Best NBA Team

[Patt]

Top to bottom I'd take San Antonio. Starters? Pistons. It will be quite a battle in the finals should they both make it again.

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: tfinch2

If Billups or Hamiliton were to go down with a season ending injury, the Pistons would be toast.

same can be said of every team in the NBA. No Duncan? No Finals. No Wade? No Finals. No Shaq? Buffet lines will be shorter, but no Finals. However, if Billups were to go down, the Pistons would rely on Carlos Arroyo as a starter. I still wouldn't count them out. If Rasheed went out, Antonio McDyess could start. Again, not a bad replacement at all. I'm not saying the Pistons are incredibly deep, but i do think they since their starting five is so balanced, losing any one of them won't be as detrimental as some other squads who are dependant on their star.

If Billups, Hamilton or Wallace went down, the Pistons are a completely different team. Since they don't have that "star" they are dependent on each player in their starting lineup. Star by committee. The Pistons have the shortest bench out of any of the good teams in the league. Flip is playing like an 8 maybe 9 man rotation the entire season.

I honestly think it would be best for the Pistons to start taking it easy towards the latter part of the season. They need to get that main rotation some rest for the playoffs instead of concerning themselves with winning 70 games or whatever.

 

[Azndude2190]

Yeah it would be stupid for them to risk maybe a injury going for a regular season record than a championship glory...

 

[Engineer]

Currently, Detroit.

(Go Prince! )

 

[trmiv]

The Pistons are lucky in this though, their only competition in the East really is Miami. But Shaq is not nearly the player he was with the Lakers, or even last year. Bet on this, Shaq will miss at least 10 more games this season due to injury.

I thought Indiana could give them a fight, but this Artest thing has zapped the life out of them. Unless they get something decent for Artest, which is looking less and less likely the longer Donnie Walsh drags this drama out, Indiana won't provide any challenge.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: trmiv
The Pistons are lucky in this though, their only competition in the East really is Miami. But Shaq is not nearly the player he was with the Lakers, or even last year. Bet on this, Shaq will miss at least 10 more games this season due to injury.

I thought Indiana could give them a fight, but this Artest thing has zapped the life out of them. Unless they get something decent for Artest, which is looking less and less likely the longer Donnie Walsh drags this drama out, Indiana won't provide any challenge.

if the NJ Nets could somehow get Artest without giving up RJ, Vince or Kidd, i would say they could be competitive in the East. i don't think they could beat detroit but i'd say they have a shot at winning their division.

 

[PlatinumGold]

also, i don't buy the STRONG west cr@p anymore.

outside of SA who in the West is even in the class of Detroit? no one.

Atlantic stacks up well against Pacific. Southeast stacks up well against Northwest. and then you have Central against the Southwest.

i don't see a dominance in the West anymore.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: trmiv
If Billups, Hamilton or Wallace went down, the Pistons are a completely different team. Since they don't have that "star" they are dependent on each player in their starting lineup. Star by committee. The Pistons have the shortest bench out of any of the good teams in the league. Flip is playing like an 8 maybe 9 man rotation the entire season.

i disagree with that slightly. looking at the past few Spurs games (not counting blow outs) the Spurs seem to play 9 just like the Pistons do. the Pistons definitely have enough talent on the bench to be one of the talent benches in the NBA. however, Flip has been slow to balance out the minutes.

I honestly think it would be best for the Pistons to start taking it easy towards the latter part of the season. They need to get that main rotation some rest for the playoffs instead of concerning themselves with winning 70 games or whatever.

you'll definitely see Flip playing the bench more liberally as teh season goes on and i agree that finding bench chemistry is more important that chasing teh Bull's 72 wins. Carlos Delfino (fellow countrymen of Ginobili) is a hidden talent that Piston's fans are very excited about. he recently tied his career high in points and was a catalyst versus the Celtics. guys like Arroyo, Maurice Evans, Antonio McDyess, and Dale Davis can compete with any bench in the NBA, imo. they just haven't had the time to show their worth.

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: trmiv
The Pistons are lucky in this though, their only competition in the East really is Miami. But Shaq is not nearly the player he was with the Lakers, or even last year. Bet on this, Shaq will miss at least 10 more games this season due to injury.

I thought Indiana could give them a fight, but this Artest thing has zapped the life out of them. Unless they get something decent for Artest, which is looking less and less likely the longer Donnie Walsh drags this drama out, Indiana won't provide any challenge.

if the NJ Nets could somehow get Artest without giving up RJ, Vince or Kidd, i would say they could be competitive in the East. i don't think they could beat detroit but i'd say they have a shot at winning their division.

The Pacers will not deal Artest to an Eastern team. When and if he goes this season, it will be to a Western conference team.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: trmiv

Originally posted by: PlatinumGold

Originally posted by: trmiv
The Pistons are lucky in this though, their only competition in the East really is Miami. But Shaq is not nearly the player he was with the Lakers, or even last year. Bet on this, Shaq will miss at least 10 more games this season due to injury.

I thought Indiana could give them a fight, but this Artest thing has zapped the life out of them. Unless they get something decent for Artest, which is looking less and less likely the longer Donnie Walsh drags this drama out, Indiana won't provide any challenge.

if the NJ Nets could somehow get Artest without giving up RJ, Vince or Kidd, i would say they could be competitive in the East. i don't think they could beat detroit but i'd say they have a shot at winning their division.

The Pacers will not deal Artest to an Eastern team. When and if he goes this season, it will be to a Western conference team.

i don't for a second expect the Nets to get him. i thought that was clear in my post.

i was just speculating, IF the nets were able to somehow get Artest, i could see them being a real challenger.



edit


let me put it another way, the NJ Nets, in my opinion, are one good Foward (mb Kenyon Martin ) away from being a serious contender.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

dallas mavs, cause i can.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

99' Warriors!!!

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
99' Warriors!!!

2099 Warriors NO DOUBT