Human Victory Cigar

Courtesy of mikhail1973 @ www.pistonsforum.com

Season 2006/2007

Record 50-32

The best season in team’s history. No, not really, not that. Maybe the best play-off season in the team’s history. No, still not it. Not the entire play-offs, more likely one series. Maybe even a single game, not a series. And not by a team, but by one player.

Offseason

Draft

No picks

Key Trades

Acquired: Devin Brown and Cedric Simmons from Hornets.

Left: Scott Pollard and David Wesley.

Unsigned: Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao

Offseason grade: N/A

Season 2007/2008

The team hasn’t changed a bit. The same coach, same leader, and the same players (other than a couple of holdouts). Everyone who is predicting a fall for the team is in for a disappointment. The team is going to remain to be inconvenient to play against as it was during the past season and the season prior to that. Cleveland is not necessarily only LeBron. It is also a sticky defense and the ability to make the opposition play Cavs tempo, Cavs game. It is a very good home team that could explode in front of the home fans. This is when the team runs.

What are team’s issues?

1. A point guard and a shooting guard. The team fills the hole with oft-injured Hughes, veteran Snow and young Gibson. Cleveland media reports that Hughes worked on his shot this off-season. But it won’t solve Cleveland’s issues.

2. Only one question to Pavlovic – why out of 30 NBA teams he had to join the one where his natural position is being occupied by LBJ?

3. The front court has its limitations. Against weaker opposition they look good, but they are nowhere near as effective against stronger teams.

4. The team has no reliable scorer other than LeBron. If he is doubled he has nobody to pass to who can knock the shot down.

LeBron James is improving his game. He is working out all the kinks, all the technical errors, and improves his form. There are still some holes in his game which haven’t completely disappeared by they are getting lesser and smaller all the time. He always had athletic ability and court vision, now he is rounding into a more complete player. He moves a lot quicker and smoother, he rarely gets into the crowded area under the rim, he makes better decisions at the critical moments, and he can attack from any distance. Actually, he always attacked from all distances, now he is just a lot more efficient at it. And that’s exactly how he played for the US team this summer. The Spurs beat down was easily predictable, but a sweep-pill wasn’t any sweeter because of that. James wants to get back to the finals to take another crack at it.

Note of importance

Daniel “Boobie” Gibson. The guy blossomed during the playoffs. He is quick and fearless. Born and raised in Texas. During the sixths game against Pistons, when Pistons fans thought that it was all a bad dream and they were going to wake up any minute, this guy came off the bench and each of his 3-point makes (5 for 5) made Flip Saunders cringe as if he was electrocuted.

Bottom Line

Cleveland didn’t change, but conference did. So will the environment and playoff opponents. I don’t foresee another trip to the finals.

Playoffs – yes
Championship – no

Courtesy of mikhail1973 @ www.pistonsforum.com

Season 2006/2007

Record 28-54

The fortune turned its back on the Bucks. Redd and Villanueva missed a half of the season each. Bucks player of the year in 2005/2006 Bobbie Simmons didn’t even make it onto the court. Milwaukee finished the year with 28th place and 6th draft spot.

Offseason

Draft

Yi Jianlian and Ramon Sessions.

A ghost from China: everyone heard of him, some say they even saw him. Nobody knows how old he really is. It is anyone’s guess how many minutes will he get.

Key Trades

Acquired: Desmond Mason returned. Also Jake Voskuhl and Royal Ivey. Milwaukee is short on guards, so Mason will most likely see some playing time at the shooting guard spot subbing for resting Redd.
Left: Earl Boykins, Lin Greer, Ruben Patterson, Brian Skinner.

Offseason grade: C

Season 2007/2008

Milwaukee’s defense is one of the worst in the league. Bogut is not strong enough to bang with most of his opponents. Mo Williams not heavy enough against any opponent. And when basketball god created Michael Redd, all of the talent went into the offensive game. And Ruben Patterson, the only good defender Bucks had, left the team this summer. Don’t expect any defensive improvements from this team.

Offense is another story. There are two reasons for the effective offense that Bucks display:

1. Tall quick players that can pass the ball. First of all it relates to Bogut, who is one of the best at that in the entire NBA.
2. Set of shooters led by Redd (26ppg).

This combination allows Milwaukee to remain in top 10 in NBA in scoring and field goal percentage. Addition of Mason and return of Simpson along with the full season from Redd and Villanueva should help to maintain the offensive production.

When the team decided to build around Michael Redd first thought or maybe even a reflective reaction was – mistake! Who do they rely on? What goals can achieve team that is lead by a shooter? If you think about it his game is best suited for the role player. Two years past since that time. Milwaukee had one solid season. Redd adopted, consistently plays better, became one of the best scorers in the NBA and doesn’t look like just a shooting specialist anymore. The contract that Redd signed at that time looks quite reasonable.

Bucks have a decent bench – Ivey will sub for Williams, Bell will fill in for 1, 2, and 3, Simmons will be a combo-forward, Gadzuric – fast and athletic center. They will have emphasis on the quick frontline that lacks size and strength.

Note of importance

Charlie Villanueva. Regardless of competition from Simmons and many injuries (he had several, one just recently) he should start showing his potential.

Bottom Line

Most likely out of the playoffs. Team needs to play some D to be considered a playoff contender.

Playoffs – small chance
Championship – no

Courtesy of mikhail1973 @ www.pistonsforum.com

Season 2006/2007

Record 35-47

Rick Carlisle’s final season with Pacers looked exactly like the previous two. Injuries, arguing, trades, and constant fight with Atlanta for the title of the worst offensive team in the NBA.

Offseason

Draft

No picks

Key Trades

Acquired: Travis Diener, Careem Rush, Steven Graham.
Diener spent two seasons at Orlando where he was trying to back up Nelson, unsuccessfully. This year he’ll spend in Indiana trying to back up Tinsley, probably unsuccessfully as well. Careem Rush, who managed to play for several teams, will not be a strong addition to the squad. 15 minutes per game is his max. As far as Graham is concerned, Indy could’ve used his brother, who’s currently with Raptors, but not Steven.

Left: Baston, Green, Armstrong. Not much here.

Offseason grade: C

Season 2007/2008

Team’s problem begin at PG where Indiana has Jamaal Tinsley who’s occupied the position for the past few years. This is his spot even though he was quite inconsistent, especially in limited offense. Hopefully with O’Brien’s more open system he can actually become the player everyone saw a few years ago. The team also has no backup for him. Daniels could help with some ball-handling, but he’s not a PG. Danleavy, Daniels, and Rush are primary snipers and it’s not much at all.

SF is one of the brighter spots on the team. Danny Granger is a solid player, sort of jack of all trades. He can rebound, block shots, and score a timely 3-pointer. He reminds me of Josh Howard from Mavericks but the question remains whether Granger can reach that level of play.

O’Neal. His main issue from the past two-three seasons is that he’s forced to play closer to the basket. With his speed, one-on-one moves, and mid-range shot he should be playing the role that Tim Duncan plays for the past 10 years. Center playing a 4 and using height and weight advantage to the fullest extent. Popovich noticed it right away (it was difficult not to notice having Duncan playing alongside Robinson) and after that always had 1-2 average centers (Mohammed, Oberto, Nesterovic). While O’Neal had Foster and Pollard, who only played under the basket, O’Neal was quite dangerous. But since he started playing more with Harrington/Murphy and less with Foster, he looks worse, gets injured more often, and not nearly as effective. Who could potentially pair up with O’Neal upfront? Diogu, who was a highly touted talent a couple of years ago and got lost in NBA. Bigs usually take

longer to develop and start playing up to their potential after they turn 25. Is that the case with Diogu? Indiana still has Foster and David Harrison who while not getting much playing time for Carlisle, was still one of the fans favorites.

Note of importance

Jermaine O’Neal.
Always unhappy. He doesn’t like NBA dress code and thinks that Stern is discriminating against African-American players. Usually he sees his future with Indiana, but sometimes with Lakers. However, the next day he is saying that Indiana’s the place he wants to be. But who is he unhappy with? Maybe himself, who was left without the likes of Artest, Stojakovic, Harrington, and even Stephen Jackson?

Jermaine has MVP-caliber talent – he’s very well balanced forward/center, who is highly effective on offense as well as defense. NBA lacks this type of a player (Duncan, KG, and to a lesser extent Yao). He is strong under the basket and has no problem attacking from the mid-range.

Jeff Foster. He is mainly a rebounding specialist. Teams love to have a player of his type on the roster. He is tall and he can jump, but his main contribution is rebounding. He can outrebound anyone, even a player much taller than him. Even a player who is faster and can jump higher. It looks as if he just attracts the ball, kind of like a magnet. He reminds me quite a bit of Rodman.

Bottom Line

We’re so used to Indiana’s failures that the optimistic forecast (O’Neal and Tinsley play entire season without getting injured, Dunleavy and Murphy hit their shots and Granger becomes the most improved player) is very hard to believe. The offense should get better under the tutelage of O’Brien, but playoffs are probably still a long shot.

Playoffs – will contend
Championship – no