The Knicks are not going anywhere this year...because of

[Bibby4Three]

Andrea Bargnani

Can you be anymore of a bum out there?

7"0 who sits outside and pump fakes and then throws up bricks.

Amazing to me how slow and lazy this guy is.

[Trentknicks]

Your mum is a whore.

http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/24900000/K-Funny-GIF-kesha-24955994-500-500.gif

[Bibby4Three]

Your mum is a whore.

http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/24900000/K-Funny-GIF-kesha-24955994-500-500.gif

you come at me because you know its true.

you get fvck boy of the year award.

[ballup]

Tank master Punani!:bowdown:

[Legends66NBA7]

You win and lose as a team, not because of one player alone.

[Young X]

He averaged 3.7 rebounds last year as a 7 footer.

He only had .2 less 3 PT attempts than rebounds.

Doesn't play D.

Scores inefficiently.

Injury prone.

Has a girly name.

Plays like one too.

[DuMa]

i like how OP limited his Knicks statement only to this year :lol

hint: its every year buddy

[aj1987]

He averaged 3.7 rebounds last year as a 7 footer.

He only had .2 less 3 PT attempts than rebounds.

Doesn't play D.

Scores inefficiently.

Injury prone.

Has a girly name.

Plays like one too.
How the hell do you average only 3.7 rebounds as a 7 footer? Chris Paul averaged the same number of rebounds, and he's a foot shorter.:facepalm You literally have to not grab a couple or swat them away to average 3.7 as a 7 footer.

[Real Men Wear Green]

They shouldn't be much worse than last year. Same team plus Bargs.

[niko]

We replaced Novak with Bargs. I'm not seeing how that's a drop off.

[kNicKz]

We'll be good

[Eric Cartman]

We'll be good

5th best in the East when it's all set and done.

[Legends66NBA7]

5th best in the East when it's all set and done.

Pretty much the projection.

If they get a higher seed, they've overachieved in the regular season.

[jimmy77x]

5th best in the East when it's all set and done.


Just like they were going to be fighting for a 7-8 seed last year right?



free agency is pretty much over, and most teams have their roster set!

Predict your 2012-2013 nba season results!!

Here's mine:

EAST
1.Miami Heat (no question there)
2.Indiana Pacers (They were really good last year, 2 allstars in granger and george)
3.Philly 76ers (Turner will be amazing this year, guaranteed)
4.Boston Celtics (Old, but will still get HCA in the 1st round)
5.Brooklyn Nets (With Joe and Deron, should be great year)
6.Chicago Bulls (BEFORE BULL HOMERS SAY ANYTHING, i would like to say that Derrick Rose is most likely to miss 55-65 games, but they will be dangerous in playoffs :D)
7.New York Knicks (Sorry knick fans, but you guys suck)
8.Cleveland Cavaliers (Bold pick, i know, but i feel kyrie irving, tristan thompson, and daniel gibson will GET THE JOB DONE)
Rest of the teams in order from 9-15
Magic(wont have dhoward), bucks, hawks, raptors, pistons, wizards, bobcats






East
1) Heat
2) Celtics
3) Bulls
4) Sixers
5) Nets
6) Pacers
7) Knicks
8) Bucks
9) Cavaliers
10) Hawks
11) Pistons
12) Wizards
13) Raptors
14) Bobcats
15) Magic



http://imageshack.us/a/img560/3972/atlanticdivisionpreview.png

[Legends66NBA7]

Just like they were going to be fighting for a 7-8 seed last year right?

They also need some luck on their side and other teams to be unlucky. Hence, health, scheduling, etc... for them to be higher than a 5th seed. Not sure what last year's 7th seed prediction makes today's 5th seed prediction any relevant. Most agree they will better than last year.

Where do you expect them to be ?

[ClutchOver9000]

Same team plus Bargs.

Hardaway Jr? Udrih? MWP? :confusedshrug:

[kNicKz]

Pretty much the projection.

If they get a higher seed, they've overachieved in the regular season.

:roll:

Will bump

[Legends66NBA7]

:roll:

Will bump

Read my last post, I already explained what the Knicks need if they get higher from the majority projection.

Like I asked jimmy, what's your projection ? No need for an emoticon or more, just answer the question.

[kNicKz]

Like I asked jimmy, what's your projection ? No need for an emoticon or more, just answer the question.

Woah woah sorry, please don't hurt me dude...

3 seed

We cool bro? Can I go or ?

[jimmy77x]

Read my last post, I already explained what the Knicks need if they get higher from the majority projection.

Like I asked jimmy, what's your projection ? No need for an emoticon or more, just answer the question.

I say somewhere between 2-5 again but it just funny how everyone assumes pacers,bulls,nets will automatically be better. Maybe they will be maybe they wont, we'll see. Why cant they actually be called good if they achieve higher than a 5 seed, why do they have to be overachievers?

[Real Men Wear Green]

Hardaway Jr? Udrih? MWP? :confusedshrug:
Which one of these guys will be starting? Hardaway Jr. might not even average 10 minutes. Same position as Smith and Shumpert.

[Legends66NBA7]

3 seed

Cool.

Wasn't that easier than just coming off as a clown ?


I say somewhere between 2-5 again but it just funny how everyone assumes pacers,bulls,nets will automatically be better. Maybe they will be maybe they wont, we'll see. Why cant they actually be called good if they achieve higher than a 5 seed, why do they have to be overachievers?

They are called overachievers because they achieved higher than their projection. That doesn't mean they aren't good, I think most would say their a pretty good team, especially if Amare plays like his old self... who knows ?

Pacers beat the Knicks and the Bulls went 4-0 vs the Knicks without Derrick Rose. Both teams upgraded while bringing better players on the roster. We don't have to go over Brooklyn, since Mikhail Prokhorov is pretty much gathering everything to make this work for this season and next one, their window for a title. The only drawback would be injuries, same thing the Knicks have to worry about. That's the luck angle I'm talking about, injuries shelving these players for long stretches will **** up their standings.

And for the record, Miami will also be under watch for injuries too. Don't have to worry about LeBron (unless that major injury to him happens ?), but the rest we don't know. Oden, Wade, and Bosh I can already picture missing time and they could also be under motivated/fatigued.

[kNicKz]

Which one of these guys will be starting? Hardaway Jr. might not even average 10 minutes. Same position as Smith and Shumpert.

Udrih will be backup PG, so he will get plenty of minutes. Metta also will be getting a decent amount...we improved our bench this offseason

[kNicKz]

Wasn't that easier than just coming off as a clown ?



I don't post to suit what you want to read

Sorry broseidon

[Real Men Wear Green]

Udrih will be backup PG, so he will get plenty of minutes. Metta also will be getting a decent amount...we improved our bench this offseason
The bench might be a little better but the improvement there doesn't make the current Knicks much different from last season.

[kNicKz]

The bench might be a little better but the improvement there doesn't make the current Knicks much different from last season.

I beg to differ

[kNicKz]

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Iman+Shumpert+Boston+Celtics+v+New+York+Knicks+A3g SUIJKMfUx.jpg

Nobody is factoring in the breakout season of this man

[Legends66NBA7]

I don't post to suit what you want to read

Sorry broseidon

All I made is a prediction with an explanation and you think it's laughable, which is why I asked where you want to rank them. That's all.

My stance is simple, if you think it's laughable, at least come off and back it up. Otherwise, you look silly and are a homer.

[kNicKz]

My stance is simple, if you think it's laughable, at least come off and back it up. Otherwise, you look silly and are a homer.

You're telling me to back it up when they haven't even played a regular season game yet? You're statement is as ridiculous as mine. Back up your statement....yeah...you can't because the ****ing season hasn't even started yet.

[Legends66NBA7]

You're telling me to back it up when they haven't even played a regular season game yet? You're statement is as ridiculous as mine. Back up your statement....yeah...you can't because the ****ing season hasn't even started yet.

My whole statement has been about projections, outside of quoting the OP. I actually agree with jimmy's 2-5 seeds stance (essentially, agreeing with your 3 seed stance) since they are good enough for that to happen. Nothing in this thread in terms of the projection, has been considered unreasonable.

Something unreasonable would be mentioning that all the projected 8 teams making the playoffs getting injured that it gives the Charlotte Bobcats the 1st seed overall with HCA throughout the playoffs... shit like that.

If you need the season to start because that guages better for you, again, you could have just mentioned that at the beginning when you quoted me. Off course, all you said was "will bump" with the emoticon, meaning you know what me and jimmy were already talking about even though the season didn't start already.

[boozehound]

We replaced Novak with Bargs. I'm not seeing how that's a drop off.
While I dont agree with the OP, this is straight homerism. Novak is a 3pt specialist and a damn good one. Sure, he cant do anything else, but hes elite at hitting wide open threes. Bargs is not very good at anything. Hes a really poor stretch anything and the rest of his game is also below par. He may be more well rounded (kind of), but novak was an elite one-dimensional player. Plus, it looks like they will be asking more of bargs.

Honestly, I start mwp and slide melo to the 4 for the season.

[Legends66NBA7]

While I dont agree with the OP, this is straight homerism. Novak is a 3pt specialist and a damn good one. Sure, he cant do anything else, but hes elite at hitting wide open threes. Bargs is not very good at anything. Hes a really poor stretch anything and the rest of his game is also below par. He may be more well rounded (kind of), but novak was an elite one-dimensional player. Plus, it looks like they will be asking more of bargs.

Honestly, I start mwp and slide melo to the 4 for the season.

They ask more from Bargs, because he's better than Novak. Even Novak's 3pt shooting is elite, he does everything else worse, much worse than Bargs.

And I would think MWP would be better at the 4 than Melo, since he's lost speed but can still handle stronger players and keeps Melo out of foul trouble.

[bdreason]

The Raptors improved SIGNIFICANTLY when he got hurt last season and was replaced by a rookie.

[Legends66NBA7]

The Raptors improved SIGNIFICANTLY when he got hurt last season and was replaced by a rookie.

If you referring to Ed Davis, he wasn't a rookie. He was a 3rd year player that should have gotten more playing time.

[christian1923]

Knicks are winning 58-60 games this season. If that gives us the 5th seed then so be it lol

[Sarcastic]

Knicks are winning 58-60 games this season. If that gives us the 5th seed then so be it lol

If they stay healthy they definitely can. Last year they had tons of injuries and still won 54. Just because the Pacers won a fixed series last year vs them doesn't mean they are winning more games than the Bockers. The Bulls are missing their secret sauce from last year, Nate Robinson, as well. The Nets are the most overrated team ever.

Knicks can definitely battle for top seed in the east. They are being undersold.

[kNicKz]

While I dont agree with the OP, this is straight homerism. Novak is a 3pt specialist and a damn good one. Sure, he cant do anything else, but hes elite at hitting wide open threes. Bargs is not very good at anything. Hes a really poor stretch anything and the rest of his game is also below par. He may be more well rounded (kind of), but novak was an elite one-dimensional player. Plus, it looks like they will be asking more of bargs.

Honestly, I start mwp and slide melo to the 4 for the season.

You realllllyyyyy didn't watch steve novak last year.

If you thought Bargnani was useless, holy **** you're in for a real treat :roll:

[coin24]

I think the Knicks will finish anywhere from 3rd to 5th and it will be tight..

Bulls. Thibs will run them into the ground reg season.
Heat. Will Coast most of the reg season
Knicks/Nets/pacers.. Can go either way, I see the nets resting players a lot, Knicks with injuries already but should come good, pacers could surprise people..


Rest of shit east.

[Legends66NBA7]

Just because the Pacers won a fixed series last year vs them doesn't mean they are winning more games than the Bockers.

They are getting back a (hopefully) healthy Danny Granger and added Luis Scola, and Chris Copeland. 2 of those players will be a major factor in winning more games than they did the year before.


The Bulls are missing their secret sauce from last year, Nate Robinson, as well.

And yet lose nothing with Derrick Rose back, depending on how his health is and how he will progress going forward and Tom Thibodeau gets the best out of his team.


The Nets are the most overrated team ever.

Even if were going with that, their deeper than the Knicks and most consider the Knicks more overrated of the 2. The main problem that's going to bother them is probably the coaching. I think the players will be ready, but not the direction.


Knicks can definitely battle for top seed in the east. They are being undersold.

They could battle, but what puts them over Miami if both sides are healthy ?

[kNicKz]

They could battle, but what puts them over the Top over Miami if both sides are healthy ?

http://h9.abload.de/img/untitled-1l7y7l.gif

This man

If Amare is healthy we contend

[Legends66NBA7]

Amare is too injury prone, though. He's even missing time in the preseason. Even Melo has mentioned it's sad watching him take steps back in his return.

I could see him averaging around 15-20ppg, but Woodson will most likely watch his minutes.

[coin24]

http://h9.abload.de/img/untitled-1l7y7l.gif

This man

If Amare is healthy we contend

:lol :lol

I hope stat can stay healthy, he played well in limited mins last season off the bench:rockon:

[DaSeba5]

Because the other good teams in the East are better than them (although the Nets are unproven). I don't see much of a case on picking the Knicks over the Heat, Bulls, or Pacers.

[Sarcastic]

How are Knicks more overrated than the Nets? Knicks are predicted to win fewer games, Nets are predicted to win more than last year.

When has Woodson ever had a worse winning percentage than the previous year? Kidd has never coached in his life.

[Sarcastic]

The Raptors improved SIGNIFICANTLY when he got hurt last season and was replaced by a rookie.


The Celtics were SIGNIFICANTLY better without Rondo. I guess that means he was a cancer to his team.

[Legends66NBA7]

How are Knicks more overrated than the Nets? Knicks are predicted to win fewer games, Nets are predicted to win more than last year.

I meant on ISH.

And the Nets should be predicted to get more wins, they got better players in the off season. Their expectations should be high. Not saying the Knicks shouldn't, but really what I've read in this thread ? I'd say their getting overrated.


When has Woodson ever had a worse winning percentage than the previous year? Kidd has never coached in his life.

The previous year matters now ? If so, then the Pacers and Bulls are better going forward and have shown to be better than the Knicks.

And again, how are the Knicks going to have a chance at the top seed against the Heat if both teams are healthy ?


The Celtics were SIGNIFICANTLY better without Rondo. I guess that means he was a cancer to his team.


Actually, they weren't. The playoffs showed otherwise.

And Rondo is a far better player than Bargnani. Bargnani flat out seemed disinterested when he packed it in and as far more flaws.

[andremiller07]

They need to start Beno at the #PG and they will be at there best

[bagelred]

Yeah he's so bad and awkward defensively. He's probably not in great shape cause of pneumonia he had in summer for like a month. But still, I think they need to put him on the 2nd unit and hide him defensively playing with KMart and MWP. Novak is a bad defender too, but he understands what he's supposed to be doing at least. Bargs always looks a step behind.


They need to start Beno at the #PG and they will be at there best

You obviously haven't watched preseason games because Beno looks awful so far. He's not getting close to that starting lineup...

[hawkfan]

The Knicks and Nets both need another wing who can get to the rim.

[niko]

Yeah he's so bad and awkward defensively. He's probably not in great shape cause of pneumonia he had in summer for like a month. But still, I think they need to put him on the 2nd unit and hide him defensively playing with KMart and MWP. Novak is a bad defender too, but he understands what he's supposed to be doing at least. Bargs always looks a step behind.



You obviously haven't watched preseason games because Beno looks awful so far. He's not getting close to that starting lineup...
Bargs is a much better defender than Novak. It's not even close. ANd i say that fully well knowing how meh he is.

[CanYouDigIt]

The Knicks and Nets both need another wing who can get to the rim.
JJ has about a 50% inside 10 feet of the rim. I can see him doing more slashing than jumpshooting now that they have Pierce in the corner.

[NumberSix]

Your mum is a whore.

http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/24900000/K-Funny-GIF-kesha-24955994-500-500.gif
Da fcuk is a"mum"?

[ChuckOakley]

Because of....

a. Miami, Indy, Chicago, BK in the East

b. Melo has the worst playoff record of all time, meaning the series are not competitive. This is because he plays an efficient style of volume scoring that doesn't translate to the playoffs, much like T.Mac who also had a terrible playoff resume.

c. They will miss the veteran leadership Kidd, KT, Sheed all brought to the team. There is a reason they had their best season in 15 years last season despite their "age"

d. They lost the excellent 3 point shooting they gained at various part of the season from Kidd, Copeland, Novak, Sheed and replaced that with worse shooters like Bargnani

e. Their defense went from top 5 to average in one off-season most of which was because of Chandler. Now he has even more work to do playing next to Bargnani

f. They did not improve nearly as much as their counterparts.(if they did even improve I'm not sure)
Kidd - yes he trailed off but he was large part of the hot start and offered leadership and IQ the team sorely lacked
Copeland - streaky but a revelation at time last yera
Novak - had 17 games of double figures IIRC and still shot well from 3 overall despite the down year
Sheed - another player who's shooting, D and leadership came in handy during critical phases
KT/Camby - didn't play much but again, having vets like that around helps

vs.

Bargnani - an inefficient, defense last big man
Udrih - a 3rd string quality PG (Felton and Prigioni are better) who hasn't been relevant in years, if ever
MWP - the richest team in the league trying to make the playoffs amnestied him, since he's done
Hardaway - still 3rd string behind Iman and JR



I will say, last season I stated I thought the Knicks would have a better record than the Nets, but I highly doubt they will this season. They will still be a very good regular season team with their shooting, vets and experience/chemistry but I don't think they will win as many games as last season. They are roughly the same talent wise, but the East improved where 54 games last season is probably under 50 this year.

50 wins and 1st round exit is my prediction.

[ChuckOakley]

How are Knicks more overrated than the Nets? Knicks are predicted to win fewer games, Nets are predicted to win more than last year.

When has Woodson ever had a worse winning percentage than the previous year? Kidd has never coached in his life.
This is a lie.
ESPN, Vegas and I'd say about 60% of posters said NY would be better (including me).

Nets went 2-2 against NY despite:
-It was the Nets first year together
-All the games were before the AS break when Deron was 17/7 on 42/35% Deron as opposed to 23/8 on 48/42% Deron
-Lopez missing the game Kidd won with a last 2nd 3
-Nets having PJ or Avery coaching

Nets are adding:
Hump -> KG
Wallace -> Pierce
Bogans -> AK
Brooks - -> Terry
Stackhouse -> Alan Anderson
Watson -> Livingston
Bad Deron -> Good Deron
Bad coaches -> Kidd, Frank, Hughes, Rogers, Brunty, Welch

Knicks are adding:
Kidd -> Udrih
Novak -> Bargnani
Sheed -> ??
KThomas/Camby -> ??
Copeland -> MWP
+ Hardaway

No where near the level of improvement.

Overall Felton is terrible against Deron for his career (35% shooting or something pathetic) and Lopez does well against Chandler.

The Nets will finish ahead of the Knicks barring major injuries to Deron or Lopez. In fact if those two play at least 70 games each, I would beg any one here to make a money bet with me. $100 minimum and unless you are willing to do that, I don't even want to hear from you.

[el gringos]

Carmelo and Bargnani pairing will surprise a lot of people this year.

Career years for both

[HomieWeMajor]

Knicks aren't going anywhere because their best player is a upper lower middle class man's Antione Walker

[Fresh Kid]

Knicks aren't going anywhere because their best player is a upper lower middle class man's Antione Walker
I was guna stop talking about basketball, until I see some retarded delusional shit like this:facepalm Antoine freaking walker? :wtf: are u serious man??:biggums: and for tha rest of u haters talking multishit about my team, tha new york knicks aka tha best and only real team in new York, keep talking ya heard:biggums: and I ain't finish with yall in dis thread either:no: damn yall damn haters got me mad:rant - Mr.Willds09.

[Legends66NBA7]

I was guna stop talking about basketball, until I see some retarded delusional shit like this:facepalm Antoine freaking walker? :wtf: are u serious man??:biggums: and for tha rest of u haters talking multishit about my team, tha new york knicks aka tha best and only real team in new York, keep talking ya heard:biggums: and I ain't finish with yall in dis thread either:no: damn yall damn haters got me mad:rant - Mr.Willds09.

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view1/1197628/antoine-walker-dance-o.gif

[dr.hee]

I was guna stop talking about basketball, until I see some retarded delusional shit like this:facepalm Antoine freaking walker? :wtf: are u serious man??:biggums: and for tha rest of u haters talking multishit about my team, tha new york knicks aka tha best and only real team in new York, keep talking ya heard:biggums: and I ain't finish with yall in dis thread either:no: damn yall damn haters got me mad:rant - Mr.Willds09.

http://memecrunch.com/meme/8XLK/look-out-keyboard-warrior/image.png

[It's A VC3!!!]

Oh stop it. the knicks are going to the playoffs. let's rejoice for that accomplishment.:cheers: :rockon: :lol

[Trentknicks]

I always find enjoyment when ChuckOakley, theJkiddKidd and It'saVC3! enter these threads and add countless posts as if anyone actually dignifies or cares about what they are saying.

[Legends66NBA7]

I always find enjoyment when ChuckOakley, theJkiddKidd and It'saVC3! enter these threads and add countless posts as if anyone actually dignifies or cares about what they are saying.

I read what ChuckOakley said. He usually seems level headed about the Nets. Not like he's saying their going to sweep the Heat, steam roll the rest of the NBA, the Nets going to win 68+ wins, etc...

[It's A VC3!!!]

I always find enjoyment when ChuckOakley, theJkiddKidd and It'saVC3! enter these threads and add countless posts as if anyone actually dignifies or cares about what they are saying.
countless posts? i have two posts in this thread. and plus, i come in here to joke around.:lol

[Trentknicks]

countless posts? i have two posts in this thread. and plus, i come in here to joke around.:lol
And yet you bring nothing to this forum, how are you still in the green?

[niko]

And yet you bring nothing to this forum, how are you still in the green?
He's the main Net fan through thick and thin. Last year in the playoffs where were the Net fans? They gave up prior to the series. Not him, he yelled, he got pissed, he was repping his team. That;s a good fan. He cares.

Most (not all) of the others were awol (and kiddlovesnets who was repping spurs) and now are back that the Nets got Garnett. So I rep him. :cheers:

[Bibby4Three]

It would be hilarious if they didn't make the playoffs and teams like Cavs and Pistons get in.

:roll:

[el gringos]

Yeah he's so bad and awkward defensively. He's probably not in great shape cause of pneumonia he had in summer for like a month. But still, I think they need to put him on the 2nd unit and hide him defensively playing with KMart and MWP. Novak is a bad defender too, but he understands what he's supposed to be doing at least. Bargs always looks a step behind.



You obviously haven't watched preseason games because Beno looks awful so far. He's not getting close to that starting lineup...
Calling Bargnani a worse defender than Novak and then calling someone else out for not actually watching preseason?

Bargnani had looked good on both ends- you know that because you've watched atleast 2 of these preseason games

[knickscity]

It would be hilarious if they didn't make the playoffs and teams like Cavs and Pistons get in.

:roll:
That wont happen without major core injuries.

But the cavs and Pistons could make it regardless, the east is really bad outside of 5 teams.

[knickscity]

Calling Bargnani a worse defender than Novak and then calling someone else out for not actually watching preseason?

Bargnani had looked good on both ends- you know that because you've watched atleast 2 of these preseason games
Bargs has looked pretty poor to be honest.

It's not his fault on offense though, not even sure the team is running plays.

Defensively, Bargs is worse than Novak because he actually plays.

Watching a guy 4 inches shorter square him up and shoot over him was pathetic....although I didnt think it was a foul.

Man defense my ass, dude is terrible on defense.

[It's A VC3!!!]

That wont happen without major core injuries.

But the cavs and Pistons could make it regardless, the east is really bad outside of 5 teams.

How is the east "really bad" outside the top 5 teams? The Pistons are going to be a really good team. They have been without B. Jennings thus far and will improve vastly with him on the court and B. Knight coming off the bench. The Wizards, Raptors and Cavs are not bad teams either. They have vastly improved from last year. Each of these teams I'm mentioning were FREE wins last season. That is certainly not the case this year. The Cavs and Pistons should be .500 or better this season. Likely the latter.

[Bibby4Three]

How is the east "really bad" outside the top 5 teams? The Pistons are going to be a really good team. They have been without B. Jennings thus far and will improve vastly with him on the court and B. Knight coming off the bench. The Wizards, Raptors and Cavs are not bad teams either. They have vastly improved from last year. Each of these teams I'm mentioning were FREE wins last season. That is certainly not the case this year. The Cavs and Pistons should be .500 or better this season. Likely the latter.


Ehhh.

Pistons will depend on how well that team plays together. Jennings is a chucker and so is J Smith.

Cavs still may need some time.

[B-Easy8]

How is the east "really bad" outside the top 5 teams? The Pistons are going to be a really good team. They have been without B. Jennings thus far and will improve vastly with him on the court and B. Knight coming off the bench. The Wizards, Raptors and Cavs are not bad teams either. They have vastly improved from last year. Each of these teams I'm mentioning were FREE wins last season. That is certainly not the case this year. The Cavs and Pistons should be .500 or better this season. Likely the latter.

Knight plays for the Bucks.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Ehhh.

Pistons will depend on how well that team plays together. Jennings is a chucker and so is J Smith.

Cavs still may need some time.
The point is that these teams will not be easy wins anymore. And even though it's preseason, we know how the Pistons will play. They will obliterate you from the inside and get quality shots. They played a close, contested game against the Heat and beat the Nets ( Although third stringers played the entire second half). Yes, B. Jennings is a chucker. But if he doesn't fill the role the Pistons ask of him, he will sit in favor of B. Knight. I believe the Pistons ceiling for this season is 45 wins. They are definitely a .500 team and a playoff team.

I'm not going to write a disquisition on the Raptors but I firmly believe that they will be a playoff team as well. They have talent, and despite their talent being ill-fit, it will allow them to get into the playoffs.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Knight plays for the Bucks.
Oh, ok thanks. I was confusing him for W. Bynum then.:facepalm

[bagelred]

Calling Bargnani a worse defender than Novak and then calling someone else out for not actually watching preseason?

Bargnani had looked good on both ends- you know that because you've watched atleast 2 of these preseason games

Bargnani is clearly worse than Novak defensively. Novak tries VERY hard on defense, and he rotates properly. His lack of atheticism causes problems, but he's smart and he tries very hard. Those 2 things can overcome some deficiencies. I watched him for 2 seasons. I know.

I've been watching Bargnani closely for these 2 preseason games, giving him every benefit of the doubt. He's terrible defensively. He appears constantly confused and 2 steps behind every play. His rebounding instinct seems non existent, and I'm pretty sure he's not even trying very hard.

So no, he does NOT look good on "both ends". Offensively he looks fine to me...I can chalk some of the "bad stuff" on O to rust in his shot and getting used to offensive game plan.

I personally think Bargs needs to play on 2nd unit, with KMart and MWP. Surround him with tough defenders and hide his deficiencies.

First unit: Prigs, Felton, Shump, Melo, Tyson
Second unit: Beno, JR, MWP, Bargs, Kmart
Then gotta work Amar'e and Hardaway in too....oy, too many guys to get minutes.

[el gringos]

Bargnani is clearly worse than Novak defensively. Novak tries VERY hard on defense, and he rotates properly. His lack of atheticism causes problems, but he's smart and he tries very hard. Those 2 things can overcome some deficiencies. I watched him for 2 seasons. I know.

I've been watching Bargnani closely for these 2 preseason games, giving him every benefit of the doubt. He's terrible defensively. He appears constantly confused and 2 steps behind every play. His rebounding instinct seems non existent, and I'm pretty sure he's not even trying very hard.

So no, he does NOT look good on "both ends". Offensively he looks fine to me...I can chalk some of the "bad stuff" on O to rust in his shot and getting used to offensive game plan.

I personally think Bargs needs to play on 2nd unit, with KMart and MWP. Surround him with tough defenders and hide his deficiencies.

First unit: Prigs, Felton, Shump, Melo, Tyson
Second unit: Beno, JR, MWP, Bargs, Kmart
Then gotta work Amar'e and Hardaway in too....oy, too many guys to get minutes.
That would be a terrible use of the roster to use those starters, but it's very possible.

Bargnani and jr smith are the 2nd/3rd best players. The team should be built around Carmelo and them. Instead they want to build around Felton and chandler and have the three best fit around them?

If you brought Bargnani off th bench you'd be a) going out of your way to avoid complimenting your best player with players who's game fits with b) wanting to be an iso all the time team again

[bagelred]

Bargnani and jr smith are the 2nd/3rd best players. The team should be built around Carmelo and them. Instead they want to build around Felton and chandler and have the three best fit around them?



Good lord, you are delusional.

[BallsOut]

We replaced Novak with Bargs. I'm not seeing how that's a drop off.

Novak is actually a great 3pt shooter.