Bulls reign over Central could be ending |
Bulls reign over Central could be ending |
Aug 21 2012, 08:39 AM
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#1
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All-Star Group: Administrator Posts: 2,568 Joined: 13-March 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 21 |
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QUOTE MARK STROTMAN
ESPN.com polled 100 of its top NBA analysts on their predictions for the Eastern Conference standings as part of its Summer Forecast series, and according to the predictions the Bulls' reign atop the Central division may be over after two years. According to the poll, the Bulls projected at 46-36, fourth place in the East. The Indiana Pacers, however, were predicted to tie for second, four games better than Chicago at 50-32. LeBron James and the defending champion Miami Heat led the East with a 60-22 projected record, while the new-look Boston Celtics tied with the Pacers at 50-32. The rest of the projected standings saw the revamped Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers tie with Chicago at 46-36, the New York Knicks one game behind at 45-37, and the Atlanta Hawks, minus Joe Johnson, at 40-42 to round out the playoff teams. Here's how the pollsters projected the Central division: 1. Indiana Pacers (50-32) 2. Chicago Bulls (46-36) 3. Milwaukee Bucks (37-45) 4. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-49) 5. Detroit Pistons (30-52) The Pacers, who last year enjoyed their first winning season since 2004-2005, had a busy offseason, re-signing George Hill and Roy Hibbert while trading Darren Collison to the Mavericks. Led by Danny Granger, Hibbert and rising star Paul George, and complemented by a deep bench, Frank Vogel and the Pacers may have the edge in the Central. But the Bulls, with a retooled back court as well as changes in the front court, won't go away easily. Without Rose, Chicago was 18-9 in the regular season, and playing in perhaps the weakest division in the NBA should help Chicago more than Indiana, given the Bulls will be without their best player the majority of the season. |
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Aug 22 2012, 09:40 AM
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#2
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Bench Group: Global Moderators Posts: 326 Joined: 23-April 06 Member No.: 109 |
I still think we're a 50 win team. 46 isn't outlandish by any means though, there are lots of variables like injuries to consider.
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Aug 22 2012, 09:40 AM
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#3
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Bench Group: Global Moderators Posts: 326 Joined: 23-April 06 Member No.: 109 |
I still think we're a 50 win team. 46 isn't outlandish by any means though, there are lots of variables like injuries to consider.
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Aug 23 2012, 01:58 PM
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#4
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All-Star Group: Administrator Posts: 2,704 Joined: 14-March 06 Member No.: 43 |
I still think we're a 50 win team. 46 isn't outlandish by any means though, there are lots of variables like injuries to consider. Those variables are why I don't think you can say 46 wins is a solid projection. To me, that's a fairly optimistic projection since it presumes at least some of the following happen: 1) Derrick is close to his old self shortly after he returns (ie able to carry the offense on his back right away) 2) Derrick comes back earlier than the current March-ish projections 3) The team is a 50-win caliber team without Rose (which I think is highly questionable) 4) The team can avoid further injury issues, which seems 50/50 at best given the history of a lot of those guys I think they CAN get above 45 wins, but to me 40-ish is more reasonable. |
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Sep 8 2012, 02:12 AM
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#5
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Draft Pick Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 12-November 06 From: NW Indy (just outside Chicago, MY HOMETOWN) Member No.: 307 |
More than likely, it's gonna be a very long winter. To be honest, they will lucky if they even make the playoffs this upcoming season.
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 11th May 2024 - 09:31 AM |