NBA Preseason Thread

[TheSlipperyOne]

The season is getting closer and we're almost in the preseason so here's a thread for it.

SI.com always has a good preseason look at each NBA team called "State of the NBA". So here's the ones they have up so far:

Atlanta Hawks:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/10/state.hawks/index.html

Boston Celtics:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/13/state.celtics/index.html

Charlotte Bobcats:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/15/state.bobcats/index.html

Chicago Bulls:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/16/state.bulls/index.html

[therealronaldo7]

I do not really have much to add at this point other than saying that I am more excited about this NBA season than any other in recent memory. Should be great. I can't wait to get it fired up! Does anyone know how much the NBA Season Pass is on Dish Network or Direct TV?

[skipshady]

Charlotte Bobcats:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/15/state.bobcats/index.htmlNot to get my expectations too high, but the Bobs might surprise a few people. They just signed Steve Smith, who obviously isn't the Steve Smith of the mid-90s, but he adds some much needed experience. They'll be terrible, but not gag-reflex-inducing terrible.

The Bulls' backcourt of Gordon and Hinrichs will be fun to watch, but damn if they don't have a lot of deadweight at the end of the bench.

[therealronaldo7]

Not to get my expectations too high, but the Bobs might surprise a few people. They just signed Steve Smith, who obviously isn't the Steve Smith of the mid-90s, but he adds some much needed experience. They'll be terrible, but not gag-reflex-inducing terrible.

The Bulls' backcourt of Gordon and Hinrichs will be fun to watch, but damn if they don't have a lot of deadweight at the end of the bench.
Yeah, being a Chicago native I know all too much about the dead weight. I am not wure what Krause saw in Eddie Robinson to sign him to such a big contract, but he was a horrendous signing. As for the trade with the KNicks, the Bulls have some dead weight, but the weight only have one year left on each of their contracts. The Bulls will suck this year.....again. Paxson is moving the team in the right direction, but unfortunately the likes of Curry and Chandler are not the players the team was hoping they would turn out to be. We will see what happens. This Argentinian might be a surprise. I also like one of the rookies, Deng. We will see. I hope they have a good year. Pretty soon the east will be good again and the Bulls will have no shot.

[TheSlipperyOne]

Not to get my expectations too high, but the Bobs might surprise a few people. They just signed Steve Smith, who obviously isn't the Steve Smith of the mid-90s, but he adds some much needed experience. They'll be terrible, but not gag-reflex-inducing terrible.


I still don't see the Bobs doing much this season or the next few. But they should be willing to spend money on free agents and they'll get some high draft picks so it could get interesting.


The Bulls' backcourt of Gordon and Hinrichs will be fun to watch, but damn if they don't have a lot of deadweight at the end of the bench.


The Bulls are starting to gather some decent talent now that Krause is gone. Gordon and Hinrichs will definitely be good, then throw in Deng and the Argintinean and that's a good young nucleus. Curry has definitely disappointed, but Chandler has only disappointed because of his injuries. If healthy he can dominate in the East.

[TheSlipperyOne]

Cleveland Cavaliers:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/17/state.cavs/index.html

[sarabella]

I'm betting LaBron will have a killer season this year, now that he's not the newest thing in town anymore and some of the pressure to prove himself will be off.

[therealronaldo7]

I'm betting LaBron will have a killer season this year, now that he's not the newest thing in town anymore and some of the pressure to prove himself will be off.
I look for Drew Gooden to have a breakout year for the Cavs. If he could do more of his work in the post, he could easily fill the shoes of Boozer, but he is more of a tweener. We will see.
Sarabella, the avatar looks great. Congrats on Everton's position in the table. They are something else right now.

[sarabella]

Sarabella, the avatar looks great. Congrats on Everton's position in the table. They are something else right now.
It won't last long, but I'm enjoying every minute of it...

[skipshady]

I look for Drew Gooden to have a breakout year for the Cavs. If he could do more of his work in the post, he could easily fill the shoes of Boozer, but he is more of a tweener. We will see.A lot will depend on whetheer the Big Z can stay healthy, of course. A legit center can take the pressure off a power forward, and vice versa.

I do think the Cavs took one step backward, but then took 1.5 steps forward this offseason.

[TheSlipperyOne]

And to kick off the West here's the Dallas Mavericks:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/20/state.mavericks/index.html

[skipshady]

The Cavs would love to bring in Keon Clark - if they could just find him: www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/9719167.htm

[TheSlipperyOne]

And here's for my second favorite team and hometown team Denver Nuggets:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/21/state.nuggets/index.html

[TheSlipperyOne]

The Cavs would love to bring in Keon Clark - if they could just find him: www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/9719167.htm

They should probably call Ricky Williams' agent then.

[FearM9]

Anyone hearing talk of Jordan making yet another comeback with the Heat? Dan Patrick has been going on about it on his radio show on ESPN Radio and talked about it with Barkley.

http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=1058217

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/scorecard/09/22/truth.rumors/

The loose talk around the league is Michael Jordan has been working out like a demon, testing the possibility of joining forces with Shaquille O'Neal in Miami, according to Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe.
-- Denver Post

[TheSlipperyOne]

I heard the Jordan rumor a few weeks ago, but it looks like there might be a little something more to it now.

And here's the Detroit Pistons:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/22/state.pistons/index.html

[therealronaldo7]

Anyone hearing talk of Jordan making yet another comeback with the Heat? Dan Patrick has been going on about it on his radio show on ESPN Radio and talked about it with Barkley.

http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=1058217

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/scorecard/09/22/truth.rumors/
Jordan cannot get enough. I think he is an idiot. This would be a terrible move. The fact that he is even considering this is just ridiculous.

[Megatron]

I watching the news this morning and I heard them mention the Jordan to the Miami Heat rumor.I think it's not in his best interest to come back,but I hope the rumors arent' true.

[TheSlipperyOne]

Golden State Warriors:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/09/23/state.warriors/index.html

This one is hilarious. I think my favorite line is about Eduardo Najera:

"His offensive game is still limited to the dunk and missed layup, but it'll be nice to see him receive consistent minutes."

[microbrew]

Jordan cannot get enough. I think he is an idiot. This would be a terrible move. The fact that he is even considering this is just ridiculous.

I don't think a comeback is a bad idea, just not in the NBA.

The Nets need to do something with those trade execptions. Why couldn't have a real billionare bought out the Nets?