2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[bksballer89]

1. Cavs
2. Heat
3. Bulls
4. Hawks
5. Raptors
6. Wizards
7. Bucks
8. Magic
9. Pacers
10. Celtics
11. Knicks
12. Pistons
13. Hornets
14. Nets
15. 76ers

You're a little too high on Miami. I think we're a 3 seed at best

 

[WiggyRuss]

article on Grantland on the HEat..of course I am posting the pessismtic view of the article....


Here is another way to preview the 2015-16 Miami Heat: This is a bad idea. Sure, I understand how we got here. There were no better ideas. But the lack of viable alternatives doesn’t make this — relying on a core of four declining superstars, the NBA’s biggest head case, and a rookie — a good idea. Factor in the expectations and the likely frustrations that will ensue when they aren’t met, and this could get uglier than anyone might predict. Did you see how much money they gave Dragic? And Whiteside’s in a contract year? And then they signed AMAR’E? Jesus. Even the optimistic preview has Wade missing 20 or 30 games this year. This has all the makings of a miserable slog to the seventh seed. Is it too late to send Winslow to Boston?

So …


heck- ill do the optimistic too just so you cant say Im not fair! lol

Here is one way to preview the 2015-16 Miami Heat: This is the second-best team in the East. It needs a lot to break right to make it to late May, but there’s enough talent here to allow a wide margin of error. Chris Bosh is back, and he’s the linchpin on both ends of the court. Now everything else will click. Goran Dragic will be more comfortable and should be even more lethal. Speaking of lethal, Dwyane Wade’s been cast aside by the NBA so quickly that he’s probably underrated at this point. Hassan Whiteside will be a pain in the ass for any team to deal with. Throw in Josh McRoberts, the perfect floor-stretcher off the bench, next to either Whiteside or Bosh, and then consider Luol Deng adding … well, don’t focus on Deng. Look at Justise Winslow throwing himself all over the court. And there’s Erik Spoelstra, one of the five best coaches in basketball. Even if Wade misses 20 or 30 games, this will be a fun year.

 

[WiggyRuss]

So …

Lynne Sladky/AP

Which version do you trust more? Do you believe in the Heat?


I do not believe in the Heat. With all due respect to Pat Riley and his legacy of evil, this is the type of team that Isiah Thomas would build.

It’s prediction season, so I started mine by putting the Heat with that cluster of teams in the thunderdome for the 2-seed in the East — with the Bulls, Hawks, Wizards, and maybe the Raptors. But there’s just too much working against Miami. There are too many cracks in the foundation to expect this to hold up over five months. This team looked BAD last year, even before the Bosh injury. Even after the Dragic trade.

Remember, the teams competing for last season’s Eastern 8-seed were not world-beaters, and Miami wasn’t even in the conversation at the end. It was the Paul George–less Pacers and the Celtics, and Boston won out because (the other) Isaiah Thomas was the most valuable Phoenix Sun traded at the deadline.

Granted, getting Bosh back to pair with Dragic — they never played a game together — should help on both ends of the floor. But that won’t solve the fit issues with Dragic and Wade on the perimeter, or the depth issues off the bench. Also, there’s a chance Dragic just isn’t the same player he was two years ago. It’s certain Wade isn’t the player he once was. And Bosh is supposed to fix all of that? Will he make Deng five years younger? Will he add three bench players?

 

[WiggyRuss]

I love that...

"This is the type of team Isiah Thomas would build"

LOL

 

[bksballer89]

I love that...

"This is the type of team Isiah Thomas would build"

LOL

That is a terrible article. Just for the sole fact that they're acting like Miami has the same team as last year. Bench is completely different for the most part outside of Chalmers. Green looking like he can avg close to 12 or 13 PPG off the bench.

The fact that the article bring up depth issues on the Heat bench is exactly why it is a crap article. Why do the Heat need 3 more bench players when they can go 11 deep right now? It is a solid bench with Chalmers, Greens, Winslow, Amare, McBob, Bird, & Tyler. The bench is the last of my concerns

 

[bksballer89]

If this article is recent and this clown really thinks Miami needs another 3 bench players, he should honestly lose his job because that is beyond stupid.

 

[bksballer89]

And BTW I just ABSOLUTELY LOVES how @WiggyRuss pick and choose pieces of articles when it comes to Miami. He only cut and paste the article that shits on the Heat. Let me cut and paste a part of that article that Wiggy intentionally forgot because he hates Miami.

Here is one way to preview the 2015-16 Miami Heat: This is the second-best team in the East. It needs a lot to break right to make it to late May, but there’s enough talent here to allow a wide margin of error. Chris Bosh is back, and he’s the linchpin on both ends of the court. Now everything else will click. Goran Dragic will be more comfortable and should be even more lethal. Speaking of lethal, Dwyane Wade’s been cast aside by the NBA so quickly that he’s probably underrated at this point. Hassan Whiteside will be a pain in the ass for any team to deal with. Throw in Josh McRoberts, the perfect floor-stretcher off the bench, next to either Whiteside or Bosh, and then consider Luol Deng adding … well, don’t focus on Deng. Look at Justise Winslow throwing himself all over the court. And there’s Erik Spoelstra, one of the five best coaches in basketball. Even if Wade misses 20 or 30 games, this will be a fun year.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

The only way the Cavs don't go to the NBA Finals is if LeBron gets hurt. The conference just isn't competitive. It's to bad the NBA doesn't have a rule in which the last place teams in each conference get demoted. I feel bad for Sixers fans.

 

[WiggyRuss]

And BTW I just ABSOLUTELY LOVES how @WiggyRuss pick and choose pieces of articles when it comes to Miami. He only cut and paste the article that shits on the Heat. Let me cut and paste a part of that article that Wiggy intentionally forgot because he hates Miami.

Here is one way to preview the 2015-16 Miami Heat: This is the second-best team in the East. It needs a lot to break right to make it to late May, but there’s enough talent here to allow a wide margin of error. Chris Bosh is back, and he’s the linchpin on both ends of the court. Now everything else will click. Goran Dragic will be more comfortable and should be even more lethal. Speaking of lethal, Dwyane Wade’s been cast aside by the NBA so quickly that he’s probably underrated at this point. Hassan Whiteside will be a pain in the ass for any team to deal with. Throw in Josh McRoberts, the perfect floor-stretcher off the bench, next to either Whiteside or Bosh, and then consider Luol Deng adding … well, don’t focus on Deng. Look at Justise Winslow throwing himself all over the court. And there’s Erik Spoelstra, one of the five best coaches in basketball. Even if Wade misses 20 or 30 games, this will be a fun year.

LOL

this is why its hard to take you seriously.... READ POST 63!!! LOL --- I POSTED THAT EXACT EXCERPT!!!

lol...its just too funny.....and i gotta see- I really did LOVE that article.

SO FUNNY- pretty much EXACTLY what I have been saying---

On the one hand, you can treat this team like it’s a budding juggernaut and root for it as a challenger to the Cavs in the playoffs. This would be great, but it probably won’t happen. Wade and Dragic haven’t shown they can win together, Bosh is getting older, and Winslow will take a few years before he transforms into a full-on killer grizzly bear on the wing. For now, it will be dicey. Expecting this team to be a contender will just leave everyone pissed off.

So don’t expect this team to be a contender. Look at all of this as a stubborn last stand from a legendary GM, a proud franchise, and two aging franchise players in Bosh and Wade.

 

[bksballer89]

LOL

this is why its hard to take you seriously.... READ POST 63!!! LOL --- I POSTED THAT EXACT EXCERPT!!!

lol...its just too funny.....and i gotta see- I really did LOVE that article.

SO FUNNY- pretty much EXACTLY what I have been saying---

On the one hand, you can treat this team like it’s a budding juggernaut and root for it as a challenger to the Cavs in the playoffs. This would be great, but it probably won’t happen. Wade and Dragic haven’t shown they can win together, Bosh is getting older, and Winslow will take a few years before he transforms into a full-on killer grizzly bear on the wing. For now, it will be dicey. Expecting this team to be a contender will just leave everyone pissed off.

So don’t expect this team to be a contender. Look at all of this as a stubborn last stand from a legendary GM, a proud franchise, and two aging franchise players in Bosh and Wade.

Let's cancel the season now. No way Miami contends because of one persons opinion. It is a poorly written article from a guy lacking Basketball IQ who should be out of a job.

Yes Wade and Dragic didn't show they could win together..........just maybe it was because the best player on the team never played a game with Dragic and Wade? Or maybe it was because in addition to this, Miami had a bench that consisted of guys who are typically your 11th, 12th man, or out of the league.

 

[bksballer89]

Just about every prediction I've seen on Miami is 46+ wins and a top 4 seed out East......but go ahead and run with POS article you posted

 

[WiggyRuss]

Just about every prediction I've seen on Miami is 46+ wins and a top 4 seed out East......but go ahead and run with POS article you posted

I mean can you at least have the self respect to admit you were wrong and that I did post that EXACT same excerpt? Thats probably ASKING way too much from what I have seen though- like i said earlier today- accountability is not a prized quality here.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Let's cancel the season now. No way Miami contends because of one persons opinion. It is a poorly written article from a guy lacking Basketball IQ who should be out of a job.

Yes Wade and Dragic didn't show they could win together..........just maybe it was because the best player on the team never played a game with Dragic and Wade? Or maybe it was because in addition to this, Miami had a bench that consisted of guys who are typically your 11th, 12th man, or out of the league.

I didnt say they should cancel the season. And- this is hardly the only article I have posted quotes from whether on the HEat or CAvs or LAkers or whatever teams - but mostly those 3 as those 3 are by far the most heavily represented on the boards....

I just actually like to READ articles and get a variety of opinions and information before forming my own- by guys that have access or guys that have studied the game for years or from guys that have worked in the game for a number of years or guys that have made their living on reporting the game for years....I find that informing yourself like that usually makes you right a lot more often than having your own half-cocked opinion.

 

[bksballer89]

Let's pick apart that POS Grantland article.

Here is another way to preview the 2015-16 Miami Heat: This is a bad idea. Sure, I understand how we got here. There were no better ideas. But the lack of viable alternatives doesn’t make this — relying on a core of four declining superstars, the NBA’s biggest head case, and a rookie — agood idea. Factor in the expectations and the likely frustrations that will ensue when they aren’t met, and this could get uglier than anyone might predict. Did you see how much money they gave Dragic? And Whiteside’s in a contract year? And then they signed AMAR’E? Jesus. Even the optimistic preview has Wade missing 20 or 30 games this year. This has all the makings of a miserable slog to the seventh seed. Is it too late to send Winslow to Boston?

1) Who are these 4 declining superstars? Wade is the only one declining. I'm going to assume the other 3 they were talking about are Dragic, Whiteside, and Bosh. No need to elaborate on this but anyone with a brain can see that Bosh, Dragic, or Whiteside (how the fuck can he be declining after playing 1 season) are not declining.

2) Yes they gave Dragic a lot of money. He's a borderline top 10 PG and that is the going rate for PGs these days. If they did not pay Dragic, guess what? ANOTHER TEAM WOULD HAVE.

3) What is wrong to sign Amare for pretty much no money to play a bench role? Last year with Dallas in 16 MPG, he avg 11 PPG and shot nearly 60% off the bench..............what a horrible signing that was lol

 

[bksballer89]

Now on to the 2nd part of that garbage article

This team looked BAD last year, even before the Bosh injury. Even after the Dragic trade.
Remember, the teams competing for last season’s Eastern 8-seed were not world-beaters, and Miami wasn’t even in the conversation at the end. It was the Paul George–less Pacers and the Celtics, and Boston won out because (the other) Isaiah Thomas was the most valuable Phoenix Sun traded at the deadline.
Granted, getting Bosh back to pair with Dragic — they never played a game together — should help on both ends of the floor. But that won’t solve the fit issues with Dragic and Wade on the perimeter, or the depth issues off the bench. Also, there’s a chance Dragic just isn’t the same player he was two years ago. It’s certain Wade isn’t the player he once was. And Bosh is supposed to fix all of that? Will he make Deng five years younger? Will he add three bench players?

1) Yes they looked bad last year before the Bosh injury and after the dragic injury. You're going to look bad when your role players off the bench consisted of Danny Granger, Sean Williams, James Ennis, Bill Walker, Mike Beasley, Udonis Haslem, & etc for most of the year.

2) They were not in the conversation at the end? WHAT. On April 9th, 2015 with less than one week left in the season they were 1 game out of the playoffs spot........but according to this article they were not in the conversation at the end of the season

3) Depth issues off the bench? This team can literally go 12 deep if they really want to. This is by far the Heat deepest team in years

4) Maybe Dragic isn't the same player from two years ago? Great or maybe he is asked to do different things? Miami would gladly take 16 & 5 on over 50% shooting which is what he did in 26 games with Miami.

5) Why do they need to add 3 bench players when they're already 11-12 deep?

 

[WiggyRuss]

That is a terrible article. Just for the sole fact that they're acting like Miami has the same team as last year. Bench is completely different for the most part outside of Chalmers. Green looking like he can avg close to 12 or 13 PPG off the bench.

The fact that the article bring up depth issues on the Heat bench is exactly why it is a crap article. Why do the Heat need 3 more bench players when they can go 11 deep right now? It is a solid bench with Chalmers, Greens, Winslow, Amare, McBob, Bird, & Tyler. The bench is the last of my concerns

Do you think that is an actual solid bench?

Chicago's Top 6 bench players: Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, Aaron Brooks, Kurt Heinrich, Mike Dunleavy, Doug McDermont

Cleveland's Top 6 bench players: Tristan Thompson, Andy Varejao, Jr Smith, Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson, THE MAthew Dellavadova

Atlanta's Top 6 bench players: Tiago Splitter, Dennis Schroeder, Tim Hardaway Jr., Thabo Sefolosha, Mike Scott, Shelvin Mack

Toronto's top 6 bench players: Terrence Ross, Corey Joseph, Luis Scola, James Johnson, Bismack Biyombo, Bruno Cabolco (2 years away from being 2 years away! as famously put)

Bostons Top 6 bench players: Isiah Thomas, Evan Turner, Tyler Zeller, Amir Johnson, Jared Sullinger, Perry Jones

Wizards top 6 bench players: RAmon Sessions, Gary Neal, Kris Humphries, DeJaun Blair, MArtell Webster, Drew Gooden

Miami Top 6 Bench Players: Justice Winslow, Mario Chalmers, Josh McRoberts, Gerald Green, Amare Stoudemire,

Busk top 6 bench players: Jabari Parker, Greivis VAzquez, OJ Mayo, Miles Plumlee, Chris Copeland, Tyler Ennis

Charlotte top 6 bench players: Jeremy Lin, Jeremy Lamb, Frank KAminsky III, Tyler Hansborough, Spencer Hawes, Marvin Williams

Pacers top 6 bench players: Rodney Stuckey, Lavoy Allen, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, Solomon Hill, Lavoy Allen

Thats the Contenders in the East.......leaving off the Sixers, Knicks, Magic, NEts, Pistons...when I look at this--- I think 4 benches jump out as the best inthe East---- Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston, Milwaukee.....

Honestly---- the best bench in the East just MIGHT be Bostons....

Ranking them- id probably go:

1. Boston
2. Cleveland
3. Chicago
4. Milwaukee
5. Washington
6. Miami
7. Atlanta
8. Toronto
9. Charlotte
10. Pacers

Boston really has a great bench- especially if they are going to start Smart and bring Thomas off the bench like last year....I gotta go with Cleveland just SLIGHTLY over Chicago...Mirotic/Gibson is a damn good bench front court but Id give the edge to Thompson/Varejao- and ill take Jr and Delly over Heinrich and Brooks- but damn close....definitly think Chicago and Cleveland are 2 and 3 without much debate

Milwaukee has a sneaky deep bench- and of course- as long as Jabari Parker is coming off the bench they might have the most talented bench players in the East once the kid gets rolling...OJ mayo has punch off the bench- Vazquez is one of the better backup PGs in the whole NBA...Plumlee is a nice backup big.

WAshington and Miami I thought were really close and you could flip flop them if you so liked. McRoberts finally gives Miami a legitimate bench big and he should be able to compliment bosh and whiteside well...Gary Neal is avery good backup PG/SG....Martell Webster is a great athlete and Humphries and Blair are two nice backup bigs. I like Gerald Green as a guy that can give Miami some athleticism off the bench...Both teams could use a 3 pt shooter off the bench....

Atlanta losing Carroll forces Sefolosha or Bazemore- one of the two- into the starting lineup....and Atlanta has that deep starting 5- but their bench- is so- so....getting Splitter really helps their bench bigs a ton though- and Schroeder is a very solid up and coming pint guard...This bench could make a good in season jump.

What do you guys htink?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Let's pick apart that POS Grantland article.

Here is another way to preview the 2015-16 Miami Heat: This is a bad idea. Sure, I understand how we got here. There were no better ideas. But the lack of viable alternatives doesn’t make this — relying on a core of four declining superstars, the NBA’s biggest head case, and a rookie — agood idea. Factor in the expectations and the likely frustrations that will ensue when they aren’t met, and this could get uglier than anyone might predict. Did you see how much money they gave Dragic? And Whiteside’s in a contract year? And then they signed AMAR’E? Jesus. Even the optimistic preview has Wade missing 20 or 30 games this year. This has all the makings of a miserable slog to the seventh seed. Is it too late to send Winslow to Boston?

1) Who are these 4 declining superstars? Wade is the only one declining. I'm going to assume the other 3 they were talking about are Dragic, Whiteside, and Bosh. No need to elaborate on this but anyone with a brain can see that Bosh, Dragic, or Whiteside (how the fuck can he be declining after playing 1 season) are not declining.
I think he means Amare, Deng, Bosh and Wade.


2) Yes they gave Dragic a lot of money. He's a borderline top 10 PG and that is the going rate for PGs these days. If they did not pay Dragic, guess what? ANOTHER TEAM WOULD HAVE.

Dragic is a damn good player- but hes only really had one year where he played like one of the best at his position. I think it was a good move- especialyl in rileys view since he will be long gone by the time htose picks transfer....but i think your right- Dragic is probably RIGHT around top 10...probably just outside...

1. Curry 2.RW 3.CP 4. Kyrie 5.John Wall 6. Mike Conley 7.Kyle Lowry 8. Damian Lillard 9. Goran Dragic 10. Derrick Rose 11. Eric Bledsoe 12.Jeff Teague .....Bledsoe and Rose are super tough calls but ill give Dragic the nod on the fact that I was WRONG about predicting he wouldnt shoot 50% for the Heat and he did.

3) What is wrong to sign Amare for pretty much no money to play a bench role? Last year with Dallas in 16 MPG, he avg 11 PPG and shot nearly 60% off the bench..............what a horrible signing that was lol

Amare is toast...his defense is just beyond awful, and he cant really even finsih at the rim anymore...I think Amare just wants to chill in South Beach personally. lol.

We shall see though. Heats bench is definitely improved from last year- but its still just an average bench.

 

[bksballer89]

Amare is toast...his defense is just beyond awful, and he cant really even finsih at the rim anymore...I think Amare just wants to chill in South Beach personally. lol.

We shall see though. Heats bench is definitely improved from last year- but its still just an average bench.

He can still score....

 

[bksballer89]

Cleveland bench #2? In what planet?

 

[WiggyRuss]

He can still score....

responses to those questions in the quote above

i think the 4 aging "superstars" were Wade, Bosh, Deng and Amare.....