Daily Links - Barnes, Lawal, Lou... And Suns To Miss Playoffs

I mean, the Spurs gain an unpoven Euro-player and resign the most ineffective player in their line-up and that boosts them to playoff style 50 wins???

Dallas lets their main center go (Dampier) and resigns Haywood but they are expecting Beaubois to be to massively improved that they break 50+ yet again? Not a word about their consistent troubles in the playoffs or that obviously Jason Terry and Jason Kidd are totally over the hump leaving Dirk with Caron Butler as a backup?

And why the heck should the Thunder be considered contenders? They made NO moves in the offseason and if anything will only take a step back. Durant may have not reached his ceiling yet, but he is damn close. And Jeff Green certainly has and likely so has Westbrooke. Players continue to evolve over their careers but the first few years are always the biggest gains. They won’t be that much better. Maybe fractionally.

The Rocket have a case for getting better. Yao returns. Budinger looks really good. Kevin Martin has a revitalized role. And they have finally shed themselves of McGrady’s issues both on and off the court.

Portland is the same. They made no big moves, but they will get back all that they lost over the year. Still, I can’t see how two players with serious knee injuries will play the same as they did. However, if they stay healthy, Portland will be formidable.

Nugget? Who can tell. With Carl back things will go more smoothly but with Melo’s impending departure don’t be surprised if they crumble under the weight.

Jazz. Against all odds the Jazz actually came out pretty good this summer. They lost Boozer but gained Jefferson. A fair trade I think. But losing Korver will be bigger than I think they realize. His shooting was really good for them. Also, the impending departure of Kirilenko will cause some chemistry issues.

My point here is that all of these teams has issues that they will have to deal with be they hump issues or integration of new players. In all of this, the Suns are left out why? Because they lost Amare? Seriously? Is this guy even paying attention to what moves the teams are making? I mean, besides the All-Star moves? This type of “journalism” unsanctionable.

Spurs: Tiago Splitter is hardly unproven. He’s 25 and dominates Europe. Jefferson resigned for cheaper.

Dallas: Dumping Dampier for Chandler is an upgrade and Haywood for a whole year is an upgrade

OKC: Media darlings and winning those two games against Lakers boosted their status. Westbrook will get better, not worse. Your first two years comment is ridiculous. Players progress at different rates. Nash and Kobe for instance. Look out for OKC if they ever DO get a FA or a decent big man.

Portland: Injuries heal when you are young. Full season of Oden and Camby could be dangerous.

Jazz: The sooner AK leaves, the better. He is weak and makes $15 mil+.

The media only knows the Suns with Amare so they are going to handicap the Suns automatically. They forget the injury year when Diaw stepped in. That is what the Suns will attempt to duplicate. Except Turk and Warrick are better then Diaw.

The same thing happened last year, and look what happened. I really am kinda glad the so-called experts thing we are a 9 or 10 seed…Gives our players some motivation and fuel to fight with…

being the under dog, no matter what we do.

Also, I had a dream last night that Jason Richardson scored 25 PPG for the year and oddly enough I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility.

I really think Gentry and this team are going to turn Turk into a major asset. I’m really excited to see what they come up with. I’m really looking for a fast start out of the gate – we are going to surprise some people this year.

I think OKC and Portland will be real players this year – SA will be improved, I think Memphis could be a surprise, and I think the Kings might just be pretty good. Dallas and Denver might be disappointments, New Orleans looks like it will suck, and Utah could be good, but they might suck, too. I don’t think the Lakers are going to be as good this year – Blake is great, but I think the injury bug is going to hit them hard.
Can we start already?

The suns are always discounted it seems. The people writing these articles apparently didnt learn a lesson from last year, where were projected to definately to not make the playoffs, but nearly reached the finals instead.
We’ll just have to come back again and make them eat their words!
And just for the record, there was this article on NBA.com a week or so ago that had us at 3rd for next season, behind thunder and lakers. I couldnt find the article again though sadly.

I’m hoping we can sneak a high seed – maybe even #1. Not sure about the playoffs, without some moves, but we have the flexibility to make some moves before the deadline. I’m ready to shock the world (again).

About Greg Oden: does Portland still have high hopes for Greg Oden, or have they lowered their expectations because he’s so injury prone? If they’ve sort of given up on him, I’d want to acquire him as that backup to Robin Lopez. I’d gamble on him if the price weren’t very high.

It was duncan that exploded on a every other game basis in the playoffs not nash or hill, who have been in teh league longer than duncan. Do they not realize that robin lopez’s rebounding numbers can only get better? and that goran is anotehr year closer to his prime? I like being the underdog b/c everyone will expect the suns to roll over and die, again. Fault me for being a homer but i think that either clark or warrick will have a major contribution to this team this season, enough so that we make it back to the playoffs. Every team has their problems, the suns included, but not every team has a two time MVP running the show.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ai.euxMAzFHkuCzujiWthL68vLYF?slug=aw-paulfuture072310

I think it’s a good read. Chris Paul is definitely one of those guys I thought would be humble and stick with the Hornets. He built a great reputation there. If he screws it up, he’s basically LeBron 2.0.

CP3 was supposed to be the next Steve Nash or Tim Duncan of the future. He will be the superstar that stays dedicated to his franchise and puts loyalty over wealth. Don’t throw that down the toilet just because LeBron did. CP3, you’re better than that.

Gaydrian wojnarowski!

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2010/07/20/the-lake-show-rolls-on-out-west/