All purpose NBA thread 07/08

Fair enough, I'll agree with that. But that's why having a Thomas-type player is necessary for the Suns, and they don't have him anymore nor a replacement.

 

You're right. The NBA isn't like the MLB, where players like Brady Anderson can develop into 50 HR hitters overnight. If I have to put a prediction on his stat line, something like this: 10.5 PPG, 6.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 27 % FG.

 

There's one thing we can all agree on:

The Knicks
will
suck.

 

YES! This could very well be a teens-number win season.

 

Yup, I will agree with you on that. The Suns will lead the league in scoring this year, but then also give up the most points. They need to swing a deal for a big stopper down low. Hopefully Diaw is healthy this year, he is the second best defender on the Suns next to Marion.

 

They will get 20 or so like the Sixers.

 

In the Sarver years they've done a good job of getting midseason additions, like Tim Thomas in '06 and Walter McCarty/Jim Jackson in '05 (I think Jackson was midseason?). I could definitely see them pulling something off.

 

Doc, love your prediction. I'm just not optimistic the Mavs can make it back.

 

SI has the Knicks as the sixth seed in the East, second in the Atlantic. And I'm not quite sure why. Marbury, Crawford, Randolph and Curry all need the ball to be effective. Randolph (2.2 assists) and Curry (0.8 assists) won't kick the ball out of the post--and which one is willing to play a secondary, rebounding and defense, role? Marbury is an off-guard in a point guard's body. He's most effective as a scorer. Same with Crawford, who is the Knicks best player.

Bench is full of combo forwards (Lee, Jeffries, Balkman); Rose is a rebounder/defender that doesn't need to be covered on the offensive end and Nate Robinson...well, he's Nate Robinson.

 

From the NBA Preview SI:

And it's good and well that he worked on making jumpers over the summer. But until Rondo can routinely hit them in games, PG is a glaring hole in Boston.

 

Shame on you HB for not believing in the power that is Renaldo Balkman!

 

Renaldo Balkman...good defender, energy guy. He can't score in an empty gym.