NBA 2013-14 Tipoff

[el diablo]

Season kicks off tomorrow! How do you feel about your team/player?

I feel both my teams (Magic/Sixers) are in a race for the lottery. Its the price you pay for "rebuilding". Another season of Where Amazing Doesn't Happen.

[Sunstroke]

Lifelong Phoenix Suns fan, so we're competing with you in the Wiggins Sweepstakes this season.

Honestly though, I'd be happy with either of the first two picks, because I think that Julius Randle will be just as studly at the NBA level as Wiggins will be. In addition to Phoenix' own first round pick, we have three other first rounders through trades, though all of them are protected to at least #12. Still, we'll have some ammunition to move up and grab a second lotto pick in "what appears to be" a massively loaded draft class.

As far as the NBA goes this year, I see the Heat still as the team to beat, though if Rose can stay healthy all season, I expect the Bulls to be as big a threat to Miami as Indiana is. I like what Dwight Howard could add to Houston's roster, and see them as serious players in the West. I still think OKC will be the cream of the West, even missing Westbrook for the first part of the season.

On the fantasy hoops landscape, a few players that I think are primed for breakout seasons: DeMarcus Cousins, Gordon Hayward, Eric Bledsoe, Derrick Favors and Bradley Beal.

Rookie of the Year: Victor "I'd have looked great in a Suns uniform" Oladipo

[el diablo]

The Heat are the beasts of the East. A healthy Derrick Rose is their worst nightmare. Hoping it happens. I also like what D12 adds to Houston. As long as the game doesn't come down to free throws. I feel Vucevic is on the verge of a break out season. All he did was quietly collect double-doubles last season.

Don't fret, 'Stroke. Trading deadline is a long way off. Oladipo could still end up in a Suns uniform.

[Sunstroke]

Orlando in a rebuilding mode...no chance they trade away their rookie of the year. It's a pleasant purple and orange pipe dream, but I don't see it happening in the waking world.

I like Vucevic...at least my fantasy squads liked him last year. Maybe as light on talent as Orlando is, they'll make him more of an offensive focus. Like a lot of big men though, he needs to work on those free throws.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

I love the NBA season and with the Suns being so terrible I will probably get offers to see a ton of games live this year so that is always fun. As for my Lakers if they make the playoffs they will be an 8 seed at best. Kobe will probably still be out for awhile and Nash is not getting any younger. Pau should have a decent season but they are all getting up there in age so it will probably be awhile before the Lake show returns to glory!!!!!

[Phishfan]

The only thing that I am looking forward to is the fact that Orlando is going to be so bad I won't hear too much Laker bashing around town.

[masterfins]

As a Celtics fan I'm curious as to what The Celtics will do this year, not to enthused at this point.  However, I'm looking forward to the arrogant Lakers being whooped by the Clippers.  Did I mention I hate Kobe??

[Dave Gray]

The Heat are the beasts of the East. A healthy Derrick Rose is their worst nightmare.

The HEAT's worst nightmare is their own injury.  Other than that, they have no fears.  The Bulls can't even get to a 6th game, they have Boozer killing their roster -- not worried.  They aren't even the 2nd best team in the East.

[Fau Teixeira]

the heat beat MVP derrick rose on a bulls team with a better bench than they have now in 5

still not worried

[Sunstroke]

Filed under G, for "Go Figure"

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns, the consensus picks for the worst teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences this season are both 2-0.
The Miami Heat are 1-2.

[el diablo]

Yeah, go figure. Phoenix, Philadelphia, Charlotte, & Orlando all win on the same night.

[EKnight]

Anybody else just find it so weird seeing both KG and Pierce in Brooklyn? For some reason that just blows my mind. -EK

[Cathal]

Anybody else just find it so weird seeing both KG and Pierce in Brooklyn? For some reason that just blows my mind. -EK

Yeah, it does feel weird. I can understand Boston moving on but it still sucks. :/

[Sunstroke]

It felt weird seeing KG out of a Minnesota uniform when he went to the Celtics...

[EKnight]

Maybe it's because it was BOTH of them in Brooklyn. And because I spent 38 years watching the Nets play as the "New Jersey Nets." Too much change is freaking me out! -EK