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!!

NBA Playoff Time!!!

NBA playoffs are here....

We have reached the post season in the condensed 2011-2012 NBA year with several question marks over a few teams' chances. Will the Mavs survive the first round after last years title run?? Can the Bull go a step further?? Can the Hea make the final step to a championship?? Is Boston too old?? Are the Lakers done?? 

There are more scenarios to ponder but I'll jump into my picks.

Eastern Conference:

Chicago (1) vs. Philadelphia (8)

The Sixers limp into this one after a brutal second half of the season. The Philly crew looked to keep the momentum after a fast start but struggled in the new year. 

Overall ...the Bulls will be too strong in this one

Chicago 4-1

Boston (4) vs. Atlanta (5)

The Celtics are also banged up but they are the veterans of the playoffs. Kevin Garnett has had a resurgence since the All-Star break and though they will be tested, Boston should pull this one out

Boston 4-2

Indiana (3) vs. Orlando (6)

The Pacers have been going about their business relatively unnoticed and can be a difficult foe for any team in the post season. Orlando, without Dwight Howard, are not expected to go very far.

Indiana 4-2

Miami (2) vs. New York (7)

This one will bring back memories of past series' between these two clubs. The Knicks have been better since Mike Woodson took over but Miami has a point to prove and will get through this series.

Miami 4-2

Western Conference:

San Antonio (1) vs. Utah (8)

The Spurs have reinvented themselves with an injection of youth and have not lost a step...surprising many by taking the top spot in the conference. 

Utah may win one game but the Spurs will advance.

San Antonio 4-0

Memphis (4) vs. LA Clippers (5)

Many are picking Memphis as the danger team in the Western Conference again and they could well be. The match up between these two will be the closest in the first round.

Chris Paul will be the determining factor win or lose.

LA Clippers 4-3

LA Lakers (3)  vs. Denver Nuggets (6)

The Lakers are without playoff tough Metta World Peace for at least six games of the post season but may be able to get by Denver without the wily vet.  They will need consistency from Bynum and Gasol and a balanced offence.

LA Lakers 4-2

Oklahoma City (2) vs. Dallas (7)

Will Dallas be able to turn it on in the playoffs?? Might be a tough ask in this series.

Oklahoma City 4-1

Overall....I will go out on a limb and pick Chicago to face Indiana in the Eastern Conference final and San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City in the Western Conference. 

For the Championship......I will pick San Antonio over Chicago in six games!!

Looking back at my NBA preview from December....I had Orlando missing out on the post season in anticipation of a Dwight Howard trade but picked seven playoff teams correctly...Washington?? What was I thinking!!

In the West...Denver and Utah get in in place of my Portland and Golden State picks....

My preview can be read here

NBA Playoff Predictions are now done....

It’s Playoff Time!!!!

The 2010 NBA Playoffs are underway in earnest with several contenders looking to knock off defending champions the LA Lakers.

In the Eastern Conference:

Cleveland - 61-21 (1) vs. Chicago 41-41 (8)

The Cavaliers got off to a solid start with a 96-83 thumping of Chicago on Saturday. The game led star Cav LeBron James to issue the statement “we have the look of a champion”.

After last season’s Conference Finals defeat at the hands of the Orlando Magic, the Cleveland outfit comes back tougher through the key addition of Shaquille O’Neal, wit more court savvy in the form of Anthony Parker and more versatile in the front court through Antawn Jamison.

In game one with Shaq returning from an injury layoff and playing as if he were ten years younger, Cleveland bolted to a 56-41 advantage at the half and was never headed.

LeBron as usual filled a lot of spaces on the scoresheet with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocked shots for Cleveland with support from Mo Williams (19 points, 10 assists), Jamison (15 points, 10 rebounds), O’Neal (12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks), and Anderson Varejao (8 points, 15 rebounds).

Series prediction:

While the Bulls play the Cavs tough usually, I don’t see Chicago winning more than two games. Cavs in six or less.

Orlando 59-23 (2) vs. Charlotte 44-38 (7)

With game one of this series set for Sunday, look for the edge to go to Orlando although Charlotte, making their first playoff appearance is looking to impress new owner and playoff legend Michael Jordan. Charlotte improved throughout the season and is just short in depth department. That said, the Magic will still need key contributions from Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson in this series.

Series Prediction:

At some stage during the series, the Bobcats will rattle the cage of the Magic and test their resolve but in the end, Orlando’s post season experience will put them past the post. Magic in five.

Atlanta 53-29 (3) vs. Milwaukee 46-36 (6)

In game one, Atlanta played a flawless first half, bolting out to a 62-40 halftime advantage before surviving a ragged second half on their way to a 102-92 win. The Hawks had six players score in double figures and the inside play of Al Horford, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams proved too much for the Bucks team that was missing Michael Redd and inside presence Andrew Bogut.

Look for the same formula throughout this first round tilt. Although rookie Brandon Jennings dropped in 34 points in the opening game, the Bucks supporting cast is not up to par.

Series Prediction:

Atlanta in a sweep.

Boston 50-32 (4) vs. Miami 47-35 (5)

The Celtics took game one in a scrappy affair 85-76. There is a bit of animosity between the defence minded squads with Celtic emotional leader Kevin Garnett facing a possible two game suspension for elbowing the Heat’s Quentin Richardson in the jaw with less than a minute left in the game.

Miami suffered a monumental loss of composure, leading 61-47 with 7:02 left in the third quarter, the heat were outscored 24-7 and trailed 71-68 three minutes into the fourth quarter.

This series will be decided by the play of Dwayne Wade’s supporting cast and the freshness of Celtic veterans Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Garnett.

Series Prediction:

I think Wade may again reach near super human levels of play at times in this series and Boston may not always be able to weather the storm.

Miami in six or seven.

Western Conference:

Los Angeles 57-25 (1) vs. Oklahoma City 50-32 (8)

Though the Thunder limped into the playoffs, they could present and interesting first round proposition for the defending champions. Russell Westbrook needs to find his groove again and Thabo Sefolosha will need all of his “Swiss Army” tricks to deal with Kobe Bryant. That said, if Kobe forgets the team concept and takes the battle personally, there could be trouble in Tinsletown.

Series Prediction:

I think the Lakers will survive this round in six games though they will get a scare.

Dallas 55-27 (2) vs. San Antonio 50-32 (7)

The Spurs will be looking to avenge last season’s first round defeat at the hands of the Mavericks. This season, the Spurs rested Tim Duncan throughout and built up towards a playoff run. They also have a healthy Manu Ginobili. While Dallas made moves to bolster their team and won quite a few close contests through the regular season, their record could have easily been a lot worse.

Series Prediction:

I think ultimately the Spurs will pull this one out in seven.

Phoenix 54-28 (3) vs. Portland 50-32 (6)

Portland were definitely the over achievers through the season and survived injuries to key players to patch together a 50 win season. Now with the loss of Brandon Roy, the Blazers’ chances of survival are slim.

Series Prediction:

Suns will win this one in four or five.

Denver 53-29 (4) vs. Utah 53-29 (5)

Denver rode a 42 point effort from Carmelo Anthony to 126-113 win in game one of the series. J.R. Smith came off the bench to drop in 20 points in support of Anthony. After leading by just two points after three quarters, the Nuggets poured in 38 fourth quarter points to pull away.

The Nuggets have been a yo-yo of a squad in the absence of Coach George Karl who is being treated for cancer.

Most experts are picking the Jazz to take out the series but the Nuggets first up win could propel them to better play.

Series Prediction:

I will go against conventional wisdom here and pick Denver in six.

Further into the future, I see the Cavs getting their rematch with the Magic in the Eastern Conference and the Lakers meeting the Spurs in the Western Conference.

My final prediction has Cleveland beating the Spurs in six games. I have been wrong before…see my NCAA picks!!LOL!!