Mocofun – Gamers Review

The Indiana Pacers season did not live up their standards in 08′-09′ winning only 36 games. This is not how most remember the Pacers, but the Miller days are over.

The Indiana Pacers’ Danny Granger had a breakout season, and put himself on the map as one of the best players in the NBA. Few people realize this, as the Indiana Pacers are a below average team that gets little coverage.

The Pacers defense was one of the worst in the NBA giving up more then 106 points per game for 26th in the NBA.

The Pacers have a young team with a good upside. The defense was their death blow last season giving up more points then they could score. More emphasis needs to be put on defense; we know the team can score.

His three point shooting was exceptional, as Granger averaged 2.7 three pointers made per game, and shot at a percentage that exceeded 40 percent. The Indiana Pacers were thrilled with this production and made it clear throughout the course of the season.

Granger’s 87.8 free throw percentage was also among the best in the NBA. Had the Pacers been a winning team last season, Granger would have received far more credit. Still, his game should continue to improve, and it’s only a matter of time before Danny Granger becomes a household name.

The last time the Pacers finished with a record above .500 was in the 04′-05′ season – Pacers fans would hope to avoid another sub .500 season for the fifth straight year.

The Pacers should win more then 36 games this upcoming season. The Pacers have a chance at the 8th or 7th seed even if everyone plays up to their potential and the defense improves. Granger should have an all-star season and be among the leaders in scoring once again.

For more on the Pacers, check out the Indiana Pacers forum at RootZoo Sports. Be sure to play their free sports trivia with over 60,000 questions.

The Detroit Pistons had a very disappointing season in 08′-09′. They definitely didn’t look like the Pistons of just a few seasons back.

Being 39-43, most people agree doesn’t deserve a playoff birth but since they haven’t changed the rules the Pistons had to face the number one team in the East at the time.

In are Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, two capable scorers. In is Ben Wallace, a familiar face from the past, though not nearly as effective as he used to be.

With a new season comes new hope for Pistons fans. The Pistons acquired potential all stars in Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva who both are coming off their best season of their young careers.

In 08′-09′ Charlie Villanueva averaged 16 points per game, the highest of his career and at 6-11, he gives the Pistons some size up front.

This is the year nobody really knows what they will see from the Detroit Pistons. When teams get new faces people automatically assume the team will improve, that doesn’t always happen. Yes, the Detroit Pistons are a playoff team but can they compete with Boston? Cleveland? Orlando? The Pistons hope Rodney Stuckey is their franchise point guard for years to come. The Pistons still have Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince who have many playoff game experience.

One player who will need to average more in both rebounds and points is C Chris Wilcox. Wilcox has been on a few teams now since his career started in 2002, maybe Detroit is where he can finally shine as a player and contribute a good deal.

Head coach John Kuester will definitely have his hands full this season trying to acclimate the new talent with the old. Will Kuester be the coach to help the Pistons return to the top of the Eastern Conference? That’s why they play the games.

For more on the Detroit Pistons, head on over to the Pistons forumss at RootZoo Sports. Enjoy free basketball trivia and much more.

The Dallas Mavericks have maintained a steady presence in the NBA’s Western Conference. After years and years of disappointing seasons, Mark Cuban’s ownership of the franchise has resulted in many positive moves.

The Mavs have fallen back the last couple seasons – they were once the frontrunner in the West but now have become an average team. It wasn’t too long ago they were going deep into the playoffs.

The last two seasons have been somewhat disappointing for the Dallas Mavericks compared to seasons past. Mark Cuban has realized this, and has elected to do something about it.

In 08′-09′Dirk Nowitzki had another stellar season averaging nearly 26 points per game. While Dirk has been criticized for his leadership in the past – he still is one of the best players in the game.

Mark Cuban is a very unique owner in that he is seen just as much as his players are. Whether this hurts or helps his team win basketball games is uncertain – what is does show is that he cares a great deal about his team and tries to do what’s best for them.

Mark Cuban can’t suit up and play any games for the Mavs – what he can do is write big checks and bring quality players to the team.

Shawn Marion has been on a few teams as of late but hopefully he can find success on the Mavs. Marion is a very good player who should give the Mavs another scoring threat. This will help open things up for Dirk.

The Lakers are the favorite once again to win the West, but things can change, players can get hurt, teams that were once good the previous season aren’t so much the next, many things can happen. The Mavs hope they will rise again to the top of the West, but it won’t be easy.

For more on the Dallas Mavericks check out the Dallas Mavericks forums at RootZoo Sports. RootZoo also offers free sports trivia questions with thousands of questions!

The Atlanta Hawks were one of the more efficient teams in the NBA Eastern Conference during the 08-09 basketball season. Having built upon the modest success of the season before, the Hawks were a solid regular season team that showed potential to break through in the playoffs.

The Hawks advanced through the first round of the playoffs, defeating the Miami Heat in round one, before meeting the Cleveland Cavs in the second round. The Cavs pounced on the Hawks, easily defeating them and putting an end to what was otherwise a successful season for the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks have a very young team and looking to build even further in the 09′-10′ season. The Hawks were lead by Joe Johnson who averaged nearly 22 points per game in 79 games played.

The Hawks did improve on their previous season – many feel the Hawks took a step backwards in 09′. Not being able to win 50 games in the Eastern Conference isn’t very impressive by many accounts. If a team is a serious playoff threat -winning 50 games should be accomplished.

Joe Johnson is – while a very good player – must be put in the same sentence as Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Dwight Howard as one of the best players in the game if the Hawks expect to do anything this season. Joe Johnson averaged 22 points per game – Johnson must be more aggressive and average 24-25 points per game because the Hawks go in scoring droughts.

Rounding out the team are other valuable pieces, which include the ever so talented Josh Smith, point guard Mike Bibby, newly acquired Jamal Crawford, rookie Jeff Teague, and others.

The only concern I see is the lack of scoring for this team. They must improve on putting up bigger points if they want to make some noise.

Coming out of the East won’t be easy and the Hawks will have to fight and claw their way through the upcoming season.

For more Atlanta Hawks chatter, check out the Hawks forumss at RootZoo Sports, where you can also check out thousands of NBA trivia questions.

The Chicago Bulls are coming off one of their best seasons this decade despite losing in the first round against the Boston Celtics.

The Bulls are a very unique team in that when they play their best they seem as if they can beat anyone. There are also times when the Bulls play down to their competition and look awful.

If the Bulls want to challenge for the East title any time soon they will need to more consistent and beat the teams they should. It’s great to step up for the big games, but consistency is crucial.

The Bulls have one of the more exciting players in the NBA with Derrick Rose. Rose had a great rookie year and should improve even more this season.

John Salmons has his best season to date scoring’ points per game for the Bulls last season, the Bulls will need all the points they can get from him.

Also present are Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas, both defensive monsters capable of rebounding, blocking shots, and more.

And then there’s Luol Deng, still only 24 years of age. He’s had some bad luck with injuries, but if Deng can stay healthy, he will add a great value to this team.

The Bulls lack a scoring big man, while they have Tyrus Thomas, Brad Miller and Joakim Noah, none are low post scoring threats each time down the court. Their skills are not “low post friendly”. The Bulls big men typically get their points off rebounds and fast breaks points. This will be a problem for the Bulls now that the Cavs have Shaquille O’Neal. Brad Miller always seemed to guard Shaq well throughout his career.

Head on over to RootZoo Sports for the most active Bulls forums online. Enjoy your own custom sports polls and more, all at RootZoo.