Fearless Predictions for the NBA Season

In case you’ve forgotten, the NBA is kicking things off tonight with three games, two of which are primetime matchups with the third being a little bit of a downer. Outside of top pick Derrick Rose’s debut, there’s not a whole lot to look forward to when the Bulls host the Milwaukee Bucks in Chicago. Vinny Del Negro takes over a team with a surplus of point guards and power forwards, but no real quality at either position. Rose is expected to fill one void as the point guard of the future, but without a scoring threat in the post, the Bulls will continue to struggle. The Bucks have a revamped roster, sans Mo Williams, Yi Jianlian, and Bobby Simmons with Richard Jefferson joining Michael Redd as a legitimate scoring threat. There’s talent sprayed across Milwaukee’s roster, but a real lack of cohesiveness.

The Boston Celtics’ Big Three finally get rewarded with their long-awaited championship rings as they host LeBron James and the dangerous Cleveland Cavaliers. These two teams got real familiar with each other during the playoffs last year, and should knock heads come playoff time again. Cleveland is closing the slim gap behind Boston and could send a big statement in the opener. The rest of the Eastern Conference is getting better behind these two teams, with the 76ers and Raptors scoring big men to bolster their roster. Philadelphia’s heist of Elton Brand was the biggest development of the offseason and vaults the emerging 76ers into the top tier of the Eastern Conference. Here is a look at the way we see things settling in the East.

1. Boston: Still the best team in the East, but won’t post the gaudy record of last season as they try to “save” Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett for another long playoff drive.
2. Cleveland: LeBron finally has a true facilitator at point guard with Mo Williams joining the fray. Williams’ acquisition pushes the Cavs over the top in the Central Division and gives James his first-ever division title.
3. Detroit: The Pistons still have their enviable starting five, but Joe Dumars revealed the franchise’s true state of mind when he dangled some of his major pieces in trade talks over the summer. Their run of six straight East Finals will end this year.
4. Orlando: The Magic grew the most out of any team in the East last season, earning Dwight Howard the first postseason series win of his career. Expect this team to continue on the same learning curve and go deeper into the playoffs this season.
5. Philadelphia: Elton Brand’s addition instantly makes the 76ers a contender in the East. Considerable work remains ahead though as this team attempts to develop young swingmen Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young, and Willie Green.
6. Toronto: Trading for Jermaine O’Neal gives the Raptors some much needed scoring to help out Chris Bosh. This is Jose Calderon’s team now; he is easily one of the most underrated point guards around.
7. Washington: Injuries never seem to let up here, with Brendan Haywood out for the year and Gilbert Arenas out for at least the first month. Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler are good enough to ensure another first round playoff exit, however.
8. Miami: The Heat are looking to trade Shawn Marion, but won’t unless they receive a major player in return. Until then, the trio of Dwayne Wade, Mike Beasley, and Marion will allow this team to sneak into the playoff picture.

Lottery Bound:

9. Charlotte
10. Atlanta
11. Chicago
12. New York
13. Indiana
14. Milwaukee
15. New Jersey

In the nightcap, the defending West Champions Los Angeles Lakers take on the Blazers, a team everyone is starting to love. Greg Oden finally makes his season debut, and faces Andrew Bynum down low, something that we should get used to for the next decade. With Oden the Blazers are finally at full strength and can begin their long road towards becoming a championship contender. Phil Jackson will have the chance to have Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom at his disposal for the first time. It may take some time for LA to work the kinks out, but they should be playing their best ball right in time for the playoffs. I haven’t even mentioned Kobe Bryant yet, who’s trying to become the first Laker to repeat as MVP since Magic Johnson in 1990. Here are the Western Conference predictions.

1. LA: You know which franchise I’m talking about with this one. In the brutal West, the Lakers still found a way to earn the top seed last year without Bynum and Gasol at full strength together. Now that they have them together, only an NBA title will suffice.
2. New Orleans: Chris Paul is my pick to win NBA MVP for the year. He has completely altered the course of this franchise by making David West and Tyson Chandler into All-Star caliber players. James Posey is a big signing for this team, especially come playoff time.
3. Houston: With Ron Artest aboard, there are no more excuses for the Rockets not to get out of the first round. The key, as always, will be whether or not Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming can remain healthy together come playoff time.
4. Utah: In a different time, Deron Williams would be lauded as a superstar. With CP3 overshadowing him, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He will lead this team to their third straight division title, holding off Portland at least this year.
5. San Antonio: It’s an odd year, which means the Spurs are primed to add another title. However, this team looked quite old when the Lakers ran all over them in the West Finals last year. The competition around them is only getting better.
6. Portland: Most teams would welcome one newcomer that could make a significant impact. The Blazers have three, which makes them a franchise on the rise. This year they are playing with house money, which means they could be ready for a Hornets-like rise this year.
7. Dallas: The Mavs, like the team below them, made a desperate move at the trading deadline a year ago and watched as their team struggled to make any kind of impact. With no significant moves in the offseason, Dallas will struggle just to make the playoffs.
8. Phoenix: A new coach and philosophy could signal the end of one of the most exciting teams around. There’s enough talent still here to make the playoffs, but the Suns have seen their brightest come and pass them by.

Maybe Next Year:

9. Golden State
10. Los Angeles
11. Denver
12. Sacramento
13. Minnesota
14. Memphis
15. Oklahoma City

Playoff Picks

West Semifinals
LA over Utah
New Orleans over Portland

East Semifinals
Orlando over Boston
Cleveland over Detroit

West Finals
LA over New Orleans

East Finals
Orlando over Cleveland

NBA Champion: Lakers