NBA 2008-09 Season

**BillD1984** · 11-03-2008 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Eh. I have a feeling LBJ will have something to say about that.

IMO, this puts the Cavs even more ahead of the Pistons than I thought they were!

And after watching the Celtics-Pacers game the other night, it's easy to see why it's so hard to repeat in this league.

I'm confident more than ever of my prediction: the Cavs winning the NBA title (doesn't mean I like it though

).

**SabresRule** · 11-03-2008 03:23 PM

after watching the Celtics-Pacers game the other night, it's easy to see why it's so hard to repeat in this league.

I have my own theory. It's called 'Opponents get jacked up to play the reigning champion.'
(See Browns/Giants)

When the Cowboys were Super Bowl champs, Darren Woodson once said "Every opponent gets up to play us."

A year ago, the Spurs, while trying to defend their title, had some terrible losses- Seattle, Sacramento, Memphis- that cost them a chance to get the #2 seed.

**BillD1984** · 11-03-2008 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by SabresRule

I have my own theory. It's called 'Opponents get jacked up to play the reigning champion.'
(See Browns/Giants)

When the Cowboys were Super Bowl champs, Darren Woodson once said "Every opponent gets up to play us."

A year ago, the Spurs, while trying to defend their title, had some terrible losses- Seattle, Sacramento, Memphis- that cost them a chance to get the #2 seed.

You're right.

That's why I see the Celtics as more of a 55-57 win team this year and not the 66 win juggernaut they were last year. That slippage will cost them the #1 seed to the Cavs...................mark my words.

**salsadancer7** · 11-03-2008 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Eh. I have a feeling LBJ will have something to say about that.

I think too many people are annoiting the Cavs the NBA championship when they have yet to play the season. They picked up Mo Williams....great, they improved, that was not something that might have put him over the top. ON PAPER...hence the phrase, ON PAPER...the Cetics are the team to be and the defending champions. ON PAPER, the 76ers look just as good as the Cav.

And since when did Lydon B. Johnson ever play basketball?

**Paul Wozniak** · 11-03-2008 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

Not really...if you think of it, the player with the most trade value WAS Billups because of lack of good point guards. Prince-type-players are really a dime a dozen(remember, I meant Prince-type as in 3 spot that can EITHER defend or shoot...Price does both well...and then disappears for a game or two). I think it is a GREAT TRADE for BOTH teams. The Nuggets are young and need some veteran leadership and Billups is perfect. The Pistons need an influx of scoring because the starting 5 was getting old REAL FAST. This trade just edged the PISTONS into the 2nd best team in the East IMHO, just behind Boston.

Hold on a second there, that's where we started the season. To answer HD MM, the point guard would be Stuckey, but like I said earlier Iverson can play point also.

As I said earlier, this trade is all about freeing up $20M in cap space. Maybe they want a shot at LeBron in '10?

**ycebar** · 11-03-2008 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Eh. I have a feeling LBJ will have something to say about that.

Yes but LBJ should be more worried about hitting some free throws at the end of games

**salsadancer7** · 11-04-2008 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Hold on a second there, that's where we started the season. To answer HD MM, the point guard would be Stuckey, but like I said earlier Iverson can play point also.

As I said earlier, this trade is all about freeing up $20M in cap space. Maybe they want a shot at LeBron in '10?

Well....I had said that it was Boston as the team to beat....and Cleveland and Detriot tied for second and not too far behind was Philly. This trade clearly put Detroit 2nd to me.

Believe me, I know FULL WELL this was to free up cap space. I know they have their eye on Bosh big time.

**HD MM** · 11-04-2008 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Paul Wozniak

Hold on a second there, that's where we started the season. To answer HD MM, the point guard would be Stuckey, but like I said earlier Iverson can play point also.

As I said earlier, this trade is all about freeing up $20M in cap space. Maybe they want a shot at LeBron in '10?

Is Stuckey's the point, does that mean Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince will be coming off the bench?! Uh oh. I don't know how the old guys will take to that.

**HD MM** · 11-04-2008 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by ycebar

Yes but LBJ should be more worried about hitting some free throws at the end of games

I agree. He needs to work on that.

**Paul Wozniak** · 11-04-2008 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by HD MM

Is Stuckey's the point, does that mean Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince will be coming off the bench?! Uh oh. I don't know how the old guys will take to that.

I think you will see more 3 guard packages. Don't forget Hamilton is 6' 7'', and Prince has impressive ball handling skills. I see Iverson taking over the point and Stuckey still coming off the bench.

Hamilton was signed to a 3 yr. extension yesterday. The Pistons won handily yesterday, without Billups, McDyess, or Iverson.

The Pistons have been playing 11 people in all three games, so minutes are at a premium for everyone. The only question is getting Iverson to blend in, which I don't see as a problem. It will be exciting to watch the Pistons play again. I'll admit, it was getting kind of boring around here.

And here's the best part - next season we have $36M under the cap to play with for free agents next summer and in '10. Can you spell LeBron, Wade, Bosh, etc...?