2006 / 2007 NBA Thread

[svosen]

Farf, you knew it was coming. I'm telling you right up front I don't want to hear about it.

Okay, now that we got that out of the road...

~~~~~~~~~

Read an article about Amare today; it said he was seriously considering hanging up the sneaks this summer. But now he's saying he's at 80%, and he's planning on being 100% by the 31st.

Hmm... I can honestly say I hope he IS at 100% by then, but I somewhat doubt it. I can understand why he wants to get back in it before he forgets how to play, but I'd also be very cautious about coming back and hurting it long-term.

Starting to get pretty excited about the season kicking off again. Can't wait for some pre-season action, even if it's really just a joke. Better than nothing.

Got any early predictions? Nash for MVP 3-peat?

I'm predicting Arenas for scoring champ. Howard for rebounding champ.

I bet LeBron has an MVP year, but he won't get MVP. All the votes he should have gotten last year (that went to Nash) will go to Wade this year, just because he won Finals MVP last year. I know that doesn't make any sense, and I don't endorse it, I'm just making a guess.

I see the Lakers making it to the 2nd round. And I see Dallas not making it to the Finals. It'll probably be a Spurs/Mavs rematch, but in the West Finals this year.

I'd love to see Houston stay healthy, just to see who they can shake up in the offseason.

[Cowboy22]

Ah, the Annual Svosen and Cowboy22 Discuss the NBA While the Rest of the Forum Looks on Indifferently Thread. Awesome.

I hope Amare is okay. He was looking like a potential great one before he got hurt. That injury has claimed a lot of good players, it'd be a shame is he was the next in line. Hopefully he didn't screw things up by trying to rush back. If he's healthy my early pick would be Suns over Heat, if not maybe Mavs. I'm not sure yet. I'll give full playoff predicitions like I did last year when the season gets closer.

I agree with your pick of Howard as rebounding champ, but I'll say that Kobe repeats as scoring champ. As for MVP, I'd like to see LeBron and agree that he'll have that kind of year, but I have no idea who actually wins. It's pretty clear that the people voting and I don't agree on what constitutes an MVP. Right now I'll guess Dirk, but Wade is as good a bet as any. Anyone but Nash again. I'll also guess that Brandon Roy takes the rookie of the year, although Morrison and Foye have a good chance too.

All in all, I can't wait for the season to get started again. I've missed basketball a lot.

[svosen]

Most improved player = Darco Milicic.

I don't think Kobe will be the scoring champ. I'm really thinking he's completely on board with Phil, and I think Phil will try to distribute the load this year. Hopefully Kwame is up to the task. I have to say, though, that I'm actually more excited about the return of Chris Mihm, the progess of Andrew Bynum, and how those two things will hopefully motivate Kwame to continue to kick it up. With the three of them fighting for time on the floor, maybe all three will get better and make a solid rotation.

[Cowboy22]

Darko is a great pick for most improved.

I think you're crazy if you honestly think Kobe is going to just start sharing the ball and playing team basketball out of nowhere (and for being excited at the return of Chris Mihm...), but we'll see.

[svosen]

Crazy... like a fox.

I don't think it'd be "out of nowhere," either. He played it last year, I think, in as much as that's what Phil wanted him to do. Listen to his teammates, man - they speak very well of him, but you get the sense it's truthful (not just butt kissing). For instance, Brain Cook has made comments such as "he's not like he used to be, he's nice now." to paraphrase. I really think he's grown up a lot.

And - YEAH! Chris Mihm was kicking butt last year before he got hurt.

You came down on me for my KG dream, and now I'm making due, but you continue to beat me down...

Oh well, it could be worse. I could be a Utah fan (he he he)

[Cowboy22]

Originally Posted by svosen

Oh well, it could be worse. I could be a Utah fan (he he he)

When Carlos Boozer leads them to the promised land you're going to be sorry!

[Cowboy22]

By the way, have you heard about the new policy towards techincal fouls? Apparently they're adopting a "no tolerance" policy towards arguing with the officals, so no more yelling and carrying on when a call doesn't go someones way. I always thought that Rasheed's 41 technicals that one year (Seriously, 41! That's one every two games!) was one of those unbreakable records, like DiMaggio's hit streak...but that thing is going to get shattered this year, possibly by Rasheed himself. We could have games where entire teams are thrown out. I'm excited.

[svosen]

I heard about the rule, but only via a comment Rasheed made about it (he called it "another 'Sheed rule," and he convinced himself he's "doing something right" because they're making rules aimed only at him).

From what you've said it entails, though, I'm all for it. I imagine Kobe (and many other team captains) will take a few hits from it, for good or bad. Still, though, I think it's a good thing.

I just hope the refs don't issue Ts for controlled discussions following calls. That'd be bad.

[svosen]

Hey - I thought I told you to keep an eye on Fisher! And now look what you've let happen So, can your backup guards do the job?

[Barret Wallace]

Can't wait to see my Bulls play.