Wow the NBA is starting up already, is it just me or does this seem incredibly early.
NBA East
1. Miami Heat, Southeast Champs - The Heat may come into the season a little unenthused about the regular season games, but they have too much talent to not win their division again and thrust themselves into the playoffs as the eventually favorite.
2. Detroit Pistons, Central Champs - Absolutely Big Ben was a bad loss for this team, however the signing of Nazr Mohammed is an underrated signing as he will be more than serviceable down low and may actually be better on defense against Shaq in a possible playoff clash.
3. Cleveland Cavs - Lebron will once again strap the Cavs on his back and thrust them into the playoffs. They will come up just short of the division crown but a possible Wade Lebron matchup in the 2nd round would certainly be enticing.
4. New Jersey Nets, Atlantic Champs - Easily the weakest divsion in the NBA will be dominated by the Nets as long as they stay healthy. The drafting of Marcus Williams was incredibly intelligent and will serve to give Kidd ample rest time and keep him fresh for a possible postseason run.
5. Chicago Bulls - The Bulls are going to pose a big threat this season in the Eastern Conference. They have no superstar but they have a ton of talent this season and have added some toughness downlow with Big Ben and PJ Brown.
6. Washington Wizards - Gilbert Arenas has improved his numbers every season and to do that this season his numbers are going to have to be heroic. Either way the Wizz pack a lot of offensive firepower and should position themselves in the playoffs.
7. Indiana Pacers - The addition of Al Harrington should compensate for the offseason loss of Peja and the prior loss of Ron Artest. The Pacers play in by far the best division in the East, but should manage to win enough games to grab one of the final playoff spots.
8. Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard is a man child, Darko may emerge as a solid player and who knows maybe even Grant Hill could possibly contribute for a game or two this season. And with Jameer Nelson running the show the Magic could be solid all around.
9. Boston Celtics - Too much youth to really guarantee a playoff spot, they could be in the hunt down the stretch with Paul and Wally's world, but you just don't know what you're going to get from the big men downlow.
10. Philadelphia 76ers - Another disappointing season for one legged C-Webb and a worn down AI. AI should have been dealt in the offseason at his peak trade value and now the 76ers will be in the down swing for several seasons.
11. New York Knicks - They'll be improved by default this season, its not that hard to win more games than they did last year. But it won't matter they won't be in the playoff runnings come the last month of the season.
12. Milwaukee Bucks - Their division is too strong for them to have a great season. If they were in the Atlantic they would have a chance, instead they'll be near the East Basement.
13. Toronto Raptors - Why pick the Purple Dinosaur? Why? And TJ Ford? If I was Bosh I wouldn't have gone anywhere near a big time extension, sorry I wouldn't.
14. Atlanta Hawks - Ya this franchise is terrible, they do not know how to draft, they get a SF every time until this year when they went with the Landlord who is undersized and limited on offense.
15. Charlotte Bobcats - Not enough veteran leadership and the drafting of Sean May doesn't seem like it is going to work. The Bobcats are suiting up a college all star squad and that isn't going to be good enough.
NBA West
1. Dallas Mavericks, Southwest Champs - The Mavs are back with pretty much the same roster only now they will be even hungrier to complete their title run. The Mavs have to be ecstatic with the development of Harris and Howard which should only increase this season.
2. Phoenix Suns, Pacific Champs - The Suns are obviously the favorites in the Pac, but their title hopes rest on the knees of Amare. If he can return to his 04-05 form then the Suns with the development of Diaw and the steady play of Nash and Marion could easily hoist the NBA title.
3. San Antonio Spurs - Will be in a battle with the Mavs and Suns for the best record in the conference but will come up just short of both. It will be interesting to see if Jackie Butler can adequately replace the departure of Nazr.
4. Denver Nuggets, Northwest Champs - Ugh this division is still terrible. Its amazing how difficult it is in the NBA to turn teams around from year to year. In this division who else could you remotely see as a threat to the Nuggets title?
5. Houston Rockets - If they can stay healthy all seasons they are going to be a difficult team to deal with come playoff time. They still have question marks at the PG position but they did wrap up a pure shooter in the draft with Steve Novak from Marquette, who has a pretty stroke.
6. LA Clippers - Maybe Sam Cassell will not play as well as last season but quite possibly it won't be needed if the Clippers can keep Shaun Livingston healthy.
7. LA Lakers - Kobe is too good to not get the Lakers in the playoffs. We established this last season and he will continue dragging the putrid remaining roster to the playoffs.
8. NO/OKC Hornets - You have to lack the addition of Peja to add some shooting to the roster as well as getting Tyson Chandler for a little youth and rebounding up front. The Hornets are going to be fighting for that last spot down the stretch and will narrowly grasp it.
9. Sacramento Kings - Bibby is out for awhile and Ronny might go nuts. It's amazing how this franchise went from perennial title contender that just couldnt get past the Lakers to an 9th seed contender so quickly.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves - Hey KG, get out of Minny ASAP. This squad has limited talent around you. You really think Mike James is going to help you out that much? Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Vin Baker, is Kevin Garnett collecting annoying Celtics of the past.
11. Memphis Grizzlies - Memphis has made the playoffs the last two seasons but with Pau's injury in the World Championships and his absence for approximately the first two months of the season, the Grizz are going to find themselves in a hole that they will be unable to climb themselves out of.
12. Utah Jazz - Eh the whitest team in the NBA is probably not going to be good enough to make a solid run at the playoffs. Kirilenko is a fine player and they have some nice pieces, but in the end they will struggle to be close to .500.
13. Seattle Supersonics - This team is still Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen and are all perimeter no toughness. The Sonics only hope at making the playoffs lie squarely in the lap of Chris Wilcox who showed strong flashes after the trade from the Clippers. If he could develop into a low post threat they have a remote chance.
14. Golden St. Warriors - How about you draft someone that both shows potential to improve but also includes a track record. The Warriors just seem to be one of the most poorly run franchises in sports. Sorry Mullin.
15. Portland Trailblazers - Atleast there shouldn't be as many felonies as there were in the past. Other than that you have a lot of Raef Lafrenz to look forward to. Just give the ball to Brandon Roy non stop and help him get the Rookie of the Year trophy so you have something to enjoy in addition to a top 3 lottery pick.
Eastern Conference Champs: Detroit Pistons
At the end of the year I believe that Shaq will start breaking down finally and enough to where the old Heat will struggle in the playoffs and get knocked off by a different squad. If Lebron had any sort of support on his side then the Cavs would be the choice however I'm going to go back with the Detroit Pistons and think they will emerge as the Eastern Conference Champs.
Western Conference Champs: Dallas Mavericks
I truly believe the Mavericks will repeat as the Western Conference Champs especially if they can establish homecourt throughout the playoffs. The Mavs don't have to deal with a huge post overpowering post threat like Shaq or a superstar freak 2/3 in Lebron or Wade in the West Coast. In addition the Mavs have two guys in Harris and Howard who are very good and very underrated. The Mavs will most likely again square off against either the Suns or the Spurs and they should be able to beat either.
World Champs: Dallas Mavericks
Somehow someway Mark Cuban get the Ring he truly desires. The Mavericks have too many skilled players for the Pistons to deal with, and Dirk has established himself as one of the most difficult players in the NBA to guard.
NBA Season Awards
Coach of the Year: Scott Skiles, I believe the Bulls will have a very good season and while the remainder of the coaches have larger expectations Skiles by gelling the youth and outside play with the addition of Big Ben down low, will garner this award at the seasons conclusion.
Rookie of the Year: Brandon Roy, Come on this is an easy one, he was the most NBA ready coming into the draft and he is on a team that will feed him the ball non stop due to the fact that they suck.
Sixth Man of the Year: Shaun Livingston, I think he has his breakout year if he can stay healthy for the Clippers. He's got too much quickness and ability for a guy of his height to be guardable.
Defensive Player of the Year: Gerald Wallace, Sometimes when you have a huge season and its your first time you go unnoticed. Well Wallace last season averaged terrific numbers in both blocks and steals, and after one year under the radar he will be hyped up enough to get the postseason award love.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Chris Wilcox, Ya this one is impossible to pick. Wilcox showed flashes last year with the Sonics of being dominant, if he can maintain this for a full season than he could be a prime candidate for this award.
Most Valuable Player: Lebron James, No one does more for his team then Lebron, he is the most complete player in the NBA already and his teammates are not very good.
Extra Seasonal Notes
~Thanks Red for all you have done for the NBA.
~The NBA season is just too long, something needs to be shortened, personally I think the increasing of the first series to 7 games was a travesty.
~I love how the Knicks are just taking Cap hits now and cutting some of the overpriced players they have perviously acquired. As if Larry Brown wouldn't have loved to just cut Mo Taylor last season.
NBA East
1. Miami Heat, Southeast Champs - The Heat may come into the season a little unenthused about the regular season games, but they have too much talent to not win their division again and thrust themselves into the playoffs as the eventually favorite.
2. Detroit Pistons, Central Champs - Absolutely Big Ben was a bad loss for this team, however the signing of Nazr Mohammed is an underrated signing as he will be more than serviceable down low and may actually be better on defense against Shaq in a possible playoff clash.
3. Cleveland Cavs - Lebron will once again strap the Cavs on his back and thrust them into the playoffs. They will come up just short of the division crown but a possible Wade Lebron matchup in the 2nd round would certainly be enticing.
4. New Jersey Nets, Atlantic Champs - Easily the weakest divsion in the NBA will be dominated by the Nets as long as they stay healthy. The drafting of Marcus Williams was incredibly intelligent and will serve to give Kidd ample rest time and keep him fresh for a possible postseason run.
5. Chicago Bulls - The Bulls are going to pose a big threat this season in the Eastern Conference. They have no superstar but they have a ton of talent this season and have added some toughness downlow with Big Ben and PJ Brown.
6. Washington Wizards - Gilbert Arenas has improved his numbers every season and to do that this season his numbers are going to have to be heroic. Either way the Wizz pack a lot of offensive firepower and should position themselves in the playoffs.
7. Indiana Pacers - The addition of Al Harrington should compensate for the offseason loss of Peja and the prior loss of Ron Artest. The Pacers play in by far the best division in the East, but should manage to win enough games to grab one of the final playoff spots.
8. Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard is a man child, Darko may emerge as a solid player and who knows maybe even Grant Hill could possibly contribute for a game or two this season. And with Jameer Nelson running the show the Magic could be solid all around.
9. Boston Celtics - Too much youth to really guarantee a playoff spot, they could be in the hunt down the stretch with Paul and Wally's world, but you just don't know what you're going to get from the big men downlow.
10. Philadelphia 76ers - Another disappointing season for one legged C-Webb and a worn down AI. AI should have been dealt in the offseason at his peak trade value and now the 76ers will be in the down swing for several seasons.
11. New York Knicks - They'll be improved by default this season, its not that hard to win more games than they did last year. But it won't matter they won't be in the playoff runnings come the last month of the season.
12. Milwaukee Bucks - Their division is too strong for them to have a great season. If they were in the Atlantic they would have a chance, instead they'll be near the East Basement.
13. Toronto Raptors - Why pick the Purple Dinosaur? Why? And TJ Ford? If I was Bosh I wouldn't have gone anywhere near a big time extension, sorry I wouldn't.
14. Atlanta Hawks - Ya this franchise is terrible, they do not know how to draft, they get a SF every time until this year when they went with the Landlord who is undersized and limited on offense.
15. Charlotte Bobcats - Not enough veteran leadership and the drafting of Sean May doesn't seem like it is going to work. The Bobcats are suiting up a college all star squad and that isn't going to be good enough.
NBA West
1. Dallas Mavericks, Southwest Champs - The Mavs are back with pretty much the same roster only now they will be even hungrier to complete their title run. The Mavs have to be ecstatic with the development of Harris and Howard which should only increase this season.
2. Phoenix Suns, Pacific Champs - The Suns are obviously the favorites in the Pac, but their title hopes rest on the knees of Amare. If he can return to his 04-05 form then the Suns with the development of Diaw and the steady play of Nash and Marion could easily hoist the NBA title.
3. San Antonio Spurs - Will be in a battle with the Mavs and Suns for the best record in the conference but will come up just short of both. It will be interesting to see if Jackie Butler can adequately replace the departure of Nazr.
4. Denver Nuggets, Northwest Champs - Ugh this division is still terrible. Its amazing how difficult it is in the NBA to turn teams around from year to year. In this division who else could you remotely see as a threat to the Nuggets title?
5. Houston Rockets - If they can stay healthy all seasons they are going to be a difficult team to deal with come playoff time. They still have question marks at the PG position but they did wrap up a pure shooter in the draft with Steve Novak from Marquette, who has a pretty stroke.
6. LA Clippers - Maybe Sam Cassell will not play as well as last season but quite possibly it won't be needed if the Clippers can keep Shaun Livingston healthy.
7. LA Lakers - Kobe is too good to not get the Lakers in the playoffs. We established this last season and he will continue dragging the putrid remaining roster to the playoffs.
8. NO/OKC Hornets - You have to lack the addition of Peja to add some shooting to the roster as well as getting Tyson Chandler for a little youth and rebounding up front. The Hornets are going to be fighting for that last spot down the stretch and will narrowly grasp it.
9. Sacramento Kings - Bibby is out for awhile and Ronny might go nuts. It's amazing how this franchise went from perennial title contender that just couldnt get past the Lakers to an 9th seed contender so quickly.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves - Hey KG, get out of Minny ASAP. This squad has limited talent around you. You really think Mike James is going to help you out that much? Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Vin Baker, is Kevin Garnett collecting annoying Celtics of the past.
11. Memphis Grizzlies - Memphis has made the playoffs the last two seasons but with Pau's injury in the World Championships and his absence for approximately the first two months of the season, the Grizz are going to find themselves in a hole that they will be unable to climb themselves out of.
12. Utah Jazz - Eh the whitest team in the NBA is probably not going to be good enough to make a solid run at the playoffs. Kirilenko is a fine player and they have some nice pieces, but in the end they will struggle to be close to .500.
13. Seattle Supersonics - This team is still Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen and are all perimeter no toughness. The Sonics only hope at making the playoffs lie squarely in the lap of Chris Wilcox who showed strong flashes after the trade from the Clippers. If he could develop into a low post threat they have a remote chance.
14. Golden St. Warriors - How about you draft someone that both shows potential to improve but also includes a track record. The Warriors just seem to be one of the most poorly run franchises in sports. Sorry Mullin.
15. Portland Trailblazers - Atleast there shouldn't be as many felonies as there were in the past. Other than that you have a lot of Raef Lafrenz to look forward to. Just give the ball to Brandon Roy non stop and help him get the Rookie of the Year trophy so you have something to enjoy in addition to a top 3 lottery pick.
Eastern Conference Champs: Detroit Pistons
At the end of the year I believe that Shaq will start breaking down finally and enough to where the old Heat will struggle in the playoffs and get knocked off by a different squad. If Lebron had any sort of support on his side then the Cavs would be the choice however I'm going to go back with the Detroit Pistons and think they will emerge as the Eastern Conference Champs.
Western Conference Champs: Dallas Mavericks
I truly believe the Mavericks will repeat as the Western Conference Champs especially if they can establish homecourt throughout the playoffs. The Mavs don't have to deal with a huge post overpowering post threat like Shaq or a superstar freak 2/3 in Lebron or Wade in the West Coast. In addition the Mavs have two guys in Harris and Howard who are very good and very underrated. The Mavs will most likely again square off against either the Suns or the Spurs and they should be able to beat either.
World Champs: Dallas Mavericks
Somehow someway Mark Cuban get the Ring he truly desires. The Mavericks have too many skilled players for the Pistons to deal with, and Dirk has established himself as one of the most difficult players in the NBA to guard.
NBA Season Awards
Coach of the Year: Scott Skiles, I believe the Bulls will have a very good season and while the remainder of the coaches have larger expectations Skiles by gelling the youth and outside play with the addition of Big Ben down low, will garner this award at the seasons conclusion.
Rookie of the Year: Brandon Roy, Come on this is an easy one, he was the most NBA ready coming into the draft and he is on a team that will feed him the ball non stop due to the fact that they suck.
Sixth Man of the Year: Shaun Livingston, I think he has his breakout year if he can stay healthy for the Clippers. He's got too much quickness and ability for a guy of his height to be guardable.
Defensive Player of the Year: Gerald Wallace, Sometimes when you have a huge season and its your first time you go unnoticed. Well Wallace last season averaged terrific numbers in both blocks and steals, and after one year under the radar he will be hyped up enough to get the postseason award love.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Chris Wilcox, Ya this one is impossible to pick. Wilcox showed flashes last year with the Sonics of being dominant, if he can maintain this for a full season than he could be a prime candidate for this award.
Most Valuable Player: Lebron James, No one does more for his team then Lebron, he is the most complete player in the NBA already and his teammates are not very good.
Extra Seasonal Notes
~Thanks Red for all you have done for the NBA.
~The NBA season is just too long, something needs to be shortened, personally I think the increasing of the first series to 7 games was a travesty.
~I love how the Knicks are just taking Cap hits now and cutting some of the overpriced players they have perviously acquired. As if Larry Brown wouldn't have loved to just cut Mo Taylor last season.
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