I don't think Miami are quiet the same team as last season. Many of their players are not only a year older, but seem rather lethargic and just plain disinterested. As far as I can tell, the East is wide open and almost any team can make it to the Finals. The East just lacks that one dominant team that is a clear favorite to emerge from the Conference. I think mediocre teams like the Cavs and the Bulls have about as much of a chance to play in the Finals as traditional 'powers' Miami and Detroit. This will be an interesting year in the NBA....
The Pistons and Heat are getting too much respect from the pundits based on what they did in the past. IMO, neither team deserves it. Before the season started, the Cavs and Bulls were my two top picks for the East. The Bulls aren't looking good right now and probably won't until Ben Gordon is traded or finally works out his differences with Scott Skiles. The Nets were my #3 but they haven't impressed me so far. At this point, I have trouble believing Orlando and Atlanta are for real. I thought (wishfully) the Wizards would have a chance to take the Southeast division but they are too disjointed & streaky and they don't not play smart basketball. Conclusion: The East teams are moving out of the way for the moody Cavs to emerge. But sometimes they look so disinterested it's hard to picture them emerging. But it's a long season and I just want some new blood out of the East.
Chuck Hayes is "Superman's" kryptonite. Honestly though, I think it's Shaq's own fault. He comes in out of shape and expects to work his way into playing shape...but being overweight just puts that much more stress on the body. Also - in the collision with Chuck Hayes - how did it go from a hyperextension to this?
I think it's kind of weird that it is actually a torn meniscus. Normally, this type of injury occurs from someone who is under a lot of pressure (i.e. weightlifting) and has a sudden jerk or turn. It can also occur just from a sudden jerk or turn, but Shaq's case is weird to me. I did mine with the weightlifting. Also, I'd just like to say that if Shaq is not lazy I think he should be able to recover in 4 weeks. My doctor told me to stay out of sports for 2 weeks, but he said that I should try and start walking without crutches the day of my surgery when I get home. So, basically, if Shaq doesn't want to milk this, which he probably will, he could be back sooner rather than later.
Man . .someone of you guys seem like you on the verge of breaking into a song of celebration such hatred and gloating over another person;s injury very unbecoming of a Rocket's Fan Rocket River
