Pardon My Bias

Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: This team needs to get younger. They need to build around Rondo, not ship him away if they plan on avoiding a decade of failure like they had in the 90s. KG and Ray Ray’s contracts up next summer, which will get them off the books big time in this new CBA. They picked up Chris Wilcox, but lost Jeff Green for the entire season after surgery. They also missed out on David West, a piece that would have really helped the Celtic, but were unable to sign him.

ZS: Youth, youth, youth.  This is a talented team but when teams are putting together these youthful squads its too much for them to handle.  Get another big man who can handle his defensive responsibilities individually.  And they just lost Green so that really hurts them with the whole youth thing.

Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: I actually like the Celtics (well not really like) to have a bounce back season for one last run. A shorter season could end up hurting this old team getting into game shape and building the necessary chemistry (see KG’s rant about putting tortillas in microwaves).

ZS: They will give it another shot, but I don’t see a title in their future without a real defensive big man.  Rondo will probably tear it up again but he isn’t enough because of how much he lacks offensively at times.  Home court in the first round, out in the second.

Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The Nets need to find someone to pair up with Derron Williams in order to keep him  Dwight Howard has expressed his interests to play in New Jersey, but it doesn’t seem like the Nets have been able to put together the right deal to reel him in. The Nets have to have a “Dwight or bust” attitude, or else D-Will will be packing his bags next summer.

ZS: Keep D-Wills is right but they need to get Lopez to play like a real big man who gets more than 6 RPG as your starting center. They don’t have much talent on that roster but have some money to spend if they can find good players who can score and play good defense.  Probably some ear plugs to make Avery’s voice bearable too.

Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: This is a big year for the Nets. New ownership wants to move the franchise to Brooklyn, but this season will determine if that will be a desirable location for stars. Unless the Nets are able to get Howard by the trade deadline, the outlook is not very pleasant. Even getting him by the deadline will be too late to make noise for this season.

ZS: Two good players is not enough to make the playoffs, even in the East.  Could be a team on the move to Brooklyn.  If they don’t do something productive D-Wills is going to speak up again and stir up some drama.

Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: The Knicks just keep rolling in those huge contracts.  Obviously they are trying to bring in the talent but they need to clear up some cap room.  Players will want to join forces with Amare and Melo to battle Miami but they won’t for minimum wage…if the Knicks can even afford to pay that much.  Oh and some defense…

AS: The team needs to find a way to build some chemistry and keep the ball moving amongst the superstars. The Knicks felt that they needed a big man and therefore went and got Tyson Chandler from Dallas. They unfortunately had to lose Billups to ammnesty in the process, but picked up Mike Bibby and Barron Davis to fill the void. Bibby and Davis are both old, and Davis has his back problems, but it may be enough to get the job done.

Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: Well they added Tyson who makes them a very formidable team if Tyson provides the same tenacity he did in Dallas.  They could still use a better PG but this team is looking to keep improving and can really challenge Miami.

AS: Like Zayd said, Chandler makes this team a much better squad. Chandler is the ultimate clean up guy, and can be a real presence in the post with Amare. I think the Knicks have a roster that can compete with the Celtics for the 3 seed.

Jrue Holiday, courtesy of phillysportscentral.com

Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: They need to gain some more experience and perhaps get another scorer. The possibility of shipping out Iguodala still exists, and they could get good value out of him.

ZS: They need a true super star.  Iguodala and Brand are both secondary guys, as good as they are.  Unless they can pull a big free agent or some sort of trade this team is going to be stuck in the middle for a while.

Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: I think the Sixers will have a similar season to last year and end up around the same spot in the East when it’s all said and done. I think Jrue Holiday could have a real break out season for the Sixers this year, he is a stud.

ZS: With a younger team you hope they progress from season to season but they really can’t expect to compete with Chicago, Miami and Boston.

AS: I’m not sure why the Raptors hung on to Chris Bosh for as long as they did. They must have known there was no way he was coming back to Toronto, no matter how much he liked the city. It’s the team that matters. The Raptors pretty much became a JV team after he left. It’s teams like the Raptors that really make me wish the NBA would adapt the rule from the English Premiere League – if you suck, you’re out and we give new teams a chance. I’m sure some people from Seattle would be down for that.

Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: They are rebuilding and need to find a franchise player.  The team was slightly competitive with Bosh but never a real contender and is far from it now.  Find a player to build around.

AS: The two best players left on the Raptors are DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani. That pretty much tells you what they need. They are a young team that really needs a star to build around. It could be a long road for the Raptors.

Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: Not good.  Bottom of the East again but hey maybe they can get another high draft pick.

AS: I think the 66-game schedule is a blessing. The Raptors just have to suck for 16 less games to get a high lottery pick. I mean sucking that bad must take some effort right?