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Post by Chicago on Oct 27, 2007 15:29:55 GMT -5
The last few spots in the West are precious and anything but open territory for all of the teams you mentioned.
Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Denver, Houston & Utah should all be guaranteed top 6 seeds in the West this season, which leaves only two spots. Los Angeles is still a good team and I don't see any Kobe deals going down this season (maybe next offseason) so LA is pretty much always a lock for a 7th or 8th seed.
If LA takes the 7th seed, the only teams (in my opinion) in contention for the 8th seed are Golden State, New Orleans, and Sacramento. GS and NO are very good teams that would easily make a 6th or 7th seed in the East, so I would give them the nod first over teams that haven't proven themselves to be contenders yet (i.e. Seattle, Portland). Sacramento and LAC have already been plagued by injuries in the preseason and I don't expect either team to recover in such a miraculous way as to make an 8th seed. Seattle, Portland, Memphis and Minnesota are all young teams still trying to find a direction, which is a better way of saying "lottery-bound."
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Post by Chicago on Oct 27, 2007 17:10:55 GMT -5
Rasheed says NBA "wanted'' Cavs, LeBron in finals
Saturday, Oct 27, 2007 7:09 am EDT
It may have only been the end of the exhibition season, but Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was in mid-season form.
"I still don't think they (Cavaliers) beat us, we beat ourselves," Wallace said. "And I think we also fell victim to that personal NBA thing where they are trying to make it a world game and get (television) ratings. They wanted to put their darling in there (the NBA Finals) and they did, and look what ended up happening.
"This game ain't basketball anymore, it's entertainment," Wallace said. "It's starting to get like the WWF. There ain't no real wrestling anymore either. It's all fake."
Source: Detroit News
bahahaha
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Post by Quanthor on Oct 27, 2007 17:28:54 GMT -5
Rasheed says NBA "wanted'' Cavs, LeBron in finals
Saturday, Oct 27, 2007 7:09 am EDT
It may have only been the end of the exhibition season, but Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was in mid-season form.
"I still don't think they (Cavaliers) beat us, we beat ourselves," Wallace said. "And I think we also fell victim to that personal NBA thing where they are trying to make it a world game and get (television) ratings. They wanted to put their darling in there (the NBA Finals) and they did, and look what ended up happening.
"This game ain't basketball anymore, it's entertainment," Wallace said. "It's starting to get like the WWF. There ain't no real wrestling anymore either. It's all fake."
Source: Detroit News bahahaha Rasheed is hilarious. He's one of the few guys I miss from the "Jail Blazer" days. Detroit is still a good team, however their Defense isn't as solid and their chemistry has deteriorated a bit since Ben left. They're probably going to be a four seed in the playoffs, since they're in the same division as Chicago which are probably the best team in the east. |
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Post by Jean-Ralphio on Oct 27, 2007 21:02:12 GMT -5
Dont worry Sheed, no matter what the NBA wants, the Cavs arent going back.
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Post by Hollywood Asia on Oct 28, 2007 17:29:17 GMT -5
Not even an 8th seed, sorry to say. . The offense wasn't that good when Randolph was carrying the team in points last season, so a big drop off wouldn't surprise me now that he's in New York. Randolph didn't fit McMillan's style of coaching, which is a big reason why he was traded. He holds the ball for way too long before shooting, eating up valuable minutes and disrupting the flow. The majority of his rebounds are his own missed shots, I think it's only a matter of time before the Knicks realize what they got themselves into especially when they meet his "hoops"family"  and he couldn't play defense to save his life. So lets break it down then to see who's definitely in the playoffs. The Big GunsSpurs Suns Mavs Jazz That's four spots Probably in, but things happen Rockets - Tracy McGrady is the catalyst, but has a history of back problems which could lead to substantial time off. Denver - Not sold on these guys. They are Dysfunctional and Iverson's getting older. That's six and leaves us with Lakers - Will Kobe stay or leave? Either way even with Ficher back there isn't enough there to support the guy who doesn't. Clippers- Back court is too old, and have a hard time staying healthy T-wolves - Terrible team, perhaps the worst in the NBA Sonics - All they have is two Rookies and we don't know what to expect from them. Hornets - This team could surprise us, but we say that every year and they always come up short. Kings - Ron Artest is a ticking time bomb, especially if they don't win and Bibby and himself couldn't carry that team it's not very deep. Warriors - Last years run was entertaining to say the least, but will Davis stay healthy, could they all work together without fighting with the other team or perhaps themselves? Grizzlies - Will improve some from last year, but not enough to get into the playoffs and Portland - Aldridge will be a force in the NBA on both sides of the cour, Roy even for a Rookie was mature and had poise, Martell much improved, Outlaw hit's the boards hard and difficult to defend while he plays solid defense. I agree their bench is questionable, but Blake and Martell can play which makes a solid six man roster, which is enough to get over for the final spot. Especially when the last two to three spots are up for grabs. Rockets will def get in again |
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Nash
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 9, 2006 10:04:30 GMT -5
Posts: 2,699
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Post by Nash on Oct 28, 2007 17:40:02 GMT -5
Yeah I agree with most of what you say Chicago. I think maybe a few switches like Boston and Detroit (seeds and playoffs) and possibly a switch between the Nets and the Raptors. Also I feel that Phoenix really has a good set of guys over there to get in the finals vs. the Bulls.
Either way can't wait. 2 more days!!
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Post by Jean-Ralphio on Oct 28, 2007 17:49:03 GMT -5
Houston will be the 4-5 seed in the West
So here are my predictions
East:
1. Boston (HOMER)
2. Detroit
3. Chicago
4. Orlando
5. Toronto
6. Cleveland
7. Miami
8. Washington
9. Atlanta
10. Milwaukee
11. New Jersey
12. Charlotte
13. Indiana Pacers
14. Philadelphia 76ers
15. NY Knicks
West
1. Phoenix
2. Dallas
3. San Antonio
4. Utah
5. Houston
6. Denver
7. Golden State
8. Memphis
9. Sacto Kings
10. Lakers
11. Hornets
12. Clippers
13. Seattle
14. Blazers
15. Minnesota
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Post by Cult Member BriGuy on Oct 28, 2007 17:51:16 GMT -5
kobe to chicago, please
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Post by Hollywood Asia on Oct 28, 2007 17:57:50 GMT -5
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle brought up Houston thinking about Kobe.
Doubtful as Houston won't have enough to trade....
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Post by Jean-Ralphio on Oct 28, 2007 18:03:35 GMT -5
Chicago, and maybe the Wolves now, Jazz maybe and the Suns have the talent or tradeable assets to make the move
The Wolves dont want him, nor do the Jazz, the Suns dont want to give up Marion so its all down to the Bulls, but if they give up too much, then they become the Lakers in the Midwest
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Post by Chicago on Oct 28, 2007 18:05:37 GMT -5
I hope nobody trades for Kobe, seriously.
Any team that trades for him that is a possible contender (Chicago, Dallas, etc) might as well call themselves LA too, since that is exactly what their team will end up like.
This isn't like Boston's dire situation; these teams aren't making trades with their backs already against the wall. Chicago or Dallas or whoever is guaranteeing themselves a first-round playoff exit and Kobe exit come two years from now.
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Post by Cult Member BriGuy on Oct 28, 2007 18:22:36 GMT -5
One trade rumor I read was Deng, Gordon, Thomas, AND Noah for Kobe. That's way too much.
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Nash
Main Eventer
Joined on: Sept 9, 2006 10:04:30 GMT -5
Posts: 2,699
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Post by Nash on Oct 28, 2007 18:40:00 GMT -5
kobe please stay the hell away from the bulls. giving up Gordon, Wallace, Deng, and probably others would just be an assine decision for the Bulls.
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Post by Quanthor on Oct 28, 2007 20:02:52 GMT -5
kobe please stay the hell away from the bulls. giving up Gordon, Wallace, Deng, and probably others would just be an assine decision for the Bulls. If the Lakers DO decide to trade Kobe, they won't get much in return othre than myabe a couple of mediocre prospects and expiring contracts to unload the following season. Since Kobe went so publicly about wanting to leave, that puts the Lakers in a tough spot in terms of negotiations. Every team is in a better position to take advantage of them because of Kobe's willingness to leave, they will not get face value. |
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Post by Chicago on Oct 28, 2007 20:25:07 GMT -5
kobe please stay the hell away from the bulls. giving up Gordon, Wallace, Deng, and probably others would just be an assine decision for the Bulls. If the Lakers DO decide to trade Kobe, they won't get much in return othre than myabe a couple of mediocre prospects and expiring contracts to unload the following season. Since Kobe went so publicly about wanting to leave, that puts the Lakers in a tough spot in terms of negotiations. Every team is in a better position to take advantage of them because of Kobe's willingness to leave, they will not get face value. Yes, but they aren't just going to give him away for nothing. Without Kobe, LA is  ed. Regardless of who they bring in, the Lakers will become a lottery team for countless seasons. To add to that, attendance for home games will likely suffer, as well as merchandise sales for the team. For LA, trading or keeping Kobe is really a lose-lose situation. |
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Post by cjs. on Oct 28, 2007 20:40:34 GMT -5
Is NBA on in the UK?
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Post by Quanthor on Oct 29, 2007 17:23:01 GMT -5
Will anybody be watching the opening game of the season?
You know the game between Blazers and the Spurs?
The game where Blazers are poised to dominate the boards, score more points and pull out an upset victory over the defending champs?
That game?
I will be. ;D
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Post by Chicago on Oct 29, 2007 18:21:06 GMT -5
Will anybody be watching the opening game of the season? You know the game between Blazers and the Spurs? The game where Blazers are poised to dominate the boards, score more points and pull out an upset victory over the defending champs? That game? I will be. ;D Of course. Got the NBA League Pass all set up on DirecTV so I can watch HD games until my eyes fall out of my skull. |
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Post by Hollywood Asia on Oct 29, 2007 22:32:30 GMT -5
NBA League Pass should be free for a week on Time Warner
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