Mini-Extra! Extra! (10.3)
It's just a small influx of articles, but with training camp officially underway, it seemed only fitting to bust out the Lakers blog staple.
As has been the concern of many, the season is kicking off with something of a "walking wounded" vibe in the house. Phil Jackson will unfortunately have to implement artificial assistance to do the "hippy, hippy shake" again and Kobe Bryant's still on the mend from knee surgery. Throw in the coinciding recoveries underway for Brian Cook and Chris Mihm (and perhaps mentally for Lamar Odom, given his tragic loss), and an appropriate mantra in El Segundo might be "time heals all wounds."
Unfortunately, time may not be of the essence for the Lakers. They begin the season with a lot of games at Staples, making a hot start more or less imperative. Is sprinting out of the gate impossible with some key players — Bryant in particular — perhaps not at 100% come Halloween? Not for a lack of effort. Jackson wants to see other guys taking more shots as it is, so this wrinkle might end up as good an opportunity as any to begin honing that approach. And at least these two guys are healthy, an angle one writer thinks will remain interesting throughout the preseason.
AK,
Do you know when is Kobe going to be ready to play?
Posted by: greek dude | October 03, 2006 at 01:54 PM
Never mind AK, I didn't look hard enough. The article's already here.
Dang, the Lakers are banged up this year!
Kobe, PJ, Cookie, Mihm, and Lamar's terrible loss are setting us back so far. Hopefully that's not a sign for things to come.
*Koncking on Wood*
Posted by: greek dude | October 03, 2006 at 02:01 PM
Good question greek dude,
AK or BK do you guys know if Kobe will play during the Pre-season games?
Posted by: LakeMan | October 03, 2006 at 02:11 PM
Who else believes like "RAYRAY" that these PRESEASON rankings are totally off base at this point? As I stated before, they are subject to change by opening night.
Full Court Press (FCP) "Pre-Season Rankings"
East – 1-Miami, 2-Detroit, 3-Chicago, 4-Cleveland, 5-New Jersey, 6-Indiana, 7-Washington, 8-Boston, 9-New York, 10-Orlando, 11-Milwaukee, 12-Philadelphia, 13-Toronto, 14-Atlanta, 15-Charlotte
West –
1-Dallas, 2-Phoenix, 3-San Antonio, 4-LA Clippers, 5-LA Lakers, 6-Denver, 7-NO/Oklahoma City, 8-Houston, 9-Utah, 10-Memphis, 11-Minnesota, 12-Golden State, 13-Sacramento, 14-Seattle, 15-Portland
Posted by: JJ | October 03, 2006 at 02:17 PM
Greek Dude,
We can call them the Orthopedic-cardio Squad i.e Hip calls the play for Knee & Head, Elbow will take the post while Finger finds the spots for his three and Heart will go for hustle rebounds.
Ron Turiaf is the heart.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 03, 2006 at 02:25 PM
a.Bynum looks HUGE!
Posted by: socalife | October 03, 2006 at 02:30 PM
JJ,
I like Orlando 8th in the East and Houston around 5th in the West, ahead of the Lakers. Other than that, looks good to me.
Posted by: Andrew Z | October 03, 2006 at 02:35 PM
JJ,
I think there is a good chance Toronto will be higher, and I still have problems believing in the Clips but I know there is good reason to make up that high. And I think Orlando will make the playoffs, and it is a little hard to believe the knicks can win that many I have them tapping out 35 but more than likely no more than 30 wins. Cause at some point you know they will hit a dry spell and turn on eachother or become even more unselfish, and who is playing D and passing the ball on that team or rebounding for that matter.
it is a pretty fair estimate I will probably make one later but for now I must get back to work.
Zach Z.
Posted by: Zach Z. | October 03, 2006 at 02:50 PM
you know the off season's almost over when there's 3 topics in one day! lol. MORE.... WE NEED MORE!!
Posted by: The Lamar Show | October 03, 2006 at 03:02 PM
the guys are kinda banged up no doubt, but this may be just whats needed if Kobe starts the season at less than 100%. Hopefully others will step up and show the team and fans that they can be counted on and not counted out. We need a full team effort this year.
Posted by: LakerFaze | October 03, 2006 at 03:11 PM
What a difficult time for the Lakers. Hopefully things will get better soon. Kobe should probably sit out majority of the preseason games and just play in a few of them. The other uninjured guys should play a lot though. Hopefully Lamar can get in good shape during training camp. Phil should rest as much as possible and be ready for season opener. So guys just rest and rehab well. If we can get everybody on the same page in terms of health and condition, it would be the start of a tremendous season. If we can stay healthy and play the type of ball we played at the end of last season, we can easily win 50 plus or near 60 games.
Posted by: lakersfan the wolf | October 03, 2006 at 03:18 PM
bronxlakerfan:
Chien-Ming Wang jumpstarts the Yankees' quest for their 27th World Series Championship in little over an hour with the strongest offensive lineup seen in the last 20 years.
CF - Johnny Damon
SS - Derek Jeter
LF - Bobby Abreu
1B - Gary Sheffield
DH - Jason Giambi
3B - Alex Rodriguez
RF - Hideki Matsui
CA - Jorge Posada
2B - Robinson Cano
Go, Yankees.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 03, 2006 at 03:55 PM
LakerTom,
LA Dodgers will pass first the favored little yankee and then will face the Senior Yankee with $enior $teinbreiner still at helm. If that happens, it brings back memories of '81 Series when LA was having a parade almost every year since 1980.
C'mon Laker fans, let's all support the Dodgers Blog, get on to the bandwagon cuz' the Dodgers are going to the World Series in the next two weeks. Forget Football, think Baseball & the Lakers! LOL!
Live Blog starting at 4PM Wednesday, Oct. 4th
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 03, 2006 at 04:27 PM
Laker Tom, Edwin (and anyone else following the MLB playoffs),
For fear of seeing "NFL-Gate II" slowly evolving (haha), I will respectfully ask that everyone guide their baseball posts to the Dodger Blog, the proper forum for such discussions. You know where to find it. And if you don't...
http://sportsblogs.latimes.com/sports_baseball_dodgers/
Cool. Thanks.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 03, 2006 at 04:32 PM
AK,
Way to go. This is basketball.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | October 03, 2006 at 04:38 PM
Thankz AK...nobody comes here to read about baseball
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | October 03, 2006 at 04:43 PM
JJ,
The ratings are certainly NOT "totally off base." I don't know about Boston being at 8 and New York at 9: I think that Houston and Sacramento both should be 2-3 spots higher, but overall the lists look pretty good. And, as you said, injuries/surgery recoveries/how well new players gel are still unknowns with just about everybody.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | October 03, 2006 at 04:44 PM
JJ,
For the most part they're reasonable. I don't agree with everything top to bottom, but there's nothing crazy.
What was RayRay mad about?
Posted by: Xodus | October 03, 2006 at 05:10 PM
does anyone have picture of bynum or sasha from this years media day. i can't find either of them.
Posted by: scott | October 03, 2006 at 05:22 PM
From the stuff I've read about hip replacement there's no way in hell Phil as old as he is will be back by the start of the season. I've heard anywhere from 3 to 6 months for full recovery.
Posted by: LakerKev | October 03, 2006 at 05:42 PM
This extra looks full sized to me...
Posted by: Mannie Jenkins | October 03, 2006 at 05:53 PM
LakerKey
its not like he is still playing power forward he is the coach. the coach isn't running up and down the coart
Posted by: scott | October 03, 2006 at 06:13 PM
JJ
For what it's worth, nothing:
Miami will fade, Orlando and Chicago will rise. A healthy Phoenix will take it all and I agree with Andrew Z, Houston is top 5. The Bonz is probably going to make us wish we'd saved the mid level. Sactown has to be better than 13th unless Artest's team cancer metastisizes.
Good luck with your Full Court Press... I'm assuming this is a launch of sorts?
Posted by: Vman | October 03, 2006 at 06:16 PM
rayray's Top 10 (continued)
-just for JJ-
before mentioned-
WEST:
SPURS-SUNS-MAVS-WOLVES-LAKERS-KINGS-CLIPPS-GRIZZ-NOK
EAST:
HEAT-it's all about the RING
CHICAGO-Take Chandler out put BenWallace and PJ Brown in, draft Tyrus Thomas keep KIRK, BG, and NOSS and you'll be GREAT.
PACERS-they say TINSLEY is fine. Added Daniels and Harrington. Granger is not a ROOKIE no more and a GREAT coach and a front office. They have the players. oh and O'NEAL
NETS- Jason Kidd, the NEW kid(williams), JEFFERSON and CARTER. They, still, have HELP NEEDED sign in the MIDDLE, though.
PISTONS-After a GRAND CHOKE job, are they gonna listen to FLIP? is SHEED gonna pay attention? Was the Deciplined, CLEAN game Larry made the guards play, better suited for their talent? Just too many questions but a BUNCH of EXPERIENCE that counts for something.
CAVS-will LBJ deffend some and LEAD his team on the D-SIDE?
MAJIC-They just played GREAT ball at the end of last yer. When DH dunks the BALL do you see Shaq like I do?
WIZZ-they are such a wierd team. Its all about GA. They have a killer SCORER that can be used as a DeCoy, is a GREAT passer and a set up man and CAN score like CRAZY. one of the MVPs of the league.
BUCKS-Redd and Bugot are pretty good. And there is nobody else.
Toronto-I LOVE the pick up of TJ Ford and Fred Jones two TOUGH players and CBOSH and the ITALIAN are nice. But little experience playing together and basically too little WINNING experience.
....TBC
Posted by: rayray | October 03, 2006 at 07:26 PM
I'm feeling shivers! The season is starting (almost), the season is starting (almost)! lol. Obviously cause the K Bros are back with Extras.
I have to say I'm worried about the being banged up thing. If they're banged up now, and the offseason is generally meant for mending...what will happen in season. A part of me thinks, and thanks god that at least it happened now than later but still!
Go Lakers anyways lol.
P.S. As a dodger fan (and yes I'm now that) is it not PC to rave about the Yankees (of which I'm also a fan, until they play against each other that is lol).
Posted by: Faith | October 03, 2006 at 08:24 PM
scott
its from the latimes page, http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/
just click on the media day photos, number 12 is of bynum. Then there is
http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/search/FrameSet.aspx?s=ImagesSearchState%7c0%7c0%7c-1%7c28%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c1%7c%7c%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c7%7c%7clakers%7c2233391784121335%7c0%7c0%7c0%7c0&p=7&tag=1, there isnt any pics of bynum tho, jus a bunch of pictures if u haven't seen them. The one I just mentioned is the only one I saw of bynum myself.
Posted by: 24TuShort08 | October 03, 2006 at 08:34 PM
rayray,
I don't see the Wolves winning their division. Mike James is good streetballer (and1 baby!), but I don't see them making any drastic strides this year. And I also think that the World Games WAS a forshadowing of what's to come with Melo. He is a good team leader, and I liked the fact that after that USA vs Greece game, he had the maturity to stick around (yeah, I went there) and pay homage to the better TEAM. I see a bigger year out of him and Denver than what the Wolves will put together.
Sorry Wolves, no room in the playoffs 4 U!!
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | October 03, 2006 at 08:54 PM
New York 9th!?!?!?
That is WAY off. They are back 5 spots, at least.
B.
Cali King
Posted by: Cali King | October 03, 2006 at 09:32 PM
Sorry, AK. I didn't get the MLB memo.
Posted by: rayray | October 03, 2006 at 09:47 PM
Phil Jackson 'got hurt on Company time......'
Kobe hopeful, don't expect much from Bryant this season with his knee situation healing. Hopefully he won't try to come back too soon. There is always the probability of overcompensation which could injure the other knee or ankle.
While Laker hopeful set sights on trying to make the Playoffs, the Shaq led Miami Heat will be DEFENDING their Championship this season with the same squad from last year. Expect a slow from DWade who participated in the World Games as well as time spent doing Corporate spots. Shaq should come on strong at the beginning of the season with DWade coming on during the end.
OUT!!!
The truth
Posted by: Steven. | October 03, 2006 at 10:08 PM
I will throw in my two cents on these preseason picks...
The East.
1. Miami (even though I hate it I gotta respect the defending champs but their is no way this group of oldmen will win again)
2. Chicago - Basically the new detroit and are more then likely going to the finals
3. Detroit - look for phoenix/old dallas running and gunning with perimiter D to boot but if they get any injuries they are donbe with no bench in sight.
4. Cleveland - I guess I am giving in to the King hype...
5. Orlando - watch out this young team is going to make noise in a bad east
6. Milwalkee
7. Indiana
8. New Jersy
9. Boston
10 - Washington
11. Charlotte
12. New york
13. Toronto
14. Atlanta
15. Philadelphia
the West
1. San Antonio - look for them to bounce back without the injuries that black Duncan and Ginobli
2. Dallas - I love Dirk, what can I say it is my German roots
3. Phoenix - question marks on how good Amare will be coming back and how he meshes with Diaw being they both play the high post.
4. Houstan - If t-mac can give them 60 games and Yao is dominant like the second half and the addition of Shane Battier this is a legit contender for the chip as well.
5. Lakers - I am a HOMER but I love 24/7 and think Kwame is et to be huge this season providing strong defence and getting around a double-double and Vlad % will go up because he is a great shooter and the open looks will be a plenty.
6. New Orleans/Oklahoma - CP4 will be better and Peja will stroke for the season and watch out Tyson Chandler is also ready for a breakout season
7. The Clippers
8. Utah
9. Denver
10. Memphis
11. Kings
12. Wolves
13. Warriars
14. Seattle
15. Portland
7-13 is really close and those 5 will all be in it for the last 2 spots for the playoffs.
The West is till show much deeper and stronger from top to bottom than the east.
Zach Z.
Posted by: Zach Z. | October 03, 2006 at 10:12 PM
Edwin Gueco-
I do believe Rockets are better than Wolves. I am going standings and think MINNY will win their DIV. Houston's DIV. is SanAntonio's, though. But I AGREE in the POWER standings Rocket and Wolves would SWAP.
Posted by: rayray | October 03, 2006 at 10:53 PM
ray ray,
For the first time I'm drunk enough to take the time to read you upper cased laiden posts and I found it enjoyable.
I think you missed on some big points, and because I basically agreed with Jj's post earlier and I think you two have a thing going I'm going to stay out of it, but I enjoyed your points.
I'm the 94th person to say you shouldn't use caps so much, but eff us, you go dude.
Posted by: Andrew Z | October 03, 2006 at 11:01 PM
rayray,
re:Wolves' NOT winning their division.
The coaching factor, Denver has the edge. And the more Melo matures, the stronger Karl and him become.
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | October 04, 2006 at 12:21 AM
rayray,
I do agree with you on Detroit. Brown and B. Wallace are some pretty big shoes to fill. Maybe FlipFlop and Nazr can use all of that paper that the Pistons USED to look good on to stuff with!!..lol tks t.o.
They won a ton of regular season games with Flop last year, but lacked that trademark Brown defense in the playoffs.
5th in the EAST sounds right too me.
>_<
Posted by: dan the man >_< aka smushcalade | October 04, 2006 at 12:33 AM
Greek Dude's Power rankings (I've got to do it, it seems like the cool thing to do.
West:
1. Dallas-West Finals Champion
2. San Antonio-Loss of two centers with virtually nothing in return hurts them.
3. Phoenix-Hate them, but they're the best in the Pacific
4. Huston-Yao, T-mac, Battier, Wells-need to say more?
5. la Clippers-Brand, ET(Cassel), Livingston, Maggette too much to handle
6. Lakers-Kobe, PJ, Lamar (the big three) all start the season out of shape.
7. Kings-always find a way to sneak in the playoffs. Don't konw how Musselman will do.
8. Hornets-CP3 too good.
9. Denver-Too much drama and West too good in the mile-high city, although tough to see 'melo and George miss the postseason
10.Memphis-Although good coach in Hubie, they lost Battier for the future in Gay and an always underacheiving Swift.
11. Utah-Sloan's last year. AK-47 and Boozer out for the year like always.
12. Wolves-Last year for KG? We'll hope so for Laker fans
13. Seattle-Ray Allen and Rashard lewis go to two bad seasons ina row
14. Golden State-Plenty of lack of defense will fail to win enough games to lose the division. HUH?
15. Portland-Youth wins losses. :)
Yeah, so pretty much 7-10 is up for grabs. That is if Reggie Evans stays in Denver.
Posted by: greek dude | October 04, 2006 at 12:42 AM
first, my apologies if, one, this question has already been posed (haven't been the most diligent reader of the blog lately); and, two, if this is hall-of-fame-question overkill, but i was just wondering....
assuming kobe can get this laker squad to, say, at least 2 more trophies over the rest of his career, when they inevitably hang his jersey in staples, will there be two (one an 8, the other a 24), one somehow featuring both numbers (though this would probably look pretty silly), or just his most recent number (hoping/guessing he'll stop at 24)??? again, if this has already been discussed, my bad, just ignore me =P
Posted by: joel-sensei | October 04, 2006 at 01:19 AM
27 days and a wake-up.
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 04, 2006 at 03:06 AM
Some Sacramento fans are more concerned that Bonzai now resides in Houston, than that he is no longer a King.
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/33072.html
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 04, 2006 at 03:47 AM
RayRay,
On your east coast rankings, Toronto this year will give you a hell of a surprise with unknown acquisitions here in US but well known in the Euro League aside from Bargnani, there is this Garbajosa, Calderon and Parker plus Nesterovic blending with Bosh, Ford, Graham and Williams. That will be a formidable line up. This is a test of the new set of international players coming to NBA. If everything comes out well at the middle of the season, they will make the playoffs. I think they can beat the old Miami Heat.
I know there is a standing memo, but can't prevent from expressing the excitement of dodger fever....GO DODGERS, it's winning time.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 04, 2006 at 05:27 AM
Erratum on latest post instead of RayRay it should be for Zach Z.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 04, 2006 at 05:35 AM
To All Who Responded to FCP Preseason Rankings....
First and for most, I still feel that many if not all of you missed the primary element of my rankings.....that they are preseason rankings....meaning, they could change dramatically as the season progresses.
I also have some problems with the perceived reasoning or the idiology employed to reach the conclusions that you all did for your rankings. Here are some things that I would to have explained.
1. If the Heat are automatically given the number 1 position in the East because they won the championship, why aren't the Mavs given the same consideration when they won the West by beating the teams many of you have ranked higher?
2. If a team that was already great last season, made a few minor changes that ultimately makes them better (on paper for now), shouldn't that get some consideration over teams that have made no improvements and in fact lost some players this summer?
3. If Bonzi Well's impact is expected to launch the Rockets into the top 5 if not higher, how can the loss of him not conversely affect the Kings in the same manner?
4. If the main star of the Grizzlies is out right now because of injury and predicted to potentially be out until the first of the year, how can they be ranked higher than teams that have all of their stars available and were comparatively as good as the Gizzlies last year?
5. If the Hornets were a few games shy of making the post season last year, and have upgraded their team dramatically this summer, shouldn't that place them higher?
6. If Mike James being on the Raptors last year with Chris Bosh in a weaker Eastern Conference did not result in a stronger team making a push toward the playoffs, why is it expected that him on the TWolves will immediately do differently? Is KG THAT much better than Bosh that inserting him in place of Bosh will result in a much stronger team although being in a much stronger conference?
7. At the end of last season the Clippers were perceived to be a solid team that if kept together would continue to be a solid team, yet some on here have now ranked them lower entering the new season. Why? Did they lose that much in letting Vlade walk?
8. If the absence of Vlade (as the only noticeable change from last season) can be a cause for the Clippers moving down, should the presence of him equally be a cause for moving the Lakers up?
9. If the Rockets have repeatedly been perceived to be one of the best teams in the West BEFORE the season, only to be dropped immediately when injuries begin plaguing them, isn't it wise to not rank them so high until we have some time to see how they will actually perform and maintain their health?
I will stop at 9, but as you can see, I have some problems with your West Rankings.
As far as the East is concerned, I believe that there are some misconceptions there as well. For instance, the Magic (an extremely young and inexperienced team) was ranked in the top 8 by several of you, yet, I'm confused as to what you are basing it on? Are you basing it on the talk from Dwight Howard? I like the guy like others, especially for his openness about being a Christian. However, as an extremely young team, I believe that showing something first is key.
I also noticed that the Celtics and Knicks were dinged by several of you. I can understand that, yet you fail to realize that normally by the end of the season, outside of the top 4 or 5 teams, the remaining teams are all not only battling to make the playoffs, they are also battling to get and stay above .500. Down the stretch last season, every game for those teams resulted in moving teams like 3 or 4 spots up or down. In fact, the Celtics were in the hunt to make the playoffs until the final few weeks along with several others. As for the Knicks specifically, they have added a couple players and cleared some room and in essence, on paper look to be a much more organized team. With Isaiah T. coaching them, they could start the season in a much stronger position. To base next season on last season....for them, would not be wise, because they now have a new coach which changes everything. The same way the Lakers were a much different team once Phil returned, the Knicks could be as well. Besides, it isn't as if I put them in the top 8 or put a win total on them. 9th place in the east could be 35-39 wins.
Finally, how can the Pistons be penalized so greatly by so many because of having a melt down and also losing Ben Wallace? First, isn't the loss of Ben lessened by the fact that his loss is coming off of a meltdown? Is it not possible that his presence helped to cause the meltdown in the first place and therefore by losing him, the team could actually be stronger.....by playing different? How can the other 4 starters returning once again be discounted so greatly to knock them down beneath teams that have to still demonstrate that they are ready to move up?
Posted by: JJ | October 04, 2006 at 07:35 AM
AK/BK.
According to Sam Amico's article Smush "plays with more fire" than Farmar. I'm not sure I agree. Farmar knows how to win.
What are your thoughts?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 04, 2006 at 07:48 AM
I must say, the season has yet to begin, but I love this Lakers team on paper. LOVE THEM! I love the attitude. I love the work ethic. I love the potential of future stars (Kwame, Bynum, Farmar, Turiaf). I love the role players (Smush, Luke, Cook, MIhm, Sasha). I love the stars (Kobe, Lamar, and Vlad--yes, I said VLAD!). I love the coaching staff.
I'm prepared to be proud of my team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 04, 2006 at 07:54 AM
Jon K,
Maybe Amico could be referring to Smush's athletic/dunking ability. While Farmar is more of an athlete than he may appear at first glance, Smush likely still has him beat in that regard.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 04, 2006 at 08:03 AM
JJ,
I don't know who you're referring to specifically, but when you asked what people thought of your rankings I said I would put Orlando higher. I didn't do that simply because of Dwight Howards naive, yet optimistic predictions, but the fact that they have some really solid young talent, picked up an exceptional shooter in the draft to space the floor for the bigs in Redick, have Grant Hill healthy (I know, for seven games, but right now he's good to go), last year finished the season on a 16-6 run. Not to mention the East basically sucks. So I don't think it's too far fetched to predict them in the playoffs.
Posted by: Andrew Z | October 04, 2006 at 08:21 AM
AZ,
I understand your reasoning with the Magic but I think it I flawed. Past history tells us that several of the weaker teams tend to have "impressive" ends to their seasons. Golden Sate had an extremely promising run to end the season 2 years ago which sparked talk that they were ready to re-enter the playoffs. What happened the following year? That happens each year where 1 or 2 teams give glimpses of being ready to move up, but aren't able to sustain it the following.
We talk about rankings and who's better than who, but we fail many times by missing the fact that there are more things involved with winning than what can be judged on paper. I'm not talking about injuries. I'm talking about having the ability to take a desire to win and make it result in actually winning on the court. The league is full of teams and players that given the right situations with no pressure, can look like the best teams in the league. Two years ago, the Clippers were an amazing team...in that they looked impressive for most of the season, yet they didn't have the win total to show it. You add Sam Cassell and look at what happened. He brought in an ability to take a desire to win and make it result in actually winning.
This is why I have made my rankings the way that I have. As a side-note, for those that are looking at my rankings with the misconception that I believe this is how they will end the season, that isn't the case. However, it's okay if you want to take them that way......that's your opinion. I do find it interesting though that at the end of last season, the Heat were not ranked as one of the top 3 or 4 in most rankings, yet they won the title.
Posted by: JJ | October 04, 2006 at 08:34 AM
AK,
So what's the story with this new ball. Shaq and Kwame hate it. Why?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 04, 2006 at 08:38 AM
greek dude,
No offense, but it appears that some of your information is a little off-kilter. Hubie isn't the coach for the Grizzlies. Based on your rankings, the Northwest Divsion isn't going to be represented in the post-season. With Denver being the highest ranked NW member, that would give them the 4th seed. If we move every down accordingly, that would put the Lakers in 7th and the Kings in 8th. Basically, your standings would be almost identical to last year except for Houston replacing Memphis. I guess that is possible.
Posted by: JJ | October 04, 2006 at 08:49 AM
FCP Update....
Next week I will be looking at the divisions and identifying the teams that will be challenging for the division title.
Posted by: JJ | October 04, 2006 at 08:52 AM