Lakers are looking like the B team this year compared to the Clippers.
Lakers are old and need to be rebuilt from the ground up. Kobe can still stay, but they need a new coaching staff that isn't D'antoni. Also, it isn't too late to search for a true successor for Kobe Bryant.
@Master_Live: Magic was pretty shit, honestly at this point, and after listening to the Grantland previews, it might as well just be Simmons and Rose. Wilbon's okay but I enjoy him more when he's given more free reign on PTI, Doug Collins could be an interesting addition, not crazy abou Doris Burke but i'll give it a watch before passing too much judgement.
I like Doris and I it is always great to have a coach in the set like Doug, plus we know Collins and Wilbon are friends. They can draw plays using one of those touch screens and actually analyze what it is happening on the court.
The Heat have a higher average age than the Spurs. Adjusted for playing time the Heat have one of the oldest rosters period. If the Spurs don't win (they won't Go Rockets!) won't be because of age.
The Heat have a higher average age than the Spurs. Adjusted for playing time the Heat have one of the oldest rosters period. If the Spurs don't win (they won't Go Rockets!) won't be because of age.
NBA 2k14 has the Heat beating the Rockets in 6 games. Pretty generous of them.
@Pittfan666: Spurs still have another year in them--especially given the Western Conference.
Thunder haven't improved; they need to swap Perkins and Ibaka for a capable big.
Rockets don't know who their point guard is going to be; Lin's global appeal gets in the way of realizing Beverley is the best PG for the Rockets. There's a chance Asik's discontent might cause problems, too.
Clippers need Blake to play like KG for Doc; he looks like he can. But DeAndre needs to keep up these absurd block tallies he's posting preseason. Paul is still a defensive liability.
Warriors don't have many holes until Bogut and Curry go down; that's historically just a matter of time.
@Pittfan666: Spurs still have another year in them--especially given the Western Conference.
Thunder haven't improved; they need to swap Perkins and Ibaka for a capable big.
Rockets don't know who their point guard is going to be; Lin's global appeal gets in the way of realizing Beverley is the best PG for the Rockets. There's a chance Asik's discontent might cause problems, too.
Clippers need Blake to play like KG for Doc; he looks like he can. But DeAndre needs to keep up these absurd block tallies he's posting preseason. Paul is still a defensive liability.
Warriors don't have many holes until Bogut and Curry go down; that's historically just a matter of time.
I'm liking your throwback cavs logo. Anyway, since you broke down the West, break down the East?
@PSP107: The East is a little more clear cut I think.
Heat are still the Heat. Lost Mike Miller, got Oden and Beasley. Still will struggle against Hibbert if they play Indiana in the playoffs (and if Indiana actually feeds Hibbert).
Pacers were beaten by their bench last year. They added Scola, CJ Watson, and Chris Copeland. I think that's enough of a punch to help their second unit. Plus, if they delegate Granger to the first option on the second team and he returns even to 80% of Granger of old, that's a pretty scary match-up for anyone--including Miami--because Scola is very capable too.
Nets are obviously radically different in a good way. But who takes the last shot? Joe Johnson is money. Remember the Wade-LeBrong last-shot debacles the first year? Deron Williams had a strong second half of the season. He could be key if he wins the Chalmers/Cole match-up in a series. And who stops Lopez for Miami?
Bulls look really strong already. They really need to swap Deng for less of a distraction. Packaging Rose and Boozer to get a three and let Gibson play four would be ideal. Rose is on point already. Butler needs to make the jump. Don't think they have the depth for a run at the title though.
Knicks can only make a run if they're a top-four seed. I don't see it. Lots of pressure on Bargnani. Interesting to see how JR Smith responds to disappearing in playoffs.
Pistons are going to be really fun to watch. Drummond is the real deal. Jennings and Smith will have plenty of highlights this year. But they're not a serious contender.
Hawks got Millsap for a few nickels. Horford could benefit from Millsap's floor-spacing ability (compared to Josh Smith's lane-clogging ability). Probably the same playoff matchup for them: Indiana. That was the only series I couldn't stomach. Shouldn't be any different.
Take your pick. I guess the Wizards maybe. The Southeast is bad. Free wins from Orlando and Charlotte. Wall could explode this year, and they played well down the stretch last season. Beal is a good two, but I don't think the Porter pick contributes, so I don't think they're much different than last year.
I was thinking about purchasing NBA League Pass for mobile, anyone have it? I already know the local teams will be blacked out along with most of the teams like Heat, GSW and Bulls, probably worth getting just for the teams that aren't on national tv that much
Rockets have two more than capable point guards, I don't see why that's an issue. Bev starts, Lin 6th man, both play around 28-30 minutes, occasionally at the same time (Lin is 6'3, so fairly capable of guarding most shooting guards)
I know its preseason, but the Pacers lost twice to the Bulls. And the Bulls still not 100% healthy
@No_Hablo_Ingles said:
Rockets have two more than capable point guards, I don't see why that's an issue. Bev starts, Lin 6th man, both play around 28-30 minutes, occasionally at the same time (Lin is 6'3, so fairly capable of guarding most shooting guards)
Will the Rockers always go with Howard and Asik starting together?
If it works, yeah. Probably adjust minutes so one is always on the court ( not counting garbage time) whether it is successful or not. Also matchup dependent- against Memphis, yeah probably be a highly used lineup. Against small ball teams? Probably not unless Howard proves himself capable of guarding S-4s
@PSP107: I think Indiana is still a stronger team top-to-bottom. Chicago is going to miss Nate. They don't have anyone on the bench that can put up consistent points other than maybe Gibson. Pacers have Granger (who's out the rest of the preseason for what that's worth) and Scola. Even Copeland could help.
@andyboiii: NBA near deals to allow live local streaming leaguewide
That is likely going to be a non-issue. That'd be very refreshing.
@No_Hablo_Ingles: I'm not questioning either of Houston's PGs although I hate Lin on defense and have seen enough airballs not to buy in that he can help space the floor. I just think each guy deserves minutes, and not having a clear-cut PG typically hurts a team in the playoffs. I'd never pick Houston to win a title unless one of these two guys is given a clear number-one role.
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