The Association

Yes, that’s right folks everyone’s favorite league to hate is back. Nobody really likes the Association and it thugged out millionaires, but we cannot help but watch. As we usually do with the Association we will give you a brief overview of some teams and players we think are good and some that are overrated.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Miami- Obviously you have to like the defending champions even though they got their asses smoked last night. The team has basically the same exact roster as last year. All they have to do is keep the big fella healthy and make sure Flash doesn’t fatigue at the end of the year.

Cleveland- They have LeBron right? Okay, and as long as they do there’s always a chance. Again he still has room for improvement in his game and he was virtually unstoppable last season. Their roster is very similar to last years but with one small addition, 13 year vet David Wesley which may not seem like much but he gives them a load of experience on winning teams and is a combo guard who can relieve the minutes on Starting PG Eric Snow and not have to give the ball to LeBron.

Chicago- Yes the Bulls are for real, and they tried to prove it all on opening night. The have a great mix of players who genuinely enjoy playing with each other and the addition’s of Ben Wallace and superfreak Tyrus Thomas their defense and rebounding can only improve. Kirk Hinrich got his contract situation behind yesterday, Luol Deng is healthy, and Andre Nocioni may be the most improved player in the league.

Orlando- Dwight Howard is fast emerging as the next big man superstar in the league and PG Jameer Nelson is reminding everyone that just a few years ago he was the best college player in the country. They also have Darko Millicic who has shown signs of improvement and young forwards Trevor Ariza. The Magic could really jump up and surprise people, especially if………..eeek……….Grant Hill stays healthy.

WESTERN CONFEENCE:

San Antonio- The Western Conference is boring, all the same teams are good. The Spurs still have the best starting 5 in the league and of healthy throughout the season they are capable of winning 65 games. Tony Parker need to drop the dead weight out their in Hollywood and concentrate on the games at hand. The Spurs are the odds on favorite as they seem to be everywyear, lets hope plantar fascitius doesn’t hinder the big guy again.

Dallas- They were right there at the end with the season battling for he championship team. But owner Mark Cuban still saw improvements he could make. He inked Josh Howard to an extension and then traded Marquis Daniels and acquired Anthony Johnson and Austin Croshere 2 solid veteran bench performers. The addition of Johnson gives them a true back up PG that way Terry can rest instead of having to spell Devin Harris. Also they added veteran shooter Devean George to an already lethal offense.

Phoenix- I cannot really put this team in my overrated category because they will win 60 games, but we have seen this tired act before haven’t we? When push comes to shove you need o be able to score and defend in the half court, plain and simple and this team cannot do that. Until they can they will just be another side show on the road to the NBA title.

Houston- Ok, this is it fellas. I love T-Mac and Van Gundy, but this is the season. Everyone is healthy coming in, you have added Shane Battier a defensive presence, Bonzi Wells a third option on offense. Rookie Steve Novak could provide a spark of the bench with his shooting ability and third year forward Krik Snyder has a chance to make an impact.


Let’s be honest, the NBA title is going through San Antonio or Dallas, you are going to have to beat one if not both of those teams if you want to win it all, and that may be impossible.

OVERRATED:

These are some teams I am selling this year;

I am sick and tired of the New Jersey Nets. Same team same tired act, basically a mediocre roster of aging players and an odd team chemistry that always seems one day away from implosion because they have Vince Carter.

I think Detroit will have a big fall of this season. Flip proved last year that he is an average coach and that was with a team that was still somewhat hungry. Now Rasheed is upset at David Stern for his rules changes about talking back and Ben Wallace is not there to control this locker room.

The Clippers, I mean come on they are the Clippers. I don’t know maybe they are better than I think, maybe Chris Kaman and Shaun Livingston are better players than I give them credit for, but somehow I doubt it. Kaman just got a long term extension, usually when mediocre players like hi m shut it down, after their big pay day (see Jon Koncak).

Yes the Denver Nuggets still have the coolest thugged out team of all time, and probably the most tatted up squad ever. But this team is such a chemistry disaster and their fearless leader most of the time seems like he want to turn back to the bottle to drink his problems away, go ahead George take a sip.


Two teams I think could be a whole lot better than people think are the Utah Jazz and the Boston Celtics. There is something I like about both of their rosters, a good mix of solid vet’s and improving young players who can make impacts in this league. And they feature the 2 quietest superstars in the league in Paul Pierce and Andre Kirilenko.

PLAYERS:

Here are some young guys, old guys and rookies that could have big years or big impacts;

Bonzi Wells, Houston Rockets
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers (Potential All-Star)
Sean May, Charlotte Bobcats
David West, Wherever Hornets (Potential All-Star)
Ike Diogou, Golden State Warriors
Charlie Villanueva Milwaukee Bucks
Grant Hill, Orlando Magic
Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
Luke Ridnour, Seattle Sonics