Mentor Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 We are just a couple of weeks away now and we are already in the preseason games. Who do you see as being the favorite to win the league and what are your first impression from the preseason? In the East, a lot of hype is on Chicago after they got Gasol and Rose is expected to be back after being injured for most part of 2 years. Personally i do not think Gasol at his age will be such a massive factor, especially as a PF (Noah is the center and that wont change). Rose will need some time to get back on form. I think the team to beat in the East (no surprise here) will be the Cavs. With Lebron coming home and them also landing Kevin Love to the already young team which includes veteran Varejao (i always rated him, although he is a bit injury prone) and Kyre Irving, the only worries they have is staying healthy and meshing. They should at least win the East though which is very weak in comparison. Besides the Bulls and the Cavs i cannot see anyone else competing for the title in the East and i think both of these teams are still outsiders because they are newly created teams (Rose being out for so long basically means their 2 starting players are basically new). I think the team to beat is still the Spurs. They have the same core coming back and personally i see them as being the best team for the past 2 years (even if they screwed up the finals 2 years ago). It is basically the same core as last year, which is not such a bad thing. A lot is being said about their big "3" getting older, but in my opinion last year they won it not because of those 3. Ginobli is a bench player for most of the playoffs, Parker had his worse season in a while and Duncan was simply Duncan giving his 15 pts and 10 rebs, but that is not how you win a league. A lot depends on their other players now. I really do not think the Thunder have what it takes to beat the Spurs. Their 2 main players (Durant and Westbrook) are basically playing to their potential, so i cannot see much changing there, unless they change their coach and something else. The probably wont make the finals. The Clippers are probably the #3 in the west and they did add some good fringe players in Farmer and Hawes, but unless Blake performs to MVP type level or Paul does something fantastic, the most i see them doing is go to the west finals. Everyone else i see as outsiders. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Cavs and Bulls are definitely the teams to beat in the East. The West is more then likely down to the Thunder and Spurs again. My surprise team........... The Wizards - I know it's not much of a surprise, but they have a great mix of young talent and gritty veterans. Paul Pierce could be the X-factor that helps John Wall and Bradley Beal finally reach their full potential. Plus the mixture of big men in Gortat (probably one of the most underrated Centers in the game) Nene and Drew Gooden gives them a good rotation that should keep each one fresh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Cavs and Bulls are definitely the teams to beat in the East. The West is more then likely down to the Thunder and Spurs again. My surprise team........... The Wizards - I know it's not much of a surprise, but they have a great mix of young talent and gritty veterans. Paul Pierce could be the X-factor that helps John Wall and Bradley Beal finally reach their full potential. Plus the mixture of big men in Gortat (probably one of the most underrated Centers in the game) Nene and Drew Gooden gives them a good rotation that should keep each one fresh. A lot of people have the Wizards as the wildcard, however i am not so certain that Pierce (at his age at least) is an upgrade of Ariza. I really like Ariza, good defender, long and can score. I do agree about Gortat though, i always rated him even when he was being snubbed in Orlando and Nene is one of the better PF in the league as well which never gets enough credit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 The Wizards do look like they will be solid but we will have a shocker team to step up as usual, im just down about my magic and their poor decisions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 A lot of people have the Wizards as the wildcard, however i am not so certain that Pierce (at his age at least) is an upgrade of Ariza. I really like Ariza, good defender, long and can score. I do agree about Gortat though, i always rated him even when he was being snubbed in Orlando and Nene is one of the better PF in the league as well which never gets enough credit. Is Pierce an upgrade offensively or defensively no, but it's the championship experience that you can't teach that makes him more valuable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegroovemonkey Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Gonna be visiting some friends in Cleveland next spring and look forward to going to a Cavs game. I think it takes a year for the Cavs to get it together, but I'm probably wrong. There is something about Love that I don't like, I just can't put my finger on it. In a league where 1 guy can lead a team to the playoffs, I feel like a top 5 guy should be able to get his team there at least once. I'm extremely excited about The Bucks this year, more excited than I have been in a very long time. While I have curbed enthusiasm for this season, we actually have a future outlook with Parker and Greek Freak. Now that we have new owners the team will try to do more than tread water and we should have a new arena on the way. We have a great young front court and Jason Kidd toying around with putting Giannis at PG which is just sick. Things are finally looking in The Bucks direction and this should be a nice development year on our way to having a few years to contend before it all comes crashing down. Fear The Deer(in a few years)! http://a57.foxnews.com/global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/fn2/feeds/Associated%20Press/2014/09/29/876/493/Bucks%20Media%20Day%20Basketball-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Gonna be visiting some friends in Cleveland next spring and look forward to going to a Cavs game. I think it takes a year for the Cavs to get it together, but I'm probably wrong. There is something about Love that I don't like, I just can't put my finger on it. In a league where 1 guy can lead a team to the playoffs, I feel like a top 5 guy should be able to get his team there at least once. I agree to you about the Cav's and i agree with you on the Love assumption as well. I never really rated the guy and then one of my mates started pointing out his stats and that he is the one of the kind in certain categories. I see him as a player which is highly injury prone. Sure he is a decent passer and can shoot the 3 better than most for a PF, while also do what is expect of him in the paint (rebound and defend). I guess in a league of undersized players he is a decent big guy. In the 80s or 90s though he would be eaten alive in the paint. I still think that James and Irving together with Love though will be a strong combination, they also have a pretty strong supporting cast as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 You also have to realize that Love put up those numbers on pretty bad teams, when can mean one of two things.........he was the one lucky enough to put up those stats or he was the only one talented enough to put up those stats. Is he talented, sure. Is he a top 10 player..........not a chance. Until he can put up those numbers on a team with talent then he is one of the more overrated players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegroovemonkey Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 I agree with what I have read though, he is a big guy that can stretch the floor and play very nice pick and roll/pop with Lebron and Irving. What he does may fit very well with what Lebron needs, which is, get the fuck out of my way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlord Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 I just want to see a healthy Derrick Rose and Kobe Bryant play all 82 games this season. Not sure with the Cavs since both Kyrie and Lebron are ball dominators to make them effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycoffey15 Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 Will be interesting to see how that cleveland team gels together at the start of the season, I remember Miami had an adjustment period after they added the big three a few years back. Agree that Spurs will be a tough team to beat but again its another year older on an already aged team. As an Orlando magic fan I havent much to look forward to in terms of wins but they have a good young roster and im looking forward to seeing Payton trying to take on the starting point guard role and what to expect from Oladipo this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Posted October 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 I just want to see a healthy Derrick Rose and Kobe Bryant play all 82 games this season. As a Lakers fan seeing Kobe play injury free is about the best thing i can hope to get out of my team this year. I am somewhat optimistic about our chances though. If Kobe can be injury free and i heard Nash is in the best shape he has been for the past 3 years, you already have 2 ex-MVP's in the team. I think Boozer has seriously degraded, but he should get us 14 pts and 7-8 rebs. Add Young, Randal and an underrated (well he was underrated until they paid him 9m per season) Jordan Hill, i think we have at least a chance to get to the playoffs. You also have to realize that Love put up those numbers on pretty bad teams, when can mean one of two things.........he was the one lucky enough to put up those stats or he was the only one talented enough to put up those stats. Is he talented, sure. Is he a top 10 player..........not a chance. Until he can put up those numbers on a team with talent then he is one of the more overrated players. That is my point as well. A LOT of people see him as being a top 10 player and in the PF/C position maybe a top 2-3. I have no idea how they come to that assumption. I mean, is Love better than: Aldridge, Blake, Durant, Rose, Howard, Westbrook, Paul, Curry, Lebron, Melo? Those are just 10 which came to mind and most certainly Love is not as good as. This season will show who was right. I think Kyre and Lebron will do their thing, lets see if Love lives up to the expectations. The other player i do not rate anywhere near as much as they are saying is Marc Gasol. Unlike Love though, Marc does not even have the numbers. How can Marc win the defender of the year award? Can someone explain that to me? I mean the guy cannot jump, he is slow, he had under 8 rebs, under 2 blocks and just one steal in the season when he achieved that. Funniest thing of all is that he only made the 2nd defensive team! How can you be the league Defensive MVP and not make the first defensive team? I mean, think of it this way, is Marc even the best Center/PF defensive player? Is he better than Howard, Noah, Deandre Jordan? Again, those are just 3 big men off the top of my head which Marc is NOWHERE near. He is a decent player with great IQ, good passing ability and leadership, but to give him the credit he is getting is ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuveLeo Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 I think the Cavs will be a real threat if Kevin Love can stay healthy... which I don't see happening. They'll definitely make a deep run regardless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLP Posted October 11, 2014 Report Share Posted October 11, 2014 If Kevin Love is the third best player on your team you are going to be pretty good. Especially when the best player in the world is on the team as well. If they are a championship team or not is all going to come down to whether or not they play good defense. Love really doesnt and Irving really doesnt. So its going to come down to them finding the right role players to put around their big three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 To anyone that is interested we have a Fantasy League sign up going here: http://www.mmatycoon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46413 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 15, 2014 Report Share Posted October 15, 2014 Durant's fractured foot could change things a bit in the west. (Damn auto-correct, putting Dean's fractured foot) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Will be interesting to see how that cleveland team gels together at the start of the season, I remember Miami had an adjustment period after they added the big three a few years back. Agree that Spurs will be a tough team to beat but again its another year older on an already aged team. As an Orlando magic fan I havent much to look forward to in terms of wins but they have a good young roster and im looking forward to seeing Payton trying to take on the starting point guard role and what to expect from Oladipo this year My new nba hoops fan besides JLP,Gordon & Frye ruin my mood... i hope Dipo continues to improve though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 I'm expecting a fairly disappointing season from my Pacers this year. Paul George's injury and our #2-ish scoring option leaving for the Hornets mixed never knowing which Roy Hibbert will show up..............Top 5 Lottery Pick or Bust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I'm expecting a fairly disappointing season from my Pacers this year. Paul George's injury and our #2-ish scoring option leaving for the Hornets mixed never knowing which Roy Hibbert will show up..............Top 5 Lottery Pick or Bust. On the plus side we will see what Roy can do, he has been complaining for the past 2 years he is not getting many touches and plays, now they will have to give him more. With his size and minutes he should be getting 20 pts easy, but he has not been doing that. For me the modern center is not suppose to be scoring much, i play center for an amateur league and the main goal of the center is to anchor the D. He is situated in the best defensive position and can see the screens, cutters, floor and he should be orchestrating what happens, protect the pain and get the rebounds. He gets his fair share of blocks, but nowhere near enough rebounds. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 On the plus side we will see what Roy can do, he has been complaining for the past 2 years he is not getting many touches and plays, now they will have to give him more. With his size and minutes he should be getting 20 pts easy, but he has not been doing that. Hopefully he has been working on his cardio this offseason if he is going to get more time on the floor. He's never had the stamina to consistently play 35+ mins a night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Posted October 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Hopefully he has been working on his cardio this offseason if he is going to get more time on the floor. He's never had the stamina to consistently play 35+ mins a night. Yeah, i think that is his problem as well. Maybe losing a bit of mass would help his speed, agility, cardio and elevation. He weighed in at 290 lbs this year which probably ranks him the heaviest top ranking player for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Yeah, i think that is his problem as well. Maybe losing a bit of mass would help his speed, agility, cardio and elevation. He weighed in at 290 lbs this year which probably ranks him the heaviest top ranking player for sure. I just don't see them scoring much unless George Hill finally taps into that potential that many people believe he has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Side note.............we are still looking for a few more people for the NBA Fantasy League. We currently have 8 people signed up and are looking for at least 2-4 more people. There is a 50k buy in and the winner receives 350k, runner up receives 100k and 3rd place gets 50k. Sign up is here........http://www.mmatycoon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46413&page=2&do=findComment&comment=611688 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I just don't see them scoring much unless George Hill finally taps into that potential that many people believe he has. George can score for sure, but he wont be giving you over 20 pts average. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 George can score for sure, but he wont be giving you over 20 pts average. Honestly I am ok with having a down season to get a high draft pick and pick up another potential star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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