re: Pregame notes

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Interesting speculation from Mr. Jessen here:

- How can the .500 Knicks be a team to fear?  If the Knicks got
all their parts functioning: A healthy McDyess, Mutumbo represenative,
Houston and Van Horn okay, Mason for depth, and a deal for Van Exel, 
methinks they'd be much better than .500, especially in the weak 
but improving East. Certainly a  playoff caliber team.

- MJ to the Lakers. Make it so. With or without him or Kobe,
as long as Shaq is motivated and in shape, they are the favorites. 

- Who's to say Darko won't be that great player. L Brown thinks so.
And all those seven-footers in a league desperate for size, means 
future trade possibilities.
Ray


> ** Original Subject: Pregame notes
> ** Original Sender: Celtic4Hire@xxxxxxx


>
> A few notes:
> The Knicks may put together a team to fear. A Mutumbo, McDyess, Van Horn, 
> Houston, Van Exel team wouldn't be chopped liver. In the spirit of the Lakers, 
> bringing back Mason as a sub would make this team a .500 team. They would still 
> have a lot of question marks, Mutumbo - age, McDyess - injury, and Van Horn - 
> stage fright. It would be interesting and maybe a little fearful. (Don't 
> forget Lampe and Sweetney off the bench)....
> 
> Now as for the Lakers and MJ. If MJ came back to the Lakers, I would be sick. 
> I would have to watch every Laker game just to root against them. I mean, 
> what would the refs do with themself? You got the Jordan Rules. Then you got 
> Malone throwing himself into people and getting foul calls. You got Shaq bowling 
> over people for the jam. The refs would be beside themselves blowing their 
> whistle. Not to mention Payton and the whole "put the band back together" farewell 
> reunion theme they would have going on. I mean the refs/David Stern wouldn't 
> want that story to stop in the first round of the playoffs. Yet, how about if 
> Kobe was to come back or play with the team. More plot lines there. You got 
> the sentimental aspect of the maligned and wrongly accused still coming to work 
> and trying to help his team. Or how about if he is off for awhile then comes 
> back to save the team. The producers are trying to figure out what works better 
> right now. But then the ultimate, father - son, MJ - Kobe thing. Or another, 
> the pass the torch MJ - Kobe angle. I mean, David Stern probably isn't 
> sleeping at night thinking of the potential ratings. By the way, Cuban was right 
> about this whole deal.....
> 
> Saw enough of Darko last night to say he will contribute this year. I still 
> am not sold on the Pistons. They have a lot of good players but no great 
> players. In my book, you have to have great players to win (and a little depth). 
> Let's see some more preseason games to evaluate....
> 
> I am a little disappointed I am not hearing more glowing reports about Banks 
> in camp. However, I will be able to guage myself the progress tonight....
> 
> DJessen33

>** --------- End Original Message ----------- **