Notes

2004-05 NBA Season Sneak Peek
If there was one single style to this off-season for the NBA it was 'change' not only was there quite a bit of significant player motion, however the league itself underwent a remodeling of sorts, lastly broadening to a 30th franchise, and realigning to 6 departments of five teams each. Naturally the biggest headings this off-season surrounded the continuous saga that has actually become the Los Angeles Lakers. Basically the Lakers surrendered to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for-- namely the exit of Shaq, and Phil Jackson.
Other relocations of note this off-season, was Phoenix getting a whole brand-new back court of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having wholesale changes after losing out on Nash in the open market, they continued to dump Antawn Jamison and Antione Walker, and changed Nash with Jason Terry (and rookie Devin Harris) and changed 6th man Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. Both players and groups must benefit considerably from this trade, especially Indiana, as it now allows Reggie Miller to come of the bench. Of course there are the protecting world champ Detroit Pistons who by all indicators ought to be even stronger this year, having Rasheed Wallace for a whole 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 last years lotto pick Darko Milicic it would be a perk.
When all is stated and done this season all of the shuffling will have gotten a great deal of teams better, and it may have closed some gaps, but come next summer the final four ought to be very comparable to what it has actually been just recently, Detroit is still the team to beat in the East, and Indiana is the only group with an opportunity to do so. In the West San Antonio will when again be a force, and Minnesota needs to continue its current success behind perennial MVP prospect Kevin Garnett.
2004 Forecast:
Atlantic Division
Knicks- Marbury is a sleeper for MVP, will not miss out on Allan Houston at all
Celtics- Payton will be on an objective to regain some status, Pierce another MVP candidate
Internet- Losses of Martin & Kittles too huge to get rid of
Raptors- How high a ceiling can Bosh have on such a small frame?
76ers- Iverson will be requiring a trade by January
Central Division
Pistons- Biggest question is if they can sustain the 'drive to win'
Pacers- Should be even better this year
Cavaliers- In either other eastern division would compete for 1st
Bulls- Slowly improving, very slowly (and really did they have anywhere else to go
Bucks- Will be tough to follow up on last years success
Southeast Division
Heat- Shaq alone makes them contenders-- try to find Eddie Jones to reappear as all star
Magic- Francis wants to return to Stevie Franchise days
Hawks- Have some prospective young skill, Harrington one of favorites for many improved
Wizards- They are just treading water, and should be extremely scared of Bobcats passing them rapidly
Bobcats- They need to begin someplace, couldn't have actually requested a much better division
Southwest Division
Spurs- Adding Barry for depth provides simply another weapon
Rockets- Will be interesting to view how it unfolds
Mavericks- New look Mav's probably not any better, still won't stop anybody defensively
Grizzlies- Have made excellent strides, but will be harder to take next action
Hornets- Biggest victims of the realignment
Northwest Division
T-wolves- This could be their year (might need to be).
Nuggets- Quietly have put together one of best starting 5 in league.
Trendsetters- How long prior to they shake up the roster even more?
Sonics- Have to choose what kind of team they want to be, and after that commit to it.
Jazz- Kirilenko is easily the most unheralded gamer in the league.
Pacific Division.
Kings- Still have one run left in them.
Suns- Are well on their way to being 'the next group'.
Lakers- New look Lakers are in for some surprises.
Clippers- Clippers will fight Wizards and warriors to stay ahead of Bobcats.
Warriors- See Clippers.
Eastern Conference Finals:.
Pacers over Pistons.
Western Conference Finals:.
Timberwolves over Spurs.
Finals:.
Pacers over Timberwolves.
MVP:.
Favorite: Kevin Garnett, Twolves.
Sleeper: Stephon Marbury, Knicks.
Protective Player of the Year:.
Favorite: Ben Wallace, Pistons.
Sleeper: Andrei Kirilinko, Jazz.
A Lot 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. 밤제 Smith, Hornets.
Coach of the Year:.
Favorite: Stan Van Gundy, Heat.
Sleeper: Lenny Wilkens, Knicks.

If there was one single style to this off-season for the NBA it was 'alter' not only was there quite a bit of substantial player movement, but the league itself underwent a makeover of sorts, lastly expanding to a 30th franchise, and realigning to six divisions of five groups each. Generally the Lakers surrendered to Kobe, and he got all that he asked for-- namely the exit of Shaq, and Phil Jackson.
Other moves of note this off-season, was Phoenix getting a whole new back court of Steve Nash and Quentin Richardson, Dallas having wholesale changes 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 novice Devin Harris) and changed 6th male Jamison with Jerry Stackhouse. Both groups and gamers need to benefit significantly from this trade, especially 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 signs need to be even stronger this year, having Rasheed Wallace for a whole season, as well as including 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 last years lottery choice Darko Milicic it would be a bonus.
Read More: https://notes.io/q5hNe