Let's ramp up the 2006-07 NBA Preview!
In a way both to pay homage to my readers and to tap the collective wisdom, I'm flip-flopping my NBA preview. Instead of saying what I think, then letting you all say what you think, I'm going the other way: Use the Comments area to provide insights in any/all of the following categories, then I'll weigh in throughout the rest of the week:
(1) MVP
(2) Coach of the Year
(3) Team on the Rise
(4) Team on the Decline
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
(10) NBA Champs
Please use the number/category to help everyone else understand your comments. And a little reasoning/"why" never hurts. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
-- D.S.
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59 comments:
(6)/(7)
I'm curious to see how deep Telfair is in the Fabolous situation, and will that open up an opportunity for Rajon Rondo as a rookie PG for the Celtics. Especially once Ainge fires Glennie. (A precursor to Ainge getting fired himself, but that'll be another year or two away.)
(3) Team on the Rise:
Charlotte Bobcats. Yeah, I'm a homer. But through the first two years of salary cap restrictions, the team played tough. Lost a lot of close games rather than rolling over. They've added a pure scorer (one thing they've missed) with Morrison. While I'm not predicting a division title, I expect them to compete for the 8th spot this year.
How about:
(11) Do you even care about the NBA?
No.
(1) MVP = Kobe (shoulda been last year)
(2) Coach of the Year = Isiah (wouldnt that be ironic?)
(3) Team on the Rise = Bulls (they added too much talent and weren't bad last year)
(4) Team on the Decline = Heat (They are just too old and the only way to go is down. This is not saying they will be bad.)
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") Danny Granger (someone is going to have to step up for the Pacers)
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") = Rondo (seems to be the popular choice, and I dont know much about the rookie class this year)
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January = Cavs in first in the East (I have no reasoning for this one other than that Lebron kid.)
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
These are more like Power Rankings:
1. Dallas
2. Pheonix
3. L.A. Lakers
4. San Antonio
5. L.A. Clippers
6. Memphis
7. Nuggets
8. Minnesota
Champs = Suns
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Cleveland
2. New Jersey
3. Detroit
4. Miami
5. Boston
6. Charlotte
7. Orlando
8. Indiana
Champ = Cavs
(10) NBA Champs = Suns over Cavs
(1) MVP
D-Wade (not counting on Kobe's health this season). Dark Horse: Shawn Marion
(2) Coach of the Year
Isiah (wishful thinking as a Knicks fan). Really, Don Nelson
(3) Team on the Rise
Knicks (I really believe this - although they'll still suck). Celtics also (despite the Telfair mess)
(4) Team on the Decline
Heat (D Wade can only carry them so far)
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")
Bogut
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
Randy Foye
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January
Ron Artest, The Knicks, Steroids (is there every anything new?)
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
DAL over SA (boring)
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
CLE over WAS
(10) NBA Champs
DAL
1) LeBron - Be warned, not because he's only getting better, but because that means over the top ESPN coverage all the time.
2) Mike Dunleavy - not because he's good but because the Clippers could be better than expected again.
3) Celtics - They have the talent, and with an actual PG (Rondo), they could be one of the better teams in the weak East. Bill Simmons' NBA articles could become relevant again, oh no!
4) Miami - Sure, it's Dwyane Wade's team, but another bad Shaq injury won't help the team that's getting older.
5) Gerald Wallace - known to people who watch this "niche" sport, but will become a household name by the end of the year.
6) Redick - You said to watch, and it will be fun to watch him fail in the NBA.
7) Zeke - firing himself?
10) Spurs - I don't even like them much, just tough to bet against them any given year.
(1) MVP - Lebron James
(2) Coach of the Year - Brian Hill
(3) Team on the Rise - Orlando Magic
(4) Team on the Decline - New Jersey Nets
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Shaun Livingston
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Rodney Carney (for the dunks alongside Iguodala)
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - The "I thought it went away but now it's back" storyline of the western conference being decidedly better than the East.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) Dallas over Phoenix in the WCF
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) Detroit over Chicago
(10) NBA Champs Marky Mark and Mavericks
(1) MVP - Lebron (he's hyped enough)
(2) Coach of the Year - Isiah (Either the team starts winning or they fire him and improve by default. The franchise CAN'T lose)
(3) Team on the Rise - Orlando/Toronto
(4) Team on the Decline - Detroit
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Jarrett Jack (Remember that he was the other point guard in the Chris Paul/Raymond Felton/Deron Williams trio. Finally being handing the keys.)
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Redick (Time for everyone to see him be the biggest bust in the last decade)
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January (Who's the next Knicks coach)
(10) NBA Champs - Phoenix
I used to only try to contribute to the morning quickie when you had basketball talk. I am so excited for the season to start. I'll chime in later with my comments.
1) MVP = Tim Duncan - big year ahead before he bows out
(2) Coach of the Year = Doc Rivers - when Rajon gets the ball, h'll drive and make Pierce and wallyworld a pair.
(3) Team on the Rise = Celtics - see above plus kendrick Perkins coming into his own
(4) Team on the Decline = lakers - Kobe and the Kob-e-teers lead by the Zen Master. When Phil Jackson could suit up and be the best big man on the floor, you know you're in trouble.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") Al Harrington.
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") = Rajon Rondo (and I was pissed at the draft selection)
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January = Lakers reeling from last place position at Christmas Day game.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. San Antonio
2. Dallas
3. Phoenix
4. LA Clippers
5. Minnesota
6. Denver
7. Memphis
8. Golden State
Champs = Spurs over Suns
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Cleveland
2. Detriot
3. Boston
4. Miami
5. New Jersey
6. Charlotte
7. Orlando
8. Indiana
Champ = Cavs over Pistons
(10) NBA Champs = Spurs over Cavs
This opens up the LeBron era - as Cavs take next two titles.
(1) MVP - Dirk Nowitski
(2) Coach of the Year - Flip Saunders
(3) Team on the Rise - Toronto Raptors
(4) Team on the Decline - Sacramento Kings
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Shaun Livingston
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Rajon Rondo
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - AI Trade
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)Dallas/Phoenix/Seattle (Dallas wins)
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)NJ/Detroit/Miami (Detroit wins)
(10) NBA Champs - Detroit
(11) Do I care? - Not really, but then why did I write all of this down? Just to get out of work? :p
(1) MVP
Kobe Bryant
(2) Coach of the Year
Avery Johnson
(3) Team on the Rise
Toronto Raptors
(4) Team on the Decline
Detroit Pistons
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")
Al Jefferson (Celtics)
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
Adam Morrison
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January
Stars carrying there teams (Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Melo)
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1) Dallas
2) Phoenix
3) Denver
4) SA
SA over Dallas
Denver over Phoenix
SA over Denver
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1)Miami
2)Chicago
3)Boston
4)Indiana
Miami over Ind
Chicago over Boston
(10) NBA Champs
SA over Miami
Gotta go with James as MVP (but get ready for talk about Wade being more important; Nash winning again, since his stats wil improve yet again this year)
Coach - Phil Jackson, as the lakers somehow end up with the 3rd best record in the West
Team on the rise: Lakers improve by 10+ games in the west, bobcats and/or sixers by 10+ in the east
Team on the decline: clippers decline a few spots in the west, Joisey struggles (and fails) to take the worst division in basketball
breakout guy - Nazr mohammed becomes an allstar
rookie - carney will prove to be the 2nd best guy on the 76ers...
storylines - aren't you glad you guys didn't trade AI? How come most of those guys on the world champ team seem to be starting so slow this year (not James, not Melo)...
West, Suns over Lakeshow
East, Pistons over Cavs
Final, Suns over Pistons
(1) MVP - Dirk. Takes the leap while LeBron and Kobe fall back.
(2) Coach of the Year- Scott Skiles- most improved team (both natural growth and via FA a la Wallace)
(3) Team on the Rise- Bulls (same reasons)
(4) Team on the Decline- Spurs- getting older and not better.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")- I'll go with Dan's new fad- Nazr Mohammed
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")- Rondo- call me a homer, but the kid is sneaky fast and a gifted passer which the Celts need.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January- Telfair was the shooter.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) #1 Mavs over #4 Suns Dirk/Johnson player/coach tandem best in league.
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) #2 Bulls over #1 Pistons. You just gotta have this happen!
(10) NBA Champs Mavs over Bulls- playoff experience from last year is the difference.
(1) MVP Lebron James, 50 wins and dominant stats gets him the nod.
(2) Coach of the Year Eddie Jordan, Wizards, I think this team is ready to buy into Eddies system and they will win the Southeast.
(3) Team on the Rise Utah Jazz, AK-47 stays helathy and the Jazz finish in the 4-5 series.
(4) Team on the Decline Memphis, the Gasol injury puts them in a hole they never climb out of and miss the playoffs.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") I owuld like to go with Darko but I think Marvin Williams has a huge year in Atlanta.
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
I like Randy Foye, but I think the future of the Nets is Marcus Williams and if he gets healthy he may have been a steal. For sheer entertainment, Balkman is a must watch.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January
A) LeBron, Lebron and LeBron
B) Mark Cuban's latest outburst
C) Shaq's Retirement announcement
D) Zeke's new job with NBA TV
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
Western Finals is Phoenix over San Antonio
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
Cleveland over Detroit
(10) NBA Champs
Phoenix
(1) MVP - Lebron
(2) Coach of the Year - Phil Jackson
(3) Team on the Rise - The Bucks - some nice talent there. They'll be tough, unless people keep getting hurt.
(4) Team on the Decline - The Bulls - not sure about Big Ben anymore.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Gerald Wallace or Mike Dunleavy Jr. I think both of these guys will have good years.
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Rudy Gay. He's gonna be a stud. A lot of haters for this guy (for some reason), but he's gonna score in bunches.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - How terrible the Knicks are and probably something crazy Kobe did (good or bad)
(8) Western Playoff Seeding
1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Mavs
4. Clippers
5. Lakers
6. Rockets
7. Kings
8. Griz
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding:
1. Pistons
2. Cavs
3. Heat
4. Wiz
5. Nets
6. Bucks
7. Bulls
8. Pacers
(10) NBA Champs:
Suns over Cavs
1.) Lebron-Seriously, the Cavs suck. If he goes down, we're missing the playoffs.
2.)
3.) Magic-I'm a firm believer that Reddick will make a big difference.
4.) Pistons
5.)
6.) Shannon Brown- The Cavs need him to step up because our guards suck
7.) Probably the Lakers because we always do
8.) Mavs win the confrence in regular season, Spurs go to Finals
9.) Heat take regular season. Cavs beat heat for the Finals (HOMER!)
10.) Mavs (just like they should have been last year if the refs hadn't given Wade every call).
(1) MVP - Lebron
(2) Coach of the Year - Avery Johnson
(3) Team on the Rise - Chicago
(4) Team on the Decline - Miami
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Marvin Williams
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
TIE - RODNEY CARNEY - will set the record for most dunks to appear in SC's Top Ten
TIE- ROLANDO BLACKMAN - got to see what Isiah's boy can do
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - Lebron carring the Cavs to best record in the East
(8) Western Playoff Conf. Champs
Dallas over Phoenix
(9) Eastern Playoff Conf. Champs
Chicago over Cleveland
(10) NBA Champs - DALLAS
(1) MVP - Chris Paul
(2) Coach of the Year - Don Nelson
(3) Team on the Rise - Chicago
(4) Team on the Decline - Phoenix
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Tyson Chandler
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Brandon Roy
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - The Warriors making a run in the west.
(8) Western Playoff Conf. Champs
Dallas over New Orleans
(9) Eastern Playoff Conf. Champs
Chicago over Nets
(10) NBA Champs - Chicago
Are those off the wall enough?
1- Kobe, best player in the NBA
2- Scott Skiles, but Big Ben's offense inability shines
3- The Magic on the rise...Dwight Howard is a man-beast
4- The T-Wolves on the fall...sad to see Garnett without a team and too much weight to bare.
5- Charlie Bell.....best defending gaurd in the east
6- Shannon Brown....this rookie can jump out of the gym
7- Isiah, Isiah, Isiah
8, 9 -who cares
10- pistons beat mavs
1. MVP: Lebron James (If his team didnt have him they would sink to last)
2. Coach of the year: Nate Mcmillan (I expect him to get the young players to buy into him and get this team around 500.)
3. Team on the rise: Portland Trail Blazers (They are set at center with two NBA quality startes in Magloire and Przybilla and decent tandem of jack and Roy and Randolph who can score)
4. Team on the Decline: Sacremento Kings (New coach already arrested will lead to either turmoil in season or a last second replacement, lack of a respectable coach will derail this team in combo with an Artest antics)
5. Breakout Player: Channing Frye (If Stephon Marbury learns that sharing is caring he should have a huge year)
6. Rookie to Watch: Brandon Roy and LeMarcus Aldrige ( Will these two show that Portland is heading in the right direction or another mistake in a long line of them)
7. Story Line we will talking about in Janurary (NBA switches to old leather ball after season of low percentage shooting)
8. WEST: Pheonix (To much talent not too)
9. EAST: Bulls(has the point guard and inside game to go far)
10. Pheonix (Will go 6 but led by Steve Nash he will incoperate everyone to finally win it)
Answer to anything and everything good dealing with the NBA :
CHRIS PAUL.
He's the freaking man.
Darko for the Diaw Award.
Suns over Cavs.
1) GILBERT ARENAS.....will get the shaft and LeBron will get the trophy.
2) Byron Scott...not because he's a stellar coach, I just think the Hornets have crazy potential (of course, they could also go down in flames)
3) Toronto....they HAVE to rise, right?
4) Philly....they have yet to hit bottom, and need to stop holding onto hope for today in order to get better down the road.
5) Jarvis Hayes. I probably just jinxed him.
6) How about Allan Ray? You never know.
7) How Larry Hughes has agreed to take all of the Whining-Crybaby related technicals and fines for LeBron, since we can't have King James getting bad press.
8) Mavs over Clips
9) Wiz over Bulls
10) Wizards
No, I don't actually believe the Wizards can win. Well, maybe if they wear those sharp new gold unis all year.
January storyline will be the Warriors will be playoff-bound! The 12-year playoff drought ends!
I figure if I can maybe get 2 out of these ten I'll be doing great
1) LeBron
2) Brian Hill
3) Orlando Magic
4) Phoenix Suns
5) Robert Swift
6) Rudy Gay
7) Stephen Jackson vs. Ron Artest fight
8) 1. Spurs
2. LA Clippers
3. Dallas
4. Memphis
5. LA Lakers
6. Suns
7. Kings
8. T-Wolves
Spurs over Lakers
9) 1. Cleveland
2. Miami
3. Detroit
4. Orlando
5. Toronto
6. Washington
7. Bucks
8. New Jersey
Washington over Cleveland
10) Spurs in 6
(1) Tim Duncan - he will make this team as good as he can.
(2) Scott Skiles - This team should win the East. They are the youngest and most athletic team here.
(3) Bulls - Made this their make or break year.
(4) Cavs - had an above average year last year and made NO improvements. No LeBron will not make this team that much better this year.
(5) Breakout Player - Livingston
(6) Rookie to Watch - Reddick
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - Cavs mediocre play so far and the jump in athletism in the East.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs - Spurs over Mavs
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs - Bulls over Heat
(10) NBA Champs Spurs over Bulls
1) Bron after the Cavs finish #1 in East
2)Nellie for leading the Warriors to 5th seed in West
3)Warriors. Playoffs after 12 year drought = rise.
4)Pistons. Big Ben was bigger that u think.
5)Monta Ellis (6th man of the year + most improved)
6)I want to see how balkman handles the NY media. But on the court, I wanna see Brandon Roy and Randy Foye go toe to toe for ROY.
7)KG demanding trade after 10-25 start
8) Suns over Spurs
9) East is tough, I thinks its pretty wide open. I'll say Cavs over Heat.
10) Suns. Nash = Finals MVP, Greatest. Canadian. Ever. (and tops bird as best white player of our time)
I'll only answer one of these.
Teams on the decline: The Spurs, Pistons and Heat should all be worse this year. Seriously. The trend in the NBA is streakiness--the same half-dozen franchises seem to dominate for long stretches. But I think we're due this year for one of those rare shake-ups, when the order of things changes.
The other thing I think:
To quote William Goldman out of context, "nobody knows anything." Picking winners this early is entertaining, but impossible without better data. The preseason simply means nothing. Some offseason acquisitions were of players that still have good years in them, and some weren't. Some rookies will matter, and some will be Darko. But on each of those, no one knows which is which.
Usually I ignore the NBA until there isn't enough football left to give me my sports fix. Part of the reason is that by then, you know how things are shaking out. So, um, see you in February, NBA.
(1) Lebron James
(2) Mike Dunleavy
(3) Orlando Magic
(4) Indiana Pacers
(5) Andre Iguodala
(6) Randy Foye
(7) Uhhh.... Shawn Kemp back in the league
(8) Clippers over Mavericks
(9) Cavaliers over Heat
(10) Cavaliers
(6) Redick - To prove all you Duke hating DB's wrong once and for all. He will break every 3 point record ever set in the NBA and make everyone start thinking "imagine if Larry Legend was as good as this JJ kid..."
As for you Richard, how can you call him the "biggest bust"? He was drafted 13th overall and with almost no hype. He's going to a team already poised for a breakout season (lets not forget the Magic had one of the best 3 records in the NBA last year after the all-star break) and his contributions during his rookie year will be rather minimal. You want a bust, I'll give you one of those - Diabetes Morrison.
1)MVP: Gilbert Arenas. Always a chip on his shoulder only he got the summer off and now wants to prove he's better than wade and king james.
2)Coach: Eddie J Wiz. Takes the team to a 3rd seed.
3)Team on the rise: Bucks. Getting Charlie V along side with the big guys will pay off.
4)Decline: Nets. Kidds age shows.
5)The Diaw: Darko. Acutally getting some PT proves he wasnt a total bust.
6)Rookie: Williams from the Hawks.
7)The hack a Ben Wallace thats over taken the NBA while he shoots under 45%
8)Suns over Dallas
9)Heat over Cavs
10Suns in 5
(1) MVP
LeBron, nuff said.
(2) Coach of the Year
Isiah, i doubt it, but he may suprise us
(3) Team on the Rise
Utah Jazz - IF they stay healthy they have a nice lineup (yeah like an 6-8 seed)
(4) Team on the Decline
Miami - nowhere to go but down
Indiana, Denver, Sacramento
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")
Shaun Livingston - if he gets the time
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
Rondo - again, if he gets the time
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January
Knicks- title contender?
really though, can Amare keep it going to the Finals
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
Heat over Cavs
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
Suns over Spurs
(10) NBA Champs
Suns over Heat
Yeah I know, very obvious. the top few will remain the same, but the lower seeds will see a shakeup of upcoming teams. Look for some of the top teams to develop in the east: Orlando, Bulls, Cavs, and have staying power over the next few years.
First, I preface everything by saying I'm from Utah and the Jazz are my only pro team. So there's that.
1) Should be Wade. Will be Bron Bron.
2) Jerry Sloan, because he's finally going to realize that you can actually PLAY young players. More a "lifetime achievement" award than anything. Bah, who the hell am I kidding. I could see Brian Hill or Byron Scott here.
3) Toss-up between Magic, Hornets, and possibly Celtics. The Hornets have the most talent, but play in the West... let's say Magic for now.
4) Pistons. They just don't put the fear of God in me like they used to. They'll miss Big Ben more than they realize. (Although I always liked Nazr Mohammed -- the Jazz actually drafted him, then traded him away like idiots.)
5) Prepare for homerism: Deron Williams. He knows this is his team now and will assert himself the way he did at the end of last year. He had a great summer and is playing really well in preseason. He'll never be Chris Paul (why oh why oh God why did we not take Chris Paul?) but he's due for bigger things. Non-homerist choice: Darko.
6) More homerism: Paul Millsap. The steal of the second round. Sloan is already talking about heavy rotation time for him, and he is NOT impressed easily by rookies. Not Rookie of the Year by any means, but we're talking 10 and 5 every night, at least. Non-homerist choice: Rondo, Morrison.
7) The inevitable Artest breakdown, the new ball fiasco, LeBron, whatever team du jour happens to make a breakthrough this year.
8) If Amare is fully back, this is the Suns' year. If not, the Mavs will beat them in the conference finals. And barring injuries (please, basketball gods, no injuries), my Jazz win the Northwest. And get summarily thrashed by whoever they play in round 1.
9) Can the Heat coast through the regular season and turn it on in the playoffs again? I think so -- they're still my team to beat. Unless Bron learns to play better defense and the other Cavs not named Varejao actually make an effort.
10) Suns over Heat in a whose-team-name-is-higher-temperature battle.
1). Lebron
2). Who Cares
3). the Cavs (do they count as they've risen quite a bit in the past two years...?)
4). Detroit Pistons
5). don't know enough to give a realistic guess...though it will have to be a player from a team who is on the rise...perhaps from the Magic?
6). Rondo. His preseason has earned him as much, though I'm sure Kentucky fans are skeptical
7). All things Dwight Howard
8). Spurs over (aaah!) Suns (though I wanted to put the Lakers here...)
9). Heat over Cavs
10). Spurs (yawn)
I'm only a budding NBA fan, to be fair, but sports as a whole (not just my normal NFL craze) have been growing on me, so I may know a little more about what I'm talking about come April...
1) MVP will be Tim Duncan. he's tired of everyone annointing Amare and KG as the best big men of the game, and has a 30-13 year.
2)Coach: Doc Rivers as the Celtics win the division by 8.
3) On the rise: The aforementioned Celtics.
4) On the decline: The Nets. Didn't do much and JKidd is one year older, which, in PG years, is like aging 8 years.
5) Breakout: Carlos Boozer finally stays healthy, gets out of Mormon Country and blows up.
6) Rookie: The only Jew in the NBA. Anyone who plays PG to Kobe is guaranteed 10 assists and a fair amount of points.
7) January Storyline: Isaiah Thomas fired after starting 14-27. Stan van Gundy returns to where his brother failed and turns the team around.
8) Western Conf: Spurs over the Suns for both the number 1 seed and the championship berth.
9) Eastern Conf: Miami gets the number 1 seed, but DWade can't do it by himself as Lebron and Hughes combine for 75 a game in the playoffs and propel the Cavs to the Finals.
10) NBA Champs: Z knocks Bowen out in game 1 and Bron and Hughes continue their domination and win the series in 5. David Stern nearly wets himself as he presents the trophy to the league's most popular player.
11) Offseason: "Kazaam II: The LeBron Lamp" becomes the highest grossing movie ever when it eclipses $500 million domestically.
I have no shame in homerism...
1) LeBron got the shaft and will continue to be the dominant force he is.
2) Avery Johnson. Talk about a meteoric rise in the coaching ranks.
3) Knicks. Really, can they get any worse?
4) Heat. After winning the title and getting older, I see Shaq phoning it in.
5) Anderson Varejao. He's already a fan favorite in C-Town and looks to crack the starting lineup.
6) Shannon Brown. I loved him at MSU, love him more with LeBron & Co.
7) The disaster that is the Knicks. Or some blockbuster trade to get Z outta Cleveland.
8) I'm going with Mavs over Spurs.
9) I see the east as 5 strong teams and no dominant team. So I'll go with the Nets over Cavs.
10) Mavs over Nets
I like how a lot of you are up on the Cavs. But the title? This year? Seriously? I don't think the city is ready for it, and besides it's Cleveland! Next year, however...
MVP - Lebron James
Coach of the year - Mike D'Antoni
Team on the rise - Orlando Magic
Team on the Decline - New Jersey Nets
Breakout Player - Marques Daniels
Rookie to watch - Brandon Roy
Storyline for January - Defending champs struggling
West order of finish - Mavs Suns Spurs Clippers
West Finals - Suns over Mavs
East order of finish - Pistons Heat Cavs Bulls
East Finals - Heat over Bulls
Finals - Heat over Suns
(1) MVP --- LeBron James
(2) Coach of the Year --- Terry Porter (Bucks)
(3) Team on the Rise --- Orlando Magic
(4) Team on the Decline --- Detroit Pistons
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") --- Anderson Varejo
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") --- Tyrus Thomas (Bulls)
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January --- LeBron's 33 ppg, 8 rbg, 8 apg/Cavs dominating East
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) --- Mavs over Spurs
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) --- Cavs over Heat
(10) NBA Champs --- Cleveland Cavaliers
Uh,
Brew City Legend, Are we supposed to take your picks seriously when your referencing the Bucks coach from two seasons ago????
Stotts is the coach I watched for the 2005-6 season. He's back this year too..... and he sucks
(1) MVP: LeBron James (Cleveland) - The kid has gotten better each season of his career. Some may forget that the statistics (points, rebounds, assists) he puts up as averages are shared in company with only Bird, Jordan, West and Big O. He certainly has some aspects of his game that he needs to improve (free throw shooting, weak-side D, 3 pt. %) but he seems to be a workhorse that only strives to improve.
(2) Coach of the Year: Mike D'Antoni (Phoenix) - 54 wins last year with Stat not playing the whole season. Even if he isn't 100%, the team is going to see a great deal of improvement (perhaps shades of the 62 win season from the year before where D'Antoni won coach of the year that year?) They have the two-time defending MVP running the show and a solid supporting cast. Look for D'Antoni to reclaim the title.
(3) Team on the Rise: Orlando Magic - Realize this, the Magic won 36 games last year and came within 4 games of the playoffs. Fast forward to the current stage and there is a team with a young Dwight Howard and Darko along with key young role players such as Jameer Nelson, Arroyo, Redick,et. al. This will be an exciting team to watch and I see them definitely claiming a playoff spot.
(4) Team on the Decline: Detroit Pistons - We saw the team nearly collapse against the Cavaliers in the playoffs. Then we saw the team completely collapse against the Heat. Peoplemight say Nazr Mohammed will be a solid replacement for Ben Wallace, I'm not buying it. Wallace was the glue that held the team together, he was the emotional leader. There are still four solid starters on the team and a bevy of decent bench players, but to take away the force from below the basket and call this team the same team, it just isn't true.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award"): Darko Milicic (Orlando Magic) - He plays behind Tony Battie, that will change by the 15th game of the season if not sooner. So many people labeled Darko a bust when they saw LeBron, Wade, Melo and Bosh flourish as not just stars, but in some cases superstars. Darko is the real deal and I can't wait to see what he looks like as a full-time starter getting the minutes he needs to boost his confidence and his game.
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best"): Brandon Roy (Portland Trail Blazers) - This kid will see some serious starting time from the get go. Will he turn the Blazers image problem around? Will he change the team from a league doormat into a true contender (probably not in year 1, but you have to believe there is no way but up for this franchise).
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January: Without trying to follow-along in a common theme, after the new year it will be time to determine where Isiah Thomas stands. Dolan said he would give Thomas till the end of the season; if there is not a dramatic improvement (and it's hard not to improve from the cellar) I see Thomas getting canned and replaced by LennyWilkens.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Phoenix Suns (60 wins)
2. Dallas Mavericks (58)
3. Denver Nuggets (52)
4. San Antonio Spurs (55)
5. L.A. Clippers (50)
6. Houston Rockets (47)
7. L.A. Lakers (44)
8. N.O./Oklahoma City Hornets (43)
Western Conference Finals: Suns over Mavericks
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (59 wins)
2. Miami Heat (54)
3. New Jersey Nets (51)
4. Washington Wizards (48)
5. Detroit Pistons (46)
6. Chicago Bulls (44)
7. Milwaukee Bucks (43)
8. Orlando Magic (42)
Eastern Conference Finals: Cavaliers over Heat
(10) NBA Champs - Suns over Cavaliers in 6
(1) MVP
LeBron James
(2) Coach of the Year
Jeff Van Gundy
(3) Team on the Rise
Houston Rockets
(4) Team on the Decline
Detroit Pistons
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")
Nenad Krstic
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
Brandy Roy
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January
Kevin Garnett
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Mavs
2. Suns
3. Nuggets
4. Rockets
5. Clippers
6. Spurs
7. Lakers
8. Timberwolves
Rockets over Suns
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Cavs
2. Wiz
3. Nets
4. Bulls
5. Pacers
6. Heat
7. Pistons
8. Knicks
Cavs over Nets
(10) NBA Champs
Cleveland Cavs
(1) MVP
Tim Duncan - I think having his first summer off in years will do wonders for him. I don't see a 30/13, but a 25/12 on a #1 seed should do the trick.
(2) Coach of the Year
Basically - coach of the team that makes the playoffs that nobody thought would. Doc Rivers - Celtics make the playoffs.
(3) Team on the Rise
Milwaukee
(4) Team on the Decline
Like everybody else, I think Sacto will continue sliding down the hill.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")
If Sam Cassell gets hurt, it's Shaun Livingston - otherwise it's Marvin Williams.
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")
The foreign kid on Toronto - everyone likes to watch the next "possible" Darko.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January
Artest taking a swing at the Maloof brothers.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Spurs
2. Mavs
3. Suns
4. Nuggets
5. Rockets
6. Clippers
7. Jazz
8. Lakers
Spurs over Clippers
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Cavs
2. Heat
3. Pistons
4. Celtics
5. Pacers
6. Wizards
7. Bulls
8. Nets
Pacers over Heat
(10) NBA Champs
Spurs over Pacers - Yes, I think adding Al Harrington and having J.O. will make that much of a difference.
(3) Team on the Rise: Bobcats. Young talent, low expectations. They'll sneak up on people.
(4) Team on the Decline: Bulls. Ben Wallace is overrated and over the hill, and the rest of the Bulls have never come close to their potential. The parallels are striking to the 2006 Miami Dolphins.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award"): Darko Milicic. He has the talent, and now he has the minutes. And Dwight Howard at his side.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January: Disappointment in Chicago.
(7a): Storyline We WON'T Be Talking About in January: Who Rajon Rondo is and why everyone was so excited about him 3 months before.
(3) Team on the Rise - Orlando. If instead of the playoffs last year you had started a new 82 game season, right then, the Magic would have ended up at least the 3 seed. Not sure if it's possible to carry that kind of momentum over the entire off-season, but they should be at least a playoff team, probably 4-5 seed.
(7) Straight from January: "How the hell are the Heat winning their division?! All the old guys are self-destructing, yet Wade is single-handedly MJ-ing them to the playoffs.
Also, will Shaq be back from his injury in time to play himself back into shape for the playoffs? If so, will the Heat even want to start him at this point? Has a player ever gone from dominant to broken-down-on-the-side-of-the-highway so fast?"
(8) Western Conf Finals: Mavs over Lakers
(9) Eastern Conf Finals: Lebrons over D-Wades
(10) Finals: Mavs over Lebrons.
(1) MVP - LeBron (should've gotten it last year); Kobe will finish 2nd (see below)
(2) Coach of the Year - Mike D'Antoni
(3) Team on the Rise - Washington Wizards (Gilbert Arenas will be a household name by the time the year is over)
(4) Team on the Decline - Indiana Pacers (too many off court issues to be competitive this year)
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Nazr Mohammed
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Rajan Rondo
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - Kobe having the Lakers in 1st place while playing "team" basketball
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1.) Phoenix
2.) Dallas
3.) Denver
4.) San Antonio
5.) L.A. Lakers
6.) L.A. Clippers
7.) New Orleans
8.) Utah
San Antonio over Phoenix
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1.) Miami
2.) Detroit
3.) New Jersey
4.) Cleveland
5.) Washington
6.) Chicago
7.) Orlando
8.) Milwaukee
Detroit over Cleveland
(10) NBA Champs
Detroit
1. LeBron James (averaging a triple double?)
2. Mike Dunleavy Sr.
3. Washington Wizards
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Caron Butler
6. Rajon Rondo
7. Will Amare ever be the same?
8. (1-8) Heat, Cavs, Wiz, Pistons, Bulls, Nets, Celtics, Pacers.......Heat over Wiz
9. (1-8) Mavs, Suns, Jazz, Spurs, Clips, Lakers, Rockets, Griz........Suns over Mavs
10. Heat (cause he's still shaq)
(1) Gilbert Arenas - Maybe I have been listening to you too much, but I think that he leads the League in scoring and carries the Wizards a la D Wade last year. ( only he has better help this year)
(3) Orlando Magic - In the East they can easily get to the playoffs this year. I also think that Dwight Howard is going to tear through everyone this year.
(4) The Nets - I just think that the East will catch and past them and that Kidd's durabilty and Carter's attitute will both kind of give out this year.
(5) Dwight Howard - I know that he kind of had a break-out season last year, but I think that he becomes unstoppable this year. (like Amare Stoudamire before his injury)
(6) Adam Morrison - He should get plenty of shots on this team and have a couple inside scorers to let him get open.
(7) What the Sonics new name should be in Oklohama City.
(8) Spurs over the Clippers
(9) Wizards over the Heat
(10) Spurs (I hate to pick them, they are like the Yankees of the NBA. Always picked to win it all.)
(1) MVP - Kobe Bryant
(2) Coach of the Year - Doc Rivers
(3) Team on the Rise - Celtics all those young players and Paul Pierce make for an interesting season
(4) Team on the Decline - Miami - one and done for this ageing bunch
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - not sure
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Rajon Rondo - he been the surprise of the exhibition season
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - What happen to the Heat
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) - Dallas over The Lakers
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) Detriot over Boston
(10) NBA Champs - Dallas finishes what they tried to do last year.
(1) MVP – Wade – see last year + more exposure + better 3 ball = MVP
(2) Coach of the Year – Phil Jackson, because he should be every year
(3) Team on the Rise – Orlando Magic
(4) Team on the Decline – Phoenix Suns (call it a hunch)
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") – Darko Milicic (he’s blocktacular!)
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") – Rondo, apparently.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January – Dwight Howard and VC in Orlando
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Dallas
2. San Antonio
3. LA Clippers
4. L.A. Lakers
5. Houston
6. Denver
7. Phoenix
8. Minnesota
Champs = Spurs over Mavs
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)
1. Detroit
2. Miami
3. Cleveland
4. Chicago
5. Orlando
6. New Jersey
7. Indiana
8. Milwaukee
Champ = Heat over Bulls
(10) NBA Champs = Spurs over Heat
Count me shocked that this many people actually still care about the NBA.
1 - MVP - LBJ - He is too hyped not to win it eventually (not to mention that he is pretty good). Although D-Wade wouldn't surprise me.
2 - Coach of the year - Skiles or Dunleavy - If the Bulls can make a run to a high seed I think Skiles will get it. If not, look for Dunleavy.
3 - Improved Team - Chicago - They already gave the Heat more trouble than any of the other teams in the playoffs last year. Look at what they've added since.
4 - Team on decline - Heat - Shaq is still Shaq (a beast). But he is getting older (and more distracted - see the his involvement in the failed bust) and will miss more games this year. Plus he's proved he can win without Kobe now. D-Wade is a good player, but Shaq opens things up for him and he won't be as good in games Shaq is out. Lastly, Riley is an overrated coach. He was able to win last year because everything he did was relatively new to the team - they didn't have to put up with him for the whole year. We'll see what happens this year
5 - Breakout - Luol Deng - or has he already broken out? Look for big things from him.
6 - Rookie - Everyone is giving this to Rondo, but he can't shoot. He was decent in College - but there is a reason 20 players were picked ahead of him in the draft. I Like either Brandon Roy or Bargnani. Bargnani seems like a cop out since he was the #1 pick - but he's been playing professional ball already. Roy is the most NBA ready of the college players drafted.
7 - Storyline - Seattle Sonics or Oklahoma City Sonics?
8 - West Playoffs -
Dallas (1) over Houston (8)
Clippers (2) over Lakers (7)
Phoenix (3) over Minnesota (6)
San Antonio (4) over Denver (5)
Dallas over San Antonio
Phoenix over Clippers
Dallas over Phoenix
9 - East Playoffs -
Detroit (1) over Philly (8)
Miami (2) over Washington (7)
Chicago (3) over Indianapolis (6)
Cleveland (4) over New Jersey (5)
Detroit over Cleveland
Chicago over Miami
Detroit over Chicago (in 7 games)
10 - Finals - Dallas over Detroit (Dirk is the finals MVP).
(1) MVP - Tim Duncan probably will be the right choice, but LeBron will get it.
(2) Coach of the Year - D'Antoni
(3) Team on the Rise - Orlando, although Boston will put together enough of a run that it could have qualified most years
(4) Team on the Decline - Nets, Pacers, Kings, Pistons.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award") - Gerald Wallace, although he's always been good, so I'm not sure that that counts. How about Devin Harris?
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best") - Randy Foye and Brandon Roye.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January - Shaq's slow start, idiots talking about steroids even though they'd make NBA players *worse* in anything but the immediate short term perhaps, Kobe's health, Jordan's invisibility.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) San Antonio over Dallas.
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?) Cleveland over Miami.
(10) NBA Champs: San Antonio
(1) MVP: Allen Iverson, Why? Because no one will see it coming. He will average 25 points 9 assists and 3 steals a game leading Philly into the 5 seed, which the will Detroit and then get swept in the next series by Miami because they have no one to muscle up with Shaq and Alzono.
(2) Coach of the Year: Scott Skiles, I think with the addition of Ben Wallace, more of an attitude adjustment and presence will mean more than anything he will do on the court.
(3) Team on the Rise: Orlando Magic; Jameer, Darko, Howard, Hill (maybe)..just seem like a young and energetic group of players.
(4) Team on the Decline: Minnesota Timberwolves; They have done nothing to help arguably one of the best NBA players win. I feel so bad for KG anymore. This season is going to be bad. I hope he makes it out alive and gets to a contender soon. Him and Allen Iverson need to team up.
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award"): Shavlik Randolph, F Philadelphia; I think he is really going to become a very solid player especially when the sixers wise up and get rid of that bum Dalembert (and hopefully Billy King)
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best"): Thabo Sefolosha, G Chicago; Under everybody’s radar and with the addition of Ben Wallace no one is talking about him, he is going to surprise everyone.
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January: George Karl and How him and Carmelo are not getting along. This team will be self destructing about then, if not I choose the Kobe drama and how he cant win with out the Big Guy. Or how the Sonics will be in Oklahoma in 2008. or how Knicks still stink and Isaiah is out of Basketball and retires to be a Monk.
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?): Chicago over Cleveland for East in 7 games
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?): Phoenix over Houston for West in a sweep
(10) NBA Champs: Chicago over Phoenix for title in 6
(1) MVP-Lebron James
(2) Coach of the Year-Bernie Bickerstaff
(3) Team on the Rise-Chicago Bulls
(4) Team on the Decline-Miami Heat (they won’t repeat, therefore a decline)
(5) Breakout Player (The "Diaw Award")-Gerald Wallace
(6) Rookie to Watch (not necessarily "best")-David Noel
(7) Storyline We'll Be Talking About in January-Bobcats making playoffs
(8) Western Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)-Dallas over Phoenix
(9) Eastern Playoff Seeding/Conf. Champs (Who over who?)Chicago over Detroit
(10) NBA Champs-Dallas
I think you're retarded. Stop trying to steal other people's ideas.
Wow.... I can't believe I said Porter and not Stotts for the Bucks.... I'm even from Milwaukee....
But yeah, I see them placing at least top 3, if not second place in the division.
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