If the Spurs would've kept Jackson this year, would they be back-to-back looking for 3rd in a row?
Until Sheed, Kobe, and that chalkboard short-list sign, draft, and finish trades..buying futures as of now is very speculative.
But must agree that given their defense(championship anchor in any sport), age, and team's chemistry(likely retain team intact) make Detroit the fav in my book..but the situation is very fluid.
Until Sheed, Kobe, and that chalkboard short-list sign, draft, and finish trades..buying futures as of now is very speculative.
But must agree that given their defense(championship anchor in any sport), age, and team's chemistry(likely retain team intact) make Detroit the fav in my book..but the situation is very fluid.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The MD Kid:
2005 NBA champion Futures odds (at Oly)
1. LAL +300
2. San Ant +525
3. Minny +725
_4. Det +750_
5. Sac +800
LAL +300??? What the f...??? Anyone taking that right now oughta sign up for a lobotomy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
2005 NBA champion Futures odds (at Oly)
1. LAL +300
2. San Ant +525
3. Minny +725
_4. Det +750_
5. Sac +800
LAL +300??? What the f...??? Anyone taking that right now oughta sign up for a lobotomy.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hard to tell how good Stephen Jackson is. He got lots of garbage points with the Hawks. Towards the end of the NBA season, you'd see the Hawks scoring 125 points or so (and giving up 125 points or so).
But Jackson is definitely an athletic slasher/scorer, and that was something San Antonio lacked.
Right now, Detroit +750 is an absolute steal. After winning a championship (and getting some appreciation from the local fans), maybe Rasheed will stay in Detroit? Maybe he has finally found a home?
Top to bottom, the East will still be very weak next year. Don't think there are many teams capable of challenging the Pistons, so there is a decent chance Detroit will return to the NBA Finals (and then you could hedge against your +750).
LAL +300 is a joke. Kobe's status is unknown. Portland played well after the Rasheed trade. San Antonio will always be a threat with Duncan. Sacramento and Dallas need to re-group, but they've got owners who are willing to spend the money. Houston should only get better. Don't know if Minny is capable of improving, but I don't see them getting worse, KG is still in his prime.
Also expect Denver and GSW to get better.
But Jackson is definitely an athletic slasher/scorer, and that was something San Antonio lacked.
Right now, Detroit +750 is an absolute steal. After winning a championship (and getting some appreciation from the local fans), maybe Rasheed will stay in Detroit? Maybe he has finally found a home?
Top to bottom, the East will still be very weak next year. Don't think there are many teams capable of challenging the Pistons, so there is a decent chance Detroit will return to the NBA Finals (and then you could hedge against your +750).
LAL +300 is a joke. Kobe's status is unknown. Portland played well after the Rasheed trade. San Antonio will always be a threat with Duncan. Sacramento and Dallas need to re-group, but they've got owners who are willing to spend the money. Houston should only get better. Don't know if Minny is capable of improving, but I don't see them getting worse, KG is still in his prime.
Also expect Denver and GSW to get better.
Yeah can we lay -400 against the Lakers? I think if the Pacers add one more scorer and get rid of way over the hill Miller they might be the proper team to favor next year. Looks very wide open. For a change everyone will focus on both sides of the bracket as the East has come back into play so these types of odds aren't justified at all.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by randyrohm:
Shaq played with Scott in Orlando, but other than that I have always thought with his inside presence he needed to be surounded by shooters. If LAL get a couple of pure shooters they will be better next year.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Robert Horry and Rick Fox used to provide this for the Lakers.
Will be interesting to see who the Lakers can sign during the summer. They've obviously lost some of their luster. Last year they got GP and Malone for chump change. This year, it won't be that easy.
Shaq played with Scott in Orlando, but other than that I have always thought with his inside presence he needed to be surounded by shooters. If LAL get a couple of pure shooters they will be better next year.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Robert Horry and Rick Fox used to provide this for the Lakers.
Will be interesting to see who the Lakers can sign during the summer. They've obviously lost some of their luster. Last year they got GP and Malone for chump change. This year, it won't be that easy.
Some other teams with great value IMO ...
1. New Jersey +2200 - took the NBA champs to 7 games with J. Kidd at 50%. Mourning making comeback attempt??
2. Memphis Grizz +4000 - played the best ball of any team in the NBA from January on. Great coach and team unity.
3. Miami Heat +4000 - another team that played its best ball from January on. Young team with great attitude and dominant home court edge.
1. New Jersey +2200 - took the NBA champs to 7 games with J. Kidd at 50%. Mourning making comeback attempt??
2. Memphis Grizz +4000 - played the best ball of any team in the NBA from January on. Great coach and team unity.
3. Miami Heat +4000 - another team that played its best ball from January on. Young team with great attitude and dominant home court edge.
Good points guys..
Randy, I think LA needs Baron Davis, Cuttino Mobley, maybe a Webber, Mav backup forward, & slasher that can help Kobe on Spree and Rip type assignements..definitely need some younger legs..better PF(Webber's game would be a fit) help around the paint for Shaq..but most importantly range shooters with daft touch passing(Davis)..keep Kobe..and Shaq needs to alleviate 30 lbs pressure on his knees as he ages and slows.
WB, great points, as the prices need leveling with East/balance back in the mix, Indy & NJ are really close to Detroit(thus legit contenders)..Sheed in opposing uni could be the difference for any of the contenders?
MD, I love the starting points for NJ, Indy, and Mia, but Memphis strikes me as a Sacto of the East..just can't see J-Dub, Swift,etc..ever being NBA Champs..like their Euro though.
Randy, I think LA needs Baron Davis, Cuttino Mobley, maybe a Webber, Mav backup forward, & slasher that can help Kobe on Spree and Rip type assignements..definitely need some younger legs..better PF(Webber's game would be a fit) help around the paint for Shaq..but most importantly range shooters with daft touch passing(Davis)..keep Kobe..and Shaq needs to alleviate 30 lbs pressure on his knees as he ages and slows.
WB, great points, as the prices need leveling with East/balance back in the mix, Indy & NJ are really close to Detroit(thus legit contenders)..Sheed in opposing uni could be the difference for any of the contenders?
MD, I love the starting points for NJ, Indy, and Mia, but Memphis strikes me as a Sacto of the East..just can't see J-Dub, Swift,etc..ever being NBA Champs..like their Euro though.
True FunkMonkey, and with NO being a very old team that is small by Western Conference standards, owned by tight wads, it will need to scrap team and rebuild, thus Davis to LA, PJ Brown to an SA or Houston, Mashburn to ?,etc.. appear on tap in the near future?
Will McGrady stay patient?..time to move Vinsanity?..I think Det's win & Dumars job of assembling castoffs will motivate many GMs & help make for an active offseason, as finally a team other than Chicago, LA, Hou, & SA has won.
Will McGrady stay patient?..time to move Vinsanity?..I think Det's win & Dumars job of assembling castoffs will motivate many GMs & help make for an active offseason, as finally a team other than Chicago, LA, Hou, & SA has won.
The breakup of the Lakers might begin any day now. Phil Jackson, the most successful coach in NBA history, and Karl Malone, the league's second-leading career scorer, both said their careers could be finished following Tuesday night's season-ending loss to Detroit .
Kobe Bryant repeated his intention to opt out of his contract, and Gary Payton and Derek Fisher can do the same.
At least Shaquille O'Neal will be back, although he didn't sound thrilled about it.
''This summer is going to be a different summer for a lot of people,'' O'Neal said. ''Everyone is going to take care of their own business and everyone is going to do what's best for them, including me.''
O'Neal didn't elaborate, but said he wanted to speak with general manager Mitch Kupchak and ''see where they want to go with things.''
''Like I said, we are all going to do what's best for each other,'' O'Neal said.
AP
Kobe Bryant repeated his intention to opt out of his contract, and Gary Payton and Derek Fisher can do the same.
At least Shaquille O'Neal will be back, although he didn't sound thrilled about it.
''This summer is going to be a different summer for a lot of people,'' O'Neal said. ''Everyone is going to take care of their own business and everyone is going to do what's best for them, including me.''
O'Neal didn't elaborate, but said he wanted to speak with general manager Mitch Kupchak and ''see where they want to go with things.''
''Like I said, we are all going to do what's best for each other,'' O'Neal said.
AP
