On November 04 2009 20:02 tonight wrote:
My time on top was short lived t.t

Detroit beat ORL without Rip/Tayshaun. Granted ORL was missing some players, but even so they had more then enough to beat DET. That's about all DET can do right since last year.

womp womp.

KOFgokuon

United States14910 Posts

November 04 2009 15:33 GMT

#302

76ers suck

Judicator

United States7270 Posts

November 04 2009 16:18 GMT

#303

Seriously, so far in the season, the only team that looks like a champion is Boston.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

November 04 2009 16:25 GMT

#304

this thread feels kind of empty without a Testie sighting :/

OneOther

United States10774 Posts

November 04 2009 16:33 GMT

#305

On November 05 2009 01:18 Judicator wrote:
Seriously, so far in the season, the only team that looks like a champion is Boston.

just wait til pau is back

SK.Testie

Canada11084 Posts

November 04 2009 16:52 GMT

#306

Correction* Life feels kind of empty without a Testie sighting.

I have been reading the thread sir Ace and following results on NBA.com. Haven't watched any full games though due to excessive HoN playing.

Xeris

Iran17695 Posts

November 04 2009 16:53 GMT

#307

On November 05 2009 01:18 Judicator wrote:
Seriously, so far in the season, the only team that looks like a champion is Boston.

luckily titles aren't won in the first two weeks, or even month of the year. just look at San Antonio, they never really look like Champions until the playoffs roll around and they go into god-mode and own everyone.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

November 04 2009 17:01 GMT

#308

On November 05 2009 01:52 MYM.Testie wrote:
Correction* Life feels kind of empty without a Testie sighting.

I have been reading the thread sir Ace and following results on NBA.com. Haven't watched any full games though due to excessive HoN playing.

^_^

I myself have missed quite a few games since I need to find some good streams

I see the HoN gameplay has grown into full blown addiction for you. I'm going to assume you're only doing CWs now?

On November 05 2009 01:53 Xeris wrote:

Show nested quote +

Except they are so damn banged up :/
Kinda funny how an aging, banged up Spurs team still makes every Top 5,6,7 team list in the league.

citi.zen

2509 Posts

November 04 2009 17:08 GMT

#309

On November 05 2009 01:53 Xeris wrote:

Show nested quote +

I want to believe SA can do it, but I just don't see it. Too many people on that roster have had recent injuries and are relatively old. Would be fun to see them beat LA out of the west, but it seems like a very long shot they all manage to stay healthy.

Xeris

Iran17695 Posts

November 04 2009 18:18 GMT

#310

I don't think they can do it. I just think Ginobli will not be able to get back to his old form, Duncan will have a monstrous year (just look at his first game whoaaaaaaaa), and Tony Parker aside from his 1-2 really strong years, is turning into a kinda bleh pg. Richard Jefferson isn't being effective at all, and DeJuan Blair is only a rookie (although he's REALLY good at what he does (rebound) and an efficient scorer because he only takes shots he'll make).

Really I don't see them getting past the 2nd round - Duncan, despite the big year he'll have, probably won't have enough left in the tank to carry them to the West Finals, let alone the Finals.

Despite LA's rocky start, I think they are still the favorites. However one worrisome sign is the amount of minutes Kobe, Odom, and Artest are having to play (they're each averaging between 39-40 minutes a game, which is about 3-4 minutes per game more than ideal for them). I do think however that Gasol sitting out this time will be better for him (getting him time to rest), but when he comes back, all their minutes will go down and average out. It's also a bit troublesome because their bench isn't really getting that much playing time.

Boston has been better than expected, same with Orlando... and Clevland looks really mortal. I feel like this year will be very interesting in general, my prediction is that at the end of the day the standings across the board (in both East and West) will be much more balanced than in past years. I.E, I don't think there will be like 68 win teams and 48 win teams, I feel like all the playoff teams in both east and west will be ranging from 50-55 wins, making the race much more interesting. It at least seems that way thus far.

Phoenix is undefeated, but that's gonna change soon, Boston looks like they're gonna run away record-wise (possibly true), but we'll see what happens when they get tested.

Ace

United States16096 Posts

November 04 2009 18:59 GMT

#311

Don't forget Boston was actually running away record wise last season too (that 27-2 streak) and then they slowed down and like everyone expected -pop- lots of injuries came out of the blue.

Servolisk

United States5241 Posts

November 04 2009 19:10 GMT

#312

God, Jennings is making me jealous. Last year it was Rose and now it is Jennings. Wanted to get a star pg on the pistons after all those years (don't mention Chauncey) and we supposedly get one but it was just a cruel tease. :@ You better become like Wade, Stuckey.

Xeris

Iran17695 Posts

November 04 2009 19:15 GMT

#313

We'll have to see what Jennings does for an entire season - plus he's taking almost 20 shots per game =P

I think though that Jennings was placed on the right team at the right time to allow him to produce the way he's been producing.

XaI)CyRiC

United States4471 Posts

November 04 2009 20:55 GMT

#314

I have my doubts about the Spurs as well. Manu and Duncan are getting older and less durable, and the team doesn't have the great veteran role players they had in the past. RJ was a nice pickup, but he's not the defensive (/dirty/malicious/underhanded) ace Bowen was and no one provides the clutch shooting and frontcourt versatility that Horry did. They basically lost the guys who would take care of the dirty/nasty/gritty work that they needed to outplay the younger teams, and I think that hurts their chances.

I am a bit concerned by the decline of the Lakers' bench, but I think Pau coming back will improve the bench by putting either Bynum or Lamar (most likely the latter) into the second unit. Right now the bench is struggling mightily on offense, but having Walton and Odom in the second unit will do wonders for that problem. I've been frustrated by Farmar for years now, but was hoping that being in a contract year might change things. It hasn't and I'm starting to think the Lakers are close to closing the door on him as their future PG if they haven't already. Shannon could be a great triangle PG since his weaknesses are in his playmaking and ballhandling skills, which are less necessary in that system and with so many good ballhandlers on the team. If Shannon can show himself to be a good defender, I think he may become the future of that position. Sasha is just a mess, but I think the Lakers need to give him a little more leeway to let him build up some confidence/momentum since he's such a streaky/emotional player. Yanking him too quickly or giving him very little PT will just keep him where he is.

I fully expected Boston to do well this season with KG coming back, Sheed coming in, and their overall depth improving. I think they will win the East, and likely even have the best regular season record. However, I don't think that they'll necessarily win the whole thing as I think there are at least three other teams capable of beating them in a 7-game series, i.e. ORL and CLE in the East for sure, and Lakers and maybe someone else in the West (healthy Spurs).

Ace

United States16096 Posts

November 04 2009 22:12 GMT

#315

I remember arguing last year with someone in the old thread that Jordan Farmar was so bad and the Lakervision wouldn't allow him to see why.

Kinda feel bad for Vujachic though. Love him or hate him he always gave the Lakers that attitude along with Kobe that made you wanna see them fail...in my case anyway.