Well it's that time of year, baseball is over and football is nearing it's halfway point and that means it's time for the NBA to kick off. Alot of questions are out there for this season, from where Kobe might and could end up, how much integrity do these refs have for the game, will the Mavs be able to overcome obstacles that have gotten in there way from the past couple years and will teams like Boston or Houston be able to rise to the top and become legit contenders. So without further ado here are my NBA predictions (hope they're more accurate then my NFL predictions, they were awful)Eastern Conference, this conference is still obviously weaker than the west but you can make a legitimate case for 11-12 teams making the playoffs.
1. Chicago Bulls - Luol Deng and Ben Gordon are going into contract years and looking for the big extension from the Bulls. They have the youngest core in the league and one of the brightest futures. Hopefully Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah will improve as the season goes on so they won't have to completely rely on there perimeter game.
2. Boston Celtics - I'm not seeing the championship aspirations that some people are expecting, but that could just be because of my disdain for Kevin Garnett. The Suns have one of the best rotations in the league too but when you're only playing 7 guys a night your team will feel the toll on them as the season goes on.
3. Detroit Pistons - they're getting older but they could be poised for 1 last run to the Finals. Need some bench players to step up so they don't have to overrely on there starters.
4. Miami Heat - I'd say the Heat had low seed to no playoffs written all over them until the Ricky Davis trade, Riley knows his team's time is now and if Wade can stay healthy this team will be dangerous come playoff time. Remember the name Dorrell Wright.
5. Toronto Raptors - Andrea Bargnani will take the leap this season or next to form a good 1-2 frontcourt duo with Dallas native Chris Bosh. They overpaid for Jason Kapono this offseason, it will be interesting if he can continue his sharp shooting or if it was all a fluke.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers - Lebron still has no one to play next to him, Zydrunas Illgauskas was vastly overpaid and is getting slower by the day, Drew Gooden is a serviceable big but makes boneheaded plays. Daniel Gibson is still young and unproven outside of 1 playoff series. Larry Hughes can't stay healthy to save his life and Anderson Varajeo and Sasha Pavlovic aren't signed yet. But they still have Lebron, unfortunately it will be a long season for him and another year wasted.
7. New Jersey Nets - This might be to low for them since they had injuries last year, but you still have to wonder if Nenad Krstic will be healthy and if Jason Kidd will breakdown eventually. There rookie bigman Sean Williams (from Boston College) has impressed people out of camp and should provide an okay front court rotation with Krstic and newcomer Jamaal Magloire.
8. Washington Wizards - I flipped a coin between them and Orlando, both these teams could be higher seeds but the East is very balanced this year, if I had to remove 1 team it would be the Cavs but you can't simply for the Lebron factor. I like Gilbert Arenas and they were on there way to a top 3 seed last year til injuries got the best of Arenas and All star Caron Butler. Brendan Haywood and 2nd year Andray Blatche will have to step up since Etan Thomas is out for the year with heart problems. I'm sure Haywood's fine with it, it's noted that Thomas and he fought constantly in practice.
9. Orlando Magic - I hate thinking the Magic wasted all that money on Rashard Lewis but they did and it's simply ludicrous, they crapped away there whole salary cap for a fringe all star who's getting paid like he's Kobe. They've still got Dwight Howard and he needs to step up his scoring game in order to help take them to the playoffs.
10. Miwaukee Bucks - I'm curious as to how Yi Jianlin will work out this year. Big year for Andrew Bogut too because from some Miwaukee fans I've talked to they can't stand the Aussie.
11. New York Knicks - Another potential playoff team if newly acquired Zach Randolph can mesh with Eddy Curry...and they decide to play defense. Insert Isiah Thomas sexual harrassment jokes here.
12. Charlotte Bobcats - Adam Morrison's out for the year and that's probably a good thing as he was one of worst starters in the league last year. So much for the great white hope II. Watch out for Walter Hermann from Argentina. He's 28 years old 2nd year player and looks like Fabio but once the Bobcats gave him playing time last year he shined shooting 52% from the field and 46% from 3 pt. land including a 30 point game vs. the Bucks where he shot 6-8 from downtown. I'm also curious how Jason Richardson will fit in with this team (acquired on a draft day trade for Brandon Wright) This team could also contend for one of the final playoff spots.
13. Atlanta Hawks - I hope they can make the playoffs this year so the Suns draft pick won't be as good, they'll probably trade it anyways since there owner is so cheap.
14. Indiana Pacers - I loved the Pacers when Reggie Miller was there (my favorite player ever) and it seemed once the brawl happened the team fell apart and they've shipped off everyone. I'm still convinced they would've won the title that year. I don't like Jermain O'neal either, wouldnt be shocked if he's traded before next off-season.
15. Philadelphia 76ers - Sorry Philly fans, they did play better at the end of the year last year but someone had to go here and I couldn't do it to the Pacers.
Western Conference Preview coming when I get home...
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