2008-09 NBA Predictions

Hard to believe that the NBA season is starting right now. No, not because it seems like yesterday when it was here but because I know that the season won't end until June! There's all this talk about how long the baseball season is but really, the NBA season is longer, spanning 9 months (all but Jul-Sept). That's just sick.

Now, I'm not the biggest NBA fan. In fact, I rarely sit through a full game unless it's the Pacers (my childhood fave team) or Hornets (my fave West team). But I still keep tabs on the Association so I feel qualified enough to give some decent predictions. So without further adieu, here's what I think:

(Conference standing in parentheses)

ATLANTIC

1. Boston (1) - One year older but still the best in the East. Loss of Posey can be made up for by better overall play by Rajon Rondo
2. Philadelphia (5) - Great addition in Elton Brand to the young core already there. Give them a year to gel and they'll be dangerous in 2009-10.
3. Toronto (6) - This all hinges on the play of new acquisition Jermaine O'Neal. If he stays healthy, he and Bosh will make for a tough tandem down low.
4. New Jersey (13) - Big fan of Devin Harris running the point. Too bad the only player worthy of getting the ball from him is Vince Carter.
5. New York (15) -Mike D'Antoni has his work cut out for him here. Trying to turn around this dysfunctional team quickly won't be easy at all.

CENTRAL

1. Cleveland (2) - Mo Williams makes this team better immediately. Best chance Cavs have had yet of winning an NBA title with Lebron James.
2. Detroit (4) - New coach in Michael Curry but same old cast of characters. Rodney Stuckey is the future of this team that may have one more run left in them.
3. Indiana (7) - Danny Granger is a stud and will carry this team to respectability. The addition of T.J. Ford could be a huge risk/reward too.
4. Chicago (10) - They don't have a real frontcourt, hence the low ranking. But I'm glad to see Vinny Del Negro get a job. Always loved his last name.
5. Milwaukee (12) - Richard Jefferson joins Michael Redd in 'Sconsin but that's not nearly enough to make any kind of noise in the conference.

SOUTHEAST

1. Orlando (3) - Plenty of scorers on this team, making them formidable against any team. Should cruise to division title like last season.
2. Atlanta (8) - If last season's postseason was a sign for this season, then they'll be amazing. But was it a sign or just an inspired playoff performance?
3. Washington (9) - Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison will keep this team in the playoff mix but without Gilbert Arenas, they are not a threat.
4. Charlotte (11) - Such a weird mishmash of players on this team but if I've learned something in my life, it's to never bet against Larry Brown.
5. Miami (14) - D-Wade looks to back in fine form and he's got Michael Beasley to help him score now. But this is not a good team.

NORTHWEST

1. Utah (5) - Nothing but props for how Jerry Sloan always has the Jazz in the mix. This year's team should be just as good if not better than last season.
2. Portland (6) - The "youngens" of the Western Conference are ready to show their stuff. Too much talent to not make the playoffs this season.
3. Denver (9) - Hard to say 'Melo and AI won't make the playoffs but the West is so stacked, that this team may the odd man out this season.
4. Minnesota (14) - Remember the days when KG was on this team and they never got over the hump? Well, T'wolves fans probably want those days back.
5. Oklahoma City (15) - There are some great fans in OK City. It's too bad they don't have a great team to cheer for.

SOUTHWEST

1. New Orleans (2) - Now that they've had their playoff experience, time for this team to turn the corner. Addition of James Posey is nice too.
2. San Antonio (3) - It's funny. They don't really rebuild or reload. They just stay stagnant in the offseason but are contenders every season.
3. Houston (4) - Don't be surprised to see them win the West. Yao and T-Mac are good enough but adding the defense of Artest makes them that much better.
4. Dallas (8) - Not sold that Rick Carlisle has enough pieces to keep them in the upper echelon of the West. Lot of weight on Dirk's shoulders this season.
5. Memphis (12) - Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley mean this team will be good...down the road. Growing pains this season though for all.

PACIFIC

1. LA Lakers (1) - Tough to go against Kobe, Pau and Odom. Not to mention also Andrew Bynum for a full season makes this team real tough to stop.
2. Phoenix (7) - Won't be the flash and dash of a Mike D'Antoni team but this team of proven vets will make the playoffs under Terry Porter.
3. LA Clippers (10) - Baron Davis makes this team better for sure but they don't have quite enough to jump into the West playoff picture
4. Golden State (11) - Nearly made the playoffs last season. This season, they won't be near the playoffs. Monta Ellis' 30-game suspension is huge.
5. Sacramento (13) - If you don't know who Kevin Martin is, you'll find out soon. He's the only good player on this team stuck in neutral.

East Finals - Boston over Orlando
West Finals - New Orleans over LA Lakers
NBA Finals - New Orleans over Boston

Postseason Awards
Rookie - Greg Oden, POR
Defensive Player - Ron Artest, HOU
Sixth Man - Leandro Barbosa, PHX
Improved - Andrew Bynum, LAL
Coach - Nate McMillan, POR
MVP - Chris Paul, NO