zhevek

So, the NBA season is approaching, and most of the major trading is done. With the rosters pretty much set, who do you think will win the NBA championship this year?

I think the whole Kobe thing will distract what could have been the greatest team ever in the Lakers; so I'm going to go with San Antonio as I think they still have the best defense, with a good offense. And the best player on the planet too...

The_Dude

Lakers!

I'm not a fan, but I do have to admit that they have an impressive lineup.

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gov135

Sacramento and a healthy Chris Webber beat Detroit in the finals.

G_Lock

Good question. To be honest I am not quite sure. There are 4 main teams I see that have a shot.

First: Dallas Mavericks - They tried to make a move by trading Van Exel for Jameson, and that means they are trying to make themselves a "bigger" team with better defense. If they can allow him to settle into the correct role by adding some defense and not loosing too much offense, I think they have a real shot at winning it all.

Second: LA Lakers - They have an incredible lineup no doubt. However, two things, first, how will they handle the whole Kobe thing, and second, there are a lot of "big egos" on that team, and I am not sure how well they will all "mesh".

Third: Sacramento Kings - If everyone can stay healthy then I think they can make a pretty good run.

Fourth: San Antonio Spurs - They have a good defense and offense. And if Tony Parker can play well enough, then they got a good shot, especially when you got a guy like Duncan.

Wild Card: I think this years wild card will be Minnesota Timberwolves. I think they have a lot of talent, it just all has to come together for them. Only then will they make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

What does everyone else think?

G_Lock

salsa2

Why hasnt anyone mentioned the Nets? If Mourning is healthy and can stay healthy, I think they have a good shot. I know its a big if but, they should at least come out of the East again. and anything can happen after that.

maximusveritas

Healthy Shaq = Lakers title

Sleepyjack

Twolves, i love sprewell plus garnet is the most versatile player in the league, he could even play point guard.

djtestudo

The Nets have a damn good chance.

But I gotta go with the Wizards Seriously though, nice draft + Gilbert Areanas = bright future.

(Just as long as Steve Blake and Juan Dixon get a lot of PT together, they got it WON)

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Halx

The west is so incredibly stacked. the only east team that can match the 4th best team is NJ.

With that, I say my Lakers will pull it off. We have 4 hungry legends and deeper bench. We are all set.

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mirevolver

The Denver Nuggetts!!!



Had to give you guys a laugh.

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Lestat

The Lakers are the team to beat (in my eyes). I am curious to see how Kobe plays this year and how Malone and Payton adjust to the triangle. It's a tough system.

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Reddevil63

Prolly the Lakers but the sleeper team will be the Rockets. New coach who knows how to play with a good big man a point guard. And the new jerseys have to be good for a couple of more wins right?

absorbentishe

Lakers Vs. Pistons, reincarnaiton of the late eighties/early nineties, except the Lakers will win.

Mr. Spacemonkey

It's got to be the Lakers, just look at their line up. They just have too many great players.

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quest1mark

longshot...

but i think my orlando magic have a huge chance this year. with tmac, gooden, and juwan howard...we finally have a team that can get past the first round...

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BigGov

Wow, the Magic will get past the first round. And then be dominated by the Nets. If not the Nets, than any west team.

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bundy

whatever happened to the Utah Jazz?
i´ve no idea if they were any good ever, but i do remember they used to have a cool cap that everyone wanted for a little while.

other than them i only know the Lakers and the Bulls.

so i´m going for Utah Jazz.

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Reddevil63

aint gonna happen.... Stockton retired and Malone in a Laker now. All the Jazz have going for them is Greg Ostertag LOL.

Speed_Gibson

the Jazz had their best shot in '97 or so, but have been declining since then with that aging core. Don't think they will do much (if any) better this year after losing both Stockton and Malone.

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quest1mark

the jaZz are considering this as a rebuilding year. with stockton and malone gone, they only have kirilenko and harpring left in their arsenal.

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ReggErving

Just because the Lakers have a bunch a old vetrans (chumps) doesn't mean they will play well together. people need to understand the east isn't as bad as people portray it to be, NJ isn't the only team out there. the Pacers are going to be something to reckon with, trust me, they actually have a coach that will lead them instead of that former idiot IU basketball player.

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Lestat

I'll have to politely disagree with you. I wouldn't call a defensive wiz (Payton) and all-star power forward with a career 22+ point average (Malone) "old chumps". And I wouldn't consider two players "a bunch" since everyone else is fairly young on the team.

As far as the eastern conf. is concerned. They're still weak. Many of the western conf teams have made HUGE strides in improving their teams (Kings, Mavs, Spurs and Lakers). Granted NJ, Indy and Detroit are probably the best teams in the east.

One thing is for sure the 2004 NBA champions will come out of the Western conf.

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Kurant

NBA? is that soccer?

Who cares!!?? It's the 4th week in the NFL!

zhevek

As to the Jazz, yes they are rebuilding this year, and I would expect them to be fighting(?) with Atlanta for the worst record in the NBA this year.

Appears most people think the Lakers will role, which would have easily been my pick before Kobe stuck (or not) his wee wee in the wrong place.

grumpyolddude

Payton, Malone and Shaq would still make for a formidable triangle. Kobe's indescretions may not be detrimental until Malone and Payton choke in the playoffs.

The Pistons now have a coach who is not opposed to developing younger talent. They are tall, energetic and play defense like demons. Look for Coach Brown to let them run a little more.

If Webber stays healthy, he'll lead the Kings past the Spurs to win the West, only to prove that he still can't win the big one, just like when he was the highest paid college player in history.

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dragon2fire

not just a great and underrated coach but with kenny anderson running the point this team has promise and will likely win the east this year and maybe the championship

Cardinal Syn

Suns hand down. If they can click toghether. Great young underrated team.

Dragon_Imp

The Lakers
yea i dont really like basketball but i have seen them play and when i get bored watching anything else on TV i watch basketball and the Lakers were good!!!!!!

foolio7714

The Lakers are gonna suck. Kobe in Jail, Malone is old, Payton is a cancer. Don't forget, Payton has charges pending against him also in a strip club fight in Canada. Shaq can't win by himself...unless you think Luke Walton will be the hero.

Shpoop

why hasnt anyone mentioned the heat?




oh wait i remember why