The 2005 NBA season

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif Do you have any idea what you're talking about? The Cavs biggest problems last season were defense and outside shooting. Larry Hughes is an all-NBA 1st team defender and a good slasher, Damon Jones is a good three-point shooter, and Donyell also shoots the 3 at a good percetange, as well as being a great rebounder and solid defender. Considering the free agent market and what the Cavs needed, they had a great offseason. It's laughable that you don't think any of the players are "real" additions.

You can spout off stats and merrits all you want but what happens to the Cavs this year is what will matter most. Whether they start winning or not will be the ultimate answer to that but in my opinion they aren't ready to make real move yet.

 

[Gauntlet 5,000+ posts]

So what the hell kind of point are you trying to make then? That they're not a championship-level team yet? What a bold prediction! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

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[adam71 5,000+ posts]

So what the hell kind of point are you trying to make then? That they're not a championship-level team yet? What a bold prediction! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif
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What kind of point are you trying to make then a hole.? I gave my opinion that they're not ready to make a move toward a championship and thats all. Why is that so hard for you to accept?? Is it because they are your team? Then I don't blame you for not liking it but its the sad truth. I'm a Celtics fan and I know they're a very young team and it will be a long time before they are a conteder but you wouldn't see me getting mad at someone who said they sucked.

Get over yourself.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

 

[Gauntlet 5,000+ posts]

What kind of point are you trying to make then a hole.? I gave my opinion that they're not ready to make a move toward a championship and thats all. Why is that so hard for you to accept?? Is it because they are your team? Then I don't blame you for not liking it but its the sad truth. I'm a Celtics fan and I know they're a very young team and it will be a long time before they are a conteder but you wouldn't see me getting mad at someone who said they sucked.
Get over yourself.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif My only point was that the free agents they brought in are all solid additions, that's it. You said they weren't real pickups, which doesn't make any sense. If your only point was that they aren't great yet, I completely agree. If you read any of my posts in this thread you would see that I am very realistic regarding how good the Cavs actually are.

And no, this season is not the most important. They have a new (rookie GM), a new (rookie) coach, a slew of new players, one of the returning players is essentially still a rookie (Luke), another returning player never had any significant minutes last year (Sasha), and another is out until at least the all-star break (Varejao). And they play in arguably the toughest division in basketball, which will make the steep learning curve that much tougher. The Cavs aren't built for this season.

 

[Raisedin305 5,000+ posts]

Miami has a team that can win it all, but they need that chemistry to click. Shaq being hurt now won't slow them down though. Wade is the teams true franchise player. If Walker and J. Williams step up, we will be hard to beat. Zo is dominate and Payton is a solid vet.

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[adam71 5,000+ posts]

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif My only point was that the free agents they brought in are all solid additions, that's it. You said they weren't real pickups, which doesn't make any sense. If your only point was that they aren't great yet, I completely agree. If you read any of my posts in this thread you would see that I am very realistic regarding how good the Cavs actually are.
And no, this season is not the most important. They have a new (rookie GM), a new (rookie) coach, a slew of new players, one of the returning players is essentially still a rookie (Luke), another returning player never had any significant minutes last year (Sasha), and another is out until at least the all-star break (Varejao). And they play in arguably the toughest division in basketball, which will make the steep learning curve that much tougher. The Cavs aren't built for this season.

When I said significant pickups I meant players that can make an actual difference or a move toward a championship. Eventually they're going to have to make that BIG trade or free agent acquisition that puts them over the top and makes them a title contender. So far they have NOT done that and that is what I meant by no REAL pickups. I'm done with this debate.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

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NOPE. The only reason they made the conference finals last year was because of Indiana's suspensions which made them weak. Detroit would have been there regardless. This year will be a huge test for all 3 of the big 3 of the East. (Detroit, Indiana, Miami). The Eastern Conference playoffs will be a dog fight to say the least while the Spurs will get to coast through the Western playoffs. I see Detroit coming out of the East after beating Indiana in conference finals.

 

[Gauntlet 5,000+ posts]

When I said significant pickups I meant players that can make an actual difference or a move toward a championship.

So none of the players they signed are moves towards a championship? Solid, consistent veterans, with playoff experience, who fill signifcant needs in your team aren't moves towards being a contender? What kind of world are you living in? It's not the roster that limits them from being a great team, it's inexperience of the star player, coupled with implementing an entirely new system with a bunch of new players and a first-time head coach. They're 2-3 years and a couple role players away from being a championship-level squad.

If anything history shows it's that you don't need a huge free agent pickup or trade to catapult your team to the next level. Rasheed Wallace got the Pistons over the hump, that wasn't a huge move. He's a good defender when he wants to be, although he has many lapses as evidenced last year in the playoffs, and on offense he hangs around at the top of the key far too much. Back in '99, Steve Kerr of all people was the difference maker for the Spurs, and last year it was Horry. When teams make huge moves it usually backfires, see the Lakers and soon to be the Heat this year.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

So none of the players they signed are moves towards a championship? Solid, consistent veterans, with playoff experience, who fill signifcant needs in your team aren't moves towards being a contender? What kind of world are you living in? It's not the roster that limits them from being a great team, it's inexperience of the star player, coupled with implementing an entirely new system with a bunch of new players and a first-time head coach. They're 2-3 years and a couple role players away from being a championship-level squad.
If anything history shows it's that you don't need a huge free agent pickup or trade to catapult your team to the next level. Rasheed Wallace got the Pistons over the hump, that wasn't a huge move. He's a good defender when he wants to be, although he has many lapses as evidenced last year in the playoffs, and on offense he hangs around at the top of the key far too much. Back in '99, Steve Kerr of all people was the difference maker for the Spurs, and last year it was Horry. When teams make huge moves it usually backfires, see the Lakers and soon to be the Heat this year.

You make good points man. But I think you're splitting too many hairs and should find something else to do with your time. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I agree with everything you said except for Rasheed Wallace. I thought he was a huge move but because the Pistons were already a championship calibur team it only seemed like a small move to put them over the top. They need him badly and wouldn't win without him in my opinion. Not as much as Rip but badly.

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

I personally think they can make a run this year. Meaning the cavs. As long as they can stay healthy and start Jones instead of snow then I think they will make the playoffs. Will they go all the way? Probably not. But I do think they signed some good playes in Hughes and Jones. They have depth and starting line up is very good. If z gets his 12pts and 10boards along with hughs putting in 15pts and 4-5 *** and then Labron 23-27pts then they will be very hard to beat. Also Gooden will get some good boards as well. Yes I am a cavalier fan so I am excited about this year. But last year I wasnt saying how good they were. I just feel something this year. But I am ususally wrong, so whatever.

 

[swaptrex 10+ year member]

Deeeeee-troit Basketttt-ball!!!

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

the cavs won't make it out of the first round. they are a good team but there are too many better teams at the top. the best they will finish is 5th in the east, and they would most likley face detroit or indiana. there best bet to advance would be to finish 6th and probably get new jersey, but they will be a solid team. also detroit is not a fluke up and comer //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif they have 4 staright 50 win seasons, more wins then any other team in the east in that 4 year span, 3 consecutive eastern conference finals appearences, 2 finals appearences, and a championship. most of there core is young and in their prime, and there whole starting line-up is under contract for the next few years except for ben wallace i believe. i also believe joe dumars will pull off some trade this season to add depth to the bench.

 

[Gauntlet 5,000+ posts]

The East is really stacked this year. Pacers, Heat, Pistons are the cream of the crop. The Nets have one of the best starting lineups in the game, and Kristic is going to have a breakout season, the Bucks are looking really good so far and have a great roster, Bulls were a playoff team after starting out so shitty and are just getting better, Wizards will be there, Cavs could do some things, and the Celtics are solid, although Doc Rivers is an idiot. Should be some great playoff series in the East for a change.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

Celtics are solid, although Doc Rivers is an idiot.

Whatever, you just had to throw in that last little stab at Doc didn't you?? Thats ok I don't mind one bit. I'm not sure how solid the C's will be this year. They are one of if not THE youngest team in the league and time is the only thing that will make them better. In my opinion they're better than the Cavs but time will tell this year. There is alot to be said about youth and they have plenty of it. I see Boston as a 4th or maybe a 5th seed this year but you never know they just might win that division seeing how they did last year.

Anyway, one more thing for all the nay sayers who think the Heat are going all the way.........................................Deeeeee-troit Basketttt-ball!!!

 

[SATX210]

i usually dont get in on these early season threads, but i have to. i am born and raised in san antonio and have always loved my Spurs but i did call detroit as champs and spurs out in the second round before the playoffs, year before last, they just weren't strong enough. manu still hadnt matured and solidified the team and we lost stephen jackson