2011 CB draft: How does my team look?/division rankings

[wdleehi]

Some teams look like they might not be regular season beasts, but could be playoff monsters.

Chicago comes to mind. So does Philly

Really? Figured Philly would be either 1 or 2 out of the East.

I actually don't think they'll do that well in the regular season. Smells like a 4 seed that no 1 seed wants to see in the second round.

That PF spot is so injury ridden that there's no way they win a lot of games in the regular season.

David West is supposed to be ready to go in October, though.  Apparently his ACL tear was very clean, and didn't impact the surrounding ligaments.  We're talking Wes Welker here, not Greg Oden.

Sounds like agent talk for a free agent. 

[Kane3387]

Some teams look like they might not be regular season beasts, but could be playoff monsters.

Chicago comes to mind. So does Philly

Really? Figured Philly would be either 1 or 2 out of the East.

I actually don't think they'll do that well in the regular season. Smells like a 4 seed that no 1 seed wants to see in the second round.

That PF spot is so injury ridden that there's no way they win a lot of games in the regular season.

David West is supposed to be ready to go in October, though.  Apparently his ACL tear was very clean, and didn't impact the surrounding ligaments.  We're talking Wes Welker here, not Greg Oden.

Sounds like agent talk for a free agent. 

Agreed. But Perk's was a lot worse and about two months later then West. Perk came back in Feb. West could be back by the start of the season.

[KCattheStripe]

Some teams look like they might not be regular season beasts, but could be playoff monsters.

Chicago comes to mind. So does Philly

Really? Figured Philly would be either 1 or 2 out of the East.

I actually don't think they'll do that well in the regular season. Smells like a 4 seed that no 1 seed wants to see in the second round.

That PF spot is so injury ridden that there's no way they win a lot of games in the regular season.

David West is supposed to be ready to go in October, though.  Apparently his ACL tear was very clean, and didn't impact the surrounding ligaments.  We're talking Wes Welker here, not Greg Oden.

I'm more worried he's Elton brand.

[Kane3387]

Some teams look like they might not be regular season beasts, but could be playoff monsters.

Chicago comes to mind. So does Philly

Really? Figured Philly would be either 1 or 2 out of the East.

I actually don't think they'll do that well in the regular season. Smells like a 4 seed that no 1 seed wants to see in the second round.

That PF spot is so injury ridden that there's no way they win a lot of games in the regular season.

David West is supposed to be ready to go in October, though.  Apparently his ACL tear was very clean, and didn't impact the surrounding ligaments.  We're talking Wes Welker here, not Greg Oden.

I'm more worried he's Elton brand.

Still it's interesting that he opted out after suffering such a big time injury. It could be interpreted different ways, but it is interesting.

[StartOrien]

After last year's classic Washington/Chicago ECSF matchups and Milwaukee/Chicago ECF matchups, I think a Sacramento/Portland matchup in the WC is just pure destiny.

What I'm hearing is that the whole "vacations" excuse was malarkey, and neither of you thought that you could derail the IP Awesome Train on your own.

Speaking of which I'll be on vacation Wednesday night-Sunday morning and I'd rather throw my phone into a lake than check the forums while away.

[Roy H.]

Some teams look like they might not be regular season beasts, but could be playoff monsters.

Chicago comes to mind. So does Philly

Really? Figured Philly would be either 1 or 2 out of the East.

I actually don't think they'll do that well in the regular season. Smells like a 4 seed that no 1 seed wants to see in the second round.

That PF spot is so injury ridden that there's no way they win a lot of games in the regular season.

David West is supposed to be ready to go in October, though.  Apparently his ACL tear was very clean, and didn't impact the surrounding ligaments.  We're talking Wes Welker here, not Greg Oden.

Sounds like agent talk for a free agent. 

Nope.  Physical Therapist speak:

It was a clean injury, with no other damage to the knee," said Jaime Holt, the APC physical therapist overseeing West's workouts. "It was a 'good' injury, great surgery, and he's doing well in rehab.

Here's how NBC characterized it:

Free agent David West's ACL tear was a "clean injury," according to his physical therapist.

If there is such a thing as a "good" ACL tear, West had it. His knee ripped clean, not damaging any other ligaments or nerves around his knee. It's also a strong sign that West opted out of a $7.5 million contract in order to become a free agent. We're starting to become more confident that he can be effective right out of the gate whenever the NBA resumes.

[Roy H.]

I'm more worried he's Elton brand.

The difference between a ruptured achilles (Brand) and a minor, clean ACL tear (West) are worlds apart, though.

[KCattheStripe]

I'm more worried he's Elton brand.

The difference between a ruptured achilles (Brand) and a minor, clean ACL tear (West) are worlds apart, though.

At 31, no injury to the knees is minor.

[StartOrien]

I can't speculate on injury and recovery, but opting out was probably a no brainer for him.

[Kane3387]

I can't speculate on injury and recovery, but opting out was probably a no brainer for him.

Why?

[StartOrien]

I can't speculate on injury and recovery, but opting out was probably a no brainer for him.

Why?

Insurance. Even if he returned to form, I hardly doubt the difference in what he'll end up making and what he'd make would be enough to offset the possibility of playing one year at 7.9 and risking injury.

[action781]

Here's hoping for a Pacers / Sixers matchup at some point.  The voting seems to be mostly in Pawnee's favor, and I'm not sure that I understand that.  Philly has the better defense, and the better (only) superstar.

Pacers are more dominant down low and way classier



I guess it will come down to who can best convince voters that they will impose their will on the other team better.  I look forward to a potential matchup

[Roy H.]

Here's hoping for a Pacers / Sixers matchup at some point.  The voting seems to be mostly in Pawnee's favor, and I'm not sure that I understand that.  Philly has the better defense, and the better (only) superstar.

Pacers are more dominant down low and way classier



I guess it will come down to who can best convince voters that they will impose their will on the other team better.  I look forward to a potential matchup

Zach Randolph is definitely the definition of class:

On Monday, the Trail Blazers announced that forward Zach Randolph was being granted a "bereavement leave" to attend the funeral of his girlfriend's cousin in his hometown of Marion, Ind.

On Tuesday night, after Portland's 100-98 victory over the Wizards, Randolph apparently spent time – and money – at a strip club in North Portland.

By multiple accounts, the Blazers' leading scorer and rebounder stiffed the folks at Exotica International Club for Men on Northeast Columbia Boulevard after enjoying libations and entertainment there.

"He didn't pay his tab – $106," said John, a bartender who wasn't working Tuesday night but had the story related to him by others. "He'll make it up to (the waitress), though."

On the heels of Wednesday night's report putting Zach Randolph at the center of an Indianapolis drug investigation, TMZ reports ... a second incident occurred this week at a Los Angeles strip club, Starz.

According to the report, a member of Randolph's entourage "badly beat" a man named Gary Ferguson, the second time Ferguson has had a run-in with Randolph and his entourage.

In 2008, the man sued Z-Bo after allegedly being attacked at a pizza parlor.

Pure class, for sure. 

[StartOrien]

"If I can change, than you can change. We can all change"

Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has not only been a major factor on the basketball court these days.

He’s been a force in the community.

Randolph received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for December in recognition of his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work.

The league honored Randolph in part for what he did to brighten the holidays for children and families in need. Randolph provided gifts and unforgettable experiences to Memphis residents through partnerships with a variety of organizations, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, and MIFA's Holiday Hope Chest.

Source: http://m.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jan/14/grizzlies-zach-randolph-honored-nbas-community-ass/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYjBQKIOb-w

[Roy H.]

"If I can change, than you can change. We can all change"

Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has not only been a major factor on the basketball court these days.

He’s been a force in the community.

Randolph received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for December in recognition of his ongoing philanthropic and charitable work.

The league honored Randolph in part for what he did to brighten the holidays for children and families in need. Randolph provided gifts and unforgettable experiences to Memphis residents through partnerships with a variety of organizations, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, and MIFA's Holiday Hope Chest.

Source: http://m.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jan/14/grizzlies-zach-randolph-honored-nbas-community-ass/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYjBQKIOb-w

He's just cultivating future customers for his growing pot business.  Nobody can say Zach didn't plan ahead for the lockout.