Three surprise teams for '03-'04
It's easy to look at who will win and be dominant in the NBA. The major players like the Lakers, Mavericks, and Spurs come to mind. But this intrepid columnist looks at those teams who were on the outside looking in last year and evaluates their chances of knocking one of the big boys out of the dance.
By Derek Daggett Sports Central Columnist
It's easy to look at last season's successes and project them onto this season. I would be a miserable prognosticator if I told you that the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, and Timberwolves would once again participate in the NBA's real season, the postseason.
But it takes a shrewd mind and a magic eight ball to predict those teams who missed last year, but will make it to the land of the playoffs this year. Read on if you dare, but be prepared to be enlightened and take these three teams as surprise locks for the NBA postseason.
Houston Rockets
Okay, I know, big surprise. This team just missed last year and was picked as a playoff team last year. While I am not bucking last year's trend, I'll tell you something that will surprise you. Not only will the Rockets make the playoffs, they will go far in the playoffs. This team is poised for a takeoff (bad pun, I know, but I couldn't resist).
Stevie Franchise is the best point guard in the Western Conference. He can breakdown any guard in that league, and he will be looking to get to the hole a lot more this season. Yao Ming is a year older and a year wiser. His tank will not run out midway through this season and he has proved he will be a force in this league.
The addition of guard Eric Piatkowski was genius. This guy is a deadly outside-shooter, and he will get plenty of opportunities to bury teams from the outside.
You heard it here first, the Rockets will be in the Western Conference semis, with an outside shot of reaching the Western Conference Finals.
Chicago Bulls
Like many Jets fans would say on Draft Sunday ... AAAAAHHHHH ... are you freaking kidding? The Bulls. Yes, the Bulls. This was one of the better teams at home ... dreadful on the road.
Bill Cartwright showed he could coach in this league, and the Bulls became the team no one wanted to play at season's end. Tyson Chandler slowly began showing what kind of force he will be. Let's all remember, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant didn't really do much until their third years.
Jalen Rose has shown he is a player and the addition of Scottie Pippen will add some veteran leadership to this team, something that will translate into more road wins. In a very weak Eastern Conference, 40-42 wins could equal a playoff spot. Watch for the Bulls.
Los Angeles Clippers
First the Bulls, now the Clippers? I know, you must all think I am high, but I'm not. I am a firm believer in team chemistry and how it leads to victories. The Clippers of last season were an anomaly. They were 12 selfish players going for contracts and never came together as a team.
The Clippers' rid themselves of the locker room cancer known as Michael Olowakandi, and the distraction of Lamar Odom. Signing Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, the leaders of this team, showed the other players that management is committed to winning. Injuries killed the Clips last year.
All that aside, the Clippers have a proven general in Mike Dunleavy. He will have this team playing hard every night and is a veteran of the Western Conference. His leadership will pull the baby Clips through some tough games. This team is poised to recapture the magic of two seasons ago, magic they obtained without Odom and Olowakandi. Believe in the Clips!
Article courtesy of Sports Central.
It's easy to look at last season's successes and project them onto this season. I would be a miserable prognosticator if I told you that the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, and Timberwolves would once again participate in the NBA's real season, the postseason.
But it takes a shrewd mind and a magic eight ball to predict those teams who missed last year, but will make it to the land of the playoffs this year. Read on if you dare, but be prepared to be enlightened and take these three teams as surprise locks for the NBA postseason.
Houston Rockets
Okay, I know, big surprise. This team just missed last year and was picked as a playoff team last year. While I am not bucking last year's trend, I'll tell you something that will surprise you. Not only will the Rockets make the playoffs, they will go far in the playoffs. This team is poised for a takeoff (bad pun, I know, but I couldn't resist).
Stevie Franchise is the best point guard in the Western Conference. He can breakdown any guard in that league, and he will be looking to get to the hole a lot more this season. Yao Ming is a year older and a year wiser. His tank will not run out midway through this season and he has proved he will be a force in this league.
The addition of guard Eric Piatkowski was genius. This guy is a deadly outside-shooter, and he will get plenty of opportunities to bury teams from the outside.
You heard it here first, the Rockets will be in the Western Conference semis, with an outside shot of reaching the Western Conference Finals.
Chicago Bulls
Like many Jets fans would say on Draft Sunday ... AAAAAHHHHH ... are you freaking kidding? The Bulls. Yes, the Bulls. This was one of the better teams at home ... dreadful on the road.
Bill Cartwright showed he could coach in this league, and the Bulls became the team no one wanted to play at season's end. Tyson Chandler slowly began showing what kind of force he will be. Let's all remember, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant didn't really do much until their third years.
Jalen Rose has shown he is a player and the addition of Scottie Pippen will add some veteran leadership to this team, something that will translate into more road wins. In a very weak Eastern Conference, 40-42 wins could equal a playoff spot. Watch for the Bulls.
Los Angeles Clippers
First the Bulls, now the Clippers? I know, you must all think I am high, but I'm not. I am a firm believer in team chemistry and how it leads to victories. The Clippers of last season were an anomaly. They were 12 selfish players going for contracts and never came together as a team.
The Clippers' rid themselves of the locker room cancer known as Michael Olowakandi, and the distraction of Lamar Odom. Signing Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, the leaders of this team, showed the other players that management is committed to winning. Injuries killed the Clips last year.
All that aside, the Clippers have a proven general in Mike Dunleavy. He will have this team playing hard every night and is a veteran of the Western Conference. His leadership will pull the baby Clips through some tough games. This team is poised to recapture the magic of two seasons ago, magic they obtained without Odom and Olowakandi. Believe in the Clips!
Article courtesy of Sports Central.
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