Pacers the best in the East? Probably

[Mouldsie]

The Pacers (1a) are one of my 3 favorite teams -along with Pistons(1b) and Raptors(1c)- and they are on fire. They have the best record in the NBA (last i checked...) and are 10-5 vs the West.

Jermaine O'Neal is a dominant and underated player... maybe even the best O'Neal in the league at this point in their careers.


Ron Artest is a smothering defender and now a great offensive threat. No longer a cancer for his team, but he is now twice the threat for his opponents.


Even Reggie Miller looks great and all the young talent and former HS-to-Pro kids are finally developing. They could be the best team in the League (under it's current state with Lakers players hurt)




The Pistons are starting to peak as well; -now the raptors are dissapointing me. They need some big men... looking forward to next year.

[nyjunc]

It's still very early, at this time last year the Pacers were looking like the team to beat as well, I think they have a great shot and should be considered the favorites but the Nets are getting healthier and will go on a run. As for beating the West Champ, don't bet on it. The reg season means nothing, 2 years ago the Nets beat all the top West teams at least once but got swept in the Finals. The Postseason is a different beast.

[Snarf]

What a difference it is to have a coach that knows what he is doing from a coach that has no idea what he is doing. But saying that, I still think when it comes playoff time, New Jersey/Brooklyn is going to be very tough to beat. They are an experienced team that can play better then they are, and they are still in first place.

[thegame]

Not keeping Brad Miller will hurt in the postseason.

Question: How good would Detroit have been if they had selected Carmello Anthony? They could have actually competed for the NBA Title, not just the Eastern Conference Championship.

[Mouldsie]

I know, Game, Carmello would have been sweet. The reasoning is that Milicicik (youngest player in the league) will be a dominant 2-way center in a few years and that Big Men are more important. They also have a lot of faith in Tayshawn Prince.


No doubt it would help them out greatly this year though.

[BillyT92679]

Originally posted by thegame
Not keeping Brad Miller will hurt in the postseason.

Question: How good would Detroit have been if they had selected Carmello Anthony? They could have actually competed for the NBA Title, not just the Eastern Conference Championship.
I still think not picking 'Melo will haunt the Pistons for quite a while. Milicic will be a fine player, but CA will be a perennial All-Star and will be in Springfield eventually.

[ThePatsLitterBox]

Choosing Darko over Carmelo will go down in history as one of the dumbest and most ridiculous picks ever, mentioned in the same breath as Bowie over Jordan. It was so obvious to take Melo too, wasn't it? I mean nobody thought he wouldn't be awesome. Dumars has been a great personnel guy, but that one move will scar him for life.