Kings all the way baby!!
I’m almost sure it’s gonna be 3-way fight between Dallas, Sac-town and San Antonio for the conference. Also expect good performances in bursts by Portland, Utah and Houston. Pohenix and Seattle will rely heavily on how far Marbory-Marion and Payton-Barry can run on gas.
As for the mighty Lakers, they don’t seem the unit they once were, but if they can turn it around fast, they’re still a force.
Well to me it's betwwen dallas and kings
San Antonio is not a front line runner
Dallas and kings will most likely face each other in the finals but if i were u, i wudn't rule out lakers,sa antonio and houston as the NBA final competitors. If lakers manage to make it to the playoffs then they a a psychological advanvantege over everyone as last years winner(not to mention shaqs huge body frame aswell).
But i'm gonna go for dallas as western champs but not for the NBA finals. I guess it should be about time that some eastern conference team wins the title!!!!
Re: NBA - Western Conference
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Diablo Kazama: *
As for the mighty Lakers, they don't seem the unit they once were, but if they can turn it around fast, they're still a force.
[/QUOTE]
Sure, Lakers can but I don't think their chances are bright this year.
Kings are certain to be in NBA playoffs.
Just hope and pray that the lakers dont make the playoffs. Because If they do they are going to kick everyone's A$$. Sacramanto Kings are over rated and I hope Dallas kicks their them incase Lakers fail to make playoffs.
The way it stands right now, the Lakers are gonna be fighting for the 8th or at best the 7th spot. This would probably mean a match-up with Sacramento and Dallas.
These two are no Utah, so the Lakers most probably will go down in the first-round if they make it there in pretty much the same conditions as now. Phoenix are probably going to drop from where they are now too.
*2003 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING
WESTERN CONFERENCE *
Forwards:
Tim Duncan (SA) 906,446
Kevin Garnett (Min) 854,811
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 814,457
Chris Webber (Sac) 667,228
Peja Stojakovic (Sac) 198,255
Elton Brand (LAC) 184,211
Pau Gasol (Mem) 168,711
Scottie Pippen (Por) 146,733
Rasheed Wallace (Por) 135,115
Robert Horry (LAL) 131,975.
Guards:
Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,148,754
Steve Francis (Hou) 778,518
Steve Nash (Dal) 575,911
Mike Bibby (Sac) 413,209
Gary Payton (Sea) 405,288
Michael Finley (Dal) 333,111
Tony Parker (San) 133,490
John Stockton (Uta) 133,349
Cuttino Mobley (Hou) 131,919
Doug Christie (Sac) 130,254.
Centers:
Yao Ming (Hou) 1,015,018
Shaquille O’Neal (LAL) 784,920
Vlade Divac (Sac) 235,536
David Robinson (SA) 181,915
Raef LaFrentz (Dal) 130,465
Michael Olowokandi (LAC) 97,614
Arvydas Sabonis (Por) 64,178
Marcus Camby (Den) 53,994
Erick Dampier (GS) 40,998
Radoslav Nesterovic (Min) 28,154.
Obviously the biggest headline's Yao pipping over Shaq quite easily for the starting Center. This was the also the first year voting was accessible to Mandarin speakers, so even 5% of china voting for him would've been sufficient.
My votes were: Garnett, Wallace, Bryant, Payton, Yao.