Knicksfan wrote:RonRon wrote:1) Heat *Jesus with All Star treatment, they continue to add great role players, not finished, even Justin Hamilton could be big for them*2) Nets *If they add Dwight Howard, it would be sick*
3) Bulls *Rose's injury doesn't even look nearly as bad as Imans, but Jeff Teague is a nice substitute for the time being with 1 more year of John Lucas 3rd. I think Omar Osik is worth that money, Gibson and Omar are sick together. Amnesty Boozer, in the future, with Gibson taking over his spot.
4) Boston *one year older but have added some nice young pieces and depends on Jeff Green's health*
5) Bucks *looks like they resign Ilyasova, they are deadly if so*
6) Washington *I think they added some nice pieces, with Ariza, Ok4, and Beal, they were MUCH better after adding Nene and playing Serephan late last year.
7) Knicks Let's see how we fill out our roster....
8) Pacers I don't think George Hill is a legit starting PG, not a facilitator. Collison is their best PG, George Hill is a great 6th man. If they don't match Hibbert, I expect them to go after Kaman with possibly Philly.
9) Philly *depending on who they acquire*
10) Toronto adding Lowry for a bag of chips and if they add their Euro Big man, would be interesting team with good depth.
11) Cavs *don't discount them out, Varajo was out for them basically the entire year, and they added some nice pieces as well, with cap room, Hump could be solid*
These are 10-11 legit teams that will be fighting for the higher seed, that we cannot predict, but I think they all have a legit shot to give us a good fight...
I think even Bobcats could be much improved but I think they are looking to tank another year or 2, to collect assets/ping pong balls.
Next year's draft is suppose to be deep with centers, so they would be looking for one next to compliment Biyombo.
I thought Drummond would have been a great fit with Biyombo...
You are a fan of masochism, right?
First, its too freaking early to say anything when many of the rumored deals haven't happened (how many "imminent deals haven't happened before in the NBA, huh?).
Second, its so evident you are more interested in feeding your pessimism with any sign of bad weather for NY (Nets at #2 with Dwight as WHO CARES ABOUT CHEMISTRY?; Rose's injury worse than Iman, and how's so MD?; Bucks resign Ilyasova and suddenly are better than us?; Washington... How?; and while we are at it, how are we better than the Pacers?)
That is some seriously messed up panorama, but if it makes you sleep better at night knowing your beloved team has such an uninspiring future, suit yourself.
Why are you guys treating me like I am an analyst?
Anyone can rise, as well as fall.
The East has improved much, you guys aren't giving some of these teams credit.
I am a Knick fan but this is a poorly constructed team, they have to prove to us what they can do vs ELITE/Good teams consistently.
If you read it carefully, I say
These are 10-11 legit teams that will be fighting for the higher seed, that we cannot predict, but I think they all have a legit shot to give us a good fight...
I also said, TEAMS ARE NOT FINISHED YET, but we don't have much ability to improve, while other teams still do.
Point of the post was to point out, although Atlanta/Orlando have dropped off as being playoff contenders, The East has improved much.
Do you see how Lebron/Wade, Barkley, Steph A Smith, and many analyst consistently diss us?
We possibly add 2 40 year olds, maybe 3 with Pablo, and we don't have any SGs on our lineup.
Did we really get that much better?
Many over estimate our beloved Knicks and under rate some teams on the list.
I think it is going to be tough, I am saying, I think we are TOP 4 at best.
And
There are many teams that are right there with us, regardless of who is better, or who finishes with the better record.
Okay, anyone feel these teams are NOT in the playoff hunt?
Cav's are probably the worst team on the list, but they didn't have Varejo last year *barely*
If they add Marshon Brooks/Humphries, with the improvement of Irving, they can be a good team, not sure how Dion Waiters would it though.
I give a lot of credit to Iman Shumpert, which he will not be ready/healthy till LATE in the year.
Washington was playing very well last year when Nene arrived and played, with Serephan looking like a young Dalembert.
They added 3 maybe 4 players with the Euro Guard, with Bradly Beal, OK4, and Ariza.
Will they, I DONT KNOW, its my opinion.
They had talent last year too, they just didn't mesh.
Bucks if they resign Ilysasova, which according to rumors, they will, and have added some nice pieces with the draft and the trade.
They were on fire last year, before and after the All Star break, and had trouble towards the end with Monta Ellis finding his role on the team.
They had 0 shot blocker's last year till Edoh went over from the Bogut trade.
Edoh/Dalembert, with Ilyasova, and the length with Dunleavey and speed/quickness of Monta/Jennings, makes while adding some nice players with both their picks.
They get another good SG, in Lamb, and they have a nice versatile lineup, they are one of the deepest teams in the East.
Toronto adds Lowry for NOTHING. They already have players that spread the floor, adding a PG of Lowry's caliber with the signing of that other Euro Big, gives them a very deep roster.
Bargaini can play as a 3rd option now and he was injured much of last year too.
7/10/2012 12:58 PM LAST EDITED: 7/10/2012 1:05 PM