Which division is up for grabs?

[bigdog17k]

I'm going to say the EC: Atlantic Division. I mean with what has recently happened to the Celtics I feel that division is wide open, no real clear front runner. Maybe after free agency is over we'll know who is to be favored, but as of now any of those teams in it could win it IMO.

[NomarFachix]

I voted the Atlantic as well, so much can happen in FA

[Built Ford Tough]

Well, judging from what we know already and can expect from free agency, I think it is safe to rule these teams out from winning their respective divisions:

 

Atlantic

 

Toronto

 

 

Call me crazy, but I don't think we can rule the Sixers out just yet. If the Celtics lose both Allen and Pierce to free agency and Garnett continues to regress (and not to mention Perkins being out until Janurary at least probably) they are hardly a sure thing. New York and New Jersey are completely relying on free agency and if they strike out they could quite possibly be terrible again. It is a longshot, I know, but I can't rule Philly out just yet. They could quite possibly win this division and if things don't work out, it could go right back to the "Titanic" days.

 

 

Central

 

Detroit

Indiana

 

 

Even if the Bulls don't land any major free agents and have to settle for a David Lee(which wouldn't be terrible, but not an Amare or Bosh either) or Rudy Gay, they are still clearly better than these two teams. If Cleveland retains LeBron they will probably be the favourites and the Bucks could find the division right in their hands if the Cavs lose LeBron and the Bulls don't get anybody in free agency.

 

 

 

Southeast

 

Charlotte

Atlanta

Washington

 

 

I don't see Johnson staying in Atlanta at all and this is really between the Magic or the Heat. If the Heat's free agency plan comes to fruition, they can steal the division from the Magic. If not, it is the Magic's division no questions asked. I will be absolutely shocked if somebody other than the Heat or Magic win this division though.

 

 

Northwest

 

Minnesota

 

 

This is probably the most wide open division. Anyone of Utah, Denver, Portland or OKC can win this division. The Wolves are the only team who clearly has no shot at winning the division. Utah will be hard pressed without Boozer, but even then, Millsap is no slouch.

 

 

Pacific

 

Golden State

LA Clippers

Sacramento

Phoenix

 

Lets be real, nobody is touching the Lakers. This is far and away the easiest division to predict. The Lakers will win it without any challenge.

 

 

Southwest

 

New Orleans

Memphis

 

 

This is a three team race that could be won by whoever doesn't fall apart first. The Spurs are aging, the Rockets future hinges Yao's unreliable shoulders (or should I say feet?) and the Mavs could lose Dirk. If Dirk comes back I think it is safe to assume that the Mavs will win the division, but even then, the Mavs aren't getting any younger either.

 

 

 

All in all, I think the only two logical choices are the Atlantic and Northwest. The Atlantic may come down to whichever team doesn't suck the most, while the Northwest could possibly have 4 55+ win teams.

 

It really is a toss-up between these two divisions though. I'm honestly not even sure where I am leaning, but if I absolutely had to pick one, I'd go with the Northwest.

Edited June 30, 2010 by Built Ford Tough

[YugoRocketsFan]

Rockets dont need Yao to exactly succeed, we were 42-40 without him and thats with Ariza/Lowry out for quite a few games.

[Built Ford Tough]

Rockets dont need Yao to exactly succeed, we were 42-40 without him and thats with Ariza/Lowry out for quite a few games.

 

They don't need Yao to have a solid season, but they absolutely need Yao to win the division as far as I am concerned.

 

I don't see the Spurs falling off hard enough for the Rockets to be able to overtake them without a healthy Yao (or at least healthy by Yao's standards).

 

I guess it is possible if the Mavs lose Dirk and the Spurs fall off more than anticipated, but I would be shocked if the Rockets won the division without Yao playing 60 games at least.

 

I can see the Rockets maybe adding a couple of more wins to their total and pushing the 45-47 win mark next season if everything works out perfectly for them, but I don't think that is enough to expect a division championship.

[YugoRocketsFan]

They don't need Yao to have a solid season, but they absolutely need Yao to win the division as far as I am concerned.

 

I don't see the Spurs falling off hard enough for the Rockets to be able to overtake them without a healthy Yao (or at least healthy by Yao's standards).

 

I guess it is possible if the Mavs lose Dirk and the Spurs fall off more than anticipated, but I would be shocked if the Rockets won the division without Yao playing 60 games at least.

 

I can see the Rockets maybe adding a couple of more wins to their total and pushing the 45-47 win mark next season if everything works out perfectly for them, but I don't think that is enough to expect a division championship.

 

We could win the division without him, the Spurs are aging and the Mavericks have been getting worse every year, we added K-Mart in the end of the season.

 

TBH, we'll win at least 50 games next season unless theres huge injury problems, like 3-4 players are out for long periods, we already look great without even signing a free agent yet and we still have the MLE to use.

 

 

Go check the thread in the Rockets depth chart, we are stacked.

 

Yao should play though, we will limit his minutes big time, like have him play no more than 32 mpg, I am thinking 30 mpg, should be good enough to expect 18/8 out of him in that time period, in blowouts make him play less.

Edited June 30, 2010 by YugoRocketsFan

[His Greatness]

Pending free agency, it's the Northwest easily for me. Even if New York and New Jersey hog all the free agents, all but one team in the Northwest has a realistic chance. And BFT: good post, but yes you can rule Philly out.

[fish7718]

Def the Atlantic, it all comes down to FA....