Post by HawkEye on Sept 16, 2012 6:48:01 GMT -5
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
This team is as strong as last years. A starting lineup of J.Wall, J.Richardson, R.Gay, K.Love, & A.Varejao is one of the best in the league. The second team of M.Williams, I.Shumpert, D.Galinari, A.Harrington, & K.Perkins is also money. Not to mention the Cavs also has B.Mullens, rookies D.Waiters and R.White riding it’s bench. I have this team winning the division hands down and a strong championship contender.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Scoring will not be a problem for this team with names like C.Anthony, R.Westbrook, E.Gordon, L.Aldridge while veterans C. Billups, R.Hamilton, A.Kirilenko and M.Camby add depth. Reserves M.Brooks, J.Butler, and the come backing J.Green are ready for bigger roles. The Thunder has a weakness in the center position with G.Oden still far from playing and with only K.Brown as backup to Camby.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
T’wolves’ off season was busy, acquiring the most free agents headed by PG stud S.Nash. Others were K.Humphries, N.Pekovic, H.Turkoglu, Z.Pachulia, JJ.Hickson, D.Green and S.Novak. R.Allen and C.Frye might see a dip in playing time but A.Bradley will get major minutes when he returns from IR. Rebounding will be the team’s strength but last year’s team is way deeper & more versatile. A repeat as division champs will be a tall order.
4. Kansas City Kings
Kudos for acquiring the best free agent in Kobe Bryant, but just for a 1 year contract? I still see Kobe being productive for 3 more years max. Trading for Al Jefferson gave the Kings a legit center with O.Asik as reserve while D.DeRozan is a solid backup to Kobe. Real life teammates C.Boozer and Luol Deng will flourish while D.Rose is still months away from returning. Kings need to land an ace point guard other than JJ.Berea.
5. Chicago Bulls
Holdovers B.Knight, M.Beasley, & D.Williams will lead a young Bulls team this season with newly acquired OJ.Mayo projected as a breakout player. High hopes are on their rookies MK.Gilchrist, A.Rivers, A.Drummond, T.Jones & P.Jones III. Most of the attention will be on 2nd overall pick MK.Gilchrist, a tremendous athlete that can make an immediate impact. This team has no superstar or stud but may produce several rising stars by the end of the season. It will be an early exit and another top 3 or better lottery pick next season.
This team is as strong as last years. A starting lineup of J.Wall, J.Richardson, R.Gay, K.Love, & A.Varejao is one of the best in the league. The second team of M.Williams, I.Shumpert, D.Galinari, A.Harrington, & K.Perkins is also money. Not to mention the Cavs also has B.Mullens, rookies D.Waiters and R.White riding it’s bench. I have this team winning the division hands down and a strong championship contender.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Scoring will not be a problem for this team with names like C.Anthony, R.Westbrook, E.Gordon, L.Aldridge while veterans C. Billups, R.Hamilton, A.Kirilenko and M.Camby add depth. Reserves M.Brooks, J.Butler, and the come backing J.Green are ready for bigger roles. The Thunder has a weakness in the center position with G.Oden still far from playing and with only K.Brown as backup to Camby.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
T’wolves’ off season was busy, acquiring the most free agents headed by PG stud S.Nash. Others were K.Humphries, N.Pekovic, H.Turkoglu, Z.Pachulia, JJ.Hickson, D.Green and S.Novak. R.Allen and C.Frye might see a dip in playing time but A.Bradley will get major minutes when he returns from IR. Rebounding will be the team’s strength but last year’s team is way deeper & more versatile. A repeat as division champs will be a tall order.
4. Kansas City Kings
Kudos for acquiring the best free agent in Kobe Bryant, but just for a 1 year contract? I still see Kobe being productive for 3 more years max. Trading for Al Jefferson gave the Kings a legit center with O.Asik as reserve while D.DeRozan is a solid backup to Kobe. Real life teammates C.Boozer and Luol Deng will flourish while D.Rose is still months away from returning. Kings need to land an ace point guard other than JJ.Berea.
5. Chicago Bulls
Holdovers B.Knight, M.Beasley, & D.Williams will lead a young Bulls team this season with newly acquired OJ.Mayo projected as a breakout player. High hopes are on their rookies MK.Gilchrist, A.Rivers, A.Drummond, T.Jones & P.Jones III. Most of the attention will be on 2nd overall pick MK.Gilchrist, a tremendous athlete that can make an immediate impact. This team has no superstar or stud but may produce several rising stars by the end of the season. It will be an early exit and another top 3 or better lottery pick next season.