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As well as a new NBA blog that I'll keep updated this season, you can always stay tuned throughout the season for more NBA tidbits, columns and other stuff on the old Victrolla. Once again, it looks like I will have the regular Friday night gig on "Sportstalk with Dan Russell." You can tune in live on CKNW 980am or check us out streaming on the internet at www.cknw.com. Either way, plenty of NBA hoops for the true connoisseurs out there. Everyone else should listen as well.
The San Antonio Spurs, one more time. In fact, this was the final that I called one year ago. I'm pretty sure that there won't be another "Malice at the Palace" this year, so, Indiana has both the depth, offensive firepower and lock-up D to take the east. What about the Heat? Too many bad parts and I'm sure that the chemistry will be all gone by the end of the year. In fact, we might even see Pat Riley by year's end. San Antonio is once again a well constructed unit made up of all the colours of the international basketball rainbow. Both Michael Findley and Nick the Quick will be positive additions. Good team guys (yes, Nick Van Exel) that can fill various roles at this point in their careers. Add in Argentinean banger Fabricio Oberto, who looks goofy out there but is very effective, and the Spurs have it all together. Plus, my man, assistant coach Brett Brown, will keep all the boys skills sharp. Like Napoleon Dynamite, you need good skills to win the NBA title. What I don't understand in why everyone is piling on the Suns. Yes, Amare is gone for a while or perhaps longer. Sure, they weren't very deep last year but have lengthened the bench a little bit. If you recall the Western conference finals, San Antonio only played 7 guys as well. Pay attention, because Raja Bell is going to shock people. He can hit the 3 consistently, plays well with Nash and can lock guys up (yes, Manu). Phoenix will still win the Pacific division, although BOTH LA teams will challenge throughout the season. Get on that Clippers bandwagon now. As for the Suns, if Amare is back at the right time, it will make for an interesting playoff run. The East - what exactly was Pat Riley thinking? The Heat now have a lot of bad mojo happening with their roster. The team was one injury away from the Finals last year but still added some questionable parts. The Heat can't help but win their terrible division but will fall when it comes playoff time to... the other eastern heavyweights, Detroit and Indiana. I really thought the Pacers would have beat Detroit last year if not for that whole "incident" thing. Both teams again made positive moves in the off-season (Flip Saunders, Sarunas Jasikevicious & Danny Granger). Maybe I'm crazy, perhaps even Ron Artest crazy, but I think that Indy has more stuff to win the East. Other than that, the East is once again a little bit weaker than the West, although it will be much more exciting. Look for almost nightly alley-oop highlights from J-Kidd to both Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. Seriously, there will be some nasty fast break throw downs in the swamps of Jersey. The best part of all of this - the NBA is back, so, as they say in Vegas "ENJOY!" Doug E. For more Doug E. "Sportstalk" columns (or what passes for a columns), click here!
eberhardt basketball, where "Life is Good but Basketball is Better." |
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