It's showtime, literally. This is a good night to be on the wrong side. All these lines look like Vegas just went back to last year and grabbed some lines. The problem is that there's only one team playing tonight that resembles last year's team. After we get by Det, who's the same? Will the Lakers resemble the team last year when Shak was out. I don't think so but if they do it will be the longest season in Laker history. Kobe gets his chance to prove he's another MJ. I don't buy that for one simple reason. Kobe hasn't proved to me that he knows how to use the talent around him, There's been only a handful of players over the years that had the ability to be the star while pulling everyone that played with them up to another level. MJ was a master at that. I do like the players that LA got for Shak. Now, can they play with Kobe? I guess we'll find out.
Now before you point out that Den and Sac have basically the same players, let me point out that the changes that were made will make a difference. First let's look at Sac. The obvious is no Divac, the less obvious is that we do have Webber. Look at the difference between this team before and after they got Webber back last year and you might catch on to what I mean. They went from being the best team in the NBA to a contender overnight. Already there's a problem between him and Stojakovic and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Divac will be missed.
Den is another story. This team started to really jell in the second half of last season and getting Martin is, in my opinion, a major plus. This move should bring a mental toughness both on the o and d ends of the floor that can do nothing but help. Now, if Andre Miller would just be content to be a great point guard this team should be hard to beat.
Now that only leaves Hou and Dallas. Let's take Dallas first. The team that has made the worst trades I've ever seen for the last three years might this time have got it right. All they've needed all this time was someone like Dampier to go with what they had. If this kid Harris can beat out JT for the starting spot he is either pretty good or we've got some dumb coaches. The jury is still out on that one. JT is a better shooting guard but still a pretty good point guard. As much as I hate to see Nash gone this could be a better team if Dampier works out. Nellie had better hope Eric don't get hurt.
That leaves Hou. We now have a team that reminds me of the old Knicks when Van Gundy was there. He tried to build a championship around Ewing and now Ming. To build a team around a center you have to have two other elements. A good mid-range shooter which they have now got with McGrady and a really good point guard that can also score. If they are counting on Charlie Ward for this then they are in trouble. It seems that every year Juwan Howard is starting for a different team and that team don't quite live up to expectations. Will this one be different? McGrady didn't like being second fiddle to his cousin and they are already calling this Ming's team. Let's see how this plays out.
Keep in mind that the league wants more scoring again this year and have screwed with the rules again to try to get it. I liked it better when you didn't have to have a new rule book every year.
Be back before game time.
Now before you point out that Den and Sac have basically the same players, let me point out that the changes that were made will make a difference. First let's look at Sac. The obvious is no Divac, the less obvious is that we do have Webber. Look at the difference between this team before and after they got Webber back last year and you might catch on to what I mean. They went from being the best team in the NBA to a contender overnight. Already there's a problem between him and Stojakovic and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Divac will be missed.
Den is another story. This team started to really jell in the second half of last season and getting Martin is, in my opinion, a major plus. This move should bring a mental toughness both on the o and d ends of the floor that can do nothing but help. Now, if Andre Miller would just be content to be a great point guard this team should be hard to beat.
Now that only leaves Hou and Dallas. Let's take Dallas first. The team that has made the worst trades I've ever seen for the last three years might this time have got it right. All they've needed all this time was someone like Dampier to go with what they had. If this kid Harris can beat out JT for the starting spot he is either pretty good or we've got some dumb coaches. The jury is still out on that one. JT is a better shooting guard but still a pretty good point guard. As much as I hate to see Nash gone this could be a better team if Dampier works out. Nellie had better hope Eric don't get hurt.
That leaves Hou. We now have a team that reminds me of the old Knicks when Van Gundy was there. He tried to build a championship around Ewing and now Ming. To build a team around a center you have to have two other elements. A good mid-range shooter which they have now got with McGrady and a really good point guard that can also score. If they are counting on Charlie Ward for this then they are in trouble. It seems that every year Juwan Howard is starting for a different team and that team don't quite live up to expectations. Will this one be different? McGrady didn't like being second fiddle to his cousin and they are already calling this Ming's team. Let's see how this plays out.
Keep in mind that the league wants more scoring again this year and have screwed with the rules again to try to get it. I liked it better when you didn't have to have a new rule book every year.
Be back before game time.
. I put them in a 3 teamer with Dal and Det o. Going light tonight. This is really a crapshoot.
