Every year there's a team that, before the season begins, everyone expects to do well. But SOMEONE has to absorb the losses of the improved teams around the league, and these teams do just that. Last year it was Phoenix and Orlando. The year before it was the supposedly new-and-improved Clippers, along with the Nuggets and Cavs just being terrible. The year before that? Your own Houston Rockets, along with the post-Kidd Suns. Who's it going to be this year? Obviously Charlotte's going to absorb a lot of losses, but they can't do it alone, people! They're gonna need some help. Possible candidates: Memphis - Not taking anyone by surprise anymore. They really only have a ton of average to slightly above average players; can they capture last year's magic? Lakers - Everyone's favorite choice, but I'm not buying it. Kobe's remarkable focus and will power will raise them above disgrace, all the way to mediocrity. Dallas - My personal choice. Even if they make more offseason moves, they're a disaster.
Memphis-theyll probably be around .500 as opposed to 50 wins last season. Nets (obvious reasons) Mavs will absorb some losses they shoudlve won. Suns again even though theyll be better. Lakers for sure. Theyll be a lot worse , though good enough to make the playoffs. TEAMS THAT WILL STEAL WINS(causing this): Hornets,Cavs,Nuggets,Heat.
hate to say it guys, but we are a definite contender for this dubious destinction. i sure hope i'm wrong though. if this question was posted on bbs of other team's, i have a feeling the rockets would be a pretty popular pick.
I must agree, because if the Rockets start this season with the starting line up now then things are not going to go well. I'll even predict that the Rockets will be under .500 for a while to start the season, I just sure hope that Yao doesn't hit his wall again like past seasons.
People are underestimating LA. I have them fighting for home-court in the first round. Their frontcourt is above average, and their swing positions are the best in the league. If Bryant is really a top 5 player, like everyone has been saying all along (some people were saying he was BETTER THAN SHAQ), the supporting cast is good enough to support my position.
Definitely don't underestimate the Lakers. I'm not nearly as high on Odom (no pun intended) and Butler as some are, but they are both very capable players. As long as Brian Grant and Vlade Divac can both give them serviceable minutes (probably just this last year), they will be tough. Getting that package from Boston for free was huge. I would have liked to see the Rockets get that for the trade exception. Makes me think that either a bigger deal is brewing or CD fell asleep at the wheel. Ultimately, I am interested to see if they run with a lineup of Bryant and Odom at the guards, with Butler, Vlade, and Grant upfront. If acquitted, Bryant comes back more focused than ever. Call me crazy, but L.A. is my sleeper pick to come out of the West. Just as long as Rudy doesn't find a way to screw it up... I think Houston is the hardest team in the West to gauge right now. They have the most enviable core in the league, but that is long term. What can these guys do next year is the question. I think they can finish anywhere from 2nd best in the conference to 8th. It all depends on Yao Ming. Who we get at point guard is far the most part inconsequential. Don't get me wrong, it'd be nice to have a dependable starter, but I'm not losing any hair here. This team will go where Yao Ming takes it. We pretty much know what to expect from McGrady, but will Yao take that next step? He is currently far and away the most overrated player in the entire league. He's simply the best center in the West by default. He needs to go out there and earn it this season. If you compare his growth curve to that of Garnett's and Nowitzki's (assuming that high school and international basketball are similar environments of adjustment for a big man to make to the NBA), he is right on schedule to break 20ppg this year. I have complete confidence that Yao Ming has all the tools to become the best player in the NBA but he has to improve his conditioning. He has all the skills and now has enough strength. He just has to find a way to stay on the court and quit half-assing it. This Houston team will go where Yao goes. My sleepers for the regular season are Utah and Denver both due to their depth and style of play. Denver in particular should be excellent. Neither will be any threat in the playoffs though due to their lack of an elite player. My heavy favorite to win the West is San Antonio. With the addition of Barry, they are head and shoulders above everyone else. After that, I might even have to say L.A. is my next pick. They got screwed in that Shaq deal, but Kobe Bryant is that good. We'll see. I think Minnesota will fall off a bit as Cassell and Spree continue to age. I don't think Garnett is dominant enough close and late to ever win a championship. Sacramento is completely falling apart. It remains to be seen how improved Yao is to say whether Houston can contend. Memphis will fall off this season. I don't know what to expect from Phoenix. Dallas could miss the playoffs - they managed to stay afloat when Finley or Dirk were on the shelf, but when Nash was hurt they strugged big time. That roster is a disaster.
why???? am i missing something? since when is chris mihm good? and since when do players all of a sudden blossom after 5 years or sucking in the league? the guy is a stiff, and i'd take my chances with an aging GP at the point NO LONGER IN THE TRIANGLE OFFENSE over chucky atkins in a second. i am guessing that the lakers will be trying to acquire kidd, but, as it stands, that was a TERRIBLE trade for the lakers.
It wasn't that bad. Fox is terrible. They basically traded a crub and one aging, but skilled player for two decent role players and an athletic guard. If they really are looking to run next year, Payton would definately have helped in that department. Can you imagine a fast break off an outlet pass from Divac, led by GP, Butler and Kobe on the wings, Lamar Odom trailing? Scary, but Odom's very good at leading the break as well. I hear Gary and Rudy aren't the best of friends.
They're also an old, mediocre team. Mash is never coming back, Byron Scott can't run a Princeton attack with Davis. 32 wins if they're lucky.
I am thinking New Orleans as well. I think a lot of people think they may not make the playoffs, but I don't think they will smell the playoffs. I think the Lakers will have trouble making the playoffs. They are certainly behind Minn, SA, Sac, and most probably us and Dallas. They are more on the level of Memphis, Denver, Utah and Portland and will compete for the last couple of WC seeds. My best guess, the Lakers are 6th or 7th seed and 1st round fodder. Not bad for some teams, but it will not go down well there. Phx or Seattle or NO (despite my prior prediction) could also make things interesting for them if those teams put it togther. The other team I'll put out there is Indy. I don't think they will come close to having the best record in the league again. They are solid--especially defensively, but IMO quite a few teams are significantly better overall, starting with Detriot, Minny, SA, Sac and with Houston, Dallas and Miami potentially joining that list. I predict a let down for that team relative to expectations after last years regular season where everything went right.
Denver??? Nah, not with Carmelo averaging 17.0 PPG in pre-Olympic play. Of course NO is a safe bet and I'd like to see if Scott can pull that team together. Highly doubtful, so my guess is Wesley would be available in a trade by the deadline if Houston needs one (which seems like a good possibility, especially if Lue gets stepped on). Now just one mention of Seattle (by Desert Scar). How can that be!?!?! They're my pick, easily. Ray Allen WILL be traded in my opinion, probably well before the deadline. Seattle will suck. I don't see Toronto doing anything; Portland is a good choice to see them sink. But I'm going to go out on a whim here and say GOlden State.
I won't underestimate the Lakers, but I wouldn't go so far as to call them a sleeper. They've transformed themselves into a poor Dallas Mavericks of 2003-2004. They have a bunch of swing players, two aging big men and just aquired an underacheiving big along with two mid-tier(at best) guards. They did good in trading Fox, but Payton, who was used to playing with above average back court and wing men, likely could have contended for comeback player of the year IMO. I have the Lakers finishing somewhere anywhere from 6-10.
