When the mastermind behind the Full Court Pest: 94 Feet of Tenacious Blog Sense first confronted me about contributing to his No Drama Hoops roundtable, I couldn’t have been more excited. I could serve as their senior correspondent and would likely be the only one of these internationally-based superstars who gets to watch the NBA in real time.
So I joined with the hopes it would become some super conglomerate of basketball knowledge… or more likely, a bunch of internet geeks talking hoops.
Either way, we welcome you to Holding Court, Vol. 1: Our NBA Round Table. Sure, it’s covered in felt, has fold out legs and ring stains from our cocktail glasses but we think that builds character.
1. Who are the legit contenders this season for an NBA title and who do you have in the finals?
Downtown Charlie Brown – Full Court Pest
I have the Heat and the Thunder in the finals with the Heat winning. I think Westbrook will try and prove a point which will cost his team and get him traded in the offseason. As far as contenders, obviously Miami, OKC, Indiana, LAL, and CHI. Those really are the only teams i see contending this year
Sports Chump – SportsChump.net
Of the three major sports leagues, picking chalk to win a title is usually safest in the NBA. Nobody could have predicted that the Cardinals or Packers would have finished atop their respective leagues last year and for a change, nobody thought the Dallas Mavericks would be raising last year’s O’Brien Trophy either, which leads me to believe things will return to normalcy in 2012. Miami has struggled early but I just think that team is too talented not to be there in the end. And even though they have a new head coach, the Lakers are also as talented as any team in the league. While off to ferocious starts, I still see the potential number one seeds , Oklahoma City and Chicago, as too inexperienced… and experience wins championships in this league. We’ve been waiting a while now for Kobe to square off against LeBron in a seven-game series. Why not now is what I’m thinking. Can you imagine the television ratings? After a summer of discontent, that’d be David Stern’s wet dream. He and Billy Hunter might actually smoke a peace pipe.
The Elusive Heisenberg – Full Court Pest
Miami- Made the finals last year and are even more dominant in this early season. Can’t count out a team with that much talent, and barring injuries to one of their main guys should make a deep playoff run.
Chicago- Offense looks a little less stagnant, and their defense is as terrific as ever. Will still have problems with Miami but look to be in good shape.
Oklahoma City- Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Ibaka, Collison, Perkins, Sefolosha, Cook, Maynor. This team has so much talent to not be considered as contenders.
Dallas- Despite losing Chandler/Barea I’m not going to count them out just yet. Their offense will be fine and Haywood is a suitable center.
Los Angeles- …. Lakers. Now even I’m not sold on this pick. However they have to be in the discussion with the way their big 3 of Kobe/Gasol/Bynum have been playing.
Finals: Miami vs OKC. Chicago didn’t make any moves that address how badly Miami dismantled them last year, and Miami just keeps looking better. OKC was primed to make the finals last year before they ran into Dallas playing the best basketball of their lives. So long as the Westbrook situation doesn’t blow up they should be playing for it all in June. Miami wins though.
The Hoopstradamus – Hoopstradamus.com
I’ve got Miami and Chicago in the East, and Boston as a dark horse contender. I think they’re being smart this year and taking it slow. I still fully believe that Boston is not a team anyone is going to want to face in the playoffs. Oh, and if Philly keeps up with what they’re doing right now, it’s going to be hard to ignore them as contenders.
The West is a bit more tough with teams like Portland and Denver. As far as sure-fire contenders go, I’m going with Oklahoma, and both Los Angeles teams. The thing about the West is that each of these teams have glaring weakness. No one knows what’s going on in Russell Westbrook’s or Vinny Del Negro’s head. The Lakers looked bad last year in the playoffs and now they lost Lamar. I never thought I’d say this, but I think Mike Brown may have actually rejuvenated the Lakers the way that Germany rejuvenated Kobe. And yes, I am completely ignoring last years champs.
The Pest – Full Court Pest
The Thunder, Clippers and Blazers in the West. Miami and Chicago in the East. I have no faith in anyone else’s medicine without funny things happening to alter the outcomes. I won’t deny a puncher’s chance at a lucky run by Memphis, Boston, LAL or even San Antonio (and in that order) to make some noise, anything can and does happen in the playoffs, but I don’t think anyone else has the horses to stay in that race with the first six mentioned above. That means you Chandlerless Dallas.
Shafty – KeeperOfTheCourt.com
East: Heat, Bulls. West: Thunder, Clippers, Blazers
I currently have the Blazers and Heat in the finals. CP3 will courageously lead his teammates into battle, but their defensive woes and inexperience spell trouble. For the Bulls and Thunder, while talented, I expect them both to implode – this is mostly due to the type of offense they require from their point guards. No one can stop the Heat but themselves; their new additions and ever-so-ripe defense appear to put them above the league. The Blazers, looking surprisingly sharp following their adoption of a faster pace, appear to be a matchup nightmare for everyone.
2. What is going to be the biggest surprise of this season?
Downtown Charlie Brown – Full Court Pest
Kobe wins his second MVP. Now stay with me, This may be Kobe’s last super productive season and i think they will want to honour the “old breed” before having to give MVPs to Durant, another to Rose. Howard will never win an MVP it seems and everyone hates Lebron so…. It is looking like he is going to have a fantastic year and i am sure his numbers will level off a little. I could see a 27/5.5/5.5 season out of him and if his shooting improves to 47% range, says all the right things and the Lakers win the Pacific and get a top 3 seed in the West. It very well could happen, you would have to overlook all the bad he does, but worse things have happened in MVP voting.
Sports Chump – SportsChump.net
Your average basketball fan knew which teams would be good and bad in 2012, however, I don’t think anybody could have predicted the 76ers would have gotten off to such a torrid start. Aside from Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, can you name another one of their starters? I didn’t think so. They currently have seven players scoring in double digits and rank atop the league in both points scored and allowed. That’s a pretty good combination. I guess Doug Collins can coach after all, huh? I’m just happy I don’t have to listen to him on TNT anymore.
The Elusive Heisenberg – Full Court Pest
Would a first round exit for the Knicks count? If not I’ll go with the Cavs making the playoffs. They are in that 8th spot now and Irving is starting to look more comfortable.
The Hoopstradamus – Hoopstradamus.com
The Cleveland Cavaliers. In the playoffs. Upsetting the Miami Heat. Okay, not the last part, but wouldn’t that be hilarious? Dan Gilbert got ridiculed a bit last year for drafting Tristan Thompson, but the Canadian is showing people that he can play! Kyrie Irving is also panning out well, putting up 17 points and 5 assists in just over 27 minutes a game so far. Right now, most people think the Cavs are just a team with potential but I could definitely see them making a run for the 7th – 8th seed.
The Pest – Full Court Pest
After years of doubt, ridicule, disrespect and general idiocy by national journalists David Kahn is going to take home the Executive Of The Year Award. Unlike Mark Warkentien who won because his injured players stopped being injured in 2009, David Kahn will deserve it. He created a plan and stuck to it for 2 years while the media made him a laughing stock. He acquired and retained several gifted young athletic players most of the league had given up on and told them he believed in them. Said he was going to deliver the next truly great point guard capable of making them stars. They bought in. He told them he’d use their talent to create a team a point guard could not refuse. He knew it’s the only way to retain a true star in a small market. Except that star told him not to draft him and refused to come over the ocean. People said he was over-rated, a bust in the making and would never play a game for the team.
David Kahn is The Honey Badger. He just doesn’t give a shit. He believed Rubio was what he thought he was. He believed he could make him come. Honey Badger takes what he wants. He drafted him and built that team anyway. Ricky Rubio couldn’t refuse. Ricky Rubio looks happy. Ricky Rubio looks like the Realio Dealio. He still packed on more talent like JJ Barrea on an amazing contract. He hired a perfect fit top flight coach who got the most out of the same Webber who made fun of him above. The T-wolves are the most talented young team in the league, loaded with assets and picks and David Kahn looks like the most fearless GM in sports.
Shafty – KeeperOfTheCourt.com
Besides Jeremy Lin scoring 50 points, I’d have to go with the Philadelphia 76ers’ success. Doug Collins is one of the best basketball minds ever, and I firmly believe he has a way to get through to his young and talented roster. They’re already starting the year off strongly by showing a better understanding of their roles and looking very potent defensively.
3. What is the biggest potential trade of this season?
Downtown Charlie Brown – Full Court Pest
The obvious answer would be Dwight Howard. I am going to go a different direction. I see STAT getting traded this year. New York is just bad, They are a bunch of ISO and beat your man players trying to act like a team. I dont know where he goes, or what he is traded for but I could see him getting traded. Maybe for Josh Smith who is on his last legs in Atlanta, They could reach and go after Howard. I am sure they have many options, out of Melo and STAT you keep Melo and I think that is how it goes.
Sports Chump – SportsChump.net
I’ve been trying to come up with a name other than Dwight Howard to put in this category but I just couldn’t do it. To pretend Dwight-gate isn’t the biggest trade story in the NBA is like saying the country has a slight unemployment problem and refusing to talk about it. Not only does Orlando’s future hang in the balance with this deal, so does the future of the team he’s traded to. Whether it’s Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Golden State, New York or some surprise team we haven’t heard about yet, those teams all stand to get substantially better, or worse, depending on what they give up to get him. Of course, Dwight will likely still be in a Magic uniform come All-Star weekend where I’m sure he’ll be hosting VIP party after VIP party. Heck, maybe he’ll have enough fun that weekend to decide he wants to stay in Orlando, and all this trade talk will be for not. Most of us, however, think it’s a little too late for that.
The Elusive Heisenberg – Full Court Pest
Other than the obvious Dwight Howard trade bonanza, something involving Steve Nash is my hope. Watching him on the Suns bums me out. I think Indiana needs to take a look at making a move for him. Pairing Nash with Granger/West/Hibbert/Hansbrough would be best for all involved. Collison can resume his New Orleans role as a sparkplug off the bench. Now to be fair I’m not sure who Indiana would have to give up, but if they keep most of their core intact and acquire Nash I would pick them to beat anyone other than Miami or Chicago in the Eastern Playoffs.
The Hoopstradamus – Hoopstradamus.com
Russell Westbrook for Deron Williams. It needs to happen. This is, of course, if the other biggest potential trade (Dwight Howard) doesn’t pan out for New Jersey. With Lopez on the sidelines the Nets have nothing to offer Orlando, and their abysmal record isn’t going to keep Deron happy, or attract Howard. For Oklahoma, they’ll finally have a pass first PG who will look for Durant first but still be able to produce for himself.
While this may sound far-fetched, the biggest long-term winner from a trade like this could be Russell Westbrook. I don’t like the way he plays, but that’s right now. He’s the type of guy that needs to spend some time on a team that he can call his own, without the pressure that contending in OKC next to Durant brings. Give him a season or two playing his way through his mistakes, and I really think he could become a guy I like. Until then though, I’ll still resort to calling him Westbrick.
The Pest – Full Court Pest
If Dwight is traded it impacts the entire league, but that is obvious. What’s more interesting is who’s really in the market to land him and make themselves an instant contender. With the obligatory change/third team that can make any trade happen, trading Chris Bosh, Amare/Chandler has got to be things these teams are considering. They’re good with what they have but they’re amazing with Dwight. What if the Wolves offer a package of Williams, Randolph, picks and change for Dwight? It’s not a comfortable time to be really good in the NBA. My real pick: what the Clippers do with the glut of talent in the swing positions. One should be coming and the potential for them to be league dominating good is totally there.
Shafty – KeeperOfTheCourt.com
A Deron Williams trade could actually be more impactful than a Dwight Howard one, provided that Dwight goes to LA and fills in for Bynum…who might actually be a little better than him. If these specific events do not occur, this season is all about wherever Dwight Howard goes. I would really like to see him pair up with Deron Williams in New Jersey, simultaneously reviving Williams’ motivation and restoring the future of the franchise. If he ends up in Chicago – despite a loss of Noah or Deng – that team’s defense is going to be disgusting. If that happens, Thibbs needs to play Gibson over Boozer, as they’d have the potential to break all-time defensive records… that’s another matter though. Actually, Gibson should always play over Boozer. Have I mentioned that Carlos Boozer is bad at basketball?
4. Are the Clippers for real as the team to beat in the league? In the West?
Downtown Charlie Brown – Full Court Pest
No and No. Paul is fantastic and you can see the chemistry building but they still have some major flaws. First off their back-up bigs consist of Brian Cook and Reggie Evans. Let that sink in for a bit. After that they have glaring holes in their interior defense. It consists of Blake Griffin who is not known as a good defender and The 9 million dollar man Deandre Jordan. Jordan is a fantastic shot blocker who fouls too much and looks kind of lost out there at times. With Chauncey and Paul at the Guard spots and Butler playing the 3, they have good wing defense but with the way the rules are, it all depends on Interior Defense and that is a spot they lack. They have some good trade chips so I expect a trade out of them to get a backup 4/5 player and maybe they can be that team.
Sports Chump – SportsChump.net
I don’t think there’s any doubt the Clippers are a playoff contender. They’ve already beaten the Heat AND the Lakers this season, the two teams I picked to be in the Finals. But this team has barely logged any minutes playing together. Chris Paul will get some nods for this year’s MVP as most of us thought he would, but I still think they’re a strong guard and some depth away from being serious contenders. Still though, no team, particularly a poor defensive one, wants to travel to Lob City.
The Elusive Heisenberg –Full Court Pest
I didn’t even list them as a contender, so I’m going to say no. They haven’t shown any signs of real dominance to me anywhere other than highlight reels. Like I said, I love Paul and Blake, but they need a better coach and more time together. For next year they might be the team to beat in the West, unless OKC pulls it all together.
The Hoopstradamus – Hoopstradamus.com
Absolutely not. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are a formidable duo right now, but as a bitter Bulls fan I can say with confidence that VDN can and will find a way to screw it up this season. Despite last night’s game I still think the Lakers are a small step ahead of them, and I’d probably take OKC in a seven-game series as well. On the other hand, if the Clippers manage to turn their defense and rebounding around this season, I might change my mind.
The Pest – Full Court Pest
The Clippers are far from the perfect team and have their flaws. I admittedly picked them to win the title in Sportschump’s NBA Pick’em Contest at least partially to root for them. But every time I try to speculate on how they stack up against other teams I either end up way in their favor or it’s a wash. Every team in the West is flawed. I don’t trust Russell Westbrook at all. Portland is probably best suited and are depending on 37 and 38 year olds at the 5. I think the Lakers and Mavs are done with this conversation. So why not? The Clippers have superior players at the 1, 4 and 5 to every contender in the league and a ton of depth at the 2 and 3. Sorry, but I just don’t believe in Miami’s ability to match up. Not a problem in Chi-Town however their woeful offensive execution makes me lean wash on them too. LAC is going to be WAY better come playoff time then now so I’m picking Clippers.
Shafty – KeeperOfTheCourt.com
The Clippers are definitely not the team to beat in the league – that team remains the Miami Heat provided their roster remains healthy and intact. If the Heat had made a few more free throws and ran offenses down the stretch the other night, they’d have handled the Clippers just fine. If we’re talking about the West, the Clippers are definitely towards the top, but the Thunder remain the team to beat.
Pingback: Holding Court, Vol. 1: Our NBA Round Table - BallHyped, NBA | BallHyped Sports Blogs
Did anyone else notice that the San Antonio Spurs are conspicuously absent from this discussion?
Damn I’m Smart!
Spurs havent won a game on the road yet this year so they better get some home court advantage!
Chris
NBA lockout or not the brand that’s being served just happens to be real crappy this season !
Hitting One Out of The Ballpark
tophatal ……….
Yes, Chuck, BUT….
They’re 9-0 at home and are leading the Southwest division, all without the services of the services of their Argentinian small forward.
I think we all agree that the Spurs best years are behind them but I think we’d also agree they’re not a team anyone wants to play in a seven-game series.
Honestly i think they could wear down in a 7 game series, although they are doing pretty good with this ridiculous schedule so far. Duncan has been playing a lot better this year and Greene and Leanord are proving to be pretty good.
I still dont think they contend though
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think they do either.
But would it surprise me if they did? Not at all.
I just thought it was interesting that nobody in the forum brought them up at all.
I am actually surprised someone else had Minnesota as having the best off season like i did, although Wally is a Khan homer…
A little Ricky Rubio love goes a long way, man.
Before we start crowning these guys, let’s remember they’re still only 5-8.
I don’t know that I’d say that, Al.
These teams barely had any time to practice and we’ve already seen some pretty good performances so far this season considering they layoff.
Kobe’s off to a nasty start and Dwight’s been, well, Dwight.
The Clippers (with Paul) and the T’Wolves (with Rubio) are a good watch. And the Bulls, Sixers and Thunder are off to some damn pretty good starts.
So what if the Heat and Knicks are underachieving. Didn’t we all secretly want that to happen anyway?
Well, I already wrote about the T’wolves, so you already know how pumped I get when they’re on TV…
Interesting point on Portland, it is pretty impressive how they seamlessly lost Roy, and botch the #1 pick taking Oden over Durant, but are still a really good team.
I still think the Clippers are going to be scary once they figure it all out. The biggest thing holding them back is Vinny Del Negro…
OKC Thunder in the West with the Heat in the East. Certainly agree with the biggest potential trade to be D. Howard – I mean, c’mon… Howard could even take the Wizards to the playoffs… well maybe not… that would need a whole lot of “Hail Mary’s” and “Our Fathers”… but no question, Howard is the player that’ll bring the most impact. Hands down. In terms of off-season… no one really had an off-season, but I would say maybe the Sixers since they have gotten to a great start early in the season. Will it last, well that’s an entirely different question. Nice post Chris.
I was surprised only one panelist mentioned the Grizzlies. They are a scrappy young team and bounced those unmentioned Spurs last year.
As much as I’d like to see D-Will come to the Lakers, that Westbrook trade suggestion by Hoopstradamus makes all kinds of sense. Russell could jack up shots to his hearts content in Brooklyn and OKC could put a ring on it.
Let’s be honest…the resurgence of the Timberwolves is due to the fact I picked them to be the worst team in the league.
Injuries starting to get my attention. Teams as usual want to keep guys fresh for April but there’s only so many games and they’re only happenin’ within so many days. Will be fascinating to see how long teams can and will shut down guys when they get nicked up. The compressed season will certainly have its say. The Howard trade looms over the sport so much now ESPN has taken to showing highlights with him in different jerseys. All the broadcast partners are curious as to where he’s headed…not to mention potential coaches and teammates. I am sure those who pull Stern’s strings are trying to get him to get Orlando to close on a deal now.
Chris
As long as Pop is prowling the sidelines I wouldn’t bet against the Spurs ! I know that in the first round of last season’s playoffs the Grizzlies beat them up like the wicked stepchild they appeared to be but no way in hell will they be that complacent again come this season’s playoffs !
So Colts’ owner Jim Irsay believes in early Spring Cleaning ? Out you go Jim Caldwell ….. and don’t let the door hit you in a@s on the way out ! Is it me but what the hell is wrong with the Colts’ owner ? Is he really that pi##ed at the Polians because of the Manning debacle ?
Why did the Rays get rid of Johnny Damon and then sign Luke Scott ? Does it make any sense to you ? I know Friedman is an astute judge of talent but there’s not that much difference in between the two players in terms of style and output .
Not only that Damon provided the much needed leadership qualities that players like Longoria and Upton have failed to show !
Teams didn’t have time to practice ? Are you kidding ? If the likes of LBJ , ‘melo , D-Wade can travel around the country allegedly playing games for charity merely to get their images more into the fore then why the hell couldn’t they get together with teammates and get in some practice sessions without the coaching staff in tow ? Answer me that ? Painstakingly obvious that the union doesn’t give a ##it about the fan or the consumer ! And the league hierarchy and owners aren’t that much different either !
Only a fool would believe to the contrary !
tophatal …………..
Chris
The NBA needs for the likes of the Heat , Knicks , Celtics and Lakers to remain relevant through the course of the season . Otherwise come playoff time in terms of ratings there’ll be hardly anyone watching the Finals .
Say a prospective Finals that matched up say …. the Sixers and Thunder ….. would you watch the series in its entirety ? Or would merely peek in for some of the highlights of one or two games from time to time ?
It’s the big franchises that simply drives the viewership and as such the popularity of the NBA along with many of the preeminent stars of the game .
tophatal ………..
Chap…
I think they’re gonna stick with Vinny. He’ll have at least a few post-seasons to get them over the hump.
And you’re right on about Portland. I am rapidly becoming a Gerald Wallace fan.
Thanks, BS.
I’ll keep you posted as we continue to do these forums. Perhaps you can get in on ’em.
Bleed…
You’re right about the Grizz. They turned a lot of heads in last year’s playoffs.
I guess we all just thought losing Randolph for a while will be a little too much for them to overcome.
And re: Brooklyn, I can’t wait for that to happen. First of all, I don’t know why Deron Williams went to the Nets in the first place. If he ends up leaving, it’ll be like his forgotten years.
But I REALLY can’t wait to see how the New York media starts letting that team have it. I mean, nobody cares about the Nets, but Brooklyn? That should be a whole other story.
J-Dub….
I’ll keep your picks in mind the next time I place a wager, to do the opposite, of course.
As a Magic fan, SA, I really think this is going to be a huge deal for Orlando.
They can’t afford to let Dwight go. Kiss his ass. Pay him money. Surround him with whatever coaches or teammates he wants. Just don’t let him skip town.
If he splits, what’s the point? I don’t necessarily think he’s the best player in the league, far from it, but he probably still hasn’t reached his ceiling and think about it, if you were going to start a franchise around someone, wouldn’t he be one of those guys?
Exactly, Al. There’s one of my Spurs fans sounding off, although I didn’t like how they folded up shop last night in Miami. Weren’t they up big at one point?
Re: the Colts, what are the chances you think they shop Peyton Manning and just start from scratch with Andrew Luck?
And re: Damon, my guess is that Scott came about $4 million cheaper? We both know how the Rays like their bargain basement prices.
Re the Sixers and the Thunder in the Finals, Al, don’t sleep on the size of Philly’s market, but your point is well taken.
The NBA would do best to have it’s biggest names in the Finals, a la Kobe vs. Lebron, or is that Finals less likely to happen than Mayweather-Pacquiao?
A lot of people are really high on the Thunder. I still think they have a couple steps to go before they can win a four-game series against a more experienced and well-rounded team.
But who knows? I’ve been wrong before.
I actually picked the grizz to beat the spurs last year, part of it was because i am a grizz fan and part of it was because they had good matchups. Not too mention about halfway through the season i picked the Mavs to win it all to.
Nice work, DTCB.
We’re going to need to host some sort of NBA Playoffs pick ’em when it gets to be that time of season.
My big upset pick in last year’s post-season was the Hawks to knock off the Magic. Nobody, including Las Vegas, gave them a chance.
The Hawks were coming back +450 in that series. Needless to say, I took that +450 all the way to the bank.
Thank you, sir, may I have another.
This is a good read. Keep doing this with these other sites, Chump!
Thanks, Fried.
We plan on doing just that.
@ Diehardport
Come check out no drama hoops which is the message board we all participate in.