That’s interesting. What I was thinking is just that the West produces 8 contenders every season, while the East produces about 3. The East can compete at the very top and maybe overall, but the West has quality depth. The East has come a long way from a few years back when the West started to dominate, but in my mind the West is still the stronger conference from a subjective standpoint.

I am pretty sure that the East had a winning record vs. the West in 2008-2009…

Pretty interesting. I woudn’t say late lottery, though. He’s as good or better than Rose and Evans at everything besides TOs and rebounding. TOs are a concern, but the great playmakers generally do have high TO%s (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=nashst01&y1=2010&p2=kiddja01&y2=2010&p3=johnsma02&y3=1996&p4=paulch01&y4=2010). Chris Paul being the exception… and he is on track to maybe be the best PG of all time if his health holds up. Wall was a better playmaker in college than Rose or Evans. Wall has the potential to be more of a “pure PG” than either one of those guys.
Rebounds are not as much of a concern for a PG, especially since Wall might be more of a PG than either of those guys.

As a Knicks fan it does, but as an NBA fan it’s nice to have the top 3 picks in the East to try and restore some competitive balance. Of course Cousins will probably go 4 or 5, work hard, and the best player will end up in the West anyway… Every year it seems like people think the East will get better and every year the West dominates overall (though the East has a few strong teams at the top).

“This had better be the last lottery pick we lose.”

Hopefully, but we could easily be in this same position the next two years.

“the worst contract in the NBA, that of Gilbert Arenas.”

The 76ers might have something to say about that… haha. (Elton Brand’s is pretty bad… Wiz are probably at least collecting insurance when Gil’s hurt, no?) It’s a tough competition.

I think Wall and Arenas can play in the backcourt together. It’s not ideal, but Arenas is hardly a PG and Wall is still very young.

But now, you’ve got certain winner draft pick, two years of uncertainly and the swamp, and no coach. The Nets are out.

As has been analyzed to death, that leaves the Clips – no way will LeBron play for Stirling, in the same arena as Kobe. The Heat – he could sign there if he really wants a championship, but would he play next to Wade in Wade’s town? The Bulls – whose pieces aren’t really top quality, and who don’t have a coach, and where he’d be in Michael’s shadow. And the Knicks, where he’d instantly be paired with a genuine max talent and two or three quality starts…and where there would be cap space to sign the third next offseason. And Cleveland, of course, but the players just aren’t good enough and they can’t sign anyone. There’d have to be a miracle trade.

I do think the Bulls are a draw, despite everything. There is talent there. But with the Nets being dealt this blow, I feel better about the Knicks’ chances. Gotta feel 40% Cleveland, 30% Bulls, 30% Knicks. No way to the Clips or Heat or Nets. Well, maybe 5% to the Heat, who can add one other decent player as well as keep Wade and add LeBron.

I wouldn’t want him in NY.

The Lakers and Celtics would be going at it for the 3rd straight year if KG didn’t have to sit last year out. The rivalry lives!!! Even if it’s not quite like Russell/Chamberlain nor Bird/Magic (it’s more of a reboot like that new “Karate Kid” they’ve been advertising during the playoffs) Kobe and KG will make it a show with their intensity.

Never said he was. My point is that Arenas is a giant risk, and that there would be much to consider before bringing him over for his boatload of a contract. It could either go Isiah or be a brilliant move. Just being optimistic about it. I hope we don’t have to settle for him, but if it by some fluke it does happen, there is a little bright side to the picture. Trust me, I’m not pushing for the guy to be in MSG 41 times a year. Just don’t want to be pessimistic, which seems to be a theme around here. Can’t blame anybody though.