A LEGEND IS BORN III

[kaiser_kobe]

Yup, i quickly read all that i can read, haha...nice article, other teams will be intimidated by sheed's presence and sit's hair

[dare]

Yeah assistant coach Sheed, he is the very first assistant coach that will get a lot of technical fouls

[Fresh8]

Very realistic article. Really seems like something you'd see on NBA.com. The hair is unprofessional, but awesome nonetheless. You and Sheed should make a good coaching tandem.

Me - Sheed - Karl
Freshness - Craziness - Oldness

Yup, i quickly read all that i can read, haha...nice article, other teams will be intimidated by sheed's presence and sit's hair

That's cool man. Wait till your Dallas Mavs get previewed soon.

Yeah assistant coach Sheed, he is the very first assistant coach that will get a lot of technical fouls

I got Karl to restrain him!

[hova-]

Cool article, too bad your not on PC, I'd love to see Durant, Bogut and company with your hairstyle

[Fresh8]

Cool article, too bad your not on PC, I'd love to see Durant, Bogut and company with your hairstyle

Durant would get 'My' on one side and 'Team' on the other side.

I dunno what Bogut would shave into his head though.

[puttincomputers]

good thing you arent trading for me.... i wouldnt want that haircut!

[Valor]

Mr Top 50 is your new assistant coach
love the article, like Lamrock said, it's just like something you'll see on NBA.com

[Fresh8]

Thanks Valor!

[Mark.]

Great coverage of the olympics and the division previews, cant wait for the south east one! Good writing dude, took me awhile to catch back up, but it was worth it

[Fresh8]

Glad you enjoyed it Mr Moore. You've resurfaced from another hiatus from the forums!

[dare]

Hmmmm, I think this week is not the time of updates

[Fresh8]

Hmmmm, I think this week is not the time of updates

Uni picking up, same with work. Hard to get time to sit down and write lol

[Martti.]

Damn, nearly 10 pages without any games played.

Nice article.

OT, but damn, I didn't know Drake was Canadian.

[Fresh8]

I was waiting for someone to notice I'm bout to hit 10 pages wihout playing any games. I just want to thank everyone!

and yes, Drake is from Canada!

[dare]

Hmmmm, I think this week is not the time of updates

Uni picking up, same with work. Hard to get time to sit down and write lol

Same here man, with all the preparations I'm doing for my "big day" I can't even do updates for my dynasty.

[Fresh8]

Yes, I had some free time in the past hour and have sat down and looked at two more divisions so those previews should be coming out in the next few days!

Some of the players you will hear about: Jay Gray, Kobe Bryant, Louis Nixon, Moses Chara, LeBron James... fun fun fun!!!

[Fresh8]

October 1, 2012
Central Division Preview
By Willard Smith

Division by division previews for all 30 NBA teams.


LeBron James and the Cavs have dominated the Central Division for a while
but Jay Gray (far left) and the Bucks have their eyes on top spot

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have a talented bunch of kids. That’s what’s holding them back!

All the players –bar Luol Deng – are kids. A bunch of lottery picks should mean that this team is talented. The talent of this roster has never been questioned but the experience has. The Bulls desperately need a veteran leader and go to guy. Deng just doesn’t cut it and although Rose has become the best player on the team – he just isn’t the type of go to scorer that the team needs.

This side really needs someone with a level head and who plays at an All-Star level to lead them on and off the floor. A dismal 31 wins will probably be a good starting point to guess how they will do this season. Eric Smith is this season’s latest addition but he doesn’t look like a player who could lead the Bulls. Deng will never be a superstar in the NBA and Rose is not a consistent enough scorer to play the leading role.

Starting Five: Ron Harmon, Harvey Morrison, Luol Deng, Bradley Emerson, Derrick Rose
Key Reserves Eric Smith PF (R), Josh Howard SF, Matt Barnes SF, Jamal Crawford SG
2011-12 Team Record: 31-51
Projected 2012-13: 13th in the Eastern Conference, Fourth in the Division

-----

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs have always been favorites to win a title but bad luck has always been bestowed on them in the most crucial times. Take the past two playoff campaigns for example. Two seasons ago, they somehow lost to the sixth seeded Detroit Pistons. Last season, LeBron went down to injury and the Cavs lost to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Well, I must admit, it can’t all be bad luck.

The logical explanation is that the Cavs lack depth. That’s why signing Rudy Gay (who has become an All-Star and this team's leading scorer) and trading for Rudy Fernandez were such big moves for the Cavs. It kept them competitive and on top of the Eastern Conference. However, after these three guys and Joakim Noah, Mo Williams, and Daniel Gibson – there really isn’t anyone on the roster to write home about. James understands this and after another unfruitful Summer, he is doubting whether the franchise is moving in the right direction. “I want to win now but it seems that we’re not doing anything to bring me any help,” James made the surprising and shocking comments after Team USA won the gold medal in London, “I want to taste NBA glory just like I have won gold twice with Team USA.”

One thing is certain. The Cavs will come first again.

One thing is uncertain. Can the team win if James is off or injured?

Only time will tell.

Starting Five: Joakim Noah, LeBron James, Rudy Gay, Rudy Fernandez, Mo Williams
Key Reserves Sammy Carney PF, Wally Szcerbiak SF, Daniel Gibson PG, Delonte West PG
2011-12 Team Record: 54-28
Projected 2012-13: Defeated in NBA Finals, 1st in the Eastern Conference, First in the Division

-----

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons are still kicking themselves after missing out on the first overall draft pick of the past draft. Their consolation prize was the signing of two players; Brook Lopez and Kirk Hinrich. Quality players but not quality enough to lift the Pistons off the bottom of the NBA standings.

The move of signing Hinrich has angered PG Luther Head, who was a shocking selection in last season’s NBA All-Star Game. Head has gone on record, “Are you kidding me? You’re signing Kirk Hinrich and starting him ahead of me? This is very distressing.” Yes Luther, this is very distressing. The Pistons are in further turmoil as Rip Hamilton has asked to be traded to a contender while Jeff Green has been training happily as he prepares for another season of thinking that he is an All-Star caliber player.

Don’t kid yourselves – I think the Pistons are odds on favorites to get the first overall draft pick next year. Hopefully, they will be smart enough not to trade it away this time.

Starting Five: Brook Lopez, Jason Maxiell, Jeff Green, Rip Hamilton, Kirk Hinrich
Key Reserves Jamaal Magloire C, Walter Hermann SF, Nick Young SG, Maurice Evans SG, Luther Head PG
2011-12 Team Record: 26-56
Projected 2012-13: 15th in the Eastern Conference, Last in the Division

-----

Indiana Pacers

You’d think that a team with Danny Granger leading international stars Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, and a bunch of talented role players would be able to make the playoffs. If you thought that, you would be wrong.

The Pacers have a lot of holes and those holes are exposed by the players on their roster. Gasol struggles to stay on the court for long stretches due to his battles with his (un)fitness. Rubio cannot score even with no one else on the court. Granger isn’t getting the ball enough. Brandon Rush is probably better suited coming off the bench. Leo Chase should be leading the league in rebounds but is more worried with making a scene. The Pacers bench consists of mainly unathletic white guys and players who have not fulfilled their potential.

It’s all a big mess because when you look on paper – the Indiana Pacers look like a talented bunch. If they can get everything together, these guys could help the Pacers reach the form they enjoyed in the mid-late 1990s. They have that potential.

Starting Five: Marc Gasol, Leo Chase, Danny Granger, Brandon Rush, Ricky Rubio
Key Reserves Troy Murphy PF, Michael Dunleavy SF, Albano Spagnoletti SG (R), Randy Foye PG, Jamaal Tinsley PG
2011-12 Team Record: 29-53
Projected 2012-13: 11th in the Eastern Conference, Third in the Division

-----

Milwaukee Bucks

An interesting team here. Jay Gray is one of the most underrated superstars in the league. Soft spoken, hard working, and popular – Gray is coming off a terrific campaign with the United States national side. This player alone will lift the Bucks into the playoffs.

The success of the team after clinching a playoff seed (as well as determining what seed they will be) lies on the shoulders of the players supporting Gray. Every great player must have a great supporting cast and the team added Washington’s Liam Washburn to the fold. The inspirational forward will be a good fit as he brings a superb shooting touch to the side. The importance of the point guard tandem of Michael Conley and Jordan Farmar cannot be stressed enough. These two guys needs to work hard all season in order to get Gray his shots so that he can keep them in games. Marcus Camby was brought to the team to help shore up the defense but it’s hard to see him playing much – don’t be surprised if Villanueva plays a lot of minutes as a result.

The bad news for the Bucks is that they do lack a solid shooting guard and perimeter scoring option. The good news is that the team has a ton of expiring contracts (including Stephon Marbury’s fat 8 million dollar contract) and a deal will most probably be done closer to the trade deadline date. Keep your eyes on the Bucks – they are an interesting team that will either swim or sink.

Starting Five: Marcus Camby, Jay Gray, Liam Washburn (R), Daequan Cook, Michael Conley
Key Reserves Charlie Villanueva PF, Andrei Kirilenko SF, Stephon Marbury PG, Jordan Farmar PG
2011-12 Team Record: 37-45
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the First Round, 8th in the Eastern Conference, Second in the Division

[kibaxx7]

Tinsley is still at Indy? Wow... liking Rubio and Gasol there.

[hova-]

The Pistons really are on decline. I remember them rocking the Playoffs two seasons ago with Luther Head playing very well. Now they just suck. I hope Jay Gray can help turn around the Bucks.

[Valor]

The Problem with the Bulls is not drafting me, I am that go-to-scorer that they need

[Fresh8]

The Cavs have a nice roster, though they might lack too much depth to win a title.

Cavs are strong. But at similar level and structure of rivals like Miami and Atlanta.

Tinsley is still at Indy? Wow... liking Rubio and Gasol there.

Tinsley stuck there. Nice roster in Indy though. U guys might be strong!

The Pistons really are on decline. I remember them rocking the Playoffs two seasons ago with Luther Head playing very well. Now they just suck. I hope Jay Gray can help turn around the Bucks.

Head was an all-star last season. Team fell apart after vujacic and randolph bailed... Lol

The Problem with the Bulls is not drafting me, I am that go-to-scorer that they need

The Bulls don't need you. Keep?dreaming!

[Martti.]

Damn I hope the Cavs don't win things overall. Go Bucks!

[StupidBoy]

Go Cavaliers!


But they'll probably just get beaten by the Magic like in every other Association

[Fresh8]

Damn I hope the Cavs don't win things overall. Go Bucks!

Cavs have always been great until playoffs. Maybe this season is their season.

And I like the Bucks too. All they need a real starting 2 guard.

Go Cavaliers!


But they'll probably just get beaten by the Magic like in every other Association

Magic are shit in this one. Miami are the best team in the East.

[Valor]

Jay Gray and Bucks > LeBron and Cavs