One of the bigger controversies coming out of week 12 in the NFL are the fights breaking out on the field. The chatter started last week when Oakland Raiders' Defensive Tackle, Richard Seymour, drilled Pittsburgh Steelers' Quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, in the face with an open-handed slap, and escalated with Sunday's brawl between Tennessee Titans' Cornerback, Cortland Finnegan, and Houston Texans' Wide Receiver, Andre Johnson. What may have surprised people more than the actual fight on Sunday, was Finnegan's opponent. Andre Johnson has been humble, level-headed, and anti-diva since entering the league, so it was a bit of a shock to see him throwing haymakers during a game. Johnson's actions -- along with the actions of Richard Seymour -- were ultimately wrong, but they weren't without reason.
We often hear about players “policing themselves” in hockey, which essentially means if a player is taking cheaps shots, talking too much trash, or generally just playing dirty, then chances are he is going to have a meeting with somebody's fist in the near future. In my opinion, Andre Johnson was simply “policing” the game, because the officials just weren't getting the job done. Cortland Finnegan has a reputation for being a nuisance on the football field, who takes cheap shots whenever possible, and already had a history of trying to get under Johnson's skin. Before the fight broke out Finnegan had popped Johnson under the facemask right at the snap of the ball, which was completely ignored by the referees. Finnegan had used the same tactics earlier on in the game, which he was also not flagged for. Now, I have never been an advocate of violence, but you can only expect a grown man to be able to handle so much in a competitive, violent, hyper-masculine setting, before he eventually snaps. That's what happened to Andre Johnson, and his whoopin' of Cortland Finnegan was the result. Johnson is the best Wide Receiver in football, who was being wronged by another player, and by the officials for missing Finnegan's transgressions, so he enacted the only solution at that point in time, by ripping Finnegan's helmet off, throwing him to the ground, and connecting with three solid punches.
Johnson and Finnegan have both been fined $25,000, but will not be suspended, which I am particularly pleased with. As aforementioned, Andre Johnson has been a model citizen since being drafted out of Miami. To give some perspective, Johnson sincerely apologized to the Texans' organization, players, and fans for loosing his cool, even though he received an abundance of praise for his actions, and was actually awarded the game ball on Sunday. But he did deserve to get fined for his actions. You can't throw punches in the NFL and expect there to be no repercussions. I felt Finnegan's suspension should have been a bit more than Johnson's -- because he is a repeat offender -- but I guess you can only fine a guy so much for getting his butt kicked on TV.
Andre Johnson's actions may not have been responsible, but they were justified. Johnson was defending himself when the referees wouldn't, while trying to end the unscrupulous behavior of one of football's biggest instigators. My unbiased opinion also knows that Richard Seymour striking Ben Roethlisberger was wrong (even though the fan in me enjoyed seeing Big Ben get jacked in the face) the point can still be made that he was validated in his indignation, as Roethlisberger was taunting Seymour after a touchdown pass. You could make the point that the incident would not have even occurred had Roethlisberger not felt the need to degrade a player on the team he was already beating doubtlessly. On a side note: You would think Ben Roethlisberger might want to just lay low this season and avoid any extra publicity.
So although fighting is wrong, and it will never be embraced like it is in hockey, the message behind the fighting is quite clear. The retaliations of Andre Johnson and Richard Seymour are proof that football players won't simply stand by and allow others to act like punks in the NFL. And perhaps by getting their bells rung a bit, individuals like Ben Roethlisberger and Cortland Finnegan will realize their actions have consequences, and there are players around the league who have no problems ensuring those consequences are enforced.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
...Injustice for All
After speculations of sanctions and suspensions it appears the Iowa Hawkeyes –- and basketball recruits Josh Oglesby and Marcus Paige -- will receive no penalties for inappropriate recruiting methods. What scandalous actions could have brought about such an investigation? Oglesby and Paige had a chance encounter with (gasp) Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore at a Hawkeye's football game in September, and were even photographed with Kutcher during the day (the horror). No, I did not misconstrue that information at all. Two Iowa recruits happen to run into a celebrity couple at a football game, take a picture with one, and the NCAA needed an investigation. The last time I checked, Ashton Kutcher is not an agent (actually, what does Ashton Kutcher do nowadays?) and neither is Demi Moore. I can understand if these two high schoolers had a meeting behind closed doors with Mark Cuban, but they just had an unintentional run-in with two celebrities, who also happen to be fans of Iowa sports. And heaven forbid they take a picture with one of them; it's just inconceivable that two high school kids would want their picture taken with a guy they most likely have seen on television or at the movie theater. Did we really need an NCAA investigation to figure that out?
Even with the ridiculousness of the entire Ashton-Demi situation, the real issue is the NCAA regulations for their student athletes. The simple solution I have -- which is shared by many individuals in the field who I have great respect for –- is to pay college athletes. If the NCAA would just swallow their pride (and their greed) there would not be the bevy of investigations, sanctions, and penalties that we see every year. When looking at just this season of college football, it is easy to make the case for compensating college athletes.
One of the more glaring examples would be the North Carolina Tar Heels, who lost seemingly half their team to suspensions early on in the season for a game against LSU. Most of the suspensions stemmed from player interactions with agents and/or professional players. Now, it seems fairly obvious that losing 16 players would put any team in a bit of a disadvantage. And who could forget the highly publicized scandal involving former USC Running Back, Reggie Bush. Bush's actions while he was still a Trojan cost this year's team the chance to play in a bowl game, had they performed well enough throughout the year to even qualify. And believe me, they're USC; the powers-that-be would find some way to get them in a bowl game, no matter how bad they are. Bush still denies the allegations that he received cash and other gifts, yet he decided to give back his Heisman trophy, which leaves the award vacant for the first time in its history. But the one event that perturbs me more than the others involves Georgia Wide Receiver, A.J. Green. Green was suspended for selling one of his game-worn jerseys on line, to an individual who happened to be a football agent. Not only did Green have to sit out the Bulldog's first four games of the season, he was also forced to return the $1,000 he made from selling the jersey. Green's absence diminished any chance of Georgia having a successful year, and also killed his hopes for this year's Heisman trophy.
I'm not saying that paying college athletes would solve all the corruption, double-talk, and deceit within the ranks of college athletics, but it would at least cut down on the amount of violations and suspensions, especially when the current team had nothing to do with the violation. The USC sanctions were enforced when Reggie Bush was already playing with the Saints in the NFL, which means his wrongdoings are affecting kids who never even played with him. I can understand that there needs to be some ramifactions for Bush's actions -- and you can't punish him because he's making millions being spectacularly mediocre in the NFL -- but sanction the school, not the atletes. This issue with Bush is a clear example of how a compensatory system would most definitely be an improvement from the standards already in place, where the universities and television stations are essentially sending these athletes out to make millions of dollars that the athletes will never see a penny of. It's almost a form of legalized prostitution. While I do know that nobody is forcing these kids to play, they still have scholarships and potential professional careers to consider. And is it so wrong for A.J. Green to try to sell his own jersey so he can have money for groceries, gas, and maybe just to have a little bit to spend on himself? It is fair that he makes the University of Georgia millions of dollars through his athletic ability, but has to return $1,000 of his own money because he didn't follow the NCAA's rules? The answer to both of these questions is an emphatic “NO”. If colleges and universities would simply use some of the fat bank they're making on sporting events to pay their athletes, then UNC would not have played with half its roster against LSU, A.J. Green would be a Heisman candidate, and there would actually be a Heisman trophy winner for 2005. The potential for improvement seems to vastly outweigh the negatives in this situation.
Even with the ridiculousness of the entire Ashton-Demi situation, the real issue is the NCAA regulations for their student athletes. The simple solution I have -- which is shared by many individuals in the field who I have great respect for –- is to pay college athletes. If the NCAA would just swallow their pride (and their greed) there would not be the bevy of investigations, sanctions, and penalties that we see every year. When looking at just this season of college football, it is easy to make the case for compensating college athletes.
One of the more glaring examples would be the North Carolina Tar Heels, who lost seemingly half their team to suspensions early on in the season for a game against LSU. Most of the suspensions stemmed from player interactions with agents and/or professional players. Now, it seems fairly obvious that losing 16 players would put any team in a bit of a disadvantage. And who could forget the highly publicized scandal involving former USC Running Back, Reggie Bush. Bush's actions while he was still a Trojan cost this year's team the chance to play in a bowl game, had they performed well enough throughout the year to even qualify. And believe me, they're USC; the powers-that-be would find some way to get them in a bowl game, no matter how bad they are. Bush still denies the allegations that he received cash and other gifts, yet he decided to give back his Heisman trophy, which leaves the award vacant for the first time in its history. But the one event that perturbs me more than the others involves Georgia Wide Receiver, A.J. Green. Green was suspended for selling one of his game-worn jerseys on line, to an individual who happened to be a football agent. Not only did Green have to sit out the Bulldog's first four games of the season, he was also forced to return the $1,000 he made from selling the jersey. Green's absence diminished any chance of Georgia having a successful year, and also killed his hopes for this year's Heisman trophy.
I'm not saying that paying college athletes would solve all the corruption, double-talk, and deceit within the ranks of college athletics, but it would at least cut down on the amount of violations and suspensions, especially when the current team had nothing to do with the violation. The USC sanctions were enforced when Reggie Bush was already playing with the Saints in the NFL, which means his wrongdoings are affecting kids who never even played with him. I can understand that there needs to be some ramifactions for Bush's actions -- and you can't punish him because he's making millions being spectacularly mediocre in the NFL -- but sanction the school, not the atletes. This issue with Bush is a clear example of how a compensatory system would most definitely be an improvement from the standards already in place, where the universities and television stations are essentially sending these athletes out to make millions of dollars that the athletes will never see a penny of. It's almost a form of legalized prostitution. While I do know that nobody is forcing these kids to play, they still have scholarships and potential professional careers to consider. And is it so wrong for A.J. Green to try to sell his own jersey so he can have money for groceries, gas, and maybe just to have a little bit to spend on himself? It is fair that he makes the University of Georgia millions of dollars through his athletic ability, but has to return $1,000 of his own money because he didn't follow the NCAA's rules? The answer to both of these questions is an emphatic “NO”. If colleges and universities would simply use some of the fat bank they're making on sporting events to pay their athletes, then UNC would not have played with half its roster against LSU, A.J. Green would be a Heisman candidate, and there would actually be a Heisman trophy winner for 2005. The potential for improvement seems to vastly outweigh the negatives in this situation.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tears and Stripes
Even though the NBA season is still extremely young, I am pleased to say I have witnessed a very distinct difference between this season and campaigns of the past: player complaints. Magic Point Guard, Jason Williams, will be missing Orlando's heavily publicized encounter with the Miami Heat tonight (which is Miami's home-opener) for making contact with an official. Williams was ejected from Thursday night's matchup against the Washington Wizards, for tugging on the arm of referee Tony Brothers, while arguing a call. The act itself may seem as demonstrative as a toddler tugging on their Mother's dress, but the rules clearly state that players cannot have any physical contact with an official. None.
The fact that Williams was suspended shows the NBA may actually be taking the necessary steps to clean up the endless whining and complaining that plagues virtually every game on the schedule. Now I'm not going to name any names here (*cough* Tim Duncan *cough*) but there have been countless instances after witnessing a bevy of eye rolls, arm raises, wrist slaps, and mouth-agape stares, that I wanted to sit an NBA player down and recite the "Act your age, not your shoe size" line until their ears are bleeding. Being a moderately average basketball player, I can honestly say I have been guilty of the same offenses on more than one occasion (My favorite player is Rasheed Wallace. What do you expect?). But I can also say from experience that all of these little gestures, tactics, and verbal outbursts simply don't work. If anything, they tend to work against you. Referees are not very open to criticism, so they definitely won't give a player the benefit of a close call, when two plays earlier that same player essentially told him a trained chimp could do his job better.
As aforementioned, I do understand the need to inform an official when the strong feeling is they have wronged your team, or even yourself. But there are better ways to convey your displeasure than showering a referee with boos and calling them blind. If we push back our anger and frustration for a moment we will realize the officials are people just like us, and they aren't trying to blow calls.
No matter what I say, a referee is always going to be the most unpopular person at a basketball game (unless LeBron is playing), but how professional players respond will ultimately decide the reactions of fans and younger players. Like it or not, NBA players are role models for aspiring basketball players, and high school/college players emulating their favorite ballers does nothing but continue the cycle of complaining. Disagreeing with an official is an inevitability, but acting like a professional should always be the standard.
The fact that Williams was suspended shows the NBA may actually be taking the necessary steps to clean up the endless whining and complaining that plagues virtually every game on the schedule. Now I'm not going to name any names here (*cough* Tim Duncan *cough*) but there have been countless instances after witnessing a bevy of eye rolls, arm raises, wrist slaps, and mouth-agape stares, that I wanted to sit an NBA player down and recite the "Act your age, not your shoe size" line until their ears are bleeding. Being a moderately average basketball player, I can honestly say I have been guilty of the same offenses on more than one occasion (My favorite player is Rasheed Wallace. What do you expect?). But I can also say from experience that all of these little gestures, tactics, and verbal outbursts simply don't work. If anything, they tend to work against you. Referees are not very open to criticism, so they definitely won't give a player the benefit of a close call, when two plays earlier that same player essentially told him a trained chimp could do his job better.
As aforementioned, I do understand the need to inform an official when the strong feeling is they have wronged your team, or even yourself. But there are better ways to convey your displeasure than showering a referee with boos and calling them blind. If we push back our anger and frustration for a moment we will realize the officials are people just like us, and they aren't trying to blow calls.
No matter what I say, a referee is always going to be the most unpopular person at a basketball game (unless LeBron is playing), but how professional players respond will ultimately decide the reactions of fans and younger players. Like it or not, NBA players are role models for aspiring basketball players, and high school/college players emulating their favorite ballers does nothing but continue the cycle of complaining. Disagreeing with an official is an inevitability, but acting like a professional should always be the standard.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Save the Headshots for X-Box Live
Much to my surprise it is reported the NFL could possibly start suspending players for helmet-to-helmet hits. If these reports are true, then I applaud the NFL's decision. I have covered serious injuries in a previous discussion (see: Vain and Suffering), but helmet-to-helmet hits can be controlled – to a certain extent – by the players themselves. Not only are helmet-to-helmet hits technically inappropriate (most football players are not taught to lead with their helmets), they are also extremely dangerous to the player receiving the hit and the player applying the hit, alike. We saw an example this Sunday during the Philadelphia vs. Atlanta game, when Falcons' Cornerback, Dunta Robinson's hit on Eagles' receiver, DeSean Jackson, resulted in both players leaving the game, and a concussion for Jackson.
If the NFL were to take the steps to actually put a suspension rule into effect this season, it would be an unprecedented development. In recent years the NHL has changed rules mid-season, and even during a playoff series, but the NFL has always stood fast and refused to acknowledge on-field issues until the off-season. I, for one, sincerely hope the NFL gets out of its own way and suspends players for helmet-to-helmet hits, because it is obvious that fines aren't doing the trick.
I know there is a tendency to cringe when discussing less violence in football, because the sport is based on brutality. I am no exception. I believe all the rules to protect Quarterbacks are ridiculous, and there has been many a time when I have jumped out of my chair while screaming “you got jacked up!” when a Middle Linebacker unloads on an unsuspecting receiver running a crossing route. However, it seems to me that a line needs to be drawn when brain damage, paralysis, and even death, could possibly be an outcome. I honestly believe professional football players can avoid driving their helmets into other player's helmets on most occasions; and they should do so, for the fans, for their fellow players, and for themselves.
If the NFL were to take the steps to actually put a suspension rule into effect this season, it would be an unprecedented development. In recent years the NHL has changed rules mid-season, and even during a playoff series, but the NFL has always stood fast and refused to acknowledge on-field issues until the off-season. I, for one, sincerely hope the NFL gets out of its own way and suspends players for helmet-to-helmet hits, because it is obvious that fines aren't doing the trick.
I know there is a tendency to cringe when discussing less violence in football, because the sport is based on brutality. I am no exception. I believe all the rules to protect Quarterbacks are ridiculous, and there has been many a time when I have jumped out of my chair while screaming “you got jacked up!” when a Middle Linebacker unloads on an unsuspecting receiver running a crossing route. However, it seems to me that a line needs to be drawn when brain damage, paralysis, and even death, could possibly be an outcome. I honestly believe professional football players can avoid driving their helmets into other player's helmets on most occasions; and they should do so, for the fans, for their fellow players, and for themselves.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
NBA Pre-season: You're the Best, Around
We end our NBA rankings with the "favorites" for this upcoming season. Most of these teams in my top ten have a chance to bring home an NBA Championship, and all should, at the very least, make the playoffs.
10. San Antonio Spurs
The biggest problem for San Antonio is going to be age. Tim Duncan can't stay healthy forever, and Manu Ginobili is already showing the effects of his age and playing style. The Spurs do have some young talent with George Hill, DeJuan Blair, and Tiago Splitter (who looked impressive on Brazil's National Team), but the core of this team is a bit too long-in-the-tooth for me to consider them a genuine contender. It is also yet to be seen whether the trade rumors from the off-season will affect Tony Parker or not.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Even though Atlanta seemed to quit in the playoffs last season against Orlando, they still have one of the more talented teams in the East. Jeff Teague proved to be a reliable backup to Mike Bibby at the end of the season, and the Hawks managed to hold onto Joe Johnson in the off-season, even though they drastically overpaid for him. The issue I have with Atlanta is not their ability, but rather their mental strength. The implosion in the playoffs essentially cost Mike Woodson his job as head coach, and Jamal Crawford has very publicly been demanding a contract extension. The Hawks will make the playoffs, but they don't have the makeup of a champion.
8. Portland Trailblazers
This is it. This is the year Greg Oden stays healthy. I realize you are reading this and can't hear the lack of conviction in my voice, but you get the picture. The truth is I truly hope Oden can stay on the court this season, because he is a genuinely good guy, and has the ability to be a difference-maker for Portland. Even if Oden is still limited (or absent) the Blazers do have depth in the front-court, and the addition of Wesley Matthews will have an immediate impact on Portland's perimeter defense. The key for this team--like so many others--is going to be health. Brandon Roy was injured going into last season's playoff run, while Oden and Joel Przybilla both missed significant time at the Center position. If all their core players stay relatively healthy, Portland can contend.
7. Dallas Mavericks
The only significant move Dallas made was the acquisition of Tyson Chandler, who may not even start if Brendan Haywood continues to play well. I was very surprised at owner, Mark Cuban, who neglected to pursue any of the free agents on the market this off-season. I understand his first priority was re-signing Dirk Nowitzki, but I believe he had the opportunity to surround his All-Star with more talent. Swapping Josh Howard for Caron Butler last season was a wise decision--considering Butler's ability and Howard's off-the-court issues--but Jason Kidd is in the twilight of his career, while Shawn Marion and Jason Terry both showed signs of regression last season. The window is still open for the Mavs to win a title, but the road through the West will not be an easy one.
6. Orlando Magic
It will do Stan Van Gundy well to utilize Brandon Bass more this season. Rashard Lewis creates matchup problems at Power Forward but he has struggled since signing with Orlando, and has never been a good defender. Moving Lewis to his natural position at Small Forward would give the Magic more beef in the front-court, while still allowing the offense to work through Dwight Howard. The loss of Matt Barnes to the Lakers will significantly hurt Orlando, though, as he was the only player in the rotation to add any toughness to the team. I also still don't trust Vince Carter to perform at a high level in the playoffs, but if Howard can improve in the post (and stay out of foul trouble) all Vince will need to do is knock down open jumpshots. It will be difficult for Orlando to get past the top teams in the East, but if they do, Van Gundy's crew matches up well against most of the favorites in the West.
5. Boston Celtics
While Boston does have one of the more talented squads in the league, the front office seemed to overlook one simple fact this off-season: they are an old team that just kept getting older. I understand the need to re-sign Paul Pierce and have him retire as a Celtic, but the Big Three don't have many productive years left, and all of them--especially Kevin Garnett--are showing it. But instead of getting some fresh, new players, Boston aged itself even more by adding a pair of over-the-hill O'Neal's (Jermaine and Shaq) and brought back Delonte West, who wasn't even welcome in Cleveland. Even though I don't support the decisions the Celtics have made, I will not discount them, based on their recent success and the track records of their core players. I do not, however, see this team reaching the finals for a third time in four seasons.
4. Chicago Bulls
Chicago seems to be the "sexy" pick at the moment--and that scares me--but I believe they can live up to the hype. Carlos Boozer gives the Bulls a legitimate post-scorer, which they have not had since the days of Elton Brand. While Boozer did sustain a broken pinky finger, the injury does not appear to threaten his availability for the regular season. One off-season acquisition that will also have positive impact in the Windy City is the signing of Kyle Korver. Korver will extend defenses to the three-point arc, and allow Boozer more room to work in the paint, while also providing an outlet when Derrick Rose drives the lane. Chicago seems to have addressed their major needs in the off-season, and look primed to make a run this year.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
My legs are still sore from how quickly I jumped on this team's bandwagon last season, but I don't plan on getting off anytime soon. Not only does OKC have my pick for this year's MVP, Kevin Durant, but the emergence of Serge Ibaka should allow the Thunder to play a more traditional lineup this season, which will be an asset in the playoffs. Last season the Thunder seemed to have the opposite problem as the Celtics; they were too young. Unlike Boston, OKC actually addressed the issue by bringing in veteran swingman, Morris Peterson, to mentor James Harden (who is a fellow lefty). I also approved of trading for the rights to Cole Aldrich on draft day, because his high-energy, bruising style of play will be a nice counter to Nenad Krstic's finesse at the Center position. If Durant continues to dominate,and Russell Westbrook can follow up on his momentum from being on Team USA, then the Thunder could make a legitimate run at a title.
2. Miami Heat
I'm not one to get caught up in hype, but when you look at the talent that's been assembled in Miami, it's hard to not get excited. Wade, Bosh, and James have all been perennial All-Stars since they came into the league, and while some may say their egos are too big to coexist on the same team, I beg to differ. What appears to be a distinct difference between these three and other superstar teammates--like Shaq and Kobe--is James, Wade, and Bosh seem to genuinely like each other, which could contribute extensively to their success. There has also been the criticism that none of them will want to share the ball, but all three showed a willingness to do so on Team USA two years ago. If you consider a gold medal to be a success, then I think that worked out pretty well for them. Now, there are still some question marks on the Heat, such as the starters at Point Guard and Center, but this team has talent beyond just Miami Thrice. We know Zydrunas Ilgauskas can play with LeBron because of their time together in Cleveland, and Mike Miller's shooting ability will be an asset for when defenses attempt double-teams. I know many people will be inclined to hate on the Heat because of the circumstances surrounding their acquisition of talent. The reality, however, is that this team is going to be successful, and they have an excellent chance of winning several championships.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
When you are the two-time defending champs, that puts you at the top of my list. The Lakers re-loaded this off-season by bringing in Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, and Matt Barnes (who is like a young Ron Artest, but with a better jumpshot). Barnes is the key addition to the roster. His physical defense will help lighten the burden on the defensively-challenged, Pau Gasol. Interchanging Barnes and Artest--or having the two play at the same time--will also be crucial to the Lakers control of the paint until Andrew Bynum is fully healed (so he can get injured right before the playoffs for the fourth year in a row). The Lakers have essentially all their key players returning from last year's championship team (Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and Shannon Brown, to name a few), but the determining factor for this team will always be Kobe Bryant. If Kobe can maintain his level of play with all the bangs and bruises he has sustained over the past two seasons, then LA should find itself in the finals with a chance to complete Coach Phil Jackson's fourth three-peat.
So there you have it, the NBA season by the numbers. Now you don't even have to watch the games. But seriously, you should watch as much as you can, because my one prediction I'm sure will be correct, is this is going to be a memorable season.
10. San Antonio Spurs
The biggest problem for San Antonio is going to be age. Tim Duncan can't stay healthy forever, and Manu Ginobili is already showing the effects of his age and playing style. The Spurs do have some young talent with George Hill, DeJuan Blair, and Tiago Splitter (who looked impressive on Brazil's National Team), but the core of this team is a bit too long-in-the-tooth for me to consider them a genuine contender. It is also yet to be seen whether the trade rumors from the off-season will affect Tony Parker or not.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Even though Atlanta seemed to quit in the playoffs last season against Orlando, they still have one of the more talented teams in the East. Jeff Teague proved to be a reliable backup to Mike Bibby at the end of the season, and the Hawks managed to hold onto Joe Johnson in the off-season, even though they drastically overpaid for him. The issue I have with Atlanta is not their ability, but rather their mental strength. The implosion in the playoffs essentially cost Mike Woodson his job as head coach, and Jamal Crawford has very publicly been demanding a contract extension. The Hawks will make the playoffs, but they don't have the makeup of a champion.
8. Portland Trailblazers
This is it. This is the year Greg Oden stays healthy. I realize you are reading this and can't hear the lack of conviction in my voice, but you get the picture. The truth is I truly hope Oden can stay on the court this season, because he is a genuinely good guy, and has the ability to be a difference-maker for Portland. Even if Oden is still limited (or absent) the Blazers do have depth in the front-court, and the addition of Wesley Matthews will have an immediate impact on Portland's perimeter defense. The key for this team--like so many others--is going to be health. Brandon Roy was injured going into last season's playoff run, while Oden and Joel Przybilla both missed significant time at the Center position. If all their core players stay relatively healthy, Portland can contend.
7. Dallas Mavericks
The only significant move Dallas made was the acquisition of Tyson Chandler, who may not even start if Brendan Haywood continues to play well. I was very surprised at owner, Mark Cuban, who neglected to pursue any of the free agents on the market this off-season. I understand his first priority was re-signing Dirk Nowitzki, but I believe he had the opportunity to surround his All-Star with more talent. Swapping Josh Howard for Caron Butler last season was a wise decision--considering Butler's ability and Howard's off-the-court issues--but Jason Kidd is in the twilight of his career, while Shawn Marion and Jason Terry both showed signs of regression last season. The window is still open for the Mavs to win a title, but the road through the West will not be an easy one.
6. Orlando Magic
It will do Stan Van Gundy well to utilize Brandon Bass more this season. Rashard Lewis creates matchup problems at Power Forward but he has struggled since signing with Orlando, and has never been a good defender. Moving Lewis to his natural position at Small Forward would give the Magic more beef in the front-court, while still allowing the offense to work through Dwight Howard. The loss of Matt Barnes to the Lakers will significantly hurt Orlando, though, as he was the only player in the rotation to add any toughness to the team. I also still don't trust Vince Carter to perform at a high level in the playoffs, but if Howard can improve in the post (and stay out of foul trouble) all Vince will need to do is knock down open jumpshots. It will be difficult for Orlando to get past the top teams in the East, but if they do, Van Gundy's crew matches up well against most of the favorites in the West.
5. Boston Celtics
While Boston does have one of the more talented squads in the league, the front office seemed to overlook one simple fact this off-season: they are an old team that just kept getting older. I understand the need to re-sign Paul Pierce and have him retire as a Celtic, but the Big Three don't have many productive years left, and all of them--especially Kevin Garnett--are showing it. But instead of getting some fresh, new players, Boston aged itself even more by adding a pair of over-the-hill O'Neal's (Jermaine and Shaq) and brought back Delonte West, who wasn't even welcome in Cleveland. Even though I don't support the decisions the Celtics have made, I will not discount them, based on their recent success and the track records of their core players. I do not, however, see this team reaching the finals for a third time in four seasons.
4. Chicago Bulls
Chicago seems to be the "sexy" pick at the moment--and that scares me--but I believe they can live up to the hype. Carlos Boozer gives the Bulls a legitimate post-scorer, which they have not had since the days of Elton Brand. While Boozer did sustain a broken pinky finger, the injury does not appear to threaten his availability for the regular season. One off-season acquisition that will also have positive impact in the Windy City is the signing of Kyle Korver. Korver will extend defenses to the three-point arc, and allow Boozer more room to work in the paint, while also providing an outlet when Derrick Rose drives the lane. Chicago seems to have addressed their major needs in the off-season, and look primed to make a run this year.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
My legs are still sore from how quickly I jumped on this team's bandwagon last season, but I don't plan on getting off anytime soon. Not only does OKC have my pick for this year's MVP, Kevin Durant, but the emergence of Serge Ibaka should allow the Thunder to play a more traditional lineup this season, which will be an asset in the playoffs. Last season the Thunder seemed to have the opposite problem as the Celtics; they were too young. Unlike Boston, OKC actually addressed the issue by bringing in veteran swingman, Morris Peterson, to mentor James Harden (who is a fellow lefty). I also approved of trading for the rights to Cole Aldrich on draft day, because his high-energy, bruising style of play will be a nice counter to Nenad Krstic's finesse at the Center position. If Durant continues to dominate,and Russell Westbrook can follow up on his momentum from being on Team USA, then the Thunder could make a legitimate run at a title.
2. Miami Heat
I'm not one to get caught up in hype, but when you look at the talent that's been assembled in Miami, it's hard to not get excited. Wade, Bosh, and James have all been perennial All-Stars since they came into the league, and while some may say their egos are too big to coexist on the same team, I beg to differ. What appears to be a distinct difference between these three and other superstar teammates--like Shaq and Kobe--is James, Wade, and Bosh seem to genuinely like each other, which could contribute extensively to their success. There has also been the criticism that none of them will want to share the ball, but all three showed a willingness to do so on Team USA two years ago. If you consider a gold medal to be a success, then I think that worked out pretty well for them. Now, there are still some question marks on the Heat, such as the starters at Point Guard and Center, but this team has talent beyond just Miami Thrice. We know Zydrunas Ilgauskas can play with LeBron because of their time together in Cleveland, and Mike Miller's shooting ability will be an asset for when defenses attempt double-teams. I know many people will be inclined to hate on the Heat because of the circumstances surrounding their acquisition of talent. The reality, however, is that this team is going to be successful, and they have an excellent chance of winning several championships.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
When you are the two-time defending champs, that puts you at the top of my list. The Lakers re-loaded this off-season by bringing in Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, and Matt Barnes (who is like a young Ron Artest, but with a better jumpshot). Barnes is the key addition to the roster. His physical defense will help lighten the burden on the defensively-challenged, Pau Gasol. Interchanging Barnes and Artest--or having the two play at the same time--will also be crucial to the Lakers control of the paint until Andrew Bynum is fully healed (so he can get injured right before the playoffs for the fourth year in a row). The Lakers have essentially all their key players returning from last year's championship team (Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, and Shannon Brown, to name a few), but the determining factor for this team will always be Kobe Bryant. If Kobe can maintain his level of play with all the bangs and bruises he has sustained over the past two seasons, then LA should find itself in the finals with a chance to complete Coach Phil Jackson's fourth three-peat.
So there you have it, the NBA season by the numbers. Now you don't even have to watch the games. But seriously, you should watch as much as you can, because my one prediction I'm sure will be correct, is this is going to be a memorable season.
Monday, October 4, 2010
NBA Pre-season: Middle of the Pack
Continuing on with our NBA rankings is the section for teams which could be headed for the playoffs, or the lottery. Most of these teams have the talent to win games, but can't be consider legitimate contenders for an NBA Championship.
20. New Jersey Nets
Even if they can somehow manage to steal Carmelo Anthony away from Denver (of which I still have a great deal of doubt) this is still a team that won just twelve games last season. Jay-Z's club added depth in underrated players, Jordan Farmar and Travis Outlaw, but are paying Troy Murphy $12 million this season, which might very well be the textbook definition of "overpaying". Devin Harris and Brook Lopez will continue to improve to the point that Jersey will add significant W's this season, but not enough to be any kind of a threat.
19. Charlotte Bobcats
While MJ's Bobcats do have a considerable amount of talent on their roster, they seem to lack motivation. Even though Stephen Jackson can still be a dynamic scorer, and Gerald Wallace has emerged as an All-Star, Charlotte still lacks quality big-men. Nazr Mohammed and DeSagana Diop both have their best years behind them, and the newly-acquired Kwame Brown will not help out with Charlotte's biggest need: a scorer in the post. This team may make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference, but don't expect them to get out of the first round.
18. New York Knicks
Remember what I said about Troy Murphy? Well, in that textbook there should be a footnote reading "Also see: Amare Stoudemire." Stoudemire is a very good player, but he cannot carry an offense. I believe we will see the true value of Steve Nash when Amare struggles to find his way in an offense led by Raymond Felton. The Knicks, like the Bobcats, have a chance to sneak into a playoff spot in a top-heavy East, but they don't have the depth to contend.
17. Los Angeles Clippers
LA will be asking the same question as several other teams in the West: "Can our young, big-man stay healthy?" In the Clipper's case, this player is Power Forward, Blake Griffin, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Many believe that Griffin can contend for Rookie of the Year (even though he is in his second season) if he can stay on the court. As a fan, I hope Griffin can last the whole season-- because he is entertaining to watch-- but he has had injury problems dating back to his college days at Oklahoma. Now that may only be two serious injuries in a span of three years, but one would have to consider if the trend will continue. The bottom line is if Griffin stays healthy the Clippers can make the playoffs; if not, they're back in the lottery.
16. Houston Rockets
The big-man trend continues in Houston with Yao Ming. The Rockets will limit their Center's playing time this season in an effort to cure him of the foot injuries that have plagued Yao's career. Even with limited playing time, Yao can still be effective, and having Kevin Martin for a whole season will be a definite boost (pun intended) for Houston's offense. The Rockets traded away Trevor Ariza, but Shane Battier is still one of the best defenders in the league, and Chase Budinger brings energy off of the bench. Look for the Rockets to quietly make an impact in the West.
15. Utah Jazz
Losing Carlos Boozer is going to be a major blow for Jerry Sloan's gang. Adding to Utah's difficulties is the fact they play in a fairly deep Northwest Division, where the only doormat team is Minnesota. That being said, the front office did an admirable job of re-tooling the roster by adding Al Jefferson (who also qualifies for that big-man question), giving Utah its first true Center in many seasons. I wasn't crazy about drafting Gordon Hayward in the first round, because I believe he will struggle while transitioning to the pros. But the Jazz still have quite possibly the best Point Guard in the league in Deron Williams, who is a perfect fit for Sloan's offense. Expect this team to drop off from last season, but still make the playoffs.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
The fate of this year's Bucks rests on the health of their young Center (is there an echo in here). If Andrew Bogut is fully recovered from the ghastly arm injury that kept him off Australia's roster for the World Championship, then Milwaukee could potentially nab the fourth or fifth spot in the East. Carlos Delfino quietly had a solid season last year, and who knows, maybe Michael Redd can contribute this year...it could happen. Even without a healthy Redd the Bucks still have great upside with John Salmons, and a more experienced Brandon Jennings. But a healthy Bogut will be the defining factor of whether other NBA teams truly need to fear the deer.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
A lot of analysts are down on the Grizz this season, which I am a bit surprised at. Memphis may be an extremely young team, but the vast majority of their young players have seen extensive playing time since entering the league. Marc Gasol has trimmed down in the off-season, while Zach Randolph is eyeing consecutive All-Star appearances. The Grizzlies were able to keep Rudy Gay from leaving via free agency, while adding Greivis Vasquez and Xavier Henry in the draft to compliment (and perhaps, one day replace) Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. With the rest of the Southwest Division on the decline, I see no reason why Memphis could not make a legitimate push for a playoff spot.
12. Denver Nuggets
Even with all the turmoil and drama of whether Carmelo Anthony will be traded or not, Denver still has other problems to contend with. Their top three front-line players are all battling injuries (come to think of it; when is Kenyon Martin not battling injuries?) and trade rumors may have alienated J.R. Smith, who is not the most stable individual to begin with. I see a great deal of stress being put on Chauncey Billups this season, because Denver possesses a great deal of talent, but the soap opera atmosphere surrounding the team could be their undoing.
11. Phoenix Suns
I don't see the Suns regressing as much as they have been predicted to, but I do believe this team's window to win a championship has been shut. I am truly amazed at how effective Steve Nash still is, though the sad truth is he will only continue to get older, and won't have Amare to finish at the rim. The Suns already had too many players at the wings before they acquired Hedo Turkoglu, which means several forwards will be playing out of position. I don't expect Turkoglu or Grant Hill to contend with the elite big-men in the West, but I did like the drafting of Earl Clark. In three to four seasons, Clark and Robin Lopez could give Phoenix a true Power Forward-Center combination. This season, however, I see the Suns still winning around 47 games because of their offense, but they will go nowhere in the playoffs.
20. New Jersey Nets
Even if they can somehow manage to steal Carmelo Anthony away from Denver (of which I still have a great deal of doubt) this is still a team that won just twelve games last season. Jay-Z's club added depth in underrated players, Jordan Farmar and Travis Outlaw, but are paying Troy Murphy $12 million this season, which might very well be the textbook definition of "overpaying". Devin Harris and Brook Lopez will continue to improve to the point that Jersey will add significant W's this season, but not enough to be any kind of a threat.
19. Charlotte Bobcats
While MJ's Bobcats do have a considerable amount of talent on their roster, they seem to lack motivation. Even though Stephen Jackson can still be a dynamic scorer, and Gerald Wallace has emerged as an All-Star, Charlotte still lacks quality big-men. Nazr Mohammed and DeSagana Diop both have their best years behind them, and the newly-acquired Kwame Brown will not help out with Charlotte's biggest need: a scorer in the post. This team may make the playoffs in a weak Eastern Conference, but don't expect them to get out of the first round.
18. New York Knicks
Remember what I said about Troy Murphy? Well, in that textbook there should be a footnote reading "Also see: Amare Stoudemire." Stoudemire is a very good player, but he cannot carry an offense. I believe we will see the true value of Steve Nash when Amare struggles to find his way in an offense led by Raymond Felton. The Knicks, like the Bobcats, have a chance to sneak into a playoff spot in a top-heavy East, but they don't have the depth to contend.
17. Los Angeles Clippers
LA will be asking the same question as several other teams in the West: "Can our young, big-man stay healthy?" In the Clipper's case, this player is Power Forward, Blake Griffin, who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Many believe that Griffin can contend for Rookie of the Year (even though he is in his second season) if he can stay on the court. As a fan, I hope Griffin can last the whole season-- because he is entertaining to watch-- but he has had injury problems dating back to his college days at Oklahoma. Now that may only be two serious injuries in a span of three years, but one would have to consider if the trend will continue. The bottom line is if Griffin stays healthy the Clippers can make the playoffs; if not, they're back in the lottery.
16. Houston Rockets
The big-man trend continues in Houston with Yao Ming. The Rockets will limit their Center's playing time this season in an effort to cure him of the foot injuries that have plagued Yao's career. Even with limited playing time, Yao can still be effective, and having Kevin Martin for a whole season will be a definite boost (pun intended) for Houston's offense. The Rockets traded away Trevor Ariza, but Shane Battier is still one of the best defenders in the league, and Chase Budinger brings energy off of the bench. Look for the Rockets to quietly make an impact in the West.
15. Utah Jazz
Losing Carlos Boozer is going to be a major blow for Jerry Sloan's gang. Adding to Utah's difficulties is the fact they play in a fairly deep Northwest Division, where the only doormat team is Minnesota. That being said, the front office did an admirable job of re-tooling the roster by adding Al Jefferson (who also qualifies for that big-man question), giving Utah its first true Center in many seasons. I wasn't crazy about drafting Gordon Hayward in the first round, because I believe he will struggle while transitioning to the pros. But the Jazz still have quite possibly the best Point Guard in the league in Deron Williams, who is a perfect fit for Sloan's offense. Expect this team to drop off from last season, but still make the playoffs.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
The fate of this year's Bucks rests on the health of their young Center (is there an echo in here). If Andrew Bogut is fully recovered from the ghastly arm injury that kept him off Australia's roster for the World Championship, then Milwaukee could potentially nab the fourth or fifth spot in the East. Carlos Delfino quietly had a solid season last year, and who knows, maybe Michael Redd can contribute this year...it could happen. Even without a healthy Redd the Bucks still have great upside with John Salmons, and a more experienced Brandon Jennings. But a healthy Bogut will be the defining factor of whether other NBA teams truly need to fear the deer.
13. Memphis Grizzlies
A lot of analysts are down on the Grizz this season, which I am a bit surprised at. Memphis may be an extremely young team, but the vast majority of their young players have seen extensive playing time since entering the league. Marc Gasol has trimmed down in the off-season, while Zach Randolph is eyeing consecutive All-Star appearances. The Grizzlies were able to keep Rudy Gay from leaving via free agency, while adding Greivis Vasquez and Xavier Henry in the draft to compliment (and perhaps, one day replace) Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. With the rest of the Southwest Division on the decline, I see no reason why Memphis could not make a legitimate push for a playoff spot.
12. Denver Nuggets
Even with all the turmoil and drama of whether Carmelo Anthony will be traded or not, Denver still has other problems to contend with. Their top three front-line players are all battling injuries (come to think of it; when is Kenyon Martin not battling injuries?) and trade rumors may have alienated J.R. Smith, who is not the most stable individual to begin with. I see a great deal of stress being put on Chauncey Billups this season, because Denver possesses a great deal of talent, but the soap opera atmosphere surrounding the team could be their undoing.
11. Phoenix Suns
I don't see the Suns regressing as much as they have been predicted to, but I do believe this team's window to win a championship has been shut. I am truly amazed at how effective Steve Nash still is, though the sad truth is he will only continue to get older, and won't have Amare to finish at the rim. The Suns already had too many players at the wings before they acquired Hedo Turkoglu, which means several forwards will be playing out of position. I don't expect Turkoglu or Grant Hill to contend with the elite big-men in the West, but I did like the drafting of Earl Clark. In three to four seasons, Clark and Robin Lopez could give Phoenix a true Power Forward-Center combination. This season, however, I see the Suns still winning around 47 games because of their offense, but they will go nowhere in the playoffs.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
NBA Pre-season: The Worst of the Worst
With baseball's playoff races coming to a close and the NFL season in full swing, what better topic to discuss than...basketball? Yes, it has been several months since LeBron's “Decision,” Shaq's jump to Boston, and a myriad of other off-season moves in the NBA, so I wanted to take this time to make some not-so bold predictions on the upcoming season. My list is based on off-season acquisitions, coaching/staff changes, and the amount of sugar I have consumed on any particular day. But I know lists can be a bit daunting, and with thirty NBA teams, it can seem like an overwhelming task. So I will be breaking my list into installments, starting today with the worst of the worst: teams 30-21. Enjoy.
30. Toronto Raptors
Our neighbors to the north have the dubious distinction of being the worst team in the NBA this season. Not only did the Raptors lose Chris Bosh to Miami, but they wasted precious cap space on Detroit castaway, Amir Johnson, and then traded Hedo Turkoglu to the Suns. Now, I was all for trading away a declining player with a fat contract like Turkoglu, but the only quality player Toronto got in return was Leandro Barbaso, who will not make much of a difference in wins and losses.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
I would hate to think the loss of one player could make such a difference in a team's overall record from one season to the next, but when that one player is the caliber of a LeBron James, it does. The sad truth is when you take LeBron (and even Shaq) off of a team that has been a championship contender the past three seasons, and the roster you are left with just isn't all that good. The best player on the Cavs is Antawn Jamison, who couldn't carry the Wizards in Washington, and most certainly won't be able to lead a team that depended on LeBron to do everything for them last season.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
This team has been terrible for the better part of a decade, and losing their best player, Al Jefferson, won't be helping out the T-Wolves this season. The acquisition of Michael Beasley is experimental, at best, and Minnesota is still feeling the effects of Ricky Rubio snubbing the team to stay in Europe after he was drafted. The Wolves may have a bright future with Jonny Flynn and rookie, Wesley Johnson, but they simply do not have the talent to compete this year in a division that features the Jazz, Blazers, and Thunder; especially with Detroit cast-off, Darko Milicic, patrolling the paint for the entire season. Wait...do I see a pattern developing here?
27. Indiana Pacers
While Darren Collison will help straighten up the point guard position, the rest of the roster is a giant question mark. Roy Hibbert showed flashes last season, but is yet to show he can be a consistent threat in the post. Mike Dunleavy has been a solid pro since he was drafted out of Duke, but there is no guarantee the injuries that plagued him last season won't have any lasting affects. What also makes me cautious of picking Indiana to make any progress this season is that the recession of Detroit and Cleveland will help them in the standings, but the emergence of Milwaukee and Chicago will hurt them even more. It is also a scary proposition when their best player, Danny Granger, can win some games single-handedly, but is more likely to lose a game single-handedly, with his poor shot selection.
26. Sacramento Kings
This team should be called “The Island of Misfit Toys,” because the roster is filled with players who other teams have given up on, such as Luther Head, Samuel Dalembert, J.R. Giddens, and Antoine Wright. While young teams don't usually make an impact in the standings, I actually like the Kings to overachieve this season. They are led by defending Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans, and off-season acquisition, Carl Landry (one of the more underrated forwards in the league). And while many critics doubt his work ethic and passion for the game, I am actually expecting a solid performance out of rookie, DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins may be immature at times, but there is no denying that he can be a force in the paint, which is something the Kings have missed for the better part of this decade. But the reality of the situation is even with all my early optimism, and the emergence of Omri Casspi as an outside threat, this Kings team is still not going to even sniff the playoffs this season.
25. Golden State Warriors
Their cool new logo and uniforms are about all Warriors' fans have to look forward to this upcoming season. This team plays a brand of basketball that may jack up scores and get players big contracts when they leave, but what they do on the court does not equate to wins. This year will be no different. Stephen Curry may have impressed in his run with Team USA, but neither he nor Monta Ellis can carry a team, especially when neither plays defense, and half of the roster plays the same position. Luring David Lee away from the Knicks will improve the Warriors' play on the interior this season, but Lee is a complimentary player, who they paid superstar money to. Perhaps Lee will fit in better with new coach, Keith Smart's game plan, but Golden State still does not have the type of roster it takes to make any type of noise in the playoff race. They will score a lot, but they also will lose a lot more.
24. Detroit Pistons
It almost pains me to write this segment of the list, because I have been a die hard Pistons fan for quite some years. The fan in me wants to believe they will bounce back from their 27-55 record last season, but the unbiased, analytical writer in me knows better. I thought that drafting Greg Monroe was an excellent choice by Detroit's front office, but that's about all I like about this team. The front office can only blame themselves for the inevitable mediocrity that is this year's Pistons, because they spent essentially all of the team's cap space last off-season on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, who both come off the bench. Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince may be the only silver-linings for this team, based on Richard Hamilton being slowed by injury, the front line consisting of undersized and under-talented power forwards, and the signing of the oft-inured, Tracy McGrady. Luckily they are only paying McGrady around $850,000 this season, which means he will be making approximately $170,000 for every game that he will actually be playing in (that's five games if you don't want to do the math).
23. Philadelphia 76ers
While this team does have a good, young nucleus in Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday, they just don't make me believe in them. Since receiving a gigantic contract, Elton Brand has been seemingly too busy counting his money instead of going on the court and earning it. I liked the draft pick of taking Evan Turner; I just didn't like him going to the Sixers. Turner will have to fight for playing time at either wing behind Iguodala and Young, and when a player is drafted that high, he should have an immediate impact on the team. I don't see Turner having that effect if he is going to come off the bench. I can understand why Doug Collins would want to leave the broadcast table to coach a player of Turner's caliber, but if this team struggles to accumulate wins, he may not be around long enough to see Turner reach his full potential.
22. Washington Wizards
This season's opportunity for success in our nation's capital is contingent on one player: Gilbert Arenas. So in the grand scheme of things, I don't like Washington's chances. Arenas, when healthy, is one of the best pure scorers in the league. The only problems with that past statement, are he is either not healthy, or is in some type of legal trouble. The incident last season -- where he brought a gun into a locker room-- showed the type of character he possesses, which is not the kind of person I would want to lead my young team. This year's Wizards team also features Josh Howard, who was essentially run out of Dallas for numerous off-the-court antics. Washington's young, front court duo of JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche look to make solid contributions to the team, but I am not sold on John Wall as the “savior” of the franchise. Wall is a talented scorer, but he made far too many mistakes and turnovers at the college level for me to buy him as a dominant professional player.
21. New Orleans Hornets
We round out the bottom of the barrel with the team from The Big Easy. While I have often made it a point to never count out a team with Chris Paul on the roster, this year may make me change my stance. Paul is an electrifying player, but was slowed by injury last year. If the injury bug bites two years in a row, the Hornets have no other options at point guard after trading Darren Collison in the off season. Combine the departure of Collison with Peja Stojakovic being in the twilight of his career, and Emeka Okafor's inability to function in the offense, it appears the success of the Hornets will be up to Paul and David West. Adding Trevor Ariza will help on the defensive side of the ball, but with the exception of Paul, there is no one in the starting lineup that can create their own shot. The Hornets may be able to claw their way into the playoffs, but with the competition in the Western Conference, their potential to make any type of impact is bleak, at best.
30. Toronto Raptors
Our neighbors to the north have the dubious distinction of being the worst team in the NBA this season. Not only did the Raptors lose Chris Bosh to Miami, but they wasted precious cap space on Detroit castaway, Amir Johnson, and then traded Hedo Turkoglu to the Suns. Now, I was all for trading away a declining player with a fat contract like Turkoglu, but the only quality player Toronto got in return was Leandro Barbaso, who will not make much of a difference in wins and losses.
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
I would hate to think the loss of one player could make such a difference in a team's overall record from one season to the next, but when that one player is the caliber of a LeBron James, it does. The sad truth is when you take LeBron (and even Shaq) off of a team that has been a championship contender the past three seasons, and the roster you are left with just isn't all that good. The best player on the Cavs is Antawn Jamison, who couldn't carry the Wizards in Washington, and most certainly won't be able to lead a team that depended on LeBron to do everything for them last season.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
This team has been terrible for the better part of a decade, and losing their best player, Al Jefferson, won't be helping out the T-Wolves this season. The acquisition of Michael Beasley is experimental, at best, and Minnesota is still feeling the effects of Ricky Rubio snubbing the team to stay in Europe after he was drafted. The Wolves may have a bright future with Jonny Flynn and rookie, Wesley Johnson, but they simply do not have the talent to compete this year in a division that features the Jazz, Blazers, and Thunder; especially with Detroit cast-off, Darko Milicic, patrolling the paint for the entire season. Wait...do I see a pattern developing here?
27. Indiana Pacers
While Darren Collison will help straighten up the point guard position, the rest of the roster is a giant question mark. Roy Hibbert showed flashes last season, but is yet to show he can be a consistent threat in the post. Mike Dunleavy has been a solid pro since he was drafted out of Duke, but there is no guarantee the injuries that plagued him last season won't have any lasting affects. What also makes me cautious of picking Indiana to make any progress this season is that the recession of Detroit and Cleveland will help them in the standings, but the emergence of Milwaukee and Chicago will hurt them even more. It is also a scary proposition when their best player, Danny Granger, can win some games single-handedly, but is more likely to lose a game single-handedly, with his poor shot selection.
26. Sacramento Kings
This team should be called “The Island of Misfit Toys,” because the roster is filled with players who other teams have given up on, such as Luther Head, Samuel Dalembert, J.R. Giddens, and Antoine Wright. While young teams don't usually make an impact in the standings, I actually like the Kings to overachieve this season. They are led by defending Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans, and off-season acquisition, Carl Landry (one of the more underrated forwards in the league). And while many critics doubt his work ethic and passion for the game, I am actually expecting a solid performance out of rookie, DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins may be immature at times, but there is no denying that he can be a force in the paint, which is something the Kings have missed for the better part of this decade. But the reality of the situation is even with all my early optimism, and the emergence of Omri Casspi as an outside threat, this Kings team is still not going to even sniff the playoffs this season.
25. Golden State Warriors
Their cool new logo and uniforms are about all Warriors' fans have to look forward to this upcoming season. This team plays a brand of basketball that may jack up scores and get players big contracts when they leave, but what they do on the court does not equate to wins. This year will be no different. Stephen Curry may have impressed in his run with Team USA, but neither he nor Monta Ellis can carry a team, especially when neither plays defense, and half of the roster plays the same position. Luring David Lee away from the Knicks will improve the Warriors' play on the interior this season, but Lee is a complimentary player, who they paid superstar money to. Perhaps Lee will fit in better with new coach, Keith Smart's game plan, but Golden State still does not have the type of roster it takes to make any type of noise in the playoff race. They will score a lot, but they also will lose a lot more.
24. Detroit Pistons
It almost pains me to write this segment of the list, because I have been a die hard Pistons fan for quite some years. The fan in me wants to believe they will bounce back from their 27-55 record last season, but the unbiased, analytical writer in me knows better. I thought that drafting Greg Monroe was an excellent choice by Detroit's front office, but that's about all I like about this team. The front office can only blame themselves for the inevitable mediocrity that is this year's Pistons, because they spent essentially all of the team's cap space last off-season on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, who both come off the bench. Rodney Stuckey and Tayshaun Prince may be the only silver-linings for this team, based on Richard Hamilton being slowed by injury, the front line consisting of undersized and under-talented power forwards, and the signing of the oft-inured, Tracy McGrady. Luckily they are only paying McGrady around $850,000 this season, which means he will be making approximately $170,000 for every game that he will actually be playing in (that's five games if you don't want to do the math).
23. Philadelphia 76ers
While this team does have a good, young nucleus in Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Jrue Holiday, they just don't make me believe in them. Since receiving a gigantic contract, Elton Brand has been seemingly too busy counting his money instead of going on the court and earning it. I liked the draft pick of taking Evan Turner; I just didn't like him going to the Sixers. Turner will have to fight for playing time at either wing behind Iguodala and Young, and when a player is drafted that high, he should have an immediate impact on the team. I don't see Turner having that effect if he is going to come off the bench. I can understand why Doug Collins would want to leave the broadcast table to coach a player of Turner's caliber, but if this team struggles to accumulate wins, he may not be around long enough to see Turner reach his full potential.
22. Washington Wizards
This season's opportunity for success in our nation's capital is contingent on one player: Gilbert Arenas. So in the grand scheme of things, I don't like Washington's chances. Arenas, when healthy, is one of the best pure scorers in the league. The only problems with that past statement, are he is either not healthy, or is in some type of legal trouble. The incident last season -- where he brought a gun into a locker room-- showed the type of character he possesses, which is not the kind of person I would want to lead my young team. This year's Wizards team also features Josh Howard, who was essentially run out of Dallas for numerous off-the-court antics. Washington's young, front court duo of JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche look to make solid contributions to the team, but I am not sold on John Wall as the “savior” of the franchise. Wall is a talented scorer, but he made far too many mistakes and turnovers at the college level for me to buy him as a dominant professional player.
21. New Orleans Hornets
We round out the bottom of the barrel with the team from The Big Easy. While I have often made it a point to never count out a team with Chris Paul on the roster, this year may make me change my stance. Paul is an electrifying player, but was slowed by injury last year. If the injury bug bites two years in a row, the Hornets have no other options at point guard after trading Darren Collison in the off season. Combine the departure of Collison with Peja Stojakovic being in the twilight of his career, and Emeka Okafor's inability to function in the offense, it appears the success of the Hornets will be up to Paul and David West. Adding Trevor Ariza will help on the defensive side of the ball, but with the exception of Paul, there is no one in the starting lineup that can create their own shot. The Hornets may be able to claw their way into the playoffs, but with the competition in the Western Conference, their potential to make any type of impact is bleak, at best.
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