Notes

2004-05 NBA Season Sneak Peek
If there was one single theme to this off-season for the NBA it was 'alter' not only was there a fair bit of significant player motion, but the league itself went through a makeover of sorts, finally broadening to a 30th franchise, and realigning to six divisions of five groups each. Of course the most significant headlines this off-season surrounded the ongoing legend that has become the Los Angeles Lakers. Generally the Lakers surrendered to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for-- particularly the exit of Shaq, and Phil Jackson.
Watched by the Shaq move to Miami was what could end up being an even bigger deal with Tracy Mcgrady going from Orlando to Houston for Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley. Many hypothesize that the tandem of Mcgrady and Yao Ming will be the new Shaq-Kobe, however what is being overlooked is the capacity for Steve Francis to re-establish himself as "the franchise". Other relocations of note this off-season, was Phoenix getting an entire brand-new back court of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having wholesale modifications after losing out on Nash in the open market, they proceeded to unload Antawn Jamison and Antione Walker, and changed Nash with Jason Terry (and rookie Devin Harris) and replaced 6th guy Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. One extremely fascinating relocation that went fairly unheralded was the trade of Al Harrington from Indiana to Atlanta for Stephen Jackson. Both players and teams need to benefit greatly from this trade, particularly Indiana, as it now permits Reggie Miller to come of the bench. Then naturally there are the protecting world champion Detroit Pistons who by all indications need to be even more powerful this year, having Rasheed Wallace for an entire season, as well as adding Antonio McDyess and Derrick Coleman to their bench (both of whom would probably start for some groups) plus if they get anything at all out of ins 2015 lottery pick Darko Milicic it would be a bonus.
When all is stated and done this season all of the shuffling will have gotten a lot of groups closer, and it might have closed some spaces, but follow summertime the last four must be very comparable to what it has actually been recently, Detroit is still the group to beat in the East, and Indiana is the only group with an opportunity to do so. In the West San Antonio will once again be a force, and Minnesota should continue its current success behind perennial MVP prospect Kevin Garnett.
2004 Forecast:
Atlantic Division
Knicks- Marbury is a sleeper for MVP, will not miss Allan Houston at all
Celtics- Payton will be on a mission to gain back some status, Pierce another MVP candidate
Nets- Losses of Martin & Kittles too huge to conquer
Raptors- How high a ceiling can Bosh have on such a little frame?
76ers- Iverson will be requiring a trade by January
Central Division
Pistons- Biggest concern is if they can sustain the 'drive to win'
Pacers- Should be even more detailed this year
Cavaliers- In either other eastern division would contend for 1st
Bulls- Slowly improving, extremely gradually (and truly did they have anywhere else to go
Dollars- Will be tough to follow up on ins 2015 success
Southeast Division
Heat- Shaq alone makes them contenders-- search for Eddie Jones to re-emerge as all star
Magic- Francis seeks to return to Stevie Franchise days
Hawks- Have some potential young talent, Harrington among favorites for most improved
Wizards- They are just treading water, and ought to be really afraid of Bobcats passing them rapidly
Bobcats- They need to start somewhere, could not have actually requested for a much better department
Southwest Division
Spurs- Adding Barry for depth gives them simply another weapon
Rockets- Will be intriguing to see how it unfolds
Mavericks- New look Mav's most likely not any better, still won't stop anyone defensively
Grizzlies- Have made terrific strides, however will be harder to take next action
Hornets- Biggest victims of the realignment
Northwest Division
T-wolves- This could be their year (may have to be).
Nuggets- Quietly have actually put together among finest starting 5 in league.
Trailblazers- How long before they shock the roster even more?
Sonics- Have to decide what kind of team they want to be, and then commit to it.
Jazz- Kirilenko is easily the most unheralded gamer in the league.
Pacific Division.
Kings- Still have one run left in them.
dc달밤 Suns- Are well on their way to being 'the next team'.
Lakers- New look Lakers remain in for some surprises.
Clippers- Clippers will battle Warriors and Wizards to remain ahead of Bobcats.
Warriors- See Clippers.
Eastern Conference Finals:.
Pacers over Pistons.
인천달리기 Western Conference Finals:.
Timberwolves over Spurs.
Finals:.
Pacers over Timberwolves.
MVP:.
Favorite: Kevin Garnett, Twolves.
Sleeper: Stephon Marbury, Knicks.
Defensive Player of the Year:.
Favorite: Ben Wallace, Pistons.
Sleeper: Andrei Kirilinko, Jazz.
The Majority Of Improved Player:.
Favorite: Al Harrington, Hawks.
Sleeper: Drew Gooden, Cavaliers.
Sixth Man:.
Favorite: Bobby Jackson, Kings.
Sleeper: Joe Johnson, Suns.
Scoring Champion:.
Favorite: Kobe Bryant, Lakers.
Sleeper: Shaquille O'Neal, Heat.
Rookie of the Year:.
Favorite: Dwight Howard, Magic.
Sleeper: J.R. Smith, Hornets.
Coach of the Year:.
Favorite: Stan Van Gundy, Heat.
Sleeper: Lenny Wilkens, Knicks.

If there was one single theme to this off-season for the NBA it was 'change' not only was there rather a bit of substantial gamer motion, however the league itself underwent a transformation of sorts, finally expanding to a 30th franchise, and realigning to six departments of five groups each. Generally the Lakers gave up to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for-- specifically the exit of Shaq, and Phil Jackson.
Other relocations of note this off-season, was Phoenix getting a whole new back court of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having wholesale modifications after losing out on Nash in the open market, they proceeded to unload Antawn Jamison and Antione Walker, and replaced Nash with Jason Terry (and rookie Devin Harris) and changed 6th man Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. Both teams and players ought to benefit greatly from this trade, particularly Indiana, as it now allows Reggie Miller to come of the bench. Of course there are the protecting world champion Detroit Pistons who by all indications need to be even stronger this year, having Rasheed Wallace for an entire season, as well as adding Antonio McDyess and Derrick Coleman to their bench (both of whom would most likely start for some teams) plus if they get anything at all out of last years lottery choice Darko Milicic it would be a reward.
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