Upcoming NBA 2004-05 season

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1

The Free Agent market is open. Teams are willing to offer as much as they can to get improve, get their groove for another hip-hop Hoop season.

Feel free to discuss, hot FAs, trade-deal or anything regarding your fav. team.

But first, let me be the one to shed some lights on NBA draft which happend a week ago(Date: June 24th). Here it goes in alphabet order.

  • 1. Atlanta Hawks

**Picks: Josh Childress (#6), Josh Smith (#17), Donta Smith (#34), Royal Ivey (37), Viktor Sanikidze (#42) **

I don’t get it, what’s their plan? For a team that needs just about everything right now. I don’t think they made the most out of their 5 picks (FIVE PICKS!!), not even close. Either their scouts know something about some of these guys that no one knows about, or they just blew away their 2nd rounders. Back to the early lotteries for Atlanta next year.

VERDICT: Loser!

  • 2. Boston Celtics

Picks: Al Jefferson (15), Delonte West (24), Tony Allen (#25),
Justin Reed (40)

I think they picked up a pair of nice late first rounders with West and Allen, which can possibly (although not likely) be the Howard/Daniels combo of this yearr. Al Jefferson’s pick was surprising to some extent, but I really think he’ll become something special in the league. Still, I was kinda disappointed that Danny Ainge didn’t use his 3 1st rounders for some kinda trade. I guess it’s rebuidling time in Boston

VERDICT: IPOR (In Process of Rebuilding)

  • 3. Charlotte BobCats

Emeka Okafor (#2), Bernard Robinson (#46)

[thumb=H]emekaokafor10122_5729564.JPG[/thumb]

JACKPOT!

What’d you expect they would do. Okafor’s ready to come and lead the team, proven champion in college. He’s the key to keep Charlotte out of the NBA basement for next year. I don’t know much about Robinson, but he definitely fits in with the young athletic theme of the Bobcats.

  • **4.Chicago Bulls

Pick: Ben Gordon (#3), Luol Deng (#7), Chris Duhon (#38)**

About the damn time!

Deng was a steal at 7, and Duhon will be a fine NBA backup if his health prevails. Ben Gordon at #3; and he’s likely to play at SG in a backcourt with Kirk Hinrich. So no more Jamal Crawford and might be traded 'cause Chicago’s gotta make a run this year with no first rounder next year. Somehow I feel they will have 30+ wins next season which they haven’t ever since '98 Bulls dynasty left. John Paxson has done his homework; and the person who was once part of the NBA’s one of the best dynasties, is eager to turn things around in the Windy City.

VERDICT: Winner

  • 5. Cleveland Cavaliers

Pick: Luke Jackson (10)

Shooting will more than replace the lost of Jason Kapono, and athletism should pair well with Lebron James. So I guess Bron Bron will play PG from now on? Still, Luke’s not gonna be enough to push the Cavs into the playoffs, it’ll all depend on how much better Lebron gets next year.

VERDICT On Edge

  • 6. Dallas Mavericks

Picks: Devin Harris (#5), Pavel Podkolzine (#21), Vassillis Spanoulis(50)

I presume Dallas has great int’l scouts so this Vass guy’s gotta have some game. Pavel for future 1st rounder was a steal, esp. since Dallas loves the guys so much. It’ll be interesting to see how Devin plays at PG since Nash has departed

VERDICT Stay Tuned.

  • 7. Detriot Pistons

Pick: Rickey Paulding (#54)

Like Detroit needs anymore help anyway?. Went for an explosive player with the 54th pick, will probably never play a game for Detroit. It’s ok Piston fans, watching Darko next year will be just as exciting as watching any other rookie in this year’s draft develop.

VERDICT: Loser

  • 8. Golden State Warrior

Pick: Andris Biedrins (#11)

Great pick-up at 11 for GS, opposite to what happened with Pietrus last year (his stock rose while Biedrins’ stock fell). His injuries are nothing to be afraid of, the potential is still all there. Guess Warriors arent’ ready for a run at the playoffs just yet.

VERDICT: Good Luck, next season!

  • 9. Houston Rockets

Pick: Luis Flores (#58)

Big F Grade. Did they even bother scouting for this draft?

VERDICT Loser

  • 10. Indiana Pacers

Picks: David Harrison (#29), Rashad Wright (#59)

Don’t mess with success, right? Harrison’s a nice pick at 29, he should be able to take over for Foster as the backup C if not this year then the next.

VERDICT In Process of Rebuilding

  • 11. L.A. Clippers

Picks: Shaun Livingston (#4), Lionel Chalmers (#33)

I pray that Livingston’s potential will not be wasted by the Clippers like we’ve seen with everyone else. Clippers knew Overton wouldn’t do as starting PG, and I think Livingston and/or Chalmers can give them some immediate help to Corey, Elton Brand and QR.

VERDICT Winner

  • 12. L.A. Lakers

Picks: Sasha Vujacic (27), Marcus Douthit (#56)

Interesting pick with Sasha, he can turn out to be a steal, or a complete bust. Question is whether or not he’ll get a chance to display his skillls next year, depending on who stays and who goes in LaLa and if Marcus Douthit miraculously cracks the line-up, I can just picture Bill Walton saying “You can Douthit!”

VERDICT Stay Tuned.

  • 13. Memphis Grizzlies

Picks: Andre Emmett (#35), Antonio Burks (#36), Sergei Lishouk (#49)

Dauntay Jones? Troy Bell? Now Andre Emmett and Antonio Burk? Does Jerry West expect them all to one day crack the line-up, or is he just gonna try his luck and hope any 2 will make any impact? I don’t see why Memphis went out of their way for these picks, the need wasn’t there. Still, this is Jerry West, and he does have an eye for talent.

VERDICT Watch out!

  • 14. Miami Heat

Picks: Dorell Wright (#19), Pape Sow (47), Matt Freije (#53)

Miami must be giggling when they saw both Dorell and Jameer left on the board for their 19th pick. Jameer would be a great pick, considering he can step in right away and help Miami, but I guess Dorell’s potential was too hard to pass on. Sow and Frejie are smart picks in the 2nd round, both can become possible backups in the future.

VERDICT Winner

  • 15. Minnesota Timberwolves

Pick: Blake Stepp (#58)

Minni doesn’t get to pick much, but when they do, I almost always like their picks. Stepp might actually make it into the league someday. Hey, what else can you expect from the 58th pick? And like Detroit, watching Ebi develop should be enough fun to watch.

VERDICT Check out Stepp’s stat by the end of season.

  • 16. New Jersey Nets

**Pick: Christian Drejer (#51) **

I don’t know why they traded their first rounder for Eddie Gill, but I pressume NJ needs to rack up the cash to sign K-Mart(but it seems he K-Mart maynot get since RJ is suppose to be given lotta cash in years to come, and JK has already given max contract. Plus, they are dealing with the max contract deal of Alonzo Mourning as well.)

Drejer’s a nice project at #51, could become a Manu Ginobilli-type surprise in the future.

VERDICT: In Process of Rebuilding

  • 17. New Orleans Hornets

Picks: J.R. Smith (#18), Tim Pickett (45)

I have no opinion towards JR Smith, I’m assuming he’ll kinda be what Travis Outlaw was for Portland this year. I don’t see why NO went for potential over experience, they really need some depth in their line-up right now. Another 1st round exit this year for NO

OR things could be different if Byron Scott able to pulled the rabbit of hat!

VERDICT: Loser

  • 18. New York Knicks

Picks: Trevor Ariza (#43)

Almost as boring as the Houston draft. Basically picked a guy who will play in the summer leagues for the next few years.

VERDICT: Loser

  • 19. Orlando Magic

Picks: Dwight Howard (#1), Jameer Nelson (20), Anderson Varejao (30)

Next KG or next Kwame Brown? I think he’ll land somewhere in between. You can’t blame the Magic for this pick, they want a potential franchise player, and they want nothing to do with injury-prone players, even with the slightest problem. Jameer is an absolute steal for Orlando, he’s ready to step in and start for Orlando next year since Tyronne Lue & Varejao have gone to Houston. It’s a project that might pay off in a few years. OK investment with a early 2nd rounder.

VERDICT: Winner

  • 20. Philadelphia 76ers

Pick: Andre Iguodala (#9)

Clearly took the best player possible at #9, and a nice pick up at that. Finally Philly gets some new talent on top of Allen Iverson.

VERDICT: Winner

  • 21. Phoenix Suns

Pick: Jackson Vroman (#31)

I’m guessing Vroman will probably end up as a 10th man for Phoenix. I’d say my grading on this pick will be much higher if Chicago sucks again this coming season; and Phoenix picks up a lottery pick with their trade. But, of course we won’t know that 'til next year.

VERDICT OK

2
  • 22. Portland Trailblazers

Picks: Sebastian Telfair (13), Viktor Khryapa (22), Sergei Monia (23), Ha Seung-Jin (46)

So who has more int’l players now, Dallas or Portland? This is the complete opposite of Chicago’s picks (HS and int’l v.s. College players) Ha is a big project, don’t expect to hear from him again for at least another year, but by then Portland may receive a pleasant surprise. I don’t know what they plan to do with the Russian duo, almost seemed like they picked them together just for the hell of it! All of them can be good players, but I don’t see any of the 4 picks becoming regulars for next year.

VERDICT: Loser

  • 23. Sacramento Kings

Picks: Kevin Martin (#26), Ricky Minard (48)

Kevin Martin can be a nice role player for Sactown, replacing Rodney Buford elsewhere. Otherwise another boring draft for Sactown.

VERDICT: OK

  • 24. San Antonio Spurs

Picks: Beno Udrih (28), Romain Sato (#52), Sergei Karaulov (#57)

What a surprise! SA going Europe. Project picks mostly, but it’s not like SA needs any immediate help anyway. Picking up some size might’ve been nice (Karaulov’s 7 feet, but he’s not exactly the next David Robinson)

I guess SA beats Dallas and Portland in intl. players competition.

VERDICT: OK

  • 25. Seattle Supersonics

Robert Swift (12) David Young (#41)

12 might’ve been too high for Swift, but Seattle desperately needed size, and a lot more other teams were waiting for him after Seattle. For Seattle’s sake, I hope he’s NBA ready and can take up some big minutes at C for them next season. I have no clue who David Young is, so #41 is probably too high for him (Ha Seung Jin was still available, Dayum!!)

VERDICT: Wait & See

  • 26. Toronto Raptors

Picks: Rafael Araujo (#8), Albert Miralles (#39)

Oh Raptors, I pray for you that Araujo won’t be another Center bust from college. Your poor grade comes not so much from the pick, but from not trying to trade down if you knew you were picking Araujo! He probably would’ve dropped to 14th or 15th if you didn’t pick him! You should’ve nabbed Luke Jackson and use him as bait! Oh well…

VERDICT: Stay Tuned

  • 27. Utah Jazz

Picks: Kris Humphries (14), Kirk Snyder (#16)

Kris Humphries is white, what a surprise! j/k ( :hehe: ) I think these are two hard working guys that would do well under Jerry Sloan. I just hope Sloan’s all set to go by next season. (I wonder if Utah wanted Jefferson at 16?)

VERDICT: Winner

  • 28. Washington Wizards

Pick: Peter John Ramos (#33)

Washington just couldn’t resist taking him seeing that he’s still on the board for #33. I would compare him to Malick Badiane of last year, everyone’s high on him, but don’t know when he’ll actually make an impact in the league.

VERDICT: Stay Tuned

…and with that, my longest post at GS ends. Hope y’all appreciate it!

3

Blockbuster Trade Deal

[thumb=H]magic-rocketstrade10122_5458559.JPG[/thumb]

Tarah Tarah…

In 7-player deal, Orlando gets Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and forward Kelvin Cato. Houston got Tracy McGrady with forward Juan Hoard and guards Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines.

Damn, the Rockets just killed the Magic in this trade! **AT GUARD…6-8 from Mt.Zion High School..#1…TRACY MCGRADY!!! ** …and the whole Toyota Center will have some joy, excitement next season. I wanna see how T-Mac settle himself in the game plan of JVG. Tracy, you have moved to the West. No messing around. You’ve got the big guy in the middle. Time to show who you really are!

Now that the trade has gone through, it’s time to put together a solid supporting cast. I’m glad Boki wasn’t part of the trade. T-Mac has the center he wants, now let’s get him a point guard. I wonder what the future holds for Reece Gaines? If he couldn’t crack the lineup in Orlando, how’s he going to find minutes in Houston? It should be a fresh start for him. It will be interesting to see how Jeff and Tracy get along.

[thumb=H]t-mac10122_7410145.JPG[/thumb]

T-Mac is a great offensive player but not the best on defense. T-Mac and Yao r certainly enough to build a serious franchise around - though the problem I see is both are kinda soft. Rocket fans wouldn’t worry about it that much since I’m sure JVG will surround them with the “right” players. In addition to VG favourite Jim Jackson, Rockets still need a tough defensive PG and better find a replacement for tough Cato in the Paint(a muscle guy).

Bottomline: Houston definitely did a good move in order to be a contender, if not the upcoming season, probably in 1-2 years once a good full roster is put together!

Nash goes to Phoenix

[thumb=H]stevenash10122_5005993.JPG[/thumb]

So, the team who drafted him in 96, traded him to Dallas 98, signed 5 year deal worth of more than 65$ mil in 04. That’s $ 13 mil per season. :eek:

How is Nash not a good fit for this team? He runs the break as well as anyone in the league, and is a pass first shoot second type of PG. He’s got a good attitude and enstills veteran leadership to a club that lacked it.

Steve Nash is great. He’s a great playmaker, and a great passer. He knows how to run a team, he’s a great decision maker (3.29 assist per turnover). On the fast break, he’s amazing, no point guard in the league is better other than Jason Kidd. While he may not be the defender or rebounder Kidd is, Nash can actually shoot well. Where as Kidds jumpshot is too inconsistent to be relied on.

Plus, it’s a good deal for Nash since he couldn’t get a max contract in Dallas. Good deal for Suns that they have gotten a veteran PG who can lead the team of atheltic, young guns!

Raptors hire Sam Mitchell

[thumb=H]sam10122_3205745.JPG[/thumb]

I really dont know much about the guy, yet again Raps are going for one of the unprovens which i think is pretty good. As always the outcome at the end of the season will prove how succesful he is and how long he will be here. It’s good his contract runs through 2006-07 season.

I’m going to sit out on this one. Most ex-players are a player’s coach, and Mithcell is that type of coach. He was also a very smart player, so if I were to stereotype I would guess he is a good X’s and O’s coach. But I don’t know much about how he’s coached so I’ll wait and see. I hope that the Raptors are going to stick with they’re choice. Young coaches need time too to gain experience & get better. I also hope Babcock makes it CLEAR that Mitchell will be his guy & the team will have to listen to him because the revolving door of coaches has to stop. I was most pleased to hear that Mitchell and Babcock agreed upon the fact that the Raptors should play a more up-tempo style game.

Refreshing start… :slight_smile:

4

Woah pt whats wrong with you!!
How can u post such neatly detailed stuff so often!!

Edit: About Sam Mitchell, if raptors were going for a former player as their coach, why didn't they go with Julius Erving. He was one of the best the NBA had so you would think he would make a good coach aswell. Sure Sam has a two years assisstant coach experince with the bucks but honestly his performance there was less than stellar.
and about the raps draft pick, wasn't there an unspoken draft rule that don't pick who you need but pick who deserves to get picked!?!
GM Babcock has taken two pretty bold steps if you ask me but i hope all goes well.

5

'cause I love NBA.

You Rap fans should be thankful that Sam does have an exposure to little bit NBA environment. Raptors franchise are probably just trying get the fans to forget last season's disaster as it has been well chronicled. The offense was painful to watch(and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that)

Defensively, Raptors gotta have big guys. Here Arajuo comes in. I've heard a lot of analysts say that he was the most shocking pick of the lottery. One guy went so far as to say that the guy who picked him should lose his job because it was such a bonehead choice. Do you Know Araujo's accurate measurements? Is 290 really his ideal playing weight? How many minutes do you think Araujo will be playing next minutes? How's his endurance? Is he really going to be a foul machine?

Raps need him for 30 minutes a game. If he can't keep up or keep on (the court), Raptors will probably struggle to make playoffs next season. I honestly think he sounds like a high school kid in a lot of descriptions. Offensive post moves are something that come natural for the most part. Very few people develop a strong post game in the NBA if they never had one. But defense is whole new ball game. It takes guidance and instruction. It sounds like he just hacks blindly at the ball and doesn't position himself properly.

The Araujo/Moiso rotation at center could mean that Raptors are heading to the lotto but I have the feeling that you'll be much happier with the state of the position rightnow than previous years.

6

^

Believe me, the Raps can't go ne worse than the last 2 seasons so i'm a bit happy. After all, two top ten picks in two consectutive years should help a team little bit if not a lot.
From what we've been told by the GM and sam is that rafeal is a real workhorse and that he never backs off when he's playing post. Don't know anything about him on defence as no body mentioned it. Overall, they say that he is a work in progress and he has a lot of talent but then again when was the last time you heard a team under mining their own draft pick. I just hope that he shocks everyone come this october and proves to everyone that he really did deserve to be picked number eight if not any better.
My problem with gm babcock is that why did he pick him even though he knew that he's not #8 stuff?? He said that he tried to trade back a few spots so he could get 2 picks and then he would pick both rafeal arujuo and jameer nelson, but it wasn't possible so he sticked with rafeal only.

btw, i highly doubt that coach Sam is gonna have a arujuo/moiso centre rotation. You prolly ment arujuo/archibald or prolly get more out of bosh with marshall covering for him at PF. I know that we are a little short on talent but arujuo/moiso??...... raps aren't that bad!! :D

7

So what do you guys think - Vinsanity wants outta TO. Does he go to Philly for Iverson? Is that even reasonable or am I way off base. However you slice it, the Raptors are a complete mess. They have either an unhappy Vince or whatever the return for him is (likley lesser than his value). I would deal him for Iverson in a second, but I doubt Philly would do the same.

8

PT homeboy which other forums do you visit. You sure you wrote all this. Why dont you apply for a job at ESPN Sportscenter :D

9

this just in. PG rafear alston has agreed verbally with a raptors for a six year contract. Alston played like 40 games with the raps in the 2002-2003 season then got signed by the heats in the off season.

now the raps hav filled in their need of a pg aswell. so when the season starts, this is my prediction of the raps starting line up.

C Rafeal Arujuo
PF Chris Bosh
SF Vince Carter
SG Jalen Rose
PG Rafear Alston

with this line up, the raps will hav plenty of depth in thier bench too, whihc i think was their weekest department last season. Mo Pete, Donyll Marshall, Alvin Williams. Finally the raps can win games without vince playing 48 mins every game.

10

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by elahi: *
So what do you guys think - Vinsanity wants outta TO. Does he go to Philly for Iverson? Is that even reasonable or am I way off base. However you slice it, the Raptors are a complete mess. They have either an unhappy Vince or whatever the return for him is (likley lesser than his value). I would deal him for Iverson in a second, but I doubt Philly would do the same.
[/QUOTE]

Puts your new GM in a tight spot if trading rumors are true.

For one, he's already said he wouldn't trade Vince unless he got the right kind of value in return. If Vince has truly demanded a trade, his value just went right out the window. Forget about getting up-to-equal value if the other team knows Vince is putting the heat on Raptors' management to trade him.

Also, if Babs can't get enough in return for Vince, he won't trade him. Meaning that Raptors will have the Antonio Davis situation all-over again, where I think VC will be professional enough to play, but won't be up to snuff. He'll be playing waiting to be traded rather than trying to help this team make the playoffs.

I'm not sure whether this rumour is a result of the movement of other players in the league, like Kobe, Tracy, Shaq, etc., getting the better of the writers who just want to pile-on more names to throw into the tumbler and see who comes-out wearing a different uniform. Or maybe this is the reverse, Vince whetting his trade appetite after seeing other players getting good deals (like Twan, his friend, or Tracy, his cousin).

Personally, I don't believe this one bit. The man is just too valuable to the franchise.

[quote]
Originally posted by 5Abi:

PT homeboy which other forums do you visit. You sure you wrote all this. Why dont you apply for a job at ESPN Sportscenter
[/quote]

Yaar, I contacted Chris Berman to be my guru, and he never replied me back. :(

11

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by I'm Kool: *
this just in. PG rafear alston has agreed verbally with a raptors for a six year contract. Alston played like 40 games with the raps in the 2002-2003 season then got signed by the heats in the off season.

now the raps hav filled in their need of a pg aswell. so when the season starts, this is my prediction of the raps starting line up.

C Rafeal Arujuo
PF Chris Bosh
SF Vince Carter
SG Jalen Rose
PG Rafear Alston

with this line up, the raps will hav plenty of depth in thier bench too, whihc i think was their weekest department last season. Mo Pete, Donyll Marshall, Alvin Williams. Finally the raps can win games without vince playing 48 mins every game.
[/QUOTE]

When Babs took over, I thought Raps will stop paying out in the long term for marginal talent. Guess, I was wrong.

5 mil per year for a 28 year old player who in his best season avg'd 10 ppg, 4.5 assts on under 40% shooting from the field. He's not even a defensive presence. I believe Alston broke the record for most consecutive games with atleast 1 trey last season. That might be the reason he got big contract.

I like Rafer but at about half of what he's getting in this deal. Definitely too much money {or too much length for that money}, but he'll be a good player for the Raptors. That said, is it worth the play he'll bring for the cost it'll take? I'm no Raptors guy so I can't say for sure, but this feels like another Kevin Ollie type of situation to me {journeyman backup PG has a solid year, gets big contract they've been wanting for years, by the end of the first year you want the contract axed.}

The Raptors are overpaying a serviceable player both on dollars per year and on length of contract. Of all teams, the Raptors should have learned not to make this particular mistake. Remember how Raps regretted signing Alvin, JYD and the Dream for this exact type of contract? If Raps are going to overpay someone on dollars per year, then overpay them and make it a short contract. Nobody in the NBA should be signing anybody to a long term contract unless its for small dollars or its a top caliber player. This kind of deal is what will keep the Raptors locked into 7th-10th position in the conference until they break the cycle and stop signing them.

12

^
yeah, no arguments there. The contract is a couple of years too long and the money is pretty much double the amount that he deserves but if he performs the way he performed in miami last season, i think he deserved it a little bit. Signing a lengthy contract was probablly the only way of getting him and we did need a pg, whose not over 35 like the other two regular PGs. and also i think that the lentghy contract will benefit the raps a bit since most of players whose contracts didn't expire this year are expiring the next season(that inculdes alvin williams, jalen rose and yes VC). If the raptors fail to reach the playoffs this season, i'm pretty sure that not any more than one of em will stay with the raps. This will put the raps in a dangerous situation come next off season. So it is pretty important for them to have someone with a lengthy contract to be available so the raps could package him in a nice trade at the trade deadline if the raps aren't going to be able to go the playoffs.

13

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger: *

Puts your new GM in a tight spot if trading rumors are true.

For one, he's already said he wouldn't trade Vince unless he got the right kind of value in return. If Vince has truly demanded a trade, his value just went right out the window. Forget about getting up-to-equal value if the other team knows Vince is putting the heat on Raptors' management to trade him.

Also, if Babs can't get enough in return for Vince, he won't trade him. Meaning that Raptors will have the Antonio Davis situation all-over again, where I think VC will be professional enough to play, but won't be up to snuff. He'll be playing waiting to be traded rather than trying to help this team make the playoffs.

I'm not sure whether this rumour is a result of the movement of other players in the league, like Kobe, Tracy, Shaq, etc., getting the better of the writers who just want to pile-on more names to throw into the tumbler and see who comes-out wearing a different uniform. Or maybe this is the reverse, Vince whetting his trade appetite after seeing other players getting good deals (like Twan, his friend, or Tracy, his cousin).

Personally, I don't believe this one bit. The man is just too valuable to the franchise.

Yaar, I contacted Chris Berman to be my guru, and he never replied me back. :(
[/QUOTE]

Wow I can't believe you wrote all that stuff yourself either. I was thinking you copied that off the ESPN or TSN website or something. Impressive. You should get into NHL, we could use some detailed analysis.
Well the Raps definitly made a mistake signing Rafer Altson to such a long term deal. The guy is a fairly mediocre PG, with such a long term and fairly large money - its a mistake. I think the Raps should have pursued Steve Nash. Can you imagine the splash it would make if they got him.
What do you guys think of this Arrujo guy they drafted? I was surprised, he was projected to go late first round. Apparently the TO fans bood his selection. The worst thing you can say about him. His positive comparable players have been stated as Bryan Reeves and Todd McCollough,,,,, ouch! Not saying much for a guy drafte 7th overall.

14

^
if you do follow the raptors, u should know how badly we needed a regular pg, which doesn't include jalen rose since he has bad ball handling and a bit too big for pg. Would you seriuosly want a guy as old and as injury prone as alvin williams as ur point guard again. I seriuosly don't. Also consedering that rafear alston was the only reasonable pg available i the free agency, the raps didn't have much of a choice. As for pursuing steve nash, i dont think that the raps would have been able to match phoenix's $65 mil, 5 year contract which is a bit too risky for a player his age. besides the lengthy contract, i don't think that the raps can have 3 big salary munchers in thier roster in the form of vince, jalen and steve.

btw, pt, why did the pistons pick darko second overall last year?
if they didn't need a pick, they should have just traded it. poor carmelo was picked 3rd eventhoughh he desreved second overall.

15

What about Derek Fisher of the Lakers? He's a free agent. I sort of hope Houston pursues him. He's already accustomed to taking a back seat to a big man and a high scoring SG. He's no super star but he's a pretty reliable guy when healthy.

16

^^

Yep, he's FA. You Rockets fan, MV?

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by elahi: *

Wow I can't believe you wrote all that stuff yourself either. I was thinking you copied that off the ESPN or TSN website or something. Impressive. You should get into NHL, we could use some detailed analysis.
[/quote]

Never really got into NHL but will love to chat around playoffs time. :)

[quote]
What do you guys think of this Arrujo guy they drafted? I was surprised, he was projected to go late first round. Apparently the TO fans bood his selection. The worst thing you can say about him. His positive comparable players have been stated as Bryan Reeves and Todd McCollough,,,,, ouch! Not saying much for a guy drafte 7th overall.
[/QUOTE]

That's what I stated in my initial post. I couldn't believe Raps went for a guy who has yet to develop. You guys could have picked Jameer Nelson(PG) instead of Arrujo.

[quote]
Originally posted by I'm Kook:

[quote]
btw, pt, why did the pistons pick darko second overall last year?
if they didn't need a pick, they should have just traded it. poor carmelo was picked 3rd eventhoughh he desreved second overall.
[/quote]

Pistons went for Darko because they already had Carmelo type of shot blocking guy(Tayshaun Prince). It worked out great for Detriot. Plus, it worked out Carmelo for as well.

17

celtics just signed mark blount for $42 millions..no wonder this team never wins...danny ainge is just stupid stupid stupid

18

i was just wondering that since there is a new team in the east next season, what team is gonna go to the west?? i think i heard that its NO. If it's true than NO is in for some big do do. they might have been a strong team in the east but with a team like that, i doubt if they are even gonna make the playoffs next season. I think that the team management forgot that fact on june 24. A pretty misearble draft night for them if u ask me. Even if they are staying in the east, its gonna be pretty hard for them to keep up with the rapidly improving eastern teams.

19

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Sheraz CT: *
celtics just signed mark blount for $42 millions..no wonder this team never wins...danny ainge is just stupid stupid stupid
[/QUOTE]

Sheraz, it's a good move. Blount may not be all-star material but he works hard, keeps in great shape and always has tried to get better. What he did at end of last year is not like a Battie or a Dampier lottery bust playing hard for a contract. This is a guy who has worked hard and developed into a player.

The other smart thing about this signing is that many teams wanted him(Mark) at MLE(Mid Level Exception) money so he is a tradeable commodity. Mark Blount has shown tremendous improvement as a basketball player. His first season as the true starter, he has established himself as a top-five center in the Eastern Conference. A strong, defensive-minded, legitimate 7-footer who shoots 15-footers better than most NBA guards, Blount shot 56% from the field, better than everyone in the NBA last season (excluding Shaq).

Therefore, alot Kudos to Danny and Doc Rivers!

20

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by I'm Kool: *
i was just wondering that since there is a new team in the east next season, what team is gonna go to the west?? i think i heard that its NO. If it's true than NO is in for some big do do. they might have been a strong team in the east but with a team like that, i doubt if they are even gonna make the playoffs next season. I think that the team management forgot that fact on june 24. A pretty misearble draft night for them if u ask me. Even if they are staying in the east, its gonna be pretty hard for them to keep up with the rapidly improving eastern teams.
[/QUOTE]

New Orleans Hornets have moved to the Western Conference. The draft wasn't good at all for Hornets, however, I think Byron Scott will be able to gear things up with Baron Davis at Point, Jamaals and PJ Brown as shot blocker.

This is how the East-West will look like in 2004-05 season.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

  • Boston Celtics
  • New Jersey Nets
  • New York Knicks
  • Philadelphia Sixers
  • Toronto Raptors

Centeral Division

  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavailers
  • Detriot Pistons
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast Division

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Charlotte Bobcats
  • Miami Heat
  • Orlando Magic
  • Washington Wizards

Western Conference

Northwest Division

  • Denver Nuggets
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Seattle Supersonics
  • Utah Jazz

Pacific Divison

  • Golden State Warriors
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Sacramento Kings

Southwest Divison

  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Houston Rockets
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • New Orleans Hornets
  • San Antonio Spurs

There are 30 franchises, 15 in each 2-Conferences, 5 in each Division. :)