You are very correct. The Kings are one of the better home teams in the entire league. But, if I recall, they are just as dreadful on the road. I'm starting to wonder, if that great home court advantage that Sacto had the beginning of this decade is still true today..
They went 26-15 at home and 12-29 on the road. After selling out every home game since 1999 the Kings only sold out the three home games (against the Celtics and Lakers) during the 07-08 season averaging 13,500 fans per home game, almost 4,000 below capacity. Many home games struggled to put 15,000 in with empty seats common.
Seems the Kings have lost a little bit of their home crowd with the last few years of futility. I do agree, they have a decent core with Udrih, Martin, Miller, Salmons and Moore. I just think losing your best defensive player when you already gave up 105 points a game AND you're losing your home court advantage, it only spells bad news for the Kings.
They replaced Najera with Ruben Patterson and Renaldo Balkman. Both guys are more athletic than Najera. I think this is actually a nice upgrade for a team that wont miss the shooting that Najera did better than those two.
The Nuggets arnt going to be as bad as most people think, but I dont tihnk they will get to their TT in wins that this site is predicting them at. Allen and Carmelo will still be able to put the ball in the hoop, and without Camby I think we will see more guys helping out around the basket.
I disagree with your assement of George Karl. I think he is a very overrated coach that burns his players out very quickly. With Karl and Iverson in the last years of their deals, this team could waive the white flag sooner rather than later. Karl's teams have quit on him every place he has gone and this will be no exception.
If you think the Under is a good play based on the roster, then I strongle advise you make that play. George Karl will burn them out and as a lame duck head coach, his time is only limited.
About the Kings comments, Brad Miller was solid about 4 years ago. Since then he has been an overpriced soft center that should probably be playing the 4 spot. He is one of the major reasons that this team has taken a downslide.
http://deadspin.com/people/Basketbawful/posts/
They are doing team previews over at deadspin. Figured you guys might want to check them out.
They are doing team previews over at deadspin. Figured you guys might want to check them out.
DETROIT PISTONS TEAM PREVIEW
Projected Starting Lineup
C-Rasheed Wallace
PF-Antonio McDyess
SF-Tayshaun Prince
SG-Richard Hamilton
PG-Chauncy Billups
Key Reserves
Jason Maxiel
Kwame Brown
Arronn Afflalo
Rodney Stuckey
Amir Johnson
Detroit Pistons team review. Solid team year in and year out 1) Because they have managed to keep their team together for such a long time ..this makes a world of difference (look how much less talent olympic teams have, but they compete because they know one another) and 2) Because they play good defense. I don't see any of that changing this year. I do see a few problems with this team. They are getting yet another year older and that means one thing. They are at a higher risk for injury. They have a decent bench but only in certain spots. They cannot afford to lose Hamilton or Prince in my opinion. Billups would be a huge loss to this team as well. I'm not as high on this team as everyone else is. I see their season win total is set at 51.5 and thats a bit high IMO. The east is much better and it is better because it is getting more physical. It's a lot harder for a bunch of old men to bang with 20 somethings that are that much stronger than them. I mean I can't hate on them that much. Take a look back in history and please go find me a bunch of teams that have advanced to 6 straight conference finals. You will only find 7 in the history of the NBA. That says a lot for this team. Another thing worth noting. This team has won 50+ games for 7 consecutive seasons. That is remarkable to say the least. Anyways lets start with the coach. Flip won games but he hasn't since 05 won the trophy. I mean I personally would keep around a coach that can get my 30 somethings to get me 50+ wins every year. They just ware down come playoffs. I think hiring Curry was a mistake but what the hell do I know. Billups had a great year last year as he always does. His minutes were down (which is a good thing) but his FG and FT percentage were at career highs to make up for the four/five fewer minutes he was getting per game. I mean for 32 mins 17 ppg out of your pg is more than enough. One of the most underrated PG in the league. Shit we might as well come out and say it. He's the most under appreciated player in the NBA. I love Stuckey as his backup and he saved them in the playoffs last year against Orlando. Billups missed two games in that series and all Stuckey did was score 21 points, have 0 turnovers and play 55 minutes of undefeated 2-0 basketball. I think they might have found Billlups' replacement if they decide to trade him sometime in the season (which I think they will...paired with Wallace for a force down low). SG Rip Hamilton is someone you cannot afford to go down. He had an all-time low 17.9 ppg last year but def still got the job done. A lot of people like Afflalo but I am not one of them. He was on and off last year towards the end of the year and he just isn't consistent. He looks like he has a future one day and then sucks the next. On to SF...I love Tayshaun Prince' game and he is even better when the playoffs come around. His length helps the team on help defense and he can score with anyone when he is on. My problem again is what the Pistons have waiting for him on the bench. Walter Hermann
hno:. And as for the front court the Pistons have Sheed which is fine and then 40 other guys fighting for the starting PF position. I'm guessing it will be an open competition for the pre-season to fill this spot. Detroit likes McDyess, no one should like Kwame Brown, and I personally like Maxiell. I like the energy he brings to the team but I wouldn't start him for that very reason. It's nice to bring a boost of energy off the bench and him and Stuckey do that better than anyone else on this Pistons team. Again they have all the intangibles, they have the talent, but I still see some question marks. I'm not as high as everyone else is on their bench. I don't like teams with new coaches to win 50+ games and go deep into the playoffs. Im gonna get bombarded with people saying I'm crazy but I think this is the year the Pistons fall off (a little). Either a trade will mess up that great nucleus or someone will come down with Arthritis.
Season Prediction: 49-33 and anywheres from 4-6th in the East...4th best case scenario only because I feel Cleveland is the better team for the long haul in the Central
Projected Starting Lineup
C-Rasheed Wallace
PF-Antonio McDyess
SF-Tayshaun Prince
SG-Richard Hamilton
PG-Chauncy Billups
Key Reserves
Jason Maxiel
Kwame Brown
Arronn Afflalo
Rodney Stuckey
Amir Johnson
Detroit Pistons team review. Solid team year in and year out 1) Because they have managed to keep their team together for such a long time ..this makes a world of difference (look how much less talent olympic teams have, but they compete because they know one another) and 2) Because they play good defense. I don't see any of that changing this year. I do see a few problems with this team. They are getting yet another year older and that means one thing. They are at a higher risk for injury. They have a decent bench but only in certain spots. They cannot afford to lose Hamilton or Prince in my opinion. Billups would be a huge loss to this team as well. I'm not as high on this team as everyone else is. I see their season win total is set at 51.5 and thats a bit high IMO. The east is much better and it is better because it is getting more physical. It's a lot harder for a bunch of old men to bang with 20 somethings that are that much stronger than them. I mean I can't hate on them that much. Take a look back in history and please go find me a bunch of teams that have advanced to 6 straight conference finals. You will only find 7 in the history of the NBA. That says a lot for this team. Another thing worth noting. This team has won 50+ games for 7 consecutive seasons. That is remarkable to say the least. Anyways lets start with the coach. Flip won games but he hasn't since 05 won the trophy. I mean I personally would keep around a coach that can get my 30 somethings to get me 50+ wins every year. They just ware down come playoffs. I think hiring Curry was a mistake but what the hell do I know. Billups had a great year last year as he always does. His minutes were down (which is a good thing) but his FG and FT percentage were at career highs to make up for the four/five fewer minutes he was getting per game. I mean for 32 mins 17 ppg out of your pg is more than enough. One of the most underrated PG in the league. Shit we might as well come out and say it. He's the most under appreciated player in the NBA. I love Stuckey as his backup and he saved them in the playoffs last year against Orlando. Billups missed two games in that series and all Stuckey did was score 21 points, have 0 turnovers and play 55 minutes of undefeated 2-0 basketball. I think they might have found Billlups' replacement if they decide to trade him sometime in the season (which I think they will...paired with Wallace for a force down low). SG Rip Hamilton is someone you cannot afford to go down. He had an all-time low 17.9 ppg last year but def still got the job done. A lot of people like Afflalo but I am not one of them. He was on and off last year towards the end of the year and he just isn't consistent. He looks like he has a future one day and then sucks the next. On to SF...I love Tayshaun Prince' game and he is even better when the playoffs come around. His length helps the team on help defense and he can score with anyone when he is on. My problem again is what the Pistons have waiting for him on the bench. Walter Hermann
hno:. And as for the front court the Pistons have Sheed which is fine and then 40 other guys fighting for the starting PF position. I'm guessing it will be an open competition for the pre-season to fill this spot. Detroit likes McDyess, no one should like Kwame Brown, and I personally like Maxiell. I like the energy he brings to the team but I wouldn't start him for that very reason. It's nice to bring a boost of energy off the bench and him and Stuckey do that better than anyone else on this Pistons team. Again they have all the intangibles, they have the talent, but I still see some question marks. I'm not as high as everyone else is on their bench. I don't like teams with new coaches to win 50+ games and go deep into the playoffs. Im gonna get bombarded with people saying I'm crazy but I think this is the year the Pistons fall off (a little). Either a trade will mess up that great nucleus or someone will come down with Arthritis.Season Prediction: 49-33 and anywheres from 4-6th in the East...4th best case scenario only because I feel Cleveland is the better team for the long haul in the Central
Michael Curry revealed yesterday that Amir Johnson will join the starting lineup, beginning with tonight’s preseason opener in Miami. From Chris McCosky:
“Amir does things without having to have the ball,” Curry said. “He’s able to pick up baskets through his activity, by running the floor and playing off the other four guys. He does all the intangible things, and through that he’s able to create offensive opportunities for himself.”
How long Johnson holds onto the spot is completely up to him.
“I am glad I got the opportunity,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been sitting on that bench for three years. I am ready to play.”
And as far as them trading Billups in a package deal with Rasheed. Those two players makes about $24,700,000. So unless the Pistons trade these guys to Memphis, Golden St, Oklahoma, or Charlotte they would need to get back $22,000,000 in salary for the trade to work with the cap rules. I just dont see that happening. While Sheed comes off the books after this year, Billups is slated to make $36,000,000 over the next 3 years. Hardly something a team would want to aqcuire.
“Amir does things without having to have the ball,” Curry said. “He’s able to pick up baskets through his activity, by running the floor and playing off the other four guys. He does all the intangible things, and through that he’s able to create offensive opportunities for himself.”
How long Johnson holds onto the spot is completely up to him.
“I am glad I got the opportunity,” Johnson said. “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been sitting on that bench for three years. I am ready to play.”
And as far as them trading Billups in a package deal with Rasheed. Those two players makes about $24,700,000. So unless the Pistons trade these guys to Memphis, Golden St, Oklahoma, or Charlotte they would need to get back $22,000,000 in salary for the trade to work with the cap rules. I just dont see that happening. While Sheed comes off the books after this year, Billups is slated to make $36,000,000 over the next 3 years. Hardly something a team would want to aqcuire.
HOUSTON ROCKETS TEAM PREVIEW
Projected Starting Lineup
C-Yao Ming
PF-Luis Scola
SF-Ron Artest
SG-Tracy McGrady
PG-Rafer Alston
Key Reserves
Chuck Hayes
Shane Battier
Luther Head
Steve Francis
Carl Landry
Aaron Brooks
Brent Barry
Looking at the Houston Rockets I see yet another team out west only getting better. 31, 52, then 55 wins over the past 3 years. I'd like to say this team is only gonna get better by adding defensive stopper in Ron Artest but how do you improve on 55 wins. With the west and their division the best in all the NBA I just cant see them topping 55 wins. Maybe 50 but it will be close to that number. I love what Adleman has done for this team. They have adapted the motion offense very smoothly and he has taught Houston to play some of the NBA's stingiest defense. And if that wasnt good enough (92ppg allowed) they went out and added maybe the NBA's best defender. They play great team ball and don't rely on only one player. YAO went down and did the Rockets fold last year like many teams would have? NO, they went 19-7 with him and only played harder. It took a few years but Rafer Alston has finally put the streetball bullshit behind him and has emerged as a true floor general. Not only has he learned how to get McGrady,Battier and Yao their respected shots but he has become a deep threat just to keep the defenses honest. This is one spot the Rockets do not have much depth in thought. Brooks is the backup and though he has shows some signs of good play, it would be a very tall order if something were to happen to Alston. Rockets are in great shape at the off gaurd position with Tracy. He picked up the scoring load when Yao went down and he did a great job at it. You always have to worry about the injury bug with TMAC but the Rockets have finally figured that out. They went out and signed deep threat Brent Barry and have Luther Head also to give TMAC all the rest he will need. The key to keeping him healthy is limiting his minutes. I know he won't be a fan of this but this is something that the Rockets can finally afford to do because of their depth at the 2 gaurd. Move to SF and you got the suffocating defense of Ron Artest. Not to mention he averaged a measley 20.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg last year. The best , quiet off season move IMO. It didn't grab as much attention as some of the other big trades but this might be the most important one. Hasn't adapted as a star yet in the NBA but Scola looked great in the olympics and I think this was just the boost of confidence he needed to make his role a little more important in Houston. I will almost promise you that he will improve on his 10 ppg and terrible 1.3 assists per game. Even if he doesn't fit you have 2nd year man Carl Landry who did way more than expected last year and if Scola doesnt produce (which I for one know he will) having Landry in their isn't a huge dropoff. Yao is obviously a beast at center and he is getting better and better every single year and that is scary. He's a global ICON for obvious reasons but IMO he doesn't get nearly as much love in the states as he deserves. He can score at will with his low post moves, has a great turn around jumper and as much as everyone says he is soft, he gets to the line A LOT. Not a little or enough. He gets there A LOT! When Yao needs a breather the 63 year old Dikembe Mutumbo comes in and has a pointless block and waives his 3 ft long finger at the crowd. Hooray Dikembe. SO with this write up I see a great team. Bench is week at PG and C but pretty solid pretty much everywhere else. Key for the Houston team is to NOT get off to another 12-14 start. You don't want to have to go on 22 game tears. I mean it is ok for momentum but it gets tiring and wears on a team. Hence the playoff fizzle.
Season Prediction:48-34 (could easily win 5-8 more games than this if healthy and if Artest doesn't snap at some point ruining the team chemistry)
This is def no longer a sleeper team in the west. They are for real. Probably the best defensive team in the league with one of the best scorers, one of the best centers, the best defender and a great PG. Watch out for this team:aktion033
Projected Starting Lineup
C-Yao Ming
PF-Luis Scola
SF-Ron Artest
SG-Tracy McGrady
PG-Rafer Alston
Key Reserves
Chuck Hayes
Shane Battier
Luther Head
Steve Francis
Carl Landry
Aaron Brooks
Brent Barry
Looking at the Houston Rockets I see yet another team out west only getting better. 31, 52, then 55 wins over the past 3 years. I'd like to say this team is only gonna get better by adding defensive stopper in Ron Artest but how do you improve on 55 wins. With the west and their division the best in all the NBA I just cant see them topping 55 wins. Maybe 50 but it will be close to that number. I love what Adleman has done for this team. They have adapted the motion offense very smoothly and he has taught Houston to play some of the NBA's stingiest defense. And if that wasnt good enough (92ppg allowed) they went out and added maybe the NBA's best defender. They play great team ball and don't rely on only one player. YAO went down and did the Rockets fold last year like many teams would have? NO, they went 19-7 with him and only played harder. It took a few years but Rafer Alston has finally put the streetball bullshit behind him and has emerged as a true floor general. Not only has he learned how to get McGrady,Battier and Yao their respected shots but he has become a deep threat just to keep the defenses honest. This is one spot the Rockets do not have much depth in thought. Brooks is the backup and though he has shows some signs of good play, it would be a very tall order if something were to happen to Alston. Rockets are in great shape at the off gaurd position with Tracy. He picked up the scoring load when Yao went down and he did a great job at it. You always have to worry about the injury bug with TMAC but the Rockets have finally figured that out. They went out and signed deep threat Brent Barry and have Luther Head also to give TMAC all the rest he will need. The key to keeping him healthy is limiting his minutes. I know he won't be a fan of this but this is something that the Rockets can finally afford to do because of their depth at the 2 gaurd. Move to SF and you got the suffocating defense of Ron Artest. Not to mention he averaged a measley 20.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg last year. The best , quiet off season move IMO. It didn't grab as much attention as some of the other big trades but this might be the most important one. Hasn't adapted as a star yet in the NBA but Scola looked great in the olympics and I think this was just the boost of confidence he needed to make his role a little more important in Houston. I will almost promise you that he will improve on his 10 ppg and terrible 1.3 assists per game. Even if he doesn't fit you have 2nd year man Carl Landry who did way more than expected last year and if Scola doesnt produce (which I for one know he will) having Landry in their isn't a huge dropoff. Yao is obviously a beast at center and he is getting better and better every single year and that is scary. He's a global ICON for obvious reasons but IMO he doesn't get nearly as much love in the states as he deserves. He can score at will with his low post moves, has a great turn around jumper and as much as everyone says he is soft, he gets to the line A LOT. Not a little or enough. He gets there A LOT! When Yao needs a breather the 63 year old Dikembe Mutumbo comes in and has a pointless block and waives his 3 ft long finger at the crowd. Hooray Dikembe. SO with this write up I see a great team. Bench is week at PG and C but pretty solid pretty much everywhere else. Key for the Houston team is to NOT get off to another 12-14 start. You don't want to have to go on 22 game tears. I mean it is ok for momentum but it gets tiring and wears on a team. Hence the playoff fizzle.
Season Prediction:48-34 (could easily win 5-8 more games than this if healthy and if Artest doesn't snap at some point ruining the team chemistry)
This is def no longer a sleeper team in the west. They are for real. Probably the best defensive team in the league with one of the best scorers, one of the best centers, the best defender and a great PG. Watch out for this team:aktion033
Injuries obviously huge with this team. There's no way they go through the whole season healthy.
Also, they won't be flying under the radar like they have the past few years. Nobody really took them that seriously imo. They were pretenders in the West. Now they aren't going to be taken so lightly.
Mutombo
Also, they won't be flying under the radar like they have the past few years. Nobody really took them that seriously imo. They were pretenders in the West. Now they aren't going to be taken so lightly.
Mutombo
I don't know I think one of the Pistons strengths these days is their bench. Stukey emerged during the playoffs last season as a legitimate 6th man of the league candidate this season. I am expecting a BIG year from him so I think losing Billups wouldn't be catastrophic. Also, Maxiel is a huge energy player coming off then bench. Same goes for Amir Johnson who is apparently starting. If that means McDyess comes off the bench that makes them even better. Agree with your predicted record and finish though as the Eastern conference is going to be much improved.
As far as Houston i think that was a dead on assessment other than the record. I think they will be in the low 50's for wins.
As far as Houston i think that was a dead on assessment other than the record. I think they will be in the low 50's for wins.
INDIANA PACERS TEAM PREVIEW
Projected Starting Lineup
C-Jeff Foster
PF-Troy Murphy
SF-Mike Dunleavy
SG-Danny Granger
PG-TJ Ford
Key Reserves (they have some trade bait)
Jarret Jack
Travis Deiner
Rasho Neserovic
Marquise Daniels
Roy Hibbert
Maceo Baston
Eddie Jones
Brandon Rush
Josh McRoberts
Indiana Pacers did a huge revamping in the offseason. Got rid of injury prone Oneal and also let Rush go and brought in 5 free agents/trades and two capable rookies. 7 new guys on your team and a lot of things could happen. You can A) Improve from a 36 win season or B) Have a tough time meshing all the new parts. I'm gonna go with the latter with this team and I feel they will be decent down the road but they have so many new parts to this team it is going to take them a while to figure things out. They have 15 guys capable of playing. That can be a good thing but it can also be a terrible thing. There will be plenty of rest for the starters but you are also going to have huge EGO's bitching about playing time. There are only two returning players from the 05-06 team and this is an ever changing team that just can't get over that hump in the past couple of years. Wins have gone 61,44,42,35 and 36 last year. I guess the plan they have in Indiana is to keep plugging away with all these new pieces until they find something that works. I look for them to stay around the 30 in win totals because of the lack of chemistry. No superstars on this team but they do have two 20 point threats in Dunleavy and Granger. TJ Ford is a great addition that will get them even more open looks. Murphy fits into the offense well and Foster is ehhhh. Not a problem though because they picked up Nesterovic and Hibbert and added 14 ft too their already lengthy lineup. Isn't much to be said about this team. We just have to wait and see how everything pans out. I like Baston and Daniels coming off the bench for this squad. IMO they are the worst team in the central with the most potential (if that makes any sense). Any input from Indian faithful would be greatly appreciated.
Prediction: 32-50 and last in the Central.
Projected Starting Lineup
C-Jeff Foster
PF-Troy Murphy
SF-Mike Dunleavy
SG-Danny Granger
PG-TJ Ford
Key Reserves (they have some trade bait)
Jarret Jack
Travis Deiner
Rasho Neserovic
Marquise Daniels
Roy Hibbert
Maceo Baston
Eddie Jones
Brandon Rush
Josh McRoberts
Indiana Pacers did a huge revamping in the offseason. Got rid of injury prone Oneal and also let Rush go and brought in 5 free agents/trades and two capable rookies. 7 new guys on your team and a lot of things could happen. You can A) Improve from a 36 win season or B) Have a tough time meshing all the new parts. I'm gonna go with the latter with this team and I feel they will be decent down the road but they have so many new parts to this team it is going to take them a while to figure things out. They have 15 guys capable of playing. That can be a good thing but it can also be a terrible thing. There will be plenty of rest for the starters but you are also going to have huge EGO's bitching about playing time. There are only two returning players from the 05-06 team and this is an ever changing team that just can't get over that hump in the past couple of years. Wins have gone 61,44,42,35 and 36 last year. I guess the plan they have in Indiana is to keep plugging away with all these new pieces until they find something that works. I look for them to stay around the 30 in win totals because of the lack of chemistry. No superstars on this team but they do have two 20 point threats in Dunleavy and Granger. TJ Ford is a great addition that will get them even more open looks. Murphy fits into the offense well and Foster is ehhhh. Not a problem though because they picked up Nesterovic and Hibbert and added 14 ft too their already lengthy lineup. Isn't much to be said about this team. We just have to wait and see how everything pans out. I like Baston and Daniels coming off the bench for this squad. IMO they are the worst team in the central with the most potential (if that makes any sense). Any input from Indian faithful would be greatly appreciated.
Prediction: 32-50 and last in the Central.
