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**BCWWF** · 02-09-2004, 11:25 PM

I am going to get my usual shit for talking up my hometown team again here, but its just my opinions.

I think Sacramento will probably hold onto first place in the West, and although the Timberwolves are starting to show signs of slowing down from their hot streak, I think they will win their division and end up the second seed. San Antonio just doesn't have the talent, Dallas has some good offensive players but they aren't going to get anywhere without a center and without a good defense, and I don't think the Lakers are even a better team than Minnesota or Sacramento with their big four healthy.

It is wierd to think about it, because the real goal here in Minnesota is just getting out of the first round for the first time, but honestly it is entirely possible for the Wolves to be NBA Champs. They have won some big games already this season, in Sacramento specifically. San Antonio doesn't have the personel to deal with Cassell or Sprewell, and Garnett just negates Duncan. Dallas just won't have enough to make it to the Western Finals this year IMO.

I think Sacramento should make a serious bid for Michael Finley if at all possible. Doug Christie is the achillies heal in the star studden lineup, and Finley could fit perfectly into their perimeter game. Also I don't think Chris Weber will be a huge impact upon his return. Brad Miller is playing way too good and even Vlade Divac is a pretty good player, he is probably the best passing center in the game. They have room to try to get a great player by the deadline.

Dallas, I think they should trade Antwaan Jamison to the Cavileers for Z. Jamison would be the perfect sidekick to LeBron James, both young, and Z could fill the big void lacked in Dallas that we call a center. Dirk Nowitski is a shooter, he can't rebound, compare him to any decent center in the league and he is trash. I know Dirk is back at forward, but now they have some other crappy guy starting there.

I have heard the rumors about Van Exel and Dampier to the Blazers for Rasheed, that would be huge. Damon Stadameier is not a bad pG at all, but having Van Exel would only help, and Dampier has totally come out of his closet and would play real well alongside Randolph.

Also, Van Exel has made it clear that he will either be playing in Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio next year or he will retire.

I don't know how the Timberwolves will fare when Szczerbiak and Olowokandi come back, hopefully only better. I really like Fred Hoiberg, so I hope we don't have to cut him loose even though he would be playing deep in the lineup. But Hoiberg is basically just a lesser version of Wally Szczerbiak. Olowokandi you never know what you are going to get, but I assume that his presence will be felt in the paint next to KG.

MVP: I don't see how you could say it be anyone else but Kevin Garnett. Redd may be the reason that the Bucks are doing well in the East right now, but I can guarantee you that a Minnesota team without Kevin Garnett would be fighting for the 7 and 8 seed. Garnett is just that good, he is the best player in the NBA this year and to not give him the MVP would be a travesty. The other thing, he now has a supporting cast, but now his stats are better along with the teams stats. So they may be helping the team win, but he has offered more that he ever has in his career assist, rebound, scoring wise.

The two most important series's in the season, the Western Finals and the NBA Finals.

I think the Western Finals will be the Wolves and the Kings because they are the two most talented teams in the league and they both have good depth. It's hard to say who would win, Cassell has an edge over Bibby, Garnett has a slight edge over Weber or Miller, but Peja has the edge over Spree easilly. I assume Hassell would guard Peja and Spree take Christie though. Bobby Jackson is good, but IMO the Timberwolves are deeper, Hudson, Wally, Trent, Madson, and Johnson I guess, I think the Timberwolves right now would have the edge in that series if it took place right now.

NBA Finals: The East seems kind of split between Indiana, New Jersey, and Detroit. I don't see New Jersey pulling out #3 this year, but its hard to say if either Detroit or Indiana will choke. Indiana has the best team right now, so I will guess that they go to the finals. If Indiana makes the Finals, it wont be a walk over for any team, whether it be the Kings, Wolves, Spurs, Mav's, or Lakers. I still do think that the West will win though.

02-09-2004, 11:25 PM	#6
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	I am going to get my usual shit for talking up my hometown team again here, but its just my opinions. I think Sacramento will probably hold onto first place in the West, and although the Timberwolves are starting to show signs of slowing down from their hot streak, I think they will win their division and end up the second seed. San Antonio just doesn't have the talent, Dallas has some good offensive players but they aren't going to get anywhere without a center and without a good defense, and I don't think the Lakers are even a better team than Minnesota or Sacramento with their big four healthy. It is wierd to think about it, because the real goal here in Minnesota is just getting out of the first round for the first time, but honestly it is entirely possible for the Wolves to be NBA Champs. They have won some big games already this season, in Sacramento specifically. San Antonio doesn't have the personel to deal with Cassell or Sprewell, and Garnett just negates Duncan. Dallas just won't have enough to make it to the Western Finals this year IMO. I think Sacramento should make a serious bid for Michael Finley if at all possible. Doug Christie is the achillies heal in the star studden lineup, and Finley could fit perfectly into their perimeter game. Also I don't think Chris Weber will be a huge impact upon his return. Brad Miller is playing way too good and even Vlade Divac is a pretty good player, he is probably the best passing center in the game. They have room to try to get a great player by the deadline. Dallas, I think they should trade Antwaan Jamison to the Cavileers for Z. Jamison would be the perfect sidekick to LeBron James, both young, and Z could fill the big void lacked in Dallas that we call a center. Dirk Nowitski is a shooter, he can't rebound, compare him to any decent center in the league and he is trash. I know Dirk is back at forward, but now they have some other crappy guy starting there. I have heard the rumors about Van Exel and Dampier to the Blazers for Rasheed, that would be huge. Damon Stadameier is not a bad pG at all, but having Van Exel would only help, and Dampier has totally come out of his closet and would play real well alongside Randolph. Also, Van Exel has made it clear that he will either be playing in Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio next year or he will retire. I don't know how the Timberwolves will fare when Szczerbiak and Olowokandi come back, hopefully only better. I really like Fred Hoiberg, so I hope we don't have to cut him loose even though he would be playing deep in the lineup. But Hoiberg is basically just a lesser version of Wally Szczerbiak. Olowokandi you never know what you are going to get, but I assume that his presence will be felt in the paint next to KG. MVP: I don't see how you could say it be anyone else but Kevin Garnett. Redd may be the reason that the Bucks are doing well in the East right now, but I can guarantee you that a Minnesota team without Kevin Garnett would be fighting for the 7 and 8 seed. Garnett is just that good, he is the best player in the NBA this year and to not give him the MVP would be a travesty. The other thing, he now has a supporting cast, but now his stats are better along with the teams stats. So they may be helping the team win, but he has offered more that he ever has in his career assist, rebound, scoring wise. The two most important series's in the season, the Western Finals and the NBA Finals. I think the Western Finals will be the Wolves and the Kings because they are the two most talented teams in the league and they both have good depth. It's hard to say who would win, Cassell has an edge over Bibby, Garnett has a slight edge over Weber or Miller, but Peja has the edge over Spree easilly. I assume Hassell would guard Peja and Spree take Christie though. Bobby Jackson is good, but IMO the Timberwolves are deeper, Hudson, Wally, Trent, Madson, and Johnson I guess, I think the Timberwolves right now would have the edge in that series if it took place right now. NBA Finals: The East seems kind of split between Indiana, New Jersey, and Detroit. I don't see New Jersey pulling out #3 this year, but its hard to say if either Detroit or Indiana will choke. Indiana has the best team right now, so I will guess that they go to the finals. If Indiana makes the Finals, it wont be a walk over for any team, whether it be the Kings, Wolves, Spurs, Mav's, or Lakers. I still do think that the West will win though.