Scouting The East: Cleveland Cavs
Oct 27, 2009 Scouting the East
Team: Cleveland Cavs
Last Year’s Record: 66-16 (1st, Central Division)
Head Coach: Mike Brown
Comings: Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker, Leon Powe, Shaquille O’Neal, Christian Eyenga (No. 30), Danny Green (No. 46), Emir Preldzic (No. 57)
Goings: Joe Smith, Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace, Tarence Kinsey
Scouting The East: Orlando Magic
Oct 26, 2009 Scouting the East
Team: Orlando Magic
Last Year’s Record: 59-23 (1st, Southeast Division)
Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy
Comings: Morris Almond, Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass, Jason Williams, Ryan Anderson, Vince Carter
Goings: Hedo Turkoglu, Jeremy Richardson, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie, Courtney Lee
Blogger Thoughts: Eddy Rivera – Third Quarter Collapse
Championship. When the Orlando Magic finish a practice, that’s the word uttered when they break the huddle. That’s about as clear of an expectation as it’s going to get for a franchise committed to an estimated $82 million payroll in hopes of winning a title.
Thoughts On The Nets:
I like what New Jersey is building – it starts with Brook Lopez and Devin Harris, an inside-outside combo that will be devastating for years to come. Adding Courtney Lee and Terrence Williams alongside Chris Douglas-Roberts give the Nets increased versatility at the wings. Wins may not come right away, but they will eventually.
Scouting the East: Boston Celtics
Oct 23, 2009 Scouting the East
Team Name: Boston Celtics
Last Year’s Record: 62-20 (1st place, Atlantic Division)
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Comings: Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, Shelden Williams and Lester Hudson (no. 58).
Goings: Leon Powe, Gabe Pruitt, Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury.
Blogger Thoughts, Zach Lowe, CelticsHub:
Contend for a championship. If the team’s top players – especially KG – are healthy, the Celtics are as good as anyone. Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels will provide depth the top-heavy ‘09 Celtics lacked.
On the Nets:
The Nets will be an interesting watch because they’ve got one young star (Devin Harris), one young potential star (Brook Lopez) and at least two young guys who could become solid rotation players (Courtney Lee and Terrence Williams). But that’s all they are this year – an interesting watch. Once Mr. Prokhorov takes over and the team clears cap space, well, then this discussion could be very different. Read the rest of this entry »
Scouting the East: Atlanta Hawks
Oct 22, 2009 Scouting the East
Team Name: Atlanta Hawks
Last Year’s Record: 47-35 (2nd place, Southeast Division)
Head Coach: Mike Woodson
Comings: Joe Smith, Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague (no. 19), Sergiy Gladyr (no. 49) and Jason Collins.
Goings: Flip Murray, Acie Law and Speedy Claxton.
Blogger Thoughts, Bret LaGree, Hoopinion:
I expect the Hawks to be about the same as last year: clearly better than most of the Eastern Conference but nowhere near as good as Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston. The team didn’t make any moves to improve its rebounding and it’s unlikely that everybody on the roster will again better their career 3PTFG%. Jamal Crawford should replace Flip Murray’s offensive production of the bench (albeit at six times the cost but that atypical monetary splurge won’t be an issue until Summer 2010) though Crawford’s defensive limitations may prove playing him alongside Mike Bibby to be unfeasible. If Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Al Horford stay healthier than they did last season, the frontcourt might make up for any defensive decline on the perimeter. Joe Smith’s a better insurance policy in the post than was Solomon Jones but that’s more about limiting your downside than boosting your upside.
On the Nets:
I think the Nets have an excellent chance to secure a very high pick in the 2010 Draft. That, combined with controlling Devin Harris and Brook Lopez for several years and having $20-some million in contracts coming off the books, could make the rebuilding period brief. As good as Harris and Lopez are and this being the Eastern Conference the Nets are probably only one player putting up a classic contract-year and either Douglas-Roberts or Terrence Williams blossoming away from contending for the eighth-seed whether that’s in the franchise’s long-term interests or not.
Scouting The East: Miami Heat
Oct 22, 2009 Scouting the East
Team: Miami Heat
Last Year’s Record: 43-39 (2nd, Central Division)
Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Comings: Patrick Beverley (No. 42), Robert Dozier (No. 60), Quentin Richardson
Goings: Luther Head, Jamario Moon, Mark Blount
Blogger Thoughts -Matthew Bunch Hot Hot Hoops
The Heat this season are like a 20-year old in college. Plenty of things are available to him or her to have a good time, but man, just wait until next year. While no one says it openly, this is a year of transition and waiting. Wait for Beasley and Chalmers to get better, wait for Wade to resign, wait to pick up the second max-contract guy (eyes on Chris Bosh). The Heat are still plenty good, and currently co-occupy the second-plateau spot with Atlanta. I see them grabbing the four seed, beating the Hawks thanks to home-court advantage and losing in the second round. Plenty of fun, sure, but wait until next year.
Thoughts On The Nets:
I’ve got to admit, I like the Nets. The whole reversible jersey debacle doesn’t inspire confidence, and Lawrence Frank still looks like he should be coaching a college Quiz Bowl team, but they’re young. And good young. There needs to be development, and that will test Frank’s worth, but I could see the Nets being better than most people think this year. Not playoff better, but better. And with a crazy-rich Russian who loves parties and prostitutes on the way, everything’s coming up Milhouse in East Rutherford.
Read the rest of this entry »
Scouting the East: Philadelphia Sixers
Oct 21, 2009 Scouting the East
Team Name: Philadelphia Sixers
Last Year’s Record: 41-41 (2nd, Atlantic Division)
Head Coach: Eddie Jordan
Comings: Jason Kapono, Rodney Carney, Primoz Brezec, Royal Ivey and Jrue Holiday (no. 17).
Goings: Andre Miller and Reggie Evans.
Blogger Thoughts, Jordan Sams of Liberty Ballers:
I predict the Sixers go into the Eastern Conference playoffs as the fourth or fifth seed, and advance to the second round for the first time in seven seasons. When healthy they will be one of the top 5-10 teams in terms defense and rebounding. Combine that with Eddie Jordan’s intricate Princeton Offense and big season awaits Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers.
On the Nets:
It’s hard enough to follow one team’s every move, so when it comes to NBA teams not named the Sixers, I know nothing. Based on my gut feeling, I think the Nets will be mediocre — not as bad as some think, but not good either. I also think Courtney Lee will emerge as a borderline “star” in this league.
Scouting The East: Chicago Bulls
Oct 20, 2009 Scouting the East
(Of all the mascots in the NBA, the Chicago Bulls mascot is my favorite of all time…)
Team: Chicago Bulls
Last Year’s Record: 41-41 (2nd, Central Division)
Head Coach: Vinny Del Negro
Comings: Jannero Pargo, James Johnson (No. 16), Taj Gibson (No. 26)
Goings: Tim Thomas, Ben Gordon, Linton Johnson, DeMarcus Nelson, Anthony Roberson
Blogger Thoughts -Matt McHale Bulls by the Horns
“On paper, the Bulls have a good chance to win around 45 games and earn the fifth or sixth seed. Maybe even the fourth seed, depending on the strength of the conference. But in reality, that may be a long shot. Why? Well, some people think personnel is the problem. I disagree. It’s scheduling.
The Bulls play 10 of their first 15 games on the road and face 10 playoff teams (Spurs, Celtics, Heat, Cavaliers, Sixers, Lakers, Blazers, Jazz and the Nuggets twice). In January, they play another 10 of 15 games on the road, including a seven-game Western Conference road trip to finish up the month. Add that to the fact that they have a league-high 22 sets of back-to-back games and, well, you see the problem.Because of that schedule, I predict the Bulls will (as always) start off slow and then have to scramble to make the playoffs.”
Thought On The Nets:
“No offense, but when I look over the Nets roster, I see one borderline All-Star (Devin Harris) and a bunch of journeymen, castoffs and a couple “maybe” guys (Brook Lopez, Terrence Williams). Last year, after a semi-solid start (11-8), Devin Harris infamously said, “We knew we were going to be a playoff team.” Only they went 23-42 the rest of the way the rest of the way and ended up in the lottery…and Terrence Williams hasn’t been setting fires in the preseason. Bottom line: they won only 34 games with Vince Carter last season, and I see no reason to expect a better team performance this season, unless something miraculous happens.”
Scouting the East: Detroit Pistons
Oct 20, 2009 Scouting the East
Team Name: Detroit Pistons
Last Year’s Record: 39-43 (3rd place, Central Division)
Head Coach: John Kuester
Comings: Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Austin Daye (no. 15), Jonas Jerebko (no. 39), DaJuan Summers (no. 35), Chris Wilcox and Ben Wallace.
Goings: Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, Amir Johnson, Arron Afflalo and Walter Sharpe.
Blogger Thoughts, Dan Feldman of Pistons Powered:
I have the Pistons winning 44 games and finishing fifth in the East. They made a lot of additions by subtraction in the offseason (Allen Iverson, Rasheed Wallace and Coach Michaely Curry) and some addition by addition, too (Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva and maybe even Ben Wallace, Austin Daye or Coach John Kuester). Last year was a miserable season, and Detroit still made the playoffs. This team is improved.
On the Nets:
I project the Nets to win 30 games and finish last in the East. They have a bunch of players who could be starters on good a good team down the road. But those guys aren’t ready yet. And none looks like they can be the focal point of a team at any point, let alone now.
Scouting the East: Indiana Pacers
Oct 19, 2009 Scouting the East
(I love dunking mascots…)
Team: Indiana Pacers
Last Year’s Record: 36-46 (4th, Central Division)
Head Coach: Jim O’Brien
Comings: Luther Head, Dahntay Jones, Solomon Jones, Earl Watson, Tyler Hansbrough (No. 13), A.J. Price (No. 52)
Goings: Maceo Baston, Marquis Daniels, Jarrett Jack, Rasho Nesterovic, Jamaal Tinsley
Blogger Thoughts – Jared Wade – Eight Points Nine Seconds
“The Pacers season could go one of two ways. In scenario one, Mike Dunleavy, Jr. plays 60-70 games, performs productively and the Pacers contend for the 7th or 8th seed. In scenario two, MDJ plays fewer than 50 games while struggling with knee problems and the team wins 30 games. This season will come down to Mike’s knee. If he doesn’t recover fully, things could get ugly in Indianapolis.”
Thoughts on the Nets
“I like the Nets future, but the present will not be great. Devin, Brook, Courtney and CDR comprise a good nucleus, Terrance Williams has some promise and Yi may become a decent pro yet. But even while waiting for tens of millions of dollars of cap space to free up next summer, I think the team still has the chance to flirt with 40 wins if all the cards fall into place. (My in-depth look can be found here.)”
Blogger Thoughts Part 2 – Sean Stevenson – Indy Cornrows
“Depending on how much you valued Jarrett Jack and how optimistic you are on the injury status of Mike Dunleavy and rookie Tyler Hansbrough, you’re expectations for the Indiana Pacers season could vary greatly. While it’d be easy to expect another 36-win season behind the helm of all-star Danny Granger, it’s the second-hand, bench players who will make or break the season. The additions of Dahntay Jones, Earl Watson, Solomon Jones and Hansbrough suggests a change in team philosophy to defense. But will it be enough to sneak into the playoffs or are the Pacers headed back to the depths of the lottery? Based on previous years on under coach Jim O’Brien’s lead, the team is headed to 33-37 wins.”
Thoughts on the Nets
“Similar to the Pacers, the Nets are a team starting over and on the rise (fingers crossed) in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Stay healthy, find some great team chemistry and get some good luck and teams such as the Nets and Pacers could sneak into the playoffs. The Nets have the future in Courtney Lee and Brooke Lopez, now it’s just finding the pieces to build around them. Seems eerily similar to what we’re feeling in the heart of Indy. Better get your flu shot before this season begins, we’re all going to need it.”
Scouting the East: Charlotte Bobcats
Oct 16, 2009 Scouting the East
Team: Charlotte Bobcats
Last Year’s Record: 35-47 (4th, Southeast Division)
Head Coach: Larry Brown
Comings: Tyson Chandler, Gerald Henderson, Derrick Brown and Ronald Murray.
Goings: Emeka Okafor.
Blogger’s Talk: Brett Hainline of Queen City Hoops:
Bad offense, good defense means an average year for the Bobcats. And by average, I mean average for the Bobcats – mid to high 30’s in wins, no playoffs.
Hainline on the Nets:
Two building blocks in Devin Harris and Brook Lopez and another potential one in Terrence Williams. Beyond that, Courtney Lee is a solid rotation player, but let’s see a season of production first. After that – ugh, this will be a rough season in Jersey.