Post by shaunkol on Nov 23, 2007 12:11:40 GMT -5
The Contendors:
1. Indiana Pacers
Is there any argument really? The big 3 of Oden, Howard and Young return for another go around, and this time their goal is a dynasty. A relatively quiet TC and Free Agency leave the Pacers in a very similiar position to last year, which lucky for them, is a very very good one.
2. New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets were a very good team last year and return a lot of solid veterans. Elton Brand and Dirk Nowtizki return to the frontcourt, but a worrying decrease in TC from Brand may leave Gotrunks wondering if this team can be as good as last year. Barbosa and J-Rich still look solid, but what could be the X-factor for NO is Anthony Crater. He had a mixed TC with an improved outside shot. If this can provide the Hornets with some extra punch from outside, they may still have a window to win it all
3. Seattle Sonics
No bias here in my opinion, this Sonics team is returning a more experienced team this year that is hungry for a championship. Biedrins, Deron and Wade remained very similar, but the Sonics have been waiting patiently for Cousins to improve and put them over the top, and he may just have done enough. Improved Defense and Rebounding from Cousins gives the Sonics a much better defensive frontcourt, which should make the Sonics tough to beat. It also doesn't hurt that Xavier Henry got better on offense, something the Sonics need from their young SF.
4. LA Clippers
How bout those Clippers? UOSL finalists last year, the Clippers has a very exciting TC which could prove that they are more than just a lucky playoff team. John Riek exploded into a defensive beast, which will definitely give the Clippers that added defensive presence they need against top frontcourts (Indiana). Star player Luol Deng also looks even better than last year, when he killed teams in the playoffs from the PF position. His rebounding has improved, which must be scary for opposing teams. I believe the Clippers are a very strong PF away from a championship run.
5. Portland Trailblazers
Another very interesting team that I think will surprise the league this year. A 1st round playoff upset took a lot of luster out of what was otherwise a great season. So why the high rating? How about a stellar TC. Star PG OJ Mayo, and dynamic SF Brandon Roy in particular turned in very impressive training camps, which gives the Blazers two very good leaders. Then there is young gun Jayvaughn Pinkston who had an outstanding camp increasing in 3 important categories, and giving the Blazers another weapon to add to their arsenal. Krstic and Aldridge round out a very balanced lineup, which I think will be a top 3 team in the West.
6. Milwaukee Bucks
I really think this team needed to do something this offseason to shake things up for another title run. Of course, they will still be very good in the regular season, but this team is just weaker than the Pacers, and will struggle come playoff time. MVP Chris Paul returns to lead them, with a ridiculously overpaid, aging Kobe Bryant his running mate in the backcourt. Once again, their frontcourt look like JV players when it compares to other contendors in the East, as Horford, Diaw and Jefferson just do not have the requisite defense to win. Look for the Bucks to slide this year.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
The playoffs last year show that the Grizzlies are a good team, but are flawed. Davis, Durant and Wright give them a very nice trio that returns from last year. Nene Hilario was a nice offseason pickup to boost the frontcourt, but will that be enough? What should worry the Grizzlies is miracle 2nd rounder Morris Almond losing some defense, which he can ill afford to do. Dwayne Wade exposed the Grizz last year, and its tough to see any reason it wouldn’t happen again.
8. LA Lakers
The Lakers were ravaged by injuries last year, and will need to be healthy this year to contend. LA had a big offseason, acquiring Andre Iguodala and Tim Duncan to make one last run at the title. Duncan is 37 but did not get worse in TC, which must make basone happy. So whats the problem with this team? Yao Ming had a disastrous TC and gives the Lakers very little youth or athleticism in the frontcourt. However, if Iggy can give TJ Ford a lot of help in the backcourt, the Lakers definitely have an outside shot at the title.
1. Indiana Pacers
Is there any argument really? The big 3 of Oden, Howard and Young return for another go around, and this time their goal is a dynasty. A relatively quiet TC and Free Agency leave the Pacers in a very similiar position to last year, which lucky for them, is a very very good one.
2. New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets were a very good team last year and return a lot of solid veterans. Elton Brand and Dirk Nowtizki return to the frontcourt, but a worrying decrease in TC from Brand may leave Gotrunks wondering if this team can be as good as last year. Barbosa and J-Rich still look solid, but what could be the X-factor for NO is Anthony Crater. He had a mixed TC with an improved outside shot. If this can provide the Hornets with some extra punch from outside, they may still have a window to win it all
3. Seattle Sonics
No bias here in my opinion, this Sonics team is returning a more experienced team this year that is hungry for a championship. Biedrins, Deron and Wade remained very similar, but the Sonics have been waiting patiently for Cousins to improve and put them over the top, and he may just have done enough. Improved Defense and Rebounding from Cousins gives the Sonics a much better defensive frontcourt, which should make the Sonics tough to beat. It also doesn't hurt that Xavier Henry got better on offense, something the Sonics need from their young SF.
4. LA Clippers
How bout those Clippers? UOSL finalists last year, the Clippers has a very exciting TC which could prove that they are more than just a lucky playoff team. John Riek exploded into a defensive beast, which will definitely give the Clippers that added defensive presence they need against top frontcourts (Indiana). Star player Luol Deng also looks even better than last year, when he killed teams in the playoffs from the PF position. His rebounding has improved, which must be scary for opposing teams. I believe the Clippers are a very strong PF away from a championship run.
5. Portland Trailblazers
Another very interesting team that I think will surprise the league this year. A 1st round playoff upset took a lot of luster out of what was otherwise a great season. So why the high rating? How about a stellar TC. Star PG OJ Mayo, and dynamic SF Brandon Roy in particular turned in very impressive training camps, which gives the Blazers two very good leaders. Then there is young gun Jayvaughn Pinkston who had an outstanding camp increasing in 3 important categories, and giving the Blazers another weapon to add to their arsenal. Krstic and Aldridge round out a very balanced lineup, which I think will be a top 3 team in the West.
6. Milwaukee Bucks
I really think this team needed to do something this offseason to shake things up for another title run. Of course, they will still be very good in the regular season, but this team is just weaker than the Pacers, and will struggle come playoff time. MVP Chris Paul returns to lead them, with a ridiculously overpaid, aging Kobe Bryant his running mate in the backcourt. Once again, their frontcourt look like JV players when it compares to other contendors in the East, as Horford, Diaw and Jefferson just do not have the requisite defense to win. Look for the Bucks to slide this year.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
The playoffs last year show that the Grizzlies are a good team, but are flawed. Davis, Durant and Wright give them a very nice trio that returns from last year. Nene Hilario was a nice offseason pickup to boost the frontcourt, but will that be enough? What should worry the Grizzlies is miracle 2nd rounder Morris Almond losing some defense, which he can ill afford to do. Dwayne Wade exposed the Grizz last year, and its tough to see any reason it wouldn’t happen again.
8. LA Lakers
The Lakers were ravaged by injuries last year, and will need to be healthy this year to contend. LA had a big offseason, acquiring Andre Iguodala and Tim Duncan to make one last run at the title. Duncan is 37 but did not get worse in TC, which must make basone happy. So whats the problem with this team? Yao Ming had a disastrous TC and gives the Lakers very little youth or athleticism in the frontcourt. However, if Iggy can give TJ Ford a lot of help in the backcourt, the Lakers definitely have an outside shot at the title.
