On Monday, Talkhoops.net will have their annual predictions round table. It will feature all of our writers' opinions on who will win the various NBA awards and who will win it all. I just though I'd post all of my predictions on here. Agree or disagree, these are my thoughts on this up coming season.
Post your predictions too!
(note: I've also been writing some individual team previews on the website too. Be sure to check out talkhoops.net for all of the team previews and some fantasy basketball articles too.)
MVP- Kobe Bean Bryant
His scoring average may come down, but field goal percentage, assists and steals could go up. Oh, and wins too.
Most Improved- Mike Conley Jr.
He was playing great at the end of the season and has a couple of scoring threats who should help his assist total rise.
6th Man- Rodney Stuckey
Stuckey had a great season last year and he’s going to be a huge reason the Pistons stay a part of the Eastern Elite.
Defensive Player of the Year- Ron Artest
He’s playing on a good team, he’s one of the best parameter defenders since Pippen and he’s in a contract year.
Coach of the Year- Nate McMillan
I know Jerry Sloan seems like popular choice for reasons I don’t understand. Portland can increase their win total by 10 and the media already loves this team.
Rookie of the Year- Rudy Fernandez
I’ve been waiting for this. That’s why he’ll win.
All NBA 1st team (5 guys)
Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
All Rookie 1st team (5 guys)
Derrick Rose
Eric Gordon
Brandon Rush
Michael Beasley
Mareese Speights (He’s played well in Dalember’s absence.)
All Defensive 1st team (5 guys)
Note: I wanted to just write Dylan (from Da Band) for all five spots.
Bruce Bowen
Ron Artest
Shane Battier
Kevin Garnett
Marcus Canby
Team with best record- Boston Celtics
Anyone who thinks the Lakers are going to win 60+ games this year hasn’t been watching Western Conference basketball for the last decade.
Team with worst record- Oklahoma City Thunder
Because Stone Cold said so
Biggest surprise team- Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are going to be markedly better this season. They could very well finish second or third in the East this season.
Most disappointing team- Utah Jazz
There are very high expectations for this team that will not be met because Carlos Boozer is overrated.
1-8 Playoff seeds for each conference
Eastern Conference
1. Celtics
2. Pistons
3. Philadelphia
4. Orlando
5. Cleveland
6. Toronto
7. Miami
8. Chicago?
Western Conference
1. Lakers
2. Houston
3. Utah
4. New Orleans
5. San Antonio
6. Portland
7. Phoenix
8. Dallas
ECF Prediction (Celtics over Pistons)
I’m hesitant to pick any other two Eastern Conference teams. No one else in the East has proved that they can win in the playoffs.
WCF Prediction (Lakers over Rockets)
Tracy McGrady will finally get out of the first round, but there is no way he’s going to stop Kobe from getting back to the Finals.
Finals Prediction (Lakers over Celtics)
Southern California and Boston basketball fans are giddy just thinking about a rematch. Honestly though, this could go either way. Don’t count out the Celtics just because the Lakers have Andrew Bynum (sigh).
Rookie Bust- D.J. Augustine
Everyone is in love with this kid, the Bobcats will make a huge mistake when they trade Felton away.
Best 2nd Round Pick- Luc Mbah a Moute
His pre-season numbers: 31 rebounds; 11 assists; 11 steals. Who cares how much he’s scored (8.3 ppg, but who’s counting?). Everyone needs a utility guy like Mbah a Moute.
Coach first to be fired- P.J. Carlesimo
Quoting talkhoops.net writer, Ed Maisonet: If your coach has previously been choked by his own player, you should expect him to eventually get fired.
GM first to be fired: Rod Higgins
It has to be Higgens. He drafted D.J. Augustin while Jared Bayless was still on the board… and the Bobcats have to be one of the worst put-together teams in NBA history.
Games until Vince Carter quits on his team: 15
It’s the number he wears.
Big Name Player most likely to be traded: Lamar Odom
The Lakers need a more conventional small forward and Lamar Odom is in his contract year.
Any other predictions? Questions? Disagree with anything? Let me know!
15 years ago
5 comments:
MVP - Chris Paul got robbed and the league will be MORE than happy to crown him most valuable player.
Most Improved - I'm hoping Rajon Rondo. But that's just my Celtic love talking.
Defensive Player - Not Ron Artest.
All Defensive Team -
1.)Dylan
2.)Dylan
3.)Dylan
4.)Dylan
5.)Dylan
haha
Worst Team Record - Knicks homie. Rebuilding, Rebuilding, Rebuilding.
Biggest Surprise Team - Not Philly. We all know Philly is gonna be a threat with EB there. I'm thinking either Toronto or Miami. Bosh and O'Neal are gonna do damage in the East. Young blood down south in Miami. Marion wants to prove he's a "go-to" guy.
BOSTON REPEATS!
Most Disappointing Team - Tie between Phoenix and Dallas
Last year's MVP was going to be decided during that Lakers-Hornets game about a week before the end of the regular season. If the Hornets would have won that game, the MVP would have gone to CP3 and I wouldn't have been mad...
...Rajon Rondo could definitely win the award, but it's hard to win the award when you have 2 1/2 all stars running the floor with you. (I hate Ray Allen, he should have never even been invited to a fucking all star game)...
...I would have picked the Knicks to finish with the worst record if they were playing in the West...
...For me, Toronto isn't really a surprise team since they've played fairly well in the East these last couple of years, and the Heat are obviously going to be better because Dwyane Wade is back. I wouldn't be surprised if Shawn Marrion is traded by December, he just doesn't fit well with that team and plays the same position Beasly does...
...There is no way in hell Boston repeats this year, no fucking way...
i almost slept on the Clippers and Houston....gonna give Lakers a good run in ANY round.
Good post... I enjoyed your read
but the Finals is pretty much set imho!! LAKERS / CELTS.. here are my reasons. http://jib-sports-culture.blogspot.com/
Cerebral Beast: I am very scared of the Rockets. If they stay healthy they can do some damage. The Clippers, as much as I love Baron Davis, are still going to be the Clippers.
Jh29: I went to your blog, I couldn't find where to post a comment...
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