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Results
Total of 5,275 votes
| Los Angeles Lakers | 40.8% (2,151 votes) |
| Boston Celtics | 18.3% (967 votes) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 13.9% (731 votes) |
| San Antonio Spurs | 8.6% (456 votes) |
| Another team | 5.4% (285 votes) |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 3.9% (208 votes) |
| Orlando Magic | 3.8% (200 votes) |
| Denver Nuggets | 1.8% (94 votes) |
| Detroit Pistons | 1.3% (68 votes) |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1.3% (66 votes) |
| Atlanta Hawks | 0.7% (39 votes) |
| New Orleans Hornets | 0.2% (10 votes) |
Newsvine Discussion with 45 comments - Click here to jump to the comment form.
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Go Spurs Go!!! It looks to be another great year with all the off season moves that the Spurs Front Office made - the weak links are Duncan's Knees and Ginobli's Ankles... Pop has got to give them as much "bench time" as he can while making it to the playoffs especially in the Western Conference; there is just too much power on this side of the divide... Maybe if we move the Jazz and Mavericks to the East...
GO SPURS!!!!!!!!! Don't count Timmy out yet - there's something to be said for being a gentle giant, ya know!?!
I know the obvious favorite is the Lakers becuase they are the champs but there are 3 beasts from the east this year in Boston, Cleveland and Orlando but the one that seems set up for the long run is the Celtics. They are big, powerful and 10 deep this year and they could easily top their win total of 2 years ago of 66. When you bring Raheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, "Big Baby" Davis and Eddie House off the bench, you're a force to be reckoned with, oupledwith your 3 hall of fame starters in Pierce, Allen and Garnett. Rajon Rondo, who averaged nearly a triple double during last year's playoffs, runs the show from the point and Kendrick Perkins is one of those 10/10 guys and is an immovable object and a beast on defense. With all of the depth on this team, come playoff time the Celtics will be fresh and capable of being very physical and tiring the opposition during a playoff series to the point of wearing the other team down.
I know the Cleveland Lebrons won't go easily but I just see too much size and depth on this Boston team for any team handle. Ron Artest is nice pick up for LA but they will have their own struggles with San Antonio in the west and possibly Houston if Yao Ming is back in the early spring and the Nuggets have quietly improved themselves in the off season. LA is the champ but if they want to get back to the top again this year they will have to earn it and Boston has geared up to again out physical LA in a 7 game series. Boston comes into to the finals with the better record, has home court advantage and reclaims the title in 6 games.
I like the Boston Celtics to prevail in an improved Eastern Conference. And, then
take on the LA Lakers in a great NBA finals. With a healthy Kevin Garnett, and a strong bench, perhaps the deepest in the League, The Celts have the numbers to win in a rugged
East. It will be an exciting season. I look for the Bulls to make the playoffs again, with Luol Deng back in action. If he is healthy, he has the potential to be an All-Star this season.
Are you guys nuts the Jazz have as much of a chance to win the championship as the Lakers Celtics or the Cavaliers. Besides LBJ will come to Utah through free agancy anyway where he will even greater away from night clubs that beat up his friends.
omg please give me what you are on cuz i need to be just as high as you. the jazz suck and they have not done nothing to improve their team. THE LAKERS ALL THE WAY AGAIN AND AGAIN
What are you smoking morman crack in Salt Lake???
Agree ...the celtics will be back, but the fact of the matter is Boston is to old and KG injury was more extensive then led to believe. The Lakers are a much deeper tem with Artest as well they are now a battle tested team which they were not when they faced Boston two years ago. Also they have two more seasons as a collective squad under their belts, and the know how of what it takes to WIN a championship. LAKERS beat Boston in 7 games
Kobe is a rapist
Man, you need to go somewhere. A freakin waste of time lemme tells ya...You are doomed.
DaBigStud - Hmmmm, the name says it all. A little insecure are you? Kobe is a rapist
Many people here in LA even say they like the Lakers, but hate Kobe.
Funny everyone that seems to get with a sports star turns around and says their rapist. Either way were talking basketball NOT personal life...Kobe & the Lakers #1
So, we are to forget he is a rapist just because he palys basketball? Nope, sorry Kobe lover. Kobe will always be a rapist.
And: Funny everyone that seems to get with a sports star turns around and says their rapist.
Next time, please write somewhat coherently. You must have gone to The Kobe School of English Composition
Personaly I could care less about his personal life ...all I know is he is the greatest player in the game (as of today) and the Lakes are the defending NBA champions, so no need to hate unless the girl that states he raped her is a relative of yours
No, of course she is not a relative of mine. I just dislike rapists and Kobe is a very high profile rapist....that's all.
Kobe was never convicted of rape.
That said, Lakers will win again....the Celtics are too old and that age will show toward the end of the season. I doubt Garnett will stay healthy the entire season anyway. Great player but his better years were wasted in Minnesota.
Just because you aren't convicted doesn't mean you didn't do it. I agree, he has never been convicted of it, he paid off his victim to keep her quiet. But, he is still a rapist.
when you're not convicted. it means you are not guilty.. whether you did it or not...so, in the eyes of the law, he is innocent and there fore not a rapist. you're a moron.
DaBigStud, you know as little about the Judicial system as about rapist. Maybe you have been convicted eveytime, so you don't know. When you are never tried for a crime, it does not mean your are not guilty of a crime. So, when you speed, you are guilty of speeding. Just because no cop catches you doesn't mean you didn't do it. At a trial, you may be FOUND guilty, in other words, the evidence shows that you are indeed guilty. But, if you pay off your rape victim, as Kobe did, it doesn't mean that the rape didn't happen and you are no longer guilty of it. Geez, you Kobe fans are truly idiots. This is the same type of "pretend it didn't happen" that Kobe used. I suppose OJ Simpson is not guilty too? True he wasn't convicted of murder, but he did it. Kobe raped the girl, so he is guilty of rape. True, he paid off his victim in order to persuade her not to testify so therefore he was never FOUND guilty. It doesn't mean that he didn't do it. And, it also means he was never found NOT guilty.
Once again, read his own statement where he admits that he understands the woman did not consent to his sexual assualt, thus making him guilty iof rape. Don't ignore your own "idol's" words.
Such an unintelligent person this "JustAFlier"..you are clearly a Kobe hater with as much common sense as the keyboards you own..
THE LAKERS do have a great chance of repeating this season as long as they all stay healthy..Boston had its 15mins of fame, now there have to get pass either Cleveland or Orlando, and i don't see that happening..Folk trust me, Kevin G is not going to ber the same beast.And Boston will not make it out the east.
Once again, a Kobe Lover can't understand. I dislike Kobe BECAUSE he is a rapist. If you love rapists, that is your deal. Good luck with that! Be cool, Lil' Lee
You are a REAL IDIOT, if you think Kobe actually raped that girl. A groupie found a way to get money out of an athlete. Pure and simple. Have sex then yell rape. Unfortunately, it happens more than we know....Grow up!!!!
Nope, you are the idiot if you think he didn't. Here is HIS statement he made after he paid her off:
Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.
To anyone who isn't a Kobe-defending-moron, that is an admission that he had sex with her without her consent....rape. He admits it himself but by the time he made this statement, he had already agreed to pay her off so she wouldn't testify against him. He lied to the police when he was first confronted with the accusation and said he didn't have sex with her. That was until they found his semen. Why did he lie? Because he raped her. Otherwise, why not just say, "Yeah, we had consensual sex"?
Sorry, Kobe is a rapist.
So you're telling me, she went to HIS hotel room to talk..... REALLY!!! Are you really that
stupid. He's taken the high road to put it behind him. How can you account for the other athletes she has slept with.....I noticed you left that part out. However, I will cut you some slack, after all, you're a Jazz fan..... Idiots at best!!!!
No, I believe Kobe got her in there and raped her, just like he said he did. Then when he got caught about it, he lied, just like every other criminal who gets caught and denies it until he gets confronted with the evidence against him. He has taken the "high road"? Yeah, a rapist who pays off his victim and gets away with it....of course he takes the "high road" because he found out that when you get caught for rape, it has consequences. Geez, Kobe fans are such blind fools. Now it is "all the other atheletes she has slept with". Wow, really reaching into your Kobe bag of tricks for that one. Fine, it is your right to cheer for a rapist. Me, I don't. Sorry, Kobe = Rapist.
And then, the final move of a Kobe-Loving idiot. Why on earth would knowing Kobe is a rapist make me a Jazz fan??? That is as stupid as not believing he is a rapist. No, KingKobeLover, I am not a Jazz fan. But, I know, you have to reach for something when you are defending a rapist.
I understand now, please forgive me. You wished it were you beneath him and not that lady. I should have realized just by the way you've researched. I personally dont believe in homosexuality, but it is your choice. Good luck with your search my friend. Go LAKERS!!!
Now that is funny. Ok, Kobe is a rapist and the best you can come up with is "you wish it was you" and calling those who believe he is a rapist homosexual. That is about as intelligent as Kobe saying he didn't have sex with her even though they had hios semen. Thanks for showing that, yes, indeed, those who think that Kobe is not a rapist are indeed functional idiots. I guess the calling me a Jazz fan (still makes no sense), making up "all the other athletes she has slept with" and all the other crap KingKobeLover invents in his mind was not enough. I love when Kobe lovers have nothing to come back with other than BS like that. It kind of proves my point.
Always remember, there will NEVER be a complete discussion about Kobe without it being pointed out that he is a rapist. Now, go love you some Kobe.
Why does it even matter right now? That Kobe rapist @!$%# was 6 years ago. Who knows whether he really raped the girl or not? Besides, the topic of this subject is who will win the 2010 nba championship.
Yes, but Kobe is still a rapist. It may have happened 6 years ago, but he is still a rapist today. Maybe we should not forget that he is a rapist.
I know what the "topic of this subject" is, but I initially posted that Kobe is a rapist and others chose to discuss it. So, I guess it is part of the subject matter of the thread now. You may choose not to discuss it if you so please.
Just to make this clear... I am not a Kobe fan, a Jazz fan or whatever else (Im a Pistons fan and I know they arent going anywhere). The focus of this discussion was to give our opinion on who would win the NBA championship. What Kobe may or may not have done that day is not relavent to this discussion. None of us were in that room with them when all of this went down. As a woman, there is NO amount of money that would make me NOT want to see my rapist go to jail. Anyway, I think it will be the Celtics and Lakers in the Final with the Lakers prevailing. Without Turkoglu and Lee, the Magic will not return to the finals. Shaq will not be enough to get the Cavs out of the east if the other players do not step up. The series will at least last 6 games
Sista. I was just sting my opinion. Others kept repsondign (as you have) to it, so it must be relevant to some people on here. Anyway, he is a rapist.
I don't think the Celtics have enough to get to the NBA Finals. I do think the Cavs could, though I don't believe Shaq is the thing that puts them there. He has always been over-rated and he is now diminished in his skills even further. It doesn't matter, whoever comes out of the East is going to lose to whoever comes out of the West. I hope it isn't a rapist's team!
And, that first part of my post was supposed to be:
"I was just STATING my opinion. Others kept RESPONDING..."
That is what happens when I don't spell-check.
After the dust settles, the Blazers will be the ones with the hardware. Enjoy it while you can Kolby, 'cause you won't be getting another one. We are entering the Oden era. Can you say dynasty?
The Blazers.......you've got to be kidding. Oden is another Sam Bowie, fragile, but without the game. Fourth in the West, at best.
The NBA is a League of thugs and bums...who cares??
Lakers will repeat. They may even break the Bulls' record of 72 reular season wins. The defensive tandem of Kobe and Artest will absolutely terrorize the league. Sorry, Boston, Utah, Orlando, and everyone else. Just wait a few more years and then you may have a chance.
By your logic, an accusation is as good as a conviction. Therefore, I am accusing you of being an idiotic, closed-minded, jealous loser. By your own logic, you are guilty as charged.
Are you the Ernest from the movies? You sound like him.
Before you tell me what I said, try reading first, if you are capable. I said that just because you have not been convicted doesn't mean you are innocent. I never said an accusation is a conviction. But, Kobe lovers aren't very good at listening to facts.
Try and follow the logic, Ernie, and life will become clear to you. I am accusing you of being...well....just an Ernest. And judging on your own misuse of "logic", that is punishment enough.
i,ve read a lotof your opinions about eho will win the crown. But let me tell you a little something mr underestermater. He took king david for granted and was slayed now he is taking the orlando magic for granted yet they were the only undefeated team in the preseason. IT DON,T MATTER IF THE GAMES DIDN,T COUNT, every team had they,re starters on the court . nobody thought that orlando would make it to the finals last season yet they beat king james and kevin garnet. look for dwight howard to be the leagues mvp and defensive player of the year and on that note it will be raining threes and the orlando magic are the rain makers. REMEMBER IT,S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT , IT,S THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG AND THE HEART OR THE KING IS IN THE LORDS HAND, AND HE TURNETH IT WHERE SO EVER HE CHOOSES. GO MAGIC.
Sounds good......but you're forgetting one thing. A ball hog named Carter. He WILL shoot you out of as lest 10 games this year. You'll finish 3rd in the east.
The Lakers have the best group of talent in the NBA, if healthy the Lakers will beat the Spurs in the Western finals and then they'll beat the Celtics in 6 in the Finals.
JustAFlier is an ignorant fool!
This is hilarious coming from an obviously biased Lakers' lover; nothing to respond with other than insulting the people who understand the truth. Kobe is a rapist. Always will be. (I direct iLaker to the posts above that include Kobe's own statement/admission of guilt.)
Little iLaker, I can see you now playing with your Kobe Bryant doll. But, do yourself a favor and just admit Kobe is a rapist. Once you no longer have to try to blindly defend a rapist, you will feel a tremendous weight lifted off of your shoulders. Until then, it is you, who does not know Kobe is a rapist, who is the ignorant fool.
I know I am a homer (Boston)...but hear me out. Two years ago, the majority of people picked the Lakers over the Celtics. I tend to analyze things.....and I just could not understand how anyone could pick the Lakers,as was being done, as if it wasn't even a question who was going to win. Odom has been inconsistent throughout his career and like Gasol, can't play defense against any true power forwards in the NBA. Bynum is not going to put them over the top either. He is no better than Kendrick Perkins. They will wash each other out. That being said, KG is far better than any power forward on the Lakers. Plus, we now have Rasheed, Sheldon Williams, Big Baby as well as the great addition of Marquis Daniels. The Lakers have no depth. Besides Kobe, there isn't anyone on the Lakers that is as good as the matchup they will face on the Celtics. It isn't even close! Even Kobe is not really all that much better than Pierce; and then there is Ray Allen and Rondo. Please look at the facts, the Lakers don't even come close to matching up! Well, I guess the size of "Laker Nation" will dictate that the Lakers will continue to be picked to be in the 2010 championship and maybe even win it by many more people than should pick them. We are all homers I guess...but look at the facts, and you will see how much people overrate the Lakers. I'll be enjoying the Celtics winning the championship as underdogs - problem is, people are already seeing how good they are and I think come playoff time, barring injuries, the Celtics will be far ahead of the competition. By the way, Odom, Bryant and Gasol aren't exactly spring chickens if you want to talk about age.