I don't usually make predictions, but, i've got a feeling that, no matter who else goes to the lakers, Christopher Walken is telling the story of The King.
"One POSSIBLE future. From your point of view... I don't know tech stuff.".... Kyle Reese
no, i'm just saying that lebron is going to remind everyone who he is...
"One POSSIBLE future. From your point of view... I don't know tech stuff.".... Kyle Reese
538 posted its way too early projections for next year based on their CARMELO ratings. They've got the Rockets with the highest chance of representing the Western Conference in the finals, followed by the Lakers. Out East, it's the 76ers then the Bucks. Overall, the 76ers have the highest projected chance of winning it all followed by the Rockets.
Just a gut reaction --- I'm not sold on the Rockets experiment yet. I'm not sure who's going to make that team go. I'm also not sure why the 76ers got so much better when they lost 2/5ths of their starting line-up. I understand why they're favored in the East but not sure why they're projected as the overall best team.
I think LeBron has a strong case for greatest player ever, but I don't like the Lakers lineup outside of him and Davis and I don't trust the Lakers front office at all. Also, even in this era of guys defining aging curves, Lebron is going to turn 35 and is coming off an injury. Will be a fascinating season for sure.
Having the highest projected chance of winning it all is not the same as being projected as the overall best team. If, for example, you think four teams in the West and two teams in the East are roughly equivalent, the best Eastern team will probably have the best chance of winning it all, even if they're the fourth or even fifth best team in the bunch, because they have the best chance of making the finals and at least a decent chance of winning once they're there.
I'm on record on DBR as saying that I don't like LeBron (mostly because of his on court whining). I'll also say that I think Davis is a little overrated (perhaps because he gets hurt). With Cheater Green having once again put himself in a position to be carried by a great player, I hope the Lakers lose a lot (sorry QC). Having said all that, I don't think LeBron needs all that much help to win it all. If LeBron and Davis stay healthy and with Quinn there to hit 3's, Kuzma coming into his own, Cousins available and somewhat healthy...I think they are the team to beat. LeBron is just that disruptive, that special.
Hope I'm wrong though.
I wish the Pelicans had a better team mascot because I really want them to do well next season.
I appreciate your reasoning for disliking Lebron. I think he's an all-time talent.
My only issue is that if you disliked every player that participates in on court whining, you'd have very few players to root for.
I lost my favorite team when the Hornets left. Then, I lost my favorite team when the Sonics left. I will root for Blue Devils, including Quinn. Luckily, the Pelicans are making my rooting interests even simpler.
I tend to be just an NBA dork in general. I just root for the storylines, drama, superstars, etc... Now the Hornets are technically my favorite team but them being as bad as they are I just want them to embrace losing so we can get better picks.
I consider LeBron to be the GOAT so I want the Lakers to win it all every year he is there until he retires. After that I will probably cheer for certain players to all get at least one or two rings but for now I don't want the young guys to win anything (Giannis, Embid, Simmons, Towns, etc...). If I had to cheer against LeBron or for some reason they don't make the playoffs then I would pull for Westbrook.
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge" -Stephen Hawking
It's hard to root for laundry in the NBA anymore. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I've considered the Hornets "my team" but they're one of the worst-run franchises in the league and, under the present system, have no chance of ever becoming a perennial contender. So it's easy to root for, say, the Pelicans - right now - because of Zion and co. But that seems temporary at best - even if Zion stays there long-term one presumes the other pieces will come and go around him.
I've never gotten all the way there. Having marquee players move more often has changed things greatly. I grew up a Lakers fan (Magic and showtime). Stopped being a Lakers fan the day Shaq signed there (even though Kobe was unreal). Just about the time you start to get comfortable hating a player you find them on 'your' team. So when it comes to NBA I don't really have a team anymore, just players that I really like (or dislike). Heading all my dislike lists are UNCheat players. I hate it when they are on the same team as Duke players. Then there's the Golden State Warriors. They are a team that is lead by one of my favorite players, Curry, that plays beautiful basketball and are just easy to get behind. Closest thing I've had to having a team in years (but I'm not hypocrite enough to proclaim myself a real GSW fan).
I really hope the Pelicans do well next season. My other favorite player is JJ and I suspect Zion will be on that list as well. Also, I'd love to see Jah make a comeback, Frank make a splash and Ingram eat a pizza...I mean continue to improve...
Probably doesn't hurt that my love for the NBA also coincides with my unusual talent for playing NBA 2K games... I don't even like them very much but for some reason I'm unreasonably good and usually ranked in the top 2% of world players for going on for 8 years now.
"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge" -Stephen Hawking
I've thought, for a long time, that some team owners really like finishing up in the middle of the pack than having to pay super stars to get the chance to win it all. Can't be specific except that the St.Louis football Cardinals struck me that way when they had Bud Wilkinson as their coach. Bud never said that to me but some of his friends did. Anyone agree with me? Possibly mid pack teams lose money so I've been misleading myself. (Thinking here of Charlotte)
i love the NBA....greatest sport on the planet played by the greatest athletes on the planet.
It's interesting to me that there are not any "real" team rivalries anymore....most everyone has a favorite team, (or teams) but follow players more than "teams"...
now that the dubs are just "really good", the CAVS/DUBS rivalry has dissipated...who cares if Boston plays LA, or Chicago? or even the spurs?
with free agency, and players calling the shots, will there ever be another real team rivalry? I mean, seriously, i'm gonna throw up in my mouth every time i have to pull for the lakers...
"One POSSIBLE future. From your point of view... I don't know tech stuff.".... Kyle Reese