Legends99

Looking at the preseason a Celtics fan can not help, but get excited.  The Celtics new big man Rasheed Wallace is rebounding, playing down low, still showing range, and seems happy to be on board. Garnett appears to be healthy and ready to impose his will on the opposing team. Pierce looks in shape and ready to score when needed. Ray Allen looks in mid season form and his shot is timeless. Baby Davis looks in better shape and his shot has carried into this year. Eddie House is still hot. Daniels looks like he is fitting in. Heck, even Giddens looks better. However, in my mind the story is Rondo. Rondo looks in shape and looks like he did a little work on his jumper. If he gets that 12 to 15 footer down, then this team is a lock for a Finals appearance. The man in my mind will get it done this year for three reasons.

1. Last Year's Playoffs.  The man took it to a new level in the Chicago series and showed he could be a star nearly averaging a triple double. He got injured and it slowed him in the next series, but he was still effective against the Magic.  The man's confidence is soaring. He looks early on like he is going to call his own number at times and score some points with his speed. This will lead to easier shots for teammates with his great passing. Also I believe he looks at the injury as a call to get in better shape and be stronger because he looks more ripped then last year.

2. The Contract.  The  motivation is there. He wants to be a Max contract guy. He has all the talent to do it. He is Chris Paul fast, Deron Williams moves to the hoop, Steve Nash like passing, and Jason Kidd Like rebounding and defense. The man has the talent to be a top three point guard. Does he have the drive and desire to improve and be that guy that can run the offense and get his shot to drop to win games. In this preseason the answer by his body shape and more willingness to shoot the jumper is a resounding yes. The guy is in much better shape and has shown a willingness to take his shot when there. The man has seriously worked on his game.

3. The Talent Around Him. To have a team with Pierce, Allen, Garnett, Sheed, and a bench with guys that can make a shot takes a lot of pressure off a young point guard. There will be no doubles on him and if anything there will be open looks that he will be able to exploit. If he is one on one, there are not too many guys that can keep up with him on a drive to the hoop. The man has plenty of options on the pass with Pierce, Allen, Garnett, and the rest of team green. The assists will be there. With the concern of keeping Sheed,, Perk, and KG off the boards he will get his rebounds too. The team will make him that much better. 

As a young point guard this being his fourth year he should flourish. Four years smarter and motivated this will be Rondo's introduction to star level.

The quest for Banner 18 is in its very infancy. Preseason not even starting, but there is a buzz that I did not feel last year.  The 09 team did not get better then the 08 team.  If anything with the loss of James Posey, they got worse. However, this year they got a lot better. There is that buzz of 08 back and there is no championship hang over this year. Instead there is a clear mission capable of coming to fruition because the parts are there. This 2010 team has added size, scoring and defense off the bench in Daniels and Sheed. This will keep the starters fresh and should keep them healthy. Before the Garnett injury they were playing all right and still kneck and Kneck with Cleveland without a solid bench. Now with Daniels, Baby, Sheed, and House off the Bench this team is dangerous.  I truly feel only injury can stop them and I view that as unlikely with the ability to ration minutes now.  However, here are the main threats to the Celtics title hopes and where I rank them.

1.  LA Lakers.  The defending Champs got better with Artest. You got Kobe Bryant, Farmar or Fisher, Gasol, and Bynum, to go with Walton and Odam.  I will be interested to see how the starting fives and bench matchup during the regular and hopefully post season.

2. San Antonio Spurs.  Deep team. Duncan, Parker, Ginobli, Jefferson, Mason Jr, Mc Dyess, Finley, Bonner, Hill, and even Ratliff. They can matchup and create mismatches on anyone.

3. Orlando Magic.  Even if the Vince Carter experiment does not work they still can use Jameer off the pick to try to replace Hedo. They have the best big man in Dwight Howard and a lights out shooter in Rashard Lewis. They added Bench size and scoring.  They will be a tough series for anyone.

4.Cleveland Cavs.  LeBron James is a true Beast. However, I do not like the Shaq trade. He is old and slow on Defense. I also do not like the fact they did not get a great running mate for him. ( Shaq or Mo Williams are not that guy. Solid, but neither should be the number two). Delonte West is a head case and it is starting to rear it's ugly head. However, despite all this the team won 66 games last year through James's will.  With him they are capable of winning any series.

5.Dallas Mavericks. Dirk is a great scorer and will again carry the load.  Kidd still has life left. Marion and Howard provide added scoring punch and length on D.  Terry, Dampier, Barea, Thomas, and Gooden are great role players.  However, I do not like Gooden. There is a reason the man despite solid stats wears out his welcome and is traded so much.  If the team commits itself to Rick Carisle's D, they wiill make some noise come playoff time.

6.Portland Trailblazers.  This team is my team to take the next step.  Brandon Roy is a future superstar, if not already. LaMarcus Aldridge is a great running mate for Roy that can score from anywhere.  Greg Oden should emerge as the presence in the middle defensively that they envisioned. Andre Miller will take the PG Heat off Roy.  Outlaw, Blake,Fernandez, and Webster are solid role players. If the team can buy into McMillan's Defense, they will be formidable come playoff time.

7. Denver Nuggets.  Any team with Chauncey Billups is going to contend.  The man just wins period. Carmelo Anthony is just begining to scratch the surface of his tremendous talent. Nene is developing into a decent Center.  Kenyon Martin brings toughness. Jr. Smith and Chris Andersen bring energy to the offense and defense. Ty Lawson should be a decent rookie back up learning from Billups is a great oppertunity. However, the team sometimes does not play in control of their emotions and that hurts the team come playoff time.

There are a ton of players out there that were great, not superstars, but good to great.   I am going to throw out a few names and feel free to add a point guard I am not writing. I think sometimes a guy hangs on and that is the person they remember.

Mark Price.  Great shooter and smart player. Got All Star nods, but never seemed to get the credit he deserved.

Tim Hardaway. Before he was branded a racist he was a top five point guard.  However, people seem to have forgotten the high scoring Point Guard. 

Muggsy Bougues  The man played 14 years.  That has to count for something.

Rod Strickland  If he was not a cancer the man would have been an elite PG.  He was smart and could shoot. However, he was too me me.

Sherman Douglas Some solid years in Miami and when Boston was terrible his floater in the lane was sometimes the only high light in the games I would have.

Kevin Johnson.   Yes KJ was a star, but people forget he was the engine of that Suns offense not Barkley.  Barkley was the knockout punch, but he got Thunder Dan his open threes.

Terry Porter.  The man could score and ran great offenses in Portland.

Charlie Ward.   Never made a lot of mistakes and knew when to take his shot.

Nick Van Excel.   Instant offense.  He could score and he always killed my Celtics.

Terell Brandon.  He was great till he got seriously hurt and was never the same guy.

With the season opening here are my preseason ratings of the West.  After the top two, there is some uncertainty to where teams will finish. A lot of question marks into how these teams will shake out.

1. LA Lakers.  The starting five is one of the best units out there. Kobe, Gasol, Artest, Bynum, and Fisher are perfect for the triangle.  Artest brings the physical defensive versatility they have not had.  This will help when they match up with teams like the Spurs and Celtics.  The bench with Odom, Walton, Farmer, and Vujacic  play great in the triangle and matchup well against most benches. They play great D, great offense, and are well coached.  The West will roll through LA.

2. San Antonio Spurs.  Easily the deepest team. The core of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili is great.  Add Richard Jefferson's solid D and offense and they got a lot better. Mason Jr, Mc Dyess, Finley, Bonner, Hill, and even Ratliff and this team is loaded defensively and offensively. Coach Popovich is a great disipline caoch and they rarely beat themselves. If anybody unseats LA this is the team.

3. Portland Trailblazers.  This team is my team to take the next step.  Brandon Roy is a future superstar, if not already. LaMarcus Aldridge is a great running mate for Roy that can score from anywhere.  Greg Oden should emerge as the presence in the middle defensively that they envisioned. Andre Miller will take the PG Heat off Roy.  Outlaw, Blake,Fernandez, and Webster are solid role players. If the team can buy into McMillan's Defense, they will be formidable come playoff time.

4. Denver Nuggets.  Any team with Chauncey Billups is going to contend.  The man just wins period. Carmelo Anthony is just begining to scratch the surface of his tremendous talent. Nene is developing into a decent Center.  Kenyon Martin brings toughness. Jr. Smith and Chris Andersen bring energy to the offense and defense. Ty Lawson should be a decent rookie back up learning from Billups is a great oppertunity. However, the team sometimes does not play in control of their emotions and that hurts the team come playoff time.

5. Dallas Mavericks.  Dirk is a great scorer and will again carry the load.  Kidd still has life left. Marion and Howard provide added scoring punch and length on D.  Terry, Dampier, Barea, Thomas, and Gooden are great role players.  However, I do not like Gooden. There is a reason the man despite solid stats wears out his welcome and is traded so much.  If the team commits itself to Rick Carisle's D, they wiill make some noise come playoff time.

6. New Orleans Hornets.  Chris Paul is the best PG in the NBA.  The man running the offense is an artist. David West is a great scoring partner for Paul. Emeka Okafor should thrive with Paul and West around him.  He also brings an upgrade in defensive presence.  I love Posey off the Bench bring his intangibles.  Peja Stojakovic can still shoot he open jumper and stretch Defenses.  However, the bench is a little weak and I wonder what the almost salary dumping moves from last year effect the team.

7. Utah Jazz.   Deron Williams and Boozer are a great one two punch. Paul Millsap is a tough solid player.  Kirilinko with his head straight is a great sixth man.  Okur, Brewer, Koufos, and Harpring bring size and solid bench play.  Will Boozer not be traded will decide if this is a playoff team or not.

8. Houston Rockets.   Will T Mac be here and healthy the whole year? With him the team may not have enough to make up for the losses of Artest and Ming, but they still have plenty in the tank. Brooks, Landry, Battier, Ariza, and Scola are solid pieces and with McGrady's scoring should be enough for a playoff push.

9. LA Clippers.  Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Chris Kamen, Eric Gordon, and Blake Griffin should be solid. Ricky Davis, Rasual Butler, and Telfair should be decent off the bench.  However, How will these players gel? What will the offense and Defensive schemes look like? If the team plays to potential they will fight for a playoof spot.

10. Phoenix Suns.  Steve Nash and Grant Hill have a little left in the tank. Defensively they are burned by younger faster players.  Will Amare stay and be healthy or be traded?  Richardson and Barbosa can shoot, but I question the team's Defense and age.

11. Golden State Warriors.    Will Stephen Jackson get traded?? With Maggette, Ellis, Azubuike, Beidrins, and Morrow the team can score. Adding another shooter in Stephen Curry makes them more lethal offensively. Ronnire Turiaf brings energy.  However, until they play defense they will continue to be an after thought.

12. Memphis Grizzlies.  Can Hasheem Thabeet bring a large defensive and offensive pressence to the middle? Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo can score. Marc Gasol is tough and provides desire. Zach Randolph is a cancer, but a double double machine. Will they play D and make a run? Tough saying with the west so solid.

13. Minnesota  Timberwolves.  A healthy Big Al Jefferson will help this team improve. Love should be better. No Rubio is  one less player to help, but will Flynn or Ellington help? Gomes, Cardinel, Blount, and Hollins are solid role players for new coach Rambis.  Hopefully Rambis can bring a defensive and offensive scheme to this young team.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder.   They are young and do not play Defense. They do have a nice threesome in Durant, Green, and Westbrook.

15.  Sacramento Kings.  Kevin Martin and then they are in trouble. If they finish above last it is a moral victory.