2004-05 NBA

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
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New season of NBA is here and I am here to have my say! It’s never to be late. :stuck_out_tongue:

This past off-season was crazy one the NBA has seen in years. Players moved(signed as Free Agent, traded) from West to East and vice-versa, a major shift in power and opening up options for teams who are in the process of winning the NBA Championship.

Lemme go through division by division, and if you don’t like what I say about your team, I’ll be honor to discuss. :slight_smile:

**EASTERN CONFERENCE - Atlantic Division

TEAMS: Boston Celtics, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors.**

Lenny Wilkens is basically warming up the bench in Big Apple. Sixers are in process of building. Nets’ management have basically dump the team for good. Boston…hmmm…don’t know what they are up to.

Division Winner - Raptors: Shocking to learned attendence at ACC despite of two huge wins. I guess people in Toronto really have given up on the Raptors over the past year or two. Vince, Bosh AND a great team around them, what’s not to like? NHL is locked up, hear me out Canada!

**EASTERN CONFERENCE - Central Division

TEAMS: Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks**

Bulls are waste. Cavaliers and Bucks will have above .500 season. Pacers will try to win the division but it ain’t gonna be easy against Pistons.

Division Winner - Pistons: Championship nucleus intact, simple is that.

**EASTERN CONFERENCE - Southeast Division

TEAMS: Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards**

This is no-competition division, really. Magic and Heat are going to have above .500 season. I thought Magic got robbed when they traded away McGrady with Howard, Lue but it turns out to be a good trade for them so far. Plus, they have decent bench.

Division Winner - Heat: It’s Heatian Nation fewer baby! Diesel is pumped, though, a lazy start of the season for him, however, I expect Miami to win the division.

Following teams(as seeded) I expect them in the playoffs

  1. Pistons
  2. Heat
  3. Pacers
  4. Magic
  5. Raptors
  6. Cavaliers
  7. Bucks
  8. Take Your Best Guess..(Mine is Celtics)

**WESTERN CONFERENCE - Northwest Division

TEAMS: Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle SuperSonics and Utah Jazz**

Denver will not make to the playoffs. Too many players at forward position. Despite of great season last year, I don’t see Wolves winning the division. Like franchise name, Blazers are trailing. Sonics are upgraded for playoff contender but not enough to seal the division.

Division Winner - Jazz: All that Jazz with AK 47. The guy is a monster. Look at stats sheet, and you’ll see his numbers like Duncan, Garnett and Shaq. With Boozer sigining the long-term deal, Carlos Arroyo at point, Okur and Bell off the bench, the Jazz are settle for a championship run under Jerry Slogan and Larry Miller if not this year, then certainly in 2.

**WESTERN CONFERENCE - Pacific Division

TEAMS: Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings **

By the end of the season, Clippers will have a better record than Warriors. With a 6-man rotation, Kings are in trouble. Lakers can’t score/defend paint.

Division Winner - Suns: Getting a point guard like Steve Nash has been a blessing for them. Nash pushes the ball upfront, Q Richardson can knock down open shots any given night. On top of that, Suns have Amare who can rebound the ball, and can average 25, 20 this season.

The bench ain’t deep with Joe Johnson as a shooter, however, this team is shap’d up to be good playoff contender, an improvement from last year misery.

**WESTERN CONFERENCE - Southwest Division

TEAMS: Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs **

Hornets wished they never moved to the Western Conference. Grizzlies off to a bad start, and they’ll have tough time. Rockets have great duo of T-Mac and Yao, however, this team needs to be gel in order to be consider a championship contender. Mavericks, IMO, have improvement dramatically this off-season. Deep bench, a little bit of defence, and good set of shooters but even with that, Dallas can’t win the division.

Division Winner - Spurs: In off-season, Spurs got Brent Barry, lights out shooter, which they missed last year in the playoffs. Parker, Ginobilli got their contract extended. Duncan is still there. The Bench is good enough with Horry, Brown, and with Greg Popovich as head coach, you can’t expect less from Spurs.

Following teams(as seeded) I expect them in the playoffs

  1. Spurs
  2. Jazz
  3. Wolves
  4. Mavericks
  5. Rockets
  6. Suns
  7. Lakers
  8. Sonics

*I’m Pakistani Tiger, and I approved this post!

p.s. Above expectations subjected to change with players injury, trades yada yada…boo*

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Im Punj Abi and I disapprove your Western Conference rankings. :p

What is the reason you have Jazz ranked 2nd in above Wolves and Mavericks?

And Lakers ranked 7th?

3

how will the raptors be ranked #5 heading into the playoffs if they win their division? Isn't a division winner guaranteed 1st,2nd or 3rd? Or maybe its just the night getting to me?

4

Wolves will win their division - win the west - and will win the championship on the back of the league's most vaulable player - KEVIN GARNETT!

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[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by 5Abi: *
What is the reason you have Jazz ranked 2nd in above Wolves and Mavericks?
[/quote]

Front-court depth - AK 47, Boozer, Okur. By the end of the season, Boozer and AK 47 will finished top 10(if not 5) rebounders in the West.

[quote]
And Lakers ranked 7th?
[/QUOTE]

No inside game. Trouble at point. Outside of Kobe, there's no one who can guard the perimeter. Shot blocking and Rebounding will be the issue all season. Passing game isn't good but it will be ok once Floopy returns. Hope that Rudy T. make Odom to play a high-post game but I guess it will take time for him to adjust. Team is young, made of fast-breaking studs and is just trying to figure out their roles.

[quote]
Originally posted by I'm Kool:

how will the raptors be ranked #5 heading into the playoffs if they win their division? Isn't a division winner guaranteed 1st,2nd or 3rd? Or maybe its just the night getting to me?
[/quote]

shucks that would be 4th seed for Raps if they win the division. I guess it works both ways. Somehow if Raps end up winning the division by less games than say Magic, the league will give Magic 4th seed in the playoffs. But last year, Nets have the the HCA despite of less game wins than Pistons. I'm really not sure about this rule but I heard saying David Stern that there will be changes in the 2005 playoffs..so look for it.

6

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *

shucks that would be 4th seed for Raps if they win the division. I guess it works both ways. Somehow if Raps end up winning the division by less games than say Magic, the league will give Magic 4th seed in the playoffs. But last year, Nets have the the HCA despite of less game wins than Pistons. I'm really not sure about this rule but I heard saying David Stern that there will be changes in the 2005 playoffs..so look for it.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah i heard it too. If possible, i would like to see a playoff format in which a higher ranked team gets HCA for the first game but the venue for the games following that one should depend on who wins them. Whichever team wins should get HCA for the next game and so on. So if a team sweeps a series, all games would have been played in their city if that was the team that had home court advantage for the first game. But i think the tickets and that sort of stuff won't allow such a format.

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Lakers at # 7.. i cant believe a lakers fan could do that.. Meanie! no seriously ... u think Rockets can even go in to the playoffz... ahh all my lov for T-mac and Yao.. but dey suck.. dere isnt any chemisty between dem.. I believe Lakers will do much better when Divac will return.. Secondly How can u put FREAKIN piston on the top.. ahhh.. Heat is gonna kill every1.. Go shaq! and Raptors are next.. Go Carter!

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Yeah, I am having doubts on Rockets as well. They lost badly against Hawks and Knicks. Maybe, they missed the playoffs and Kings make it. Who knows.

As for me being meanie, hey I am not. I just don't know what to expect from this Laker team. Yesterday, Kobe had triple double resulted in Lakers lost. A night before it was a Win.

As constructed, the Lakers have young athletic talent with multiple skill sets; however, those skill sets aren’t varied enough that they address all the needs a championship-caliber needs. Specifically, the Lakers have no perimeter D outside of Kobe and no defensive/shot blocking presence outside of Mihm the part-time center. Divac return will help the Lakers but he ain't Shaq.

NBA history has shown us that it takes several years to become a contender again. Rebuilding a young team into a legit title contender within two years of now would be a resounding success for the Lakers organization. They’ve started out alright; Lakers have a solid coach who has won two NBA championships and they have two stars, Odom and Kobe. They have young pieces they can deal for more pressing talent in Butler, Rush, and Walton. Next year Devean and Atkins become a combined $9.5-$10M worth of expiring contracts, and as should be well known by now, expiring contracts do sometimes yield good players. By the 2006-2007 trading deadline, the Lakers will hopefully have dumped Grant's contract to a cellar dweller looking for cap space in 2007-2008.

By November 2007 (when Kobe is 28 and Odom is 26), if the Lakers find their young starting PG and young starting PF, they’ll be set for a title run, and a long title run at that (figure Kobe and Odom’s prime lasts until age 32/33). That would be an example of an immense success.

An example of ridiculous expectations would be for the Lakers to make a deep playoff run this season, taking the Spurs to 7 games in the WCF. Not. Going. To. Happen. Heck, if the Lakers don’t make the playoffs this season, you do realize they’ll get a higher pick, no? That said, playoff experience as a core is more important than a lottery pick, unless picking up a multi-talented young PF is possible.

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Pacers-Pistons Brawl a Low Moment for NBA

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Players and fans exchanged punches in the stands in one of the worst NBA brawls ever, leaving several people injured and prompting a police investigation

Indiana’s Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson charged into the stands and fought with fans in the final minute of their game against the Detroit Pistons (news) on Friday night, and the brawl forced an early end to the Pacers’ 97-82 win.

“I felt like I was fighting for my life out there,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “I’m sorry the game had to end this way.”

Officials stopped the game with 45.9 seconds remaining after pushing and shoving between the teams spilled into the stands once fans got involved by throwing things at the players near the scorer’s table.

“There’s no place in the game for what went on with this incident,” said Joe Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations.

**After several minutes of players fighting with fans in the stands, a chair, beer, ice and popcorn were thrown at the Pacers as they made their way to the locker room. About a half-dozen people were treated for injuries at the arena in suburban Detroit, one was taken to a hospital by ambulance and another sought treatment, police said Saturday. **

“It’s the ugliest thing I’ve seen as a coach or player,” said Detroit’s Larry Brown, who started coaching in 1972 after his playing career ended.

About three hours after the startling finish, Auburn Hills police walked out of a television trailer with videotapes gathered from various media outlets. Officers interviewed witnesses and planned to talk to the players involved in the melee.

“We’ll put it all together, take it to the Oakland County Prosecutors Office and have them review it and they’ll decide if there are any charges,” Auburn Hills Deputy Chief Jim Mynsberge said. “I hope we can do it before Thanksgiving.”

Police would not comment on who might be charged.

**It all started when Detroit’s Ben Wallace went in for a layup and was fouled hard by Artest from behind. After being fouled, Wallace wheeled around and pushed Artest in the face. The benches emptied and punches were thrown.

As the players continued shoving each other near center court and coaches tried to restore order, Artest sprawled out on his back on the scorer’s table, looking relaxed.

Just when it appeared tempers had died down, Artest was struck by a cup thrown from the stands and jumped up and charged into the stands, throwing punches as he climbed over seats. **

“He was on top of me, pummeling me,” fan Mike Ryan of Clarkston said. “He asked me, Did you do it?' I said, No, man. No!'”

Jackson joined Artest in the melee and threw punches at fans, who punched back at them.

Security personnel and ushers tried to break it up. Former Pistons player Rick Mahorn, who was seated courtside as a Detroit radio analyst, tried to stop the brawl in the stands. Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace and Indiana’s David Harrison were also in or near the stands trying to break up the fights.

Later, a man in a Pistons jersey approached Artest on the court, shouting at him. Artest punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor. Teammate Jermaine O’Neal stepped in and punched another man who joined the scrum.

“The NBA is withholding comment until it can review the incident,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

Players from both teams left the arena without comment.

Quentin Richardson of the Phoenix Suns watched the brawl on television.

“I have never seen a fight like that in a game since I was in high school,” he said. “Man, there are going to be some lawsuits. You don’t think some of those fans aren’t going to want some NBA money?”

Police prevented reporters from crossing the loading dock to get to Indiana’s locker room or the area where the Pacers’ bus was located.

“I’m just embarrassed for our league and disappointed for our young people to see that,” Brown said.

Before the contest was stopped, Artest had quite a game and the Pacers were dominating the defending NBA champions in their first meeting since the Eastern Conference finals.

I watched the entire Lakers-Suns game, then flipped to ESPN and was in awe.

No winners in this brawl. A sorry day for NBA. Piston fans were despicable and they should be ashamed of themselves! The league said it will emerged stronger, meaning more security = more money = ticket prices go up.

This isn’t a 9/11 even though it was on 11/19, for the NBA. Just an unfortunate incident that turned out of control and spilled into the seats. Let’s not turn the arenas into security zones with plexiglass and a moat or brick walls. That’s just idiotic.

Incase, if someone has missed it, watch Brawl In Auburn Hills video.

10

Thanks for the link :k:

I had missed it last night, and only heard about it today. Some real morons in there. Gosh! what a sight. Which player was it who had just returned from a ban?

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^
That would be ron artest, and he was involved in somewhat similar incident of far less magnitude about 2 years ago when he broke some replay screens. What a joker, he laid down on the announcements table while the brawl was still going on, then someone hit him with a glass filled with drink. The person that jermaine oneal punched must have suffered a broken jaw for sure. Ouch! That was one hard punch.

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What a fight it was.

Dehnay kee chiz thee.

:eek: :eek:

How emotional this game can be. Hmmm

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banned for season? that's harsh! - wouldn't 30 games have been long enough to send the message that going into the stands isn't acceptable? did David Stern really have to ruined the season for Pacers just to make a point?

how about Detriot fans? they should be penalized as much as the players have been...

this will be the best christmas ever in NBA.

Pistons at Pacers(who will be short handed..awe J.O)

Heat at Lakers - Shaq vs. Kobe.

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so Indiana is out of season.. well dey dont have any1 left..so i guess we all should just smack david stern.. ahhh pissed me off bad! professionalISM.. ahhh.. it is so unfair.. bechara R. Artest… I feel so bad for him… all dose detroit fanz.. bunch of sour losers.. :mad:

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they are professional athletes with multi million dollar contracts. They should know better than to just start beating on innocent people blindly. I think its was a bold and well thought out move to suspend artest for the rest of the season. He has been involved in a awful lot of brawls and fights over the past 2 years. Stern made sure that every gets a point that you can't just get away easily for things lik that

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i CANT understand... how can u talk about professionalism when some throwing a freaking can at u... dey are humans.. it just doesnt make sense... inoccent.. oh please.. i dont even wanan talk about inoccent detriot fans..

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At a minimum, they should move out some Piston home games too. Their moronic fans deserve no less, either.

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I'm not placing all the blame on artest. I know that the fans sitting at court side acted like asses too but thats still not an excuse. If you are having a brawl on the road in your opponent's arena, you shouldn't expect the fans to just sit there calmly or throw flowers at you. I'm sure this would have happened in a baseball game aswell if the fans sat as close to the field as the fans sit as close to the court in nba games. You think that artest was not to blame for the incident and your probablly right but its kinda hard to back up a person who has had a rich history of such incidents in the past. He needs serious anger managment.

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Pistons are getting blown by teams - and that’s just by losing one player - on the other side of the coin - Pacers have been playing beautiful - they have won 3 games without their 3 big scorer at the moment - IMPRESSIVE! :k:

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November Notes

This was quite a month despite of brawl image that world has seen. As projected, some teams have come out good, some surprising are teams, and some teams were just disappointed. Jazz are among one of them.

How come this team lost to Hornets, followed by Bulls(two worst teams in the NBA) is beyond me. Has any team in NBA history ever lost to the two worst teams in the league back-to-back? Hornets loss was shameful. Absolutely shameful. And on Stockton’s retired jersey night too. That game was a must-win. After losing back-to-back games at home, Jazz were blown out by Spurs. On that game, AK 47 got hurt and he’s out for a month.

Another disappointment are Rockets who don’t have the offense. T-Mac’s number are down. Team record is below .500. Fants chanted “Fire Gundy” in a loss to Detriot last night. This team is headed south.

The surprising team, besides, Magic in East, Sonics and Suns in West, are Clippers. :eek: who are above .500, have had 2 or more wins in November in franchise’s 30 years history. This is, by far, a best group of lads Clip franchise have. They should have more than 30 wins this season.

The best team in the NBA are Sonics by the end of November even though they don’t have any inside game which could be trouble for them once the shooting goes down but at the moment, this doesn’t seems to be the problem. Sharing the Ball philosophy is working out for’em.

Best Players in the NBA spot by spot

[thumb=H]nash10122_7656479.JPG[/thumb]

Point Guard - Steve Nash: His assist has gone up, avg. 11.4 for the season, and if other teams find the way to stop him, they can stop Pheonix Suns.

[thumb=H]ray10122_9688445.JPG[/thumb]

Shooting Guard - Ray Allen: Shooting 45.3 % from the 3-point range, leading his team to the best record in the NBA.

[thumb=H]james10122_7278613.JPG[/thumb]

Small Forward - LeBron James: Avg. 21.7 pts, shooting 52 % from the field with 1.8 steals avg. Cavs can ride on his back for playoffs thrill.

[thumb=H]g_garnett_frt10122_9542933.JPG[/thumb]

Power Forward - Kevin Garnett: Avg. 24 pts, 6 steals, and 2 blocks. Not as big impact as it was last year’s start but the assist per turnover ratio is down for him.

[thumb=H]timay10122_4704779.JPG[/thumb]

Center - Tim Duncan: Shooting 51% from the field, avg. 23 pts, 3 blocks and 2 dimes. Since Shaq it out to the East, watch out for him to be the dominant center in West.