Re: Pitino's influence (was Re: Mercer for Shandon and Quincy Lewis...)

[Warwick <giants@eisa.net.au>]

Dan Forant Sr wrote:

> Yes, with this present team we may be contenders for th 8th spot again.
> Looks like the rest of the conference is getting stronger to me. Pitino has
> been a positive for the team, getting Pots, let's see if he can coach this
> season. Last season looked like he was coaching for the lottery.

I definitely would not agree with that assessment (about the other teams
getting stronger part).

Atlanta has already lost Mookie Blaylock; yes he had a poor season
statistically but lets just wait and see how a rookie point guard likes to run
a team with one scorer.

Orlando has basically done the same thingg; they have traded their experienced
player who will help a ballclub to win now for essentially some potential and a
couple of role players who are more likely to end up being waived/cut than
anything else.

Detroit will be hoping that they get about a million times the production of
Vaught / Laettner than they did last season or else the loss of Dumars will
hurt them in more than just the chemistry.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas' foot will be the true answer to whether or not the Cavs
have a chance next season;

Toronto may lose its power forward; yes they got Davis, but is Davis a better
winner than Oakley? I doubt it.

Indiana will have a poor season next season; but they wont miss the playoffs

Thus far, I'd have to say that my Eastern Conference prediction *as of this
moment*

Certainties

1 - Miami Heat
2 - New York Knicks
3 - Indiana Pacers

Pretty Sure to be up there

4 - Philadelphia 76ers
5 - Milwaukee Bucks
6 - Charlotte Hornets

Have a chance to be there

7 - New Jersey (if they dont have a man bigger than Van Horn, eg. Jay Williams
cant get back to his best; then they are truly gone).
8 - Cleveland (no Ilgauskas; No Cleveland)
9 - Detroit (if they dont get about 200-1000% more production out of both
Laettner and Vaught you can forget about it)
10 - Boston (if we make it I expect home court advantage - its either up the
top or out of it imho)

Warwick