Our champion returns to defend his title.
Joe's Expert Panel Predicts The Future II
We managed to do it again. We invited some of the well-known "experts" associated with the Nets and asked them to offer up their future cast of the NBA universe. Attending this year's party are four members of the Nets media universe, with our two new panelists, Tim Capstraw and Steve Politi, joining our two holdovers, Ian Eagle and Chris Carrino. Here are their thoughts on the 2003 - 2004 season (and to be fair, everyone made their picks at least a week before the season started, so no one was sandbagging to see how the race began opening night (and certainly, everyone probably wants their Miami pick back...)).
Chris Carrino's Play-By-Play
Chris Carrino begins his third year behind the microphone as the play-by-play announcer for the Nets on WOR 710AM radio. Chris, all-around nice guy that he is, agreed to participate in his second year of forecasting despite finishing behind both Ian Eagle and ex-Net producer Frank DeGraci in last year's race. Thanks, Chris - we're glad to have you aboard. Here are Chris' thoughts on the league:
Chris' Atlantic Division
1) Nets - (Chris is smart enough not to bite the hand that feeds him , as are everyone else - Joe)
2) Orlando - J. Howard will make them better. McGrady is obviously a force.
3) Philadelphia - lost a big asset in Larry Brown.
4) Boston - big ? at point guard but Jim O'Brien finds a way to be competitive. LaFrenz and a "new" Vin Baker give them a different look than in the past.
5) Washington - No MJ hanging over them anymore, some good young players and a talented new coach. Stackhouse's knee could be a problem however.
6) Miami - Could surprise with some good, young athletes but severe lack of size will ultimately do them in.
7) Knicks - Seem to be banking on McDyess. Very risky.
Chris' Central Division
1) Detroit - Larry Brown heads the best team in the division.
2) Indiana - Carlisle is a very smart coach. J. O'Neal needs to have a big year.
3) Hornets - Very balanced but never seem to stay healthy.
4) Chicago - Youngsters finally pay off, Good shot at a playoff spot.
5) Toronto - No team hurt more by injuries last year. Kevin O'Neal brings some energy.
6) Cleveland - Silas is an even better addition than James this season. Need the Big Z to be healthy.
7) Milwaukee - House cleaning. Players like Redd, Thomas get a chance to shine. Will they produce?
8) Atlanta - If a tree falls in the woods, etc. etc. Quick, did they ever get around to make a coaching change? Were they sold?
Chris' Midwest Division
1) Dallas - Won't play D but won't matter in the first 82. Present sooo many match-up problems.
2) San Antonio - Parker and Ginobili are an exciting, up and coming backcourt and they've already got a ring. Duncan still the best player in basketball.
3) Minnesota - KG's got some players around him, now he must get it done.
4) Houston - Van Gundy and Francis will butt heads all year, but Yao will get better with JVG.
5) Memphis - Hubie taught the young guys how to play. Not pushovers anymore.
6) Denver - Could be a surprise. Overhauled backcourt of Miller, Boykins and Barry. Camby (if healthy, big if), Nene and Anthony makes a formidable frontcourt.
7) Utah - Arroyo to Kirilenko doesn't have the same ring to it as Stockton to Malone……bottom of a suddenly deep division.
Chris' Pacific Division
1) Los Angeles Lakers - Yes, there's Kobe mess and Payton and Malone, but it all comes down to the big fella. If Shaq is healthy and plays with some passion, they will win the division.
2) Sacramento - Still deep and talented but may have missed their window.
3) Portland - Zach Randolph emerges as a key player.
4) Phoenix - Marbury, Marion and Stoudemire but a real shortage of good role players. Still a great base to build on.
5) Seattle - Rashard Lewis becomes a star. Rest of the frontcourt however will not.
6) Los Angeles Clippers - Some stability with Brand and Maggette signed. Jaric might be a better fit at PG than Miller was. The Odom distraction is gone.
7) Golden State - Time for recent draft picks to step up. Pivotal season to see where they are headed.
Chris' Conference Champions and Finals Picks
Eastern Conference Champ: Nets - Without a healthy Mourning, they can win the East. With a healthy Mourning they can win it all.
Western Conference Champ: Dallas - Got close last season. In a perfect world, (ie Kobe plays w/o distraction, the old guys stay healthy and Shaq is into it) I would say Lakers, but I'm predicting that won't happen.
NBA Finals Winner: Nets
Finals MVP: Kidd
Chris Carrino Questionnaire
Nets Record: 57-25
Nets MVP: Kidd, it's always Kidd
Surprise Net: Kerry Kittles. Often overlooked. Improved low-post scoring with Morning and an improving Martin could open things up from the outside for the Nets best 3 point shooter.
Nets Leading Scorer: Martin
Surprise Team: Chicago
Worst Team: Atlanta
Most Improved Team: Minnesota
League MVP: Shaquille O'Neal
Leading Scorer: McGrady
Rookie of the Year: Carmelo Anthony
Q. Will Byron Scott last the season?
A. Yes.
Q. Will Kenyon Martin have that "max. contract" award type season?
A. I think he will have a very good year. Except for the last few games in the Finals, Kenyon had a great post-season. And now he's got a chip on his shoulder. That usually makes him even better. What will happen with his contract however, I'm not sure.
Q. Which Net centers get the playing time?
A. I think Mourning will ultimately get the most time at the Center position but Collins and Williams will see some time at power forward as well.
Q. Will the Pistons be better or worse off with Larry Brown?
A. It's hard to believe they'll be much better because I thought Carlisle did a pretty good job. But yes, I think they'll be helped by his presence.
Q. Will LeBron James live up to the hype? How many points will he average?
A. It will be hard for anyone to live up to that kind of hype. I think he'll struggle a bit but he'll also show signs of greatness. A coach like Paul Silas will help him a great deal. I think he could put up around 16 points per game. Look for his assist numbers to be pretty good also.
Q. The best rookie not named LeBron?
A. Carmelo Anthony. If you watched the NCAA Final, you'll probably agree.
Q. Will Keith Van Horn finally find a home in the Garden?
A. I think Keith will struggle with his consistency and any Keith struggles at MSG will be magnified.
Q. Will there be enough basketballs for Shaq, Kobe, the Glove and the Mailman in LA?
A. It won't be an overnight fit, but ultimately they will figure it out. The real key is their health, the Kobe distraction factor and Shaq's passion.
Q. Can Van Gundy turn Yao into Ewing-Ming?
A. He's got to tame Francis first. I do think Yao will be used more effectively this season.
Q. Which Nets will make the All Star Game?
A. Kidd and Martin will get chosen. Don't be surprised if Mourning gets voted in at Center.
Q. . What will Michael Jordan do if he can't find a team to buy? Or will he buy the Nets?
A. He will play lots of golf and he will not buy the Nets.
Q. Is Grant Hill finished?
A. Unfortunately, it doesn't look good. At least it won't be a distraction for the Magic this season. They are not looking for him to come back.
Chris Carrino's Keys to the Nets Season:
1) The health of Alonzo Mourning. If he's there in June, he could finally put the Nets over the top.
2) Keeping Kidd fresh. He's played a lot of basketball the past year. Can Planinic hold down the fort while Jason gets valuable time off the floor?
3) Kenyon Martin's continued development on the offensive end.
4) Richard Jefferson maturing into a more consistent performer. Needs to show improvement on the boards and the defensive end.
5) Rodney Rogers and Lucious Harris need to provide some reliable play off the bench.
6) Byron Scott. Can he integrate 2 new assistant coaches and continue to develop as a head coach? Does he have what it takes to get them over the top?
Tim Capstraw's Analysis
Chris Carrino's running mate analyst on the radio side, Tim Capstraw begins his second season at the ready. Somehow, someone got inside Tim's head and convinced him to take a crack at this thankless assignment (here's betting it was Carrino). Anyway, Tim was gracious enough to provide us with his picks and his thoughts, and we're damned happy to have them. Mucho appreciato, Tim. Here is how Tim sees the league shaking out:
Tim's Atlantic Division
1) New Jersey
2) Orlando Magic - Juwan Howard is a good pick up.
3) Boston Celtics
4) New York Knicks
5) Philadelphia 76ers
6) Miami Heat
7) Washington Wizards - When Eddie Jordan gets talent he will do a great job.
Tim's Central Division
1) Detroit
2) Indiana - Will miss Brad Miller but Carlyle is good.
3) New Orleans - Tim Floyd a better coach than people think.
4) Chicago - Eddie Curry and Jamal Crawford breakout seasons.
5) Cleveland - LeBron is a star who likes to pass.
6) Toronto - Kevin O'Neil will bring defense and toughness.
7) Milwaukee
8) Atlanta
Tim's Midwest Division
1) San Antonio -They didn't get Kidd but had a good off season.
2) Dallas - Need defensive pride.
3) Minnesota - Very good off season moves.
4) Houston - Yao will start to dominate- will make playoffs.
5) Memphis
6) Denver - Carmelo helps.
7) Utah - Jerry Sloan should be watched very closely.
Tim's Pacific Division
1) Sacramento
2) Los Angeles
3) Phoenix
4) Portland
5) Seattle
6) Golden State
7) LA Clippers
Tim's Conference Champions and Finals Picks
Eastern Conference Champ: Nets - Without a healthy Mourning, they can win the East. With a healthy Mourning they can win it all.
Western Conference Champ: Sacramento Kings
Finals MVP: Kidd
Tim Capstraw Questionnaire
Nets Record: 53-29
Surprise Net: Zoran Planinic
Surprise team: Chicago Bulls
Worst Team: Atlanta
Most Improved Team: Chicago
League MVP: Jason Kidd
Rookie Of the Year: Carmelo Anthony
Q. Will LeBron James live up to the hype? How many points will he average?
A. No but he will be great. He won't look to score like Ricky Davis and D. Wagner and he'll average 12 ppg.
Q. The best rookie not named LeBron?
A. Carmelo Anthony - he will get a lot of shots.
Q. Can Van Gundy turn Yao into Ewing-Ming?
A. Yao was going to awesome whoever was coaching him.
Q. Which Nets will make the All Star Game?
A. Kidd and Martin
Q. Is Grant Hill finished?
A. Unfortunately for him yes
Tim Capstraw's Keys to the Nets Season:
1) Execute vs. zones.
2) Shoot well.
3) Chemistry - a lot of players deserve minutes.
3) Ian Eagle's Voice Of Reason
YES Network broadcaster (and 8 year voice of the Nets), CBS Football and college hoops announcer, long-time Joe Netsfan friend and repeat participant (and winner) in our expert prediction contest, Ian Eagle comes to us with the credentials to once again take down the competition. Ian sent over his picks, and his thoughts, and we hurriedly re-arranged them to make this fair. Just kidding, Bird. Take it away, Ian.
Ian's Atlantic Division
1) New Jersey - Should set a new franchise record for victories in a season.
2) Orlando - McGrady has some more help this year, but they still have some holes.
3) Boston - I was ready to pick them second in the division, but I don't like the Lafrentz deal.
4) Philadelphia - Without Larry Brown, they take a step backwards.
5) New York - McDyess's health will determine whether they can realistically compete.
6) Washington - Eddie Jordan will get the most he can out of this team, still not enough.
7) Miami - They have talent, but right now it's a hodge-podge group.
Ian's Central Division
1) Detroit - Joe Dumars has assembled a very deep squad- they are in NJ's class.
2) Indiana - Rick Carlisle automatically makes them better- an excellent young coach.
3) New Orleans -the jury is still out on Tim Floyd- but this group knows how to win.
4) Toronto - I can't get a real feel for this team- but Vince Carter looks motivated.
5) Chicago - Youth is a terrible thing to waste- they could get to the 35 win mark.
6) Cleveland - Lebron can't be expected to save this franchise in just 1 year.
7) Atlanta - Can you name their starting 5??? Me either.
8) Milwaukee - What happened here. Allen, gone. Robinson, gone. Cassell, gone. Playoffs, gone.
Ian's Midwest Division
1) Dallas - an All-Star team, will it translate to post-season success???
2) San Antonio - not the most exciting team, but Duncan won't let this team slip too far.
3) Minnesota - Can Flip Saunders juggle all of the personalities on this squad???
4) Houston - Jeff Van Gundy lost the bags under his eyes doing TV- they'll be back this year.
5) Denver - Carmelo Anthony is the real deal!!! The rest of the team isn't quite yet.
6) Memphis - Jerry West isn't quite the same without Shaq and Kobe.
7) Utah - the departure of Stockton and Malone, how does the basement sound???
Ian's Pacific Division
1) Sacramento - I think the Brad Miller deal helps them immensely.
2) Lakers - Payton and Malone didn't know they were signing up for this wild ride.
3) Phoenix - Give S.Marbury credit for lifting the level of play, Stoudemire is a man-child.
4) Portland - They've been to the playoffs 21 consecutive years- they'll make it 22.
5) Seattle - With Payton gone, it's Ray Allen's team now- probably a .500 team.
6) Golden State - Eric Musselman squeezed out 38 wins last year- it'll be less this season.
7) Clippers - Mike Dunleavy will improve this club, but not enough to make a major dent.
Ian's Conference Champions and Finals Picks
Eastern Conference Champ: Nets
Western Conference Champ: Sacramento -It should have been the Finals matchup 2 years ago- now the Nets are the experienced team-the Kings haven't faced this type of pressure.
NBA Finals Winner: Nets win first NBA title.
Finals MVP: Kidd
Ian Eagle Questionnaire
Nets Record: 57-25
Surprise Team: Toronto will make the playoffs.
Worst Team: Milwaukee
Most Improved Team: Orlando won 42 games last year- they'll add to that number in 03-04.
League MVP: Shaquille O'Neal- he'll put up huge numbers this year.
Leading Scorer: McGrady.
Rookie of the Year: Carmelo Anthony
Q. Will Byron Scott last the season?
A. Yes.
Q. Will Kenyon Martin have that "max. contract" award type season?
A. Yes.
Q. Will LeBron James live up to the hype? How many points will he average?
A. No, I don't think anyone could.
Q. Will Keith Van Horn finally find a home in the Garden?
A. No, that is not a good combination.
Steve Politi's Deadline Beaters
Steve Politi joins us this season in the quest for the "Most Accurate Guess" from his regular post as a Sports General Assigment reporter (or something like that) for the Newark Star Ledger, thus becoming our only newspaperman (yes, Steve tells us he's both humbled and speechless). Politi covers the gamut of sporting events, from the Yankees and Nets to table tennis and badminton for the Ledger, and he never fails to disappoint faithful reader Joe with his sense of humor. Here is Steve's slightly skewed view of the NBA, straight from covering the Yankees' disaster in the World Series.
Steve's Atlantic Division
1) New Jersey: Big question: Will T.J. need braces?
2) Philadelphia: AI runs wild! Next “Cops.”
3) Boston: Fans will miss Walker … not.
4) Miami: Riles will look to Jack McKeon for style tips.
5) Orlando: Things are so bad, Grant Hill’s surgeon needs surgery.
6) New York: Bad sign when they take Nets scraps
7) Washington: Poor Eddie Jordan.
Steve's Central Division
1) Detroit: Could give Nets fits in playoffs.
2) Indiana: Carlisle is a big improvement
3) Milwaukee: Will miss Payton.
4) New Orleans: Hell, they'll be too drunk from listening to Tim Floyd.
5) Cleveland: I hear they have some rookie.
6) Atlanta: Who cares? All pro teams should leave this crappy town.
7) Toronto: Maple Leafs will challenge for Cup.
8) Chicago: Harley Davidson … not a sponsor.
Steve's Midwest Division
1) Dallas: Yeah, but can they score?
2) San Antonio: Tim Duncan. Zzzzzz.
3) Houston: This is a 14 Diet Coke a day job for Van Gundy
4)Minnesota: Kevin Garnett. Zzzzzz.
5) Denver: Carmelo will have this team in the playoffs. Next year.
6) Memphis: I thought they were in Vancouver?
7) Utah: Will start an actual mailman as a publicity stunt.
Steve's Pacific Division
1) Sacramento: Brad Miller – great pick up.
2) Los Angeles Lakers: Will sweep Eagle County prosecutors office in four games.
3) Phoenix: Stephon seems to have found a comfort zone.
4) Portland: Quiet offseason. Only a few arrests.
5) Seattle: Ray Allen embraces life with a mediocre team on the West Coast.
6) Golden State: Trade Jamison? Why?
7) Los Angeles Clippers: Always a safe bet for last.
Steve's Conference Champions and Finals Picks
Eastern Conference Champ: Nets.
Western Conference Champ: Sacramento.
NBA Finals Winner: Sacramento.
Finals MVP: Chris Webber.
Steve Politi Questionnaire
Nets Record: 59 -23
Nets MVP: Kidd. (Joumana)
Nets Leading Scorer: Jefferson.
Most Disappointing Net: The rookie PG (Zoran Planinic) concerns me. All getting put on this guy at a young age.
Surprise Team: Houston. Van Gundy will get these guys into the second round.
Worst Team: Washington. Eddie has the gun but not the Bullets.
Most Improved Team: Cleveland. But not enough to make the playoffs.
League MVP: I guess Shaq. Nobody is jumping out.
Leading Scorer: McGrady
Rookie of the Year: LeBron, on hype alone.
Q. Will Byron Scott last the season?
A. Of course he will. Coaches do not get fired after leading a team to back-to-back NBA Finals. He had nothing to do with losing to better teams.
Q. Will Kenyon Martin have that "max. contract" award type season?
A. It will be interesting to see if Zo takes away from his numbers or adds to them.
Q. Which Net centers get the playing time?
A. 'Zo and Collins. A-Train should back up Martin.
Q. Will the Pistons be better or worse off with Larry Brown?
A. Better, but not because of Brown. They are better.
Q. Will LeBron James live up to the hype? How many points will he average?
A. He will, but the Cavs still stink. I’m guessing 16-18 ppg.
Q. The best rookie not named LeBron?
A. Carmelo Anthony. This kid can play.
Q. Will Keith Van Horn finally find a home in the Garden?
A. Let’s see … a dysfunctional player joins a dysfunction team. Sounds like a great show for MTV!
Q. Will there be enough basketballs for Shaq, Kobe, the Glove and the Mailman in LA?
A. No, but apparently there are enough nicknames!
Q. Can Van Gundy turn Yao into Ewing-Ming?
A. Yes. This is the most improved team in the league.
Q. Which Nets will make the All Star Game?
A. Kidd, Martin and Scalabrine, as a ball boy.
Q. . What will Michael Jordan do if he can't find a team to buy? Or will he buy the Nets?
A. He should buy the Imperial Palace casino and turn it into a sports-theme gambling paradise.
Q. Is Grant Hill finished?
A. I hope not. I like Grant. And this is coming from a Carolina grad.
Steve Politi's Keys to the Nets Season:
1) Mourning healthy.
2) K-Mart happy.
3) Kidd stays rested.
4) Outside shooting.
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