cozza
14-01-09, 22:12
Here I'll go through the pro's and con's of each team.
Los Angeles Lakers:
Pros: Depth, four all star caliber players, Kobe and/or Pau can make up for any possible injuries.
Cons: Lamar Odom can't stand coming off the bench (will this be like a Shawn Marion in Phoenix type scene?) Not much else, really.
2. Denver Nuggets
Pro's: Chauncey Billups has revitalised Denver's offense. Carmelo can still make high quality plays and can take over a game.
Con's: If 'Melo or Chauncey have to go out for an extended period of time, their offense will become stagnant. i.e. Chauncey won't have anyone to pass to, Melo won't have anyone to pass him the ball. I think will see an increse in the L's with Carmelo's absence.
3. New Orleans Hornets
Chris Paul is one of the top point guards in the game (the jury is still out if D-Will is better) and will drive their offense.
Con's: Actually, he HAS to drive their offense to be any good. If he gets hurt, New Orleans will need to a) make a trade or b) tank to get a good draft pick. Tyson Chandler and David West need to be fed the ball, and Mike James' glory days are behind him.
4 Portland Trailblazers
Pros: Are playing really good ball. Brandon Roy is a force and LaMarcus Aldridge can contribute to their points total. They have enough shooters to spread the floor.
Cons: They are really young. Who is going to be the guiding hand of experience?
5. Utah Jazz
Pros: Paul Millsap is covering for Carlos Boozer well. Deron Williams is maybe the best point guard playing.
Cons: Carlos Boozer isn't playing. Deron Williams was hurt earlier. Their offense NEEDS Deron.
6. Phoenix Suns
Pros: Can spread the floor with 3 starting 3 point threats (Nash, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson). Shaq is a rejuvenated force down low. (Watch the Suns Mavs game from the other day and you'll see). As long as he doesn't get in ealy foul trouble, Amare is one of the Top 3 Power Forwards playing and a legit threat from anyone inside the arc, and occasionally from outside it, too. Matt Barnes was an excellent pick-up in the offseason. Louis Amundson will hustle to any board. Robin Lopez isn't a bad backup to the big Shaqtus. Leandro Barbosa is on the rise.
Cons: Play little D, but when they force turnovers the break is on. But you need to play D to do that. They need to get that in heir heads. Then they will start winning alot more games. Leandro Barbosa is inconsistent (Mother's death has forced him out of games). Amare isn't as good as last year. Amare isn't getting enouch touches. Shaq misse back-to-back games. Nash go a bit emotional about the trading of friend Raja Bell. If he'd played well against the Lakers pre-Christmas, the Suns would have won. Boris Diaw can't fill in the F/C spot any more. Sure, he wasn't playing too well this season, but he was a good backup.
The Suns have alot of problems. Many of them I just listed. Here's another one: Steve Kerr. At times. I mean, Shawn Marion's contract would be expiring this year. Extend him for 1 year and then try and fit some pieces together in 2010. Duh.
7: Houston Rockets
Pros: Ron Artest is helping them out. Yao and McGrady are forces. When they're not injured.
Con's Yao and Mac are constantly injured. Otherwise, they should have the scoring ( Yao and McGrady) and the D (Artest) to get into th 2nd round.
8. San Antonio Spurs
Pro's: Tony Parker is an explosive force. Tim Duncan is a force. Period. A very fragile team; but alot of solid role-playing veterans.
Con's: Manu Ginobili is nowhere near as good as he was last year. And is Timmy the next to get hurt?
9. Dallas Mavericks
Pro's: Dirk is having another good season. He and Jason Terry are a force together. Their bench is contributing.
Cons: Josh Howard is not playing well. Someone is bound to get hurt.
Who will not make it?
Los Angeles Lakers:
Pros: Depth, four all star caliber players, Kobe and/or Pau can make up for any possible injuries.
Cons: Lamar Odom can't stand coming off the bench (will this be like a Shawn Marion in Phoenix type scene?) Not much else, really.
2. Denver Nuggets
Pro's: Chauncey Billups has revitalised Denver's offense. Carmelo can still make high quality plays and can take over a game.
Con's: If 'Melo or Chauncey have to go out for an extended period of time, their offense will become stagnant. i.e. Chauncey won't have anyone to pass to, Melo won't have anyone to pass him the ball. I think will see an increse in the L's with Carmelo's absence.
3. New Orleans Hornets
Chris Paul is one of the top point guards in the game (the jury is still out if D-Will is better) and will drive their offense.
Con's: Actually, he HAS to drive their offense to be any good. If he gets hurt, New Orleans will need to a) make a trade or b) tank to get a good draft pick. Tyson Chandler and David West need to be fed the ball, and Mike James' glory days are behind him.
4 Portland Trailblazers
Pros: Are playing really good ball. Brandon Roy is a force and LaMarcus Aldridge can contribute to their points total. They have enough shooters to spread the floor.
Cons: They are really young. Who is going to be the guiding hand of experience?
5. Utah Jazz
Pros: Paul Millsap is covering for Carlos Boozer well. Deron Williams is maybe the best point guard playing.
Cons: Carlos Boozer isn't playing. Deron Williams was hurt earlier. Their offense NEEDS Deron.
6. Phoenix Suns
Pros: Can spread the floor with 3 starting 3 point threats (Nash, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson). Shaq is a rejuvenated force down low. (Watch the Suns Mavs game from the other day and you'll see). As long as he doesn't get in ealy foul trouble, Amare is one of the Top 3 Power Forwards playing and a legit threat from anyone inside the arc, and occasionally from outside it, too. Matt Barnes was an excellent pick-up in the offseason. Louis Amundson will hustle to any board. Robin Lopez isn't a bad backup to the big Shaqtus. Leandro Barbosa is on the rise.
Cons: Play little D, but when they force turnovers the break is on. But you need to play D to do that. They need to get that in heir heads. Then they will start winning alot more games. Leandro Barbosa is inconsistent (Mother's death has forced him out of games). Amare isn't as good as last year. Amare isn't getting enouch touches. Shaq misse back-to-back games. Nash go a bit emotional about the trading of friend Raja Bell. If he'd played well against the Lakers pre-Christmas, the Suns would have won. Boris Diaw can't fill in the F/C spot any more. Sure, he wasn't playing too well this season, but he was a good backup.
The Suns have alot of problems. Many of them I just listed. Here's another one: Steve Kerr. At times. I mean, Shawn Marion's contract would be expiring this year. Extend him for 1 year and then try and fit some pieces together in 2010. Duh.
7: Houston Rockets
Pros: Ron Artest is helping them out. Yao and McGrady are forces. When they're not injured.
Con's Yao and Mac are constantly injured. Otherwise, they should have the scoring ( Yao and McGrady) and the D (Artest) to get into th 2nd round.
8. San Antonio Spurs
Pro's: Tony Parker is an explosive force. Tim Duncan is a force. Period. A very fragile team; but alot of solid role-playing veterans.
Con's: Manu Ginobili is nowhere near as good as he was last year. And is Timmy the next to get hurt?
9. Dallas Mavericks
Pro's: Dirk is having another good season. He and Jason Terry are a force together. Their bench is contributing.
Cons: Josh Howard is not playing well. Someone is bound to get hurt.
Who will not make it?