I don't know...what players does this "other" team have, and what city are they located in?? They seem to be the x-factor
I voted Milwaukee. You can't count on Ray Allen getting hurt in game 7 again, and I doubt you can count on Glenn Robinson missing a 4 foot wide open jumper at the buzzer again. They will come out of the East, and they match up extremely well with Western teams, as evidenced by their 8-0 record against the Lakers, Spurs, Kings, and Jazz last season. It sounds surprising, but the Bucks can get out of the East, and they definitely can handle a Western team for one series. Their lack of inside power might hurt them if they had to go series after series with the Spurs, Kings, Lakers, etc., but they can get it done in one best of 7. Doesn't hurt that they have the best coach in the NBA either.
What about the Raptors? Adding Hakeem has made them a lock for the ECF, and I think they'll end up winning it all.
Tweak, Your 5 years behind. It will take at least two players to carry Ol Man Hakeem up and down the floor on a stretcher. But where are the Raptors? The Majic?
The only way the Lakers could be beat is in the 1st round in a surprise loss to a team like the Rockets Or if Kobe or Shaq goes down with a injury.If the leagues luck runs out and Shaq and Kobe are healthy I dont think anyone can beat them in a 7 game series.Saying that I chose the Bucks
The Lakers could be beat in many ways: Samaki Walker is a big time disappointment as the starting PF, Derek Fisher's foot doesn't heal correctly, Kobe and Shaq get into another big-time feud but it's more serious this time, Richmond is a bust(which eliminates any spark off the bench), or the Blazers get their heads straight (which is EXTREMELY doubtful, but they have the personel to beat the Lakers). All these scenarios probably won't happen, but the Lakers are vulnerabl to implode from within. They're the team to beat, but they aren't invincible.
What about the Kings? I'll bet in Vegas they will be among the 5 favorites. I would guess something like this as it stands today, though I actually think the Kings will have the 2nd best team in the league. Lakers 3:2 Spurs 1-5 6ers 1-8 Kings 1-10 Blazers 1-10 Magic 1-15 Toron 1-20 Everyone else I'll be is lower odds. I'll go see how well I match with a casino right now.
I know nothing about the source, but here are some teams. I got my odds backwards above. As you can see they have the Lakers at 1-1 (I meant to write them as odds on favoriates against the rest of the league, i.e., 3-2), followed by Spurs 6-1, 6ers 7-1, Magic at 7-1 and a host of teams at 12-1. I think they have overated most of the east teams, after all, they would have to beat someone in the West to get the title. Interestingly, the Wiz are off the board, someone doesn't know what to think about that retired fellow. Personally, w or w/o him I would put them at less than 50-1. I guess 50-1 is significantly better than like the 200-1 they will be if he doesn't play. http://www.sportsnetwork.com/?c=sportsnetwork&page=nba/odds/superstardust.htm CURRENT AS OF AUGUST 7TH (08/07/2001) Open Current ---- ------- Los Angeles Lakers 7-5 1-1 San Antonio Spurs 6-1 6-1 Philadelphia 76ers 8-1 7-1 Portland Trailblazers 12-1 12-1 New York Knicks 10-1 12-1 Miami Heat 12-1 12-1 Sacramento Kings 12-1 12-1 Milwaukee Bucks 12-1 12-1 Utah Jazz 15-1 15-1 Dallas Mavericks 15-1 15-1 Orlando Magic 12-1 7-1 Minnesota Timberwolves 22-1 20-1 Charlotte Hornets 20-1 20-1 Phoenix Suns 25-1 25-1 Toronto Raptors 20-1 17-1 Indiana Pacers 40-1 40-1 Seattle SuperSonics 50-1 50-1 Houston Rockets 50-1 50-1 Detroit Pistons 75-1 75-1 Denver Nuggets 80-1 80-1 Boston Celtics 70-1 70-1 New Jersey Nets 100-1 100-1 Los Angeles Clippers 100-1 75-1 Cleveland Cavaliers 150-1 150-1 Atlanta Hawks 250-1 300-1 Chicago Bulls 300-1 700-1 Vancouver Grizzlies 350-1 350-1 Golden State Warriors 350-1 350-1 Washington Wizards off off
Why are the Rockets on the list? I hate the Lakers but they probably will 3-peat. In the East, I like the chance of Hakeem's Raptors! Having said all that, I voted for the Rockets.
And it's gone up. Amazing, according to the poll, there are as many of you who think we will win that think the Lakers will win.
I think it is all incumbent upon which team will sign Isiah Rider. How much cap space does that other team posess? That being said, I too selected that Houston N B A team. P/S Jordan may be back but Bull never left. Nobody beats the Bull.
