Turkoglu opts out of contract/NBA Free Agency

#267603

By Liberty4Life - July 23rd, 2009, 8:01 am

- July 23rd, 2009, 8:01 am #267603

The Orlando Magic peaked at the right time. You said they made better transactions than the Cavs this offseason, which I won't dispute for the sake of arguing. But is it enough to make up seven games in the standings? I think that the 93 game sample from the regular season through game 5 of the Celtics series is a better indicator of who the Magic are than the eight games they played from the middle-to-the-end of May.

#267658

By ToTheLeft - July 23rd, 2009, 4:21 pm

- July 23rd, 2009, 4:21 pm #267658

Liberty4Life wrote:The Orlando Magic peaked at the right time. You said they made better transactions than the Cavs this offseason, which I won't dispute for the sake of arguing. But is it enough to make up seven games in the standings? I think that the 93 game sample from the regular season through game 5 of the Celtics series is a better indicator of who the Magic are than the eight games they played from the middle-to-the-end of May.

Really? You do realize that Jameer Nelson went down during the season, don't you? That was a HUGE loss, and it took a while for the team to become Rafer's team to run.

It was my privilege to serve you today. If you have any feedback, please direct it to my Assistant Director....

#267661

By Liberty4Life - July 23rd, 2009, 4:40 pm

- July 23rd, 2009, 4:40 pm #267661

ToTheLeft wrote:
Liberty4Life wrote:The Orlando Magic peaked at the right time. You said they made better transactions than the Cavs this offseason, which I won't dispute for the sake of arguing. But is it enough to make up seven games in the standings? I think that the 93 game sample from the regular season through game 5 of the Celtics series is a better indicator of who the Magic are than the eight games they played from the middle-to-the-end of May.
Really? You do realize that Jameer Nelson went down during the season, don't you? That was a HUGE loss, and it took a while for the team to become Rafer's team to run.

'

You're looking at a difference of three wins, four max. The Magic were 36-11 when he went down, and 23-12 without him in the regular season. If the Magic still played at a .765 winning percentage the last 35 games of the season, they would have went 26-9.

I'm talking about making up seven games in the standings. The Magic picked up Carter, but lost Turkoglu (Carter is a better player than Hedo, yes, but if you think the gap is soooo huge, wait to you see Carter attempt to play defense. Or if he gets the sniffles and wants to sit out a game).

I am not disputing that the Magic are a better team this year. They are. But so are the Cavs. And Celtics. And so are the Lakers too, for that matter.

But I'm sure you already knew that.

#267668

By ToTheLeft - July 23rd, 2009, 6:26 pm

- July 23rd, 2009, 6:26 pm #267668

No, the Cavs aren't better. And without Odom, the Lakers aren't better. The Celtics are, and I admitted that. They're the team to beat. But the Cavs regular season dominance didn't translate into being able to matchup in the playoffs. And it still won't. They have two, big, slow centers, an amazing wing, and two small guards. How is that an improved team? ITS THE SAME TEAM! They have a better big, slow center at the 5, but that doesnt mean they'll be so much better. So I'll be okay if the Magic are the 3rd seed again, knowing they are the most talented, or second most talented team in the league. The Cavs are like the Red Wings were for a while there, built to dominate the regular season, and fade in the playoffs. You might have the individual skill to win against the worst of the east, but you dont have the team to beat the best of the east 4 out of 7. So you tighten up your LeBron Nike's and put on your witness T-Shirt and enjoy the regular season. The Celtics and Magic will teach you all about Playoff basketball in the ECF.

It was my privilege to serve you today. If you have any feedback, please direct it to my Assistant Director....

#267675

By Liberty4Life - July 23rd, 2009, 8:07 pm

- July 23rd, 2009, 8:07 pm #267675

ToTheLeft wrote:No, the Cavs aren't better. And without Odom, the Lakers aren't better. The Celtics are, and I admitted that. They're the team to beat. But the Cavs regular season dominance didn't translate into being able to matchup in the playoffs. And it still won't. They have two, big, slow centers, an amazing wing, and two small guards. How is that an improved team? ITS THE SAME TEAM! They have a better big, slow center at the 5, but that doesnt mean they'll be so much better. So I'll be okay if the Magic are the 3rd seed again, knowing they are the most talented, or second most talented team in the league. The Cavs are like the Red Wings were for a while there, built to dominate the regular season, and fade in the playoffs. You might have the individual skill to win against the worst of the east, but you dont have the team to beat the best of the east 4 out of 7. So you tighten up your LeBron Nike's and put on your witness T-Shirt and enjoy the regular season. The Celtics and Magic will teach you all about Playoff basketball in the ECF.

Ha ha hah... I'm a New Jersey Nets fan. We're not even going to see the playoffs, let alone the ECF. Joke's on you!

#267823

By flamesbball84 - July 24th, 2009, 4:45 pm

- July 24th, 2009, 4:45 pm #267823

Point guard Andre Miller has agreed to join the Trail Blazers, where he should replace Steve Blake as the starter.
The deal is said to be for two or three years, and essentially ruins the fantasy value of Blake. However, it now looks like Lou Williams will be the starting point guard in Philly, making him an excellent sleeper pick. Miller's numbers shouldn't change too much in Portland, making him a solid No. 1 PG option.

Trailblazers already finished as a top 4 team, record wise, in the Western Conference playing a PG (Blake) who wouldn't start on any other playoff team other than maybe Houston and Miami, and that's pushing it since those two teams had Aaron Brooks and MAriop Chalmers. To add a player of Miller's caliber, who is one of the more underrated PGs in the league, is going to be huge for them because he brings a high level of skills and is an experienced veteran with playoff experience.

#267825

By thepostman - July 24th, 2009, 5:12 pm

- July 24th, 2009, 5:12 pm #267825

so if what you are saying Liberty4Life is correct...what will make the Cavs any better in the playoffs next year?? having Shaq?? please...he is old and barely has any gas left...

The Celtics and Magic are the top 2 teams easily...

#268203

By flamesbball84 - July 28th, 2009, 7:00 pm

- July 28th, 2009, 7:00 pm #268203

Shaq can still play. His PER this past season (22.33) was the highest it's been since the 05-06 season (24.47). You know what? That PER ranked him 13th amongst all players in the entire NBA. He had a .609 field goal percentage - that's a career high for him and ranked first in the NBA. Only other centers to average 17 points and 8 boards a game were Pau Gasol, Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, and Dwight Howard.

Sure, he's not as good as he used to be, but he can still play and play better than the majority of NBA centers...

#268212

By thepostman - July 28th, 2009, 8:03 pm

- July 28th, 2009, 8:03 pm #268212

true, but I don't believe Shaq has enough left in the tank to push the Cavs over the top and making them better then the Magic or Celtics...

#268214

By flamesbball84 - July 28th, 2009, 8:21 pm

- July 28th, 2009, 8:21 pm #268214

thepostman wrote:true, but I don't believe Shaq has enough left in the tank to push the Cavs over the top and making them better then the Magic or Celtics...

but i do believe when you pair it with the signing of jamario moon it clearly makes them the favorite to win the championship!

#268226

By thepostman - July 28th, 2009, 9:23 pm

- July 28th, 2009, 9:23 pm #268226

flamesbball84 wrote:
thepostman wrote:true, but I don't believe Shaq has enough left in the tank to push the Cavs over the top and making them better then the Magic or Celtics...
but i do believe when you pair it with the signing of jamario moon it clearly makes them the favorite to win the championship!

haha good point! what was I thinking!!!??

#268252

By TDDance234 - July 29th, 2009, 9:10 am

- July 29th, 2009, 9:10 am #268252

I think the Bobcats are going for the worst offensive team ever. Will they break 75 this season?

#268348

By flamesbball84 - July 29th, 2009, 6:27 pm

- July 29th, 2009, 6:27 pm #268348

TDDance234 wrote:I think the Bobcats are going for the worst offensive team ever. Will they break 75 this season?

Might no have much offensive punch, but they are going to be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this year if Chandler stays healthy. They have good defenders at every position but PG this year, but Raymond Felton and DJ augustin are good enough defenders at PG.

Re:#282737

By flamesbball84 - November 4th, 2009, 10:26 am

- November 4th, 2009, 10:26 am #282737

Liberty4Life wrote:Or will a fading Irk Nowitzki (remember, Nowitzki has no "D") be the man?

Dirk just dropped 29 points in the FOURTH QUARTER last night against a playoff team in Utah. Also tacked on 11 boards, five assists, five blocks, and two steals. Still think he's fading?

Re: Re:#282740

By Liberty4Life - November 4th, 2009, 10:45 am

- November 4th, 2009, 10:45 am #282740

flamesbball84 wrote:
Liberty4Life wrote:Or will a fading Irk Nowitzki (remember, Nowitzki has no "D") be the man?
Dirk just dropped 29 points in the FOURTH QUARTER last night against a playoff team in Utah. Also tacked on 11 boards, five assists, five blocks, and two steals. Still think he's fading?

Yes. I won't dispute that he's a very good player. He is. But his player-efficiency rating peaked in the 05-06 season and declined every year since then. He's also on the wrong side of 30.

How about this, if he continues to average 29 points per quarter, I'll admit I was wrong.