FewFAC
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,032
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Post by FewFAC on Oct 14, 2008 23:38:18 GMT -5
Because, like last year, I don't want to watch the regular season, except for a couple of exceptions, such as watching the development of Jeff and Roy and the soap opera that is the NY Knicks.
I went out on a limb last year and picked the Celtics. No such dumb luck this year. Honestly, everything feels like an 80s rehash and I'd expect the Lakers to take the crown this year, but so much depends on avoiding injury in LA, as well as what Phil does with Odom. The best thing would probably be a move for some early draft picks, maybe with OKC. Picking a Western Conference finalist seems really tough though, with San Antonio, New Orleans, and LA at the top barring injury, followed closely by Utah, Houston, and (maybe) Dallas.
The East continues to look wide open with Boston and Detroit. Maybe this will be the year that enough experience gets Orlando or Toronto over the top? Maybe Cleveland makes a major upgrade before the trade deadline to help LeBron? Maybe Starbury plays like it's a contract year? So much uncertainty in the East. Indiana should make the playoffs, as should the Wizards, but who really knows out there these days.
All in all, I look forward to tuning in around game 83.
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vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
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Post by vcjack on Oct 15, 2008 8:20:20 GMT -5
"Indiana should make the playoffs, as should the Wizards"
Except that everyone is injured in Washington. They are going to rely on their very raw rookies to be anything respectable.
What I'm more interested in is if this will be the year when all that talent in Portland finally breaks through. Or put another way, is Oden is for real?
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FewFAC
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,032
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Post by FewFAC on Oct 17, 2008 0:05:07 GMT -5
I'm interested in seeing what comes of Atlanta this year as well, though somehow I see Portland struggling to adapt early to integrate all of its pieces. I'd probably put that team five years away from seriously contending in the West, but I like McMillan. With only four players with more than 5 years of NBA service on the squad (LaFrentz, Przybilla, Outlaw and Blake), they could by the Devil Rays, but the conditioning late season will be an issue, as will injuries, and the lack of leadership on the floor and in the locker room.
As for the Wizards, I'm just trying to give the benefit of the doubt to a team I could never believe in its character or commitment while Jamison and Haywood are on the roster. Plus, there's Juan Dixon. Call it overcorrecting for blind hatred.
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vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
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Post by vcjack on Oct 22, 2008 16:48:38 GMT -5
For some reason I watched the end of the Dallas-Chicago preasason game on NBA-TV, and my belief in Derrick Rose as the truth was strengthened
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Post by HeartAttackHoya on Oct 23, 2008 11:49:22 GMT -5
I think you have to mention the 76ers in the East. Brand, Iggie, Thadeus Young, Dalempert..I think they will push for a top spot although I believe that ultimately the Cavs put it together and get swept by the Lakers in the Finals
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FewFAC
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,032
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Post by FewFAC on Oct 23, 2008 21:19:31 GMT -5
I will be interested in seeing how Philadelphia incorporates Brand, and whether he can remain healthy. Brand creates a great deal of opportunity offensively on and off the ball, and is certainly a rebounding positive. And it certainly solidifies Philly's interior defense. Somehow, though, the team seems ill-suited for the East, something I can't quite put my finger on.
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MCIGuy
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Anyone here? What am I supposed to update?
Posts: 9,522
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Post by MCIGuy on Oct 25, 2008 16:06:28 GMT -5
Philly looks great on paper. But I'll be rooting against them all year long.
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hoyainspirit
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
When life puts that voodoo on me, music is my gris-gris.
Posts: 8,398
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Post by hoyainspirit on Oct 26, 2008 10:31:06 GMT -5
As much as I love basketball, I admit it is hard for me to watch the pros. That said, hope the Hornets take it this year, though I definitely will keep an eye on Seattle OKC and Indiana, and maybe the Knicks.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 747
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Post by SirSaxa on Oct 26, 2008 15:44:59 GMT -5
As much as I love basketball, I admit it is hard for me to watch the pros. That said, hope the Hornets take it this year, though I definitely will keep an eye on Seattle OKC and Indiana, and maybe the Knicks. I have to admit, Hoyainspirit, I feel exactly the same way.
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kghoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 5,049
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Post by kghoya on Oct 28, 2008 11:19:34 GMT -5
in with basketball and out with baseball...it reallly doesnt get much better
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vcjack
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,875
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Post by vcjack on Oct 28, 2008 22:52:29 GMT -5
Oden looks tentative. And the Blazers look reallllly out of sync.
And I forgot that Jackson benched Odom, smart move
EDIT: didn't get to see the Bulls tonight but apparently Rose had a mixed night. I'm more encouraged that Deng decided to step up and lead the team late.
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hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
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Post by hifigator on Oct 29, 2008 0:38:09 GMT -5
My thoughts on the NBA season:
1. It is far too early for most of "us": defined as those of us: A) with any significant college football rooting interest defined as: a)having a shot at the BCS title game b)having a shot at a BCS bowl game c)having a shot at a Conference title game d)satisfying all of the following: aa) having an interest in college football bb) having a pulse B)with any interest in any college basketball team* C)with any Pro Football rooting interest defined as: a)having ever had season tickets to said NFL team b)being from said NFL town c)having gotten into more than one fight over your support for said team d)having ever worn more body paint than clothes on a frigid Sunday morning
D)**
Footnotes:
* All college basketball teams are significant and relevant. That's why the sport is so great! They have a REAL playoff! ** I would like to add hockey to the list, but unfortunately, there are a few too many twits out there that would place the NBA above the NHL. For that, I must "hold my tongue."
Secondly, NBA in Oklahoma??? What has the world come to? The next thing I know there will be NHL Hockey in FLORIDA! Oh, wait a minute ....
Finally:
Note to the Utah Jazz from New Orleans:
Now that we have proven our merit and validated our presence, can we please have our name back!
It has been confirmed: Upon further review, there is no real Jazz in Utah. New Orleans will not be charged for the timeout. Please reset the gameclock and let it restart again after the SuperBowl. Thank You!
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,441
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Post by hoyarooter on Oct 29, 2008 11:53:45 GMT -5
I've just wasted two minutes of my life reading the previous post. Shame on me.
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hifigator
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,387
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Post by hifigator on Oct 29, 2008 11:57:03 GMT -5
I've just wasted two minutes of my life reading the previous post. Shame on me. Was it really that bad? Granted, the hour of the day, and the handful of beverages that preceded the moment clearly had an impact, but even reading it now at work I am somewhat pleased.
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FewFAC
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,032
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Post by FewFAC on Oct 29, 2008 20:34:22 GMT -5
I'm trying to watch Phoenix-San Antonio to see if Shaq's legs fall off and if Grant Hill's torso separates from his lower body, but ESPN keeps interrupting with Stuart Scott. It's almost as if they don't want me to watch their network, and every time I give them a chance they challenge me with an ill-placed booyah.
Saw the Portland-LA game (man, don't the Celtics realize no one wants to see them outside of Massachusetts?) and wow did the Blazers look bad, though I can't decide yet if it was just because the Lakers looked so good. I can't wait for Roy to match up with Oden because I think Roy makes him look awful. I don't think Oden transitions well this year finally playing amongst men. Well, at least no better than Sean "Rolypoly" May. I just don't see the drive to succeed in Oden, and never saw it in college either. No killer instinct at all. And the team doesn't really know what to do with him yet. But his offensive moves--I'll give him a break for a month or so because of nerves--reminded me of early Yao. If Oden can develop like Yao, Portland will have a find...
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 10,441
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Post by hoyarooter on Oct 29, 2008 20:45:15 GMT -5
I'm trying to watch Phoenix-San Antonio to see if Shaq's legs fall off and if Grant Hill's torso separates from his lower body, but ESPN keeps interrupting with Stuart Scott. It's almost as if they don't want me to watch their network, and every time I give them a chance they challenge me with an ill-placed booyah. Saw the Portland-LA game (man, don't the Celtics realize no one wants to see them outside of Massachusetts?) and wow did the Blazers look bad, though I can't decide yet if it was just because the Lakers looked so good. I can't wait for Roy to match up with Oden because I think Roy makes him look awful. I don't think Oden transitions well this year finally playing amongst men. Well, at least no better than Sean "Rolypoly" May. I just don't see the drive to succeed in Oden, and never saw it in college either. No killer instinct at all. And the team doesn't really know what to do with him yet. But his offensive moves--I'll give him a break for a month or so because of nerves--reminded me of early Yao. If Oden can develop like Yao, Portland will have a find... I don't think it's really fair to characterize Oden this way when he was injured less than three minutes into the game. OTOH, I might be really concerned that the guy is a walking injury magnet.
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FewFAC
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,032
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Post by FewFAC on Oct 29, 2008 21:23:37 GMT -5
I said I'll give him a break for a month or so, but I see a really, really raw product. I can understand feeling your way slowly, but he's had a year to absorb all of the other parts of the league.
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tlphoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 431
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Post by tlphoya on Oct 31, 2008 9:35:46 GMT -5
I got a good laugh out of Popovich hacking Shaq right after the tip off of the Suns -Spurs game Wednesday night. Classic. And Shaq appreciated the humor too!
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kchoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Enter your message here...
Posts: 9,934
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Post by kchoya on Oct 31, 2008 10:27:21 GMT -5
I got a good laugh out of Popovich hacking Shaq right after the tip off of the Suns -Spurs game Wednesday night. Classic. And Shaq appreciated the humor too! That was hilarious. It's always good to see some good-natured fun in sports, like this, or the sweater game. Here's a link to the video:
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FewFAC
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,032
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Post by FewFAC on Nov 3, 2008 22:20:12 GMT -5
Popovich probably needs to give Baron Davis his beard back.
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