Two Plus Two Newer Archives - 2006-07 NBA Discussion Thread

This is the thread where all the NBA talk will go and since it is never too early to start I will get it going with some predictions/thoughts.

Western Conference

The Big Three

-Dallas: They have added Anthony Johnson and Austin Croshere from Indiana as well as Deveon George (LAL) and Greg Buckner (Den) but out of their additions Anthony Johnson could be the only one to see any real significant court time. Last year's draft pick Maurice Ager is average as of now but Dallas develops young talent better than anyone in the league so look to see him to progress into a decent role player eventually. They still have the same wealth of talent that took them to the finals but with probably the toughest Western Conference to date anything is possible.

-San Antonio: A year older but also the same veteran team that was seconds away from the finals last year. They lost Nazr Mohammed but replaced him with a couple similiar, role players. I don't see this team as upgrade or downgraded--which isn't a bad thing for them b/c they will be good as always.

-Phoenix: Last year they scored almost 5 more points a game w/o Amare Stoudemire in the lineup, this is nice but where they missed him was as an inside presence and defensively. He will change this team for the better obviously. They lost Tim Thomas to the Clippers which hurts and they lost Eddie House as well but with Amare back they could be the team to beat.

The Next Best

-Houston: McGrady and Yao will be healthy together is the first thing. Next, the additions of Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier were arguably the best of the offseason. If for once they can stay healthy they are going to be extremely competitive and well within "The Big Three."

Battle of LA

-LAC: They were dominating in the paint last year and will be this year as well except now they have added a big threat with Tim Thomas. He is a great sign and is what they needed, IMO. They lost Radmanovic but they got better with TT's (and I like Aaron Williams now as the back-up Center) signing but unfortunately for them the rest of the conference got better with them only making it more difficult to establish themselves as part of the elite.

-LAL: Added Radmanovic but that's really it. I put them this high b/c 1) Kobe 2) At the end of last year it looked as if Odom started to become not only a productive but a dangerous player instead of a waste of talent.

Best of the Rest

-Den: I like the Joe Smith addition and they also added J.R. Smith who has been playing well in preseason so far, he can shoot the three well and Denver was the worst three-point shooting team in the league last year--this should take some of the pressure off Carmelo. This is a very talented team and in the past has shown flashes of ability to play with most teams and on other occasions shown the ability to collapse. Nevertheless they are a scary team and if they are running on all cylinders will win a lot of games.

-Minn: This is a good team and maybe this year it won't be a trainwreck? [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] I think Mike James is a good fit in Minnesota and that even with the competition they could squeek into the playoffs. Then again Garnett is on this team so maybe not [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

This year is going to be ridiculously competitive in the West and some good teams aren't going to make the playoffs...it could be a playoff race between LAL, Den, Min, Mem and Sac with 3 out of the 5 making it. It really is unfair being in the West.

I think the Conference is up for grabs amongst Dal, SA, and PHO and I wouldn't be surprised if either of them wins it b/c it is really so close.

Eastern Conference

The Big Three

-Mia: The Champs. They have one of the 3 most exciting/talented players in the game (Wade) and when he wants to be one of the more dominant players in the game (Shaq) as well as a coach with a track record of winning (Riley). Their only obstacle will probably be some kind of injury that Shaq will more than likely endure and miss a ton of games for. But with or w/o him they will be at the top and Shaq will be there come playoff time and once again they are going to be a tough team. Shaq does have a shelf life, I just wonder what it is.

-Chi: Ben Wallace. That should actually sum it up. This team was one big inside presence from being a dynamic team last year and then they add Wallace, well done. They also drafted well and pick up Adrian Griffin from Dallas--a great role player.

-Clev: They were scrappy and scary last year but they were also young. The added Scott Pollard and David Wesley this year. I was back and forth between them and Detroit. Lebron will continue to get better and better and their team will as well b/c of it, IMO.

The Next Best

-Det: For one they are in a tough division and that sucks. Secondly, no more Wallace and though he wasn't their best player, not even their second best player, his presence changes the game. His absence will be noticable but even still they are extremely good and will be one of the best teams in the East.

Best of the Rest

-NJ: They added Eddie House to a team that needed to establish it's offensive identity again. Last year they ranked 23rd in scoring, yet they have guys like Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd to lead...hmmmm. They will probably be up and down yet again.

-Ind: They added Al Harrington and Marquis Daniels which could turn out to be good pick-ups. This team has some talent with O'Neal, Jackson and Tinsley...they are considerably better than most of the East but what does that really mean?

No need to comment on any other teams b/c does it really matter? I would put Orlando in the 7th spot but from there it is anyone's fail.

Thoughts?
Comments?