NBA 2014-15 Season
- Thread starter dmishra
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Cavs favorite for East now?
I think they are favorites in the East, but only by default. Perhaps Chicago could challenge them, but I can't trust Roses health. It should be noted threat Irving and Love between them have 0 playoff minutes. Surely they will need at least one year to gel completely in the playoffs together. But, then again, who in the East can realistically stop them?
Should be interesting.
Should be interesting.
They've never won a title in their history, and the best player in the NBA has just landed on their team. When that happens, you trade whatever you have to get a chance at winning the title. Any NBA team would do that.
And rebuild cycles rarely last for more than 3-5 years in the NBA, so even if they fail, its not like they're going to disappear into obscurity.
I also think that Wiggins does not have franchise player potential. Embiid and Parker have the highest potential in this draft.
With George out, Pacers will be severely handicapped. Rose's health will determine how well Chicago fare.
Wizards will be up there, as will be the Heat. In fact, I think we could see a Heat-Cavs final this year.
Bosh and Wade will get the team to themselves, and Deng is a competent replacement for Lebron.
Will the Cavs be able to play defense?
Wade doesn't have the knees to dominate anymore - as he showed in the playoffs. It's basically Bosh's team - and we'll see just how good he can be. If he can get 25-10, they may have a shot.
Love and Kyrie are poor defenders, but Varejao's energy will mark some of Love's deficiencies and Lebron will end up covering all sorts on the perimeter. I can also see them getting some veteran help to help out on defense - I see they're in negotiations with Marion, which would be a smart signing.
Regardless, they're going to be fun to watch offensively, especially the pick n' pop sets they'll be able to run through Lebron and Love.
Regardless, they're going to be fun to watch offensively, especially the pick n' pop sets they'll be able to run through Lebron and Love.
Matrix would be a great signing for them - he's still an excellent defender, and if they conserve him for the playoffs, they'll have a stopper for 25-30 minutes as night.
Remember too that a large part of playing defense is effort. I expect Lebron to hols Irving and Love to a defensive standard, and while they will never be elite on the ball defenders, if they put in a decent amount of effort, they will be good enough. I think Love can be a competent rim protector, I saw him do it in college. No matter what happens though, Lebron will not let them play defense like James Harden.
Love averages only about 0.5 blocks a game, so I can't see him being a very good rim protector. He lacks the length (6'11 wingspan) or the athleticism to be a very good shot blocker.
But you're right, effort makes a huge difference and he should at the very least be able to play strong fundamental post defense if nothing else a'la Jeff Foster. Also, I think if he could get leaner, he'd be better able to slide and start hedging those pick and rolls he struggles against.
But you're right, effort makes a huge difference and he should at the very least be able to play strong fundamental post defense if nothing else a'la Jeff Foster. Also, I think if he could get leaner, he'd be better able to slide and start hedging those pick and rolls he struggles against.
Serious?
That's great ... He should have been 'Angry Panda'
That's great ... He should have been 'Angry Panda'
The NBA needs more characters like Ron Ron. The malice in the palace and drinking Hennessy at halftime. One of my favorite Panda Friend moments was after he won his first title with the Lakers and in his post game interview, the first person he thanked was his shrink.
I also really loved his elbow on James harden and how he tried to say it was an accident.
I also really loved his elbow on James harden and how he tried to say it was an accident.
Steve Balmer up to his old tricks. Held his first Clipper rally. I think he will be good for the Clippers, hopefully he moves them to Seattle, with all due respect to the 100 Clipper fans in LA, but it is a Lakers town. Seattle needs a team.
The links are to a series of compare/contrasts on Pop and Phil Jackson. They are from a Spurs site I frequent, so there is some bias, but they are still an interesting read, I think. Anyway for the true believers, enjoy.
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/8/26/6054045/comparing-gregg-popovich-phil-jackson-part-1
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014...son-vs-gregg-popovich-compare-contrast-part-2
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014...son-vs-gregg-popovich-compare-contrast-part-3
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014...son-vs-gregg-popovich-compare-contrast-part-4
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/8/26/6054045/comparing-gregg-popovich-phil-jackson-part-1
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014...son-vs-gregg-popovich-compare-contrast-part-2
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014...son-vs-gregg-popovich-compare-contrast-part-3
http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014...son-vs-gregg-popovich-compare-contrast-part-4
Once Kobe retires, they'll rebuild.
Mavericks are dark horses in the West I think if Tyson stays healthy.
Their main rookie this year is out for the season. And their lotto pick next season belongs to Phoenix (top-3 protected though)
*sniggers*
I think I hate the NBA...
I've become less and less interested every year. Why?
Because it's pretty much impossible to support a team due to players being traded all the time.
I support Boston, but what is there left to support when Garnett, Allen and Pierce have left. Only one left is Rondo and he'll probably be gone soon as well.
Suddenly I'm supporting the Cavs because Lebron went home.
Maybe I picked the wrong team. Should have probably gone with Spurs. Their big three are still there.
I've become less and less interested every year. Why?
Because it's pretty much impossible to support a team due to players being traded all the time.
I support Boston, but what is there left to support when Garnett, Allen and Pierce have left. Only one left is Rondo and he'll probably be gone soon as well.
Suddenly I'm supporting the Cavs because Lebron went home.
Maybe I picked the wrong team. Should have probably gone with Spurs. Their big three are still there.
The NBA is remarkably stagnant when you compare it to the NFL.
Garnett Allen and Pierce were together for years ... The 'life span' of most good teams is 4-5 years ... You can have Kobe, Dirk or Wade for every team ...
Support the Mavericks - we have consistency and win once every 70 years.
It's because they have a player named Dirk, right?
I wouldn't know. Hate American Rugby
