Originally Posted by
Billy Dat
First off, great thread theme. I loves me any NBA talk on DBR.
To co-opt the Little Rascals famous retort, "Yoooou said it!" The Bulls bench is out of control good. Thibs has used up to 13 players fairly regularly, and, last night's game aside, you often see that Bulls bench with gaudy +/- results. So many Bulls games start to turn when that unit staggers in (meaning man by man, not that they come in weak) mid to late first quarter. I think the primary worry will be the full re-integration of Rose. It's always tricky when teams learn to win without a ball dominater. Rose, clearly, is not selfish, but he got used to carrying the team. In their OT win against the Pistons last night, he played long and had a huge game, but Deng's scoring was down. I like how Deng got more of an offensive ego with Rose out. As CDu says, I think the Bulls need to be the 2012 Bulls to win the title and can't revert back to Rose-watching during crunch time because it makes them too easy to guard. Obviously, their D is also incredible.
I, too, find myself rooting for Shane to win a title. His offense has really suffered this year, though. He is not nearly as effective for that team when he is not hitting 3s at a 40%-45% clip. The Heat bench is a mess right now.
As for the Magic, I think they have done OK by Howard, but Howard clearly is a pretty immature SuperStar who doesn't strike me as being enough of a leader. The way he has handled the Stan Van Gundy situation seems weak. That team has played well this year, they have only fallen apart as his attitude seems to have gone South. Obviously, I don't know what goes on behind closed doors with that team.
The Spurs and the Celtics are both "old man teams" who seem primed for a run. The Celtics, as they are currently playing, can come out of the East. The Spurs, if they stay healthy, can also come out of the Weat.
Another immature Giant, Andrew Bynum, is playing like the All Star everyone expected him to become. He is also only 23, and finally healthy. As elvis says, re-introducing Kobe will be key.
The Thunder are great to watch, and the Grizz are coming on really strong, too.
In the East - Chicago, Miami and Boston - Lu, Booz and Shane
Out West - Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, Grizz and Mavs (I won't count them out) - McRoberts stands alone
But, as others have pointed out, you'll also have Dahntay, Elton (maybe), JJ, Dunleavy (maybe) and Grant (maybe). I hope Grant and Nash can sneak in, it would be a shame to not have them playing in the playoffs.