NBA Returns for full season
2012-2013 Preview
After last season’s holdout, the National Basketball Association returns with a full schedule for the new season. The Miami Heat will be looking to defend their crown and should be the favourites for the title again. There has been some shuffling of players with teams looking to make title runs, rid themselves of bad chemistry or to build for the future.
Los Angeles has added point guard Steve Nash to go with Dwight Howard who has finally been shipped to LA, Brooklyn hopes the roster shuffling will help them progress, Philadelphia is still a tough win for anyone, Chicago will try to hang on and hop for a speedy recovery from Derrick Rose, San Antonio will be looking to make one more run before their core group is broken up, Indiana will be dangerous and even Oklahoma City has made a late move before the start of the season.
Ok, let’s take a brief look at the league and make a few predictions.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division:
Boston Celtics
After the departure of Ray Allen to South Beach, the Celtics picked up Jason Terry and Courtney Lee along with re-signing the healthy Jeff Green to go with draft picks Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo. Melo may be somewhat of a project but with an injury to Kevin Garnett or Brandon Bass may get minutes sooner than planned, ditto for Sullinger.
Overall the Celtics will contend again but will need to keep their core group of veterans healthy.
Record: 48-34
Brooklyn Nets
Team JayZ welcomes Joe Johnson to the fold. Not the big Dwight Howard addition but tis club is a solid one. Despite off court hubbub, Kris Humphries is a steady NBA player and fits in well with Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace up front. Barring injury this group with help from Andray Blatche, Josh Childress, three point shooting newcomer Mirza Teletovis, and banger Reggie Evans should be able to play with most NBA frontlines.
In the back court, Deron Williams will once again run the show and hope to get Johnson involved in the offense often. Marshon Brooks showed flashes last season and it is hoped he can adjust to coming off the pine this season.
The Nets will be improved and should make a serious run for a playoff spot.
Record: 45-37
New York Knicks
Once again, the Knicks limp into the start of the season with Amare Stoudamire out for up to six weeks.
After not keeping Jeremy Lin, the Knicks will use the tandem of Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd to run the show from the point guard slot. They will team with J.R. Smith in the backcourt. Carmelo Anthony may have to spend time as the team’s power forward in lieu of Stoudamire with back up from “geezers” Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas.
The Knicks may be on the outer at seasons end but may just sneak into the post season, do not expect much more than a .500 record.
Record: 43-39
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has a solid young squad and may just win the division if Boston slips.
The addition on Andrew Bynum will give the team a new look inside and all deep threat Spencer Hawes to slide over to the power forward slot. Thad Young, Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday should all continue to improve thus leading the team to a better finish.
Record: 49-33
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are still building but will be in the draft Lottery again this year.
Record: 31-51
Division Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
Central Division:
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are hoping to keep the rest of their team healthy while awaiting the return of Derrick Rose. Luol Deng will have to become the team leader in his absence. Veteran Kirk Hinrich will serve as point guard and Nate Robinson will look to bring a spark from the bench.
Up front, the team will look to Carlos Boozer for more production this season.
Record: 46-36
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are real young but have some quality amongst the youth. The team still needs to get more depth and will struggle at times this season.
Record: 33-49
Detroit Pistons
Will be better than last season but may be inconsistent. The Pistons have two solid young centres in rookie Andre Drummond and last season’s first rounder Greg Monroe and the steady Rodney Stuckey in the backcourt. Other pieces are needed and some big contracts need to be offloaded. The team may sneak into a playoff spot or just be mediocre.
Record: 39-43
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are the most balanced team in the Eastern Conference and with Chicago hurting and Boston aging; Indiana could be a serious threat to battle Miami in the conference.
Paul George will get more court time and is a matchup nightmare. Danny Granger has adjusted to being a more all-around small forward and Roy Hibbert has improved but needs to become more animated and tougher in the post at both ends of the court.
David West will be depended on for toughness inside and rebounding.
While they will not surprise many this season, Indiana will be a tough game on all schedules.
Record: 50-32
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks will be exciting at times and erratic at other times. Monta Ellis will score but the front court is aging and ailing. The development of John Henson could change the outlook of the Milwaukee crew over the course of the season.
Record: 33-49
Division Winner: Indiana Pacers
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks will be strong again with Al Horford and Josh Smith in the middle. Kyle Korver looks to be the bet to get more minutes and start on the wing where his three ball skills will come in handy.
Devin Harris comes in to run the show and will team with Louis Williams who returns home to Atlanta and Anthony Morrow in the backcourt.
DeShawn Stevenson and Jeff Teague will provide a spark from the bench.
The Hawks should still go into the post season but may not go past the first round.
Record: 43-39
Charlotte Bobcats
Mike Dunlap will have his work cut out for him as the Bobcats go into another rebuilding phase.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist may be a bright spot and solid piece for the future. Bismack Biyombo will see increased minutes this season and Tyrus Thomas could still be a factor inside. Brendan Haywood will be a solid if not spectacular centre for the team.
The backcourt has a few possibilities but overall the team may improve as the season progresses. Expect them to be in the lottery again next spring.
Record: 21-61
Miami Heat
The defending champs may have actually solidified with the addition of veterans Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. Dwayne Wade will hope to stay healthy through the season and not have to play as many minutes in order to stay fresh for the post season.
Overall, the Heat has enough bodies and brains to easily repeat as long as complacency does not set in.
Record: 61-21
Orlando Magic
There are a lot of new faces in Orlando to go with the new coach.
The Magic will be lottery bound this season and the season will be a long one.
Record: 23-59
Washington Wizards
The Wizards also have a different look this season and may be a little tougher defensively but they are not a serious threat for the playoffs.
Record: 25-47
Division Winner: Miami Heat
Playoff Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, NY Knicks and Atlanta Hawks
Ok, that covers the Eastern Conference; back tomorrow with the Western Conference preview….enjoy the games kicking off overnight!!
