Don’t Sleep On The Gorilla…

Chris Young at the Toronto Star / JABS rounded up the ol’ Toronto Bloggin’ Crew — Scott from RaptorBlog; Ryan from HoopsAddict; Jeff, Adam and Dave from Raptors HQ; CY; and us — for a little NBA preview roundtable footstool edition.

You should — and can — check out the entire preview, but I figured I’d post a few of my predictions up here so you could kick and/or spit on me if you disagree with them.

Note: Bonus INCITES are italicized.

NBA Champ: Phoenix. A fantastic coach, the return of Amare and Kurt, Marion, Diaw, Raja, The Gorilla, and a point guard who could turn me into a 15 ppg scorer.

Yes, I still feel good about this pick even after last night’s debacle. It’s one game. As “Aaron” pointed out in the FD comments section this morning, the Suns play “…high risk, high reward basketball.” It’ll work out. With that said, whoever scheduled this 4-games-in-5-days bullshit should be burned…

Eastern Champ: Chicago. They look built for regular season success.

This team will win 55 games. Why? Because Coach Skiles looked genuinely pissed even though his team was up by 35+ last night? He’s relentless. Oh, I also loved that TNT graphic they showed on majority of the Bulls players being winners. (NCAA titles, Final Four appearances, etc.) And finally, Tyrus Thomas is a freak. Give him a mask. Let’s go.

Division Winners: New Jersey, Chicago, Washington, Utah, San Antonio, Phoenix

Why is the Washington O/U going down!?!? It’s at like 39 now! Honestly, what does Vegas know that I don’t? Is Gilbert leaving the L to battle it out in the virtual world? Is Caron Butler dead? Are those new gold jerseys made of actual gold? Seriously. There is no way this team can lose 42+ games…

Go-to NBA Blogger: True Hoop for updates, Free Darko for dreams, WizzNutzz for tears.

I’d also like to add Hard Wood for bobble-heads…

The Bloggers Footstool: NBA Preview [JABS]

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By J.E. Skeets at 2:29 pm on 11.01.2006 — Tags: '06/'07 Pre-Season Picks, '06/07 Season Preview

Don’t Worry, Everyone Makes The Playoffs!

The NBA Blog Previews are finished, and here’s a ridiculously huge link-dump to prove it. (Sorry, this will probably clog your browser.)

But before you get down and dirty, we should thank all the bloggers who penned a preview, Ron from Hornets247.com for compiling this handy HTML code, and Jeff from CelticsBlog.com for organizing this incredibly daunting task. (Trust me, I practically blackout just trying to get 5 bloggers organized for a podcast. This is a lot of work.)

Anyway, great job, NBA Blogosphere. Well done. Enjoy…

Pacific Division:

Southeast Division:

Northwest Division:

Central Division:

Southwest Division:

Atlantic Division:

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By J.E. Skeets at 10:06 pm on 10.30.2006 — Tags: '06/07 Season Preview

TBJ on AOL Sports Bloggers Live

With the season tip just 32 hours away; I finally made my triumphant return to the Sports Bloggers Live’s Gentner SPH-5 phone-in system!

“Three cheers for teleconferencing technology! Hip-hip…”

SBL co-hosts Jamie Mottram and Brad Parker threw me some difficult questions, but don’t worry, I think I did a pretty good job of pretending I didn’t hear them.

“Huh? Sorry? I can’t… goddamn this shitty teleconferencing technology!”

Anyway, yeah… if you want to hear me ramble on about A.C. Green’s blue-balls, the Knicks new UPS-sponsored shorts, and why Robert Swift’s body has rejected his new look… have a listen.

NBA Season Preview with Bloggers True Hoop & Basketball Jones [SBL Audio Clip]

(Note: I’m around the 6:30 mark, following a man who is ridiculously well-endowed.)

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By J.E. Skeets at 5:46 pm on 10.30.2006 — Tags: SBL, '06/07 Season Preview, Media

Ep. 036: Predictions, Awards & Big News

The offseason is bland. It’s time for some spice.

The Basketball Jones — Episode 036

The NBA is back! In this 2006-2007 season preview episode, Skeets and I forsee the division champions, point out some breakout players/major story lines, and predict some award winners. (MVP, ROY, MIP, etc…)

We also explain this podcasting extravaganza that we’re about to kill ourselves doing.

Oh, all that, and plenty of DP action.

[Subscribe to The Basketball Jones Podcast via iTunes]
[Subscribe to The Basketball Jones Podcast via Odeo]

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By Tas Melas at 2:15 pm on 10.30.2006 — Tags: '06/'07 Pre-Season Picks, '06/07 Season Preview, Podcasts

Podcast: Pacific Div. Preview

Sam Cassel’s prodding, Ron Artest’s wishful thinking, and getting comfortable with Kobe…

The Basketball Jones’ Pacific Div. Preview — Episode 035

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. You know, like the A-Team. This week Tas and I wrestle our final division preview show by tackling the Pacific Division with a well executed Russian leg sweep. Our small — but insightful, and surprisingly powerful — panel of “experts” includes:

Oh, all that, and we put on some neon and Just Say No!

[Subscribe to The Basketball Jones Podcast via iTunes]
[Subscribe to The Basketball Jones Podcast via Odeo]

(Note: Don’t go far because we’ll be dropping a special bonus podcast here on Monday. Tas and I will set-up the season, predict our award winners, and announce some huge Jones’ podcast news!)

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By J.E. Skeets at 5:37 pm on 10.28.2006 — Tags: '06/07 Season Preview, Podcasts

Podcast: Northwest Div. Preview

K-Mart’s ego, Mike James’ “moxie”, Ridnour’s minutes, and who the hell is Ime Udoka?

The Basketball Jones’ Northwest Div. Preview — Episode 034

How’s that saying go, “Another day, another TBJ division preview podcast”? This week Tas and I shed our parkas and toques to talk ball with the All-Star bloggin’ crew from the balmy Northwest. Our healthy tanned “experts” include:

Oh, all that, and we try to decide if this podcast needs a captain.

[Subscribe to The Basketball Jones Podcast via iTunes]
[Subscribe to The Basketball Jones Podcast via Odeo]

(Note: We’ll infuse a spark of life into our final, Pacific Division preview show this Saturday.)

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By J.E. Skeets at 11:39 am on 10.26.2006 — Tags: '06/07 Season Preview, Podcasts

I Love The Indiana Pacers!

Warning: You might want to wear some Ronco BBQ gloves for this one, kids. Yeah, she’s pretty piping-hot off the presses…

Straight from ESPN’s Indiana Pacers’ Special Preview comes this fascinating find:

What would it take for you to get a tattoo of the Pacers’ logo on your chest?

The Indiana Pacers are by no means “my team,” but what can I say; I’m a sucker for fresh logo ink. (I have matching raptor and grizzly bear tats on my quads!)

So if a bizarro Rick Carlisle gets small-ball to work — with JO, Harrington, Granger, and whatever backcourt results after the legal system has its way — the Pacers will run the baffled opposition out of the gym. I’ll get a large “P” permanently etched on my chest. Well, that, or they could just get me some free “dances” at Indianapolis’ finest “gentlemen’s club”. Either/or really …

– J.E. Skeets | thebasketballjones.net

Um, yeah… don’t look at me. I have no idea how it got there either…

(Many, many thanks to Henry at TrueHoop and Royce “Da How’Tall” Webb at ESPN for quite possibly scarring my pasty-white chest for life. Hey, I’m a man of my words…)

Indiana Pacers’ Special Preview [Daily Dime / ESPN]

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By J.E. Skeets at 4:08 pm on 10.25.2006 — Tags: Tattoos, Pacers, '06/07 Season Preview

GM’s Say The Darndest Things

The NBA.com’s fifth annual GM survey is out, but before you head over there I’ve got a little test for you. (Oh, quit your whining; it’s multiple choice.)

Yeah, just for shits and giggles, grab yourself an H2B and see if you can correctly guess which vote I made up from the other votes at least one NBA general manager predicted. Best of luck…

(Note: the correct answers are posted in the comments.)

i) Which team will win the NBA Finals 2007?
a) Minnesota
b) Houston
c) Orlando
d) Phoenix

ii) Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?
a) Ronald Murray, Detroit
b) Shane Battier, Houston
c) Ben Wallace, Chicago
d) Tyson Chandler, NOOCH

iii) What was the most surprising move of the offseason?
a) Al Harrington back to Indiana
b) Nene’s huge contract
c) Andrea Bargnani selected #1 overall
d) Allen Iverson not getting traded

iv) Who will win the 2006-07 MVP?
a) LeBron James
b) Dirk Nowitzki
c) Kevin Garnett
d) Mike Miller

v) Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2006-07?
a) Devin Harris, Dallas
b) Kevin Martin, Sacramento
c) J.R. Smith, Denver
d) Nenad Krstic, New Jersey

vi) Who is the best power forward in the NBA?
a) Elton Brand, LA Clippers
b) Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
c) Tim Duncan, San Antonio
d) Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix

vii) Which rookie is most likely to be a “sleeper” success?
a) Rudy Gay, Memphis
b) Craig Smith, Minnesota
c) Ronnie Brewer, Utah
d) Kevin Pittsnogle, Boston

viii) Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
a) Steve Nash, Phoenix
b) Darrel Armstrong, Indiana
c) Jacque Vaughn, New Jersey
d) Clifford Robinson, New Jersey

ix) Which player is the most athletic?
a) Ha Seung-Jin, Milwaukee
b) Gerald Wallace, Charlotte
c) Tyrus Thomas, Chicago
d) Gerald Green, Boston

x) Which player does the most with least?
a) Adrian Griffin, Chicago
b) Darius Songalia, Washington
c) Nene, because he only has one name
d) Brian Cardinal, Memphis

GM Survey: 2006-07 Predictions [NBA.com]

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By J.E. Skeets at 2:58 pm on 10.25.2006 — Tags: '06/07 Season Preview

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.”

NBA Blog Previews

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

Tas: Fred Jones Will Style And Profile This Year

Here’s another small bite of a Raptors Q&A Tas just did. This time the Q’s come from fellow Canadian blogger Mutoni, who’s currently representin’ for SLAM Online. To read Tas’ entire piece, click here.

And yes, Tas — our Raptors season previewing machine — runs on AA batteries and cinnamon. True story…

Q. Fred Jones always seemed like a player who should have been doing more in Indy. Can he thrive in Sam Mitchell’s system?

A. We will see Fred Jones style and profile all over the court this year. Jones feels a sense of freedom after getting out of the shackles that is Rick Carlisle’s system. He has made comments about going back to playing the free-flowing style the way he did in high school and college. Expect him to get out on that fast break and show people why he was the 2002 Slam Dunk Champion. Even though he will likely be coming off the bench, Mitchell has shown he trusts Jones by allowing him to handle the rock when running his trademark pick-and-roll. 14 ppg, 4 rbs, 2 ast, 1 stl.

Raptors Preview [SLAM Online / Mutoni’s Spot]

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By J.E. Skeets at 10:10 am on 10.23.2006 — Tags: '06/07 Season Preview, Andrea Bargnani, Raptors

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