Portland Trail Blazers (Division: 1; Overall: 5)
Break Through(Resoluteness)
The Judgment:
Break-through.One must resolutely make the matter known
At the court of the king.
It must be announced truthfully. Danger.
It is necessary to notify one's own city.
It does not further to resort to arms.
It furthers one to undertake something.
The Image:
The lake has risen up to heaven:
The image of Break-through.
Thus the superior man
Dispenses riches downward
And refrains from resting on his virtue.
Commentary:
It is widely believed that the Blazers' breakout season was two years ago, when they won 54 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 2002-03. Our I Ching reading, however, implies that this may be the year that the Blazers reach the level of a true contender. After a disappointing and injury-ridden season that saw the Blazers manage to piece together 50 wins, it's not a stretch to believe that with a little more luck they can have a (relatively) healthy season and reach the next level this year. After Brandon Roy's recent comments, he may want to heed the I Ching's warning that "It does not further one to resort to arms," as fate has dealt the Blazers a tough enough hand in recent years.
Bonus: Fortune Cookie!
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Oklahoma City Thunder (Division: 2; Overall: 6)
Before Completion
The Judgment:
Before Completion. Success
But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,
Gets his tail in the water,
There is nothing that would further.
The Image:
Fire over water:
The image of the condition before transition.
Thus the superior man is careful
In the differentiation of things,
So that each finds its place.
Commentary:
The Oklahoma City Thunder are widely considered as contenders this year. The I Ching reading, however, cautions against treating them as a finished product. Last year was an incredible turn-around, primarily due to the internal development of the young trio of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook and Jeff Green. While they have a lot of depth down low, there is little in the way of established starting-level players. Krstic and Collison are established players, but are better fit to be bench players. Ibaka is a phenomenal talent, but is raw and may be a couple more years from realizing his full potential. Jeff Green has been an essential element of this team's rise, but may no longer be the long term answer at the 4. The Thunder are dealing with expectations for the first time ever, and will have to be careful not to "[get their] tail in the water," but if there is anyone to be "careful in the differentiation of things," there is little evidence to believe that Sam Presti is not that man.
Bonus: Fortune Cookie!
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"Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Putting all your eggs in one basket is ok, though, as long as that basket is Kevin Durant."
Utah Jazz (Division: 3; Overall: 7)
The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment)
The Judgment:
The Corners of the Mouth.
Persevernace brings good fortune.
Pay heed to the providing of nourishment
And to what a man seeks
To fill his own mouth with.
The Image:
At the foot of the moutain, thunder:
The image of Providing Nourishment.
Thus the superior man is careful of his words
And temperate in eating and drinking.
Commentary:
When the Jazz traded away Eric Maynor and Ronnie Brewer last season, Deron Williams was not shy about voicing his opposition to the deal. Understandably so, as Utah seemed to be giving away valuable players to cut costs. When Carlos Boozer and Wes Matthews signed elsewhere in free agency, the Jazz needed to make a move to make sure Williams wouldn't follow Carmelo's lead and try to force his way out of Utah. That move was to bring in Al Jefferson from Minnesota for next to nothing. The Jazz have done well to provide nourishment for Deron Williams thus far, but unless Gordon Hayward can step up and make an impact on the wing, the Jazz may need to make more moves before next year to give Williams all the goodies he wants and needs to be a contender in the West.
Bonus: Fortune Cookie!
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Denver Nuggets (Division: 4; Overall: 16)
Conflict
The Judgment:
Conflict. You are sincere
And are being obstructed.
A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune.
Going through to the end brings misfortune.
It furthers one to see the great man.
It does not further one to cross the great water
The Image:
Heaven and water go their opposite ways:
The image of Conflict.
Thus in all his transactions the superior man
Carefully considers the beginning.
Commentary:
The I Ching reading for the Nuggets really cuts to the heart of things. Carmelo may be focusing on basketball to begin the season, but his refusal to sign an extension has cast a dark cloud over the Mile High City. Denver should heed the oracle and come to a "cautious halt halfway" through the season and get something in return for Anthony lest they end up empty handed. "It does not further one to cross the great water." Somewhere Bryan Colangelo nods solemnly.
Bonus: Fortune Cookie!
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"The grass is always greener, especially when you're a mile above sea level."
Minnesota Timberwolves (Division: 5; Overall: 28)
Innocence (The Unexpected)
The Judgment:
Innocence. Supreme Success.
Perseverance furthers.
If someone is not as he should be,
He has misfortune,
And it does not further him
To undertake anything.
Under heaven thunder rolls:
All things attain the natural state of innocence.
Thus the kings of old,
Rich in virtue and in harmony with the time,
Fostered and nourished all beings.
Commentary:
The Wolves' youthful roster certainly has a sense of innocence about it (or is that loss of innocence?). David Kahn's oft-criticized roster remaking has provided Minnesota with loads of youth and a debatable amount of upside. In Kahn's attempt to "foster and nourish all beings," he has chosen to welcome all types of formerly hyped cast-offs. Michael Beasley's time in Miami was seen as a disappointment, and Darko Milicic has been the butt of jokes for years. Wolves fans (and Kahn's job security), will be relying on The Unexpected to take a real step forward this year. A monster year from a former draft bust, or Kahn managing to pull off a deal to turn a handful of youthful "pieces" into a legitimate lead man would both qualify as sufficiently unexpected.
Bonus: Fortune Cookie!
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| Image via http://www.hanascape.com/ |
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