SHUTOUT781

Quote Originally Posted by nba_capper:

put whatever you have. You can put your wife too. You will have two  by tomorrow night.

Quote Originally Posted by pick-um:

that was a great 4th quarter, but a horrilbe ending.  I had sac +4 and +5. hammered....

Quote Originally Posted by makaveli23:

What a dull card, was expecting a Monday packed with games galore.  Still there is opportunity to find some value.  Playing two games today so we have a few team previews.  The Blazers, Spurs and Clipps.  Hope you enjoy them fellas and as always, best of luck with you wagers tonight.  Peace - - - MAK

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS - - - I don’t think I have ever seen a GM assemble such an outstanding roster, consistently draft talent, find a way to win despite trails, tribulations and numerous injuries...then get fired.  Kevin Pritchard was robbed, I understand there are internal affairs within an organization but that was just ridiculous.  Currently this team has an enormous amount of talent on the roster, however if not 100% healthy Portland will fall below expectations.  I see some analysts stating they are the best team in the west....they are not better even close to the Lakers in my opinion.  The have a stellar starting 5.  Andre Miller is the most durable, savvy and intelligent vet in the league.  He is just a perfect point for Nate McMillan.  Brandon Roy is a star, many forget him because he lacks flash and charisma, but he is very much like Joe Johnson, an under-rated shooter and a guy who wants the ball in his hands all the time, not afraid to take clutch shots and lead his team, he is a silent but deadly assassin.  Nicholas Batum is one of the most under-valued players in the entire NBA.  His wingspan, size and shooting ability are rare in the NBA, he is a new breed of small forwards.  A poor man’s Scottie Pippen, he defends the perimeter very well, has enough size and length to disrupt post-ups at his position and he can score the rock as well.  He will have a big season in the NBA this year.  Rounding out the starting 5 are two very dominating big men.  Marcus Camby could still be one of the best rebounders and post defenders in the league.  Camby is so long and lanky that he can still block shots with the best of them, if healthy I am calling for Camby to have his 10th straight season in the NBA averaging double digit rebounds.  A decade of grabbing +10 boards a game...wow.  He was #2 in blocks in the NBA last year and #6 in rebounds.  He is going to be the #1 center in Portland as long as he stays healthy.  Aldridge is no slouch either, he is getting more talented each season.  His back-to-the-basket game has improved and I think he will carry more offensive responsibility for the Blazers this year.  The Blazers bench rating really depends on a few things.  Number one is health of course.  Joel could return soon and Prizz is just an outstanding backup big man who could do wonders for them.  I think too many of you are writing off Greg Oden a little too soon, I mean the kid hasn’t really even gotten a chance to prove that he sucks, some really unlucky injuries, it had nothing to do with his durability.  I think he comes back this season and actually impacts the roster positively.  Wes Matthews was overpaid by a mile and a half, but that is what Jerry Sloan does, he makes 2 guards look like MJ.  Nevertheless, Wesley is the best defender they have coming off the bench and possibly the best perimeter defender on the entire team, he will subtly but surely impact this team.  Cunningham is young athletic and raw specimen who will get some time this season. Luke Babbitt was their 1st round selection and I really like this young kid's game, he has a feel for putting the ball in the basket, not sure if he gets time this season.  Rudy F is the key to this team and the bench.  His attitude towards playing in the NBA sickens me, but his ability to spread the floor and shoot from the beyond the arc is something this team desperately needs.  If healthy, the Portland Trail-Blazers can be as dangerous as any team in the West.

2010/2011 PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS - - - From 2-8 in the West will be the most competitive race that we have ever seen.  I think 4-5 games could separate 2nd seed from 8th seed.  West still has a handful of teams in the upper echelon who will compete for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.  Portland is one of them.  Marcus Camby will be in the running for defensive player of the year.  Nicholas Batum will be in the running for M.I.P of the year.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 1ST PORTLAND @ CHICAGO

PICK: PORTLAND + 1.5 (-110)

I am still not sold on Chicago without Boozer.  That 4th quarter comeback didn't increase my confidence in Chicago whatsoever.  It only helped me determine how discombobulated Detroit really is.  In fact after watching Chicago thoroughly in OKC and at home vs Detroit, I have even less confidence in them as an offensive unit.  Derrick Rose is really having to carry the load offensively.  He is taking a ridiculous amount of shots for his team due to the fact that offense is very scarce right now in Chi-town.  Bogans as I previously mentioned is garbage and shouldn't be starting for any NBA team, Deng is struggling tremendously and with Batum and Wes checking him tonight I doubt he gets it going.  Taj Gibson is not meant to provide offense but can do so in spurts.  Noah is not always going to be able to score 15+ and I even think his outstanding rebounding ability will be negated tonight by Camby's length and experience.  Korver and Brewer are not doing anything for the Bulls off the bench offensively thus far.  Once Boozer returns the entire dynamic of this Bulls team changes, they have that low post scorer and someone who can score 20+ every night.  They have versatility back on the bench when Gibson moves there.  Once Boozer returns in December and gets acclimated in into the system, this Bulls team will be dangerous, until then I plan to fade them.  Win or lose tonight I doubt I will be backing the Boozerless Bulls often.
3 UNITS WESLEY "OVERPAID" MATTHEWS - - -