Hoops Analyst -

It is Early, But…

November 13, 2013 by Ed Weiland Leave a Comment

Actually I don’t think it is too early to start breaking down the legendary 2014 draft class. Everyone else is on it, so I might as well jump in and join the fray. I may wait a decade or three before doing a 2014 comp with the classes of ’84, ’96 and ’03 though. My MO has always been to wait until January for my first look at the draft class. But this group is clearly different. Last night’s Champions Classic was so much fun, not even Dick Vitale could ruin it. So let’s join the fun and engage … [Read more...] about It is Early, But…

Quick Thoughts

November 8, 2013 by Harlan Schreiber Leave a Comment

1. Can Miami Three-Peat? James’ quest for a three-peat is not remarkably rare. In fact, we’ve had three in the past 20 years or so. (Michael Jordan did it twice and Shaq/Kobe Lakers had one as well (1999-00 through 2001-02). The Heat, however, are attempting a rarer feat. The mere ability to get back to the NBA Finals in four straight years is remarkably rare. Since the NBA went to the current 16-team playoff format in 1983-84, only the Boston Celtics have appeared in four straight NBA … [Read more...] about Quick Thoughts

West Preview: Predicting Records

October 31, 2013 by Ed Weiland Leave a Comment

The West is very good this year. Only Phoenix seems to be a lottery certainty. There are more elite teams in the West and more promising, young teams. This should be quite a year. Pacific Division 1. LA Clippers 52-30 2. Golden State Warriors 46-36 3. Phoenix Suns 25-57 4. LA Lakers 24-58 5. Sacramento Kings 20-62 The 2014 season will not be a good one for division named after oceans. The Suns are clearly in tank mode. The Kings have made the choice to build around Boogie … [Read more...] about West Preview: Predicting Records

East Preview: Predicting Records

October 31, 2013 by Ed Weiland 1 Comment

This is the much lesser of the two conferences. This has been the case for what seems like forever. This year the East seems likely to be Tank Central as the vast majority of the anticipated Andrew Wiggins derby will involve teams from the East. If Miami runs away with the top seed again, the drama in the East might be focused more on the bad teams. Of course it first has to be determined if Wiggins is really everything they say he is and These record projections are based on player … [Read more...] about East Preview: Predicting Records

Transactions 7/7-8/22 (Part 2)

October 2, 2013 by Harlan Schreiber Leave a Comment

Chicago Bulls 7/10 Signed Mike Dunleavy and waived Richard Hamilton Signing Dunleavy is essentially a swap for Marco Belinelli. Dunleavy can shoot and fit in well to pretty much any offense. His downside is that he is already 33 and has had some injury issues (though none have been significant since 2010-11). Given Dunleavy’s cheap price (two year and $6 million) and his savvy play, the risk is minimal and he should be a solid cog off the bench and as a sport starter. Cleveland … [Read more...] about Transactions 7/7-8/22 (Part 2)

NBA odds: Miami Heat to Win in 2013-14 too?

September 27, 2013 by mediadiscovery Leave a Comment

The Miami Heat are being billed to get a third straight NBA for South Beach, and though many say it’s too early to be saying this, the ending of the free agency is a good time to let us look at what team has the best NBA odds next year and which has the worst. Changing Fortunes? Hot on Miami’s trail are the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls, with the San Antonio Spurs only slightly further behind. Another team of interest is the Houston Rockets. At the end of the 2012-13 season, the … [Read more...] about NBA odds: Miami Heat to Win in 2013-14 too?