EPTNBA 08-09: The Hardwood Hop - Page 5
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il0seonpurpose
Korea (South)5638 Posts
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BooBoogers
United States229 Posts
On October 23 2008 07:24 BalliSLife wrote: omg when is preseason over?? In exactly 5 days 18 hours 29 minutes and 10 seconds from this post.  And who cares about Kobe, Deron Williams sprained his ankle and will miss a few regular season games. I really hope it's not something that's going to keep coming back throughout the season. | ||
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BalliSLife
1339 Posts
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HonestTea
5007 Posts
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=QCyfKWu4YQ0&eurl=http://www.google.com/reader/view/ | ||
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il0seonpurpose
Korea (South)5638 Posts
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smurfingchobo
833 Posts
 2 more days 'til opening night! | ||
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HonestTea
5007 Posts
I AM READY FOR THE STUCKEY-AFFLALO-HERRMANN-MAXIELL-JOHNSON EXPERIENCE, THANKYOUVERYMUCH | ||
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WorldCommunist8
United States226 Posts
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Dknight
United States5225 Posts
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HonestTea
5007 Posts
It's absolutely not going to happen. | ||
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KOFgokuon
United States14912 Posts
i didn't watch any preseason basketball so i don't have a gauge on how many of the teams look right now but GO SIXERS | ||
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SpiralArchitect
United States2116 Posts
On October 28 2008 00:59 HonestTea wrote: If the Celtics win again I'll eat a basketball. It's absolutely not going to happen. I havent watched much pre-season but their run last year was rather incredible, but when you have an incredible run there is also alot of luck and timing that factors in. I think your right, the Celtics cant go back to back this year. If they can take the conference championship they will have to face the angry Lakers or the Spurs most likely, neither of which are an easy team to beat. As always I just fold my arms and pray for the Jazz to get their championship. | ||
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Xeris
Iran17695 Posts
1) Celtics will be really dominant during the season, but be upset early in the playoffs 2) Clevland is headed for a 1st round exit 3) Utah is going to crash and burn 4) Dallas doesn't make the playoffs 5) Houston still doesn't get past 1st round 6) Lakers have an absolutely beastly year 7) Oklahoma City + Bobcats have surprisingly good seasons and ALMOST make the playoffs (finish 9/10th seed) 8) Milwaukee + Portland make the playoffs, dark horse style (I know Portland isn't really a dark horse considering how they finished last season, but I still think them making the playoffs in the super-competitive West is dark-horse-esque... and watch Milwaukee surprise people). 9) Ramon Sessions will average about 11 assists per game if he gets 20+ minutes of playing time 10) Odom initially struggles to accept a 6th man role but eventually starts playing so well that he gets 6th man award. 11) Denver becomes one of the worst teams in the NBA 12) Tim Duncan plays like a monster all season but can't will the Spurs out of the first round 13) Wade + Marion + Beasley average 28 / 20 / 20, respectively, but Miami still doesn't make the playoffs 14) Arenas misses the entire season after saying he'll be back in December 15) Derrick Rose wins rookie of the year (upset status) and shoots Chicago back into the playoffs ----- what are your predictions? discuss, etc. | ||
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SpiralArchitect
United States2116 Posts
Jazz will have a terrible season. Boozer leaves the team and Sloan punchs Williams in the face thus ending his coaching career. Lakers are going to win a championship. LeBron will sit on his ass once again unable to do anything about his shitastic team. His ego will grow. Meh i am not that knowledgeable when it comes to teams outside of the west, even then I am sub par. But these are my humble predictions for the season. | ||
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il0seonpurpose
Korea (South)5638 Posts
On October 13 2008 06:42 BooBoogers wrote: GoOoOo Jazz! We didn't really pick up anyone this year, but i don't necessarily see that as being a bad thing. We have a very solid team and the only thing that is hurting us is not having a true center. If we can win some road games and have home court advantage in the playoffs, JAZZ FOR THE NBA FINALS!! Deron Williams is hurt... and they need to get better winning at road games. I love the celtics and I liked them before they got the big three so don't hate, its because Rajon Rondo came out of the same middle school as I did and he went to UK and I'm a huge UK FAN!! I hope the heat can really have a winning season, seriously, I have never seen somebody or some team fall so fast after a championship, except Savior.  | ||
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tiffany
3664 Posts
On October 28 2008 06:19 Xeris wrote: Predictions for the season: 1) Celtics will be really dominant during the season, but be upset early in the playoffs 2) Clevland is headed for a 1st round exit 3) Utah is going to crash and burn 4) Dallas doesn't make the playoffs 5) Houston still doesn't get past 1st round 6) Lakers have an absolutely beastly year 7) Oklahoma City + Bobcats have surprisingly good seasons and ALMOST make the playoffs (finish 9/10th seed) 8) Milwaukee + Portland make the playoffs, dark horse style (I know Portland isn't really a dark horse considering how they finished last season, but I still think them making the playoffs in the super-competitive West is dark-horse-esque... and watch Milwaukee surprise people). 9) Ramon Sessions will average about 11 assists per game if he gets 20+ minutes of playing time 10) Odom initially struggles to accept a 6th man role but eventually starts playing so well that he gets 6th man award. 11) Denver becomes one of the worst teams in the NBA 12) Tim Duncan plays like a monster all season but can't will the Spurs out of the first round 13) Wade + Marion + Beasley average 28 / 20 / 20, respectively, but Miami still doesn't make the playoffs 14) Arenas misses the entire season after saying he'll be back in December 15) Derrick Rose wins rookie of the year (upset status) and shoots Chicago back into the playoffs ----- what are your predictions? discuss, etc. ok so let me get this straight in the west you have dallas and denver not making the playoffs, houston and san antonio not getting past the first round, and presumably utah not making it out of the first round either. working backwards, and again i'm assuming here, but that leaves the lakers in the finals, over the hornets in the semis. by deduction, you postulate that three of these teams will make the playoffs, and two will get past the first round: MIN, MEM, GSW, LAC, PHX, SAC. lol | ||
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SpiralArchitect
United States2116 Posts
On October 28 2008 08:08 il0seonpurpose wrote: Deron Williams is hurt... and they need to get better winning at road games. I love the celtics and I liked them before they got the big three so don't hate, its because Rajon Rondo came out of the same middle school as I did and he went to UK and I'm a huge UK FAN!! I hope the heat can really have a winning season, seriously, I have never seen somebody or some team fall so fast after a championship, except Savior. Road games are the real weakness of the Jazz. They had the best home record in the NBA last year and an absolutlely shitty road record. | ||
XaI)CyRiC
United States4471 Posts
On October 28 2008 06:19 Xeris wrote: Predictions for the season: 1) Celtics will be really dominant during the season, but be upset early in the playoffs 2) Clevland is headed for a 1st round exit 3) Utah is going to crash and burn 4) Dallas doesn't make the playoffs 5) Houston still doesn't get past 1st round 6) Lakers have an absolutely beastly year 7) Oklahoma City + Bobcats have surprisingly good seasons and ALMOST make the playoffs (finish 9/10th seed) 8) Milwaukee + Portland make the playoffs, dark horse style (I know Portland isn't really a dark horse considering how they finished last season, but I still think them making the playoffs in the super-competitive West is dark-horse-esque... and watch Milwaukee surprise people). 9) Ramon Sessions will average about 11 assists per game if he gets 20+ minutes of playing time 10) Odom initially struggles to accept a 6th man role but eventually starts playing so well that he gets 6th man award. 11) Denver becomes one of the worst teams in the NBA 12) Tim Duncan plays like a monster all season but can't will the Spurs out of the first round 13) Wade + Marion + Beasley average 28 / 20 / 20, respectively, but Miami still doesn't make the playoffs 14) Arenas misses the entire season after saying he'll be back in December 15) Derrick Rose wins rookie of the year (upset status) and shoots Chicago back into the playoffs ----- what are your predictions? discuss, etc. 1) How early is early? I find it hard to imagine BOS not making it at least past the first round, and likely being in the ECF at least. People keep talking about the improved East, but I don't see any teams other than DET (they've done it before) or CLE (Lebron = Playoffs Monster) having a shot. 2) See "Lebron = Playoffs Monster" and the East being improved, but not great. 3) I could see this happening if the off-court issues start affecting their play, i.e. free agent/contract issues. Their lack of effective defense (fouling excessively doesn't count) needs to be addressed ASAP. 4) I'm going to predict that they will even though I think it's definitely possible that they don't. I think the Mavs will be glad to be out from under the Little General's militaristic boot and might do some damage after having some time to get used to playing together (i.e. with Kidd). Dirk and Josh are guys who should flourish next to a guy like Kidd, so I can see them performing significantly better this season. After all, the team isn't that different from the one that went to the Finals a few seasons ago, and Carlisle is a solid coach. 5) Could definitely happen, it'll really depends on how well the team comes together during the regular season. I think Artest could very easily give them just enough offensive firepower to squeak past the first round, but he's as unpredictable as they come. The fact that neither T-Mac or Yao are particularly assertive or vocal leaders is worrisome, but at least Adelman's had plenty of experience with head cases (i.e. Sheed in POR and Artest in SAC). 6) What does "beastly" entail, a trip to the Finals? Championship? I feel good about the Lakers chances this year, and expect them to make the Finals again. What they're able to accomplish there will depend on a number of factors, i.e. Bynum's health, growth of young support players, Kobe's pinkie. 7) I'm going to go with the popular opinion that OKC and CHA struggle all season and are never a threat to make the playoffs. OKC has so many issues that Carlesimo would win Coach of the Year just for making the playoffs. CHA has Brown, but a coaching change isn't going to fix everything that's wrong with that team. They've got a backcourt suited to a faster pace, but Brown has already stated that the rest of the team suggests more of a halfcourt game. CHA should just be happy if they can get through the season without Felton being broken down mentally and emotionally by Brown's unrelenting demands, Okafor, Gwall and May being healthy all year, and AMo somehow providing something off the bench. Not leading the league in getting blocked would be nice too. 8) The bottom spots of the East are wide open for the taking, and MIL can certainly squeak in with the offensive firepower they have. If Skiles can get them to play even a little bit of defense, they could put in a decent regular season showing. They'll get nowhere in the playoffs though. As for POR, they're not sneaking up on anyone this season. We'll see how well all that youthful potential actually pans out, but I think people are expecting too much from them this season. I think they'd be happy to repeat last season's success while successfully working Oden and Rudy into the system. 9) Sessions will need more than just 20+ min/g to produce that many assists. I say he'd need at least 28+ min/g, which I don't think he'll get unless Ridnour goes down or ends up in Skiles' doghouse. Reports are saying that Sessions isn't even Ridnour's primary backup at this point, so he's got some work cut out for him if he's going to be relevant this season. 10) I'm inclined to agree with the prediction for Odom. I think he'll start slow because he'll consider the move to be a demotion which will be particularly unwelcome because he's in a contract year, but he'll eventually work through it and thrive as the primary playmaker/ballhandler for the 2nd unit. It's going to be sick how deep the Lakers roster is going to be, and I think we'll see their bench do a lot of damage to opposing teams' second units once the starters rest a la Team USA this summer. 11) They've got enough talent to stay out of the cellar, but I do see them dropping out of playoff contention this season. Unless Nene and KMart are able to surprise people, that frontcourt is going to be their downfall. 12) I predict a bounceback by the Spurs and the Pistons this season. Both are veteran teams who are tired about hearing how they're over the hill and will sneak up on people who are focusing on all the up-and-coming teams, i.e. Hornets, Rockets, Magic, etc. I find it hard to imagine the Spurs not making it past the first round, so I'm going to predict that they'll get at least to the 2nd round, and will likely make it to the WCF. If you think about it, this lines up with your predictions that Utah will drop off, Houston will exit early, and Dallas doesn't return to elite status, while the Hornets lack of depth hurts them and the Suns are just simply not as good with their new system. 13) I doubt that Marion averages 20 ppg this season as he's only done so twice in his career in 02-03 and 05-06, and because he'll be the third option on this team. I agree that the Heat miss the playoffs because that team is just pitiful outside of their top 3 (and Haslem). 14) I think Arenas will definitely play at some point this season. It'll be too late to allow the Wizards to have a good shot at doing anything significant in the postseason (maybe even leading to them missing the playoffs), but he'll definitely play. 15) I think the ROY race is a complete crapshoot at this point, with Oden, Rose, and OJ as the favorites in my eyes. I have a lot of doubts about the Bulls because of their uncertainty in their rotation (not even sure what players they want to give PT to), the adjustment period to a new coach (not just new to them, but new to coaching in the NBA period), and the overall inconsistency of the team.Del Negro is completely unproven, and he'll have to show me something before I start predicting a return to the playoffs for the Bulls this year. | ||
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il0seonpurpose
Korea (South)5638 Posts
On October 28 2008 02:07 Sp1ralArch1tect wrote: I havent watched much pre-season but their run last year was rather incredible, but when you have an incredible run there is also alot of luck and timing that factors in. I think your right, the Celtics cant go back to back this year. If they can take the conference championship they will have to face the angry Lakers or the Spurs most likely, neither of which are an easy team to beat. As always I just fold my arms and pray for the Jazz to get their championship. Dude spurs are getting so old, the only young guy is tony parker. ginoblis still hurt btw. | ||
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smurfingchobo
833 Posts
Can't wait! GO LAKERS Btw, I predict Hornets not making top 3 in west. If one of their starters get injured they won't over-achieve this season. Maybe they'll get 5th with homecourt advantage or 4th, but not top 3. IIRC, their starters didn't miss much last season and still just got 2nd while Spurs, Rockets and Lakers had injuries the whole damn season and finished with the same record, a game behind and a game ahead, respectively. Blazers won't make the playoffs. I have Clippers possibly stealing a seed if any of last years playoffs contenders drop off. No one seems to be giving the Clips a shot because they have injury prone players but I think they'll have a pretty good year regardless. (and no, that isn't because I'm from L.A. as I don't really care much for them) **If the Rockets don't have major injuries this season they'll definitely compete for top in the west. Also, if no major team chemistry blow-ups occur or anything that creates some locker room problems. Lakers winning the chip. Mostly 'cause I'm a Lakers fan but, yeah, they're too good. IMO, they just need to trade Odom for another starting SF so space cadet doesn't fucking start. My god is his defense shitty and his 3 pt. shot seems so inconsistent that I doubt he'll even help spread the floor much. And mob squad for the fucking win. Farmar+Ariza have been so damn good in pre-season so I hope they produce in the same way come opening night. Most of this is just baseless stuff without much thought actually going into it so don't mind it too much. I'm just happy the season is finally about to start so I can get my NBA fix. **Who am I kidding? T-Mac will miss his usual 12+ games per season, Yao will miss his 20+ games per season that have become routine since the last couple of years and it will probably cost them a top seed. | ||
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