Cavs with the easiest path to the conference finals. First the depleted Wizards, then either inexperienced Toronto or a thin Nets team. And if they make it to the East finals, they might be lucky enough to face a tired banged up Detroit (or Miami or Bulls). Bulls really farked up and now have to face Miami, then Detroit, and then probably Lebron (or Nets) to get to the Finals. HIGHLY unlikely.
The 4 v. 5 tilts promising. Utah and Rockettes are pretty even. Should be fun to see Boozer and Chuck Hayes kill each other for rebounds. Juwan has to play acceptable D, or Boozer will go off (Expect Hayes to scrap his way into foul trouble). And how does Yao deal with Okur's 3 point shooting? Yao on Boozer, and a PF on Okur? Tmac needs this series to boost his career. Can start by taking better shots (he shot only around 42% on the season). A big op for Deron Williams, as Houston doesn't have much at PG.
Heat v. Bulls should be fun, but Ben Wallace has trouble with Shaq. And the Diesel is rested.
Other good subplots: Vince in Canada; Nellieball v. Mavs. Pietrus and Biedrins should be able to bother Dirk. Devin Harris has his work cut out for him versus Baron and Monta. I expect Monta Ellis to light it up at least one game. The Warriors just might come out and play. Otoh, I think Denver and Karl will go belly up against the Spurs.
Lastly, if Atlanta doesn't win one of the first 3 lotto spots, their pick will revert to Phoenix. Generally only one team outside the 3 worst records moves up. Likely that the Hawks will be giving the Suns the #5 pick. Hawks will have something like a 12% representation, for each of three drawings.
* no research was harmed in making this post
The World's Greatest Sports Forum dedicated to the New York Knicks ...and books, politics, food, music, art, movies, video, and, oh, basketball, too.
The Glory-torium is now open in the basement of this blog, check your cynicism at the door. Knock three times and give the doorman the secret words, "In Phil Rose We Trust".
Ladies and Gentlemen: The Gloritorium
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Necessities
Ye Newe Glory-torium
Here, dear readers, is the final resting place of all weary Knicks fans. Yes, here is where one comes when the Triangle refuses to have three sides, when biting one's lip from losing to win later is one loss too far,or when said fan simply hits 'rock' bottom. In short, "the ship be" eternally "sinking" here. Welcome aboard, rearrange the deck chairs as you please.
» Knicks in danger of wasting Jalen Brunson’s all-time brilliance
02/04/24 00:29 from NY Post: Knicks
Jalen Brunson is putting together the greatest season in a Knicks uniform since at least Carmelo Anthony in 2012-13, probably longer.» Knicks’ OG Anunoby dealing with tennis elbow in injury twist
01/04/24 22:39 from NY Post: Knicks
OG Anunoby's recovery has taken a twist.» Knicks return to site of playoff failure on shaky ground to face Heat
01/04/24 21:57 from NY Post: Knicks
There’s less on the line than a Game 6 of the conference semis, but the Knicks aren’t in position to concede nights or get pounded by the Heat again.» Pantsless Julia Fox debuts Velveeta-hued curls at Knicks game in dramatic hair transformation
01/04/24 14:34 from NY Post: Knicks
The "OMG Fashun" host went from blond to cheesy yellow she she declared, "the girls that get it, get it, the ones that don't ... they'll get it soon."» Knicks look in desperate need of help with time no longer on their side
01/04/24 04:40 from NY Post: Knicks
The Knicks have plenty to splatter the give-up teams. But Sunday, the absences they counteracted for so long became suddenly tangible problems.» Tom Thibodeau frustrated by Jalen Brunson no-call that cost Knicks in tough loss to Thunder
01/04/24 03:59 from NY Post: Knicks
The Knicks were teased in March by brief returns by OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, but April begins with uncertainty again.» Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson out vs. Thunder with latest ankle concern
31/03/24 22:13 from NY Post: Knicks
Two games into his return from December ankle surgery, Mitchell Robinson is out of the lineup for the Knicks with an injury to the same ankle.» NBA fines Victor Wembanyama for throwing ball into crowd after Knicks game
31/03/24 20:57 from NY Post: Knicks
The NBA announced Sunday that Spurs center Victor Wembanyama was fined $25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands at the end of the Spurs 130-126 overtime win over the Knicks on Friday.» Knicks need more scoring help from Jalen Brunson’s teammates
31/03/24 13:59 from NY Post: Knicks
The Knicks can have a big scoring problem when Jalen Brunson is not on the court.» Mitchell Robinson’s Knicks return comes with new injury question mark
30/03/24 23:00 from NY Post: Knicks
The center, who recently returned from a 50-game injury absence, is listed as “questionable” for an Easter Sunday showdown against the Thunder despite postgame assurances that he was physically fine.
3 comments:
Bo,
This may be the year TMac is traded as well. I wouldn't give up too many youth but he would be intriguing in MSG.
JVG likes worker bees and has a soft spot for Francis as well (Rose, Francis, and Frye???).
One of the papers also talked about Phoenix needing to resign the Matrix. They also have draft picks galore this year. They'll have to jettison something. If it's the Matrix they won't want lots of bodies back because of the picks. They might ask for Francis in a sign and trade and then just release him but I'm guessing Frye, Balkman, Crawford would all be part of that discussion as well.
TMac had a good year and kept them winning when Yao went down. Houston won't be trading him. Houston needs a PG and PF. Right now they have reasonable platoons at those positions. Adding a solid PG would make Yao and Tmac more effective.
I'm not sure what's up on the Marion front. He has 2 years left at Max $$$, but can opt out. Maybe he doesn't have an opt out next year. But I don't see why Phoenix needs to worry. He's running max money for the next two years whether he opts out or they sign him to an extension. Marion will be 29 next month, and stays healthy. Could always be traded in a few years.
If Suns are truly worried about a small amount of Lux Tax, they would be better served moving Diaw, whose $9M flat contract commences next season. But if you look at it, their salary structure is very reasonable. the 3 all-stars make BIG money, Diaw kicks in a hefty raise next year, KT is overpaid but just for one more year. Everyone else is MLE or lower, with Barbosa and Bell underpaid. The only long and worrisome contract is Marcus Banks, who at $4M is tradeable.
... And they might be adding a #5 or #6 pick courtesy of the Atlanta Chickenhawks. With only 10 contracts next season, they are in a a perfect position to add 3 draft choices (the maybe from the Hawks, their own late first rounder and a 2nd).
The only mistake was going after Banks and not drafting Rondo last year.
If they are deathly afraid of $8M (or so) in Lux Tax, it might be possible to trade Diaw before his new contract kicks in. He's currently only at $2M which could get a promising 1st or 2nd year player. IThat would save them $7M and place them around the Tax threshold. I'm not quite sure when next year's contract amount kicks in. Probably not until the July 31 trading moratorium.
Oh, my only thought with TMac is that he has value, he's getting on, and if they sputter in the playoffs something will change.
As for Phoenix, some article mentioned Marion opting out - maybe Isola or Berman's blog. With some teams it is not luxury tax but profit or paying customers that drives personnel moves. Phoenix is a very smart franchise so it will be interesting to see how they deal with Marion.
Post a Comment