I thought ROXRAN's thread asking which team has surprised you so far was pretty good, so I figured why not ask the obvious, which team has been a disappointment in your eyes? Definitely the Hawks, who rebuilt their lineup with very good players yet are wallowing well under .500. The Knicks are horrible so far. The Jazz aren't disappointing me. I said all season that that team didn't have a bench, and only a decent starting lineup. Losing Danny Manning was actually a big blow since he was versatile enough to play all 4 front court positions, and he played pretty good at center.
I would have to agree with you, Rocks about the Hawks. I really thought that they would be a playoff team in the East this season. They still have time, but they can't wait much longer to get their act together. Off subject- but surprise team? How about the Pistons?? I don't think that many people thought that they would be 7-2 after 9 games.
The Hawks to me are the most disappointing because I thought the aquisitions like Shareef among others made them so much better. Why are they doing badly so far?
The Hawks are definately missing Theo Ratliff. Nazr is pretty good, but a Ratliff/Narz combo would be more than most teams in the east could handle. Plus I think Jason Terry has been battling an injury, and Shareef missed a game or two also. If they can get healthy and stay healthy they may live up to some of your expectations. B
Hawks management must be kicking itself. Sure, Shareef has been very good, but Ren Wright is now playing to his potential, to the tune of 17.7 and 12.6. Not to mention Pau Gasol going for 14.8-6.3, and over 2 blocks a game. The Hawks are desperate for a real PG, had their hands on Jamaal Tinsley, and traded him for a future first round pick. How good would he look on that team? Jacque Vaughn has played terrible. Then of course, Morris will be the 2nd coming of Rashard Lewis, (or so we hope), making a nightmare offseason complete.
The Hawks don't exactly have a real cohesive talent base. They're a nice group of players, but the Clippers are a much better 'assemblage of talent'. It doesn't seem to me, however, that they really fit together as a group.
I really thought L8 and Hamilton would be better compliments to Jordan than they have been. Can't figure the Wiz out...
Orlando: Grant Hill, McGrady, Ewing, Miller, Armstrong, and a good coach... What the hell is wrong down there?!
The problem with the Tragic is they've got a great top 4, but they're all point guards, shooting guards or small forwards. They have nothing at the 4 or 5 spots. Ewing is done, Grant is nearly there and after that it gets even worse. No interior defense, no interior offense.
How good would they be with Elton Brand anchoring the low post? That was Krauses plan. Elton down low and sign T-Mac and Hill or T-Mac and Jones. <sigh>
They'd be good with Brand, but they'd be better with Ben Wallace. And they could have kept him if they just treated him right and didn't keep Outlaw. They need defense, rebounding and physicallity. Brand is a great player, but he isn't the greatest defender and might crimp their offense some because he'd need the ball (and they've already got a ton of scorers).
