West Coast Connection Forum
Lifestyle => Sports & Entertainment => Topic started by: Now_Im_Not_Banned on September 16, 2008, 02:05:30 AM
-
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando: Howard still has plenty of room and time to grow as an NBA star. The Superman cape he unveiled last All-Star Weekend might not be too much of a stretch. He should start leaping tall buildings soon, eager to continue expanding his game. The Magic have no excuse if they can't build a serious contender around this inside force.
2. Yao Ming, Houston: It's time for Yao to start acting and playing like a former No. 1 pick and lead the Rockets deep into the playoffs. With both Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest alongside him, there should be no reason why Yao can't get the Rockets past any of the Western contenders.
3. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers: After missing all the playoff fun last season, Bynum could either disrupt what the Lakers had or put them over the top. Now going into his fourth season (directly from high school), he has shown some enormous talent. His trick will be making it fit on a team that reached the NBA Finals without him.
4. Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix: Sure, he has slowed considerably. He is not as hungry anymore, but he still is a dominating presence around the basket. He is counting down the days to retirement, but if Shaq takes his conditioning seriously, the Suns will give him a chance to add one more championship ring before he leaves the game. And that could motivate him this season.
5. Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers: It's hard to ask for anything more than 13.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks a game from a center, which still makes Camby valuable, even if Denver didn't want him anymore. From a fantasy perspective, his value will go down when he has to share the lane with Chris Kaman. Together, they should give the Clips a defensive presence.
6. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit: Yes, he's a strange dude, but it's hard to fault his skill set. He can guard the big guys inside, then cause serious matchup problems at the other end with his long-range shooting. He gave Howard and the Magic fits in the playoffs last spring, but he also gives his teammates fits.
7. Jermaine O'Neal, Toronto: Life soured in Indiana, but the move to Toronto should revitalize his career. His presence will allow Chris Bosh to move to power forward, giving the Raptors a nice frontcourt. Remember, O'Neal once averaged 20/10 in back-to-back seasons. And he is only 29 years old, hoping to regain the status he once had.
8. Greg Oden, Portland: He missed all of last season after being the No. 1 pick in the draft, but he will join the league now with a vengeance, making sure his presence is felt. The year off will relieve the pressure of being a No. 1 pick, making his debut season even more impressive.
9. Emeka Okafor, Charlotte: As long as he understands his role and limitations, he is more than adequate as a center. After a great college career, he came into the league with over-inflated expectations heaped upon him. He is a defender/rebounder who would do well on a better team, but he gets exposed and criticized because he can't carry a bad team like the Bobcats.
10. Tyson Chandler, New Orleans: Although their point guard gets all the credit, the Hornets would not be a contender without Chandler, who has begun to shine after a slow start in Chicago. He needs to block more shots, but averaging a double-double (11.8 ppg and 11.7 rpg) makes him comfortable in his role. Should score a little more this season.
11. Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers: His role looks a little uncertain with Marcus Camby on the roster, but that doesn't take away from a career season. Kaman averaged 15.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks with Elton Brand on the sideline. If Baron Davis will pass him the ball, Kaman will score, but it's unlikely he will get the opportunities he had last season.
12. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland: His toughest assignment is making sure he stays out of the way of LeBron James. Ilgauskas' skills have eroded, but he still can hit the open jumper, make a good pass and guard the slower centers in the league. He needs lots of help trying to guard the younger centers.
Poll
13. Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia: He doesn't know it yet, but he will benefit greatly from the addition of Elton Brand, who will garner all the attention around the basket. Dalembert won't have to worry about scoring, which he doesn't do well. Instead, he can focus on what he does do well, and that's rebound and block shots. If he improves his post defense, he can really help turn the 76ers into contenders in the East.
14. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee: Another former No. 1 pick who has been viewed as a disappointment because expectations were too high. Won't ever be a star, but he can be more than adequate. Watch for new coach Scott Skiles to ramp him up a notch. If he can raise his intensity level, Bogut can help bring the Bucks back to respectability.
15. Al Horford, Atlanta: A little out of position, but he handles it well, using his youth and athleticism to provide what the Hawks need at this spot. Had a good rookie season, which gave a young team hope for the future. He is a smart player with a good work ethic, and he should improve considerably this season.
16. Brad Miller, Sacramento: Wiley veteran who still has a nice, well-rounded game. Averaged 3.7 assists, which is tops among all centers in the league. Isn't good enough to carry a team, but he was fine when the Kings were good. On this bad team, some of his talents get wasted. For a guy who never was drafted, he has done well through a 10-year career.
17. Kendrick Perkins, Boston: Virtually invisible while playing in the shadow of the Big Three, but you can't discount the contributions he made for the NBA champions. He understood his role, and he did it well. He averaged just 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds, but he also shot 61.5 percent from the field. Will want to spread his wings a little more this season.
Schedule
18. Mehmet Okur, Utah: Another one of those unconventional centers who would rather play on the perimeter and shoot the 3-pointers. He does give Carlos Boozer room to work inside. With coach Jerry Sloan riding him, Okur has proved he can play under pressure. Needs to improve defensively to give the Jazz a chance to compete in the West, but he has carved a useful role on an improving team.
19. Andris Biedrins, Golden State: Really isn't a conventional center, but the Warriors are so unconventional that he fits in well. Coming off his best NBA season -- 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds -- Biedrins has grown into a nice NBA player. His problem is guarding the other big guys.
20. Brendan Haywood, Washington: Always seems to get blamed for Washington's failures, but he has given the Wizards some consistency around the basket. He'll never be anything more than an average center, but the lack of good centers in today's game actually makes him look respectable.
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10977659
8)
-
wow cant believe they ranked Greg Oden so high and he hasnt even played a a game yet!
-
LOL @ Ranking Greg Oden.
-
Pretty good list!
-
lol wow centers in the nba currently suck nuts... used to be a bigs game
-
lol wow centers in the nba currently suck nuts... used to be a bigs game
thats the first thing i thought when i read this list lol. The Center position is weak as fuck these days.
-
does Shaq really deserve the 4 spot? ???
but they didn't name mad PF's who could be on the list as a center, cuz they could play it just as well as anybody on this list...better actually (i.e. Amare, Duncan, KG, Bosh, etc.).
-
lmao at bynum at 3
-
and better yet lmao at jermaine oneal lower then bynum
-
^are you joking? LOL. Chandler, Dalambert, Kaman, and Okafor all should be currently ranked above JO...Bynum is clearly the future of true centers in the league. Anyone who places JO above Bynum needs their head checked.
-
does Shaq really deserve the 4 spot? ???
but they didn't name mad PF's who could be on the list as a center, cuz they could play it just as well as anybody on this list...better actually (i.e. Amare, Duncan, KG, Bosh, etc.).
That's true too...I mean, I never watched them much, but I had no idea Horford played Center at all..he's only 6'9 anyway...but Duncan played a lot of C in the last few years, just like Amare has done.
-
and better yet lmao at jermaine oneal lower then bynum
LOL for sure that was embarassing, Bynum is as un-proven as any player in the league. I promise everybody that JO is going to return to his form this year, He will have a great year and the Raps will have a legit shot as winning the East, mark my words!!
-
when ESPN.com or NBA.com makes rankings like this, with Bynum at 3......lemme know....
-
shaq 4???
-
wtf @ oden, shaq, bynum ??? whatever lol what a weak position nowadays.
-
and better yet lmao at jermaine oneal lower then bynum
LOL for sure that was embarassing, Bynum is as un-proven as any player in the league. I promise everybody that JO is going to return to his form this year, He will have a great year and the Raps will have a legit shot as winning the East, mark my words!!
LMAO@anyone calling Bynum "unproven". :puke:
http://www.youtube.com/v/dY6B3sdAbV0
-
and better yet lmao at jermaine oneal lower then bynum
LOL for sure that was embarassing, Bynum is as un-proven as any player in the league. I promise everybody that JO is going to return to his form this year, He will have a great year and the Raps will have a legit shot as winning the East, mark my words!!
LMAO@anyone calling Bynum "unproven". :puke:
http://www.youtube.com/v/dY6B3sdAbV0
thats what i'm sayin son...
-
until Bynum has played 82 games he's unproven
-
until Bynum has played 82 games he's unproven
Bynum has played 82.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andrew_bynum/career_stats.html
-
until Bynum has played 82 games he's unproven
LOL...what an idiot.
-
until Bynum has played 82 games he's unproven
LOL...what an idiot.
word...
-
my bad i forgot how valuiable he was to the Lakers from 06-07, that was such a solid team!!
when was the last Laker ring again?? its been so long
-
my bad i forgot how valuiable he was to the Lakers from 06-07, that was such a solid team!!
when was the last Laker ring again?? its been so long
Well he did start 53 of them, so I'd say that's pretty valuable.
As for the last Laker ring. 6 years. 24 teams have longer droughts (not including the Bobcats).
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
hahaha! nik is such a moron
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
hahaha! nik is such a moron
hahahahah! that is so funny, gee willikers!!!!
spice, you fuckin geek, what the hell is funny about Bynum putting up those solid numbers with no college experience under his belt at the age of 18? you're a joke poster. im seriously gunna start considering deleting your posts in this section.
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
DOMINANT!
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
DOMINANT!
Lets not forget, every player stays the same from their rookie season up until they retire. thats just the way things are when you smoke crack all day. no progression.
-
Lots of people should stay away from any B-Ball discussion ...
-
lol wow centers in the nba currently suck nuts... used to be a bigs game
The Center position is weak as fuck these days.
has been for years
-
when ESPN.com or NBA.com makes rankings like this, with Bynum at 3......lemme know....
(http://waterworlds.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/many-sheep.jpg)
-
Bynum=#2
http://www.dubcnn.com/connect/index.php?topic=194847.0
-
haha NIK is going to delete my posts because I dont think Bynum is the next Wilt like he does, NIK you need to get your vagina checked
-
when ESPN.com or NBA.com makes rankings like this, with Bynum at 3......lemme know....
What the hell makes ESPN credible?
-
^^nothing at all, ESPN is a joke
-
I think Laker fans and everybody else is putting too much on these lists. This is the slowest part of the year for NBA news and these are just bullshit conversation pieces to keep people talking about basketball until the season starts.
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
DOMINANT!
Lets not forget, every player stays the same from their rookie season up until they retire. thats just the way things are when you smoke crack all day. no progression.
your mama would know
LBJ had a decent rookie year
-
haha NIK is going to delete my posts because I dont think Bynum is the next Wilt like he does, NIK you need to get your vagina checked
LOL@you talkin about vaginas, you emotional moodswing havin fruitcake. get the hell out of my section with your lame ass comments that make me embarrassed to be a human, square ass geek.
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
DOMINANT!
Lets not forget, every player stays the same from their rookie season up until they retire. thats just the way things are when you smoke crack all day. no progression.
your mama would know
LBJ had a decent rookie year
i know you're a crackhead and all, but dot stoop down to spices level and become a fag too...
-
lol Bynum in his lone 82 game season - 8pts, 6 rebs
DOMINANT!
Lets not forget, every player stays the same from their rookie season up until they retire. thats just the way things are when you smoke crack all day. no progression.
your mama would know
LBJ had a decent rookie year
i know you're a crackhead and all, but dot stoop down to spices level and become a fag too...
great words of wisdom
can't win an arguement so resort to childish name calling
-
8 pts and 6 boards? :yikes:
Michael Olowokandi the CANDY MAN!! Stats his rookie year OMG!! 1998-99 LAC 9ts 8 Rbs ppg
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=621
-
haha NIK is going to delete my posts because I dont think Bynum is the next Wilt like he does, NIK you need to get your vagina checked
LOL@you talkin about vaginas, you emotional moodswing havin fruitcake. get the hell out of my section with your lame ass comments that make me embarrassed to be a human, square ass geek.
Talking about vaginas = gay???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
^no...talking about people having vaginas when you're an emotional fag = pathetic
-
8 pts and 6 boards? :yikes:
Michael Olowokandi the CANDY MAN!! Stats his rookie year OMG!! 1998-99 LAC 9ts 8 Rbs ppg
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=621
candy man > bynum (gumby)
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/kCp8cTYjcaQ
-
8 pts and 6 boards? :yikes:
Michael Olowokandi the CANDY MAN!! Stats his rookie year OMG!! 1998-99 LAC 9ts 8 Rbs ppg
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?playerId=621
candy man > bynum (gumby)
spice>you