Early predictions for the 2009-2010 season (playoffs, finals, win, games)

[CTownNative]

Who do you have as the top 5 teams that could win it all. For me it goes like this.
1.Cavs
2.Lakers
3.Celtics
4.Spurs
5.Nuggets/Mavericks/Magic

[Parti Rhinocéros]

Originally Posted by CTownNative

Who do you have as the top 5 teams that could win it all. For me it goes like this.
1.Cavs
2.Lakers
3.Celtics
4.Spurs
5.Nuggets/Mavericks/Magic

I'm a Cavs fan too, but putting them first isn't right. Not only are the Lakers the champions, but they also made the single best move of the offseason in getting Ron Artest to sign at the Mid-Level Exception, which now allows them to resign Odom - something they didn't think they were going to be able to do. A little respect for them is necessary and Cleveland has to eat some humble pie after what they did in the ECF last season.

Having said that, Cleveland did well for themselves as well. Unlike a team like Orlando, who took a huge step backward.

My list:

1. Los Angeles
2. Cleveland
3. Boston (provided KG returns)
4. San Antonio (MyDyess and Jefferson with Manu returning)

And then it's everyone else, but for 5, I'd like to give a breakthrough team:

5. Portland (Provided they're able to nab Millsap from Utah), but it's very close with Orlando, Denver, and Dallas the other possibilities.

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by Puddy4LyF

I'm a Cavs fan too, but putting them first isn't right. Not only are the Lakers the champions, but they also made the single best move of the offseason in getting Ron Artest to sign at the Mid-Level Exception, which now allows them to resign Odom - something they didn't think they were going to be able to do. A little respect for them is necessary and Cleveland has to eat some humble pie after what they did in the ECF last season.

Having said that, Cleveland did well for themselves as well. Unlike a team like Orlando, who took a huge step backward.

My list:

1. Los Angeles
2. Cleveland
3. Boston (provided KG returns)
4. San Antonio (MyDyess and Jefferson with Manu returning)

And then it's everyone else, but for 5, I'd like to give a breakthrough team:

5. Portland (Provided they're able to nab Millsap from Utah), but it's very close with Orlando, Denver, and Dallas the other possibilities.

Reason I have Cavs at number 1 though is because like you siad, Orlando moved backwards this off-season which was the team the Cavs had problems against. The Cavs already have made three good moves getting Shaq and Anthony Parker, as well as resigning Andy to a 6 year deal. Notice most of the teams we both listed are Western Conference teams, and the Cavs aren't in the West the Lakers are. And so far Odom hasn't resigned as far as I know so we'll still have to see with that one. If he doesn't resign with the Lakers, they are also another team that took a step backwards. Who would you rather have Ron Artest, or Odom and Ariza?

[Parti Rhinocéros]

Originally Posted by CTownNative

Reason I have Cavs at number 1 though is because like you siad, Orlando moved backwards this off-season which was the team the Cavs had problems against. The Cavs already have made three good moves getting Shaq and Anthony Parker, as well as resigning Andy to a 6 year deal. Notice most of the teams we both listed are Western Conference teams, and the Cavs aren't in the West the Lakers are. And so far Odom hasn't resigned as far as I know so we'll still have to see with that one. If he doesn't resign with the Lakers, they are also another team that took a step backwards. Who would you rather have Ron Artest, or Odom and Ariza?

I really think Odom is content with staying so that's a question I can't answer. Ariza, IMO, and you can call me out on it later if he proves me wrong in Houston, but I believe he's hit his ceiling. Coming out of UCLA, in NY, and in Orlando, I thought he was crap and even until the Finals I thought he was junk. I just don't see him getting better.

There's a funny high school story about when Lebron was getting all the press and Ariza was down at a highschool in LA and was a good young player and his uncle told ESPN, "Hey, forget Lebron... I've got a nephew who is better... his name is Trevor Ariza." Lebron didn't forget it and when SVSM and Ariza's HS met, Lebron torched the poor kid for 52. (Where is Trevor Ariza's Uncle When You Need Him? - And One - cleveland.com - Cleveland.com)

Anyway, sorry for the off-topic, but getting back to it, IF L.A. keeps Odom, I think they made THE move. If they lose him, well then yeah, maybe I put Cleveland ahead. Then again, L.A. would still have the best 1-2 punch in the NBA.

That being said, I like the Varejao signing for now, but for the future? That's not a guy I'd give 50 million to. I'd MUCH rather have Paul Millsap, but I get where Cleveland is coming from: you gotta try your best to get that title now. The signing I really like for Cleveland was Anthony Parker - I think that's a solid, solid professional player that'll really help.

For our sake, I hope it works. We deserve to not be such long-suffering fans.

BTW, do you get into the Nuggets at all? I noticed you moved to Colorado. I recently moved to the Bay and must admit, I LOVE the Warriors. I think them being in the Western Conference makes it easier for me, plus I grew up liking them as my 2nd favorite team.

Go Cavs.

[Canes2006Champs]

I think Orlando will still be a force next season. Brandon Bass will probably be a good fit there. I think these next 3 or 4 seasons might be my Mavs last chance at making another Finals for awhile. Dirk and Kidd are not getting younger, and the West just seems to get deeper every year, but it's nice to see you list them as possibilities for winning the Championship next season . I hope Marion will fit in with the team.

My hometown Bobcats should be one to look out for next year.

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by Puddy4LyF

I really think Odom is content with staying so that's a question I can't answer. Ariza, IMO, and you can call me out on it later if he proves me wrong in Houston, but I believe he's hit his ceiling. Coming out of UCLA, in NY, and in Orlando, I thought he was crap and even until the Finals I thought he was junk. I just don't see him getting better.

There's a funny high school story about when Lebron was getting all the press and Ariza was down at a highschool in LA and was a good young player and his uncle told ESPN, "Hey, forget Lebron... I've got a nephew who is better... his name is Trevor Ariza." Lebron didn't forget it and when SVSM and Ariza's HS met, Lebron torched the poor kid for 52. (Where is Trevor Ariza's Uncle When You Need Him? - And One - cleveland.com - Cleveland.com)

Anyway, sorry for the off-topic, but getting back to it, IF L.A. keeps Odom, I think they made THE move. If they lose him, well then yeah, maybe I put Cleveland ahead. Then again, L.A. would still have the best 1-2 punch in the NBA.

That being said, I like the Varejao signing for now, but for the future? That's not a guy I'd give 50 million to. I'd MUCH rather have Paul Millsap, but I get where Cleveland is coming from: you gotta try your best to get that title now. The signing I really like for Cleveland was Anthony Parker - I think that's a solid, solid professional player that'll really help.

For our sake, I hope it works. We deserve to not be such long-suffering fans.

BTW, do you get into the Nuggets at all? I noticed you moved to Colorado. I recently moved to the Bay and must admit, I LOVE the Warriors. I think them being in the Western Conference makes it easier for me, plus I grew up liking them as my 2nd favorite team.

Go Cavs.

Yeah I like the Nuggets. Im getting fed up with Cleveland sports to tell you the truth. The Cavs are the only Cleveland team I like anymore. The Rockies are my favorite team in baseball, and the Eagles are my favorite team in football even though alot of my family is originally from the Johnstown area which are big Steelers fans around there.

[Spade]

Cleveland right now is not built to win a championship. That is a regular season roster. They would lose to a healthy Boston team and especially a healthy LA and San Antonio team. They need to make more changes. But as of right now. These are the best teams that have a chance to win a title.

1. LA
2. Boston
3. San Antonio
4. Cleveland
5. Denver
6. Dallas
7. Orlando
8. Portland

Houston will fall back hard because of the loss of Ming.

[JL]

I think it is really hard to tell until they play obviously. However, on paper, barring injuries, assuming all the teams are healthy(highly unlikely):

1.) Spurs--The acquisition of McDyess will help reduce Duncan's minutes in the reg. season and make him fresher for post season. RJ trade helps alot. He is a scorer and can play defense. They have to be the favorites.

2.) Lakers and Celtics-- Lakers helped themselves a bit with Artest since he can post down low and play defense. The Celts getting Sheed to help reduce KG's minutes will help during the post season. These two teams have improved with these acquisitions considering they were strong to begin with.

3.) Blazers--Getting Milsap will really add more depth to a team that was already deep. Still think they need a more established pt guard. They should've pursued Bibby.

3.) Orlando & Mavs--Getting Brandon Bass and VC should help alot, but VC is so streaky and not versatile as Hedo. Jury is still out with Bass. They lost Gortat or did they? They can still match. Mavs getting Marion will help quite a bit since he can also play D. Gortat is better than Dampier, imo.

4.) Cavs--They helped themselves quite a bit with Shaq, but i still think they're still short one good power forward from going to the Finals and possibly winning it. Why they didn't pursue Odom or McDyess is a mystery? They will fall short again.

Sleeper: Houston Rockets--They're not done yet despite getting Ariza. Expect some more moves before the summer ends. The Rockets were hoping that David Lee signed with the Blazers making it possible for the Rockets to get Oden in a trade, but that didn't happen. Oh well.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by Canes2006Champs

My hometown Bobcats should be one to look out for next year.

What do you think about them pursuing Allen Iverson? Think it might be a good-will kind of signing towards the fans saying hey were making an effort to get better. Not sure how he'd mesh w/the rest of their team though.

I don't know if they will get to the playoffs though, consider that 2 other non-playoff teams last year (Washington & Toronto) got considerably better this off-season while Charlotte really hasn't done much at all. They do have Larry Brown who seems to get his teams to constantly improve, but they still have a long road ahead of them.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by Puddy4LyF

I'm a Cavs fan too, but putting them first isn't right. Not only are the Lakers the champions, but they also made the single best move of the offseason in getting Ron Artest to sign at the Mid-Level Exception, which now allows them to resign Odom - something they didn't think they were going to be able to do. A little respect for them is necessary and Cleveland has to eat some humble pie after what they did in the ECF last season.

Having said that, Cleveland did well for themselves as well. Unlike a team like Orlando, who took a huge step backward.

I agree puddy, the Lakers have to be the pre-season #1 based on the fact that they're the champions and they upgraded from Ariza to Artest, even if they don't re-sign Odom, they're still going to be a hard team to beat come May & June.

As a Cavs fan, I think (& hope) that the Shaq experiment will work out, if he stays healthy, as I've said in other threads, see no reason why the Cavs couldn't win 70 games and get back to the NBA Finals.

I think Orlando did take a hit this summer as well. They lost two solid players in Turkgolu & Lee as well as two other solid role players in Alston & Gortat for basically a fading all-star in Vince Carter - who too me is about the same type of player as Rashard Lewis. A guy who will penetrate at times, but mostly likes to stay out on the perimiter and shoot. I think Courtney Lee has the potential to be a Richard Jefferson-type player as well, think Orlando gave up too soon on him. Yes, adding a guy like Brandon Bass helps, but it will be interesting to see how they do this season, they had such a great inside/outside threat during the playoffs this year and good chemistry, think that will be tough to regain for them this coming year.

I'd say San Antonio & Boston are right there as well again assuming they stay healthy w/the Spurs just a notch ahead of the Celtics being they have a bit more depth than Boston.

My top 5 are:
1 - Lakers
2 - Cavaliers
3 - Spurs
4 - Celtics
5 - Nuggets