Getting real: NBA Northwest Division preview
Friday, November 2, 2007

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, go with us from the Atlantic--where nearly all the teams have hopes of a playoff push--to a division where a few teams have set their sights somewhat lower.

1. Utah Jazz
UtesFan89, Win Or Go Home

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 48 or 49 wins max, then knocked out in the 2nd round. Booze and Deron play at All-Star level, but one of them gets snubbed due to either the depth of All-Star talent at their positions, or simply because they play for the Jazz. Okur regains his shot when he's not forced to play defense... and plays great defense but loses his shot when he does that. Larry H. Miller forces AK into Sloan's offense (which could force Sloan into post-season retirement). Brewer impresses, but Sloan finds some reason (youth?) to bench him. man-crush and Flop continue to get minutes (along with Giricek) over the youngsters, further proving that Sloan couldn't care less about the future and the kids' development. Hart and Price are adequate at times, but largely disappointing.

Reasoning: Booze and Deron remain All-Star caliber...but Sloan's love for man-crush will backfire when man-crush throws some games away (literally) at the end, as will the decision to play Giricek/Price/Hart over the defensively talented Brewer at the 2. He also hates youngsters, so Brewer, Almond, and Fesenko will get used to the bench, while Giricek, man-crush, and Flop Collins all get undeserved minutes. The youngsters' lack of development will hurt even more later in the season, when the worn-down starters need a break but Sloan doesn't trust his bench enough. Incorporating AK into the offense is a big mistake--watching him shoot jumpers is like being punched in the gut...repeatedly--and will cut shots for the better options. The average Hart and Price are a noticeable drop-off after Deron heads to the bench. In the playoffs, the Jazz have enough talent to spring a first-round upset, but aren't good enough to beat the top 3 yet, even if the Warriors' upset of the Mavs got them to the conference finals. Okur's shot plays hide-and-seek like it did last year, as he'll be worn out by the defensive effort to stop Yao or Duncan.

2. Denver Nuggets
Howie, NBA Basketball and Other Unrelatedness

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 44 games, get 7th seed, lose to the Mavs in the first round and Nene misses 30 games.

Reasoning: Basically, this team still didn't get the memo that they really need reliable defense to get past the Spurs, Mavs, Suns (love Camby to death..he's but one man). If they can't figure it out, my hopes of them advancing are as high as someone coming to save the Saskatchewan citizens from the wild cocker spaniels running a muck (will someone please someone call the SPCA?!)

3. Portland Trailblazers
Zach Landres-Schnur, The Big Picture

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win between 25 and 35 games. Miss the playoffs. Make fans beg for an MLB team in Portland.

Reasoning: The West is loaded, the top overall pick won't play a minute and more injuries are inevitable. It's gonna be B-Roy's team, and, alone, I don't think he can get them to .500.

4. Seattle Supersonics
Seth Kolloen, Enjoy the Enjoyment

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Try every legal maneuver possible to steal our team--but, at the same time, offer the best sports ticket in town.

Reasoning: If this is the last year we watch Sonics basketball, at least we're going out on a high note, with a twice-weekly performance by the most exciting teenage basketball player on the planet. 82 games (fingers-crossed) of Kevin Durant is enough to get even the most cynical fans excited.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Hall, TWolvesBlog.com

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Jefferson will make a smooth transition to the Western Conference, Foye will have a mostly-successful season as the starting point guard, McCants will be streaky, and Green will continue to demonstrate his “low basketball IQ.” The jury will remain out on Wittman.

Reasoning : Jefferson has historically been strong against the West, and Foye has the tools to be a dynamic point guard. McCants, since returning from injury, has been up and down on an almost-nightly basis, and I’m not confident about Wittman’s ability to improve Green’s decision-making skills. Finally, over Wittman’s career in this league, he’s shown no signs that he can be a successful head coach in the NBA.

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posted by Crucifictorious @ 12:35, ,


Wishful thinking: NBA Northwest Division preview
Thursday, November 1, 2007

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, go with us from the Atlantic--where nearly all the teams have hopes of a playoff push--to a division where a few teams have set their sights somewhat lower.

1. Utah Jazz
UtesFan89, Win Or Go Home

What they need to do to make me happy: 53 or so wins would be nice, plus a repeat trip to the Western Conference Finals, maybe even a trip to the NBA Finals. Deron and Booze play at All-Star level, Okur finds the shot that abandoned him in the playoffs, AK learns that basketball is a team game and stops complaining, and Brewer develops into an above-average 2 and/or 3. Meanwhile, 'Sap develops a jumper, Almond and Fesenko replace man-crush (Harpring) and Flop (Collins) in the rotation, while Hart and Price solidify the back-up point guard spot.

Reasoning: Even though the Jazz might've over-performed last year, a step up would be nice (if unlikely). Deron and Booze are both All-Star caliber, while Brewer has impressed in the pre-season and he's easily the best defender at the 2. 'Sap's been working on his jumper this off-season, and if Almond develops this year, it could mean less of man-crush and more of a Brewer/Almond combo at the 2/3. Hart and Price improve after a bad pre-season and make it a bit less of a loss when Deron takes a breather. That's what they're paid to do.

2. Denver Nuggets
Howie, NBA Basketball and Other Unrelatedness

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 52 games, get the fifth seed, make it out of the 1st round, have Kenyon Martin become a even an inkling of his ghost-self, Melo winning the scoring chip and finally, solve the problem of overpopulation of pets in Saskatchewan

Reasoning: Saskatchewan pets are out of control! And uh--yeah-- don't look now, but Carmelo Anthony is close to suffering the KG T-Mac Curse of Round One Exit Oblivion or (KGTMCROEO for short). But with the boost of the FIBA win, getting to play with AI from the start, and having healthy teammates for more than 30mins month should bode well for the playoff hopes of Mr. Anthony.

3. Portland Trailblazers
Zach Landres-Schnur, The Big Picture

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 40 games, keep me thinking playoffs until the last week of the season and Brandon Roy needs to be an All-Star, averaging a 20+ points and 5+ rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge and Channing Frye need to make me not long for Oden and Martell Webster needs to start playing like the Lottery pick that he was.

Reasoning: Making the playoffs is an unreasonable goal. In the loaded West, the Blazers won't be able to sneak in...they're just too many teams in front of them. So to see them compete and keep fans entertained until the end would be satisfying enough, with anything more being a bonus. And with B-Roy the returning ROY, I want more. I'm greedy. I don't give a fuck. Give me a triple-double every night.

* Zach wants the world to know: He's more of a B-Roy fan than a Trailblazer expert. But who can blame him?

4. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Hall, TWolvesBlog.com

What they need to do to make me happy: I honestly don't care about wins and losses for this season- I just want to see Al Jefferson establish himself as an All-Star caliber big man, Randy Foye to successfully take the reigns as the point guard of the future, Rashad McCants to have a breakout season, and Gerald Green to start making smarter decisions. Oh yeah, I also want Randy Wittman to show that he can actually coach in this league.

Reasoning: Wolves fans aren't expecting their team to be anywhere near playoff contention, so this season is all about making strides to improve the future situation in Minnesota. If our core of young players can have strong seasons, everyone will feel much, much better about the future of this team.

5. Seattle Sonics.
Seth Kolloen, Enjoy the Enjoyment

What they need to do to make me happy: Not move.

Reasoning: Yeah, I'm sure you're annoyed with at least one of your team's coach, GM, best player, or dance squad, but consider this: We Sonics fans are staring into the eyes of Death. And his name is Clay Bennett. Bennett's suing the city of Seattle to get out of his Key Arena lease--if he wins, kiss 40 years of living and dying with Seattle's first professional sports team goodbye. Makes that shitty trade you're lamenting look pretty insignificant by comparison, don't it.

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posted by Crucifictorious @ 19:34, ,


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