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djsunyc
Posts: 44929
Alba Posts: 42
Joined: 1/16/2004
Member: #536
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Chris Sheridan: Greetings from Indianapolis, where I'll be skipping the national marching band competition at the RCA Dome tonight in favor of the Nets-Pacers game. Afterward, I'll be seeing the Chain Smoking Altar Boys at the Slippery Noodle. Last night's act was Red Harmonica from Baton Rouge, who absolutely rocked while I watched Heat-Rockets and Pistons-Suns on TV. Getting a lot of e-mails from Pistons fans in and around The D who feel ESPN does not give the Pistons their due. Look, folks, we like the Pistons, we really do. And they're not just a good team, they're a great team. But will they waltz into the finals as easily as many e-mailers believe? Well, I'm still sticking with my pick of Pacers over Pistons in 7 in the Eastern Conference finals, but I'm amending my earlier statement that the Pistons will win around 57 games. I'm upping that to 64-66. What's on everyone's mind today?
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Ryan (Syracuse, NY): How is it that Vlad Radmanovic can be traded this year? I thought that players who take the one-year tender from their current team aren't able to be traded like what happened with Stromile Swift last year in Memphis. What makes Vlad's situation any different?
Chris Sheridan: Ryan, Vlad has veto rights over any trade, and he'd give up his Bird rights if he accepted a trade. After turning down $42 million over the summer so tht he could become an unrestricted free agent, I'd imagine he'll stick things out with the Sonics all season _ even if he isn't happy with Coach Weiss' rotations _ and then play the market.
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philip - houston: yao's been playing reat w/ no support from teammates, w/ mcrady coming back sooner than expected, do you see the two being as great as often predicted? and where in the playoffs will they be seeded?
Chris Sheridan: Watching from afar, I thought I saw a hint of a mean streak in Yao's game last night against Miami. If that's what it actually was, look out, because that was the one factor keeping the big fella from becoming a true dominant player. As for Tracy, his back injury doesn't sound as bad as the Rockets initially feared, and he might be back in the lineup next week. They'll probably be seeded no higher than fourth, because I don't see them beating the Spurs in their division. Remember, the division winners get the 1, 2 and 3 seeds.
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Goose (Chicago): Chris, simple question...why does Isiah Thomas still have a job with the New York Knicks?
Chris Sheridan: Whoa, let me try that again. The chat software seems to have eaten my earlier answer. Mr. dolan is paying Isiah quit a bit of money to run the tam, and you at least have to give him some credit for making the team a bit more respectable than it was during the Layden years. Now, Isiah faces his toughest test in finding a taker for Stephon Marbury.
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Scott (Connecticut): How many wins do you think the celtics will get and how far do you think they'll get in the playoffs?
Chris Sheridan: 30 wins, no playoffs.
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Paul (Los Angeles): Chris, you're looking like a genius with the Clippers forecast already! I'm a fan as well, but am worried that the start seems a bit deceiving since the teams the've beaten so far look a bit weak. Am I too worried or am I right?!?!
Chris Sheridan: Paul, you've learned the secret of getting your question posted: Compliment the moderator. The Clips have certainly benefitted from Mr. Winick at the NBA giving them two games against the Hawks in the first week of the season. They have the Bucks and Lakers next week, which should be a couple of good measuring stick games against one of the best teams in the East and their local rival.
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Rodney - Cleveland, OH: Can and will Lebron be a MVP player this year with the new CAVS? And How far in the playoffs you think they will go?
Chris Sheridan: Rod, I picked LBJ to win the MVP, and he's done nothing thus far to change my mind. I like the shooters the Cavs have added around him, and I think washington made a mistake by letting Hughes leave for Cleveland. They can certainly get out of the first round, but I don't see them getting to the ECF.
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Ian: (Toronto, ON):: So we all know the Raps look bad. But is there any hope in sight, outside of Bosh and Calderon?
Chris Sheridan: The other two rookies have looked pretty good, too, Ian, but there ain't a whole lot to like on the rest of the roster. Your best hope is that Mr. babcock can get something of value in return when he trades Jalen Rose. The Knicks would gave them Penny Hardaway and a pick, which would save Toronto from having to pay Jalen the $16.9 million he's owed next season. I think Rob could get better value from someone else, though.
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Norman (Detroit): Chris, love your pieces man! How about those Pistons last night! They looked great down the stretch. What are your thoughts on how they look?
Chris Sheridan: Wow, some love from The D. They always look great down the stretch (with the exception of Game 7 in S.A.) because they play with such cohesion and chemistry, and they have two of the best backcourt scorers around. If Chauncey Billups doesn't make the All-Star team this season, they should just cancel the whole affair.
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Drew (Detroit, MI): Other than Artest, what makes you think the pacers are substanially better than the previous two years (when they lost to the pistons)
Chris Sheridan: Because they added Sarunas Jasikevicius, a great shooter and consistent winner, and have several underrated bit players in Granger, Bender and Freddie Jones who will allow them to throw a few different looks at playoff opponents who will figure out how to exploit Tinsley and limit Jermaine.
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Greg (Milwaukee, WI): Chris, are the Bucks for real? Where do you think Redd and the boys will end up come playoff time in the East?
Chris Sheridan: They are indeed for real. They can play big or small, slow or fast, and their point guard is an absolute treat to watch. Don't know how long Mo Williams can keep shooting the ball the way he has, but Redd certainly will. If Redd had been added to the U.S. Olympic team instead of Okafor, they probably would have done better than bronze.
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Kyle (FoCo, Colorado): With Kiki's master plan of trading Miller and Nene for a shooter ruined because of Nene's knee injury, what moves do you see the Nuggets making this year, and when? And when will Earl Watson get some PT?
Chris Sheridan: Kyle, the Watson benching certainly appears to be a slap in the face to Kiki, who is in the final year of his contract and is already being mentioned as a possible successor to John Nash in Portland. I think the Nuggs would trade Andre Miller if it helped them get a shooter, and I could even see them taking a chance on Marbury if they feel a drastic change is needed.
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Scott (Chicago, IL): Why do you think the Lakers have started off so well this year when they have pretty much the same line-up as last year?
Chris Sheridan: The coach probably has something to do with it, and Kobe seems to be taking much better shots than he did a year ago. Notice how he isn't gunning 3s anymore? they've also gotten a huge lift from Smush Parker at the point.
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Bobby (Clifton, NJ): Chris, do you think it's finally time Richard Jefferson gets his due and is elected to an all-star team or is this early surge just a hot start?
Chris Sheridan: The kid can play, there's never been any doubt about that, but I'm still not sold on him coming up big in the biggest games. He was dreadful for the U.S. in Athens. If the Nets can find a way to get another power forward (can't see them coming up with an offer that would net them Chris Wilcox of the Clips), they'll have a legit chance of getting back to the finals.
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Brian (Bay Area): I know the Clippers have gotten off to a fast start, but they're playing their 5 starters (Once Magette gets back to full health) 30+ minutes a night. They have NO bench. Can a team like that really withstand inevitable injuries?
Chris Sheridan: Nothing wrong with playing your best players 30+ minutes per night. The alternative is what the Knicks are doing, changing lineups and rotations on a nightly basis, and look where it's gotten them. Once Maggette has his legs back, the Clips will be even more dangerous.
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Brian Mankato, MN: Chris - Any chance of the Wolves trading for Marbury? Thanks!
Chris Sheridan: I don't think Mr. Taylor would want Steph back, and I don't believe Kevin McHale would want to commit to spending $60 million of Mr. Taylor's money on Marbury over the next three seasons.
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Jay (Denver): Chris! Now that Latrell Sprewell obviously isn't going to get the type of money he's seeking, don't you think the Nuggets should snatch him up at a reasonable price? I'd think Karl would be able to effectively manage a player like Spree.
Chris Sheridan: Latrell still seems to be under the impression he's worth what he was worth five years ago. His agent told the AJC he'd be willing to play for the Hawks, which tells you all you need to know: Latrell cares more about money than winning. I thought Latrell would have been a good addition to the Nuggets before they gave their entire mid-level to Earl Watson.
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Manila, Philippines: Who would have thunk it... Zo is currently LEADING the league in shot blocks? (Sorry Camby and Duncan fans) How many minutes do you think he'll play when Shaq gets back? Do you see him eating into Haslem's time?
Chris Sheridan: He's been playing with such a ferocious manner, it's like seeing the Zo of the late '90s. It'll be hard to keep him on the bench once Shaq returns, so yes, I do see him eating into Haslem's minutes.
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Cholo (Manila, Philippines): Iquodala as Defensive Player of the Year... your thoughts?
Chris Sheridan: Must be a quiet night in Manila, judging from the number of questions I'm getting from there. My choices for Defensive Player of the Year are Bruce Bowen and Rasheed Wallace. I love Iguodala's defensive game, but he's not in their echelon yet. I'd also like to see him work a little more on his jump shot.
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chris, u.k: chris what is the situation with ginobili, because his numbers seem to be down.
Chris Sheridan: He has a quad injury, and those take a long time to heal. The Spurs have plenty of depth behind him, so they're not going to rush him.
That's all the time I have, folks. We'll chat again next week.
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