Official 2007-08 National Basketball Association (NBA) Season Thread

[RaiderInNY]

Ok folks...the season is almost here.

The pre-season is well under way, and the campaign is just around the corner.

In 06-07, the Warriors shocked the world and ousted the Mavs from the playoffs, teams like the Toronto Raptors made their presence felt, the Suns continued to roll with S.Nash, LeBron James nearly lead his team to the promised land and the SA Spurs and Tim Duncan continued to lead the way.

What will be in store for this season?

No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden will have to wait till next season to make his debut, the Sonics with K.Durant and another very good rookie (Jeff Green) will look to make some noise. The Celtics made a splash landing a sharp shooter and a versatile big-game, but gutting their depth along the way. The NYK -- well, lets move on. Los Angeles' soap opera is in full swing...


Lets hear some predictions...

Here are mine;

ATLANTIC

1. NJ NETS (PLAYOFFS)- Yes, my Nets! VC, JK, R-Jeff. all are back. Plus, Krstic will be healthy. His size, ability to extend the floor against other big men will be big. Plus, J.Collins adds nice depth in the front court and rookie Sean Williams will be a steal just like Marcus Williams (PG) and J.Boone (C) were last season.
2. TORONTO Raptors (PLAYOFFS) - Bosh is a beast, and Kapono, if he can continue his growth and stay a solid perimeter threat, will be a nice add-on.
3. BOSTON Celtics (PLAYOFFS) - Look, they have the big three. Take the over in a lot of their games. They will win far more games and make the playoffs. But their depth, coaching, and defense could hold them back.
4. NY Knicks - When will Randolph get in trouble? How quickly before he is at Curry's throat? LOL -- They have a lot of off. weapons. But they have no commitment to D.
5. PHIL. Sixers - Not enough talent!

CENTRAL

1. CHI Bulls (PLAYOFFS) - One of the most talented clubs in the East. Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Thomas the athletic guys on the team, the toughness, the never say die way they play due to their coach and the fiery guys on the roster (Noccioni and Noah)...They should be atop the division.
2. DET Pistons (PLAYOFFS)- Detroit and Clev. wil battle for #2 in this division!
3. CLE Cavs (PLAYOFFS)- Meh....
4. MIL Bucks - The talent is there; Redd, Villenueva, Bogut - can they finally put it together with the Chinese import?
5. IND Pacers - When will they finally agree to trade O'neal to the Nets? LOL

SOUTHEAST

1. ORL Magic (PLAYOFFS) - Howard & Lewis are a nice tandem. But this team will rise if they can get consistent play from Jameer Nelson, Doolingm Turkoglu, Arroyo etc.
2. ATL Hawks (PLAYOFFS) - YES; I'm picking the Hawks. Al Horford finally gives them some toughness, and he is a BEAST. I like Law at PG and guys like J.Smith and Joe Johnson can light it up. Is this the year Marvin Williams finally breaks through on all that talent? Their bench is solid with a lot of young talent; Shelden Williams, Salim Stoudamire, Claxton (well, Speedy isnt young) etc.
3. MIA Heat - I'm thinking O'Neal and Wade is good enough to grab a playoff spot? NO?
4. CHAR Bobcats - I like some of the moves, but can it all gel? Emeka Okafor is very good - but he needs a lot of help in the front court.
5. WAS Wizards - Meh...The Hibachi is back!

NORTHWEST

1. DEN Nuggets (PLAYOFFS) - Talent is there, can they play D in the front court and will they stay healthy?
2. UTA Jazz (PLAYOFFS)- Solid team all the way around; and they are always gritty with J.Sloan.
3. SEAT Sonics (PLAYOFFS*)- Green and Durant will be a tandem that will be very good for a long, long, time!
4. PORT Blazers - No Oden? I dont care...at least they are headed in the right direction.
5. MINN Wolves - ZZzzZZzzzZZzzz...

PACIFIC

1. PHO Suns (PLAYOFFS)- In a cake walk. Nash, Marion, blah, blah, blah...same cast of characters.
2. LA Lakers (PLAYOFFS)- If Kobe isnt moved, Odom, Fisher, and a lot of their young guys with good coaching could slide into the playoffs and 2nd in the division.
3. GS Warriors (PLAYOFFS*)- Will battle LA for 2nd. Harrington and Jackson one full season with the team will help greatly. If Davis is healthy - thats good enough.
4. SAC Kings - Their starting 5 is solid, and as long as Artest doesnt have murder charges on his plater, they'll be competitive.
5. LA Clippers - ZzZzZZZZ...

SOUTHWEST

1. SA Spurs (PLAYOFFS)- Chalk...
2. DALLAS Mavs (PLAYOFFS)- Chalk...
3. HOU Rockets (PLAYOFFS)- CHALK...
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Conley Jr. should help A LOT and aide Rudy Gay, Miller who is a good shooter and Milicic who should be better.
5. NO Hornets - ZZZZ...

*G.State and Seat. will battle for last playoff spot.

Confernece Finals
East: NJ VS Chicago - BULLS in 6
West: Phoenix VS San Antonio - Suns in 7
FINALS
Bulls vs. Suns - Suns in 7


Most Valuable Player: Steve Nash
Sixth Man Of The Year: Jose Calderon
Defensive Player Of The Year: Shawn Marion or Josh Smith
Most Improved Player: Al Jefferson
Rookie Of The Year: Chalk says K.Durant...but I'll go against the grain and say Al Horford or Conley Jr.

Other Predictions;

• Beware of Tyrus Thomas and what could be one of the best front-courts in the NBA - the Bulls!
• J.O'neal will be traded...
• Kobe wont...
• Neither Artest or Marion.
• Yi Jianlian is going to stink in his 1st season, and A.Morrison will continue to shoot a horrid percentage and be a turnover machine.
• Jason Richardson will wish he was by the Bay.

C'Mon folks...Lets hear them!!!

All NBA talk, in-game talk etc will be found here!

[the_new_Jerry]

Go Bobcats...!

I heard Adam 'Crybaby' Morrison is hurt...?

[raiderz37]

SAC Kings - Their starting 5 is solid, and as long as Artest doesnt have murder charges on his plater, they'll be competitive.

Actually this is a sad statement, but, totally true, hopefully if he can stay outta trouble the Kings will be a bit better than last season!!!!!

[the_new_Jerry]

Originally Posted by RaiderInNY

Rookie Of The Year: Chalk says K.Durant...but I'll go against the grain and say Al Horford or Conley Jr.

Mike Conley is the man!

ROY for sure...

[raiderz37]

Originally Posted by the_new_Jerry

Go Bobcats...!

I heard Adam 'Crybaby' Morrison is hurt...?

Out for the season is what i heard!!!

[RaiderInNY]

Originally Posted by raiderz37

Out for the season is what i heard!!!

He'll still be responsible for turnovers while cheering on the bench -- book it!

[JayCee]

Go Mavs!

[or24]

Of course you make fun of my Knicks Riny..
We played 1 good defensive game yesterday and curry and randolph were feeding off each other before curry got in foul trouble. Why is it I miss all the good years of my teams??

[RaiderInNY]

Originally Posted by or24

Of course you make fun of my Knicks Riny..
We played 1 good defensive game yesterday and curry and randolph were feeding off each other before curry got in foul trouble. Why is it I miss all the good years of my teams??

NO ONE on that team is commited to D.

Lee plays hard, but thats not enough. Very pathetic considering that Thomas was a fiesty player while in the league.

Look, its hard to find two interior scorers like they have on the roster, and Randolph wil be able to roam from 10-15 feet away from the basket when they post up Curry, but Curry is an awful passer out of the block and I have a feeling that chemistry will be an issue. Crawford chucks it up, Marbury will never be a reliable distributor...I can go on.

That org is in shambles!

[Raider4Liphe]

I guess this official 2007-08 NBA thread wasn't so official huh RINY?

http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/ever...ba-thread.html

You C-blocker you....

[RaiderInNY]

Originally Posted by Raider4Liphe

I guess this official 2007-08 NBA thread wasn't so official huh RINY?

http://www.raiderfans.net/forum/ever...ba-thread.html

You C-blocker you....

LMAO....HA! The title to this one is better!!!



Sry.