Wednesday, October 27, 2010

2010-2011 NBA Power Rankings (Pre-Season)


1.)  Who else deserves the #1 Ranking?  Phil Jackson looks to go for a record 3rd 3 peat, and Kobe should primed to match MJ's ring count at 6.  New additions of Steve Blake and Matt Barnes wont hurt but Bynum must be healthy.


2.) The C's are loaded!  How many teams have a second unit that can possibly beat your 1st team?  Shaq is in Gang Green and should be a force in a limited role.  They figured it out late last year, I wouldn't be surprised if they make a deep playoff run again.



3.) The new big 3 have only logged in 3 minutes of action this pre-season.  With Wade sidelined until the opener, they are not deserving of a #1 or #2 spot.  However, once we get to see 3 future Hall of Farmer's on the court at the same time, all in their prime..well then we will
                    reevaluate. 



4.) Compared to other teams Disneyland had a pretty quiet offseason.  Duhon is the new backup point guard and JJ Reddick will push Vince Carter for minutes but everything else is the same. 


5.) I don't know why but I like the Mavs.  They made some positive pickups in the offseason in Chandler, and Beaubois should provide a spark each night. Dirk has to be Dirk almost every night though, but they have the pieces.


6.) Kevin Durant is the trendy pick this year to win the MVP.  Is he ready?  He looked ready in the summer helping the USA to a gold in the Worlds.  His teammates outside of Westbrook and Harden look shaky.  The Lakers wont take them lightly again -- see Denver 2 seasons ago.


7.) Chicago missed out on the Big free agents but they settled for Carlos Boozer.  He is a double double waiting to happen and should pair up good with Noah on the boards.  Just cant help but think about Boozer, Melo and Rose on the same team.  Hmm...


8.) The Jazz acquired Al Jefferson who was a beast in Minnesota to replace Carlos Boozer.  Can he do that on a winning team?  I think he can, and the Jazz should hover around the 5th seed in the West.  They will be no easy pushover come playoff time.


9.) The Spurs are missing something, and that something may be the talented center Splitter who they selected to pair up with Duncan.  Coach Pop vows to insert the running game this year, makes since to get some easy buckets. 

10.) Jennings and company put a 1st round scare in the Hawks without center Andrew Bogut.  That was a favorable match up for them, and I don't expect them to win a series this year or their division.  Teams will be ready for the Deer. 


11.) Is this the year that Greg Oden stays healthy the entire season?  If Oden can stay on the court then they will be trouble.  Rudy Fernandez wants out, but you cant tell when hes on the floor, as he looks like a 6th man of the year shoe-in so far this preseason.  Oh yeah and Brandon Roy is still there. 

12.)  They played so hard down the stretch last year without Yao, imagine how dangerous they will be with him.  They lack perimeter defense with Kevin Martin at the 2, but Courtney Lee and rookie Patrick Patterson should make immediate impacts. 


13.) The Suns will take a step back this year in my opinion.  Sure they have Nash and a happy go lucky offense but Hakim Warrick is no Amare.  Good to see Hedo back on a team with a shot, but they will fall short of the playoffs in the competitive Western Conference.


14.) If Mel were actually going to be in Denver the whole season then they would be ranked higher.  C'mon he is in a NY state of mind and they need to pull the trigger on this trade sooner than later if they want to have a chance at the post season.

15.) Amare looks like the man for the Knicks and rightfully so..but I want Melo in NY!  Nuff said..
16.) The Hawks have made no significant upgrades this offseason so they should be satisfied with making the playoffs and bowing out in the second round...again.  (Yes I'm upset and I live in ATL)

17.) I really like their young nucleus of talent in Mayo, Gay and Thabeet.  Z-Bo is a monster and if Thabeet can figure it out on the fly this year then they will be a threat out West.  I like them to make an OKC type run this year.

18.) The Elton Brand signing 2 summers ago never made any sense, and it still doesn't today.  Too many athletes built around and old classic .  This team lack identity but they do have some talent in AI2, Holiday and Turner.

 
19.) The Bobcats signed Shaun Livingston and Kwame Brown and lost their starting point guard in Raymond Felton.  They will not make the playoffs and Brown will likely ride into the sunset either mid-season or at the end. 

20.) Can you blame CP3 for wanting to leave N.O?  They brought in Ariza but I'm not sure that will be enough.  After Melo jumps to NY then New Orleans will have a troubled star on their hands. 

21.) They have loads of young talent in Wall, Blatche and McGee.  Once you factor in the unknowns of Josh Howard, and of course Gilbert Arenas you have either a sleeper team or a combustible one. 

22.) The Clippers should be ready to make a run at the playoffs with Blake Griffin looking every bit like the ROY.  I expect them to lose a lot of close games, but they will play hard each night.

23.) Golden State has a solid nucleus of talent in Curry, Lee, and Ellis.  However, gone are the other good talents such as Randolph, and Morrow.  They wont make the playoffs but will be fun to watch.

24.)  I really like this team, and I will be personally pulling for them all season.  Tyreke Evans is a stud (Charles Barkley voice) and Cousins will be a force down low..add in their other reserves and you have a decent bunch that will compete every night.

25.) The Pacers are still in my opinion 1 year away from breaking through.  There are only 8 playoff spots (Technically only 4-Mia/Bos/Orl/Chi) and I don't see the Pacers grabbing any of those.

26.) Who is more dissapointed the players or the fans?  Byron Scott will make them competitive but thats about it. 

27.) Michael Beasley gets a fresh start in Minnesota and he looked sharp in the pre-season.  Sadly, the Wolves lost 20/10 Al Jefferson and that is a tough void to fill. 

28.)  Canada, Oh Canada!  No Bosh = No playoffs! 
 
 
 
29.)  They have no true identity..think about it?  A handful of players with no legitimate go to guy in the clutch.  Trade assets galore though, Joey D has got to make a splash in the Big D.


30.) The Nets have got to prove to the world that they are better.  If you think about it they have only added a 19 yr old unproven rookie -- Derrick Favors.  Lottery bound.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

You will forgive LeBron by Game #...?


After the fallout of the "Decision" a lot of people jumped off the LeBron Express and felt betrayed by his actions to bolt for South Beach. 

We as students of the game always can find some way to move past the personal decisions of players and just focus on the game while other fans can not.  So, how long before people jump back on the Heat bandwagon and start claiming LeBron the best ever..again? 

Lets take a look at some of the upcoming games that the Heat have and see the timeline for LeBrons return to Worldwide Fame. 

1.) Heat -vs- Pistons Tues Oct 5th
This is the first glimpse of the new look Heat with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh all on center court in exhibition   After a no look alley oop from Wade to LeBron could the masses truly forgive him on Day 1?  Too soon?  Ok lets move forward.

2.) Heat-vs- Celtics Tues Oct 26
In the first regular season game the new Big 3 takes on the old Big 3 (literally) plus some new additions in former teammate of Wade and Lebron; Shaquille Oneal.  After the Heat dismantle the Celtics in the first game of the regular season ESPN will praise the Heat as Championship Contenders.  Will people love him now?

3.) Heat -vs- Magic Fri Oct 29
Superman and company will welcome the Heat to Orlando in this division showdown.  Will Dwight have a field day on the opposing Heat big men, or will LeBron be motivated to go for 50 since Dwight Howard thinks Kevin Durant is a better player than him?  After only a week into the season most fans should be getting the itch to root for King James again. 

4.) Heat -vs- Cavaliers Thurs Dec 2nd
Hopefully LeBron takes out an ad in the Cleveland Plain Dealer personally thanking the fans for their support over his 7 yr career with the Cavs.  If not LeBron could lose some ground as he takes on his old team that he left behind for South Beach.  He will want to play good, but not too good to embarrass the franchise that he was supposed to lead to a title. 

5.) Heat -vs- Lakers Sat Dec 25th
The match up that we will have all been waiting to see thus far is here.  Heat/Lakers on Christmas Day!  If King James and company can dismantle the Lakers (like his Cavs did last year) then EVERYONE (and I mean everyone outside of La La Land) will crown the Heat.  If the Lakers lose they will bounce back, but from a PR standpoint this is a must win for LeBron James and the Heat. 

Peace,
Agent34