2011-2012 NBA Season.........

[SirTJ]

Pop is such a smart coach. He made it clear that he doesn't care about rankings, he cares about health going into the playoffs. Sat Duncan, Parker, AND Ginobli tonight.

[Arkhams Finest]

NBA Power Rankings

(Spurs are #1)

[Hasmonean1]

The Spurs is my team but rankings don't mean a thing in the NBA. 

[chevonee]

I'm expecting the unexpected in the playoffs because of the following: the older teams will be able to recover because of the amount of time between games, because teams with quality depth will have the advantage, and because the regular season records won't automatically mean post-season success. BTJM

[blyempowered]

I'm expecting the unexpected in the playoffs because of the following: the older teams will be able to recover because of the amount of time between games, because teams with quality depth will have the advantage, and because the regular season records won't automatically mean post-season success. BTJM

Same here and that is why the Spurs will be a DANGEROUS team in the playoffs (along with Boston and LA IF they can get it together).

[chevonee]

I'm really interested in seeing how the Bulls do in the playoffs. I want to see how the Grizzlies play in the po's too. The Grizzlies are going to be a nightmare matchup for more than a few teams in the west...FA'REAL!!!!

[blyempowered]

I'm really interested in seeing how the Bulls do in the playoffs. I want to see how the Grizzlies play in the po's too. The Grizzlies are going to be a nightmare matchup for more than a few teams in the west...FA'REAL!!!!

UGH! I need Grizzlies to tank so we can see an LA/LA 1st rounder! Home court for both teams....LOL! That would be funny to see! Anyway, Grizzlies are dangerous!

Personally, as a Lakers fan (bootleg or not....LOL) I'm more scared of Memphis and San Antonio than OKC.

[blyempowered]

Wow! The Celtics are looking like that 2010 team that, if it wasnt for the Perkins injury, probably would have beat the Lakers in the Finals....SMH!

Also, if Heat don't win it all will there be a major shakeup in the offseason? My gut says yes. Either one of the Big 3 will be moved or the coach will be fired.

[chevonee]

If the Heat and I mean "IF"...they find a way to lose in the Finals or earlier, something needs to change BIG TIME!!! Pat Riley may become the coach or they may divide the Big 3...which I seriously doubt.

[lordluvr]

Wow! The Celtics are looking like that 2010 team that, if it wasnt for the Perkins injury, probably would have beat the Lakers in the Finals....SMH!

Also, if Heat don't win it all will there be a major shakeup in the offseason? My gut says yes. Either one of the Big 3 will be moved or the coach will be fired.

I think it depends upon when and how they get knocked out of the playoffs.  If they lose in the first round, somebody's out.  If they lose in the 2nd round, I still say someone (likely the coach) is gone.  If they lose in the finals, then I think they'll just try to get that "missing piece", and the coach keeps his job.

[blyempowered]

If the Heat and I mean "IF"...they find a way to lose in the Finals or earlier, something needs to change BIG TIME!!! Pat Riley may become the coach or they may divide the Big 3...which I seriously doubt.

I tend to think the coach will get fired and Pat Riley takes over, like he did in 06.

I think it depends upon when and how they get knocked out of the playoffs.  If they lose in the first round, somebody's out.  If they lose in the 2nd round, I still say someone (likely the coach) is gone.  If they lose in the finals, then I think they'll just try to get that "missing piece", and the coach keeps his job.

I agree! However (and I understand that anything is possible in the playoffs) in regards to your last sentence there's NO EXCUSE why Miami should not win it all. They have the deepest team in the league. No missing pieces are needed (unless you think they need more length in the frontcourt).

[lordluvr]

I tend to think the coach will get fired and Pat Riley takes over, like he did in 06.

I agree! However (and I understand that anything is possible in the playoffs) in regards to your last sentence there's NO EXCUSE why Miami should not win it all. They have the deepest team in the league. No missing pieces are needed (unless you think they need more length in the frontcourt).

I disagree with your assessment of their bench.  They have depth at guard.  That's about it.  None of their centers can score.  While I like Turiaf's energy, to me he's just a high energy bum- well, not quite a bum.  But, he hasn't shown me a lot of skill.  At times, Battier couldn't hit the side of a barn with a wrecking ball.  I have no idea why Joel Anthony isn't getting more playing time.  At one time, I thought he was the poster boy for Miami defense.  But, that's what I mean by looking for that missing piece. As willing as Wade and James are to pass it down low, it would be nice to have a guy that can actually convert when the ball is thrown to him.  I guess that's why they picked up Turiaf. 

The Heat have plenty of excuses for not winning it all.  For starters, they're not playing defense like they did last year.  2nd, their bench is not as deep to me as you think they are.  Third: Chicago, OKC, Boston, LAL, and others all are good enough to keep them from winning it all.

[blyempowered]

I disagree with your assessment of their bench.  They have depth at guard.  That's about it.  None of their centers can score.  While I like Turiaf's energy, to me he's just a high energy bum- well, not quite a bum.  But, he hasn't shown me a lot of skill.  At times, Battier couldn't hit the side of a barn with a wrecking ball.  I have no idea why Joel Anthony isn't getting more playing time.  At one time, I thought he was the poster boy for Miami defense.  But, that's what I mean by looking for that missing piece. As willing as Wade and James are to pass it down low, it would be nice to have a guy that can actually convert when the ball is thrown to him.  I guess that's why they picked up Turiaf. 

The Heat have plenty of excuses for not winning it all.  For starters, they're not playing defense like they did last year.  2nd, their bench is not as deep to me as you think they are.  Third: Chicago, OKC, Boston, LAL, and others all are good enough to keep them from winning it all.

Hmmm....good points! Heat betta pray that Rose doesn't play during playoffs for Bulls because if he does.......my Lawd!

[chevonee]

I disagree with your assessment of their bench.  They have depth at guard.  That's about it.  None of their centers can score.  While I like Turiaf's energy, to me he's just a high energy bum- well, not quite a bum.  But, he hasn't shown me a lot of skill.  At times, Battier couldn't hit the side of a barn with a wrecking ball.  I have no idea why Joel Anthony isn't getting more playing time.  At one time, I thought he was the poster boy for Miami defense.  But, that's what I mean by looking for that missing piece. As willing as Wade and James are to pass it down low, it would be nice to have a guy that can actually convert when the ball is thrown to him.  I guess that's why they picked up Turiaf. 

The Heat have plenty of excuses for not winning it all.  For starters, they're not playing defense like they did last year.  2nd, their bench is not as deep to me as you think they are.  Third: Chicago, OKC, Boston, LAL, and others all are good enough to keep them from winning it all.

This. I thought Chris Bosh would add to his perimeter game by going down in the post more but, I hate to agree with Skip Bayless, he's too soft to battle down in the post. Instead of dunking on smaller people, he lays the ball up and usually gets his shot blocked. He's big enough to dominate the paint but he chooses to be a jump shooter. They said Lebron would post up more but he sometimes becomes jump shot proned. When Lebron decides to drive more to the basket, no one can guard him.

[blyempowered]

This. I thought Chris Bosh would add to his perimeter game by going down in the post more but, I hate to agree with Skip Bayless, he's too soft to battle down in the post. Instead of dunking on smaller people, he lays the ball up and usually gets his shot blocked. He's big enough to dominate the paint but he chooses to be a jump shooter. They said Lebron would post up more but he sometimes becomes jump shot proned. When Lebron decides to drive more to the basket, no one can guard him.

AND when Lebron drives more to the basket Miami becomes unstoppable! This is why I continue to believe that Lebron NOT DWade is the key to Miami winning the title!

[phbrown]

AND when Lebron drives more to the basket Miami becomes unstoppable! This is why I continue to believe that Lebron NOT DWade is the key to Miami winning the title!

didn't he do that in cleveland?

[chevonee]

The main problem with the Heat is the fact that LeBron and D-wade really don't fit together. They both played the same role for 7 years but now someone has to be Jordan and someone has to be Pippen. Having said that, if they ever get it together....watch out! They have trouble playing the half court game so they desperately need a solid low post threat.


In other news, Jeff Van Gundy said he thinks the Knicks would be better off with Amare coming off the bench. What say you?
I think they're going to lose in the first round anyhow, if they even make the po's. BTJM 

[lordluvr]

Regarding Bosh, he's really soft down low against guys heavier than he.  I agree with what was said.  Regarding James, like all great scorers that came before him, he now has to pick his spots when he decides to drive.  He's not getting any younger.  And though he's bigger and stronger than most people in the league, his body is still subject to wear and tear just like anyone else.  When you drive, you go into a war zone.  In the NBA, there is no such thing as easy points in the paint.  NBA defenses turn into the N.O. Saints under Greg Williams when people come into the paint.  So, I can understand why we don't see him driving the entire game.

Regarding the Knicks' lineup and rotation, I don't watch them enough to be able to get a feel of whether they're better with Amare' coming off of the bench.

[cordney]

The main problem with the Heat is the fact that LeBron and D-wade really don't fit together. They both played the same role for 7 years but now someone has to be Jordan and someone has to be Pippen. Having said that, if they ever get it together....watch out! They have trouble playing the half court game so they desperately need a solid low post threat.


In other news, Jeff Van Gundy said he thinks the Knicks would be better off with Amare coming off the bench. What say you?
I think they're going to lose in the first round anyhow, if they even make the po's. BTJM 

We can't compare Bron/Wade to Jordan/Pippen for the simple fact that Bron/Wade have the alpha male type attitude were Pippen, I believe, was content playing the 2 behind Jordan.  Jordan averaged 700 more shots a season than Pippen...we will never see that in MIA.

[chevonee]

We can't compare Bron/Wade to Jordan/Pippen for the simple fact that Bron/Wade have the alpha male type attitude were Pippen, I believe, was content playing the 2 behind Jordan.  Jordan averaged 700 more shots a season than Pippen...we will never see that in MIA.

Come on man...I wasn't comparing them. What I mean is the roles they play, but it's all good.