While I did find this thread, other than renaming it, I thought it would be a good idea to have an official NBA thread, not just for a specific year as the other thread suggests. (Mods please merge it with this thread if you think its a good idea).
So - as I write, it's July 2009 and imo, the NBA is heading back to a level not seen since the Jordan era. Plenty of interesting characters, thankfully the most of the gangsta culture is gone and players seem to be concentrating on the sport more again (I'm sure there's some who disagree, but compare it to the early 2000's when Iverson was dominating the league, gangsta culture was infecting the NBA like no tomorrow).
Lakers: will they repeat in the 2009-10 season as champs? I think so. The addition of Artest is a great move, and if Bynum fixes his chickenshit outfit up and gets some game back, the Lakers will definitely own the rest of the League. Mind you, they won without Bynum being much of a factor, and let's face it, Gasol is an EXTREMELY talented player, imo very under-rated. That guy is one of the most talented centres since David Robinson. His game is filled with colour and endless possibilities. I want to see the relationship between Gasol and Bryant take a step up, they did some fucking cool stuff in the Finals, but I think they have much more room to develop as a deadly duo.
Cavs: sorry, but Shaq or no Shaq, without someone at PG or SF who can back up LeBron as a scorer when the playoffs come and the pressure begins, I just don't see them being a Finals factor. Keeping Anderson Varejão was a fucking dumb mistake, they could have freed cap space to get someone who can actually PLAY. I can't remember the last time I watched a game when Varejão hit a basket. He's a hopeless addition to the CAVs. Mo Williams needs to pull his head out of his ass and step up. He needs to establish his own identity and stop kissing LeBuns. Talented, yes, but thats not enough. Maybe his maturity will step up this season, who knows? Back to Shaq: he's just strong really, thats about it. Yeah, he can pass. But I still think the Cav's will still be a one man show this season. The months coming will tell how wrong I could be...
Celtics: I would love to see a Lakers/Celtics rematch, I love both teams equally. Garnett in the latter years of his career has developed into a VERY special player imo. That guy is the shit. I hope he's healthy this year following that surgery a few months back, because if he is, and Rondo balances out his issues, the Celtics will be a force to be reckoned with, even despite their age. I love Perkins as a middle man, he's arrogant and strong and has a good deep-in-the-paint game. Allen was crusty in the playoffs, let's hope that was just a phase. And will Rasheed Wallace be much of a factor? I'd love to see them come out and torch their division.
Magic: imo Orlando hasn't had what I would call a good off-season so far. Losing Turkoglu is a massive blow imo. He had the most colourful game out of their entire roster. Gortat is gone too, and he was a great backup for Howard. Speaking of which, he needs to work HARD on his game this off-season. Imo Howard desperately needs to develop a dependable hook shot, 10-foot jumper range and a deeper post-game. I think this season's Magic is going to be in a partial rebuild phase, I don't expect them to make conference finals.
Yeah I know I haven't mentioned San Antonio. That's because I couldn't care less about them
Thoughts? Opinion? Let's get this thread rolling.
So - as I write, it's July 2009 and imo, the NBA is heading back to a level not seen since the Jordan era. Plenty of interesting characters, thankfully the most of the gangsta culture is gone and players seem to be concentrating on the sport more again (I'm sure there's some who disagree, but compare it to the early 2000's when Iverson was dominating the league, gangsta culture was infecting the NBA like no tomorrow).
Lakers: will they repeat in the 2009-10 season as champs? I think so. The addition of Artest is a great move, and if Bynum fixes his chickenshit outfit up and gets some game back, the Lakers will definitely own the rest of the League. Mind you, they won without Bynum being much of a factor, and let's face it, Gasol is an EXTREMELY talented player, imo very under-rated. That guy is one of the most talented centres since David Robinson. His game is filled with colour and endless possibilities. I want to see the relationship between Gasol and Bryant take a step up, they did some fucking cool stuff in the Finals, but I think they have much more room to develop as a deadly duo.
Cavs: sorry, but Shaq or no Shaq, without someone at PG or SF who can back up LeBron as a scorer when the playoffs come and the pressure begins, I just don't see them being a Finals factor. Keeping Anderson Varejão was a fucking dumb mistake, they could have freed cap space to get someone who can actually PLAY. I can't remember the last time I watched a game when Varejão hit a basket. He's a hopeless addition to the CAVs. Mo Williams needs to pull his head out of his ass and step up. He needs to establish his own identity and stop kissing LeBuns. Talented, yes, but thats not enough. Maybe his maturity will step up this season, who knows? Back to Shaq: he's just strong really, thats about it. Yeah, he can pass. But I still think the Cav's will still be a one man show this season. The months coming will tell how wrong I could be...
Celtics: I would love to see a Lakers/Celtics rematch, I love both teams equally. Garnett in the latter years of his career has developed into a VERY special player imo. That guy is the shit. I hope he's healthy this year following that surgery a few months back, because if he is, and Rondo balances out his issues, the Celtics will be a force to be reckoned with, even despite their age. I love Perkins as a middle man, he's arrogant and strong and has a good deep-in-the-paint game. Allen was crusty in the playoffs, let's hope that was just a phase. And will Rasheed Wallace be much of a factor? I'd love to see them come out and torch their division.
Magic: imo Orlando hasn't had what I would call a good off-season so far. Losing Turkoglu is a massive blow imo. He had the most colourful game out of their entire roster. Gortat is gone too, and he was a great backup for Howard. Speaking of which, he needs to work HARD on his game this off-season. Imo Howard desperately needs to develop a dependable hook shot, 10-foot jumper range and a deeper post-game. I think this season's Magic is going to be in a partial rebuild phase, I don't expect them to make conference finals.
Yeah I know I haven't mentioned San Antonio. That's because I couldn't care less about them
Thoughts? Opinion? Let's get this thread rolling.
