Instead of going up and down the league and giving by two cents on each team, I decided to do a more reader friendly season preview where I make predictions on players and teams and tell you who will beat who in the NBA finals. Obviously the thousands of people who read this blog won't agree witch everything I have to say. That's why I'll ask you to leave your comments at the bottom and fill me in on some of your own predictions. It should be a great NBA season, so let's get started!
Most Improved Team- Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have been basement dwellers in the East for years, and it's been a while since they contended for a playoff spot. The smart thing the Hawks have done over the past two or three seasons has been keeping it's strong nucleus of young players together. By adding AC Law and Al Horford to a team that already has some of the NBA's best young talent the Hawks look like a team who could be a force for a long time as long as they can stay healthy. Expect the Hawks to take the 7 or 8 spot in the East.
Most Disappointing Team- Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs were fun to watch in last years playoffs. They took advantage of a weak Eastern Conference to upset the Pistons and make the Finals. This year will be different as the Cavs now face some stiffer competition with the Celtics and Magic making major moves in the off season and the Baby Bulls being a year older. Michael Jordan didn't get it done without help from Pippen, Grant, and Rodman, and James won't get it done without..... Oh yeah, there is no one else on the Cavs. I see the Cavs having a first round playoff exit.
Ugliest Player: This award could be given out to a few guys in the league, and since I can't give it to Patrick Ewing or Detlef Scrempf, Eddy Curry wins by a nose. Has anyone since this guy lately?! He looks like he spent the off season on the competitive eating tour.
Most Improved Player- Raymond Felton: Last season Felton average 14 points and 7 assists while splitting time with Brevin Knight at the point. With Knight gone to the Clips Felton will get a lot more opportunities to score and to set up teammates. The addition of Jason Richardson will help open things up for Felton, and will also give Felton a good running mate on the fast break. Felton might not be that exciting to watch, but he'll establish himself as a good point guard this season. It's too bad the Bobcats stink worse than Eddy Curry's underwear after another day sweating it out at the buffet table. Well, maybe not that bad.
Most Disappointing Player- Dwayne Wade: Is Wade one of the top players in the league? Without a doubt. Is Wade coming off serious shoulder surgery and a knee surgery in the off season? Yes, and he's gonna miss the first bit of the season. I don't think Wade's play will be disappointing when he's on the court, I just don't think he'll play much due to his lack of durability, which is a huge disappointment to anyone who enjoys the game. I really hope Wade doesn't turn into one of these athletes who's career is ruined by injuries, because things are kinda starting to look that way. I'll be surprised if Wade plays more than 55 games this season.
Defensive Player of the Year- Ron Artest: Ron Ron is in a contract year and he's gonna want to get paid. He'll re-elevate himself to what he was originally known for. Hard nosed, in your face, shut down defense. Does anyone remember when Artest was a rookie with the Bulls and he applied for a job at Circuit City so he could receive the employee discount. Hilarious! That alone erases all of his on and off court hi jinx in my books.
Most Arrest- This is the hardest award to predict. There's so many bad apples out there, but I'm gonna have to go with Matt Bonner of the Spurs. This guy looks like he could snap at any given moment.
Coach of the Year- This is easily the most exciting award the NBA hands out. Time stands still and people sit on the ends of their seats eagerly awaiting for a winner. Yes, I'm being sarcastic, but I think Doc Rivers will come ot on the top of the heap this year. The Celtics will have a successful season, and gel early on in the year, which will be partially due to great coaching by Rivers.
Sixth Man Award- Leonardo Barbosa will win the award this year. Sure, he had a brutal playoffs, but on most other NBA teams he'd be starting. Plus, stepping in after Nash and Co wear down an opposing teams defense can't be to difficult for a player with his skill set.
Least Valuable Player- Rafael Araujo of the Jazz. Araujo did average a double double last year. Oh, I'm sorry, I mean two point and two boards a games. Why would anyone want this guy on their team. He contributes next to nothing on the court. Off the court he's busy trying to fit in with the other scubs in the league. And by the way, nice shark tattoo on your arm Araujo. I'm sure Raptors fans agree with my assessment of this guy.
Most Valuable Player- Kevin Garnett: Garnett's previous MVP season was with the Wolves when he was part of another talented trio with Sam Cassell and Latrell Spewell. This time around he's hungrier than ever and is part of a better group of players. His point production might go down a tad due to sharing the ball with Pierce and Allen, but overall he'll be better than ever. I feel bad for the rest of the East.
How they’ll finish
EAST
1. Celtics
2. Pistons
3. Bulls
4. Raptors
5. Magic
6. Cavs
7. Heat
8. Hawks
9. Wizards
10. Knicks
11.Nets
12. Bucks
13. Pacers
14. 76ers
15. Bobcats
WEST
1. Mavericks
2. Suns
3. Rockets
4. Spurs
5. Denver
6. Utah
7. Memphis
8. New Orleans
9. Golden State
10. LA Lakers
11. LA Clippers
12. Sacramento
13. Portland
14. Minnesota
15. Seattle
NBA Finals
Suns over Celtics in 7 games.
So ladies and gents, that's it! You either completly agree, think i'm absolutly nuts, or you're stuck somewhere in the middle. Either way, leave a comment and tell me how you feel and why. Enjoy the season!
-Joe Osborne
Saturday, October 27, 2007
NBA Season Preview
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7 comments:
ok where do i begin...its not the things u mention couldnt happen...i just dont agree with some of the picks for awards....first off with ray felton...yes hes a great player who has potential but brevin knight was hurt most of last year and ray was supposed to break out last year...im not sold on him to make the leap of becoming a an elite PG...he'll definately average 14 and 7 on that team again...Also J Rich has only played more than 60 games once in
his career, his sophmore season
Dwyane Wade... i agree with you. This guy plays full throttle every play throwing his body around that with his style of play automatically making him injury prone. He will play more than 55 games, but the problem is...can he get the heat to the playoffs with out Shaq, who people neglect to mention gives Wade all those opportunities to drive.
Cleveland is a disappointing team who are starting to look like the Lakers of the East...Cant even sign sideshow bob to a midlevel contract..how long before Bron puts up a trade demand to Brooklyn is my question?
Artest could be defensive player of the year any year..it just depend on how Sacramento comes out of the gates...if they stumble...look for them to move his cap-friendly contract - 8 mill
Now on to the Celtics and KG. First we'll start with the team.
This team can be beat. They're not invincible by any means. The green machine's biggest problem is trading half their roster for the supposed MVP...and their rebbounding and bench will be horrible....they basicaly have rookies for the center and PG positions the two most important in the league, and their bench is thinner than paper.....You Run this team, tire out the 30 year olds and i could see this Celtics barely winning the Atlantic Division.
I love KG and everything he does for the game...but theirs 5 players on the court which make me feel hes gonna have to play almost 45 min a night to make sure their team is in the game....which doesnt bode well for the future...very much a win now attitude...
I think a question you should have asked to the readers is....how much different looking will the Suns be if they dont win the championship this year...Marion doesnt want to be there and Nash isnt gettin any younger....this roster wont be blown up by any means but at the same time we could be talking about a completely different team by next summer....
Now that i've ranted, all your picks are justified and have a high probablitiy to happen...sometimes my opinion isnt all its cracked up to be either..haha
Nice Blog..keep em comin
GG
I agree with most of what you have to say, but I think the Bucks will make the playoffs and the heat wont. Also Lebron James should win MVP, and the Celts are way over rated! The Bulls will rep the East.
too bad tyronne hill is retired, that guy looked like a cross between skeletor and a piece of shit
i agree. i think the celtic will win no more than 50 games this year. pierce has been injured in the past, allen has been injured in the past, garnett is a one man recking crew but minnesota showed last year that that doesn't matter. plus they have no bench and garnett is going to have to grab every single rebound they get. i could see this team completely flopping but i think they will win about 50ish if they stay healthy.
The Bulls will win the east. they will finish on top and cruise through the playoffs. they have incredible depth and ben gordon is not only the best player on that team but also the hardest worker.
If Cleveland can win even 45 games, Bron will take MVP, after the all star break last year, he lit up the stat sheets. He is the most complete package. If Kobe had a sidekick to get that Lakers team into the playoffs again this year, he'd take it. He is hands down the best scorer in the league and is just a sick player but it will not be right if this guy goes through his entire career without a single MVP award to his name. Durant for rookie if he stays healthy. i thought he was going to win it anyways. he's gonna be big. I think it will be bulls and spurs in the finals but again, the leagues most boring group of players will prevail once again probably in 6 or 7 games. i think Orlando will have a damn good year and dwight howard will explode into a superstar mvp candidate type of guy. the scum of the league will be miami. 35 wins max. Ricky Davis will flop, they lost Kapono and Posey(and walker but so what). Wade will be very effective when he plays but he'll be nagged by injuries. probably about 50 games 24ppg due to rust. Shaq wont even be there, the guy will be 36 in march and didn't do alot when wade was in the lineup although he played his heart out when he wasn't.
Well i've said mine, hanks guys, and feel free to disagree cause we all know anything can happen. who knew the raptors would win 47 games last year and take the atlantic haha! peace!
To say Dwayne Wade is gonna be a dissapointment is rediculous... He's sitting out 2 weeks so he'll be healthy to play the whole season...The Heat might not win the East, but they'll be top 5.
Your comments about Matt Bonner confuse me. Has he been in trouble with the law before?
As a Jazz fan I do somewhat agree with your assesment of Arujo. He's a waste og space our bench.
Dave from New Mexico
I do agree with your Raymond Felton pick...that guy has franchise player written all over him. As for Eddie Cuury, was he always that fat!
Here's one prediction you didn't make- Tar Heels to Win National Bball Championship. They have an amazing team this year.
If the suns don't win it this year theri window will be officially closed!
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