Let's go to the Polls II

Question 1: Will the Bucks make the playoffs without Michael Redd?

Result:
No: 93%
Yes: 7%

The reason the result of the poll is so pronounced is pretty clear: Milwaukee is a one-man team that just lost their best player. Well, I'll say right now that the Bucks do have other scorers in Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva on the roster, and more importantly, almost no competition in the lower half of the Eastern Conference. The Nets, Knicks, Bobcats, Bulls, Raptors and Pacers are the teams within 3.5 games of Milwaukee... wow. I'm really scared. Look, I realize that it looks bleak in Milwaukee without Redd, and that 77% of fans in Wisconsin agree, but note that while the top of the East has improved, the bottom and middle are just as mediocre as ever.

Verdict:
Good call, but not as obvious as the results suggest.


Question 2: Are the Nuggets contenders or pretenders in the West?

Result:
Contenders: 52%
Pretenders: 48%

Can anybody really be a pretender in the West? Especially after dumping one of the NBA's great losers for a player with a Finals MVP under his belt three games into the season? With Iverson this team was never a contender, because score-first Point Guards don't win championships... especially when there's already an elite scorer on the roster. With Billups, this team definitely is a legit threat, since the balance, chemistry and hierarchy are much better with a true PG.

Verdict:
Good call, but Denver could use more veteran depth.


Question 3: What is the best team in the Big East?

Result:
Pittsburgh: 32%
UConn: 29%
Lousville: 28%
Marquette: 6%
Syracuse: 4%

Marquette has the best record, but you are blind if you think they're the best team. Syracuse has exceptional talent, but also relies on some of the most inconsistent players in the country (Harris, Devendorf)... although Jonny Flynn is electrifying and amazingly improved from his Freshman year. Louisville is red hot in conference play, but were weak out of conference and still don't have great Guards or depth. Pitt is really good, but is still largely a three-man team (Young, Blair, Fields). UConn in my opinion is the best team in the country. They have 7 guys who are legitimate scorers. When you have that many guys, you don't need to rely on certain players to carry you. That was why I picked Kansas last year. A.J. Price is a great PG with a talented backup in Kemba Walker. Hasheem Thabeet and Craig Austrie are excellent defenders. Jerome Dyson is able to catch fire faster than a matchstick and Jeff Adrien has been one of the nation's most consistent and underrated post scorers for three years now. Pair that with the great experience and coaching on this team, and I'm sticking with my preseason pick.

Verdict: Bad call... believe in UConn


Question 4: Which Book are you more likely to read?

Result:
Joe Torre's: 86%
Kirk Radomski's: 14%

Note to all publishers: America is over the steroid scandal. Honestly, we all know everyone from 1995 to 2002 was on steroids... why do we still need further evidence of this. A mortician doesn't need to read an obituary to find out somebody is dead... it's right in front of him.

Verdict: Good call. And Luis Gonzalez was on steroids.


Question 5: How would the Chiefs fare in 2009 if coached by Mike Shanahan?

Result:
Better, but still bad: 62%
Borderline playoff team: 25%
Another top-five pick: 9%
Playoff lock: 3%

Well, at least we know for sure that 3% of America is retarded... or from Kansas. Honestly, how can a team that goes into a season starting 5 rookies and Tyler Thigpen at QB be disappointed by a 2-win season? Did Chiefs fans really think they were a good football team going into the season? Bill Belichick couldn't have taken the 2008 Chiefs to the playoffs. If Shanahan takes the Chiefs job, he still has an average QB, no O-Line, zero pass rush and a secondary young enough to be a group of redshirt college seniors. Shanahan went 8-8 with a Pro Bowl QB, a great O-Line and Champ Bailey... Rebuilding takes time Kansas City.

Verdict: Good Call