Post by Portland on Nov 25, 2006 3:43:28 GMT -5
Inspired by the recent thread with the same basis, I decided to do my own top 5 with a little look into my thinking…
1. Portland Trailblazers
With the addition of Jerry Stackhouse the Trailblazers are going to have 2 20+ppg guys with Stack and Melo. Add to that the stellar play of all-star pg Jason Kidd, the defensive skills of Darius Miles, and the anchoring play of Eddy Curry and they will have one of the most dominating starting lineups in the league. Plus they have guys like Garrett Johnson, Lorenzo Snow, and Rafael Araujo coming off the bench…
2. Dallas Mavericks
As long as Stephon is on this team they will be good, plus all of their young bigs have turned into legit players. They have a possible huge starting lineup with Zaza, Boozer, Pryzbilla, Johnson, and Marbury, where Stephon would be the only one under 6’8”. Look for the reigning MVP to make a splash again this year
3. Atlanta Hawks
Though they traded away Michael Redd, the Champs still look solid this year. They added some good young point guards in the draft, and then picked up most of the rest of the draft class from the Jazz. Their starting 5 have some great scoring options and they added a lot of depth via the draft and free agency, still a great contender.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
The big 3 of Bibby/Horn/Brand have carried this team for a couple of years now and look for them to do so again this year. The addition of Damon Stoudamire from free agency was huge for this team and gave their meager bench a legitimate player. They will be in playoff contention as long as the 3 stay healthy, and would definitely make a run if they can find some depth
5. Miami Heat
Kind of a risky pick here, especially since grandpa LJ decided to retire. However, the heat still have a solid core and a great starting 5 with Reeves/Outlaw/Hamilton/Bell/Parker. With Tony Parker emerging as a top 10 point guard and the unreal play of “Big Country” Reeves, they are much like the Clipps where all they really lack is some good depth. Regardless, look for them to exceed expectations
Honorable Mentions:
Suns: Though they have lost most of their great big men, Dirk can still carry this team into the playoffs and farther
Jazz: Utah is really only a point guard away from being great. With AK and Garnett this team has good potential, but needs something more to make that final push
Spurs: Though the Kobe/Duncan duo has a history of underachievement, the addition of Ben Wallace was huge for them and will anchor them, hopefully, to the 2nd round
1. Portland Trailblazers
With the addition of Jerry Stackhouse the Trailblazers are going to have 2 20+ppg guys with Stack and Melo. Add to that the stellar play of all-star pg Jason Kidd, the defensive skills of Darius Miles, and the anchoring play of Eddy Curry and they will have one of the most dominating starting lineups in the league. Plus they have guys like Garrett Johnson, Lorenzo Snow, and Rafael Araujo coming off the bench…
2. Dallas Mavericks
As long as Stephon is on this team they will be good, plus all of their young bigs have turned into legit players. They have a possible huge starting lineup with Zaza, Boozer, Pryzbilla, Johnson, and Marbury, where Stephon would be the only one under 6’8”. Look for the reigning MVP to make a splash again this year
3. Atlanta Hawks
Though they traded away Michael Redd, the Champs still look solid this year. They added some good young point guards in the draft, and then picked up most of the rest of the draft class from the Jazz. Their starting 5 have some great scoring options and they added a lot of depth via the draft and free agency, still a great contender.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
The big 3 of Bibby/Horn/Brand have carried this team for a couple of years now and look for them to do so again this year. The addition of Damon Stoudamire from free agency was huge for this team and gave their meager bench a legitimate player. They will be in playoff contention as long as the 3 stay healthy, and would definitely make a run if they can find some depth
5. Miami Heat
Kind of a risky pick here, especially since grandpa LJ decided to retire. However, the heat still have a solid core and a great starting 5 with Reeves/Outlaw/Hamilton/Bell/Parker. With Tony Parker emerging as a top 10 point guard and the unreal play of “Big Country” Reeves, they are much like the Clipps where all they really lack is some good depth. Regardless, look for them to exceed expectations
Honorable Mentions:
Suns: Though they have lost most of their great big men, Dirk can still carry this team into the playoffs and farther
Jazz: Utah is really only a point guard away from being great. With AK and Garnett this team has good potential, but needs something more to make that final push
Spurs: Though the Kobe/Duncan duo has a history of underachievement, the addition of Ben Wallace was huge for them and will anchor them, hopefully, to the 2nd round
