The Free Throw Line

Teams at the Bottom: Looking at the 09 Draft

Stephen Scott — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:46:48 +0000

So lets take a look at teams that are at the bottom of the standings right now, and what they can look forward to seeing in the 2009 NBA draft. Thunder: Needs: C, SG - The Thunder could really, really use a Shooting Guard, but more importantly need to find a Center. With good support scorers in [...]

Two Trades Analysis

Stephen Scott — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:37:37 +0000

There have been two major trades on the day, so lets analysis and see what these teams got. Charlotte: Sends: Jason Richardson(G/F), Jared Dudley(F), and Second Round Pick :: Receives: Raja Bell(SG), Sean Singultary(PG), and Boris Diaw(F/C) Now, I think that this was a great move for Charlotte, in the long term. Charlotte just wasn’t working with [...]

Indiana Pacers - Early season report

Robert Smith — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:47:39 +0000

Predicted finish �?? 4th in the Central Division After losing the first game of the season by 6 at Detroit, the Pacers busted the world champion Celtics in Indianapolis by 16 (95-79). You knew with a completely over-hauled roster that this team would be different. The big question was �?? were they going to be any [...]

Milwaukee Bucks - Preseason Outlook

Robert Smith — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:10:27 +0000

Predicted finish �?? 3rd in the Central Division It seems like every pre-season I�??m so impressed with this team on paper that I over-rate their chances. And although I was determined not to do that this year �?? I did it anyway �?? again. But this year it�??s for a different reason. When I look at the [...]

Detroit Pistons - Preseason Outlook

Robert Smith — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:30:44 +0000

Predicted Finish �?? 2nd in the Central Division Joe Dumars threatened trades, but ultimately stuck with his roster. He did change coaches though bringing in the well-respected former head of the Players�?? Association and noted defensive specialist in his playing days �?? Michael Curry. Curry will emphasize defense and the running game heavily, a tactic this [...]

Cleveland Cavaliers - Preseason Outlook

Robert Smith — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:33:13 +0000

Predicted Finish �?? First in the Central Division I�??m seeing most prognosticators pick the Pistons to repeat as division champs, and I guess that would be the safe bet seeing as how they�??ve won the division for the last 27 years in a row, or so. And I like the Pistons. I do. They�??ll have a [...]

New York Knicks - Preseason Outlook

Robert Smith — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:11:03 +0000

Prediction - #5 in the Atlantic Division Ultimately, Donnie Walsh and Mike D�??Antoni should be able to change the culture and improve the outlook of this franchise. Walsh is a top notch personnel guy known for matching players to a system; and D�??Antoni has proven quite successfully that his system produces wins. But this change will [...]

New Jersey Nets - Preseason Outlook

Robert Smith — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:25:44 +0000

Prediction - #4 in the Atlantic Division I was told that I was crazy for thinking the Nets would finish ahead of the Knicks this year. That I�??m crazy comes as no surprise. At 42, I�??ve grown to accept that truth. But it�??s not for this. This is going to happen. Look �?? neither team will [...]

Toronto Raptors - Preseason Outlook

Robert Smith — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:26:02 +0000

Prediction - #3 in the Atlantic Division The big news here this off-season was (1) turning over the point guard job full-time to Jose Calderon by trading TJ Ford, and (2) getting former all-star Jermaine O�??Neal in return for Ford to team in the frontcourt with current all-star Chris Bosh. This move along with the Sixers [...]

Philadelphia 76ers - Preseason Outlook

Robert Smith — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:05:20 +0000

Prediction - #2 in the Atlantic Division All they needed was a power forward and a little more depth to turn a low seed playoff team into a serious contender. Enter Elton Brand and some veteran free agents - mission accomplished! It was actually a difficult choice between the Sixers and the Raptors for 2nd place here. [...]