nazgul
For some reason, this pic makes me think about Dr. Loomis' speech about evil...

The Atlanta Hawks

Holy crappity crap, the Hawks are screwed. Seriously, they are so screwed.

Think about it. The Hawks were a middle of the road defensive team (14th in Defensive Efficiency at 104.0) that somehow managed to be one of the Association's better offensive squads (3rd in Offensive Efficiency at 108.9) despite the fact that most of their sets revolved around isolating Joe Johnson or getting Jamal Crawford open for a jump shot. It helped that the rest of the Hawks selflessly crashed the boards and the team as a whole managed to avoid turning the ball over. Oh, and Atlanta didn't suffer any major injuries.

With all the aforementioned serendipity, the Dirty Birds managed 53 wins, which, in the Leastern Conference, was good enough for the third seed. But in the playoffs, they barely avoided first round elimination against the Bucks before getting absolutely obliterated by the Magic. Allow me to share the scores from that four-game sweep: 114-74, 112-98, 105-75, 98-84. Swept by an average of 24.5 PPG.

Ouchies.

Even at their absolute best with nobody getting hurt and everything going right, the 2009-10 Hawks were nowhere near good enough to compete for a title. Or even a respectable series against a contender.

So what's different about the 2010-11 Hawks? Uhm, they fired coach Mike Woodson and hired Larry Drew to be their new head coach; they signed Joe Johnson to a six-year, $123.7 million deal, otherwise known as "The absolute worst contract handed out during the summer in which Darko 'Manna from Heaven' Milicic got $20 million"; drafted a couple bums; signed Josh Powell to a one-year deal at the vet's minimum; traded Josh Childress to the Suns for a second-round pick; signed Etan Thomas to a one-year deal at the vet's minimum.

In essence, the Hawks didn't get any better while at the same time destroying all future cap flexibility by giving Johnson what will probably be remembered as the most horrific contract of this decade. There's no way the Hawks will win 50 games again -- let's face it, Crawford won't have another career year, Johnson is only going to get worse and the rest of the team just isn't that good -- but they'll probably win 40-45, make the playoffs, and get sent home early and cruelly. Just like last season.

you fail

Sorry, Hawks fans.

The Charlotte Bobcats

Over the past several days, there's been a lot of chatter on the Interwebs about whether Michael Jordan could score 100 points in today's game. But here's a better, more relavant question:

Can Jordan's team, the Charlotte Bobcats, score 100 points in today's game?

Last season, the 'Cats ranked 28th in PPG (95.3), 26th in Pace Factor (90.4 possessions per 48 minutes) and 24th in Offensive Efficiency (101.5). Of course, they ranked first in Opponent's PPG (93.8) and Defensive Efficiency (100.2), which just goes to show you that this is a typical Larry Brown team: Slow it down, grind it out, churn out regular season wins, make the playoffs, get eliminated early.

And that's pretty much what happened last season. Brown coaxed 44 wins out of squad with more gaping holes than Anal Bimbos 27: Buttier Than Ever. Against all reason, Larry goaded his team to the franchise's first ever playoff appearance...during which they were mashed to an oozing pulp by the Orlando Magic. Still, it was yet another example of how Brown squeezes every last drop of talent out of his team. Before he quits on them and moves onto the next team, that is.

Still, the Bobcats are a deeply flawed bunch. And in case you're wondering how those flaws were "addressed," I'm about to tell you. Jordan let Raymond Felton walk; pulled Shaun Livingston out of his NBA grave; signed Tirade Thomas to a five-year, $40 million mistake; flipped Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca for Matt Carroll, Eduardo Najera and Erick Dampier's dumpable deal (this wasn't even a salary saver, btw, as the 'Cats merely broke even on the deal, essentially giving Chandler away for nada); signed Dominic McGuire (defense yes, offense no); and signed Kwame Brown, leading to to several days worth of "What the f*** is up with MJ and Kwame Brown?!"

So basically, Charlotte didn't improve at all. Hell, they might have gotten a little worse.

Look, I understand the whole "Defense Wins Championships" concept, and to a large extent, I agree. That said, NBA teams are still expected to score more points than their opponents. Can you see this squad doing that against the top tier teams? Or even the middle tier teams on a consistent basis. Brown can probably cattle prod another 35-40 wins out of this group of castoffs, assuming 1) he maintains his intensity and committment to the team and 2) the players keep drinking his Kool-Aid.

Still, I don't know how the 'Cats are going to get by without a real, honest-to-goodness point guard. Last season, Felton did a decent enough job masquerading as a PG in order to earn a contract. But Livingston of the Living Dead is not an answer to anything other than "What is one of the saddest stories in NBA history?"

The Miami Heat

I'm not going to go on and on about this team. I mean, we're all a little sick of hearing and reading about them already, right?

Here's as brief a summary as I can manage: They're going to be awesome. For the most part, Pat Riley surrounded the Nazgul with enough talent to contend despite cap limitations (something many people thought he couldn't do). Miami is strong on the perimeter but f***ed at center. They won't win 70 games this season, but they're a lock for 60+ wins and a deep playoff run. Not sure they're going to get by Boston or Orlando (or the Lakes if they make it to the Finals) this season, but the Heat are going to win a title some time in the next few years. Just accept that and move on.

The Orlando Magic

The Magic are one of those trick-or-treat "contenders." They're really, really good -- last season they ranked 2nd in both Offensive Efficiency (109.5) and Defensive Efficiency (102.2) -- and yet not quite good enough, you know? I mean, look at their three best players. Unless Hakeem Olajuwon worked some serious voodoo this summer, Dwight Howard's offensive game still isn't polished enough to prevent him from getting shut down by big, talented frontcourts (such as the ones he'll face in Boston and L.A.). Vince Carter is a superstar against lesser teams who's guaranteed to disappear or quit in the playoffs. Ditto for Rashard Lewis, only with 20% more disappearing.

Who's going to step up and lead this team when it really counts? J.J. Redick?

Look, Quentin Richardson gives them more three-point shooting and Chris Duhon will be decent as a backup point guard, but the team lost toughness when Matt Barnes walked and their best three players don't have the skills or mental fortitude necessary to beat out the Celtics, Heat (maybe) or Lakers. And frankly, I only see Carter and Lewis declining, while I'm not sure Howard hasn't maxed out as a basketball player (again, unless The Dream has actually physically possessed him).

Orlando is going to win 55-60 games and flame out in the playoffs. Again. Years from now, we're going to look back on their five-game loss to the Lakers in the NBA Finals and realize that was this team's apex.

The Washington Wizards

Washington messed up, okay? The Wizards settled on a core of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. They gave those guys big contracts and tried to build around them. And that was a real boner.

Still, the Wiz have been trying to fix the problem. Jamison and Butler are now in different zip codes, and Arenas will be gone about 0.1 seconds after some idiot team agrees to take on his cap-gobbling contract. Which, unfortunately for Washington fans, will probably be never.

Oh well. Two out of three ain't bad.

On the bright side, the Wizards got crazy lucky, winning the NBA draft lottery and selecting future superstar John Wall with the number one overall pick. Apparently, that good fortune was too much for Washington's batshit front office to accept, so they tried to negate that dumb luck by trading for Kirk Hinrich.

Don't get me wrong. Captain Kirk is a solid backup PG who provides solid defense, can play three positions and will be an excellent veteran mentor for Wall. But as ESPN's John Hollinger pointed out, based on the workings of this particular deal, the Wizards basically paid $3 million to take on Hinrich's contract, which will cost them $17 million over the next two seasons.

I guess they just love bad contracts in Washington.

Other offseason moves included: Trading for Chairman Yi, letting a trio of vets (Mike Miller, Randy Foye, James Singleton) depart for greener pastures, signing Hilton Armstrong (yawn), signing Josh Howard (whatever) and giving Andray "Shoot It If Ya Got It" Blatch a three-year, $28 million extension.

That's it. That's the state of Washington's rebuilding effort thus far. Sweet Jesus. I haven't seen something this poorly thought out since KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park:


I'm not sure how this ragtag bunch of shothappy bums and fools is going to win more than 25-30 games. Drafting Wall and adding a savvy vet like Hinrich will help, but this team is a flat-out mess. The Wizards are still several years -- at minimum -- from returning to anything remotely resembling respectability. And the artist formerly known as Agent Zero has become a depressing slob with a crummy beard.

Another season of Washing Generals jokes anyone?

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33 Comments:
Anonymous Marc d. said...
Miami is a "lock" for 60+ wins? Really Bawful? Really?

I don't think 60+ wins is a lock for ANYONE. I don't care if a team has five superstars (IE: double Miami's number). There's still a few little things like chemistry, coaching, health, and some good old-fashioned luck that need to come together in order to create a great team.

ESPN's got you drinking their red and white coloured kool-aid, I see.

Blogger Cortez said...
"Dwight Howard's offensive game still isn't polished enough..."

Maybe the Dream should have started with showing him how to extend his fucking arm at the elbow. WTF is up with that? He does it on every type of shot imaginable. It's as if he has invisible, muscle bound, pixies holding his arm back on every shot he takes. Weird.

Anonymous SirGirthNasty said...
So, the Knicks have made progress in acquiring Amar'''''e from the Nuggets. Which begs the question, how bad do you think a D'antoni coached team with 'Melo and Amar''''e as the centerpieces will be at defense? I predict opponents averaging 150ppg.

Blogger Basketbawful said...
Miami is a "lock" for 60+ wins? Really Bawful? Really?

I don't think 60+ wins is a lock for ANYONE. I don't care if a team has five superstars (IE: double Miami's number). There's still a few little things like chemistry, coaching, health, and some good old-fashioned luck that need to come together in order to create a great team.

ESPN's got you drinking their red and white coloured kool-aid, I see.


I have two reasons for thinking this. First is the Basketbawful Law of Probability, which states that anything I don't want to happen WILL happen. Why the hell else do you think Kobe currently has five rings?

Second is this: Over the last two seasons, the Cavaliers won 66 and 61 games with LeBron James, a group of marginal NBA players, and the magnificent "asleep at the wheel" coaching of one Mr. Mike Brown.

Now LeBron is teamed up with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, a bunch of marginal NBA players and a decent coach in Erik Spoelstra (he's better than Brown anyway).

I get that the popular notion among the anti-Heaters is that the Super Friends won't be able to play together, particularly ball hawks like 'Bron and Wade. I think that's bunk. I think they'll get along splendidly, if only because all the hate has given them an awful lot of motivation.

Hey, I could be wrong. I'd like nothing more than to be wrong. But barring injury, I can't see this team failing to notch 60 wins. If they do fail to do so, feel free to remind me about it at the end of the season.

Maybe the Dream should have started with showing him how to extend his fucking arm at the elbow. WTF is up with that? He does it on every type of shot imaginable. It's as if he has invisible, muscle bound, pixies holding his arm back on every shot he takes. Weird.

Dude, his muscles are so powerful at this point he simply CANNOT STOP FLEXING. I have the same problem.

So, the Knicks have made progress in acquiring Amar'''''e from the Nuggets. Which begs the question, how bad do you think a D'antoni coached team with 'Melo and Amar''''e as the centerpieces will be at defense? I predict opponents averaging 150ppg.

I know that first line is a typo, but the theoretical idea of the Knicks acquiring their own player from the Nuggets totally strikes me as something that could have actually happened during the Isiah Thomas Era. Man, that era is the gift that keeps on giving...

But yeah, the utter defenselessness of an Amar''''''e/'Melo pairing could be truly historic. Let's keep our fingers crossed for this. Ooo! And if Chris Paul ended up in New York? Can you IMAGINE? Remember how the 1991 Denver Nuggets scored 120 PPG while giving up 130 PPG? I think that theoretical Knicks team could totally surpass that.

Blogger Leland said...
If you would have told me in the year 2009 that the highest paid player in the league for 2010 was a career 17pts 4assists 4boards, and coming off a 2nd round sweep in the previous years playoffs, whose point production has been declining the past three years (considered said player's prime years), who has never shot greater than 50% from the field, whose PER has never been 5 points greater than the league average, where said player's PER has only exceeded the league average twice in five playoff appearances, and whose pay will increase for the next 6 seasons ending with $20+ million for said players final season at which point said player will be 35 years old....

i might have guessed that the clippers hired Isaiah Thomas & Billy King to run the team, and i would have no idea who that player was, but i sure as hell know that that contract is putrid and franchise crippling

Anonymous Karc said...
At least Charlotte will sweep the Lakers in the regular season. They almost always do.

Anonymous kazam92 said...
I don't know. I think the wizards can make some noise even though they have a glut at SF. Has an NBA player ever shifted from full time PG to SF? I wonder how Gil adjusts

Anonymous Marc d. said...
I understand the Basketbawful Law of Probability, but since you have now vehemently defended the Miami cHeat's ability to get 60+ wins, didn't you just reverse stat curse them into not even coming close?

I sure hope so!

Anonymous AK Dave said...
I don't think Washington will be that awful for a couple reasons:

1) John Wall is going to make us all forget about Brandon Jennings' season. Have you SEEN him play? Dominant, pure PG. I think he'll average close to 20/8/4 or thereabout.

2) Andray Blatche gives them a real post presence. Inside-outside game anyone?

3) Gilbert Arenas is no longer depended on. As a result, if he is being a douche, the coach can pull him. If he produces: great! If not, they have other weapons.

Furthermore, Gill can clearly no longer even pretend to be the team leader (Hinrich, Wall the captains), and that is the best news they have had in WAS for a while. In fact, I think WAS's captains are going to make a difference. Leadership matters.

Finally, I think that WAS is going to really screw people up with their 3-guard attack. Hinrich is a proven perimiter defender, and I believe Wall is going to be solid as well. Wall-Hinrich-Arenas has been pretty fun to watch.

***

Those are just a few thoughts. I don't think they're going to make the playoffs (PLAYOFFS?!!), but they *could*, and I think they will be better with good leadership and stronger guard play.

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
SHOENE puts the Heat right on 60 wins. Considering the weakness of the East, and their core players, I don't see what the issue is. Then again, SHOENE projects the Warriors for 49 wins, so w/e.

My adjusted predictions:
Eastern Conference W  L
Miami Heat* (5) C 66 16
Chicago Bulls* (8) C 56 26
Orlando Magic* (2) C 52 30
Boston Celtics* (4) C 47 35
Milwaukee Bucks* (6) C 46 36
Atlanta Hawks* (3) C 45 37
New Jersey Nets (15) C 42 40
New York Knickerbockers (11) C 41 41
Indiana Pacers (10) C 33 49
Charlotte Bobcats* (7) C 32 50
Cleveland Cavaliers* (1) C 30 52
Washington Wizards (14) C 27 55
Toronto Raptors (9) C 26 56
Philadelphia 76ers (12) C 23 59
Detroit Pistons (12) C 20 62

Western Conference W  L
Los Angeles Lakers* (1) C 55 27
Portland Trail Blazers* (6) C 53 29
Oklahoma City Thunder* (6) C 52 30
Dallas Mavericks* (2) C 47 35
San Antonio Spurs* (6) C 46 36
Utah Jazz* (4) C 45 37
Phoenix Suns* (3) C 44 38
New Orleans Hornets (11) C 44 38
Houston Rockets (9) C 43 39
Denver Nuggets* (4) C 42 40
Memphis Grizzlies (10) C 41 41
Golden State Warriors (13) C 40 42
Sacramento Kings (14) C 39 43
Minnesota Timberwolves (15) C 29 53
Los Angeles Clippers (12) C 24 58

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
Also, Blatche averaged 5.1 assists in April, after getting comfortable in his starting role in March. Here's me hoping he'll retain that 36+ min/game, for the good of Washington and my fantasy team. Still don't see them winning 30+ though.

Anonymous Hellshocked said...
AK Dave, even in your tempered non playoff expectations I think you might be overselling Washington. John Wall will certainly be a good player this season but he will get his ass handed to him on defense pretty much every night.

Andray Blatche refuses to play in the post, refuses to pass the ball, refuses to play defense and bitches when he doesn't get 15 shots a game. Talented he certainly is, but re-signing him was a big, BIG mistake on their part.

All their big men (except for the oh so rare occasions when Blatche gives a crap)are poor defenders and even worse rebounders.

Finally, I really don't see that three guard attack you mentioned, which they've been using in the preseason, working. Hinrich is a tough sob, but he's an inconsistent shooter, a poor finisher inside and 6'4 at best. Not somebody I would want manning the three for very long.

While I would like to see Washington turn the corner, I don't see it happening this season. In fact, I am predicting another Blatche bitch fest directed at his coach (like last year), more Gil drama (unless they find someone dumb enough to take him, Minnesota, maybe?)and an average of 95 points scored, 101 allowed. The Wizards need to dump Gil and Blatche asap, imo, and just hand the reins to Wall. It's not the same thing to go through a lottery season full of drama, bad attitudes and power plays than through a lottery season of tough team play and their future franchise guard learning the ropes.

Joe Johnson's contract will be the worst int he NBA within two seasons. Everybody knows it. Everybody knew it at the time of the signing and two years from now nobody will be even the slightest bit surprised by how it turns out. I bet Knicks fans are rejoicing.

The only positives I see for Atlanta this season are a new offense (the coach is going out of his way to get the ball out of Joe Johnson's hands and to reduce the team's reliance on isolation plays) and a stronger and (hopefully) improved Al Horford. Even so, it's far more likely they get swept in the first round of the playoffs than that they make the second.

Also, call me a curmudgeon but I also hope Miami does not get 60 or an extended playoff run. Odds are it will happen, given the sorry state of the Eastern Conference, but bah. Humbug. In my dream scenario they get out-rebounded, out-hustled and out-toughed in the playoffs, falling to Boston or (less likely unless Dwight Howard learns more about the post in 6 months than he has in 20 years) Orlando.

Anonymous Barry said...
Not sure about the Lakers on top. Yeah they are awesome (that hurt me) but I think they'll just stop bothering near the end of the season, be happy with a 2nd seed and limp into the play-offs only to turn it on after the first round.

Anonymous Karc said...
Way to get my hopes up Skeets...

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2010/10/20/pau-and-kobe-suspended-for-season/

Blogger Unknown said...
@AnacondaHL: The Bulls at #2? The Nets at #7!?! Whaaatttt! Then again, it is the Leastern, and looking at teams 8 through 15, you're probably right. I honestly think that every team after Milwaukee has a shot at the 7- and 8-seeds...except for Cleveland and Toronto, which are basically D-League teams at this point.

And the Clippers worse than the T'Wolves? I love Love (rim shot!) and Manna from Heaven might have a resurgence (hold your laughter down), but the Clippers actually have talent at four positions. Then again, it's the Clippers, and their owner is a racist, and their PG doesn't give a shit...Sorry, last in the West sounds right.

Anonymous The Other Chris said...
@AK Dave

Andray Blatche has the stench of Eddy Curry 2.0 about him. All the talent in the world, all the attitude problems and lack of discipline too. The jury is still very much out on that particular head case, IMO.

Ah, my beloved Craptors.. 8th-15th in the East is a garbage dump, anyone could finish anywhere. Except for the Cavs. They are finishing dead, stinking, last. Book it.

Blogger Unknown said...
For future Nazgul references:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emT3d7axKMM&feature=related

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
Sorbo - There's eleven Eastern Conference teams projected to lose 40 or more, so someone's gotta go at the bottom.

As for the west, Minnesota actually did well this preseason, and they have a good defensive team (if you believe in Darko). The Clippers, OTOH, will likely leave poor Eric Gordon as the last un-injured starter and have no bench.

Anonymous Hellshocked said...
AK Dave, even in your tempered non playoff expectations I think you might be overselling Washington. John Wall will certainly be a good player this season but he will get his ass handed to him on defense pretty much every night.

Andray Blatche refuses to play in the post, refuses to pass the ball, refuses to play defense and bitches when he doesn't get 15 shots a game. Talented he certainly is, but re-signing him was a big, BIG mistake on their part.

All their big men (except for the oh so rare occasions when Blatche gives a crap)are poor defenders and even worse rebounders.

Finally, I really don't see that three guard attack you mentioned, which they've been using in the preseason, working. Hinrich is a tough sob, but he's an inconsistent shooter, a poor finisher inside and 6'4 at best. Not somebody I would want manning the three for very long.

While I would like to see Washington turn the corner, I don't see it happening this season. In fact, I am predicting another Blatche bitch fest directed at his coach (like last year), more Gil drama (unless they find someone dumb enough to take him, Minnesota, maybe?)and an average of 95 points scored, 101 allowed. The Wizards need to dump Gil and Blatche asap, imo, and just hand the reins to Wall. It's not the same thing to go through a lottery season full of drama, bad attitudes and power plays than through a lottery season of tough team play and their future franchise guard learning the ropes.

Joe Johnson's contract will be the worst int he NBA within two seasons. Everybody knows it. Everybody knew it at the time of the signing and two years from now nobody will be even the slightest bit surprised by how it turns out. I bet Knicks fans are rejoicing.

The only positives I see for Atlanta this season are a new offense (the coach is going out of his way to get the ball out of Joe Johnson's hands and to reduce the team's reliance on isolation plays) and a stronger and (hopefully) improved Al Horford. Even so, it's far more likely they get swept in the first round of the playoffs than that they make the second.

Also, call me a curmudgeon but I also hope Miami does not get 60 or an extended playoff run. Odds are it will happen, given the sorry state of the Eastern Conference, but bah. Humbug. In my dream scenario they get out-rebounded, out-hustled and out-toughed in the playoffs, falling to Boston or (less likely unless Dwight Howard learns more about the post in 6 months than he has in 20 years) Orlando.

Blogger Preveen said...
I think " with more gaping holes than Anal Bimbos 27: Buttier Than Ever" is just the most awesome phrase I have ever read about a basketball team!

And I stayed with a team through a 15 win season hoping for a turn around and here it is. So here's hoping Marc d. chokes on his jealous haterade.

I sure hope so!

Anonymous Marc d. said...
Preveen: I think you meant "delicious" haterade.

Mmmmmm... haterade! good for what ails ya!

Anonymous Anonymous said...
The Other Chris:

I actually have the Cavs winning 35 games, maybe even more. Here's why.

People think their roster is a garbage dump, but they have actual legitimate NBA players. Varejao, Hickson, Jamison, Mo, Powe, Gibson, Moon. I mean, is this team a great team? No. But I can't possibly see this team as worse than the Nets or the Craptors.

This team actually plays defense. Good defense. They're subtracting Shaq (defensive liability) and adding by subtraction in that Varejao/Hickson's minutes are going up. This means that their defense at the big position improves dramatically. They're subtracting Lebron who was good defensively but vastly overrated. This team will still be in the top half of the league defensively, maybe even top 10. And when you have a good consistent defense, you can randomly snipe off some wins that you "shouldn't" get, especially if one of your guys actually gets hot. Charlotte did that for the past 2 years.

Blogger Basketbawful said...
I understand the Basketbawful Law of Probability, but since you have now vehemently defended the Miami cHeat's ability to get 60+ wins, didn't you just reverse stat curse them into not even coming close?

[steeples fingers]

All is proceeding according to plan...

Also, Blatche averaged 5.1 assists in April, after getting comfortable in his starting role in March. Here's me hoping he'll retain that 36+ min/game, for the good of Washington and my fantasy team.

Allow me to quote a press release dated September 24, 2010:

"The Washington Wizards have signed forward Andray Blatche to a contract extension that will pay him around $35 million over the next five years."

Need I say more?

Also, no way the Bulls will win 56 games. Not with their brutal scheduling quirks and Boozer being out for the first month-plus.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
The Cavaliers won 66 games with The Queen and a bunch of bums.

The SuperFriends could win 70 if they gave half of a shit.

As for the playoffs, I'll quote the immortal NotMikeDunleavy: "It's hard to see how the Heat get past the Celtics in the East. You know, unless they play basketball to determine who advances."

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
"The Washington Wizards have signed forward Andray Blatche to a contract extension that will pay him around $35 million over the next five years."

FFFFUUUUUUUU-

Blogger Murcy said...
it seems to me that much of the hate towards miami is stemming from

a) all the media hate
and
b) jealousy.

it's just like with the lakers, or the yankees. they have very-very good players, by all acounts a great city and a really, really unlikeable leader (though I personally have no problem with LeCrab). anyway: I have for some time now considered Wade the best player in the NBA (since his championship I think) so if Miami wins a number of championships now, I'm all for it. anything but the Lakers again. I'm okay with the Magic or Boston as well. I just think that the anti-miami sentiments are getting ridicolous. and no, not from you Bawful, more like in the comments. although this site is much better in this regard than all the idiotic "LEBRON IZ TEH SHITZZ, DIE!!!" trolls. people here are actually intelligent. and me.

WV: particar. the heat will go around town in a particar when they win. and lebron will go to cleveland with it.

Anonymous Stockton said...
Portland over Utah?? That's funny... ok, Jazz have the whole "if stay healthy" thing, but still they were pretty tough to beat last season, and added the 2 missing pieces: defense and toughness in the persons of Bell and Jeferson (ok, ok, IF they stay healthy).
And Jeferson is born to play the pick and roll... now sloan can take from his drawer all his offensive plays including center-post moves which he made for Ostertag before realizing he was... Ostertag.
Oh, and Fesenko will leave the WotN zone and enter the "scrappy scrub" pantheon (oh, the dreams...)

Blogger Unknown said...
So Lebron is republishing hateful tweets. I was as shocked as he was to find people saying asshole-y things on the Internet. You know, it's the same racist crap you read in a youtube forum.

Not to turn this into anti-Lebron, but he's not channeling his anger the right way. Real men bury their anger with the rest of their feelings: deep inside where no one can find it. They don't release it online. They release it in drunken bar fights around Christmas time. LBJ, learn how to be a man.

Anonymous Ak dave said...
Hellshocked:

When you put it like that, yeah, I'm totally overselling them. But you know, if Milwaukee did what they did last year with Brandon Jennings, Luke Ridnour, Bogut, and Delfino, why couldn't WAS get there with Wall, Hinrich, Arenas, and Biatch (spelling intended)?

Stranger things have happened, and in the East, 6,7 &8 are up for grabs.

"The stench of Jerome James"- is that like bigfoot's D&*^k?

Anonymous Hellshocked said...
AK Dave:

I think there are a couple of differences between Milwakee and Washington. First and foremost, Scott Skiles is a coach with balls galore. If you don't play defense he sits your ass down. If you make mistakes he sits your ass down. If you don't hustle he sits your ass down. If you look at him funny, he sits your ass down. He could also probably kick your ass if you even think about giving him crap over it. Flip Saunders is the other end of the spectrum, a player's coach, which is essentially a nice way of saying he will use words like "please", "thank you", "what would you think if" and "if it isn't too much trouble". Rasheed Wallance treated him like a joke, so did Blatche BEFORE getting the contract extension. I really don't see this ending well.

The second difference is that Andrew Bogut is a far more useful player than anyone Washington has other than perhaps Wall. He is a very underrated center who can pretty much do everything you need from a 5 even if he isn't quite an All-Star caliber performer. He reminds me of Vlade Divac.

Finally, Milwakee is a pretty balanced squad. Washington has a glut of guards and forwards, some of which masquerade as centers because the NBA is still a 5 on 5 league.

It's not all doom and gloom though. Washington will be running a lot more this year with Wall, Yi, Young, Thorton and McGee. Josh Howard could be a sort of sleeper and at worst it will be interesting to see the development of their new franchise player, who I feel is a more natural 1 than the guy he is often compared to, Derrcik Rose, and will eventually have the same kind of impact. I just can't believe that a team that relies so heavily on Biatch (his new name, if there is any justice, and apparently the focus of the offense) and Arenas is going anywhere.

Then again, fair is fair. If you want to laugh at me, I think Minnesota will overachieve this year. Certainly not playoffs improved (give me SOME credit) but closer to 30 wins than 15. They've been playing very tough and unselfishly during the pre-season (like a poor man's, scratch that, completely destitute man's Utah Jazz), they just don't have the talent to be much more than an occasional tough out of a lottery team.

Anonymous JJ said...
Hellshocked:

If you're talking about an overachieving team this year, I predict it will be Clippers. No, seriously.

Anonymous AK Dave said...
I move to permanently change his name from "Blatche" to "Biatch".

I see your point with the coaching, but I disagree about Bogut. I like the guy, but don't forget that Milwaukee actually played really really well when he went down.

RE: MIN, yeah, I think they will do better this year. I think Kevin Love is poised to become the focus of the offense and prove once and for all that he is more valuable than OJ Mayo (if he hasn't already, which I think he has). Love's 3-pt shot is going to be key this year, and as long as he doesn't fall in love (ha ha) with it, he will be a rebounding AND scoring machine. Plus, they're just a likeable squad now that they don't feature Marco Jaric.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Seriously.... thats the best and most complete Miami Heats recap ive read....