Thoughts on the Christmas games, keeping in mind that offense should look pretty bad for most teams:
Knicks/Celtics:
- The Knicks look decent. They've got to integrate a bunch of new pieces and BDiddy wasn't there yet. They'll be good, but there still aren't enough pieces. I don't think they'll even beat this Celtics team in the playoffs.
- Celtics, without their best player, were solid. Ya'll know Rondo is my favorite PG so I'm glad he looks to be on a mission. I hope he transforms this year to be in that class with Rose, Williams, and CP3. KG and Allen don't look to have lost a step. Does anyone else doubt that Bass is a clear upgrade from Baby? Dwight Howard will realize this...Once Pierce comes back, even without Green I bet they still pull off an eastern semi-finals run because Pietrus (if healthy) is a fine role player to spell pierce and Ray for 20-25 minutes of solid play. P.S. Chris Wilcox is my dude. Don't know why. I just always have liked him. Clearly I disagree with CW. They have as much depth as anyone else not named the MN Timberwolves...They'll be same as last year - good team but not a contender.
Mavericks/cHeat:
- Hopefully Spoelstra realizes they need to start Haslem and sit Bosh because he's too soft. The cHeat look ready for the season. They'll have a great regular season, probably best in the league. I don't see them pacing themselves at all (wishful thinking maybe?). Haslem is basically a new addition considering he wasn't really with them in full force last year. He's an underrated piece to this puzzle. they will rarely need a true center (Can the Magic even get past the 1st round? They are trash) and Haslem, Bosh, Lebron, Battier, and Wade is a stupid defensive team that most teams will just have to throw in the towel against (except the Wolves because we have the Lebron/Wade stopper in Malcolm Lee).
- The Mavs weren't ready yet. They have far too many new pieces to figure out. If, if, if they are to contend it will take awhile for them to gel. What happened to Stevenson? Just realized he went to NJ. Let's get this straight now. Teams can't win unless they have 2-3 a$$holes on the team. They set the tone, get the team focused, and keep the opposition's anxiety level higher than it otherwise would be. You don't think that teams aren't a bit more tight playing a$$holes like KG, Perkins, Haslem, Stevenson, etc.? It helps and matters. The Mavericks have instantly become a very "Nice" team without Chandler, Barea, and Stevenson.
(just saw they are getting blown out again...haha!)
Lakers/Bulls
- Kobe is a primadona again, he ain't hurt. I can't figure this team out from one game. I need to see what they are up to...
- The Bulls should have traded Boozer for a respectable 2 guard and started Taj. Whatever. Rip will help them. I got a two guard to sell them and his name is Wes...Wes for Asik - no questions asked. I really enjoy something about teams like the Celtics and Bulls who just play hard, talent and skill be damned. They have pieces that gel together and it makes for fun basketball to watch. Glad to see the Bulls win.
- Wait...did the Lakers go ANOTHER offseason without addressing point guard? WTF? How hard is it to get a competent PG?
Thunder/Magic
- Didn't watch much of this. Of course the Thunder won. I seriously don't think the Magic will make the playoffs this year (never mind, they are in the east).