The Raptors don't even have to make the playoffs for me to consider the season to be a success. All they have to do is look like a team that's competent.

If they pull a Denver Nuggets (everyone chipping in despite no superstar player), I'd be glad to say that as well.

Unless Bargnani misses half a season again...

Raptors have a surprisingly decent defensive squad. Bargs looks like he cares about D nowadays, while Lowry/Fields/Valanciunas should shore up their defense.

Also: Spurs got Eddy Curry.

As if the Spurs' lineup couldn't get any older - I kid, I kid. Curry on board will mean a lot of mentoring for Tiago Splitter (Awesome McCoolname IMO).

Come to think of it, the Spurs should probably start getting younger guys and filling them in to keep their winning ways

Er, did you see how good Kawhi Leonard was last season? Even Pop called him a future star.

Oh right, I forgot about Kawaii Leonard. Guy's got potential. Danny Green as a small forward shows promise too.

Wonder who the Spurs can get on the point?

They have "led the entire Olympics in PPG" Patty Mills. Plus Manu's practically a PG in an SG frame at this point.

Mills sounds like a good investment for the future.

Oh, and Manu should shave his head :p

Good news: Rasheed "Ball Don't Lie" Wallace unretired.

This season will be interesting.

edited 4th Oct '12 4:27:37 AM by Nitramy

Knicks looking like the NBA's AARP team. Rivaling the Lakers in that regard (seriously, I think New York has only one player under 25 with a guaranteed contract).

Oh, and there was a Spurs open scrimmage earlier today. Manu led all scorers with 21 points. Leonard with 16 points/7 boards.

Lakers vs Warriors preseason game: Warriors go on 35-0 run through the second half.

Speaking of the Lakers, why the hell is the "Kobe is a ball hog" meme so popular?

Because he led the league in usage rate last season? Because his prime years had him average a preposterous amount of FG As? Sure he averages <5 apg, but that's not his strongest suit. He's an elite scorer and that's not bad.

And Lakers are 0-5 in the preseason after falling to the Kings.

Well, the Raptors blew out the Knicks in Montreal.

If Calderon, Lowry and Valancunias can keep playing like this in the regular season, I'll be a happy man.

I haven't heard of this Val-ociraptor guy before.

And where, pray tell, is this MON-tree-all?

The Celtics honestly look like they'll take the 1st seed and make it straight through the conference finals.

Er, LeBron and the Heatles would like to have a word with you.

Lakers fall to 0-6 in the preseason despite Dwight Howard's debut after the Kings end the game with a 10-0 run.

Ah ha. It's just the preseason, men.

edited 22nd Oct '12 7:41:15 AM by wanderlustwarrior

The Heat has only won the 1st seed once - 1999, the first lockout season. Knicks knocked them out by one point.

San Antonio, the first seed, swept their first two opponents and took a 2-0 lead on OKC, before they dropped the next four games. Chicago, who had the best defense in the league, couldn't handle Miami's offense when Spoelstra put LeBron on Rose.

Never trust the 1st seed. In fact, the Heat won both titles as the 2nd seed.

edited 22nd Oct '12 6:20:24 PM by Serocco

No two 60 win teams (even when prorated for the lockout-shortened seasons) have faced each other in the Finals since 1998.

Since 1998 the West has been represented by a 60 win team four times (2000 Lakers, 2003 Spurs, 2006 Mavericks, 2009 Lakers) and the East has been represented by a 60 win team only ONCE since 1998 (2008 Celtics).

Huh. Harden's been traded to the Rockets.

Maybe if Lin was actually as good as the hype, they'd be something to watch out for now.

I hope Kevin Martin does even a third as good as Harden does (read: is clutch).

And Lin had better step up. If he fizzles out, well, that's another bad Rockets investment.

Come to think of it, the Rockets could make some noise with Asik (TBH they should have just grabbed Boozer instead), Lin and Harden... but it all depends on how well they play this season.

edited 27th Oct '12 9:46:59 PM by Nitramy

Well, the Spurs' championship window got wider. Harden killed them in the WCF.

Boozer's not an FA and is on a bad contract. And why would you want to trade for a bad defensive big man unless it's a fantasy team?

edited 27th Oct '12 10:49:00 PM by Kinkajou

The Bulls should dump Boozer as soon as possible.

And yeah, this is a good thing for the Spurs, unless Kevin Martin overachieves and kills them twice over in the WCF (if they meet).

Come to think of it, OKC needs a bangin' big man if they want to have a shot at the Finals.

I'm satisfied if either the Spurs or Thunder win the WCF... and any other team that's not the Heat win the East. My dream Finals next year would have to be Bulls vs. Spurs OR Thunder.

edited 27th Oct '12 11:41:51 PM by Nitramy

Martin's nowhere the player Harden is right now. He's also on the wrong side of 30.

I heard the Bulls plan to amnesty Boozer next offseason so Taj Gibson's extension becomes viable.