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

[jr_3421]

Lakers. They are in a weak Western Conference with a weak schedule and without Bynum, they have an iffy frontcourt rotation. Still a great team but overrated because I don't think they're the best.

[Moranis]

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. 

If I'm the Hawks, I'd rather keep Smith over Horford.  I know that seems odd, but I just like Smith's all around game better.  Plus, I think most teams would prefer Horford so maybe you can give up less picks in the process.

[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

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.

They have Dirk, Haywood, and Chandler. Am I missing someone else? I guess they have some big bodies but the only one that plays any D is Chandler. We had KG, Perk, and Sheed last year who were all good to great defensively in that series and their front line pretty much dominated ours even with a gimpy Bynum.

The rest of the Laker team is better than the rest of the Mav's too. I'm sure the Mav's could win a game or 2 but I would be showcked if they made it a close series.

Frankly I don't see any team in the west, at the moment, that has a chance of beating the Lakers in a 7 game series. As the season goes on who knows though. I'm sure there will be some surprising teams and players that could emerge as contenders

[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.

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. 

If I'm the Hawks, I'd rather keep Smith over Horford.  I know that seems odd, but I just like Smith's all around game better.  Plus, I think most teams would prefer Horford so maybe you can give up less picks in the process.

I rate Horford as the superior player right now but I do think that Josh Smith has more potential.

I think the decision over who to keep comes down to how much faith one has in J.Smith to fulfill that potential. I am a little angsty about achieving that ... I'd love to see what someone like Scott Skiles or Larry Brown could do with Smith's defensive potential. Without a top class defensive coach, I don't know. I'm far less convinced of Smith becoming the defender he is capable of being.

[Who]

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.

They have Dirk, Haywood, and Chandler. Am I missing someone else? I guess they have some big bodies but the only one that plays any D is Chandler. We had KG, Perk, and Sheed last year who were all good to great defensively in that series and their front line pretty much dominated ours even with a gimpy Bynum.

The rest of the Laker team is better than the rest of the Mav's too. I'm sure the Mav's could win a game or 2 but I would be showcked if they made it a close series.

Frankly I don't see any team in the west, at the moment, that has a chance of beating the Lakers in a 7 game series. As the season goes on who knows though. I'm sure there will be some surprising teams and players that could emerge as contenders

The Mavericks would need to play Marion 35-40 minutes a game on the wing marking Kobe Bryant to have any hope of slowing down the Lakers offense enough to compete.

Unfortunately, that choice will likely derail their offense just as much if not more. Probably more.

Their dodgy collection of wings makes it difficult for Dallas to matchup effectively with LA. Their small backcourts (Terry, Kidd, Beaubois, Barea), the inefficiency offensively and poor defense of C.Butler and the very poor offensive play of Marion.

[Eric_Suede]

Hands down it's the thunder. As stated in the opening of this thread. Front court is weak. #2 Durant is overrated. I remember they were having a discussion saying is he the league's best. Really Durant? please he's getting the same pass that Allen iverson got when he was a young player in the league. People are so blinded by the numbers like "Wow he's phenominal scored 30pts tonight" totally ignoring the fact he most likely shot like 15 for 44 that night.
 Don't get me wrong , they're a young team an they are improving and I guess OKC has something to be excited about but they are overrated. Nowhere near a championship calibre team.

[Fafnir]

Hands down it's the thunder. As stated in the opening of this thread. Front court is weak. #2 Durant is overrated. I remember they were having a discussion saying is he the league's best. Really Durant? please he's getting the same pass that Allen iverson got when he was a young player in the league. People are so blinded by the numbers like "Wow he's phenominal scored 30pts tonight" totally ignoring the fact he most likely shot like 15 for 44 that night.

Durant had a TS% of .607 and eFG% of .514 last year, that reality doesn't match your 15-44 perception. Both are way higher than any year of Iverson's career, but a lot.

[Eric_Suede]

Hands down it's the thunder. As stated in the opening of this thread. Front court is weak. #2 Durant is overrated. I remember they were having a discussion saying is he the league's best. Really Durant? please he's getting the same pass that Allen iverson got when he was a young player in the league. People are so blinded by the numbers like "Wow he's phenominal scored 30pts tonight" totally ignoring the fact he most likely shot like 15 for 44 that night.

Durant had a TS% of .607 and eFG% of .514 last year, that reality doesn't match your 15-44 perception. Both are way higher than any year of Iverson's career, but a lot.

Dude 15-44 thing was a joke & obvious exaggeration. Quit being a stats nerd, just going by the many games i've watched where I think he shot the ball way too much. Plus he's afforded a pass when he stinks up the joint. Durant is a good player, not disputing that nor do I mean to disrespect but In my opinion when there's a conversation saying who the best player in the league is, personally I don't thing Durant should be in the convo. OKC good team? Yes. Championship calibre team they're being made out to be? Hell emphatically No. By the way Tracy Mcgrady was once scoring champ did damage. unfortunately practically none of his teams could make it out the first round. I see the same thing here with OKC imo OVERRATED.

[Fafnir]

Hands down it's the thunder. As stated in the opening of this thread. Front court is weak. #2 Durant is overrated. I remember they were having a discussion saying is he the league's best. Really Durant? please he's getting the same pass that Allen iverson got when he was a young player in the league. People are so blinded by the numbers like "Wow he's phenominal scored 30pts tonight" totally ignoring the fact he most likely shot like 15 for 44 that night.

Durant had a TS% of .607 and eFG% of .514 last year, that reality doesn't match your 15-44 perception. Both are way higher than any year of Iverson's career, but a lot.

Dude 15-44 thing was a joke & obvious exaggeration. Quit being a stats nerd, just going by the many games i've watched where I think he shot the ball way too much. Plus he's afforded a pass when he stinks up the joint. Durant is a good player, not disputing that nor do I mean to disrespect but In my opinion when there's a conversation saying who the best player in the league is, personally I don't thing Durant should be in the convo. OKC good team? Yes. Championship calibre team they're being made out to be? Hell emphatically No. By the way Tracy Mcgrady was once scoring champ did damage. unfortunately practically none of his teams could make it out the first round. I see the same thing here with OKC imo OVERRATED.

I'm sorry for interupting your rant that Durant is an overated volume scorer by pointing out he is one of the most efficient offensive players in the entire NBA. Facts are so inconvientent.

[PosImpos]

OKC didn't look very overrated last night when they beat the Blazers.

Westbrook has raised himself to an All-Star level.  If he stays there, the Thunder are really only one decent big man (borderline All-Star) from being a contender.

Durant might still be a year away from MVP status, but he's going to get there eventually.  Durant might be a bit like Allen Iverson stat-wise right now (being mainly a scorer), but Allen Iverson wasn't 7 feet tall.  Kevin Durant can score from anywhere on the floor and he's seven feet tall.  He's also an improving passer and learning to use his freakish body to be a lock down defender.  The only person who can match Kevin Durant if he reaches his potential is Lebron James.  Period.

[Fafnir]

The only person who can match Kevin Durant LeBron James  is LeBron JamesKevin Durant, if he reaches his potential.  Period.

Fixed to better reflect the current state of affairs.

Honestly Tracy McGrady looks like the floor for Durant, that's an amazing thing to think about. Multiple all-NBA teams and all-start games is the bottom of his potential? Amazing player.

[PosImpos]

The only person who can match Kevin Durant LeBron James  is LeBron JamesKevin Durant, if he reaches his potential.  Period.

Fixed to better reflect the current state of affairs.

Honestly Tracy McGrady looks like the floor for Durant, that's an amazing thing to think about. Multiple all-NBA teams and all-start games is the bottom of his potential? Amazing player.

I'd place Kevin Durant's ceiling higher than Lebron's.  Lebron is never going to be that great of a scorer, because his shooting will never be that pure.  Lebron is also not 7 feet tall.  Unless Lebron develops a Kevin McHale post game or passes like Magic Johnson, he won't be the kind of player Kevin Durant could be if he puts it all together.

But right now, LBJ is clearly the better player - but not even by THAT much.  Which is why Kevin Durant's ceiling is scary high. 

[MBz]

Though I absolutely love OKC.  I can see them being over-rated to start the year.  There is a lot of hype there.  A lot of people are expecting them to be the #2-#3 team in the west.  This is possible for them, but being the 7,8 seed is also possible.  Though one thing I wouldn't do is call Kevin Durant over-rated.

[Fafnir]

The only person who can match Kevin Durant LeBron James  is LeBron JamesKevin Durant, if he reaches his potential.  Period.

Fixed to better reflect the current state of affairs.

Honestly Tracy McGrady looks like the floor for Durant, that's an amazing thing to think about. Multiple all-NBA teams and all-start games is the bottom of his potential? Amazing player.

I'd place Kevin Durant's ceiling higher than Lebron's.  Lebron is never going to be that great of a scorer

I don't get this statement, LeBron is a more proven scorer than Durant is. His efficiency numbers are only slightly worse than Durant's, but he's had more years at those efficiency rates.

Meanwhile all the other things that Durant doesn't do already LeBron does much better. Durant's ceiling can be considered higher, but I don't know if he'll ever be the passer that LeBron is.

I think if Kevin Durant is to surpass LeBron he'd have to fill out and become strong enough to play the PF position full time. That way his defensive length and rebounding could become another dominant area for him.

[Eric_Suede]

Ok, seems like i've offended durant fan's on a Celtics website. lol. I'm not saying he's trash & doesn't have an upside. I guess many of you remember how I used to trash Gerald Green and you guys think i'm saying durant is the same guy.  I'm simply saying he's not there yet. But listening to the media (and some of you here) you'd think he Michael Jordan circa 1992. That's pretty much my point.
   OKC is being talked about as if they're #2 in the west poised to challenge for an NBA title. Many of you may disagree but i'm sorry I don't see it. I see OKC as a #6 seed. 5 tops. I forget how much many of you seriously hate AI so sorry for the comparison. My point with that is folk totally ignore & give him a pass when he stinks up the floor. ( Loss to the clippers this year). Good player? Yes Leader of OKC? Yes. Best player in the NBA?   NO , I can name 5 players who I believe are better overall and would make more of an impact to a team than Durant would at this point in his career. That may all change in the future but the title of the thread is most overrated THIS YEAR.