IrishHand
07-17-2003, 08:44 PM
West - Lakers 6-5, Kings 5-1, Spurs 9-2, Mavericks 7-1, Minnesota 18-1
With the Spurs inevitable decline and the guarantee that the Eastern winner will be a walkover, I've got to think that the Kings at 5-1 not a bad bet. Don't get me wrong - I hate the Kings - I just realize that they remain the most talented and deep team in the NBA. Can they beat the Lakers when it matters? I think they could more than 1 in 5 - and as of now, I can't see any other team beating either the Kings or the Lakers. So saying, I take Minnesota at 18-1 before I go near the Spurs or Mavs. The Wolves added an All-Star PG in exchange for an average PF (Joe Smith), added Olowakandi for nothing (upgrade over Nesterovic) and will probably still deal Brandon's retiring contract for a solid player.
East - Nets 15-1, Pistons 15-1, Hornets 18-1, Pacers 18-1, Magic 20-1, Celtics 30-1
With an Eastern team, you're betting they make the Finals, then you just pray that a miracle happens. To me, the problem lies in that no Eastern team can score on the Western elite when they chose to stop them - and I can't see that changing next year.
With the Spurs inevitable decline and the guarantee that the Eastern winner will be a walkover, I've got to think that the Kings at 5-1 not a bad bet. Don't get me wrong - I hate the Kings - I just realize that they remain the most talented and deep team in the NBA. Can they beat the Lakers when it matters? I think they could more than 1 in 5 - and as of now, I can't see any other team beating either the Kings or the Lakers. So saying, I take Minnesota at 18-1 before I go near the Spurs or Mavs. The Wolves added an All-Star PG in exchange for an average PF (Joe Smith), added Olowakandi for nothing (upgrade over Nesterovic) and will probably still deal Brandon's retiring contract for a solid player.
East - Nets 15-1, Pistons 15-1, Hornets 18-1, Pacers 18-1, Magic 20-1, Celtics 30-1
With an Eastern team, you're betting they make the Finals, then you just pray that a miracle happens. To me, the problem lies in that no Eastern team can score on the Western elite when they chose to stop them - and I can't see that changing next year.