Sleeper Team: Denver Nuggets - Last year's record: (53-29), Predicted record: (55-27)***
The predicted record with asterisks says it all because the Nuggets could be the 2nd best team in the West, but their record could end up being flipped around to 27-55 if everything blows up. This Nuggets team is deep and very good, but all of this does not matter if Carmelo Anthony keeps whining and moping for a trade. The reality for Carmelo is that New York has nothing to offer to the Nuggets in a trade, Chicago won't give up Joakim Noah, and the multiple team deal with the Nets has been dead for awhile. If Carmelo looks at this current Nuggets' roster and the situation the way I do, then he can see something special. The Nuggets have a really good roster. Chauncey Billups will start declining soon, but you can never count out Mr. Big Shot's mental toughness and winning attitude, he'll still put up his normal numbers. Besides that his backup isn't too bad either. Ty Lawson is fast and still super raw in terms of his talent, with sneaky athleticism. The 2-guards are perfect compliments for each other. Aaron Afflalo plays defense, hits the trey, and does whatever is asked of him, as for J.R. Smith, he is consistently inconsistent, but when he's on, you gotta love him. His offense and hot streaks have won plenty of games for this team in the past, but his cold shooting and poor shot selection have also killed the team as well. The big forwards will be Kenyon Martin and Al Harrington, not too bad, and they have one of the most underrated centers in Nene, and Birdman off the bench (energy, cool hair, and blocks). This team consists of crazy tattoos, big personalities, and many problems, but the one person that can hold all of this together is the guy who left towards the end of last year, George Karl. George Karl is back and he was the glue that kept everything together and it is his job to keep this team from fallling apart this year. Carmelo needs to realize that before Karl left for cancer treatment last year this team was the 2nd seed in the West, and the roster they currently have is better than the team that pushed the Lakers to six games in the conference finals two years ago. If Melo wants to be a Knick and form a new super team, he needs to suck it up, lose some money, and play the free agency game when this season is over. As of now he needs to open his eyes and play his ass off for this team because he has a special team that can definitely give the 1st Ranked team in this conference a run for their money.
"And my jewels are blue and yellow, the type of shit that make em call you Carmelo" - Weezy
When I think about evaluating the west, the seeding for the playoffs from 2-7 can be flip-flopped around with about five to six teams in this conference and any team in the West can be the 8 seed, honestly. The West is a wide open conference for anyone to finish runner-up to the 1st ranked team. I feel like this Rockets team will be rugged, scrappy, and very strong defensively, thus deserving the 5th spot in a much weaker West. This team has made quite a few significant moves since the start of last season, Darryl Morey is a good gm and all his moves even though they may seem strange are usually for the better of the team, and did I mention China's pride and joy is back?!? T-Mac is gone and has been gone, so is Trveor Ariza and it's a blessing for this team. They don't need players who shoot the ball excessively and inefficiently. I love the point guards on this team. Aaron Brooks is very much underrated. The man that wears red suits in playoff postgame news conferences can really play. He's pretty short, but he knows how to score and he's quick, really quick. His backup Kyle Lowry is no scrub either. Kevin Martin is very important in making this team work. He has to score and play like the K-Mart in Sacramento, he must. This team won't score too many points and their defense will win them many games, but Kevin Martin's job is to average at least 23 a game this year and his backup is Courtney Lee, who will score the basketball too. Basically the shooting guards on this team have one job and one job only, put the ball in the hoop. Shane Battier is the 3. I don't really need to say much about him, I love the guy, does everything right, second best defender on Kobe in the league and his backup is Chase Budinger, volleyball superstar, and his game is nice. The key player to this team however is their power forward, Luis Scola. If you watched just a little bit of what this man did in the World Championships (2nd best player in the tournament) this summer, you can see that he is ready for a big season. Sure he's averaged 13 and 8 for his career (good numbers), but I'm thinking this year it could be 20 and 10. The man is smooth in the post and he's actually fun to watch, and he has nice hair. His backup will be Patrick Patterson, another guy that just fits what the Rockets are. Of course the most exciting thing to me about this team is the return of Yao Ming. Even though he will be limited to 24 minutes a game, will not play on the back end of a back-to-back, and come off the bench, he will contribute and his presence will be felt. Maybe I'm biased. but I love Yao and how much he has improved since he came to the league. I just really hope he can one day return to the player he was two years ago. They're starting center is pretty decent too, Brad Miller. The man will lay a guard out if he tries to dunk on him, he'll score on occasion, and he fits the system Rick Adelman runs. And I forgot to mention Chuck Hayes, he is rugged and takes up a lot of space for a 6'6 center. This Rockets team will have a good season and they'll play like a team because they have to. Each player must fill their role because they don't have that superstar that can take over a game. I have this team giving the team they play on opening night a 6-game series in the conference semis.
"I used to post up on the block like Yao Ming in the paint but now I pimp the parkin lot drivin slow n slippin drank" - Paul Wall
If you know me really well or if I have ever talked to you about this game, you probably know I love the OKC Thunder, absolutely love them. They are my second favorite team in the league and I can be really biased about everything I say about them. The team has a lot of hype this season and a lot of people think they will be contending for a chance to play in the Finals. I hate the hype. I love the fact this team exceeded my expectations and they blew up a year earlier than I expected, but I hate hype and I hate high expectations, they're never good, especially for a young team. However, I think the Thunder will be a year older and a year better, even if I think they will have the same record as last year. The sky really is the limit for this team, but they are still a young Marcus Camby-like center away from being a true contender. Russell Westbrook? Stud. Freakishly athletic and getting better every year. I honestly didn't think he would be this good and I remember I really wanted this team to draft Jerryd Bayless in 08 instead. How wrong was I. But that's why Sam Presti is one of the best gm's in the league. Thabo Sefolosha doesn't really have an offensive game but he is the best defender on Kobe Bryant in the league. Doubt it? Ask Kobe Bryant about that first round series last year. James Harden, I am very high on him. For some crazy reason I have two players that I think in this league can become an offensive killer like Kobe, and that's O.J. Mayo and this guy, James Harden. The man just needs pt and he'll prove his worth. Kevin Durant, KD35, Durantula, top fantasy player, my favorite player in the league, on his jock since he was a senior in high school, I can go on and on about how this guy is my favorite player to watch and how I LOVE Durant, but I'll stop. Dude is unguardable: 6'10, no offensive weaknesses, pretty good on the other end of the floor as well. He just needs to keep getting stronger, and assert himself as the leader of the team, take the initiative and not be so lovable and humble, the best players in sports are all assholes, sorry. Jeff Green was supposed to be the sidekick but that role belongs to Westbrook now. The man is a good NBA player but he's easily replaceable and he doesn't do anything special. The center is Nenad Krstic, nothing to be excited about at all, but he won't play too many minutes anyways. The other promising aspect of this team is their bench. I already mentioned Harden, but their bench also has Eric Maynor (Great steal from the Jazz), Serge Ibaka, "Dr. Nasty" (His potential is limitless also, he can be that 4 or 5 the Thunder are missing from being a contender, but I just don't think he will get there and he'll play his entire career the way he does now), Daequan Cook (Wet), Nick Collison (Scrappy), and Cole Aldrich (My gut tells me he can become a decent 5, and contribute enough to push this team over the top, but my heart tells me he's a bust). This Thunder team will be better, just how much better? I only see them improving in the playoff seeding, but actually losing to the Rockets in the first round.
"Kevin Duuuuuurant" - Anson Toy
Anyone who watches the San Antonio Spurs know that they are probably one of the most boring teams to watch, well at least for me they are and they're pretty much an old bunch. Just like the Celtics, this team is running out of time and they must win now. Their team however is a solid bunch of veterans and a small mix of young and promising players as well. I have a strong belief that this team will actually remain healthy because their stars will play limited minutes each night and they'll play like the Spurs we're all used to seeing. Their starting guards could be flip-flopped around all season, but the main four getting playing time will be Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, George Hill, and James Anderson. A lot of people are doubtful of Parker's ability because he had a bad season, but he wasn't healthy, and when healthy, he is one of the best point guards in the game (beautiful floaters, good mid-range game, scores efficiently inside). Ginobili, I personally like off the bench and I personally digged the long hair he had back in the day. He is a year older but if he stays healthy he will definitely have a better year than last. Hill has gotten better every season and he just plays the system well. Lastly, Anderson is a good rookie and can score. Who knows? By season's end he may be in the starting lineup or not even in Popovich's rotation. I believe he can be a starter. At small forward is Richard Jefferson, and I'm not too excited about him and he's overpaid. But he's a year into the system now and maybe he'll turn things around. The big forwards will be Antonio McDyess (mid-range game), Matt Bonner (Not gonna say anything about him though), DeJuan Blair (no ACL's in his knees, beast on the boards), and Tiago Splitter (Love his potential and may end up being the perfect compliment to this team's best player). Of course, the key piece to the team is Tim Duncan and his knees. Tim Duncan has lost a lot of weight this offseason and if his knees don't bother him all year, the former best power forward in the league will have this team fighting for a shot at the Finals. Timmy is boring to watch but the "Big Fundamental" does everything right. In the end I truly believe this will be the team that challenges the 1st ranked team in the conference the most. I have them losing to that team in the conference finals in seven games though.
No quote, just Eva Longoria :)
This was an impulsive pick for me. Originally I had the Dallas Mavericks as high as second, but currently I'm feeling this Jazz team and I'm not buying into the Mavericks because of their age. The Jazz lost Carlos Boozer in the offseason, but made a huge steal in acquiring Al Jefferson for basically nothing. This is another one of those rugged hard-nosed teams that will play very physical basketball. I'll start with the bench and it really is nothing. Mehmet Okur will expand the floor with his shooting, Gordon Hayward fits the 90s version of a Jazz guard/forward, and there's C.J. Miles and Ronnie Price who are energy guys and not much else. The starting five is what will provide this team with a deep run in the playoffs. Deron Williams is either the best point guard in the league or second only to Chris Paul. Raja Bell was an excellent pick-up because he will drive whoever he guards nuts, and he's been coached by Jerry Sloan before. Andrei Kirilenko is this team's X-factor. In his best season he averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 3 blocks a game, 3 blocks! but that was five years ago. And for some reason I still believe Kirilenko can play like that again. I always thought highly of Paul Millsap and I didn't think this team needed a replacement for Boozer because I thought he was the guy. Well he doesn't have to be that guy and he will still have a big role as a double-double machine. The key piece to the squad is the new guy, Al Jefferson. I was eating lunch with Ry a couple hours ago and I told him I didn't think Jefferson would adjust quick enough to the team and two hours later I am convinced. He will be the Malone to DWill's Stockton. Just a couple of highlights of him playing was enough. The Jazz will be in the final four in the West but I think they will fall short in the semis to the Spurs in seven games, but this team will remain relevant for a long time barring any injuries because they have DWill and Al Jefferson and both guys are young.
Sorry no quote, but short shorts...
The Lakers are not a team that I like very much, I hate Kobe Bryant and I will never forgive the man for destroying the dynasty that I loved as a child. With that being said, the Lakers are the best team in the NBA and Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet and only one ring away from matching Jordan? Damn. This team is coming off back-to-back championships and the only thing that's stopping them from winning a third championship is themselves and their big ego.The pieces are all there: very good bench, excellent starting five, size, experience, the best player in the game, the best forward in the game, and Ron Artest. Let's begin with Ron Artest. He is crazy and plays the game absolutely wrong but when he wants to play correctly he can be one hell of a player and fun to watch. His backup will be Matt Barnes and every team needs a Matt Barnes. He beats his girlfriend and he sure as hell won't have a problem fighting an opponent. Oh and he's a decent defender, hits the three on occasion, and rebounds the ball well. The frontcourt is the best in the NBA, Lamar Kardashian, whoops I meant Odom (one of the best sixth men in the league, but had potential to be one of the best players in the league, waste), Pau Gasol (Most skilled big man in the league, amazing passer, grizzly bear), Theo Ratliff (Dinosaur, but can rebound and block shots), and Andrew Bynum (X-factor). Andrew Bynum's health is crucial for this team because when he's on the court with Gasol, it's tough to stop both of them from being effective on both ends of the floor (Just watch game 7 from the Finals). Bynum when healthy is a top 5 center and unlike Dwight who I criticized yesterday, actually learned a great deal from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Gasol and Bynum's size and presence in the post will be the one thing the Miami Heat cannot defend. Derek Fisher is back to run the show, his regular season numbers will be down, but when the Playoffs come around, he'll be ready. Steve Blake is also an excellent backup point guard for Phil Jackson, I see a Steve Kerr/John Paxson role for him so Jordan Farmar won't be missed too much. Shannon Brown is an R&B video star and also a pretty good basketball player. He'll provide a couple highlight dunks this year. Last, but certainly not least is Kobe Bryant. I don't like him, but I appreciate and respect his game a lot. Kobe Bryant has absolutely no weaknesses in his game and he just has that competitive fire and that "it" that no one else has. He studies and knows the game better than anyone. He'll beat you in the post, he'll hit the three, and hit a fadeaway jumper over a double-team with relative ease. He has also been an all-league defender numerous times. People are still waiting for Kobe to drop off and they can keep waiting. Kobe's numbers may go down a little bit this year, but he'll still be hitting game-winners and remain the toughest man to guard in the league, and when it's Playoff time, he'll be ready to defend the title. All signs point to a trip to the NBA Finals where they'll three-peat against the Heat in six games.
"Kobe doing work, two-four on my shirt, he the greatest on the court and I'm the greatest on the verse" - Lil Wayne
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