Next Year's Suprise Team

[Its_asdf]

There's always at least one team every season that would jump out from being a cellar dweller into a playoff team. A few years ago it was Phoenix and Seattle (although they've regressed a lot this season,) that really jumped out of the gates with their exciting fast-paced scoring style that made almost every team in the NBA try to imitate the run and gun style.

This year it was the Clippers, who've finally found some veteran stability and depth while also having a few young up and comers that are ready to contribute if they're given the time to do so. Even though their playoff series was short lived, I found it impressive that Milwaukee went from being the number one lottery team to becoming a playoff team after making some quality trades and signings.

Sometimes this doesn't just happen during the start of the season either. It sometimes takes one or two trades at the deadline to really turn the season around for a team. Sacramento also seemed to be in rebuilding mode, but suddenly mid-way through the season the Artest trade really helped them win the playoff race in the West. Orlando also came on strong after the Darko trade, and nearly missed the playoffs after trading their star player.


So, who do you think will be that fairytale team next season?

My pick would be Orlando. They really made a strong impression on me that they could be a 4-6 seed in the East. They've got a numerous amount talented youngsters and if they're given more time to gel with Darko and Arroyo for a full season, I expect big things from them. They've got toughness up-front with Darko, Battie and Howard and although they lack a quality shooting guard, Jameer Nelson and Turkey-Glue can easily make up for it.

Orlando Magic will make the playoffs next year, if everything goes as planned.

I would also pick Golden State as a team that can really come on strong, but I foresee another Baron Davis injury that will make them underachievers.

[J@3]

Orlando, Atlanta, Charlotte I reckon. Charlotte are a tough team, they have a good mentality but horrible injury problems. With a healthy roster + some good draft picks they could be a sleeper team. Especially with Ray Felton improving.

[frenchy]

I do agree, Orlando will make the playoff next year (do not know if Hill will be back ?)

I also bet that the Hornets will be a pretty good team in the western conf

[cklitsie]

I think it's really too early to tell. There's still the draft and free agency and trading period coming up, that might change the fate of a team completely.

Right now obvious picks would be Orlando in the East and New Orleans in the West, but who knows? Golden State was predicted to be a major contender after
finishing strong last year (which proves that inuries play a role too).

No one could really have foreseen the Clippers getting as far as they got before the off-season moves, even though finishing better than the Lakers last year must've meant something.

I think Milwaukee will be really good in a couple of years, this season it was nice for them to make the playoffs but way too early to have a legit shot at real success. They're going to have to trade Magloire for some more role players, I think that'd be best for their team.
Redd is the star and that's enough, besides him they should just have the kind of players that make winning teams, i.e. Andrew Bogut (the new Brad Miller), Bobby Simmons, TJ Ford (he could be something special though). Maybe they could trade guys like Kukoc and Joe Smith to a team that needs veterans, I'd love that since I believe Gadzuric and Bogut could be a nice frontcourt together.

[Laxation]

Does Houston count? If they dont have an injured season like this one - they should do quite well.
Other than that, Orlando will be a +.500 team, and Detroit will get their draft pick, somewhere from 15-22

[Mayerhendrix]

Chicago finished the season 9-1 I believe...plus they've got the Knicks draft pick.

[CERVANTES]

I think Orlando can't be considered a surprise because we all know the potential of that roster. I'm curious about what players can Warriors and Sonics add to their rosters, they have an interesting structure right now, and some excellent players. But... I think I won't be surprised if Atlanta and Toronto fight for playoffs next season, they only need time and keep their good players.

Next year's deception: I'm almost sure about Clippers being a worse team on 2007, I dunnoh exactly why, but I had that thought.

[j.23]

i think toronto will be good next year, solely because of bryan colangelo. however if mike james comes back, i'm gonna have my doubts

[Its_asdf]

I personally wouldn't count Atlanta. They need to get a friggin' point guard (which I'm sure they'll at least do via draft or free agency), but the main problem with them is that they'll need to ship away at least one of their young SFs. I don't see Josh Smith, Childress and Williams all developing into good players unless they're given some playing time, which will be hard to come across since they're all very promising young players.

[Anthony15]

I'd say its either gonna be Orlando or Utah. Dwight Howard will develop into a solid center, darko should get better with more playing time, if they can get a SF to replace grandpa hill, then they might even make the playoffs. Utah will win the NW Division next year(unless Nuggets get a GM like Colangelo, who'll be able to turn a team around into 60-22 record team!)

[3P]

I say Orlando because all the reasons said and also Milwaukee beacause I think next season Bogut, Ford and Redd are gonna do much better

[dada]

Orlando is a pretty strong bunch. It wouldntbe 'that' much of a surprise if they did well.

I think New York might be a HUUUGE surprise next season. As low as they are now the only way to go is up. Young guys have a year under their belt and other got something to prove(including coach Brown). They have 'some' talent and in the East anything is possible.

[Its_asdf]

Anthony brought up a really good point with Utah in my opinion. Utah really played well with that monster frontcourt of theirs and if AK can stop snapping himself like a twig and injurying himself so often then they'll be a very, very, very good team. Devin Brown is also the greatest player.

[pHLo]

I say Orlando because all the reasons said and also Milwaukee beacause I think next season Bogut, Ford and Redd are gonna do much better

and Mo Williams


but u're probably right, asdf
Orlando will most likely make a huge impact in the Eastern Conference over the next few years

[Mayerhendrix]

New York needs a few years to develop their rising stars and to dump all the overrated contracts. Once it does that, I'm going to enjoy watching Channing Frye tear it up as the next good center in the east.

[Amphatoast]

the knicks can become good anytime.. they just need to work the chemistry and toughen up.

[3P]

and not be selfish, such as murbarry and francis are

[Mayerhendrix]

I seriously think that getting rid of Larry Brown is a must.

He didn't help the team at all. Instead, he further weakened it by complaning about each and every thing and then publicly starting a media war against the players.

The games Herb Williams coached they were doing pretty well.

[Unrestrict3D]

I think Utah will surprise a lot of people by doing VERY well. This will only be valid if they can keep injuries to a minimum.

Orlando will blossom and become a contender next year as well - Darko + Dwight will learn to play very well together.

[Silas]

I'm thinking it will be the sonics. They're likely to trade Rashard Lewis in the off season and with the number of guys who are looking for a trade you never know who they might bring in.... (garnett [who'd likely move wilcox to the PF spot because they'd probably send one of their young center prospects along with rashard and then he'd start at PF], Iverson [who would probably play the 2 spot and shift ray to the 3.... or they may trade ray for him], Darius Miles [please i hope not], Carlos Boozer, and others)

If they sonics did well in their trades they'd have a good team, and if they kept rashard they'd do well to. After the trade deadline i believe they went 14-11, and that includes the several losses they had while they were getting guys on the roster, and the four games they played with 7 or 8 guys active each night....

[Matt]

Orlando is an obvious choice. If Nelson is healthy then they can make the playoffs. Hedo likewise has to be playing at a high level and of course the Darko & Dwight duo will be better.

[KIG1]

Everybody is saying Orlando but I have to disagree. What three point threat do they really have? I know that they got a lot of young talent but I don't see them as a real surprise team.

Sonics have good young talent and I see them winning a lot more games then expected.

[TRUball]

Everybody is saying Orlando but I have to disagree. What three point threat do they really have? I know that they got a lot of young talent but I don't see them as a real surprise team.

They could get JJ in the draft.

[Laxation]

Milwaukee beacause I think next season Bogut, Ford and Redd are gonna do much better

Milwaukee should be banking alot on this offseason. They have quite a bit to use for trading

Magloire and bell/williams at least

[Fitzy]

orlando, or maybe even toronto could get some good players to work around the youngsters