by scrub on Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:49 pm
You can't really make any wise judgments yet without looking at teams' activity in the off-season. There should be the likes of Miami, Detroit, Cleveland, Indiana, Chicago and New Jersey making it from the East. From the West expect Pheonix, San Antonio, Dallas, Sacramento, Houston, LA Clippers.
However do not count out teams like Chicago, Toronto, Atlanta and Charlotte because with the amount of top players possibly on the trading block I feel small teams could make strong contenders a la Phoenix 2004-5. I named these teams because of their cap space so I feel with the right additions they could possibly become contenders. With the likes of Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson and Paul Pierce(?) some teams may end in the Conference or NBA Finals.
Just because Amare Stoudamire is returning and Miami are reigning champs doesn't mean we will see a Miami-Phoenix finals next year because a couple of smart moves in the off-season can make a hell of a diffference.
Corey Brewer - Defensive Player of the Year 08
