What is the most overrated team in the NBA this year?

[Moranis]

The Hawks are one good big man away from making some noise.  Too bad, good big men are hard to find.

I really like their still very young core of Horford, Smith, Johnson, and Williams.  Crawford, Bibby, and Pachulia add some nice veteran depth.  They just need that banger in the middle to take pressure off of Horford.

[Brendan]

Trading Josh Smith for Carmelo would be a huge mistake. Carmelo does not make them a contender.

That would be a great trade for ATL - part of their problem is that Smith and Horford are both better at PF. Smith cannot play SF and Horford is over matched at C. I'd try and keep Williams and move him in a secondary trade if possible.

(Updated: didn't realize Williams was in trade idea.)

[Fafnir]

Trading Josh Smith for Carmelo would be a huge mistake. Carmelo does not make them a contender.

That would be a great trade for ATL - part of their problem is that Smith and Horford are both better at PF. Smith cannot play SF and Horford is over matched at C. I think they could do that + trade Marvin Williams (who'd be superfluous with Carmelo) to get another big and PG.

I don't think the combo of Joe Johnson and Carmelo Anthony would be a good one, especially without a specific center that they can bring in to take Josh's minutes.

Plus from Melo's standpoint, would he resign with Atlanta?

[Donoghus]

Trading Josh Smith for Carmelo would be a huge mistake. Carmelo does not make them a contender.

That would be a great trade for ATL - part of their problem is that Smith and Horford are both better at PF. Smith cannot play SF and Horford is over matched at C. I think they could do that + trade Marvin Williams (who'd be superfluous with Carmelo) to get another big and PG.

I don't think the combo of Joe Johnson and Carmelo Anthony would be a good one, especially without a specific center that they can bring in to take Josh's minutes.

Plus from Melo's standpoint, would he resign with Atlanta?

No.

[Fafnir]

Plus I think Josh Smith was tremendous last year, he should have been an All-star not Al Horford. Just by not taking three point shots he made himself into an all-star player. (now if only he'd focus on living up to his defensive potential he could be All-NBA)

[housecall]

Plus I think Josh Smith was tremendous last year, he should have been an All-star not Al Horford. Just by not taking three point shots he made himself into an all-star player. (now if only he'd focus on living up to his defensive potential he could be All-NBA)

TP,and i thought i was alone in this thinking.It was a case where not only his three point shooting got in the way but his attitude at times toward the coach was viewed in the media as being suspect if he might turn out to be another headcase.Al Horford was supported heavily last season by fans,media both on the local(ATL)level&nationally.He had gotten better but not enough to be on the All Star team in my opinion.Josh Smith is a beast.

[Who]

Melo + JJ + Horford + Nene = sure-fire core to a contender

A vast improvement over their current core.

I absolutely think that Carmelo Anthony strongly considers re-signing with the Hawks in that scenario. To be that close to a title, he'll re-sign. It's if a team can't field a contender that Carmelo will look to leave.

I think they'd need a new starting PG to put them over the top but they could find that piece later. An MLE signing would likely do it. Someone of Ridnour's or J.Jack's level of play who link up the offense.

[housecall]

I use to feel the same way but after watching the Hawks fold up two seasons in a row like a cheap tent in the playoffs i realized its not just as simple as needing a big man only.I really feel they need to get a younger,more athletic pg with some energy to run the starters.

[wdleehi]

Melo + JJ + Horford + Nene = sure-fire core to a contender

A vast improvement over their current core.

I absolutely think that Carmelo Anthony strongly considers re-signing with the Hawks in that scenario. To be that close to a title, he'll re-sign. It's if a team can't field a contender that Carmelo will look to leave.

I think they'd need a new starting PG to put them over the top but they could find that piece later. An MLE signing would likely do it. Someone of Ridnour's or J.Jack's level of play who link up the offense.

It would be a no brainer.

1) They get a go to scorer for the playoffs they lack.

2) They get a true starting C to allow Hortford more time at PF where he becomes more of an offensive threat. 

They gain size.  They gain a true number 1 option.  Johnson and Hortford both become more effective taking one step down the offensive responsibility ladder. 

[CelticG1]

I'm gonna go with...the Mavericks. Cuz they're overrated every year, and no one ever learns their lesson to not trust Dallas.

TP. You are right on about Dallas I don't know how I left them off. Them and the Suns have the been the most overrated teams in the past decade pretty much. But Dallas has definitely been THE most overrated for a while. They have great regular seasons but they just are not a top tier team. When we beat Dallas I never really think it is that impressive a win.

Their main thing is that they always have a terrible defense and if people (espn experts) pick you to go to the West finals or the Finals with that bad a defense than you are doomed to fail

[Chris]

I'm gonna go with...the Mavericks. Cuz they're overrated every year, and no one ever learns their lesson to not trust Dallas.

TP. You are right on about Dallas I don't know how I left them off. Them and the Suns have the been the most overrated teams in the past decade pretty much. But Dallas has definitely been THE most overrated for a while. They have great regular seasons but they just are not a top tier team. When we beat Dallas I never really think it is that impressive a win.

Their main thing is that they always have a terrible defense and if people (espn experts) pick you to go to the West finals or the Finals with that bad a defense than you are doomed to fail

Maybe I am just falling into the trap, but I love the Mavs this year.  They have fortified their frontline even more, and have now had the time to work Butler into the system.  Health is always a concern when you have so many old guys, but if they can stay healthy, I think they are the number one contender to take down the Lakers in the West.

[Bahku]

The Officiating Team, followed by the Management Team. But seriously, the Spurs have been and continue to be vastly over-rated, and would easily get my vote, as they get the least from a large amount of talent.

[Fafnir]

I'm gonna go with...the Mavericks. Cuz they're overrated every year, and no one ever learns their lesson to not trust Dallas.

TP. You are right on about Dallas I don't know how I left them off. Them and the Suns have the been the most overrated teams in the past decade pretty much. But Dallas has definitely been THE most overrated for a while. They have great regular seasons but they just are not a top tier team. When we beat Dallas I never really think it is that impressive a win.

Their main thing is that they always have a terrible defense and if people (espn experts) pick you to go to the West finals or the Finals with that bad a defense than you are doomed to fail

Maybe I am just falling into the trap, but I love the Mavs this year.  They have fortified their frontline even more, and have now had the time to work Butler into the system.  Health is always a concern when you have so many old guys, but if they can stay healthy, I think they are the number one contender to take down the Lakers in the West.

I don't think the Mavs can beat the Lakers, not if the Lakers have Bynum contributing.

[Vegas Green]

To me, the Spurs are one of the most overrated.  They are a lot like the Patriots. (I'm a steeler fan).  Every year they start the season and I think this is the year that age and player departure is going to bite them in the arse.  Duncan is on the opposite end of his career, Jefferson hasn't seemed to find is niche.  Bench of Splitter, George Hill and McDyess doesn't really impress me. 

With that being said...every year the Patriots and the Spurs end up being right there at the end.  Just goes to show you what I know...

[Chris]

I'm gonna go with...the Mavericks. Cuz they're overrated every year, and no one ever learns their lesson to not trust Dallas.

TP. You are right on about Dallas I don't know how I left them off. Them and the Suns have the been the most overrated teams in the past decade pretty much. But Dallas has definitely been THE most overrated for a while. They have great regular seasons but they just are not a top tier team. When we beat Dallas I never really think it is that impressive a win.

Their main thing is that they always have a terrible defense and if people (espn experts) pick you to go to the West finals or the Finals with that bad a defense than you are doomed to fail

Maybe I am just falling into the trap, but I love the Mavs this year.  They have fortified their frontline even more, and have now had the time to work Butler into the system.  Health is always a concern when you have so many old guys, but if they can stay healthy, I think they are the number one contender to take down the Lakers in the West.

I don't think the Mavs can beat the Lakers, not if the Lakers have Bynum contributing.

I am not sure they can either...but I think they have the best shot out of anyone in the West. 

They are going to be one of the only teams (other than the C's) who have the depth up front to really hang with Gasol and Bynum.