Monthly Archives: October 2012

JbSmooth84.com New York Knicks 2012-2013 Preview

The Knicks are an interesting bunch of guys, one superstar who suffers from Tracy McGradys’ syndrome and can’t get out of the first round, another star who can’t stay healthy and a bunch of players who are either old or nobody else wanted. Carmelo Anthony is starting to get to a point in his career where we shouldn’t expect him to be anymore than a guy who can score. He’s been the main guy on every team he’s been on his whole career, and year after year he comes up short.

Amar’e Stoudemire is a secondary piece, but his lack of a back to the basket game limits what you can do with him. He did go work with Hakeem Olajuwon, so we’ll see if that results in an improved post up game. Add his health issues and its almost thought to be a waste of money the amount he’s being paid. They added Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd, one point guard is overweight and the latter is old. But the Knicks have a roster full of entertaining guys with J.R. Smith coming off the bench, and watching how Mike Woodson is going to make all these pieces fit should provide must see television its self. The Knicks will make the playoffs, where they’ll seed will be determined by health and how long it takes them to gel.

However, I wouldn’t expect them to be much more than one round and done. At least we’ll have Rasheed Wallace back, I put the over under technical foul count at 13, and I’ll take the under. I believe we’ll get a much gentler ‘Sheed.

JbSmooth84.com Brooklyn Nets 2012-2013 Preview

Now that the drama of trading for Dwight Howard is over, the Nets can focus on trying to become a legit contender in the East. They traded for Joe Johnson to pair with Deron Williams which instantly gives them one of the top 5 back courts in the NBA.

If Brook Lopez can stay healthy and build off of his 19 points and 4 rebounds average for his career he could give the Nets a valid mismatch versus most teams in the league. What I don’t see is depth that is going to be needed. Who’s going to be the sixth man, who’s going to provide the scoring punch off the bench? Andray Blatch, Josh Childress, C.J. Watson are nice pieces, but none of them are scaring anybody with their ability to go for 20 points on any given night. Yes, Blatche should play better being out of Washington, but if his attitude was that wishy washy there, who’s to say he won’t become disinterested if coach Avery Johnson says something he doesn’t like. I’m just not willing to go out on a limb with him yet; he has to show me something before I give him benefit of the doubt.

They should be able to get into the playoffs, but nothing more than a first round and done. But coming from where they were last year, that’s a great on year improvement.

JbSmooth84.com Atlanta Hawks 2012-2013 Preview

The Atlanta Hawks, the best analogy for them, they’re the chick on the side, never given the chance to be girlfriend number 1. The Hawks are consistently 4th or 5th seeds in the East but are never thought to be title contenders.

A roster with their two best players being really good, no one is going to assume Josh Smith and Al Horford are the players to take you to the promise land.

Adding Lou Williams and Kyle Korver will help with the scoring you lose from the loss of Joe Johnson; however they’ll probably be nothing more than at 6th or 7th seed. Unless they can find a way to get a superstar, I don’t see the fortunes of the Hawks changing anytime soon.

JbSmooth84.com Boston Celtics 2012-2013 Preview

Injuries contributed to the demise of the Boston Celtics last year, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals was quite the accomplishment for a team that was hobbled by injuries and aging. The Celtics have reloaded letting Ray Allen leave for Miami but getting Jason Terry to fill his place.

Along with signing Darko Milicic, Leandro Barbosa and Jeff Green they should have a solid bench who can carry the scoring load. Gone are the days of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett putting the team on their back offensively for long stretches of the season, the team will now have to rely on their role players for contributions.

Though they’re not as loaded as years past, they’re still one of the most dangerous teams in the league. I expect them to be in the playoffs and have a shot at winning the Eastern Conference.