Cavs Writer Disses Knicks
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nixluva
Posts: 56258 Alba Posts: 0 Joined: 10/5/2004 Member: #758 USA |
8/11/2007 12:13 PM
man I was reading this story on the Cavs and how they haven't done anything to improve while the rest of the East has and then I came upon his analysis of the East and who will be in the running for the playoffs and I read this: http://cavaliers.realgm.com/articles/95/20070809/cavs_stand_pat_amidst_shakeups_in_east/
Let's take a look at the East in tiers: TOP TIER (guaranteed playoffs): CHICAGO CLEVELAND DETROIT I can't imagine any scenario where these teams don't make the playoffs (barring a rash of major injuries). They have too much talent and are too good on defense, and they won't have long losing streaks. The Bulls still have the problem in that they rely too much on the jump shot, but their talent pool is ridiculously deep. BOTTOM TIER (not making the playoffs): ATLANTA INDIANA PHILADELPHIA I liked the Hawks draft picks, but I still think it's another year before they can be considered a playoff team. Their competition has improved too much, while they are counting on a rookie point guard and pseudo-center. Philly is in a similar situation. They have some good building blocks but are too young to think playoffs, considering how teams like Boston improved. The Pacers are going in the wrong direction. I don't think they make the playoffs with Jermaine O'Neal and they might end up trading him for future assets. THE MIDDLE TIER That leaves 9 teams fighting for 5 spots: BOSTON CHARLOTTE MIAMI MILWAUKEE NEW JERSEY NEW YORK ORLANDO TORONTO WASHINGTON I'm going to eliminate the Knicks because...well, they are the Knicks. They have too many me-first players who need the ball. I like Zach Randolph as a player, but he and Eddy Curry are too similar and will be in "black hole" mode...if they ever get the ball from Stephon Marbury and Nate Robinson. Also, David Lee now will lose minutes, which is not good. It's going to take 42 wins to get into the playoffs in the East this year, and I can't see the Knicks winning more than they lose with this roster. There is talent though - if anyone besides Isiah Thomas was in charge, there might be hope. So the other 8 teams besides the Knicks are then fighting for 5 spots, which means it will likely come down to injuries. It might come as a surprise that I have included Milwaukee, but last year's 28 wins were an aberration. They had so many players miss time with injuries. Check out the list of games missed: 82 Bobby Simmons 43 Charlie Villanueva 29 Michael Redd 16 Andrew Bogut 14 Mo Williams That's 184 games missed from your starting 5. Plus backup center Dan Gadzuric missed 28 games. All these guys are healthy now, Williams has a new contract, they signed Desmond Mason to come off the bench. and villanueva and Bogut should continue to improve. And they have Yi, if he ever shows up. Not sure how much he will add this year though... Charlotte may also be a surprise, but history has shown that when you collect so much talented youth it eventually breaks through to a winning season. The light just goes on at some point. The acquisition of Jason Richardson gives them veteran help to go wiht their impressive young nucleus of Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, Raymond Felton, Adam Morrison, and Sean May. They've also got Walter Hermann and Matt Carroll to provide long range shooting. The only thing missing is a backup for Felton, now that Brevin Knight has left. This team reminds me of the late 80's Cavaliers or the late 90's Mavericks. Eventually, they are turning the corner. They are in much better shape than Atlanta, put it that way. Boston is depending a lot on their big three of Allen, Pierce, and Garnett, but that should be enough for a playoff berth. Problem is, if they don't win their division, they are looking at the 6 or 7 seed. Try winning 3 playoff series on the road against the 1, 2, and 3 seeds to get to the Finals. The only time I can remember this happening was when Hakeem carried the '95 Rockets on his back. Maybe KG has that in him. One thing about the trade is that it made both Minnesota and Boston far more interesting to watch. Don't be surprised if teams like the Nets and the Heat find themselves on the outside looking in. The Heat are starting to look like Lakers East, becoming a one-man wrecking crew. If you recall, the one-man Wade show wasn't translating into winning percentage last year. Shaq is in a steep decline, and how much can Alonzo have left. I think it's a bad sign that they are counting on the development of Dorell Wright. Healthy, I think the Heat are in at the bottom, but they are a fragile squad at this point. Washington and New Jersey each have a big three with little defense or inside presence. Still, Arenas/Butler/Jamison and Kidd/Carter/Jefferson - those are tough for opponents to deal with. I like Washington's trio a but better and I think the Wizards will make the playoffs. Once camp opens and preseason games start, we'll be able to get a better feel for these bubble teams. And who knows - maybe the Hawks will surprise and throw their hat into the ring. So yes, the Bucks got healthier, the Celtics got Ray and KG, the Magic got Rashard, the Nets and Wizards added some big bodies, the Bobcats added Richardson and have a cache of talented youngsters...what does all of this mean for the Cavaliers? The competition is definitely trying to bridge the gap, but how close are they getting? |
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COSSUCKS
Posts: 20984 Alba Posts: 0 Joined: 6/15/2007 Member: #1569 |
8/11/2007 1:04 PM
I agree we have to win but we did win vs the Cavs.
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Cavs Writer Disses Knicks