgrade the center position - good job, by the way!). They're now going to be faced with Martin's restricted free agency as well as Jefferson clammering for an extension. Seeing how Kidd's knee is making everyone wonder about how much he has left, it's going to be decision-making time. I expect them to continue to load up the payroll, however.

Evan

 

Since I'm over in the Bay Area a lot, I feel one guy who's moveable is Doug Christie for the Kings. There were midseason rumors, the kings are stacked at the SG/SF position and are looking to solidify the C when divac leaves.

 

If team X does not beat the Lakers it will result in people crying that the refs won the series for them..

Gospel.

 

sacramento should trade chris webber to us in a lopsided deal where we don't have to give up steve francis to get him.

 

call me crazy but i rather give nachbar a max contract than to take on webber.

 

it's kinda funny that there is that perception among fans, especially when it certainly isn't always true. even in 2003 with the game 6 "debacle" in the wcf where the lakers shot 27 fts in the fourth (shaq shot at least 10 from deliberate hacks), for the series the lakers were actually called for 6 more fouls than the kings, and the king shot 19 more fts. this is including game 6, and you have to take into account the sheer number of times that shaq is fouled just to send him to the line.

then you look at round 2, against the spurs where the lakers for the series were called for 12 more fouls, and shot 22 less fts than the spurs.

round 1 you got a better case with the lakers shooting 6 more fts and getting 5 less fouls than the blazers in their 3 game sweep.

finals were a joke, with the lakers getting a four game sweep. but it gives conspiracy theorists some fodder when they see that the lakers shot 53 more fts than the nets, and got called for 27 less fouls. of course, then conspiracy theorists have trouble answering why stern wouldn't want the series to be extended to let people believe the east can hang.

conclusion? conspiracy theories have no water to them. refs are human, they make mistakes. some refs err for certain players, and others err against them (like bob delaney against shaq, i think in 7 games shaq's been ejected from in his career, delaney has kicked him out of 5). the "rigged" series against the kings? the kings got more calls! even with that supposed game 6 debacle. the spurs lost in five games, and yet they shot more fts and got called for quite a few less fouls.