The NBA Blog Previews Continue

I have been horrible at keeping you up-to-date on the NBA Blog Previews front. I feel dirty and I’m sorry. Here’s a look at the latest goods from the Central and Northwest divisions:

Central Division:

Chicago Bulls [Blog-a-Bull]: “…Beyond upgrading from Chandler to Wallace, the Bulls significantly improved their depth by adding well-regarded roleplayers like P.J. Brown and Adrian Griffin. Unlike past seasons, the Bulls rotation won’t be filled out with washed up veterans playing heavy minutes for the sake of ‘leadership’, these additions will add production along with experience.”

Cleveland Cavaliers [YAYsports!]: “LeBron (a year older and wiser, no less) speaks for himself. Gilbert is pouring money and infectious enthusiasm into every area of the franchise, top to bottom. My site is quite simply awesome and ignorant all in one, and will be even moreso in a post Who Shot Mamba? world. Z, Gooden, Varejao, and a slimmed down and inspired Donyell Marshall make for a nice front line.”

Detroit Pistons (2) [Detroit Bad Boys & Need4Sheed]: “There is no good reason why this team cannot compete for another NBA championship. They may no longer be the clear-cut favorite as they were while racking up 64 wins last season, but they should be in the discussion. In some respects, you have to wonder whether the national apathy towards this team is exactly what they need in order to regain their fighting spirit. One thing is for certain: the City of Detroit (and surrounding areas) certainly enjoyed the chippy underachievers of seasons past more than they did the whining and bickering of last year’s squad.”

Indiana Pacers [Donning Craig Sager’s Suit]: “In terms of size and athleticism, the Pacers might be the best in the league. Any team run by Jermaine O’Neal is going to be good in that department even if Robert “Tractor” Traylor is wobbling alongside him. But the Pacers will spare its fans of a Traylor-esque frontcourt, as the Pacers will be starting rebounding-machine Jeff Foster and scorer Al Harrington. With Danny Granger and Marquis Daniels, this team is all set to run. By drafting Shawne Williams, Indiana added another player who can play an uptempo style of basketball, as well.”

Milwaukee Bucks [5-Point Bucks]: “Maybe it won’t show up in the win column this year, but Milwaukee needs to know now whether Mo Williams is a point guard to bank on for the future, whether Bogut and Villanueva will fit together, whether Stotts is the guy to take the franchise forward after this year, and if the team can get to elite status in the East at some point in the future with the current core of players.”

Northwest Division:

Denver Nuggest [The Nugg Doctor]: “The breakout player of the year is going to be J.R. Smith. After escaping the dog house of Byron Scott, Smith is going to be put into a situation in Denver where he is going to get the minutes needed to really come into his own this season. Being placed with the best alley-oop passer in the league in Andre Miller should be a highlight reel all season for the athletically freakish Smith to embrace. The sky is the limit and the situation is right.”

Minnesota Timberwolves [I Heart KG]: “Garnett needs a big man to help him out with rebounding and interior defense. Mark Blount doesn’t fit the bill. Eddie Griffin can block shots and is a decent rebounder, but should never shoot the ball. The laser eye surgery he had this summer along with a desire to make people forget his off-court behavior should make him work harder. Craig Smith has shown some promise, but he is young and only 6’7” (though Coach Casey says he plays like he’s 6’11”).”

Portland Trail Blazers [TrueHoop]: “Blazer fans, it’s time to admit that this is a team whose most untouchable player–Brandon Roy (the only one we all believe is the real deal for the long haul) hasn’t even played in a real game yet . That means that there’s not really a bankable player in the bunch. Promising? Sure. But, you know, promises, promises.”

Seattle Supersonics [SonicsCentral]: “I believe the goal for this team is to return to its form of 2004-2005 when they won 52 games and the Northwest Division. While I’m not one to believe they’ll get back to that level I feel they’ve got a pretty good chance to win between 44 and 46 games. They’re certain to get overlooked by national reporters because they didn’t make the big off-season moves. What’s not taken into account is they made their off-season moves at the trade deadline last year acquiring Chris Wilcox and Earl Watson.”

Utah Jazz [lowpost.net]: “The team has been mired in the lottery valley for the last three years, and Larry H. is becoming increasingly impatient with his “overpaid, pompous twinks.” And unlike Golden State fans and Andrei Kirilenko’s wife, the Jazz fans aren’t willing to dish out a free pass each year. This season nobody wants to hear about youthful inexperience or pulled hamstrings or more time needed to build chemistry. It’s the playoffs or bust, baby.”

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By J.E. Skeets at 1:38 pm on 10.23.2006 — Tags: '06/07 Season Preview

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