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- 09/29/2010, 09:58AM ET
We know the Lakers will be good. But Who will be the second best team in the West this year?
maxwellinformed said 09/29, 09:58 AM
I have to say that the Dallas Mavericks look like the 2nd best team in the west this year. Dallas won 55 games last year and had the second best record behind the LA Lakers (55-27). This is after making a trade at the dead line bringing in 3 new players from Washington.
While Dallas did get stronger at important positions, other teams, outside of LA and, have gotten weaker. There is no Amare in Phoenix (3rd seed last year). There may be no Melo in Denver, but Kenyon and Birdman are fighting leg injuries (4th seed last year). There is no Boozer in Utah (5th seed). Once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen.
Hyped78 said 09/29, 10:56 AM
"Once you get to the playoffs, anything can happen"
Like Dallas losing to a low seed? :)
Dallas indeed looks like a strong team but you didn't even make a case for them.
On my part I am picking the Oklahoma City Thunder as the 2nd best team in the West, behind the Lakers, for next year.
The Thunder have been improving leaps and bounds and they are looking at the 2010-11 season with nothing but space to improve even further, with a young and healthy roster.
Bear in mind that they already finished 50-32 last season, just 5 games behind Dallas.
The trio of Durant, Westbrook and Green will become an elite trio in the NBA, with Durant as candidate to become NBA MVP and repeat as the top scorer in the league.
Behind that trio the team also possesses talent in the likes of Eric Maynor, James Harden and Serge Ibaka.
The Thunder didn't make significant off-season moves, but that only shows that they are happy with their current young roster and like their chances.
As for Dallas, let us remember that Kidd is 37, Chandler might not fit in, Marion is 32, Dirk is 32 and Terry is 33.
More to come.
maxwellinformed said 09/29, 11:38 AM
"The Thunder didn't make significant off-season moves, but that only shows that they are happy with their current young roster and like their chances." You just made my point for me thanks.
True OKC had a Cinderella year last year but it's midnight and the ball is over. A lot of people are ready to Crown Kevin Durant MVP but he's going to have win a lot of games to take that title from Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Derrick Rose, etc. OKC has not proven anything other than they had one good year. The other teams I've mentioned have been in the playoff dog fights year after year.
The San Antonio Spurs are not your typical first round match up for any team. But they are proof that youth does not beat experience.
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Comments (36) Add A Comment
Lmao, ur not biased at all huh?
Chitown's Finest!
Total Comments (15344)
I am a Dallas fan, and left you have an uphill battle on your hands....
ScottC1010
Alamogordo, NM
Total Comments (1214)
Like Dallas losing to a low seed? :)
Hyped wins hook, line, and sinker
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
I couldn't resist, it was too strong :)
Hyped78
Lisbon, Portugal, EU
Total Comments (2147)
A lot of people on the OKC bandwagon. When the former Supersonics did nothing but what every other team in the league, besides the Lakers did, not win a title.
maxwellinformed
Big D, TX
Total Comments (200)
It's cool I know how throwdowns work. You send a message to all you're friend "vote for me" blah blah blah.
maxwellinformed
Big D, TX
Total Comments (200)
I agree with left. Oklahoma City Thunder have thus far proved nothing to me that they will become the 2nd best team behind the Lakers..
Remember how we were all riding on New Orleans Hornets 2 years ago with CP3 having an MVP year finishing behind Kobe Bryant? What has happened since then? 2 abysmal seasons. Anything can happen.
I'll take the more experienced, season-vet team with a full training camp with Butler, Haywood, and Chander to mesh with Dirk, Marion, and Kidd.
KingAbe:
Auburn , AL
Total Comments (95)
haha he has two votes. one from himself and one from me. i'm always on NBA TDs and he has a much better argument
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
I obviously respect your vote, but the question I pose you is: do you think that, so far, his arguments are better than mine?
Because that's what should count.
If arguments don't matter then why are we writing three 1200 character arguments?
But I have no problem with you voting for my opponent, let me underline that once again.
Hyped78
Lisbon, Portugal, EU
Total Comments (2147)
easy vote right so far based on arguments... will wait though and look past my homerism for the Mavs..
ScottC1010
Alamogordo, NM
Total Comments (1214)
Seems like you like to toot your own horn. Your argument (singular) isn't that great.
maxwellinformed
Big D, TX
Total Comments (200)
Oh, shut up.
Still No Interest
Total Comments (10538)
One thing to take into consideration, The Lakeshow will be game planning for OKC after last year's scare....effectively eleminating the element of suprise, in other words OKC will not be sneaking up on anyone, in fact they'll have a bulleye on them from team like Houston, Dallas, SA, i'll even through in Portland....
bizballer
Total Comments (2025)
I think it's still better than your first two arguments combined.
But let's not get into that, no need.
Voters will decide.
Hyped78
Lisbon, Portugal, EU
Total Comments (2147)
You're sounding like Roy right now. A lot like Roy
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
No, absolutely not. I think that your arguments completely obliterate left's arguments thus far. You are correct in that regard even though I disagree with your statements. Though I can't deny that your statements have been superior then that of your opponent. I must have been caught up in the heat of the moment and I am sorry for ruining the integrity of this TD.
For that I am switching unless left pulls a miracle.
KingAbe:
Auburn , AL
Total Comments (95)
OK, forfeit your turn and let me finish my point.
maxwellinformed
Big D, TX
Total Comments (200)
I don't know who Roy is. But the only thing dude said was Mavs got eliminated in first round and OKC is young. This is the brilliant argument? The Thunder got eliminated in the first round too.T They will not sneak up on anybody next year. There is no ring for making it to the second round.
maxwellinformed
Big D, TX
Total Comments (200)
and the only thing you said in your argument was about KD fighting for thr MVP....
ScottC1010
Alamogordo, NM
Total Comments (1214)
I guess the whole thing about the other teams in the West losing players got by you? I guess the comment about the Mavs Oklahoma only making it to the playoffs for the 1st time and not having been through the wars that the Mavs have didn't get through? That's Cool Let the throwdown king make his final argument or forfeit his turn. The comments is not were I want to post my final points.
maxwellinformed
Big D, TX
Total Comments (200)
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