Poll: Which team has most work to do this off season?
by olf on Jun 29, 2010 11:35 AM CDT
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PrintOK, the playoffs and parades are over. (Wow! weren't they just super?) The draft is even complete. And here we stand just days away from finding out where LeBron will go. I'm figuring a 95%+ chance he stays in the east so who gives a frick?
Now the trade rumors are a-flyin' and with all big name free agents this year the NBA landscape is likely to look quite different by the time the season starts. With all that up in the air, trying to project how how the teams will place next year is futile.
But I do wonder which team is poised to drop the farthest from where they finished last year? For example, I remember back to 2008 when New Orleans pushed the Spurs in the conference semis only to drop like a stone. Or 2009 when Portland were "world beaters" only to fall to Houston and then to killer injuries. In 2010 Phx made the conference finals but have they peaked?
So bottom line, given all we think we know, which team is most in danger of a big drop if they don't do a lot of work this off season?
Below is an alphabetical list of teams in the west along with where they placed in the standings and their win-loss record. (Sorry eastern conf. and Clips, Sacto, Warriors & Minni. I don't care about you right now.)
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Phoenix… not a doubt in my mind. If Apostrophe leaves, it’ll be an even bigger challenge.
Free Tiago Splitter!
I also picked Phoenix, who need a GM. Lakers don’t have to make changes, just keep Phil as coach and keep Odom from getting too distracted and keep Artest from going completely off the deep end. On the other hand, that kinda sounds like work.
by doggydogworld on Jun 29, 2010 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
I was thinking along the same lines with utah losing boozer, mathews and korver
"It's Manuway or the Highway" - tlo
he stays in the east so who gives a frick?
The Lakers should. Right now the Lakers are above everyone else in the league talent wise with two superstars and a pretty good supporting cast. The main reason other teams can still beat them is better team chemistry and better coaching (yes, I know Phil is a genius but his main talent is the ability to babysit difficult personalities, the team does not always follow his gameplan).
If LeBron ends up on a team with another megastar, a decent coach and a decent supporting cast then Laker’s have a peer talentwise, though probably a further step down wrt team chemistry and coachibility.
'What color do you want?" (Tim Duncan)
Look sw, We just got through playing 110-116ish games (not counting preseason) for the 3rd consecutive season. So I’m exhausted. One thing I have learned is that things don’t always work out as you expect. While I am confident that we will make the playoffs who knows if we can get to the Finals AGAIN – it’s always a tough slog. Plus no matter how many dominating teams there are in the east you only ever have to beat ONE to be champs – while you have to get through three western teams.
I’ll watch when my team plays the top 2-3 east teams and maybe when they play each other. But I won’t start to worry until at least 1/2 way through the season. I watch too much b-ball already. And who really cares about Atlanta or Miami or the teams who have zero chance to make it out of the east. Plus however LBJ, Bosh & Wade, etc. end up I am sure we will see plenty of coverage on Sportscenter and everywhere else.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
Lakers had no bench though. They had enough talent from their starters and Odom to get by. If they can get Mike Miller, that is a solid pick up. With Fisher getting older, they will need to try and find a new PG. Although losing Farmer is a benefit more than a loss. Shannon Brown is overrated. Lots of athletic abilities, little game.
OK I know Fisher, Farmar & Brown aren’t much but without them the Lakers have exactly zero point guards. So we’ll see.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
That is an interesting question. With the Lakers supposedly trying to reach agreement with Mike Miller, that helps their outside shooting, but doesn’t address the one glaring issue on the roster…. who plays the point? What do Lakers fans think they’ll do?
The people of the village fell silent, as the beast opened its mouth. And then the beast spoke, and said "LOL BRO".
Well I am sure Fisher will be back they just have to posture about the money. I think they would take Shannon Brown back if the money was right but I figure he’ll get an offer too good to pass up.
One rumor is that Odom is on the trading block since he was mostly a no-show in the playoffs and the owner is way above where he wants to be salary-wise. (Perhaps we’ll get to see how Mrs Odom likes living in Milwaukee or Indiana or some “smaller market”. Ugh, not another reality show!)
There was also a rumor that they might re-sign Javaris Crittendon (the guy who drew guns with Arinas in the Wizz locker room) because he was drafted by the Lakers, they liked him while he was here and he at least knows some triangle offense.
So who knows. Maybe a savvy vet who wants to win a ring? They’ll figure out something.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
by olf on Jul 2, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Looks like you guys are getting Steve Blake. Good move, IMO. I hate that the Lakers are actually a well-run team.
The people of the village fell silent, as the beast opened its mouth. And then the beast spoke, and said "LOL BRO".
I can live with that. Man I miss a day or two and you already know more about my team than I do. Hope he’s a quick learner (or at least knows enough to give the ball to Kobe & get out of the way :) and likes triangles.
The L A Times seems to think that the negotiations with Fisher could drag out for a bit unfortunately.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
by olf on Jul 2, 2010 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions
As much as Odom is a no show, he made some important plays that made the difference. It’s a good thing if he isn’t on the Lakers for every other team.
It’s funny Big Baby was just too quick and too wide for Odom. He just moved Odom out of the way. But I like love having Odom to rebound and push the ball. Plus it is great having Bynum, Gasol & Odom. The 4 & 5 are covered by quality starters all 48 minutes or even if one of them gets in foul trouble or hurt.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
by olf on Jul 2, 2010 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Not only did he play cowboy w/Gilbert, he also was traded for Pau. I think Javaris will be the answer to a couple of trivia questions one day.
That’s right. I remember being sorry that Farmar wasn’t the one traded. But at least for now they’re both G-O-N-E.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
by olf on Jul 4, 2010 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions
I think & hope it is just posturing and that they reach an agreement.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
by olf on Jul 2, 2010 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I actually hope Fisher is still there next season too. If we are to win the championship, and get through the Lakers to do it, I want Fisher to be there. It’s so much better to beat a team that’s at full strength. (Plus we still need retribution for that .4 shot Fisher made)
"I've got Tim (Duncan) and you don't. That's the difference." -Gregg Popovich
Only one who picked OKC. They were the only team last year who did NOT have ANY major injury issues. Doubt that will happen again, and while they’re top 6 or 7 guys are great, they have almost no depth. One injury, and they are back in the lottery, especially if it is Durant or any of their bigs.
So they have a lot of work to do, even if it is just on their bench.
Rim Rockin' Red Rocket -silverandblack_davis
This is hard to say. Each team has work to do, the teams that missed the playoffs probably have the MOST work to do. The NOOCH are a long way off from being contenders as is Memphis. Every team needs help and I hope the Spurs do the best job of getting what they need. I look for most of these teams to improve at least on paper.
Yeah to me there is no way NOOCH & Memphis become “contenders” in my mind – that is to possibly make the conference finals. That is why I added " just to stay where they finished last year" to the poll question. So to me it is more likely that NOOCH makes it back to 37 – 45 and Memphis to 40 – 42 then it is for Phx to make it to 54 – 28 and the conf finals. (Course Phx totally surprised me this season so what the hell do I know?)
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
Dude you are so right. Getting to the Finals year after year and winning all those championships is totally exhausting! Getting swept out of the second round (by Phx. no less) is so much nicer. I mean you get all that extra time off to relax and stuff. I’m so jealous.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
sorry, i did not put that. My brother uses this account also. As much as I hate the Lakers, they don’t suck.
Dejuan BLAAAIIIIIIRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!
Oh no need to be sorry. I am sure there are many here who feel the same way as he does.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
See? I get the feeling by TD21’s reply up there that he feel much the same way as your brother. No doubt there are countless others.
Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it.
by olf on Jul 2, 2010 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I don’t think he would be replying that way if you weren’t sarcastic.
If you liked it, then you shoulda put a fifth ring on it.
by day_late_friend on Jul 4, 2010 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions
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