04/23/24
May 09, 2005
A glimpse into the future. Possibly?: The ever changing world of round ball.
posted by HOE.O.K. to basketball at 07:32 PM - 11 comments
I believe that is usually the progression.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 08:23 AM on May 10, 2005
And the Hawks will still suck.
posted by trox at 08:47 AM on May 10, 2005
Let me try for a prediction that is rapidly becoming description: Amare will be (is already?) the new Shaq, the ultimate game-changer, essentially unguardable in a couple of years. Just take a look at the numbers from last night: 40 and 16, more Shaq-like numbers than Shaq himself has put up in the playoffs thus far.
posted by platocave at 09:53 AM on May 10, 2005
Spurs-Suns will be a GREAT rivalry for the next 5 years.
posted by platocave at 09:56 AM on May 10, 2005
As far as the linked article is concerned, I agree that the Bulls, barring injury, will battle Detroit for the Central title next season and that the Celtics still have a LONG way to go to get back to glory days. I disagree with the rest of his predictions, some mildly, some not. Nuggets and Nets really weren't that good this season, even with their respective late charges. Take a look at who the Nuggets played when they compiled that "impressive" 25-4 closing run. The Nets have more of a chance to improve because they're in the East, but they needed a super-charged Vince just to be an above-average team in the East, a super-charged Vince that only showed up in the last month and then promptly disappeared in the Miami series.
posted by platocave at 10:18 AM on May 10, 2005
I'd really like to believe the stuff about my Bulls. The issue this that the Bulls are at a crossroads. They are good and have a ton of potential, but there is no way that the current team as is can do anything more than they did this year let alone win a NBA title. So what is to be done? Leave the team alone and let the young-ins prove or add a marquee player? If you just tweak the team you risk that they become stagnate and even take a step backwards, but if you add a frontline player then the risk is that you upset the chemistry that helped them arguably play above their talents.
posted by Bag Man at 10:25 AM on May 10, 2005
You have to count on a good team falling apart, too. Like this year's TWolves who were picked by some to win the NBA title this year. I think the Celtics are actually kinda like the Knicks in that they have lots of people who are hard to trade - who will want Payton, Walker or Davis? They basically have Paul Pierce and some very young wing players. I think Pierce is really problematic. When he's on, he's one of those demoralizing players who can just hit anything he throws up. But ultimately that kind of player is disruptive to any team's offense if they are the first option. Pierce definitely needs to figure out how to get other people involved, because junk players confuse their teammates and make them stand around. I'm curious to see how long the Pistons can last... They won early last year, not having done the traditional 'lose in the Finals the first try and win it soon thereafter.' They basically came out of nowhere, having done well for two years and then reaching a title. It seems like Shaq should only have two or three years left and I think his dominant days are over as more and more seven footers come in the league. I think the teams that are liable to explode next year would be your Houstons or Clevelands. I think Indiana and Dallas might fall apart next year. Indiana has too many head cases...
posted by BobbyC at 11:29 AM on May 10, 2005
Word up Bag Man.
posted by HOE.O.K. at 07:14 PM on May 10, 2005
What I want to know is if anyone thinks Joe and Gavin are trying to make the Kings slump to make it easier to bring NBA play to Vegas and their Palms hotel. I thought it a bit strange, their cameo on the Vegas TV show last night, plugging their team and their casino in the same sentence a week after the Kings were humiliated in the first round. What’s the deal? Are the Kings in a management driven tailspin to devalue the team and make it even less likely for the sac-town citizenry to support a brand new arena?
posted by bag-ville ruler fan at 10:41 PM on May 10, 2005
You know, I didn't RTFA, but any time someone uses the term "Sac-Town" in a serious tone of voice, I'll be there. *snicker*
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:55 PM on May 10, 2005
Look out Rookies are coming strong next year,i guess they will be "sophmore" players by then, huh?