This one ought to get interesting at some point. I figured we may as well start it, talk about anything and everything NBA related all season rather than have 50 different threads.

Some thoughts to start with:

1. The Cavs look good and will continue to get better. I'm excited to see Delonte get back on the floor. Just like I tried to tell everyone before, I don't understand freaking out in the first 10 games. Didn't even take them that long to make all of you look stupid.

2. The Lakers are scary, I don't even want to talk about them. They're the best team in the league right now and haven't even played with Gasol yet.

3. Celtics and Magic are both screwed in the playoffs, I'm calling it right now. It's going to be Cavs and Lakers--yeah, yeah we all said the same last year blah, blah, blah--that was last year. The Celtics are the most overrated team in the league and just as expected, since our matchup problems are solved with Orlando--they're toast. And I'm not basing it on the game the other night, the Magic didn't have Lewis so I can't put too much into that game. But I still LOVE our chances in the East this season.

4. My fantasy team team is doing pretty solid

Tonight's schedule:

Portland @ Atlanta--Blazers...go Brandon Roy! I need the fantasy points haha.
Charlotte @ Orlando--Magic...big.
Dallas @ Milwaukee--Mavs, I already know I'll get my fantasy points out of Dirk--he's a one man team.

Great, this dbag came over.

Who is this JJ Hickson fellow for the Cavs?

watch out for Toronto.

Toronto isn't scaring anybody. They're better than last year, but they still have a long journey ahead of them.

I don't see the Cavs getting to the Finals. The Playoffs are a different game and Mo,Delonte and Z pee'ed down their legs last year in the Eastern Conf Finals. Shaq CANNOT defend the pick-n-Roll and that is what Boston and Orlando do best. I like Toronto,Miami and Atlanta as darkhorse's.

The West is going to come down to Denver and the Lake Show again. I see the same outcome as last year with the lakers in 6.

Lakers vs Celtics in Finals in an epic 7 game series.

Toronto is vastly improved from last year. They're playing very well, their problem is going to be defense. They won't be able to hang with the big dogs in the playoffs but they may be able to scary somebody. The team outside of the big 3 in the East that I'm the most worried about is the Heat. If they stay healthy I think they're going to be able to push any of the top 3 to the brink by the end of the season. And of course D-Wade is a scary character to have to face in the playoffs.

skyhook--It's a good thing Shaq isn't out only post player. We defend just fine and the rotation is getting better and better. You saw what he was able to do against Howard the other night. I'm not sure how Delonte didn't show up last year in the ECF. He played well--Mo certainly went cold. But that experience will help a lot this year. The Cavs were the better team last year, I will stand behind that statement forever, we just had matchup issues and they exploited them to their advantage. And it's not like I'm saying the Magic aren't a good team--they're a great team, but the Cavs are better. They shot themselves in the foot by not pushing to bring Hedo back. Hedo and Lewis=Cavs sitting at home (well, last year, I still think we solved those problems with our offseason moves and would beat them even with Hedo). Lewis and Carter=I love the Cavs chances. Boston is the most overrated team in the league, mark my words that will show in the playoffs.

I see the West coming down to the Lakers and Spurs. Denver will be there too, but I think the Spurs are the only team that can actually compete with the Lakers, assuming they're healthy. I could actually see the Spurs pushing the Lakers to 6 or 7 games but I can't see them beating the Lake Show. As of right now the Lakers are the clear favorite to run away with it all, I think the Cavs are the only team that can beat them but they still have to come together more than they have to this point. Luckily we still have most of the season and they're starting to play very well together. The defense is improving very quickly, they're rotating better and Hickson has been great. I knew he could play like this and I'm glad he pulled his head out of his ass and got out of Brown's dog house. He's going to be a good talent down the road. But when you can play D and have LeBron James you can beat anybody. I want to see Cavs/Lakers so bad. As of right now I'd take the Lakers in 6, but I think by the end of the season it might look a little different. Hopefully Brown doesn't let them peak too early this year--the push for homecourt hurt us last year I think.

All I know is that the Pacers started 0-3 and are now 4-3. That makes me happy.

Also, how the hell does Milwaukee have 5 wins. I wasnt sure theyd get 5 wins all year...

The Spurs, if healthy which I hope they are come April and May have the best shot to knock off the Lakers. I think adding Jefferson and McDyess were great pickups but they all need to stay healthy.

I don't think the Cavs are that far ahead of anyone in the East, yet. Boston is certainly very good and will be right with the Cavs all year. Orlando will not get past the second round without Hedo, sorry they just aren't that good this year.

No one is that far ahead of anyone yet...I agree with you there. It's too early, I'm just looking down the road and how the teams are going to progress. I see the Cavs playing MUCH better basketball down the road. They're already playing better than they did in their first 5 games--it's not just wins you can see it when you watch them play. They're getting more comfortable with each other--they have some HUGE lineup changes, bigger than anyone else and they're starting to get used to them. Brown is also starting to find his rotation. And as far as the Celtics go, I really don't see them playing too much better than we've already seen this year. I think the Cavs potential is considerably higher than the Celtics, but I do realize that's potential and they still have to reach it. We'll see, I'm just glad the season is underway again.

Laley, Granger is a beast!

Cleveland is now getting into a groove together as a team. When you have 3 new starters from last season in the starting lineup, its going to be somewhat shaky at first.

If Hickson continues to develop it will drastically help the Cavs imo. AV is more comfortable off the bench and he can provide minutes at the C position since Z looks like he may be done imo.

Cleveland still has one big move up their sleeve, Ferry has some good chips to work with.

Devil, I said when Danny was in the NCAAs for New Mexico "God I hope no scout is watching him right now. Itd be great if he fell to the Pacers in the draft!"

Never in a million years did I think a top 5-10 talent would fall to #17. The improvements that he has made since being in the league are some of the best I have ever seen. He really is a beast, and this year he seems to be more of a vocal leader which will help the Pacers drastically. Hopefully they can find a consistent #2 option this year. I had high hopes for Brandon Rush to develop into a more consistent scorer but that hasnt quite happened. Although I am pleasantly surprised that Roy Hibbert is averaging a double double.

Yeah Roy Hibbert has been a big surprise to me too. I thought he'd be a bust. Granger is absolutely one of the best in the league. He's fun to watch. I'm with you though Laley, I REALLY was hoping for the Cavs to get Brandon Rush but it wasn't meant to be. I think he could develop into a very nice player and the Pacers certainly need him to this year.

Cleveland still has a S&T option with Wally, as well as the expiring contract of Z. Another move will be made by Danny Ferry either for another 2 guard or another 4.

The improvements of JJ Hickson this season is kind of like adding another piece. JJ is an athletic 4 that defends the pick and roll effectively. His activity on both ends of the court is also a welcomed addition. I really liked what I saw when he and Andy were on the court at the same time. Two active big men, both with great pick & roll abilities themselves and JJ has the ability to hit the 15-17 foot jumper.

I was worried about Delonte West and how he may effect the Cavs, however, AP and Moon have really started to gel with this team. AP has been lighting it up from 3 this year. I think he's shooting 58% so far? Moon is playing great defense, provides us with another freak athlete, and can guard multiple positions. His shooting touch came alive in the Utah game.

Z is over the hill, but could still provide us a solid 10-15 minutes off the bench. Sadly, he's not effective, but that's where these trade scenarios come into play.

I still feel the Cavs are the Beasts of the East. The Magic got rid of their only mismatch with us in Hedo. Wince Carter is all about "me" and getting his, as evident in the first match up. He wasn't worried about getting his team involved, instead, it seemed he was more worried about 'out performing' LeBron. That'll cost them as Hedo was the ultimate fit for them.

Boston got off to a hot start, but have lost two in a row. I'm still scared of them though. The deciding factor will be how they hold up. Age is definitely not on their side and I feel if Cleveland is playing to their ability, they're better than Boston.

The west imo, will come down to Denver and LA. I'm not really sold on San Antonio. Carmelo is simply beasting right now and I like what Ty Lawson gives them off the bench (definitely better than Anthony Carter, who killed Denver in the WCF last season).

All in all, most teams are 10 games in. 1/8th of the way through the season already!

I believe Parker is shooting 59.5% from behind the arc.

I know we talked about the pieces we had last year for the trade and we didn't make one, but Cleveland once again has some very good pieces to put together for a trade.

SQ_Crazies wrote: Yeah Roy Hibbert has been a big surprise to me too. I thought he'd be a bust. Granger is absolutely one of the best in the league. He's fun to watch. I'm with you though Laley, I REALLY was hoping for the Cavs to get Brandon Rush but it wasn't meant to be. I think he could develop into a very nice player and the Pacers certainly need him to this year.

Yep. The initial plan was to have him develop over his first 2 years behind Dunleavy. But with Mikes injuries Rush had to start a few games to end this year and is now a starter in just his second season. I still have high hopes for him and think he can develop into a very good player but right now he is being asked to do to much.

devil1197 wrote: I believe Parker is shooting 59.5% from behind the arc.

I know we talked about the pieces we had last year for the trade and we didn't make one, but Cleveland once again has some very good pieces to put together for a trade.

I think the front office learned from this. Obviously we won't be getting Captain Jack, which I'm kind of happy about because of his contract, but I fully believe that if Delonte doesn't get his shit together, we'll be looking for another SG.

IF Delonte can make it back (I don't see that happening now) we would probably target another 4 or 5.

We'll see though. I'm expecting if a move is deemed necessary, that it'll happen right before the trade deadline expires.

Yeah, if Cleveland was in a rush to make a move Jackson would be playing for Cleveland in Cleveland tomorrow night. But they aren't in a rush because they have some faith left in West.

This season is young but has already been very fun to watch. So much young talent in the league.

The only thing this season has shown me thus far is that it's going to be a complete dog fight. All the top teams have shown greatness, but then had a 2-3 game stretch where they looked like crap. Atlanta is a team that I think can make a strong push to the point it's the top 4, not just top 3 talk in the East. Crawford's ability to score of the bench is helping that team a lot. Let alone their young post players have shown improvement from last year.

Delonte West has a buyout clause in his contract for 500,000. That basically could make him an expiring contract as well.

As a Lakers fan, I'm much more scared of Boston than I am of Cleveland. The big if's for Boston are if they can stay healthy and if Rajon Rando can continue to distibute the ball and score when needed.

The Lakers need Gasol healthy, or they might be in trouble of not having home court in the second and third rounds of the playoffs. They should be top 4 no matter what. But being a 3 or 4 seed and going to San Antonio or Denver could be tough.

I don't know, to each his own...

But if I was a fan of an opposing team, I'd rather play any team that didn't have a guy like LeBron or Kobe.