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Getting real: NBA Central Division preview
Monday, November 5, 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, finish off our team-by-team previews with a look at the mighty midwest match up between Motown and the Second City...to say nothing of a lurking LeBron.

1. Chicago Bulls
Ben Go, Thank You Isiah

Forget what I want them to do; here's what they will do: Happily, the Bulls should meet most of my great expectations. They will win 55 games. Luol Deng will make the All-Star team (not a lot of great 3s in the East), but Ben Gordon won't (a glut of good 1s and 2s.) As for the playoffs, sure, what the hell, they'll make the Finals.

Reasoning: Based on their points scored and points against, the Bulls should have won 55 games last year. Defensively, the Bulls match up well against the Celtics, with their lone Achilles' heel, the under-sized Ben Gordon, unlikely to be outmuscled by Rondo. (Oh, and by the way, Posey still sucks.) The Pistons, specifically Billups, remain a threat in that regard, but sooner or later, youth demands to be served. Unless Lebron goes absolutely, Jordanesquely apeshit (feasible, but not assured), I like Chicago.

As for the Finals, for now, I'd just be happy to be there. For now.

2. Detroit Pistons
Natalie Sitto, Need 4 Sheed

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: The Pistons will win 52 games, and end up Eastern Conference Champs. Jason Maxiell will turn heads this season and Rasheed Wallace will lead the league in technical fouls. Flip Saunders will be considered a good coach who has difficulty making adjustments in the Playoffs.

That said, don’t count them out.

Reasoning: This team has made the Eastern Conference Finals the past five seasons. Their core is still together, but nothing significant has changed to put them over the top, unless the Pistons youth astonish us.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavalier, Yaysports!
[Editor's note: The Cavalier was tied up at the last-minute with a certain movie he's working on, so gave us the OK to just adapt an earlier NBA preview].

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 51 wins, but we’re apathetic about this team and the season. While personnel is a problem, the bigger problem was getting an offensive system in place, which could’ve been done but wasn’t (As far as we can tell so far).

Reasoning: Publicly, the Cavaliers want to win a championship. Privately (and none of them will say it out loud or to each other), they’ll feel lucky to get back to the Finals. They had an easy road, the only good (ie watchable) basketball they played all year was the Spurs game in November and the Pistons series. But as always, if LeBron decides he wants to go hardcore, all predictions are voided. The man can do anything when he decides he wants it, and everyone else falls in line.

4. Indiana Pacers
Cornrows, Indy Cornrows

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 42 games and sit on the fence of the playoffs. Health issues have been an annual problem, so a few key injuries into the equation keeps the Pacers in the NBA's no man's land.

Reasoning: Jim O'Brien has had a great impact on the culture and style of play already. But they will run at a talent deficit in many games, so if a few injuries pop up to further increase that deficit, they can still play hard but end up not winning enough to make the playoffs now that the Eastern Conference has more contenders than playoff spots available.

5. Milwaukee Bucks
Frank, BrewHoop.com

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 40 games, battle for the 8 spot and get annihilated in the first round. If they get there.

Reasoning: The Bucks have plenty of young talent, and the return of Simmons and Mason should provide a veteran boost. But while Mo, Bogut, Villanueva and Yi all have star "potential," at least two of them will need to get there in a hurry if the Bucks want to become real contenders in the improved East. Combine the uncertainty of the team's youth with the continued threat that Bobby Simmons' foot will fall off, and it's clear Krystkowiak will be earning his paycheck if the Bucks return to the postseason.

Labels: BrewHoop, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Indy Cornrows, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA preview, Need 4 Sheed, Thank You Isiah, Yaysports

posted by Crucifictorious @ 08:23, ,

If I could pick a team...
Friday, November 2, 2007

Do we have any more readers? Fifty-six previews later, I think you've all been pummeled into submission. Agh, even I can't take reading our own website anymore.

When it comes to the NBA this year, We Rite Goode is strictly agnostic--we've got Celtics, Sixers, and Wizards fans, among others--but there's one squad that's won me over. A team that, if they had their druthers, would come to town and put on a show.

No, not a Phoenix Suns run n' gun--we're talking full song and dance, Singin' in the Rain type of performance. But someone call the doctor (doolittle), because the need to groove is catching, from the star to the owner...to the fans?



Yes, the Mavs' special kind of razzle-dazzle is my cup of tea. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to watching High School Musical.

Labels: Dallas Mavericks, ludicrous videos, NBA preview

posted by Doctor Dribbles @ 17:00, ,

Wishful thinking: NBA Central Division preview

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, finish off our team-by-team previews with a look at the mighty midwest match up between Motown and the Second City...to say nothing of a lurking LeBron.

1-T. Chicago Bulls
Ben Go, Thank You Isiah

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 55 games and the Central Division. Should they meet in the Playoffs, finally vanquish (and preferably humiliate) the Detroit Pistons. Make the NBA Finals. Ben Gordon and Luol Deng make the All-Star team.

Reasoning: Last year, the Bulls won 49 games, and with their young core maturing, no significant personnel losses and the addition of Joakim Noah, improvement is to be expected, nay, demanded. Another playoff loss to the Pistons would be devastating, casting into serious doubt the patient (not to say pussified) strategy of GM John Paxson in failing to trade for a bona-fide All Star. I currently endorse this strategy, but another bouncing by Sheed and the boys would send me careening wildly into mindless, petty-resentment-filled blatherings, a la Jay Marriotti.

1-T. Detroit Pistons
Natalie Sitto, Need 4 Sheed

What they need to do to make me happy: The Pistons need to win at least 55 games, and the NBA Championship. Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell will have breakout seasons. Tayshaun Prince will finally make the All Star team. Sheed and Flip Saunders are going to become such good friends that they are going to be roomies on the road.

Reasoning: The Pistons have had the team and the pieces in place to win the NBA Championship each season since they won it in 2004. Sheed, Rip, Chauncey, Tayshaun and McDyess are a hell of a starting five no matter who you ask and the bench is more solid than in seasons past.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavalier, Yaysports!
[Editor's note: The Cavalier was tied up at the last-minute with a certain movie he's working on, so gave us the OK to just adapt an earlier NBA preview].

What they need to do to make me happy: 51 wins, but perhaps they could also give over 60% effort for more than one playoff series - that way they’ll be better AND I won’t have to boycott watching them for over half the season like 06-07.

Reasoning: I’m not entirely thrilled to have the same team back, but I’m also realistic enough to know there wasn’t much to be done. Danny Ferry has shown that he’s not going to just go spend the MLE and sign guys like Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao simply to appease message board posters, bloggers, and ESPN columnists. They’ll look to improve on last year through improvement of young players (LBJ, Boobie Gibson) and the idea of having a team that knows each other, ie chemistry.

4-T. Indiana Pacers
Cornrows, Indy Cornrows

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 45 games, make the playoffs and deliver at least a competitive playoff series. Also, I'd like to see a strong effort consistently and a more entertaining style of play, with Jermaine O'Neal staying healthy and playing at an All-Star level.

Reasoning: Despite all of the drama last year, there was enough talent to be a playoff team until several injuries destroyed those chances. Jim O'Brien brings an uptempo style that will improve the pace of play and then entertainment value. If Marquis Daniels stays healthy, he will stun people this year and be a strong Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

4-T. Milwaukee Bucks
Frank, BrewHoop.com

What they need to do to make me happy: The maturing triumvirate of Mo Williams, Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut leads the Bucks to 45 wins and the second round, shocking all the experts who do their best to ignore the Bucks' existence. Larry Krystkowiak brainwashes the Bucks into playing defense, rebounding from time to time and getting their bigs more involved offensively. Yi Jianlian shows flashes of greatness while managing to hold his own on both ends.

Reasoning: Getting Redd, Mo, Bogut, Bobby Simmons, and Charlie Villanueva healthy along with the additions of Desmond Mason and Yi means the Bucks can actually field a team this year. The other Coach K looks like he could be a less ornery, slightly less bald Scott Skiles, which is exactly what a team as defensively atrocious as the Bucks needs. Andrew Bogut looks ready to break into 15/10, marginal all-star territory.

Labels: BrewHoop, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Indy Cornrows, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA preview, Need 4 Sheed, Thank You Isiah, Yaysports

posted by Crucifictorious @ 16:11, ,

Getting real: NBA Northwest Division preview

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.

Labels: Denver Nuggets, Enjoy the Enjoyment, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA preview, Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Supersonics, The Big Picture, TheHypeGuy.com, TWolvesBlog.com, Utah Jazz, Win or Go Home

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.

Labels: Denver Nuggets, Enjoy the Enjoyment, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA preview, Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Supersonics, The Big Picture, TheHypeGuy.com, TWolvesBlog.com, Utah Jazz, Win or Go Home

posted by Crucifictorious @ 19:34, ,

Getting real: NBA Atlantic Division preview

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, Meanwhile, every team in this preview post--save one--has hopes of the playoffs. Yes, we must be discussing the Atlantic division.

1. Boston Celtics
Steve Weinman, Taking it to the Rack

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 57 wins, tops in the East, but sadly, they will be defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals when they run out of timeouts in the third quarter in successive losses in the final two games of the series.

Reasoning: You really need me to say it? Doc. Rivers.

2. Toronto Raptors
Marcel Mutoni, Slam Online/FanHouse

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Barring serious injury to Bosh or Bargnani, this team will win 45-50 games in the East and cruise into the post-season.

Reasoning: I truly believe - due to reasons stated above - that making the Playoffs for the Raptors is a given in 2008; what they do once they get there (and who they face) is where the real test begins. They should be able to snatch second place in the Atlantic division (first will go to Boston), and once the dust settles, they'll be one of the top 5 five teams in the suddenly-relevant East.

3. New Jersey Nets
Thum Chee Hang, Hooplah Nation

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win less than 41 games and prove John Hollinger correct. Lottery time = OJ Mayo?

Reasoning: Rj and J Kidd land themselves into injury land agan, Krstic's recovery rate is slower than the word slow. Slow start just like the past few seasons.

4. New York Knicks
Mike K., Knickerblogger.net

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: The Knicks will probably win 37 games and miss the playoffs as Zach Randolph & Eddy Curry escort opponents to the hoop. In an overcrowded roster Lee is barely able to match his minutes from last year, Balkman becomes lost on the bench. And Jerome James uses up a roster spot for 200 meaningless minutes.

Reasoning: New York has the Statue Of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, and the U.N. We have museums, a million restaurants, and an efficient mass transit system. We're not on any major fault lines, there are no active volcanoes near by, and we rarely have hurricanes or tornadoes. God has to find some way to punish us.

5. Philadelphia 76ers
Jon Burkett, Passion & Pride/MVN Basketball

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 30-34 wins, miss the playoffs and lose the draft lottery, no beard for Korver, Lou Williams plays 18-24 minutes, Alan Henderson signs several 10 day contracts, and Iguodala averages 19-20, 5, 5, 2 and misses out on an all-star berth.

Reasoning: Billy King is still the general manager. It has a trickle-down effect throughout the organization. This is an evaluation year for everybody. The question then becomes, who is making the evaluation? The fans can be harsh in Philly. It will be another trip to mediocrity for the Sixers.

Labels: Boston Celtics, FanHouse, Hooplah Nation, MVN Basketball, NBA preview, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, SLAM Online, Taking it to the Rack, Toronto Raptors

posted by Crucifictorious @ 15:20, ,

Wishful thinking: NBA Atlantic Division preview

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, Meanwhile, every team in this preview post--save one--has hopes of the playoffs. Yes, we must be discussing the Atlantic division.

1. Boston Celtics

2. Toronto Raptors
Marcel Mutoni, Slam Online/FanHouse

What they need to do to make me happy: 45-50 wins and a tightly contested series in the second round of the Playoffs. Considering the talent, coaching, and experience on this team, this is a completely reasonable request. In fact, I just hi-fived myself for being so reasonable and level-headed.

Reasoning: Dino-Bosh is on the cusp of superstardom (Chris, this means you have to stop using public transportation. That's for mere mortals, my man); Bargnani is a cold-blooded assassin; Sam Mitchell has everyone's respect; the GM is not only a Euro-finding genius, but the man is damn good dresser; and it's important to keep in mind that this team came within one botched last-second play of forcing the much-more experienced Nets into a game 7 in last year's Playoffs. They're ready to take the next step.

3. New Jersey Nets
Thum Chee Hang, Hooplah Nation

What they need to do to make me happy: Win more than 45 games and make the conference finals at least, skin the Knicks during the regular season, and waive Jason Collins (impossible tho)

Reasoning: Three straight years of conference Semis, and I've had enough of it. It's either Finals or bust.

4. New York Knicks
Mike K., Knickerblogger.net

What they need to do to make me happy: A winning season and a Game 6. David Lee wins 6th man of the year. Renaldo Balkman earns the small forward starting role. Oh, and Jerome James gets cut.

Reasoning: Knick fans have suffered 6 straight losing seasons, 100 million cap jokes, Howard Eisley, a sex scandal, and Stephon Marbury's YouTubisms. To be happy I want a winning season, and some playoff excitement. I don't want to just make the playoff, because I still remember when the Nets kicked the Knicks (and Tim Thomas) in the ass in 2004. Lee would be starting for a half dozen NBA teams, and Balkman is a defensive force on a team starving for defense.

5. Philadelphia 76ers
Jon Burkett, Passion & Pride/MVN Basketball

What they need to do to make me happy: At least 1 win, team misses the playoffs and wins the draft lottery, Kyle Korver grows a killer beard (beards are in!), Lou Williams plays 30+ minutes per game, half the roster gets dealt for a legitimate power forward, and we keep Iguodala and he averages 20+ points, 6+ rebounds, 6+ assists, and 2+ steals in earning himself an All-Star berth in New Orleans.

Reasoning: Let's be honest, expectations haven't been this low since Shawn Bradley was anoited savior of the franchise. Unlike the dismal teams of the mid-90s, this team can actually look spectacular in losing games. So, if we must lose, let's lose in style and go for a lottery pick!

Labels: Boston Celtics, FanHouse, Hooplah Nation, MVN Basketball, NBA preview, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, SLAM Online, Taking it to the Rack, Toronto Raptors

posted by Crucifictorious @ 11:39, ,

Getting real: NBA Pacific Division preview

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, check out what bloggers see in store for Kobe, Baron, and Bibby.

1. Phoenix Suns
Steve Goldman, Born and Raised


2. Golden State Warriors
Ty Keenan, Plissken at the Buzzer


2. Los Angeles Lakers
Carter Blanchard, Plissken at the Buzzer

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Limp in to the postseason at around .500 before a frustrating first-round loss to Phoenix for a third straight year. Bynum, while improved, fights for minutes with Kwame who still can't catch a pass and Mihm who looks rusty throughout the year. At some point, Kobe goes Mayo and randomly punches Sasha in the face.

Reasoning: The frontcourt will continue to be injury-prone and defensively-questionable, Fisher will be too old while Crittenton and Farmar will be too young, and Sasha probably deserves it on some level.

4. The best NBA team in Los Angeles--the L.A. Clippers
Clipper Steve, Clips Nation

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: There are actually two possible non-playoff scenarios, one that would still make me relatively happy, and the other that is the most likely. If the team were to start the season 4-20 without Brand, the Elton would take his sweet time coming back, and indeed they would finish near the bottom of the league. The silver lining on that turd of a season would be a high draft pick. More likely, the hole will be big, but not so big that Brand doesn't rush back - it'll be hard to keep him off the court anyway. A late season push will come up short, the Clippers will win 38 games and once again have the 17th best record in a league with 16 playoff teams. Hello 14th pick in the draft. Again. In this scenario, the team will also fail to develop their young players adequately - Thornton, Paul Davis and Josh Powell will be getting splinters in their butts while Ruben Patterson racks up big minutes in his one season stopover in LA.

Reasoning: Hey, it's the Clippers right? In 25 years, they've had things go reasonably well exactly once. Coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. has done a poor job of drafting talent and a worse job of developing it in four years on the job - his tendency is to play veterans, and he's got plenty to choose from with Patterson, Cat Mobley and Sam Cassell on this roster. They'll work hard, and they'll battle. But without Brand and with Cassell turning 38 in November, they simply won't have the talent on the floor to compete in the early going. They'll dig themselves a big whole in the 2 to 4 months Brand is out. But they'll be too proud (or too stupid) to tank outright and grab those ping pong balls.

5. Sacramento Kings
Tom Ziller, Sactown Royalty

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 30ish wins, with an All-Star bid for Kevin Martin and a debatable return on Mike Bibby's head.

Reasoning: Reggie Theus is not Jesus, sorry. Kevin Martin seems primed for worldwide respek', and Bibby's cap number is too ornery to get a perfect package in return... so I assume at least another season of crap contract or a couple years of mediocrity will make the return flight in Sacramento.

Labels: Born and Raised, Clips Nation, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA preview, Phoenix Suns, Plissken at the Buzzer, Sacramento Kings, Sactown Royalty

posted by Crucifictorious @ 07:30, ,

Wishful thinking: NBA Pacific Division preview
Wednesday, October 31, 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, check out what bloggers see in store for Kobe, Baron, and Bibby.

1. Phoenix Suns
Steve Goldman, Born and Raised



2. Los Angeles Lakers
Carter Blanchard, Plissken at the Buzzer

What they need to do to make me happy: Go 48-34, make it past the first round, and generally look like second-tier contender. Individually, I'd like to see Bynum to contend for MIP, Odom to be in at least 70 games, Kobe to play the All-Star Game as a Laker, Crittenton to come in a surprising 3rd in ROY voting, and Ronny to play extended minutes without fouling out while warming the hearts of all of men and women the world over.

Reasoning: Healthy and happy there's no reason this team couldn't be sniffing the tail of Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio (and now Houston) like they were for the first third of last year. Bynum seems poised for a breakout, and preseason/summer league Critt has eased my Belinelli-envy ever so slightly.


4. The best NBA team in Los Angeles--the L.A. Clippers
Clipper Steve, Clips Nation

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 42 games and squeak into the 8th spot in the Western Conference playoffs. Sure, they'll lose to the top seed (be it the Spurs, Mavs or Suns) - it would be gravy if they could make a decent showing. In addition, Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston both need to return from injury and play well this season. That's almost a given with EB - much more of an unknown with Livingston. Corey Maggette needs to lead the team in scoring in Brand's absence, and Chris Kaman needs to earn his $52M salary. Oh, and Al Thornton needs to be solid in his rookie year. And most importantly, the Clippers must finish ahead of the Lakers. That's all I'm asking for. It's not so much, really.

Reasoning: Last season, with the weight of expectations, the team underachieved. Back in familiar territory, with Brand injured and picked to finish near the bottom of the west by most experts, the Clippers are once-again their lovable underdog selves. If Brand can return from injury sooner rather than later (Jan. 1 would be a nice round number, and would be five months after the injury - aggressive but not unheard of), the team would closely resemble the team that took Phoenix to a game seven two seasons ago. Maggette and Cassell need to keep the team competitive until Brand returns. A playoff berth in a season as ill-fated as this would have the team ready to enter next season on the upswing again. It's not completely unrealistic - the top of the Western Conference is great, but the 8th spot has to go to someone - the Clippers just have to finish above the Lakers, the Hornets and the Grizz (forget Portland, Seattle, Sacramento and Minnesota). That's not that daunting.

5. Sacramento Kings
Tom Ziller, Sactown Royalty

What they need to do to make me happy: 40+ wins, which means competing for a playoff spot. Get Kevin Martin into the All-Star game. Get a youngster or draft pick and no bad contracts for Mike Bibby.

Reasoning for above: Because it's a fast trip to the bottom and a long journey up. (I remember the 1990s.) This team won't resemble a contender for years, but playoff contention is a nice distraction from the depression fed by the roster at large.

Labels: Born and Raised, Clips Nation, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA preview, Phoenix Suns, Plissken at the Buzzer, Sacramento Kings, Sactown Royalty

posted by Crucifictorious @ 18:16, ,

Getting real: NBA Southeast Division preview

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, take a spin with stars like Gil, Dwyane, and Dwight.

1. Orlando Magic (Formerly The Orlando Tragic)
Black and Blue Jor, The Howeva Files

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: I forsee good things, like winning the Southeast Conference with a 48-34 record. Yes, really.


2. Washington Wizards
JakeTheSnake, Bullets Forever

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Struggle out of the gates but then pick up steam, play marginally better defense and end up playing just above .500 ball for the season putting them somewhere between 4th and 8th in the conference.

Reasoning: If the preseason has been any indication (which it probably hasn't) Gilbert is still trying to get into a rhythm and the team will have to feel things out while adjusting to not having Etan Thomas' presence inside. After struggling throughout November and into December, Agent Zero will catch fire get the Wizards back in the hunt but won't have enough to get them into the elite in the East. All in all the Wizards will end up being better than last year's version but the improvement in the conference keeps the Wizards will keep that improvement from paying dividends in the win-loss column.

3. Miami Heat
Ben Go, Thank You Isiah
[Editor's note: This was written pre-Ricky Davis/Antoine Walker trade.]
Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Possibly go .500 and sneak into the 8th spot. (The improved Orlando and Charlotte squads will vie for the Southeast.) But barring a simply remarkable performance by Wade, they'll be bounced in the first round.



4. Charlotte Bobcats
Brett, Queen City Hoops

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win more games than last year...but not enough for it to matter. 37 wins sounds about right. Oh, and the Bobcats continue to get snubbed at the mid-season gala. And Rufus (the mascot) gets arrested for running a prostitution ring.

Labels: Atlanta Hawks, Bullets Forever, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, NBA preview, Orlando Magic, Queen City Hoops, Right Down Peachtree, Thank You Isiah, The Howeva Files, Washington Wizards

posted by Crucifictorious @ 12:22, ,

Wishful thinking: NBA Southeast Division preview

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, take a spin with stars like Gil, Dwyane, and Dwight.

1. Miami Heat
Ben Go, Thank You Isiah
[Editor's note: This was written pre-Ricky Davis/Antoine Walker trade.]
What they need to do to make me happy: Win 50 and the Southeast, Shaq actually plays 72 games or so, Jason Williams plays 75 games, Wade returns by the end of November, wins the MVP. Make the Eastern Finals, where they lose to Chicago. (Remember, I'm a Bulls fan now.)


2. Washington Wizards
JakeTheSnake, Bullets Forever

What they need to do to make me happy: I'd like to see the Wizards get into the second round first and foremost, while you don't need a certain record to get to that level (see: Golden State Warriors) I'd like to see the Wizards get at least 47 wins. Anything above that is an added bonus in my book. This effort will be led in part by Andray Blatche who will take home M.I.P. honors this season (you heard it here first!).

Reasoning: The Wizards can't continue to stay on the verge of being an elite team, this has to be the make or break year for this team. While I'll still take languishing as a also-ran in the playoffs over consistently being an out and out terrible team, I would much rather root for a winner.

3. Charlotte Bobcats
Brett, Queen City Hoops

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 40 games...or 41...or 39 - whatever winds up being the minimum needed to make the playoffs. Losing in the first round is perfectly acceptable, but winning a game at home would be nice. Additionally, seeing a Bobcat make the All-Star game would bring a smile to my face. Make it two, with Gerald Wallace on the team, and Emeka Okafor making it as Shaq's injury replacement.

Reasoning: At this point, 4 years into Charlotte's second shot at NBA basketball, the natives are getting restless: We're ready for playoff basketball to come back to the city, as the Hornets had gotten us quite used to seeing some playoff games every spring. For the city to really embrace the new franchise, the team needs to start winning a bit more, and making the playoffs would be a great start. As far as the All-Star game is concerned, it is just time for Emeka and Gerald to be recognized as the outstanding young players they are (and it would bring more credibility to the team to have our best players acknowledged on such a stage).

4. Orlando Magic (Formerly The Orlando Tragic)
Black and Blue Jor, The Howeva Files

What they need to do to make me happy: To be honest, unlike most of the shitstorms that are in the NBA the Magic actually have high expectations this season. Anything less than the 2nd round playoffs will have all 4 of the total Orlando Magic fans in a huff. If they don't win at least 40 games and make the playoffs, it's time to burn Darko Milicic for witchcraft.

Reasoning: The Magic spent a loooooooot of money this offseason, including robbing banks and actioning off illigitemate children of Patrick Ewing to sign Rashard Lewis. They also have been waiting a while to see what the deal is with Jameer Nelson and if they have more than a drunk white poet in JJ Redick.

5. Atlanta Hawks

Jay Busbee, Right Down Peachtree

What they need to do to make me happy: Just show up to play every night…and don’t look up in the stands. The Hawks have the talent to make a little noise in the East, but that noise won’t be coming from the desolate Philips Arena seats. Best hope? 40-42, sneaking into the playoffs only to get waxed by the Boston Trifecta.

Reasoning: Joe Johnson’s a top-20 player, Josh Smith is a singular talent, and Al Horford and Acie Law should be in the running for All-Rookie First Team. This team could be a lot of fun to watch, and if the Hawks brass has any clue, they’ll cut them loose and turn them into Phoenix East.

Labels: Atlanta Hawks, Bullets Forever, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, NBA preview, Orlando Magic, Queen City Hoops, Right Down Peachtree, Thank You Isiah, The Howeva Files, Washington Wizards

posted by Crucifictorious @ 09:30, ,

Getting real: NBA Southwest Division preview
Tuesday, October 30, 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, get acquainted with the league's strongest division below.



5. The Boys from Beale Street – The Memphis Grizzlies
Spartacus, Shades of Blue

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 37 games, lose enough close games to miss the playoffs and wind up 9th or 10th in the West. Gasol will make the All-Star team as a reserve and actually score a point this time, unlike his last appearance. They’ll also trade Damon Stoudamire mid-season once Kyle Lowry and Mike Conley Jr. prove that they are capable of leading the team.

Reasoning: There are a few teams that are evidently worse off than Memphis (Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, L.A. Clippers) and a couple of more that don’t appear to be much, if any, better than the Grizzlies (Sacramento, L.A. Lakers, Golden State, New Orleans). Because of that, I think the 7th – 11th spots in the West will be separated by only 5 or 6 games, which means that if the Grizzlies step up, find a go-to scorer and come together as a new team under a new coach, they could be in the thick of things. Their attention to defense will be one of the main keys to their success, since they neglected to play any last year.

Labels: AdonalObsessed, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, I Ball For Real, Introducing Liston, Mavs Moneyball, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA preview, New Orleans Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Shades of Blue

posted by Crucifictorious @ 16:22, ,

Until tonight, everyone's still undefeated

Long-rumored...but with hours to spare, here's our NBA preview special. Because, you know, the world needed another one.

Hey there, wayward readers! Welcome to We Rite Goode's high-concept, low-rent NBA preview, where we'll...

....wait, wait. Hold on. Not only does the season tip off tonight, there already are a gazillion, top-notch NBA previews to choose from. Tom Ziller offers the appealing, non-denominational Festivus series on Ballhype. Celtic Blog's Jeff Clark corralled an entire league's worth of bloggers to post about their favorite teams. Even our hometown heroes, Prada and Jake at Bullets Forever, have done due diligence on the Wizards while offering "competition discussions" to take the league's pulse. The list goes on and on and on, with wrinkles galore. Most likely previews! Individual player previews!! Previews by players!!! A preview so hyperlinked it folds back in on itself!!!!

You get it. It's a crowded space. So why us? What made us think we can actually add value to the mix?

Two words.

John Hollinger.

As usual, it all starts with him.

----------------------------------------------

We got to wondering, when ESPN's Hollinger started taking flack this month over NBA predictions that we'll charitably describe as "counterintuitive" and others call "$%$ing awful." The Raptors...slipping out of the playoffs? The Nets...falling behind the Hawks and Magic? The Clippers...winning only 20 games!?

Save Houston fans--basking in Hollinger's prediction of a title--many others were grinding their axes, or at least asking Yahoo! if it was OK to get angry.

But here's the thing about Hollinger. Unlike many, many bloggers (excluding most of the ones mentioned above), he accounts for competition.

It should go without saying, but predictions can't be made in a vacuum. If a blogger forecasts one team winning 10 more games than last year, he needs to understand that the rest of the league collectively loses those 10 (and a true forecast would account for scheduling quirks, too). Say a blogger predicts the Wizards to win 55 games, up from 41...well, who's falling behind them in the East? And didn't Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, and other Eastern teams improve more in the off-season? Looking at the Celtics Blog-organized previews--which are wonderfully comprehensive, entertaining reads, and offer all kinds of fan perspective--occasionally reveals this lack of scope. We knew something was fishy when the Seattle guy predicted 40 wins.

What makes Hollinger annoying is that he serves as a check on our optimism at exactly the wrong time. During preseason, as we're thinking of what could be, he keys on what never was; looking backward, Hollinger explains why some won-loss records are hollow and certain players had career years. And agree with his logic or not, Hollinger grounds his predictions in such granular, player-by-player reasoning, it's hard to ignore his argument. Thus, while we're dismayed by the forecast of a 33-49 Wizards' season, we at least understand his case.

(We'll also confess our bias here; regular readers know Hollinger carries WRG's stamp of approval, and Dan Steinberg points out that Hollinger wasn't that far off last year.)

----------------------------------------------

So, here's where we came in: We wondered if bloggers could independently exercise the same restraint, the same critical eye as Hollinger. In an early incarnation, we figured our NBA preview would focus on a brief experiment--ask 30 of the bloggers we most respected and trusted to predict their favorite team's season, submitting some brief comments as explanation.

We didn't explain this experimental aspect when we asked; meanwhile, in a credit to bloggers' kindness, our target participants near-unanimously agreed to help. As we collected data, the bloggers' responses all were kept blind of one another; moreover, we didn't encourage participants to focus solely on won-loss record, as we asked for that fact within the context of a larger survey.

Basically, no one knew to "temper" their predictions. For all intents and purposes, each participant wrote up a normal preview.

(Of course, the writing that we got back was so good, we decided to expand this preview. More on that all the way at the bottom.)

(And hopefully, none of these bloggers now hate us. Scout's honor, it was for a good cause! Marketplace of ideas, and all that.)

First, we wanted to know--what does your team need to do to make you happy? Here's what we learned, in what we'll call the "wishful thinking" scenario.



Yes, hope springs eternal in the preseason. (Note: We conducted these surveys pre-Ricky Davis trade, pre-Beno Udrih trade, and pre-Mark Cuban elimination from Dancing With the Stars. Just take that into consideration). According to our participants--ranging from dedicated NBA writers like Natalie Sitto and Marcel Mutoni to guys like the Big Picture's Zach ("I'm only a fan, not an expert" he assured us)--the average team would need to go 47-35 and a whopping 24 teams would make the playoffs in order to satisfy expectations. Only the esteemed bloggers representing Memphis, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento, and Seattle are OK with buying their teams lottery tickets in October. (You read right--every Eastern Conference blogger save one think his team's got a chance. It's that wide-open).

You'll notice that we scratched a few predictions out; this reflects three cases when participants weren't especially concerned with record. As you'll read in their write-ups, Jon of MVN/Passion & Pride wanted a win--just one!--for the 76ers, while Seth Kolloen of Enjoy the Enjoyment only asks for the Sonics to stay in Seattle. (Also, Liston Von Culbertson calls for an 82-0 season for the Spurs...but we felt obligated to exercise a bit of restraint.) In these cases, we turned to the Celtics Blog-previews and just subbed in the average record expected.

----------------------------------------------

But OK. That's the ideal scenario. Of course every fan dreams big...although, pending emergency playoff expansion, more than one-quarter of our participants are slated for disappointment. But we figured, true fans are grounded in reality--they've had to temper expectations before. So we also asked--forget the ideal scenario; what realistically is going to happen? And here's where it gets really interesting, folks.


Sure, there's still some distortion--the average team would go an impossible 43-39--but, the group now forecasts a near-perfect field of 17 playoff teams. The correct eight from the East, the unorthodox nine from the West. Seven bloggers weeded themselves out; only Carter Blanchard's wavering support for the Lakers keeps it from a proper playoffs.

So our conclusion: Bloggers tend toward slight optimism and inflation, but given the limitations of their information, being an average of just two games off (and picking a near-playoff field) was pretty impressive to us.

----------------------------------------------

And we could've stopped there...but the bloggers blew us away. Some wrote back in record time (Tom Ziller, Trey Jones) or offered to craft multiple previews (Ben Go). Others wrote reams, even when we asked for only a few lines of context (you know who you are). Clearly, we had a full-fledged preview on our hands, even if we weren't initially prepared to build one.

Thus, although it's not We Rite Goode's style, we'll update the site two-three times per day over this first week of the NBA, sharing with you all the witty quips and observations some of the best sports bloggers offered up to us, division by division. And we really feel like we've been given a great window to do so--we've totally cornered the NBA preview market for this week and next!

As a side bonus, we pulled some other insights from the surveys, and if there's time, will throw them up via other soul-crushing graphs and charts that only remind you of work and/or dreaded econ classes.

Wait. Graphs, charts, and pages of text?

Yes--we know our target audience.

Update: Links below as we upload division-by-division previews.
Southwest Division preview

• Ideal scenario
  
• Likely scenario
  

Southeast Division preview

• Ideal scenario
  
• Likely scenario

Pacific Division preview

• Ideal scenario
• Likely scenario

Atlantic Division preview

• Ideal scenario
• Likely scenario

Northwest Division preview

• Ideal scenario
• Likely scenario

Central Division preview

• Ideal scenario
• Likely scenario

Labels: experiment, NBA preview, raging optimism, surprisingly accurate grounding in reality

posted by Crucifictorious @ 04:35, ,

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