NBA Preview

It is finally here! The moment you have all been waiting for! The NBA preview! In the past we have had a "committee" of sorts to roll this out, however this year we are going with the committee of 1, me. Lets get right to the preview:

2010-2011 NBA Preview

5 Things to Watch for:

1. How do the Heat function as a group? The Heat had the biggest off-season in my memory, landing Lebron James, Chris Bosh and several key reserve players. On paper this team might be the best NBA team (talent wise) ever assembled. You could argue that the Lakers teams in the 80's or the Celtics in the Bird/Mchale era could rival the Heat. But we don't know how 2 of the games top 10 players will coincide, let alone a 3rd top 20 guy. We also know nothing of injuries, Wade and and sharpshooter Mike Miller have already been hurt, and Miller is expected to miss time. If the Heat can prove they can co-exist and stay healthy then I don't know what could stop them. However, if they don't we could see them fall short of their ultimate goal.

2. Can the Lakers make it to a 4th straight NBA Finals? The Lakers won the title in June and had a pretty decent off-season, signing Steve Blake and Matt Barnes to compliment their already very good core of Kobe, Lamar, Fisher, Pau, and Bynum. But Bynum and Kobe both had knee surgery. Bynum is expected to miss a few weeks and Kobe is ready to go, but will have his minutes limited. The Lakers could start to follow the Celtic/Spur model which is to not stress too much over the regular season get in to the playoffs as a 3-6 seed and then turn it on in the playoffs and win the West. But only 1 other team has ever made it to 4 consecutive finals, that was the 70's Celtics. So clearly it isn't easy, maybe the deep playoff runs take their toll this season and the Lakers fall short?

3. How does the shift in power (from West to East) affect the other Western Conference teams? This free agent season saw some stars move East, namely, Amare and Boozer and a couple more are rumored to be on the move soon, Carmelo and CP3. So we all agree the Lakers are the best on paper, but then what? Oklahoma City stayed the same virtually, some think they are ready to make the jump. The Nuggets are still dysfunctional and Carmelo could be gone soon. Phoenix lost it's best athlete and Nash is still getting older. Half of the Spurs are able to park in handicap spots they are so old. Houston is Houston, don't they always find a way to mess it up? Portland, could be poised for a nice little run, barring injury, but injuries have bee ever present lately for them. The Jazz, well we will get to them. Dallas, I don't believe that they are built for playoff success, and everyone there is getting older too.

4. The BIG 3 in the East. The Heat, Celtics and Magic should give the Eastern Conference an absolutely dynamite post-season and if everyone stays healthy a crazy regular season. We know the Celtics will probably take it easy and coast into the playoffs at the 4 or 5 seed. The Magic were the 2nd seed a year ago and have no reason to go backward. The Heat have potential to win 70 games. Throw in the Bulls and Hawks and you could have some fun out East.

5. How will the Utah Jazz respond to the huge turnover? Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Wes Matthews... gone. Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, Francisco Elson, and Gordon Hayward... here. I have argued for years that Al Jefferson is better than Boozer, I think we will see that early on in the year. Having Raja is great for the locker room and the defensive side of the ball, but can he knock down that corner three with consistency still? Elson is old and isn't going to be a game changer but he will rebound a few balls and block a few shots which is more than what backup centers have given us in the past. Gordon Hayward, we have no idea what he will do. How these new pieces fit and run Jerry's offense will determine much of how the season goes.

Predictions

Okay so here are the predictions (guesses really) that I feel comfortable with making right now:

The Lakers will NOT win the West.

The Jazz will finish higher in the West then they did a year ago.

The Heat will NOT win the East.

Carmelo Anthony will be traded, Chris Paul will not.

The Clippers will finish 8th in the West.

Lebron James will average a triple-double.

Kevin Durant will win MVP.

Paul Milsap will win Most Improved Player.

Dwight Howard will win Defensive Player of the Year.

And finally, Jerry Sloan will win Coach of the Year for the shockingly 1st time.

Division Winners

The Atlantic Division (Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto)

This is like the NFC West in Football, with exception of the Celtics, so they will have to win this division by default.

Winner: Celtics

Record: 53-29

The Central Division (Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Detroit, Indiana)

This division is pretty bad too, Milwaukee could make some noise, but the Bulls will ride Derrick Rose to the division title.

Winner: Bulls

Record: 54-28

The Southeast Division (Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Charlotte, Washington)

This division is brutal. Atlanta is pretty dang good and is the 3rd best team. I think Miami will have some bumps and we will see Orlando maintain dominance in the division.

Winner: Orlando

Record: 59-23

The Southwest Division (San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Memphis)

This division is also tough to pick. Picking against the Spurs never makes sense, but I will anyway. Houston could surprise us with Kevin Martin, Aaron Brooks and Yao back, but I am going with Dallas. I think Dirk is still good enough.

Winner: Dallas

Record:57-25

The Pacific Division (LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Golden State, Phoenix, Sacramento)

I know that I am a little down on the Lakers but look around this division, there is no one capable of winning it besides them, except maybe Phoenix and I just don't see it with them this year.

Winner: Lakers

Record: 56-26

The Northwest Division (Utah, Portland, Oklahoma City, Denver, Minnesota)

This division could have 4 playoff teams, likely 3 but could have 4. The Blazers should be difficult but I have them 3rd in the division. The Jazz will be better then last year think 55+ wins. But I think the Thunder are going to be scary good, so I have them winning the division.

Winner: Thunder

Record: 59-23

Playoff Seeds

Eastern Conference

1. Orlando

2. Miami

3. Chicago

4. Boston

5. Atlanta

6. New York

7. Milwaukee

8. Charlotte (Don't ask why)

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City

2. Dallas

3. Utah

4. LA Lakers

5. San Antonio

6. Portland

7. Phoenix

8. LA Clippers

So that is everything I know, or think I know at this point, about the NBA this 2010-2011 season. It should be a wild and crazy next 8 months. And it all gets kicked off tonight with Boston vs. Miami, and tomorrow the Jazz get things going at Denver. Feel free to comment, argue, or agree with me and my predictions.