I just noticed we did not have a 2011-2012 NBA thread. Shame...
In case you weren't watching, this happened.
Also, that one guy some people called a quitter just went out and out-performed everyone else on the court for a FULL NBA season, got a MVP, Finals MVP, and is on his way to become an Olympic Gold medalist. I THINK that has only happened once before...from some guy that was in Space Jam...
Oh yeah, and he just so happens to play for my favorite team. Yay me~
Fun Fact: Since the Heat's entrance into the league, only eight teams have won a NBA title: Lakers, Bulls, Spurs, Pistons, Rockets, Heat, Celtics, Mavericks. That makes four West teams and four East teams interestingly enough.
I would also like to point out that my love for Dwight Howard has taken a serious nose dive. Real talk, if you honestly thought what LeBron James did two years ago was bad, this...this shit right here must be blood-boiling infuriating. It's a shame because I would really love for Howard to stay in O-Town, the town and team could use his superstardom to bring in revenue and possibly other star talent, but he is holding the team captive basically and it's annoying. Why sign up for one more year if that was never your intentions from the get go?
Ah well. Hopefully the Magic can bounce back form this fiasco. I would just like this Dwightmare to end, one way or the other.
But hey, there is other things to talk about in the NBA!
I think my new favorite team in the West has become the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the exception of Brandon Roy, (who was a late addition to the team), they could sport a starting five of all white boys! Rubio, Ridnour, Budinger, Love, Pekovic. White power!
The nets change cities, colors and half of their team! Will that make them one of the new powerhouses in the East? Who knows! I was not a fan of the JJ trade. I felt that they had a young and talented SG in Marshon Brooks on the roster already, but whatever, that's not my concern!
After failing to get D Will, the Mavericks actually had a very sneaky, successful free agency. Kaman, Mayo, Collison, Brand. Dunno if that is a championship team, but its better then last years mess of a squad.
The Lakers get Nash! I absolutely love this trade. Not because it makes them a contender again, but because I want to see how Kobe lives on a team with a ball dominant PG. It should be fun to watch.
The Thunder did almost nothing in free agency. It's okay because they are young and still very very good. I still think Westbrook is the leader of this team, while Durant is the teams number one scoring option, but that does not equate to a leader role. I think the NBA and most media outlets have him pegged incorrectly. If he wants to up his game, he will tone his scoring down and learn how to play defense, because he plain stinks in that category.
The Celtics reloaded quite nicely! I hate that! but man oh man is the NBA tip off game of Heat vs Celtics going to be interesting or what! Ray Allen spurns his long-time squad and joins up with the beasts of the east in Miami. The two teams meet up after a long fought Eastern Conference Champions match-up that lasted seven games. Both sides do not like each other and now there is some extra fuel for this fire. HAWT~
I wonder how the Bulls will look now. I know they had the best record in the NBA for two seasons, but I can't imagine that happening for a third year, ESPECIALLY with Rose out for so long, (reports say if he recovers fast he should come back by March.) Still a team that is led by Carlos Boozer is destined to fail, so they better hope that someone steps up in a big fashion if they want to sneak into the playoff this year.
LINSANITY IN HOUSTON! I don't know what this means other then Houston being smart financially. Two years for 5 million for Lin's rights, then his third year kicks up his pay to 15 million! If i were the rockets I keep him for the first two years, see what I get out of him and package him away before he gets that big pay day. can you imagine the money overseas this kid will generate for them? Sick!
I know it's strange, but I am looking forward to what Kyrie Irving does in year two. His rookie year was very impressive, and the kid has tons of talent and confidence. He should have a strong 2nd year. Cavalier fans shouldn't be mad at LeBron, because because of him leaving you have yourself a absolute stud.
The free agency craze has died down a bit, so now is a safe time to take a look at every team and see just how well they will perform all of next season.
POWER RANKINGS!1. Miami Heat
2. OKC Thunder
3. SA Spurs
4. LA Lakers
5. Boston Celtics
6. Indiana Pacers
7. Brooklyn Nets
8. Dallas Mavericks
9. LA Clippers
10. Memphis Grizzlies
11. New York Knicks
12. Denver Nuggets
13. Milwaukee Bucks
14. Golden State Warriors
15. Utah Jazz
16. Philadelphia 76ers
17. Chicago Bulls
18. Phoenix Suns
19. Houston Rockets
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
21. Minnesota Timberwolves
22. Atlanta Hawks
23. Orlando Magic (My poor poor Magic. ;_; )
24. Portland Trailblazers
25. Washington Wizards
26. Sacramento Kings
27. New Orleans Hornets
28. Detroit Pistons
29. Toronto Raptors
30. Charlotte Bobcats
~
PREDICTIONS!League MVP: LeBron James
Defensive Player of the Year: LeBron James
Sixth Man: James Harden
Most Improved: Paul George
Rookie of the Year: Damian Lillard
Coach of the Year: Erik Spoelstra