A LEGEND IS BORN III

[newc]

Go Kings

[Martti.]

Make sure Southwest is next.

[Fresh8]

Southwest is last.

[Valor]

Shit, Kings are stacked
If they dont win it you've rigged it

[dare]

Please start this, it's in the 10th page already

[Martti.]

Sit, saving the best for last, nice move! But just get there already.

[Fresh8]

Shit, Kings are stacked
If they dont win it you've rigged it

Kings and Blazers are definitely the most talented teams. Blazers are a little bit ahead - they have more depth. They used to at least. Kings have Chara.

Please start this, it's in the 10th page already

You have a problem?

Sit, saving the best for last, nice move! But just get there already.

I haven't had much free time but I promise will be done soon!

[dare]

Please start this, it's in the 10th page already

You have a problem?

I'm just saying you should start this soon you got 2 more previews might as well start this on the 12th page

[Fresh8]

yeah boss... should start on next page haha

[Fresh8]

October 15, 2012
Southeast Division Preview
By Willard Smith

Division by division previews for all 30 NBA teams.


Josh Smith and the Hawks have a shot of repeating if everything falls into place.

Atlanta Hawks

The chances of a repeat win of the NBA Championship for the Hawks took an early blow after Manu Ginobili’s shock injury at the London Olympics. The Argentine star will miss the start of the 2012-13 NBA season. It’s hard to dismiss that as insignificant and Manu’s absence will surely be noticeable as Atlanta opens its season.

If the Hawks don’t start off strong and get strong positioning for the postseason, it’s hard to see them getting back to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hawks were particularly lucky that LeBron James was hurt at that stage in the 2012 postseason. They may not be so lucky this time around and a full strength Cavs team could blow out the Hawks easily in a 7 game series.

Apart from Manu, the Hawks have a dependable group of lead players in Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Tayshaun Prince. After that, the team is fairly light on depth. Even though Smith is an underrated All-Star talent and Horford is a capable double double threat every night, the Hawks need to add more to their arsenal in order to have a realistic shot at repeating. A good starting point would probably be trading for a point guard.

I think the Hawks will cruise through the season, albeit after a rough start without Manu, and then finish in the top 4 teams of the league. They will come out and smash their first round opponent before losing a tight series against one of the more elite Eastern Conference sides. You heard it here first.

Starting Five: Al Horford, Josh Smith, Tayshaun Prince, Manu Ginobili, Marcus Banks
Key Reserves Eddy Curry C, Brandon Bass PF, Andrea Bargnani PF, Chris Douglas-Roberts SG
2011-12 Team Record: 53-29
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the Second Round, 2nd in the Eastern Conference, First in the Division

-----

Charlotte Bobcats

I can feel it already. This is the season that the Bobcats finally make the NBA playoffs. The first time in franchise history. This is it. I’ve probably had the same feeling for the last two seasons but I feel like this is really it. The Cats were impressive last season but once again fell behind in the playoff race.

It’s called experience. And after so many ‘experiences’ of dropping out of the playoff race, I sure hope that the Bobcats know how to turn it around. Mark Moore, Devin Harris, Gerald Wallace form one of the most versatile trios in the NBA. The three of them can slash to score, shoot the basketball, and play defense on the other end.

These guys have to get the Cats to the postseason. If they don’t – it might be the last time we see all three of them together.

Stan Erickson is creeping up on Wallace with his eyes on the starting spot at the 3. The 24 year old is an exceptional sixth man for the Cats and could force the 30 year old Wallace to the pine. Mark Moore’s comments about the franchise haven’t made him a favorite with President of Player Operations Michael Jordan. Ever since Moore called Jordan out in the media, the Kiwi has been on icy terms with those closest to the Bulls legend. And Devin Harris also has another young up-and-comer in Marc Oliver nipping at his heels.

On paper, the Bobcats are good enough to be in the mix. They just haven’t shown it yet. I believe they will make it. As I said – this is it. If they don’t make it, get ready for a slew of changes.

Starting Five: Shaun Skinner, Shawn Marion, Gerald Wallace, Mark Moore, Devin Harris
Key Reserves Stan Erickson SF, Sean May PF, Channing Frye PF, Marc Oliver PG
2011-12 Team Record: 39-43
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the First Round, 6th in the Eastern Conference, Fourth in the Division

-----

Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade and Michael Beasley couldn’t will the Heat to a second NBA Finals appearance last season but the duo are now hungrier than ever to get the job done. A shock loss to sixth seeded Washington in the first round saw the Heat bundled out and as a result, the expectations on the Heat have dropped just a little bit.

Wade’s comments during the Olympics about the Heat reveal that he is happy with that. “There’s no pressure on us to perform. Everyone says that repeating the feats you have achieved before is always hard. When the focus is off of you, you play a lot better,” he said.

The Heat haven’t made any moves to solidify their roster, which means they haven’t established any upper hand on their main opponents in the East. The Cavs are their biggest competition and both teams are fairly even matched. “It’s going to come down to which team wants it more,” Wade predicts, “The Eastern Conference has a few good teams and we’re all very similar. It’s always competitive out here between the handful of us.”

The Heat still have their All-Star duo Wade and Beasley, flanked by the slashing JR Smith, shooting Dorrell Wright, and likely Sixth Man of the Year candidate Marcus Williams. Could this be the season Miami wins it all?

Starting Five: Kendrick Perkins, Michael Beasley, Dorrell Wright, JR Smith, Dwyane Wade
Key Reserves Marcus Williams PG, Melvin Garrett C, Vladmir Radmanovic PF, James Jones SF
2011-12 Team Record: 50-32
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals, 3rd in the Eastern Conference, Second in the Division

-----

Orlando Magic

I feel sorry for Dwight Howard because he should be regarded as the best big man in the NBA. One of the best players on the planet. But because of how shit the Orlando front office is, Dwight doesn’t get his due. He carries this team year after year and is rewarded with peanuts every offseason.

Orlando has not made any notable additions to its squad over the past two or three seasons and this is why Howard will be stuck on a mediocre Magic side in the Eastern Conference. With Rashard Lewis playing at pedestrian pace, the Magic look like they are about to move into a rebuilding phase. Thus, wasting the prime of their star centre.

Orlando needs to make a move to turn the fate of the franchise around. For the first time since they had Shaquille O’Neal, they have a dominant franchise player. For the second time since the 90s, they may lose their franchise player due to their inadequate management skills.

Starting Five: Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson, Rashard Lewis, Courtney Lee, Jameer Nelson
Key Reserves Hilton Armstrong C, Irvin Lane PF, Keith Bogans SG, Corey Brady PG
2011-12 Team Record: 47-35
Projected 2012-13: 10th in the Eastern Conference, Last in the Division

-----

Washington Wizards

The Wizards may have lost Caron Butler but they picked up DJ Augustin. It’s hard to say whether this will be bad for Washington as they lose a starter for someone who will be glued to the bench behind the young but talented Klemen Pirc. It means one of two things.

The Wizards won’t skip a beat and the shots left behind by Butler will be graciously picked up by Lamarcus Aldridge who has been lackluster since signing on with the team. Augustin will lead a strong bench and the Wizards stay up there with the better Eastern Conference sides.

The other possibility is that since the team has lost their glue guy, Gilbert Arenas becomes even more of a dominating personality and single handily ruins the team. The Wizards pay for letting Butler walk and bringing in a bench point guard who has never really proven himself after four years with the Charlotte Bobcats. And Al Thornton proves that he is one of the worst players in the NBA.

I wonder which it will be?

Starting Five: Lamarcus Aldridge, Antawn Jamison, Al Thornton, Gilbert Arenas, Klemen Pirc
Key Reserves Andray Blatche PF, Jarvis Hayes SF, Deshawn Stevenson SG, DJ Augustin PG
2011-12 Team Record: 44-38
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the First Round, 5th in the Eastern Conference, Third in the Division

[kaiser_kobe]

Yeah, the Hawks still have the best lineup among these 5 ...Magic's and Heat's second five are weak.

[dare]

Nice preview man, one more left

[hova-]

Funny to see the Hawks being that good with MArcus Banks starting. The Wizards are a good team, I think they are underrated.

[Martti.]

Wade back at PG, like it.

[Fresh8]

October 22, 2012
Southwest Division Preview
By Willard Smith

Division by division previews for all 30 NBA teams.


Martti Must is underrated – just like his team, the hardworking Memphis Grizzlies.

Dallas Mavericks

Steve Nash’s return to Dallas was one of the biggest stories (definitely the feel-good story at least) of the Summer and even though he’s brought back Jerryd Bayless with him, a fairytale ending looks unlikely for the Mavs. They have three All-Stars on the team (Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Kenneth Dela Cruz) but the Mavs don’t look like they will be high achievers in the West. The Western Conference is too strong for the Mavs to compete in.

I like the Mavs for sentimental reasons. Nash is back home in Texas where he belongs (he never should have gone to Phoenix because the Mavs could have been a contender) and playing alongside his buddy Nowitzki. It would be great to see two of the nicer players win a ring together. But that’s all wishful thinking.

Bayless will be a great sixth man and Hedo Turkoglu is a solid player from off the bench. Dela Cruz is still raw but improving very quickly. Issues start to arise when you consider that the team doesn’t have a true big man that they can lean on in the post on both ends of the floor. The decision to start Chinese rookie Leo Lai is a controversial one – many believe this will be the major undoing for the team. However, we can’t really blame them because there is no one else who could start at the 2 right now.

I would love the Mavs to go far but I just can’t say that they will do that. I’m not too confident about their chances but do you blame me?

Starting Five: Samuel Dalembert, Dirk Nowitzki, Kenneth Dela Cruz, Leo Lai (R), Steve Nash
Key Reserves Jerryd Bayless PG, Stanley Mayo PG, Hedo Turkoglu SF, Jason Smith PF, Dasangana Diop C
2011-12 Team Record: 40-42
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the First Round, 8th in the Western Conference, Fourth in the Division

-----

Houston Rockets

The Rockets were terrible because they didn’t have T-Mac all of last year. They don’t have him at all now so it’s easy for me to conclude that they’re going to be terrible once again.

That might be a bit harsh so I will explain why I feel like I do. Sure, the team has surely traded T-Mac for three players who will come in and shore up the team’s lack of depth. Andrew Watson, Chauncey Billups, and Nene are fine players but they aren’t playing with the best talent. Outside of Yao Ming, no one on this Rockets’ team really warrants a mention. If Ron Artest and Aaron Brooks were still around, I would probably change my mind.

The Rockets aren’t going anywhere. Don’t kid yourselves.

The one bright thing?

They will get another top draft pick and hope that in a few years time, better days will be ahead.

Starting Five: Yao Ming, Nene, Danilo Gallinari, Andrew Watson, Chauncey Billups
Key Reserves Boris Diaw PF, Shane Battier SF, Juan Dixon SG, Louis Williams PG, Ifeanyi Ndiaye PG (R)
2011-12 Team Record: 24-58
Projected 2012-13: 14th in the Western Conference, Last in the Division

-----

Memphis Grizzlies

I love the Grizzlies. Led by the unselfish Martti Must who has beaten all odds to become an NBA All-Star after a quiet Tar Heels college career, the Grizzlies play a great brand of team basketball. It’s the unselfishness of the players and their defensive intensity that has the Grizzlies as serious dark horses in the Western Conference.

With Gary Payton at the helm of this ball club, the Grizzlies have continued to grow. Making the playoffs last season was a big step in their growth and development. Expect them to reach even larger heights this season with their new experience under their belts.

Payton has done a fine job with helping Must bring out his all-around talent. Emeka Okafor has found a home in Memphis and OJ Mayo and TJ Ford form a surprisingly efficient backcourt combo. Tyrus Thomas and Joel Przybilla bring energy from off the bench as well as a bunch of blocked shots. The most exciting thing about the upcoming season is the addition of Caron Butler to the fold; the Grizzlies haven’t had a solid scorer at his position since Rudy Gay bolted for Cleveland.

I really think the Grizzlies will do well for themselves this season. They would thoroughly deserve it too.

Starting Five: Emeka Okafor, Martti Must, Caron Butler, OJ Mayo, TJ Ford
Key Reserves Joel Przybilla C, Tyrus Thomas PF, Alberto Gomez PG
2011-12 Team Record: 43-39
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the First Round, 4th in the Western Conference, First in the Division

-----

New Orleans Hornets

There have been rumbles that Chris Paul is unhappy with bring in New Orleans. The Hornets are still an elite Western Conference team but Paul is quick to point out that new talent has not been landing on the roster and it is going to be hard to keep up with the likes of the Blazers and Kings if the front office doesn’t do its part.

When it broke out that Paul had a slight disposition to the situation in Nawlins, many began to speculate on possible destinations. Charlotte has been the favorite destination for Paul as he hails from there and played college ball at Wake Forest. It would definitely be a great story if he were to go there. A lot of people think that Miami would be awesome for Paul but it’s hard for me to think of a deal not involving D Wade or Michael Beasley so I think it’s pretty safe to say no that. The Magic have been raised plenty of times simply because it would be cool to see Paul team up with Team USA teammate Dwight Howard.

The Sacramento Kings would be interested to pair up Moses Chara with Paul but that would require gutting the entire roster. A possible deal would be Kevin Martin, Michael Redd plus others for Paul. It’s probably not worth it because a team needs depth to win a ring. The Lakers are looking for a point guard and what better way than to add Chris Paul who is a favorite of Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

So many possibilities but I think that Paul stays put this season and leads the Hornets to another playoff appearance. Then wait for the talk to start again next Summer about a Chris Paul trade.

Starting Five: Tyson Chandler, David West, Julian Wright, Martell Webster, Chris Paul
Key Reserves Leon Powe PF, Lenny Peacock PF, Peja Stojakovic SF, Darrel O’Neal SG, Anton Semenko PG
2011-12 Team Record: 46-36
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the First Round, 6th in the Western Conference, Second in the Division

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San Antonio Spurs

It’s sad for me to say this but Tim Duncan and Tony Parker looked like two has-beens to me last season. Marvin Williams could only cry as he watched his former team march onto an NBA championship with the man he was traded for at the helm and only God knows why Larry Hughes is a starter in the NBA. The Spurs are officially not a threat anymore.

One of the best and most respected ball clubs of the noughties, the Spurs have fallen into meritocracy. They are still good enough to qualify to be first round fodder but I am sure the fans never wanted to see this.

With bad news, there is always a good side to it and that is that Tim Duncan won’t be asking to be traded any time soon as he wants to retire as a Spur. That gets a lot of respect from me as I hate players who quit teams to try and sign with a contender so that they can ride the coattails of younger dudes to win a ring.

Well Tim, perhaps you may still win a championship before all is said and done as your franchise’s gamble on 2007 Draft Pick Tiago Splitter may well pay off. The 28 year old Brazilian is widely regarded as the best big man in Europe as he plys his trade in the Spanish League for TAU Ceramica. Since he has left his jump to the NBA so late, it is looking likely that he will have to settle for less cash than what he would have got two or three years ago. This could be a blessing in disguise for San Antonio as they have one last chance to pair up Duncan with a legit star.

Fingers crossed for next Summer!

Starting Five: Kosta Koufos, Tim Duncan, Marvin Williams, Larry Hughes, Tony Parker
Key Reserves Sean Williams PF, James Posey SF, Igor Chugainov SG, Shaun Livingston PG, Tony Simpson PG
2011-12 Team Record: 43-39
Projected 2012-13: Eliminated in the First Round, 7th in the Western Conference, Fourth in the Division

[Martti.]

Finally!

Love the preview, we have a real shot this year. Caron will be a great addition to us. I 'Must' keep scoring and rebounding.

[kibaxx7]

I 'Must' keep scoring and rebounding.

Finally Sit, looking forward to the season start

[Valor]

I am starting!!
Mavs will have 4 All-Stars this season, fourth one being me

I think the Rockets are better then what you make them out to be though....Billups, X, Galinari, Nene and Yao can get the team around .500 at least

[Lamrock]

Nash should have never left Dallas? The Mavericks made it to the finals and were basically the champs in 2006

[puttincomputers]

watch out for them spurs!

[kaiser_kobe]

Poor Spurs, they really need some fountain of youth to make an impact

On the brighter side, the Grizzlies are getting better somehow just like the real team.

Go Leo Lai! get your job done and we'll have a shot at the Finals

[dare]

In my dynasty Nash signs with Dallas too, finally man the season starts

[Fresh8]

Yeah, the Hawks still have the best lineup among these 5 ...Magic's and Heat's second five are weak.

I like the Heat's roster. 2 superstars surrounded by role players. Although must admit they are weaker than in previous seasons.

Funny to see the Hawks being that good with MArcus Banks starting. The Wizards are a good team, I think they are underrated.

Hawks ain't bad with Manu doing everything Marcus Banks can't.

I also think Wizards are underrated. But they never performed to their potential with a starting five of Aldridge, Jamison, Butler, Arenas, Pirc. Oh well.

Wade back at PG, like it.

Me too.

Finally!

Love the preview, we have a real shot this year. Caron will be a great addition to us. I 'Must' keep scoring and rebounding.

Caron Butler was an awesome signing. I was pleased that the AI picked him up. Memphis are definitely a dark horse contender. I like your chances.

Wonder what happens when Sit and Payton cross paths again!

Finally Sit, looking forward to the season start

It's taken a while but it's coming!

I am starting!!
Mavs will have 4 All-Stars this season, fourth one being me

I think the Rockets are better then what you make them out to be though....Billups, X, Galinari, Nene and Yao can get the team around .500 at least

You're lucky no one else is good at SG. Dallas really needs an upgrade at SG

Well, Rockets look shit. Even on paper. Billups is like 35 and X is like 30. Nene is also way past his prime. Yao Ming is on the decline too... Gallinari's NBA career never took off in my association.

Nash should have never left Dallas? The Mavericks made it to the finals and were basically the champs in 2006

If Nash had stayed, I think they would have still had a great shot at the championship.

watch out for them spurs!

Yes, the Spurs... has-beens.

Poor Spurs, they really need some fountain of youth to make an impact

On the brighter side, the Grizzlies are getting better somehow just like the real team.

Go Leo Lai! get your job done and we'll have a shot at the Finals

Agreed about the Spurs.

Grizzlies have been getting better and better for past 3-4 seasons.

Your virtual player might not be an All-Star this season. But team success should always come first!

In my dynasty Nash signs with Dallas too, finally man the season starts

Love Nash in Dallas.

[Fresh8]

2012-13 NBA Season Preview
Seattle Stealth
Head Coach: Will Sit | 11-12 Record: 45-37 | Projected 12-13 Record: 50-32

PLAYERS ADDED

PG Jao Wu (Draft)
SG Senso Rancati (Draft)

PLAYERS LOST

PF Kenyon Martin (Free Agent)
PF Rasheed Wallace (Retired)

PROJECTED ROTATION

Player | 11-12 Stats (PPG, RPG, APG)

PG Jason Kidd | 10.6, 5.3, 8.3
SG Reshawn Tyson | 21.4, 5.1, 4.1
SF Kevin Durant | 27.9, 4.4, 1.5
PF David Lee | 8.9, 6.7, 0.5
C Andrew Bogut | 13.4, 7.0, 4.6

- - -

PG Aaron Karl | 5.8, 1.8, 2.8
PF Luis Scola | 4.0, 3.3, 0.2
F Mingyu Li | 5.8, 1.8, 0.8
SF Trevor Ariza | 3.9, 1.9, 1.5
PG Sebastian Telfair | 3.3, 0.5, 1.5

2011-12 TEAM LEADERS

PPG Kevin Durant | 27.9
RPG Andrew Bogut | 7.0
APG Jason Kidd | 8.3
SPG Reshawn Tyson 2.0
BPG Andrew Bogut | 1.9

PLAYER TO WATCH

All eyes are on Jason Kidd this season. Ever since his addition to the team three seasons ago, his numbers have dropped drastically. He is still able to score in double digits and his rebounding numbers are very respectable for a 40 year old point guard but his assists have gone considerably down from the double digits he posted in his first season in Seattle. Numbers aren’t everything as you can see from the game tapes that he has lost not just one or even two steps. He’s probably three steps slower than he used to be. Also, gone is the endurance that helped him stay out on the court for stretches. His body now struggles with the pace of the game. So does his mind.

Many can see the frustration of Kidd whenever a younger player burns him continuously. That is to be expected at age 40. The biggest concern from many observers is that he is still the starting PG in Seattle. Head Coach Will Sit has stuck with his captain through all of last season despite calls to demote him to the bench. This season doesn’t look any different despite the team drafting Chinese and Maryland stalwart Jao Wu to the team. Sit reaffirmed his position after the Draft by stating, “Jason Kidd will be starting. We are blessed to have a number one draft pick in Jao Wu and he is lucky he is coming onto such a talented team.”

The calls for Kidd’s head could get louder this season. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to be able to predict that many people will be unhappy with the talented Jao Wu sitting on the bench behind Jason Kidd. Kidd is a tremendous basketball player and possibly a future Hall-of-Famer but he is past his prime and in the twilight of his career. I love how he is a competitor and wants to win a ring. But maybe he should take a gracious step by asking to be benched.

SEASON OUTLOOK

Coming off of a seven game series against the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference Finals was a surreal experience for the young Seattle Stealth. Losing Rasheed Wallace straight afterwards was the beginning of reality.

Wallace was the team’s lynchpin on the bench. He was the team’s best substitute and also the team’s vocal leader. His loss not only means the loss of a talented player but also the loss of the team’s only consistent bench player. “Rasheed was our sixth man and the leader of the second unit,” Head Coach Sit stated, “Losing him makes us a little weaker.”

Fortunately for Seattle, their loss of Wallace was offset by the addition of two promising rookies in Jao Wu and Senso Rancati. Wu is the Chinese prodigy who spent two years at Maryland. The ultra-quick scoring point guard has a wealth of experience with the Chinese National Team and has often been slated as being better than last season’s Rookie of the Year Ricky Rubio. Rancati is not far behind in terms of maturity and experience as he has spent years playing in the European league.

Minutes may be sparse for the two of the most NBA-ready rookies of the 2012 Draft but that is just a compliment to the strength of the Seattle Stealth’s team. Kevin Durant was the NBA’s leading scorer again last season while Reshawn Tyson has developed into the team’s second scoring threat. Andrew Bogut continues to pull his weight as Jason Kidd does an efficient enough job whenever he is on the court.

The obvious problem with the Stealth for the next season is the uncertainty with how well the bench can and will operate. The bench players are a talented bunch but sometimes having more delivers diminishing returns. Seattle can definitely vouch for that as most of their back-up players had poor seasons during the 2011-12 season (with the exception of Wallace).

Seattle has the talent to reach the Western Conference Finals again but whether that happens depends largely on a number of factors. The point guard issue (see above) and the bench issue are concerns that could drag on to the team’s detriment.

An interesting season ahead for the boys in grey and purple.

[dare]

If things doesn't go well I hope Coach Sit will start Jao, can't wait for the season man you know that