Post by DB on Nov 24, 2009 21:02:39 GMT -5
1. Milwaukee Bucks- 13-2 in the preseason the defending champions come out hot this season bringing back all their starters from last season. With Antonio McDyess, Griffin, Hill, Allen and Iverson the Bucks will look to defend their title this season. The Bucks are a powerhouse of a team that looks to take the East that was rightfully the bulls for so many seasons. The Bucks have a great starting five but they also have some good depth too. Robert Horry, Causewell, Baker and Baron Davis look to come off the bench for the Bucks. It is going to be hard for anyone to knock them out come the playoffs. Prediction: 58-24
2. Houston Rockets- The Rockets went 11-6 in the preseason and is coming off an amazing season. They finished with the best record in the league last year and made it all the way to the finals where they lost in 7 games to the Bucks. The Rockets look to control the western conference again this season bringing back a similar roster from last year. Carter, Fields, Bibby and Dani are all returning veterans that are a huge impact on this team. The Rockets also have plenty of depth. Their biggest and probably only weakness is the fact that they lack any sort of starter worthy big man. Mostly guys on the rockets would be great back ups, this is something that Ducky probably should address if he wants to be able to win it. I think he needs a good big man up front. His team has such good scoring guards 1 thru 3 that maybe all he needs at the 4 and 5 are defensive rebounding guys, so who knows. It works, go with it. Prediction: 57-25
3. Chicago Bulls- The Bulls come in here at third during preseason for their horrible play last season in the playoffs where they were knocked out of the first round. It is the first time in awhile we have seen such a thing coming from Chicago and it might tell us that the reign of a dynasty is finally over. I told you it last year and I will say it again, the Bulls are done. Even with an impressive 13-3 preseason I do not see the bulls going to far this year. While EP can still lead this team to another 50 win season I don’t think he has enough to take them all the way through the playoffs. Mutombo, Camby, Maxwell, all are getting older and not getting any better. Prediction: 50-32
4. Orlando Magic: The Magic bring back a very similar roster from last season and look to challenge the Bucks and Bulls, atop the eastern conference. The Magic bring back a strong squad with a good amount of depth. They went 11-6 in the preseason and look to have another great season this year. They key for the magic will be how well do Donyell Marshall, Allen Houston and Sam I am play this year. These three guys are the bread and butter for this Magic team and they need to perform at the top of their game this season. The Magic are getting older and now is the time to win it all. Elton Brand needs to make some huge strides this year for the Magic as well, they need to start seeing some big things from him. Prediction: 52-30
5. Atlanta Hawks- The hawks played an impressive 9-5 preseason. Led by allstar point guard Steve Nash the Hawks look to have another amazing year for a franchise that has not seen to many winning seasons. Young Dajuan Wagner has made tremendous strides over the past few seasons that has raised a lot of questions to many gms around the league. How good will Dajuan Wagner be? This season we will find out. Chipper has place Wagner on the block multiple times with no real bites, I think we will find out that he will want to hold onto Wagner for a long time. In the end the Hawks problem will be depth and defense, will see how far this offensive team will go. Prediction:50-32
6. New York Knicks- The knicks went 7-4 this preseason after what had been an up and down offseason. The Knicks re-signed star center Wang to a long-term deal but eventually lost star forward Shawn Marion to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a few hours of drinking GM Dan Basone was making some gutsy calls to bring in some offensive power to help this team win now. Basone knows that this team is ready to be a championship contender but after the blow of losing marion he had to do something. GM Dan Basone brought in Manu Ginobili who had recently signed with the Detroit Pistons. Laughed around the league by his foolish move, Basone had a strange feeling that this kid was about to explode. Manu had an tremendous training camp and looks to have a career year, It may have been the scotch that did the deal but Basone will say he knew it all along. This team is fierce and will challenge the top teams in the league on any night. Prediction: 55-23
7. Dallas Mavericks- The Mavericks went 9-4 this preseason and look to be the only team that could challenge the Rockets right now. The mavs have a strong defensive team, while the GM seems to rebuilding or retooling who really knows, I think he should try to add to this team. They will probably win now anyway, so why not go for it in the weak west. Rozier and Stoud led this team to a winning record in the preseason. Prediction: 45-37
8. Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers have recently went under some GM changes this past week where GM Maniac left his duties to attend to matters in his life. A strong squad that just needs to add some pieces, the Sixers will definitely contend this year. Stephen Jackson has made some amazing strides, He could be one of the best scoring guards in the league. I see the sixers adding some pieces to this core and contending in the East, they will need to trade a bit to get some help but they are a solid team no doubt. Prediction: 48-34
9. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs went 9-7 in the preseason but I think they will have a strong regular season. The Spurs are a tough team led by the big man himself Shaq daddy. With Larry Hughes at the point this team could easily win 45 in the west. The Spurs should look to add some pieces to this team because they could really do some damage having a player like Shaq on the roster. The west is not that good, it is a shame that guys are not trying to win. GM Play knows what he is doing though, I think he will make a winner out of this team. Prediction:47:33
10. Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers come in at 10 on my list after going 6-4 in this preseason. With a roster of LJ, Zo, KG and Spree you would think this team would be one of the top teams out West and they’re. The Blazers will challenge any team in the west, with a dominant group of guys the Blazers will even challenge the Rockets. The only problem with this team is that they lack a true point guard, Smush Parker will not cut it. They need someone that can dish the rock and they need it now if they want to contend for a championship. A point guard is a must in FBB without it your team is lost. Prediction: 52- 30
Bottom Dwellers:
1. Utah Jazz: Went 1-12 in the preseason, Signed RIP in the offseason to a nice cheap deal. To bad they dont have their pick this year.
2. Twolves: 2-11 this preseason, a solid group on this roster. Stole Marion from the Knicks, high way robbery. Fuckers, Al Har paid them back with a shitty tc. Will be need some more pieces before they contend.
3. Boston Celtics: 6-10. Kirk Hinrich is the savior of this franchise. Good thing they have their picks.
4. Charlotte Hornets: 3-10. Spencer knows how to build a team, in time the hornets will be a contender, right now its all about tanking. They got the right youth to do it with, a lot of raw players. They will be good soon.
5. Toronto Raptors : 4-13. Raptor GM Saga is nearing the contract year and nothing to show for on this team. Things are not looking good went your number 1 pick Carlos Boozer still has a lot to prove. Something must be in the water in toronto, Raptors need a lot of help.
Erin Andrews reporting live at ESPN. com
2. Houston Rockets- The Rockets went 11-6 in the preseason and is coming off an amazing season. They finished with the best record in the league last year and made it all the way to the finals where they lost in 7 games to the Bucks. The Rockets look to control the western conference again this season bringing back a similar roster from last year. Carter, Fields, Bibby and Dani are all returning veterans that are a huge impact on this team. The Rockets also have plenty of depth. Their biggest and probably only weakness is the fact that they lack any sort of starter worthy big man. Mostly guys on the rockets would be great back ups, this is something that Ducky probably should address if he wants to be able to win it. I think he needs a good big man up front. His team has such good scoring guards 1 thru 3 that maybe all he needs at the 4 and 5 are defensive rebounding guys, so who knows. It works, go with it. Prediction: 57-25
3. Chicago Bulls- The Bulls come in here at third during preseason for their horrible play last season in the playoffs where they were knocked out of the first round. It is the first time in awhile we have seen such a thing coming from Chicago and it might tell us that the reign of a dynasty is finally over. I told you it last year and I will say it again, the Bulls are done. Even with an impressive 13-3 preseason I do not see the bulls going to far this year. While EP can still lead this team to another 50 win season I don’t think he has enough to take them all the way through the playoffs. Mutombo, Camby, Maxwell, all are getting older and not getting any better. Prediction: 50-32
4. Orlando Magic: The Magic bring back a very similar roster from last season and look to challenge the Bucks and Bulls, atop the eastern conference. The Magic bring back a strong squad with a good amount of depth. They went 11-6 in the preseason and look to have another great season this year. They key for the magic will be how well do Donyell Marshall, Allen Houston and Sam I am play this year. These three guys are the bread and butter for this Magic team and they need to perform at the top of their game this season. The Magic are getting older and now is the time to win it all. Elton Brand needs to make some huge strides this year for the Magic as well, they need to start seeing some big things from him. Prediction: 52-30
5. Atlanta Hawks- The hawks played an impressive 9-5 preseason. Led by allstar point guard Steve Nash the Hawks look to have another amazing year for a franchise that has not seen to many winning seasons. Young Dajuan Wagner has made tremendous strides over the past few seasons that has raised a lot of questions to many gms around the league. How good will Dajuan Wagner be? This season we will find out. Chipper has place Wagner on the block multiple times with no real bites, I think we will find out that he will want to hold onto Wagner for a long time. In the end the Hawks problem will be depth and defense, will see how far this offensive team will go. Prediction:50-32
6. New York Knicks- The knicks went 7-4 this preseason after what had been an up and down offseason. The Knicks re-signed star center Wang to a long-term deal but eventually lost star forward Shawn Marion to the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a few hours of drinking GM Dan Basone was making some gutsy calls to bring in some offensive power to help this team win now. Basone knows that this team is ready to be a championship contender but after the blow of losing marion he had to do something. GM Dan Basone brought in Manu Ginobili who had recently signed with the Detroit Pistons. Laughed around the league by his foolish move, Basone had a strange feeling that this kid was about to explode. Manu had an tremendous training camp and looks to have a career year, It may have been the scotch that did the deal but Basone will say he knew it all along. This team is fierce and will challenge the top teams in the league on any night. Prediction: 55-23
7. Dallas Mavericks- The Mavericks went 9-4 this preseason and look to be the only team that could challenge the Rockets right now. The mavs have a strong defensive team, while the GM seems to rebuilding or retooling who really knows, I think he should try to add to this team. They will probably win now anyway, so why not go for it in the weak west. Rozier and Stoud led this team to a winning record in the preseason. Prediction: 45-37
8. Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers have recently went under some GM changes this past week where GM Maniac left his duties to attend to matters in his life. A strong squad that just needs to add some pieces, the Sixers will definitely contend this year. Stephen Jackson has made some amazing strides, He could be one of the best scoring guards in the league. I see the sixers adding some pieces to this core and contending in the East, they will need to trade a bit to get some help but they are a solid team no doubt. Prediction: 48-34
9. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs went 9-7 in the preseason but I think they will have a strong regular season. The Spurs are a tough team led by the big man himself Shaq daddy. With Larry Hughes at the point this team could easily win 45 in the west. The Spurs should look to add some pieces to this team because they could really do some damage having a player like Shaq on the roster. The west is not that good, it is a shame that guys are not trying to win. GM Play knows what he is doing though, I think he will make a winner out of this team. Prediction:47:33
10. Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers come in at 10 on my list after going 6-4 in this preseason. With a roster of LJ, Zo, KG and Spree you would think this team would be one of the top teams out West and they’re. The Blazers will challenge any team in the west, with a dominant group of guys the Blazers will even challenge the Rockets. The only problem with this team is that they lack a true point guard, Smush Parker will not cut it. They need someone that can dish the rock and they need it now if they want to contend for a championship. A point guard is a must in FBB without it your team is lost. Prediction: 52- 30
Bottom Dwellers:
1. Utah Jazz: Went 1-12 in the preseason, Signed RIP in the offseason to a nice cheap deal. To bad they dont have their pick this year.
2. Twolves: 2-11 this preseason, a solid group on this roster. Stole Marion from the Knicks, high way robbery. Fuckers, Al Har paid them back with a shitty tc. Will be need some more pieces before they contend.
3. Boston Celtics: 6-10. Kirk Hinrich is the savior of this franchise. Good thing they have their picks.
4. Charlotte Hornets: 3-10. Spencer knows how to build a team, in time the hornets will be a contender, right now its all about tanking. They got the right youth to do it with, a lot of raw players. They will be good soon.
5. Toronto Raptors : 4-13. Raptor GM Saga is nearing the contract year and nothing to show for on this team. Things are not looking good went your number 1 pick Carlos Boozer still has a lot to prove. Something must be in the water in toronto, Raptors need a lot of help.
Erin Andrews reporting live at ESPN. com
