Comments on: Who are the early favorites in the East? http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/ A Detroit Pistons blog Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:35:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: John http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68680 John Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:49:41 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68680 Rick, I agree any comparison to the Wizards is stupid. Jamison is a soft, perimeter oriented tweener, and Butler is still too young to be counted on at any clutch time. However, to say the Spurs are a three-man team is just as dumb. Even if they are an X-man team, they would be a two-man team because they have two superstars in Duncan (best player in the league) and Parker (top 5 point guard). But even then, they have players at their disposal who know their role, provide what they can bring every night (well, every other year) and if they need anyone defended or any sort of scoring, they have it on their bench somewhere. As far as the rest of the East, the team that got screwed is Cleveland. There won't be any more of this fall into the nice easy bracket and blow through the first two rounds junk. The Bulls have many players who are getting better, the Pistons addressed problems, the Knicks, Celtics, and Nets (although I'm not sold on that team) all added nice pieces. And the Magic sort of imploded, but they'll get back to the playoffs and Lewis will win them a game. In order of seeding: 1) Detroit 2) Chicago 3) Toronto 4) Miami 5) Boston 6) Cleveland 7) Washington 8) Orlando Other teams in playoff mix: New York, Charlotte, New Jersey Dregs: Indiana (worst team in league), Milwaukee, Philly, Atlanta Detroit over Orlando in 5 Chicago over Washington in 5 Toronto over Cleveland in 7 Boston over Miami in 6 Detroit over Boston in 6 Chicago over Toronto in 7 Detroit over Chicago in 6 Rick,

I agree any comparison to the Wizards is stupid. Jamison is a soft, perimeter oriented tweener, and Butler is still too young to be counted on at any clutch time.

However, to say the Spurs are a three-man team is just as dumb. Even if they are an X-man team, they would be a two-man team because they have two superstars in Duncan (best player in the league) and Parker (top 5 point guard). But even then, they have players at their disposal who know their role, provide what they can bring every night (well, every other year) and if they need anyone defended or any sort of scoring, they have it on their bench somewhere.

As far as the rest of the East, the team that got screwed is Cleveland. There won’t be any more of this fall into the nice easy bracket and blow through the first two rounds junk. The Bulls have many players who are getting better, the Pistons addressed problems, the Knicks, Celtics, and Nets (although I’m not sold on that team) all added nice pieces. And the Magic sort of imploded, but they’ll get back to the playoffs and Lewis will win them a game. In order of seeding:

1) Detroit
2) Chicago
3) Toronto
4) Miami
5) Boston
6) Cleveland
7) Washington
8) Orlando

Other teams in playoff mix: New York, Charlotte, New Jersey
Dregs: Indiana (worst team in league), Milwaukee, Philly, Atlanta

Detroit over Orlando in 5
Chicago over Washington in 5
Toronto over Cleveland in 7
Boston over Miami in 6

Detroit over Boston in 6
Chicago over Toronto in 7

Detroit over Chicago in 6

]]> By: wolf blitzer http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68574 wolf blitzer Thu, 02 Aug 2007 05:17:35 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68574 kobe to the stones for flip(s) saunders and murray. with saunders gone, sheed outta the 4-spot as player/coach for the first time since ABA days. dynasty. also--tayshaun prince; he's from compton. so pretty much game over lil one kobe to the stones for flip(s) saunders and murray.

with saunders gone, sheed outta the 4-spot as player/coach for the first time since ABA days.

dynasty.

also–tayshaun prince; he’s from compton. so pretty much game over lil one

]]> By: kevin s. http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68550 kevin s. Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:28:54 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68550 This is nothing like the Nets big three. For one thing, the third member of the "big three" was a below average player this last year (and the 4-5th best player on his team at any given time). Richard Jefferson is one of the most overrated NBA players in recent memory. Beyond that, the Nets regularly played 2 of the worst three players in the NBA (Jason Collins and Cliff Robinson) and one of the 20 worst (Antoine Wright). Garnett's performance this year was on par with LeBron James. Pierce and Allen are both all stars. They will assuredly be able to find at least one free agent to fill a gap. Rajon Rando and Tony Allen will be solid contributors, Leon Powe had a decent rookie season, and they have two reasonably promising rookies in Davis and Pruitt. This is nothing like the Nets big three. For one thing, the third member of the “big three” was a below average player this last year (and the 4-5th best player on his team at any given time). Richard Jefferson is one of the most overrated NBA players in recent memory.

Beyond that, the Nets regularly played 2 of the worst three players in the NBA (Jason Collins and Cliff Robinson) and one of the 20 worst (Antoine Wright).

Garnett’s performance this year was on par with LeBron James. Pierce and Allen are both all stars. They will assuredly be able to find at least one free agent to fill a gap. Rajon Rando and Tony Allen will be solid contributors, Leon Powe had a decent rookie season, and they have two reasonably promising rookies in Davis and Pruitt.

]]> By: Detbball http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68503 Detbball Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:18:41 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68503 I bet Donaghy would love to bet against those odds. Really, 5-1 to win it all?! The only I can possibly see coming out of the east are the Bulls and Pistons, the Bulls would have to really step up though. They're my Golden State. The Bulls have a great defense especially in the interior. The Pistons really needed Grant Hill. Someone on the bench will have to make it happen. Cleveland won't repeat, and the Heat are done. Washington just loads up the scoreboard and doesn't play D. Orlando doesn't have a championship lineup, or LeBron, DWade, or Kobe that can get to the free throw line. Boston will compete, and they might have a very small chance. I don't see them getting past Detroit, but they might not have to. The Celtics will be the next version of the Nets. A induvidually great threesome, but together underacheivers. The Celtics, however don't have a Hall of Fame point guard like Kidd (all due respect to Rondo) to get the ball to eveyone. The team lacks leadership and a clutch player. In my eyes, Antoine Walker did more for the Celtics than Paul Pierce during their days together, even though Pierce has more talent. Garnett does provide the Celtics with an inside presence. (Which they really need. Kendrick Perkins is an above average Nazr Mohammed.) The Celtics will also be helped by Ray Allen. He might provide Boston with the key shot in crunch time. Here's how I see the Eastern Conference shaking up, as of August 1. (In order of playoff seeding, not record.) 1.) Detroit 2.) Chicago 3.) Boston 4.) Washington 5.) Cleveland 6.) Toronto 7.) Miami 8.) Orlando The Bulls pose the biggest threat to dethrone Cleveland if they meet in the playoffs. Their interior defense is swelltering. I will always say if the Pistons had Ben Wallace they would've beaten Cleveland. Big Ben will not, or would not have let LeBron do what he did to the Pistons in the paint. Neither would the Bad Boys, which is a better team than any of the Piston teams we've seen, but that's an argument for another day. Overall those odds are whack and the Caverliers will not repeat. I bet Donaghy would love to bet against those odds. Really, 5-1 to win it all?! The only I can possibly see coming out of the east are the Bulls and Pistons, the Bulls would have to really step up though. They’re my Golden State. The Bulls have a great defense especially in the interior. The Pistons really needed Grant Hill. Someone on the bench will have to make it happen. Cleveland won’t repeat, and the Heat are done. Washington just loads up the scoreboard and doesn’t play D. Orlando doesn’t have a championship lineup, or LeBron, DWade, or Kobe that can get to the free throw line. Boston will compete, and they might have a very small chance. I don’t see them getting past Detroit, but they might not have to. The Celtics will be the next version of the Nets. A induvidually great threesome, but together underacheivers. The Celtics, however don’t have a Hall of Fame point guard like Kidd (all due respect to Rondo) to get the ball to eveyone. The team lacks leadership and a clutch player. In my eyes, Antoine Walker did more for the Celtics than Paul Pierce during their days together, even though Pierce has more talent. Garnett does provide the Celtics with an inside presence. (Which they really need. Kendrick Perkins is an above average Nazr Mohammed.) The Celtics will also be helped by Ray Allen. He might provide Boston with the key shot in crunch time. Here’s how I see the Eastern Conference shaking up, as of August 1.

(In order of playoff seeding, not record.)
1.) Detroit
2.) Chicago
3.) Boston
4.) Washington
5.) Cleveland
6.) Toronto
7.) Miami
8.) Orlando

The Bulls pose the biggest threat to dethrone Cleveland if they meet in the playoffs. Their interior defense is swelltering. I will always say if the Pistons had Ben Wallace they would’ve beaten Cleveland. Big Ben will not, or would not have let LeBron do what he did to the Pistons in the paint. Neither would the Bad Boys, which is a better team than any of the Piston teams we’ve seen, but that’s an argument for another day. Overall those odds are whack and the Caverliers will not repeat.

]]> By: Sauce http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68468 Sauce Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:26:56 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68468 I applaud oddsmakers everywhere for lining the pockets by taking advantage of the amazing hype and luring pure Boston suckers into forking cash out of their wallets. I applaud oddsmakers everywhere for lining the pockets by taking advantage of the amazing hype and luring pure Boston suckers into forking cash out of their wallets.

]]> By: Sauce http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68463 Sauce Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:00:56 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68463 Did Boston change ownership? Danny Ainge still works for the Celtics? Is that a Doc Rivers I see as head coach? What nubs are available as free agents right now? What's their bench? Who's starting at the 1 and the 5? I've read a lot of gibberish the last couple of days. Did Boston change ownership? Danny Ainge still works for the Celtics? Is that a Doc Rivers I see as head coach? What nubs are available as free agents right now? What’s their bench? Who’s starting at the 1 and the 5?

I’ve read a lot of gibberish the last couple of days.

]]> By: joejoejoe http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68462 joejoejoe Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:59:23 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68462 My predictions for the East. Atlantic champs - Toronto Central champs - Detroit S.East champs - Washington Playoff teams - Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Orlando My predictions for the East.

Atlantic champs - Toronto
Central champs - Detroit
S.East champs - Washington

Playoff teams - Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, Miami, Orlando

]]> By: Quick Darshan http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68448 Quick Darshan Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:05:32 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68448 You guys are all missing one of the most important factors in Boston's future success: Doc Rivers. He's not the coach to take them to the next level. They will make some more moves though. Luckily the only good Free Agents left are SFs. You guys are all missing one of the most important factors in Boston’s future success: Doc Rivers.

He’s not the coach to take them to the next level.

They will make some more moves though. Luckily the only good Free Agents left are SFs.

]]> By: Rocky Cliffs http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68407 Rocky Cliffs Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:45:42 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68407 Finally, some news to break the monotony. Here's my take: Celtics will be much improved this year, but won't win it all. They'll need to build the empty bench back up and build the chemistry. If they stay smart and hungry, I could see the new Big 3 winning a title in two or three years. In fact, I hope they do do it. Pierce, Garnett and Allen are all class-acts who deserve a ring to retire with. Finally, some news to break the monotony. Here’s my take: Celtics will be much improved this year, but won’t win it all. They’ll need to build the empty bench back up and build the chemistry. If they stay smart and hungry, I could see the new Big 3 winning a title in two or three years. In fact, I hope they do do it. Pierce, Garnett and Allen are all class-acts who deserve a ring to retire with.

]]> By: Juggernaut http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68403 Juggernaut Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:30:48 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68403 I'm not sure what Boston's record will be this year, but I think it's good for the Pistons if the East is tougher this year. Maybe they'll stop believing the hype of their own creation and get back to playing with hunger. I’m not sure what Boston’s record will be this year, but I think it’s good for the Pistons if the East is tougher this year. Maybe they’ll stop believing the hype of their own creation and get back to playing with hunger.

]]> By: jimmy http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68401 jimmy Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:19:08 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68401 allen will get hurt AGAIN, pierce stabbed AGAIN and garnett will basically find himself playing for the wolves AGAIN. don't worry detroit fans, it's still the pistons, cavs and bulls in the east. boston is all hype, theyre the flashy team in the news, but come 3/4 through the schedule, they will be the 7th seed. allen will get hurt AGAIN, pierce stabbed AGAIN and garnett will basically find himself playing for the wolves AGAIN.

don’t worry detroit fans, it’s still the pistons, cavs and bulls in the east.

boston is all hype, theyre the flashy team in the news, but come 3/4 through the schedule, they will be the 7th seed.

]]> By: kevin s. http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68391 kevin s. Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:34:50 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68391 "San Antonio is a three man team " So is Boston. But neither Rondo nor Perkins are going to match Brent Barry's output from this last season (he had the highest true shooting percentage in the NBA), and Duncan was the best player in the league last year. Add in Finley's solid contribution and Bowen's defense, and you have a team that substantially outclasses Boston. Hollinger's readout is probably accurate, although very minor upgrades will make MAJOR differences in that number. Finding an average player to replace arguably the worst regular in the NBA is like replacing Joe Johnson with Dwyane Wade, in terms of impact. If Boston can leverage Garnett's goodwill to land Brevin Knight and Chris Webber type, or if they sign someone like Ime Udoka, that will add substantially to the win count. That said, if Sportsbook has them at 5-2 to win the EC, and 5-1 to win the Enchilada, they are essentially giving them even odds to beat an opponent out of the West. “San Antonio is a three man team ”

So is Boston. But neither Rondo nor Perkins are going to match Brent Barry’s output from this last season (he had the highest true shooting percentage in the NBA), and Duncan was the best player in the league last year. Add in Finley’s solid contribution and Bowen’s defense, and you have a team that substantially outclasses Boston.

Hollinger’s readout is probably accurate, although very minor upgrades will make MAJOR differences in that number. Finding an average player to replace arguably the worst regular in the NBA is like replacing Joe Johnson with Dwyane Wade, in terms of impact.

If Boston can leverage Garnett’s goodwill to land Brevin Knight and Chris Webber type, or if they sign someone like Ime Udoka, that will add substantially to the win count.

That said, if Sportsbook has them at 5-2 to win the EC, and 5-1 to win the Enchilada, they are essentially giving them even odds to beat an opponent out of the West.

]]> By: the_Allrights http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68375 the_Allrights Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:25:17 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68375 HYPE. Don't believe the... HYPE. Don’t believe the…

]]> By: Brian http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68371 Brian Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:22:01 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68371 Rick, to tell me that Boston doesn't have to change its "losing" atmosphere is crazy. Despite all of it tradition, the Celtics have been meaningless for almost 10 years now. KG is a nice pick up but Allen and PP are not franchise players. PP has been there for years and has not brought a sense of winning there. Even the Knicks can match up with Boston's starting 5. Also, to suggest the Spurs are a 3 man team is ridiculous. Duncan, Parker, Bowen, Ginobli, Horry and others make that a team and not a 3 man unit. I'm no Spurs fan but they have a heck of a lot of talent. This deal is nowhere near the deal that brought Barkley to Phoenix. That made the Suns a championship contender. Boston is a middle of the pack team at best. Rick, to tell me that Boston doesn’t have to change its “losing” atmosphere is crazy. Despite all of it tradition, the Celtics have been meaningless for almost 10 years now. KG is a nice pick up but Allen and PP are not franchise players. PP has been there for years and has not brought a sense of winning there. Even the Knicks can match up with Boston’s starting 5.

Also, to suggest the Spurs are a 3 man team is ridiculous. Duncan, Parker, Bowen, Ginobli, Horry and others make that a team and not a 3 man unit. I’m no Spurs fan but they have a heck of a lot of talent.

This deal is nowhere near the deal that brought Barkley to Phoenix. That made the Suns a championship contender.

Boston is a middle of the pack team at best.

]]> By: ric http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68368 ric Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:12:12 +0000 http://www.detroitbadboys.com/archives/2007-08-01/who-are-the-early-favorites-in-the-east/#comment-68368 The trio in celtics has nothing but the lakers during shaq, kobe, malone, payton....remember those times???? and the piston suprise the world by defeating them easily, in fact, almost swept them for the title.....Pierce and Allen maybe all stars, but i don't think they can control or take over a game in a matter of short period of time...Garnett? Maybe, depending on which team his playing...the way i see it, celtics trio is nothing but a jefferson/carter/kidd, yao/tmac, iverson/anthony and i don't see any big deal. I guess moving from 2nd worst team to having a chance to get to the playoff is. The trio in celtics has nothing but the lakers during shaq, kobe, malone, payton….remember those times???? and the piston suprise the world by defeating them easily, in fact, almost swept them for the title…..Pierce and Allen maybe all stars, but i don’t think they can control or take over a game in a matter of short period of time…Garnett? Maybe, depending on which team his playing…the way i see it, celtics trio is nothing but a jefferson/carter/kidd, yao/tmac, iverson/anthony and i don’t see any big deal. I guess moving from 2nd worst team to having a chance to get to the playoff is.

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