Getting real: NBA Pacific 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, check out what bloggers see in store for Kobe, Baron, and Bibby.

1. Phoenix Suns
Steve Goldman, Born and Raised

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: It is difficult to predict exactly what will happen, but some things are pretty much certain. Phoenix will win at least 55 games, win the Pacific Division, and will make the conference semi-finals. Depending on who the opponent is and how the team performs on game day, the Suns may get to the conference finals, and possibly even the NBA finals.

Reasoning: The Suns have one of the strongest rosters in the league. They have three players who are likely to make the all-star team (Nash, Stoudemire, Marion) plus Grant Hill, Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa backing them up. Last year, the Suns went 61-21 (.744). This season, the Suns roster is improved, so it is perfectly reasonable to expect the results to improve. This team has the potential to win the championship, and we shall soon see if the Suns manage to unleash their potential and go all the way.

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

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 40-45 games, sneak into the playoffs, and lose to a non-Dallas opponent in the first round. Baron only plays in 65 games, Captain Jackson gets suspended three times, Monta vomits all over the playoffs again, and Marco's awesomeness only gets him to the Top 10.

Reasoning: I love this team to death, but they still play an incredibly risky style, which means that it could all come crashing down any minute now. I still think we're good enough to get to the playoffs, but I'm not expecting another matchup quite as felicitous as the one we had against the Mavs.

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: , , , , , , , , ,

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

What they need to do to make me happy: I'd be very happy if Phoenix win 60+ games. Some might say this is a big ask, but I know they can do it. Phoenix can make it to the Western Conference finals they will disappoint many fans if they fail. Leandro Barbosa should improve even more, and I'd like to see rookies DJ Strawberry and Alando Tucker prove that they deserve to be playing for such a great time.

Reasoning: The Suns' elimination from the playoffs at the hands of the Spurs was disappointing but San Antonio were a better team at the time. This year, I expect a different outcome if the two teams meet in the playoffs. After snapping up two good draft picks and signing Grant Hill, the Suns have more depth than last year. Barbosa.


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.

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

What they need to do to make me happy: Win more than 45 games, make it to the playoffs, and win a playoff series. Individually, Baron Davis plays 75 games, Captain Jackson only gets suspended two more times, Monta Ellis learns to hit the 20-foot jumper that made Tony Parker a star, and Marco Belinelli finishes in the Top 5 for ROY voting on coolness alone.

Reasoning: We still don't have enough of a post threat to challenge for a title, but that doesn't mean Nellieball can't continue to chip away at the Right Way monopoly. For this pinko commie fan, that's enough.

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: , , , , , , , , ,

posted by Crucifictorious @ 18:16, ,


link to onlinedegreeadvantage.com
online degree programs guide