Ian Eagle puts Joe's Carnac turban on
The Long View
Joe Netsfan's
2002 - 2003
NBA Preview Specials
• Joe
and Champagne's FutureCasts - Projected Conference Standings.
• Atlantic Division
Preview
• Midwest
Division Preview
• Pacific
Division Preview
• Central
Divison Preview
Joe's Expert Panel Picks 'em
As an added bonus to our 2002 - 2003 Preview Specials, Joe Netsfan decided to drag some "friends of the site" down into the prognostication mire with us. Chris Carrino starts his second season as the Nets radio play-by-play man on WOR 710AM, but he has already logged 5 previous years as the pre- and post-game (as well has halftime) co-host of the Nets' radio broadcasts. You may or may not know Frank DiGraci, who was Ian Eagle's esteemed producer during his stint with MSG. You all know Ian Eagle himself as the undisputed "Voice of the Nets," now moved to the YES Network where he will be calling all the Nets games Cablevision subscribers can't watch this season. Let the pickin' and wisecrackin' begin!
[Editorial Note: April 19, 2003 – 13 of Franki DiGraci's picks were on the money; 12 of Ian Eagle's and 11 of Chris Carrino's were correct. Joe Netsfan tied DiGraci with 13, and Champagne came in last with 10].
Carrino's Call
New JNF friend Chris Carrino is in his second season of Nets radio play-by-play on WOR 710AM, but has been around the team since 1992 (and an employee of the Nets organization since 1997), in a wide variety of roles, including hosting the pre- and post-game radio shows. Chris will team with newcomer Tim Capstraw to form what we Cablevision subscribers call "the backbone of Nets sports reporting," since we can't watch Ian and Kelly on the television side. His job will be more appreciated than ever this year. Here's how Chris is calling the League:
Chris Carrino's Atlantic Division
1) New Jersey - Better defensively. Break out years for Jefferson and Martin.
2) Orlando - Grady and Hill are good enough to overcome a terrible frontcourt.
3) Boston - A step down from last year.
4) Washington - Most difficult team to figure out in the league.
5) Philadelphia - Soap opera w/ Iverson and Larry Brown continues. Van Horn will struggle.
6) Miami - Old and slow. Butler is a nice rookie however.
7) New York - Too much disharmony and no size.
Chris Carrino's Central Division
1) New Orleans - If they stay healthy (a big if). Davis exposed a bit in the playoffs.
2) Indiana - Showed some guts in the playoffs. Young, talented and deep. Perimeter game could be Achilles heal however.
3) Detroit - Inability to score became evident in post-season. Bad rebounding team outside of Wallace.
4) Atlanta - If Ratliff stays healthy, they will be a good team.
5) Toronto - Will go as far as Vince Carter will take them.
6) Chicago - Cartwright is the right man. Curry and Chandler will be better. No pushovers this year.
7) Milwaukee - Karl might not last the season.
8) Cleveland - Ilgauskas is very good, but fragile. No point guard.
Chris Carrino's Midwest Division
1) Dallas - Will just plain outscore everyone until the playoffs.
2) San Antonio - Built for the playoffs.
3) Houston - Injuries took a toll last season. Ming will help. Francis has cured the migraines.
4) Minnesota - Brandon out. Wally wants to be a Knick. Garnett has no help. Will struggle to make the playoffs.
5) Utah - Stockton, Malone, not much else.
6) Memphis - Give Jerry West 1 more year.
7) Denver - Some good young guys but not yet ready for prime time.
Chris Carrino's Pacific Division
1) Sacramento - Will miss Bibby early, but not as much as Lakers will miss Shaq.
2) Los Angeles Lakers - Rivalry with Sacramento will keep them motivated.
3) Portland - If only Mo Cheeks had more minutes to go around. Big year for Bonzi Wells.
4) Los Angeles Clippers - Andre Miller has them right in the thick of it.
5) Seattle - Soft frontcourt, but very talented wing men.
6) Phoenix - A lot riding on Amare Stoudamire right out of high school.
7) Golden State - Bottom of the league's toughest division.
Chris Carrino's Conference Champions and Finals Picks
Eastern Conference Champ: Nets – Too much depth, too good defensively, too much Jason Kidd.
Western Conference Champ: Kings – Should have been there last year.
Finals Winner: Nets – There, I've jinxed it. Kings will suffer a let down after beating the Lakers.
Finals MVP: You have to ask? Jason Kidd. If he's not, the Nets won't be there.
Chris Carrino Questionnaire
Q. How many wins will the Nets get?
A. 55.
Q. Who will lead the Nets in scoring?
A. Martin.
Q. Who will lead the Nets in rebounding?
A. Mutombo.
Q. How many triple doubles will Jason Kidd get?
A. 10.
Q. Which Net(s) will make the All Star team?
A. Kidd, Martin, Mutombo (Not many real centers in East).
Q. Will Michael Jordan make it through the entire season without getting injured?
A. He will pace himself better and be there for the post-season. I don't think he will play 82 however.
Q. At what point will Shaq and the Lakers get interested in the season?
A. As soon as Shaq gets back from the injury. The Sacramento thing is getting heated.
Q. How many times will Mark Cuban be fined and/or suspended?
A. None, married life will calm him down. Plus, they're going to be winning so much, he won't have as much to complain about.
Q. Will Charles Barkley come out of retirement to play for the Knicks?
A. No way. Charles isn't stupid.
Q. Who is the best player in the NBA, regardless of position?
A. haq. He's not the most skilled but he is simply overpowering.
Q. Who is the best coach in the NBA?
A. Phil Jackson. I thought of a couple of others, but 9 titles broke the tie.
Q. Who will be the Nets' MVP?
A. Kidd (it has to be or all bets are off).
Q. Who will be the league MVP?
A. Kidd (Last year's backlash gets him the award this year).
Q. Who will be Rookie of the Year?
A. Caron Butler – will get a chance to play and put up numbers in Miami. Somebody has to.
Surprise Team: Clippers – middle of the Western conference playoff pack.
Worst Team: Tie - Denver and Cleveland.
Most Improved Team: Houston - Yao Ming + better health = playoff team.
Chris Carrino's Keys to the Nets Season: Mutombo's presence in the middle will let the Nets take a lot more chances defensively, both in the halfcourt and with full court pressure. That will speed up the game even more. Deke needs to get more comfortable in the offense however. He's never been asked to handle the ball this much. Martin is back to his more suited power forward position and is capable of anything the coaches ask him to do. But he has to be disciplined with his shot selection and has to rebound more consistently than he has. Jefferson will emerge as a potential All-Star down the road. Has learned to go to the rim and Jason will find him. Rogers will be their most consistent shooter. That really gives Byron Scott some options. The rest of the bench will be deep. Collins knows how to play. A. Williams has a little more bounce in his step and Tamar Slay was a second round find. He has athleticism and size to fill in at a few different spots.
DiGracious
The second expert from our panel is Frank DiGraci, whose name may not be familiar, but his work certainly is. Frank was the producer of Nets telecasts on Fox Sports/MSG until that network gave up the broadcast rights to YES. Frank is currently producer of Angles with Al Trautwig on that other network (MSG). Frank is another friend of the site who has graciously helped us out numerous times from behind the scenes. Frank wants everyone to know that Angles will have an interview with Jason Kidd to be broadcast on Tuesday, October 29 at 10:30PM, rebroadcast Wednesday, October 30 at 3:30PM. Here is the NBA world according to Frank:
Frank DiGraci's Atlantic Division
1) New Jersey
2) Washington
3) Philadelphia
4) Boston
5) Orlando
6) New York
7) Miami
Frank DiGraci's Central Division
1) Indiana
2) Milwaukee
3) New Orleans
4) Detroit
5) Atlanta
6) Toronto
7) Chicago
8) Cleveland
Frank DiGraci's Eastern Conference Playoff Picks
First Round
New Jersey vs. Orlando
Indiana vs. New Orleans
Washington vs. Boston
Philadelphia vs. Milwaukee
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
New Jersey vs. Philadelphia
Indiana vs. Washington
Eastern Conference Finals
New Jersey vs. Washington
Eastern Conference Champion
New Jersey
Frank DiGraci's Midwest Division
1) Dallas
2) San Antonio
3) Houston
4) Minnesota
5) Utah
6) Memphis
7) Denver
Frank DiGraci's Pacific Division
1) Sacramento
2) Los Angeles Lakers
3) Portland
4) Los Angeles Clippers
5) Seattle
6) Golden State
7) Phoenix
Frank DiGraci's Western Conference Playoffs Picks
First Round
Dallas vs. Minnesota
Sacramento vs. Houston
San Antonio vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland
Western Conference Semi-Finals
Dallas vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Sacramento vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Western Conference Finals
Los Angeles vs. Sacramento
Western Conference Champion
Sacramento
Frank DiGraci's NBA Finals Picks
NBA Finals Winner
New Jersey
Finals MVP
Jason Kidd
Frank DiGraci Questionnaire
Q. How many wins will the Nets get?
A. 60.
Q. Who will lead the Nets in scoring?
A. Kenyon Martin.
Q. Who will lead the Nets in rebounding?
A. Dikembe Mutombo.
Q. How many triple doubles will Jason Kidd get?
A. 10.
Q. Which Net(s) will make the All Star team?
A. Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin, Dikembe Mutombo .
Q. Will Michael Jordan make it through the entire season without getting injured?
A. No, but he will play 70, sitting out here and there.
Q. At what point will Shaq and the Lakers get interested in the season?
A. All-Star Break.
Q. How many times will Mark Cuban be fined and/or suspended?
A. None, he will be a good boy. He's in the ESPN commercial.
Q. Will Charles Barkley come out of retirement to play for the Knicks?
A. No way. Just read his book. One big rant on Socialism. But he admits he's done.
Q. Who is the best player in the NBA, regardless of position?
A. Shaq - anyone who says anything else doesn't know the game.
Q. Who is the best coach in the NBA?
A. Phil Jackson. He has the horses. But he keeps them in the corral. First coach to be fired: Lenny Wilkens. I have the Raptors as a huge disappointment.
Keys to the Nets Season
1. Health
2. RJ stepping up
3. Health
Nets MVP
Jason Kidd.
League MVP
Jason Kidd - He was robbed last year. It will be a make-up call. Just like with Shaq and Duncan and others. You never seem to win it your first time in (except for Iverson).
Rookie of the Year
Caron Butler...just like Pau Gasol...tons of playing time on a bad team...he'll get the numbers.
Surprise Team
Washington Wizards
Worst Team
Denver Nuggets
Most Improved Team
Washington Wizards
Additional Commentary from Frank DiGraci:
It's hard to be unbiased towards the Nets. And it is always chic to pick teams to repeat. And in the East no one has repeated as Champ since...the Bulls in '98. However, the Mutombo trade is GREAT for this season and TERRIBLE for 2004. But that is why the Nets are ready to take the next step and repeat. RJ is the key because he can give them a troika like the Mavs and Kings. It's easy to see them improving by 8 wins.
The Knicks would have made the playoffs if McDyess didn't get hurt. I love the Wizards because of Stackhouse spelling Jordan...they have great size...I think Kwame Brown will be a stud, Larry Hughes is athletic and MJ wants to go out with a bang.
I think the Pacers will be improved and I love the Clippers with Andre Miller. Plus you have Brand, Olowakandi and Odom playing for a contract. I'm puzzled by Detroit and Boston's moves. I'm actually high on the Atlantic making big strides in the East. I like Philly too with Keith and Todd.
Eagle's Aviary
Ace YES Network Nets play-by-play man Ian "Bird" Eagle has generously agreed to give us his sharp-eyed overlook of the NBA landscape before us. In addition to calling the Nets games, Ian holds down a play-by-play gig for NFL games as well as college basketball on CBS, and is considered to be a good friend of JNF. To make things interesting, we supplied him with some crazy questions and allowed him to expound on anything he'd like. Here's where Ian puts the players:
Ian Eagle's Atlantic Division
1) New Jersey - Deepest team in the league.
2) Boston - Not as good as last years team – but still better than the others in the division.
3) Orlando - Anybody hear from Grant Hill lately??
4) Philadelphia - Former Nets KVH, DC, and Todd MacCullough on the roster – is Chris Morris still looking for work?
5) Washington - One of the most improved teams in the NBA.
6) Miami - Has Pat Riley been humbled enough??
7) New York - Now Knicks fans know what Nets fans were feeling for all of those years.
Ian Eagle's Central Division
1) New Orleans - Biggest threat to the Nets in the Eastern Conference.
2) Indiana - Very young and talented. Much higher expectations that last season.
3) Detroit - Difficult team to get a read on – but Rick Carlisle may be the best young coach in the NBA.
4) Milwaukee - Biggest dissapointment in the league last season, will make the playoffs this season.
5) Toronto - Who's playing Center for this team?
6) Atlanta - Will take a major step forward this season, but not quite enough to make the postseason.
7) Chicago - Have some pieces now, can at least be competitive with the rest of the East.
8) Cleveland - Get the ping-pong balls ready, already have made reservations for the lottery.
Ian Eagle's Midwest Division
1) Dallas - Can score with any team, but you have to stop somebody too.
2) San Antonio - Duncan by himself could win 50 games in this league.
3) Minnesota - Garnett is restless, too many first round exits.
4) Houston - If healthy, should squeak into the playoffs.
5) Utah - A transition year for this club – with younger players getting more responsibility.
6) Memphis - Stuck in the wrong conference.
7) Denver - Awful!!
Ian Eagle's Pacific Division
1) Sacramento - What could have been if the Kings would have taken care of business against the Lakers last season.
2) Los Angeles Lakers - The regular season is just a tune-up for this squad.
3) Portland - Maurice Cheeks deserves a lot of credit for bringing this team together.
4) Los Angeles Clippers - I'm still not sure if they're going to gel.
5) Seattle - Inconsistent and not strong enough up front.
6) Phoenix - Marbury is getting a complex, because this team is going nowhere fast.
7) Golden State - Looks like a college all star team, unfortunately this isn't the NCAA tournament.
Ian Eagle Questionnaire
Q. Will Michael Jordan make it through the entire season without getting injured?
A. NO.
Q. At what point will Shaq and the Lakers get interested in the season?
A. June.
Q. How many times will Mark Cuban be fined and/or suspended?
A. The over/under is 3. He just can't help himself (it's probably a tax write-off for him).
Q. Will Charles Barkley come out of retirement to play for the Knicks?
A. No way.
Q. Who is the best player in the NBA, regardless of position?
A. Shaq – too dominant. Kobe – most talented.
Q. Who is the best coach in the NBA?
A. Not George Karl.
Q. Who will be the Nets' MVP?
A. Jason Kidd.
Q. Who will be the league MVP?
A. Tim Duncan.
Q. Who will be Rookie of the Year?
A. Caron Butler, Miami.
Surprise Team: Washington.
Worst Team: Denver.
Most Improved Team: Atlanta.
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