Bret Lagree | Hoopinion

“The Hawks have not built, nor do they appear to be building, a championship contender. … Joe Johnson is poised to be a free agent in the summer of 2010. Johnson is not a franchise player, yet he’s the Hawks’ best player.”

45

Zach Lowe | CelticsHub

“It seems reasonable to say anything short of an 18th championship would be a disappointment.”

58

Brett Hainline | Queen City Hoops

“Great defense + equally bad offense = average. With an improving division around them, that equation does not get them their first playoff berth. But at least they won’t suck.”

36

Matt McHale | By the Horns

“During the offseason, the Bulls lost free agent Ben Gordon, whom many people considered the team’s best or second-best player (after Derrick Rose). Memo to Chicago fans: Don’t sweat it. Seriously. Gordon will be replaced by John Salmons, who not only gave the Bulls almost as many points per game (18.3 versus 20.7) but was slightly more efficient in how he scored them.”

43

John Krolik | Cavs the Blog

“After last season’s playoff heartbreak, Danny Ferry has changed up the equation … However, Shaq could disrupt the delicate offensive and defensive chemistry the Cavaliers rode to 66 wins and the conference finals, despite the fact he will be the best player LeBron has ever played with if he continues to play like he did last season. The big question for the Cavs this seasons whether they overreacted to two clutch 3s by Rashard Lewis, or made the risk they needed to take to finally get LeBron a ring.”

61

Rob Mahoney | The Two Man Game

“’Rebuilding’ teams seek financial flexibility and the acquisition of young, productive assets. Quality squads amass veteran talent, no matter the cost, in pursuit of a title. Defying all logic, the Mavs have simultaneously moved in both directions.”

50

Jeremy Wagner | Roundball Mining Company

“The only players still on the roster who exceeded expectations in 2008-09 were Nene and Birdman. It is reasonable to expect every member of the Nuggets, other than thirty-something Chauncey Billups, to improve.”

53

Dan Feldman | PistonPowered

“However the minutes shake out between Chris Wilcox, Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace, they won’t be as good as Rasheed Wallace. But Sheed wasn’t that great last year. He looked old and disinterested, so the drop here won’t be too steep.”

36

Rasheed Malek |Warriors World

“Under the ownership of Chris Cohan, the Warriors have made the playoffs exactly one time and have gone through numerous coaches, players and executives. Going into this season, Larry Riley is the man in charge taking over for Chris Mullin.”

28

Anup Shah and Brody Rollins | Rockets Buzz

“The speed revolution has overtaken some of basketball’s peers, most notably football … Is basketball headed in the same direction? [Aaron] Brooks provides an excellent case study. Beginning the year as the Rockets number one threat on offense with Ron Artest’s departure and injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, Brooks will have every opportunity to prove that size really doesn’t matter.”

39

Jared Wade | Eight Points, Nine Seconds

“It’s hard to believe that anything short of the postseason will remove the dark cloud over Conseco. … Ultimately, it will come down to one thing: [Mike Jr.] Dunleavy’s knee.”

32

Kevin Arnovitz | ClipperBlog

“[Blake] Griffin and [Eric] Gordon may not be saviors, but they’re something. Griffin’s skills and his tenacious work ethic (the guy runs up sand dunes in his free time) will be a boon to a team desperate for cultural overhaul. Gordon offers an enticing combination of spot-up shooting and forays into the paint. He finished third in true shooting percentage among starting off guards in his rookie campaign, something that can only help a team that ranked dead last in offensive efficiency last season.”

32

Kurt Helin | Forum Blue and Gold

“God, is it good to be hated again.”

64

Chip Crain | 3 Shades of Blue

“The 2009-10 version of the Grizzlies have put together a starting five where every player scored 30 points or more in a game last year. The oldest starter is only 28 years old (Zach Randolph) and the youngest won’t turn 22 until after the start of the season (O.J. Mayo). They are young, talented and hungry for success. So why do most people focus on the two players not on a rookie contract this season?”

20

Matthew Bunch | Hot Hot Hoops

“38.6 minutes. 30.2 points. 49.1 percent shooting. Five rebounds. 7.5 assists. 2.2 steals. 1.3 blocks. That’s what [Dwyane] Wade averaged last season. You’re going to keep that guy out of the playoffs? Good luck.”

44

Jeremy Schmidt | Bucksketball

“If the Bucks get anything out of their three small forwards, if they can keep [Andrew] Bogut and [Michael] Redd healthy and if they get a season worthy of the number ten selection out of Brandon Jennings at the point, the playoffs will be within reach. But that’s a lot of ifs.”

29

Patrick Hodgdon | Howlin’ T-Wolf

“”Ever since his arrival, David Kahn has had seemingly one mission, other than to look like the smartest guy in the room at every turn, and that is to get as much cap space for next summer as he possibly can. … The obvious question lies in whether or not the Wolves will actually be able to lure one of the better free agent players to come to Minnesota.”

23

Mark Ginocchio and Sebastian Priuti | Nets are Scorching

“Lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any change the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.”

29

Niall Doherty and Ryan Schwan | Hornets247

“Enter Emeka Okafor. He’s a near match to a healthy Chandler, is more durable, and doesn’t look like he’s having muscle spasms when making a post move.”

47

Mike Kurylo | Knickerblogger

“2010 could be New York’s return to winning.”

31

Royce Young | Daily Thunder

“The Thunder may not win more than half their games, but with over half the roster unable to get an alcoholic beverage still, steady improvement and progression is the name of the game.”

34

Zach McCann | Orlando Magic Daily

“Take away either Hedo Turkoglu or Courtney Lee and the Magic aren’t getting to face the Lakers in the Finals. No way. But does that mean the Magic were wrong to let them go? Were the Magic foolish to allow a borderline All-Star and a possible future All-Star leave the team when both clearly wanted to stay in Orlando? Absolutely not. I believe the Magic are an entirely better team than they were four months ago.”

59

Carey R. Smith | Philadunkia

“The travesty of a deal that Billy King gave to Samuel Dalembert remains easily one of the worst contracts in NBA history. Hopefully this season Dalembert, his inflated self-worth and his contract will be dealt for a couple of expiring contracts and some much-needed cap space.”

39

Michael Schwartz | Valley of the Suns

“Two years ago the Suns were chic championship picks. Last year, the Suns were (accurately) thought to be a fringe playoff team. This year there are almost no expectations outside of their locker room. … There will be no mistaking what the Suns are this season: a lightning-speed team that will score points in bunches and likely give them up almost as quickly while struggling badly on the boards. But they will once again be the most exciting team in basketball.”

46

Max Handelman | Beyond Bowie

“The Blazers effectively bumbled their way to a 54-win season despite a mediocre performance from Greg Oden, the loss of Martell Webster for the season, and at times starting three rookies. This team is only getting better, kids.”

53

Zach Harper | Cowbell Kingdom

“Enter Tyreke Evans — a bulldozer-sized menace who will test the strength of every team’s defense at its entry point. He immediately creates matchup problems against teams with traditional point guards and will look to have a similar impact as fellow Memphis alum, Derrick Rose.”

22

Timothy Varner | 48 Minutes of Hell

During the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Riley’s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jackson’s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jackson’s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. That’s the company the Spurs keep. What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.”

55

RaptorsRepublic

“How is a rookie(ish) head coach going to integrate nine new players into a new system with two new assistant coaches?”

41

Spencer Ryan Hall | Salt City Hoops

“With young Wesley Matthews providing the good luck charm, Boozer in a contract year, Deron Williams with a chip on his shoulder, and a new longer-haired version of Andrei Kirilenko the Jazz have no reason to be anything other than beastly this season. And I mean that in a good way. Every prediction from the Jazz camp, however, comes with the ominous caveat ‘If we can stay healthy.’”

46

Kyle Weidie | Truth About It

“Flip Saunders has never gotten a team ‘there.’ That worn out cliché always runs rampant, plaguing almost every coach who hasn’t won … until they win. Red Auerbach (647), Larry Brown (1,900), and Dick Motta (738) all took their lumps before winning a championship (games coached before title season). Don’t be surprised when what you think is impossible becomes a reality. … 2010 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Factor in Gilbert Arenas’ stomach tattoo and the fact that the Wizards play their home games in D.C.’s Chinatown, and all the cards are in place.”

42

* As predicted by a consensus of all TrueHoop Network bloggers.

The ESPN guys wanted 200-250 words, and they’ve collected the responses here. Here’s my bit:

My second favorite team rotates every few seasons depending on players and style, with the ironclad rule that it can never be the Lakers or Knicks. Right now it’s the New Orleans Hornets, and I suspect it will remain the Hornets as long as Chris Paul plays there and the team is at least decent. Chris Paul is John Stockton if John Stockton had to lead his team in scoring along with controlling every second of every offensive possession. He is simultaneously super quick and amazingly patient. I love that moment when he turns the corner on a pick-and-roll and just stops right above the foul line, keeps his dribble, feels the defender on his back and surveys the court. The contrast between that pause and the explosion toward the rim that sometimes follows–I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a bigger contrast in the same player within a second or two. Toss in an all-time great dead-eye shooter who sports a permanent three-day stubble (Peja Stojakovic) and a post player with a set of moves that is a deadly combination of awkward and athletic (David West), and the Hornets are one of my go-to League Pass teams.

Remember, we were limited to 200-250 words, so I didn’t have much room to elaborate. But I’m curious what other teams C’s fans enjoy watching or half-heartedly cheering for, or if the idea of having a “second-favorite” team is unacceptable to C’s fans.

So we turned to Matt “Kevin” McHale, who has to watch every Ty Thomas brick for his work at By The Horns, and asked him some questions about the team the C’s are about to play at least four times. He was kind enough not to ignore them. So, let’s all pay attention and learn a bit about the six-time NBA Champion Chicago Bulls.

(Note: see my answers to his questions here at By The Horns)

CH: Can John Salmons guard Paul Pierce? If he can’t, who will the Bulls use?

Matt McHale: Salmons might have been able to at least contain Paul before his groin injury, but it’s hobbled him, both offensively and defensively. Look at what happened the other night against the Raptors: Salmons went 1-for-7 and let his man (Shawn Marion) go off for 34 points on 15-for-18 from the field. And Marion isn’t as dynamic an offesive player as Pierce. I can’t see John being able to check Paul right now…but he’s the only guy Vinny has to use in that capacity. So, you know, uh oh.

CH: The Bulls are 28th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage but sixth in the league in offensive rebounding percentage. Why, exactly, are they so bad on the defensive glass? Has Brad Miller helped?

MM: Good question. I think part of the problem is that our two young frontcourt players — Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas — don’t quite have the size or strength to dominate the glass at their positions. They can and often do get out muscled by opposing big men. Take the other night versus the Raptors. Toronto out rebounded Chicago 57-40, and Chris Bosh snared 19 boards. Our guys just got overwhelmed and (even worse) outworked.

CH: The Bulls are 18-11 since the Miller/Salmons/Nocioni trade. What has changed since then? Why has the team improved so much?

MM: First off, Salmons — before the groin injury — turned out to be the all-around offensive player that the Bulls had lacked. He can hit the three, shoot from midrange and take the ball to the cup, where he can either finish or draw the foul. Plus, he immediately became the team’s best perimeter defender. Brad Miller added frontcourt depth to a team that didn’t have any. Unless you count Aaron Gray, and trust me, you don’t. It’s always nice to be able to bring a starting center off the bench, especially a polished, wily vet like Miller. He’s a guy who can stick the 15 to 17-foot jumper, likes to bang people around, and — despite the fact that he couldn’t outrun a traffic cone — he has a surprising knack for shambling his way to the rim (usually after tricking his defender with a deft head fake). Brad’s also an excellent passer, both in halfcourt sets and in transition. The Bulls have become a running team, and Miller throws great outlet passes to start the break.

CH: What should the Celtics be looking for in their screen/roll defense? Any weaknesses there the Celtics can exploit?

MM: If you’re talking about the Bulls’ screen/roll defense, then yes, the Celtics can definitely exploit Chicago’s weaknesses there. Derrick Rose, for all his talent, still has trouble staying in front of his man and getting around (or fighting through) screens. Tyrus seems to lose focus on switches, Joakim tends to commit a lot of fouls and poor Miller is just too damn slow to be consistently effective on screen/rolls. The other night, effective point/forward or point/center combos (like Jose Calderon and Chris Bosh) have been known to dice us up on those plays.

CH: Ty Thomas looks like a tough match-up for a KG-less Celtics team, but he is ready to be a consistent offensive threat? What does he look to do on offense?

MM: Well, unfortunately for the Bulls, Tyrus is a big man who doesn’t like to mix it up inside. He much prefers spotting up for jump shots. Indeed, according to 82games.com, 55 percent of his field goal attempts are jumpers…despite the fact that his eFG% from outside is 35 percent. He will occasionally make an aggressive drive, but he hasn’t quite developed the ability to finish consistently at the rim (hence his eFG% of 39 percent on “close” shots). His best offense (not surprisingly) is the dunk (eFG% = 88.3 percent), but that of course typically requires him to get out in transition or catch an alley-oop from a teammate. He’s gotten better on scoring off the pick and roll, but he and Derrick Rose haven’t quite developed that “Chris Paul to Tyson Chandler” chemistry just yet.