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2009-10 NBA PredictionsOctober 27, 2009 6:58 pm
Making it quick because there is only one hour away from the first NBA game's tip-off. Here are my 2009-10 NBA projections for both regular season and playoffs. 2009-10 NBA Projected StandingsEastern Conference Playoff PredictionsEastern Conference Category: NBA Tags: Picks, Predictions
Are Orlando Magic the Most Dangerous Team?October 23, 2009 9:54 pm
Edited on: October 23, 2009 9:55 pm
While I am watching the Magic-Hawks game on ESPN, I can't believe that the Magic team is humilating the Hawks like they did last season. I never forgot that the Magic once lead by 50 points and embarrassingly routed the Hawks in one of the four games. The Hawks are no match for the Magic. Back to June 2009, the Magic acquired Vince Carter in exchange for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie after wake of their NBA Finals loss to the L.A. Lakers. Now, the Magic are about the only undefeated team at 8-0 in this pre-season. It looks like to me that they are obviously the most dangerous team ever than any other NBA team in the 2009-10 season. They have FOUR All-Stars that are Dwight Howard, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson, although I am not sold on Nelson for being an All-Star. In my opinion, Nelson is not really at the All-Star level. He is one of the most overrated players in today's NBA. I would say that the Magic have Big Three (DH, Shard and V-Carter). My question: Do you think that any of the Lakers, Cavaliers and Celtics teams will be able to beat the Magic during the regular season or possibly playoffs? Well....I originally forecast that the Magic would finish the second overall seed behind the Lakers and possibly the top seed in the East. After watching them being undefeated, I've been thinking that the Magic could be the best team in the league. I am not sure about chances for the Lakers, Cavaliers or Celtics because they have lost at least one game apiece during the pre-season. We have to see what happens in the regular season. Any thoughts are welcome. Category: NBA 15 Days Left before Official NBA Tip-Off!October 12, 2009 10:24 pm
I hardly wait for the upcoming NBA season! 15 days left to go! Category: NBA NBA Roster Changes Affecting Elite TeamsJuly 17, 2009 12:30 am
Whew! It's been a while since I haven't posted much unlike I used to. Let's talk about NBA roster changes that may affect the top four elite teams from last season: three teams from the East and one team from the West. EASTERN CONFERENCE Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett seemed so angry and disappointed when the short-handed Celtics lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. When the Celtics signed former Pistons forward/center Rasheed Wallace on July 8, I read an article at the NBA.com site. It stated that KG obviously had a HIGH hope when he guaranteed to the Celtics owner that the Celtics would win the NBA championship in 2010 and 2011. "It wasn't long after Boston was knocked out of the playoffs by Orlando that the world's most frustrated spectator, Kevin Garnett, told team owner Wyc Grousbeck that he guaranteed the Celtics would win the NBA championship in 2010 and 2011." Refer to the article at the official NBA site Come on, give me a break! KG really should NOT say that! Why? Let's go look back to a couple of the similar situations about 'guarantee winning a game or series.' 2008 Eastern Semi-Finals: Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons Shortly after Orlando lost Game 4 to Detroit by one point at home and fell into a 3-1 deficit, Jameer Nelson publicly stated that he guaranteed that the Magic would win Game 5 in Detroit. Somehow, it never happened as the Magic lost to the Pistons in Game 5 and got eliminated from the playoffs. Refer to the Magic-Pistons Game 5 preview at ESPN 2009 Eastern Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic After falling into a 3-1 deficit to the Magic, Mo Williams guaranteed that the Cavs would come back and win the series. It never happened as the Cavaliers lost to the Magic in 6 games. Refer to the Magic-Cavaliers Game 6 recap at ESPN Any player should NEVER say a 'guarantee' word in hopes of winning a game, playoff series or championship. It will NEVER happen that his team will win a game, series or championship but will most likely end up into a huge disappointment. To Kevin Garnett, if you read this post here, I am advising you that you watch out of your mouth! (Honestly, I can't stand KG because he is the most arrogant player ever in today's NBA league! That is a main reason why I always despise him so much since he came to Boston from Minnesota.) Also, there is one more thing about something that has been annoying me. When the Lakers were in process to sign free agent Ron Artest from Houston and Artest later appeared with the Lakers for the media conference, neither Kobe Bryant nor Lamar Odom (both of Artest's friends) was involved with GM Mitch Kupchuck, coach Phil Jackson and owner Jerry Buss. When Vince Carter made a media appearance with the Magic organization, neither Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis nor Jameer Nelson was involved with GM Otis Smith, coach Stan Van Gundy and Magic's owner either. LeBron James did not get involved with the Cavaliers management either when Shaquille O'Neal formally made a media appearance with coach Mike Brown and GM Danny Ferry a few days following a trade blockbuster. But...what about Celtics? I suspected why C's Big 3 (KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) got involved when they traveled with the Celtics management (GM Danny Ainge, coach Doc Rivers and owner Wyn Grousbeck) to visit Rasheed in Detroit. They convinced Rasheed to join them, so they could have the NBA league's best record to clinch homecourt advantage for the entire playoffs and would win the franchise's 18th championship. Obviously, C's Big 3, especially KG, are so arrogant! I personally felt bad for Rasheed because he was brainwashed by the baddest C's Big 3. If I were Rasheed, I would rather like to visit the other teams such as Orlando, San Antonio and Charlotte that were interested in signing him. I would give the Celtics one week instead of making a quick decision to sign with the Cs. You never know that the Celtics may lose a playoff series to another elite team like Orlando or Cleveland or maybe L.A. Lakers. The C's Big Four (KG, Pierce, Ray and Sheed) reminds me of the 2004 L.A. Lakers' Big Four consisting of Kobe, Shaq, Karl Malone and Gary Payton. As my recall, the Lakers were heavily favored to win the championship but somehow they ended up losing to the Pistons in 5 games of the NBA Finals. The same thing COULD happen to the Celtics in either Eastern Conference playoffs or NBA Finals. Anyway, the Celtics now have Big Four - KG, Pierce, Ray and Sheed. Like I've stated earlier, they remind me of the 2004 Lakers' Big Four that ended up with huge disappointment losing NBA Finals to the Pistons. I am not going to say that they are the heavy favorite to win the championship because we cannot expect what would happen to them. They could be the next 2004 Lakers victim by losing a playoff series. All I can say is that the Celtics are one of a few elite teams at the best. They have 50-50 chance to make it to the NBA Finals. Most likely, they will battle with the defending East champion Orlando Magic for the East's top seed. Cleveland Cavaliers The Cavaliers roster remain almost the same as last season. They acquired Shaq from Phoenix in part of a trade blockbuster after they were exposed by the Magic in the East Finals. The Cavaliers believe that addition of Shaq will give the team its first championship in any professional sports in Cleveland since 1964. Shaq has stated in the media conference that he will help LeBron and the Cavs to win the NBA title. To me, I really don't know as it is still too early to predict for the 2009-10 season. One problem is that Shaq is not as good as he used to during his 20s years. He is 37 years old and getting older. He can guard Orlando's center Dwight Howard but I still see that Dwight will still outplay Shaq. Being 14 years younger than Shaq's age, Dwight has huge advantage. While I foresee that the Magic and Celtics are projected to battle for the East's top seed, I predict that the Cavaliers will most likely battle with the Miami Heat for the No. 3 seed. Orlando Magic Bad news for the Magic. Hedo Turkoglu opted out of the final season of his contract and sought at least $10 million per season after the V-Carter trade. In my opinion, Hedo made a big mistake by picking the Toronto Raptors over the Magic because the Raptors offered him more money than the Magic did. Come on, give me a break during the bad ecomony. Losing Hedo costs the Magic's best chances of winning at least 62 games, clinching the potential East's top seed, winning back-to-back Eastern Conference championship and returning to the NBA Finals for the second straight year. Now, since they have lost Hedo, I am not sure whether they will be able to stay atop in the East or league. Looking like to me, they will most likely battle with the Celics' Big Four. Unless the Lakers return to the NBA Finals, I will definitely root for the Magic to win its first championship in the franchise history. WESTERN CONFERENCE Los Angeles Lakers Well, there are pros and cons. Pros: Forget about an infamous 2004 brawl between a Pistons-Pacers game. I was impressive that Ron Artest was willing to sign a 5-year contract for $33 millions worth with the Lakers that he would earn less money than he earned last season. He was so happy that his dreams of playing with Kobe on the Lakers team finally came true. All he wants is to win the first championship ring in his NBA career. Also, he is known as a defensive specialist. Because of him, the Yao/T-Mac less Rockets stunningly pushed the eventual champions to seven games in the West semifinals. Coach Phil Jackson will be back for at least one more season as he will be in his final year of contract. Cons: The Lakers had 3 unrestricted free agents (Lamar, Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown). Only Shannon has been re-signed that was good news for the Lakers. Bad news, I am very disappointed in both Lamar and Trevor because they have been seeking at least $10 millions per season. Give me a break. They really need to look up at the current bad ecomony. 2010 free agency could be worse than this year's free agency because of cutting some millions dollars from this year's salaries. Ariza chose the Houston Rockets over the Lakers because he received the offer with its more money from the Rockets than the Lakers. As for Odom, the Lakers tried to offer him a 4-year contract for $36 millions worth ($9 millions per season) but Odom did not respond. He and his agent continue pursuing to get the better offer with stupid more money. Again, he needs to realize that the U.S. has bad ecomony right now. If I were Odom, I would accept the 4-year contract with $36 millions that would be better than nothing! Both Ariza and Odom, plus Hedo, are just money-minded that give me a break! Losing Ariza and possibly Odom cost the Lakers' best chances of clinching the league's best record with at least 65 wins and repeating the NBA championship. Now, I don't know whether the Lakers will be able to return to the NBA Finals or repeat the championship. Any thoughts? Comments? Category: NBA LeShaq Duo in ClevelandJune 25, 2009 9:52 pm
Edited on: June 25, 2009 9:56 pm
Earlier today, I read the big breaking news about a blockbuster trade involving Shaquille O'Neal. The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Shaq from Phoenix in exchange for Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic along with a 2010 draft second-round pick and $500K cash. I was not surprised to hear about this. As my recall, Cavs GM Danny Ferry failed to get Shaq at the deadline back in February because of the Suns' disagreement about a potential trade. Now, at this time, they finally got him. Orlando Magic: Shaq and Penny L.A. Lakers: Shaq and Kobe Miami Heat: Shaq and D-Wade Cleveland Cavaliers: Shaq and LeBron I have read a "Breaking News: Shaq is heading to the Cavs" thread on the NBA main board. When I logically agreed with some posters' theories, I gave them 5 (five) stars in case if they could not see the actual rating on their "Reviews Of" pages. (Removal of actual star-rating from the members' "Reviews Of" pages was totally stupid in my opinion!) I agree with their theories regarding Shaq's aging: 1. Shaq is not as good as he used to be in his younger years with the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1990s and early 2000s. 2. He is 37 and seems kinda too old. Most NBA players have retired before they turn 35. 3. Regardless of where he playing for the team, he may still not able to stop Dwight Howard, who is the best center in today's NBA league. Dwight is 14 years younger than Shaq and definitelly will own Shaq next season. If Shaq is in his 20s, it would be a different story like Hakeem Olajuwon/Patrick Ewing in the 1980s and early 1990s. I am not saying that Shaq should retire. He still has one year left on his current contract. It is up to him if he wants to continue playing for another season. The Cavaliers are hoping that Shaq can help LeBron James to win the first NBA championship in the franchise history. Do I agree with this point? No, I don't, speaking logically. Why? I agree with those posters that the Cavaliers still have lacks on its front side. Some people state that Shaq may hurt the Cavs' best defense. It could be, my guess but honestly I'm still not sure. I have noticed that Shaq's playing has been declined since about 2005. Because of his aging, I still don't see that the Cavs will get past the Magic and maybe "healthy" Celtics in the East playoffs. The Magic have always given the Cavs a number of troubles in the past three seasons. In my opinion, LeBron needs a younger center around his age within about 5 years. The Magic recently acquired Vince Carter from New Jersey in exchange for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie. It means that the Magic will have Big Four consisting of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and newly Vince Carter! Only if Hedo opts out and re-signs with the same team this summer. If so, obviously....the Magic are going to be the heavy favorites to win the back-to-back Eastern Conference championship. Good night, Cavs. The Celtics should still have Big 3 - Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett plus Rondo Rajon. If all four players are healthy, then I do see that the Celtics will have a chance to dethrone the Magic and advance to the NBA Finals. Personally, I would love to watch the longtime rivalry of the Lakers and Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals. Yes, the Lakers should take its revenge on the Celtics by beating them to repeat the NBA title! That applies if both Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom re-sign with the Lakers this summer. Let's wait to see what happens next season. Any thoughts are welcome, as I would like to hear your opinions about this trade. P.S. Hopefully, I will have post my 2008-09 NBA season's final review sometime this weekend. Category: NBA |
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