InGameNow

2008-2009 NBA Preview: Southeast Division

October 27th, 2008 | By Sean Finerty Posted in Uncategorized

Orlando Magic

Projected Starting Lineup (6th Man):
PG Jameer Nelson (10.9 PPG, 5.6 APG)
SG Mickael Pietrus (7.2 PPG, .361 3P%)
SF Hedo Turkoglu (19.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5 APG)
PF Rashard Lewis (18.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG)
C Dwight Howard (20.7 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 2.1 BPG)
6th Man SG J.J. Redick

Key Player: Mickael Pietrus. We all know about Howard’s Shaq-like dominance in Orlando. But they really need to see more from Pietrus if they’re going to take the next step this year. He needs to become an option behind the arc if defenses start to double team Howard or Lewis. If he can’t get the job done, then the Magic will be forced to turn to J.J. Redick, a testament to how thin the Magic are at the guard position.

Overrated Player: Jameer Nelson. No doubt he’s improving - but when you’re managing a floor with scorers such as Turkoglu, Lewis, and Howard, there’s really no excuse for not averaging 8 or more dimes a night.

Biggest Addition: TBD. There aren’t a whole lot of newcomers to this Orlando squad, but that should change by midseason if they want a legitimate shot to contend. As already mentioned, the guard position is a weakness for the Magic, so they’ll look to shore things up there; or, they could bring in a defensive-minded PF, and slide either Turkoglu or Lewis to shooting guard - both of which shot around 40% from 3-point range last season.

Biggest Loss: Maurice Evans. Evans played in 75 games for the Magic, averaging 8.9 PPG. The Magic’s bench is already among the thinnest in the league - Evans’ departure doesn’t help matters any.

Prediction: 48-34

Atlanta Hawks

Projected Starting Lineup (6th Man):
PG Mike Bibby (13.9 PPG, 6 APG)
SG Joe Johnson (21.7 PPG, 5.8 APG)
SF Marvin Williams (14.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG)
PF Josh Smith (17.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.4 APG)
C Al Horford (10.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG)
6th Man PG Acie Law (4.2 PPG, 2 APG)

Key Player: Josh Smith. He’s a superstar in the making, if he hasn’t reached that level already. Expect him to continue to lead a young Atlanta core that includes Marvin Williams and Al Horford. Obviously, having Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby helping him out will do a lot to open up his game.

Overrated Player: Marvin Williams. He has gotten progressively better over his 3 years in the league, and has become an integral part of the Hawks offense. However, the way executives were drooling over him while he was at North Carolina would make you think this guy should be averaging 20 or 25 a night by now.

Biggest Addition: Playoff experience. Atlanta was a door mat to the rest of the NBA for years - but then they swung a trade for Mike Bibby last year, and began their run for the playoffs. Seemingly outmatched on paper, the Hawks showed enough heart and poise to nearly oust the eventual champion Celtics by taking Boston to 7 games.

Biggest Loss: Josh Childress. With Joe Johnson firmly entrenched at the shooting guard position, no one really expected Josh Childress to crack the starting lineup. Still, his 11.8 PPG and 4.9 RPG were great contributions off the bench.

Prediction: 40-42

Washington Wizards

Projected Starting Lineup (6th Man):
PG Antonio Daniels (8.4 PPG, 4.8 APG)
SG DeShawn Stevenson (11.2 PPG, 3.1 APG)
SF Caron Butler (20.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.9 APG)
PF Antawn Jamison (21.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG)
C Etan Thomas (DNP in 2007-2008)
6th Man SG Nick Young (7.5 PPG)

Key Player: Gilbert Arenas. Hampered by a knee injury, Arenas expects to get back on the hardwood by the end of November. If he can come back anywhere near 100%, these Wizards become a team that can run up the score any night.

Overrated Player: Etan Thomas. Not because fans think too highly of him, but because Washington management apparently does if they think he’s capable of being a starting center in the NBA. He didn’t even play in 2007-2008, and

Biggest Additions: Dee Brown and JaVale McGee. Everyone knows Gilbert Arenas is more of a shooting guard than he is a point guard, which could mean a big opportunity for Dee Brown to make his mark in this league. He doesn’t need to light up the scoreboard every night to be a success, but if he facilitate the offense to the tune of 5 assists per game, he’ll be doing his part to make sure Arenas, Butler, and Jamison are each getting their touches. Rookie JaVale McGee will hopefully become the center the Wizards desperately need.

Biggest Loss: Etan Thomas. No, the Wizards haven’t actually “lost” him, but I’m tempted to say that the Wizards would be better off without even playing a center if Thomas is the best they can do. Hell, with that stable of guards (Brown, Arenas, Butler, Young), why not just go with 4-guard lineup to join Jamison? It may not win a whole lot of games, but it sure would be entertaining.

Prediction: 39-43

Miami Heat

Projected Starting Lineup (6th Man):
PG Marcus Banks (6.6 PPG, 1.7 APG)
SG Dwyane Wade (24.6 PPG, 6.9 APG)
SF Shawn Marion (15.4 PPG, 10.2 RPG)
PF Udonis Haslem (12 PPG, 9 RPG)
C Mark Blount (8.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG)
6th Man Michael Beasley (Rookie)

Key Player: Dwyane Wade. He no longer has Shaq, but with Marion and Beasley joining the fold, Wade leads a still very talented Heat team. He just needs to continue being himself on the court, driving towards the basket and getting his teammates involved. But off the court, he needs to serve as a mentor to Beasley - despite being just 26 years old himself. Wade and the Heat’s season depends largely on how well Beasley plays coming out of the gates.

Overrated Player: Shawn Marion. As a beneficiary to Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni’s system, Marion enjoyed 6 seasons of around 20 PPG. While he still averaged a double-double for the Heat, his PPG did suffer - no longer put up All-Star type numbers. Still, you won’t find the Heat complaining about Marion’s 15-10 averages, especially if Beasley lives up to the hype.

Biggest Addition: Michael Beasley. And if Beasley does live up to the hype, the Heat will have a pretty fierce trio in Beasley-Wade-Marion. But don’t expect them to be better than Boston’s Three Party….yet.

Biggest Loss: Ricky Davis. Davis played in all 82 games last year and averaged 13.8 PPG; however, Miami is hoping that Beasley will make them quickly forget about Davis.

Prediction: 39-43

Charlotte Bobcats

Projected Starting Lineup (6th Man):
PG Raymond Felton (14.4 PPG, 7.4 APG)
SG Jason Richardson (21.8 PPG, 3.1 APG)
SF Gerald Wallace (19.4 PPG, 6 RPG)
PF Emeka Okafor (13.8 PPG, 10.7 RPG)
C Nazr Mohammed (7.8 PPG, 6 RPG)
6th Man PG D.J. Augustin (Rookie)

Key Player: Raymond Felton. You would think a year like Felton had in 2007-2008, where he averaged over 14 points and 7 assists per game would alleviate any concerns about his ability to run the point. Yet, Felton’s name constantly comes up in trade rumors, and the fact that the Bobcats used the 9th overall pick to select PG DJ Augustin doesn’t quiet those rumors any.

Overrated Player: Jason Richardson. A one-dimensional player, Richardson can score - and that’s about it, which makes him kind of a strange fit on the NBA’s college all-star team. Charlotte’s young players need to get involved and get experience - I’m not so sure that will happen with Richardson in town.

Biggest Addition: Larry Brown. Now THIS seems like a much better fit for Brown. In New York, there were just too many egos (and bad contracts) for Brown to effectively manage. He’s primarily an educator, and he really needs his players to buy into him - with all of the youth in Charlotte, he has a much better shot at getting a handle on his players and help build a foundation.

Biggest Loss: Raymond Felton, if they trade him away. The Bobcats would have been much better off had they used their draft pick to shore up a real need - which appears to be center. Brook Lopez would have fit in very nicely.

Prediction: 20-42

Knicks Waiving Stephon Marbury; Headed to Miami Heat

September 23rd, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

The Knicks are planning to waive and then buy out Stephon Marbury in the next few days, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Several persons with knowledge of the situation have indicated that the Knicks are planning to part ways with Marbury by the end of the week.

One caveat is the approval of Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan, who must sign off on yet another multimillion-dollar payoff for his NBA team. Marbury is in the final year of his contract, which is to pay him $21.9 million.

The Knicks will likely place Marbury on waivers and, once he clears, begin negotiating a buyout. Marbury will then be free to sign with another team; the Miami Heat have a desperate need at point guard.
New York Newsday

David Stern Apparently HATES Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur

September 4th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

Yesterday we wrote about how Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur, former Kansas basketball stars, were caught with marijuana at the NBA Rookie Camp… and marveled at the audacity that these guys have (is there a worse place to do it?!)… Well more news has come to light that shows that the tandem is in far worse condition:

1) David Stern threw them out of camp and publicly humiliated them
2) they were caught with “at least two women” and flushing things down the toilet while security banged on the door

More from ESPN:

Management then left to get security, which used its own key to enter the room minutes later. Once inside, security found Chalmers, Arthur and at least two women. There was a strong stench of marijuana in the room, and one person was in the bathroom with the door locked, repeatedly flushing the toilet, sources said.

The police were called to room, which they searched, but neither marijuana nor drug paraphernalia was found. Representatives from the players’ association were also on the scene by that time.

The commissioner’s anger was apparently evident when he began his speech; he mentioned Chalmers and Arthur by name and told the 67 rookies in attendance that the two would be thrown out of the program and forced to attend the 2009 session.

Mario Chalmers, Darrell Arthur Caught With Marijuna at NBA Rookie Camp

September 3rd, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

Poor Kansas University.
Poor Pat Riley (who is about to be inducted to the Hall of Fame).
Poor David Stern.
And lucky Roy Williams (who is probably laughing hysterically).

Former Kansas stars Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were thrown out of the NBA Rookie Camp after being caught with marijuana together… probably the stupidest place ever to smoke up no matter who much of a fiend you really are. And apparently Chalmers and Arthur really are that kind of fiend.

“They were sent home for violating program rules,” NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said.

Sources said Chalmers and Arthur were also fined $20,000 apiece and could start the regular season on the suspended list… the question is how many games with Mr. David Stern dole out.

“We’re still looking into it,” McIntyre said. “Once we have all the details, appropriate sanctions will be taken.”

Carlos Boozer Joining Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley with Miami Heat?

August 24th, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

Dorell Wright’s guaranteed two-year deal left the Heat with a little more than $50 million in 2009-10 contracts for 10 players (only Daequan Cook’s $1.3 million is at Miami’s option). That means — unless multiyear deals are dumped — the Heat likely will have a little more than $11 million next summer (if Shawn Marion isn’t re-signed) to pursue a free agent such as Carlos Boozer. (The Heat has told people it can see Michael Beasley playing small forward eventually, allowing a pairing with Boozer.) Miami has $32 million committed for 2010-11.

Mario Chalmers to Lead Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat at Point Guard

August 21st, 2008 | By InGameNow Posted in NBA

Listening to Dwyane Wade speak earlier today from Beijing about the Heat, one gets the sense that some in the organization have told him that Mario Chalmers just might emerge as an opening-night starter. Wade’s words: “I really believe in our point guard, Mario Chalmers. I think he can be great for us and surprise a lot of people.” Center, though, is another issue to Wade. “We haven’t found a five-man,” he said.

Almario Vernard “Mario” Chalmers (born May 19, 1986 in Anchorage, Alaska) is an American basketball player. On July 10, 2008, Chalmers signed a contract to play basketball for the Miami Heat. He was selected 34th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Chalmers played for the University of Kansas in college for three seasons, including the 2007-2008 national championship team.

In the 2006-2007 Big 12 Coaches Awards, Chalmers was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year with Marcus Dove of Oklahoma State. Chalmers was also voted on the All Big 12 Third Team, and the All Big 12 Defensive Team. In the 2007-2008 season, Chalmers was named Big 12 All-Defensive First Team and All Big 12 Second Team. He was also named Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 NCAA Championship.

Chalmers is the cousin of former Los Angeles Clipper guard and Xavier standout Lionel Chalmers, who hails from Albany, NY.