Zoom_24 wrote:Indiana Pacers (14) -- It will be back to the drawing boards for Jermaine and the Pacers... sorry Indy fans.
If the Pacers finish 14th in the Eastern Conference, I swear on everything, that I will put $1,000 (US) in to a paypal account for you. I am being dead serious right now. If you are correct on that prediction, you will get 1000 bucks.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
New Jersey Nets(4)- The Nets are the type of team where you really get what you see. There's not going to be any surprises. They'll win 44-49 games, and be a second round caliber team. This year though, they will not be getting out of the first round. It will be interesting to see what happens with Vince in the offseason.
New York Knicks (9)- The Knicks have a surprising year this season.
Isiah will have a long honeymoon period with the knicks because he
will be doing exactly what Larry wouldn't, that will be refreshing to
these guys and they'll play well because they are good basketball
players and can play well regardless of how bad of a coach Isiah
actually is.
Toronto Raptors (11)- They'll be ok, but have some growing pains. I
think they have a lot of guys that will encounter walls in their
seasons and will keep them from getting in the postseason. They will play well enough to satisfy Raptor fans and keep them excited though.
Boston Celtics (13)- Boston is going to struggle big time this year, but next year will be the breakout year. Look for a big name player to be headed to Boston next offseason because this one is not going to be a good year for Paul Peirce and co.
Philadelphia 76ers (15)- Ouch huh? As unbelievable as it may be, Philly is the worst team in the NBA. Couldn't move AI this offseason? Believe me, it'll get done next summer.
Southeast Division
Miami Heat (2)- Defending champs, aging, but still pretty damn good. They'll have a solid regular season, solid first round, second round exit. I wouldn't be surprised if Shaq surprised everyone and retired at the end of this year.
Washington Wizards(8)- They will squeek in to the playoffs, but still be dangerous. They are better then the typical Eastern Conference 8 seed but they'll only be this low because of some surprise teams in the East. 1st round upset of Detroit possible.
Orlando Magic (10)- They just won't be able to score enough. Dwight Howard is a bonifide star, and he'll be fine, but they just don't have enough offense yet to get in to the playoffs. Dwight's a good player, but he's not exactly your typical go to scorer. They are going to rely on JJ Redick for a lot of scoring this year, and he's not ready to be a second or third option on a playoff team yet.
Charlotte Bobcats (12)- In a few years they'll be a playoff team. I really love the way they are building up this team and forming a foundation. They have a lot of guys that just know how to win and are experienced college players. This strategy will pay off in the long run.
Atlanta Hawks (14)- ATL is also on the way up, but they aren't there yet. Give Josh and Marvin 1 or 2 more years, and Atlanta will be on the other side of the standings. Our Eastern Conference bottom feeders are starting to look like they'll be playoff contenders in a few years meaning watch out for Philadelphia, New Jersey and Washington to take a fall in the upcoming years.
Central Division
Detroit Pistons (1)- People are severly underrating Detroit because they lost Ben Wallace. Signing Nazr Mohammad was one of the most important signings of the offseason. Nazr is actually a FAR better low post defender then Big Ben. Granted, he doesn't have the help side defense that Ben does, or the shotblocking. I think Nazr and Dice will fill in for Ben admirably, and the other 4 guys on this club have now played together in deep playoff runs 3 years in a row. They have great chemistry and will lead this team to 60+ wins this year.
Cleveland Cavaliers (3)- LeBron is the best basketball player in the world. If he had a true second scorer with him, he'd be able to get started on winning championships very early in his career, but he doesn't, and he wont.
Indiana Pacers (5)- You're going to be very, very surprised. We have a brand new offense. Rick is proving all his doubters wrong that he can't run a fast pace offense, because we're doing it and it looks damn good. We make faster decisions with the ball now, but they are smart decisions. Watch out for Josh Powell. We are also the deepest team in the Eastern Conference and we have the best frontcourt, possibly, in the NBA. If Marquis Daniels is able to break out and have a big season, the Pacers could cruise to 55+.
Chicago Bulls (6)- The Bulls have a pretty complete team, and I do think they'll be very good. A lot of people think they are a team that's set up to have a big regular season and an early exit in the playoffs, but I actually think they will do pretty well in the playoffs. Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni and PJ Brown are all very good playoff performers. The Bulls will be getting out of the first round this season.
Milwaukee Bucks (7)- Charlie will come close to 20 and 10, and when Bogut returns, they will be a great high/low post combination. What a steal for Milwaukee, getting Villi for TJ Ford. The Bucks would be in better shape if they had gone out and gotten a point guard, but I have no complaints with Mo Williams, he'll be fine and they'll be in the postseason.
Western Conference
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks (2)- I think Dallas may have missed their one and only chance to win a title with this team last season. On the other hand, the league is pretty wide open. There isn't anybody that is really distinguising themselves from the pack, so Dallas is still going to contend. I don't see them getting out of the West though.
San Antonio Spurs (3)- Same old same old from San Antonio. I think they'll get their revenge on Dallas in the second round this year. I like the new Center rotation they have. They picked up guys that compliment Duncan well.
New Orleans Hornets (8)- This team is too complete to not make the playoffs. They have a great mix of players that all play different roles. Tyson is going to have the same year he always had in Chicago, but New Orleans fans will be satisfied, because they aren't going to need scoring from Chandler, they'll just need his 9-10 rebounds a game, and they'll get them.
Houston Rockets (10)- What is this, the Atlanta Hawks of the West? In the offseason they go out and get Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier without getting rid of anyone? Not to mention the fact that they already have TMac on the wings? I know there's the back issue with him, but if he gets hurt, Houston's going to be in trouble anyways.
Memphis Grizzlies (14)- Memphis is in a free fall, and this season will not be nice to Grizz fans, if there are any left. (Besides you Mafia)
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets(4)- JR Smith is my pick for most improved. I just think if there is a situation he can thrive in, this is it. He is going to get lots of minutes and touches, and he'll take advantage of it. This is a really great athlete and a very good shooter we're talking about. There aren't many coaches better at sculpting players games. If JR pans out, the rest of these guys will be fine.
Utah Jazz(7)- Utah is a good team. They did a good job building a team that resembles to championship caliber Jazz teams from the 90s. They are hard nosed, tough and bruising. They could finish even better then this is Boozer is healthy all season.
Seattle SuperSonics (11)- I think new look Robert Swift is also a very likely MIP candidate. Seattle will be better this year, but they won't be in the city of Starbucks for much longer.
Minnesota Timberwolves (9)- I think Minny is just barely going to miss out, but they are on the right track. One more solid offseason and they'll be back in the playoffs.
Portland Trail Blazers (15)- They had a pretty good draft (although I still don't see why they had to swap picks with Chicago) but why the hell are Randolph and Miles still on the team? I don't see this season going on without a disaster.
Pacific Division
Phoenix Suns (1)- With Amare healthy, and the rest of the team returning, Phoenix is headed for the promise land. There won't be a 3rd straight MVP in the books for Steve though.
Los Angeles Clippers (5)- The Clippers are a very deep, well rounded team that does a lot of things well. I think Elton Brand is a championship caliber number 1 scorer, and he will take the Clippers deep in to the playoffs this season.
Sacramento Kings (6)- Look for them to gain some chemistry and have a good season. This will be Ron's honeymoon season for Sacramento, just like he had in Indy, and then next year it will all explode.
Los Angeles Lakers (12)- Kerplunk. Injury to Kobe send LA back down to the bottom of the pack. Next year they will try hard to get a big name free agent and to trade Lamar Odom, but they will end up worse off.
Golden State Warriors (13)- Who's going to rebound the basketball for this team? They are much worse then they look on paper.
Eastern Conference playoffs: I'm going to withold from doing the playoffs because of superstitions.
Westeren Conference playoffs:
1.) Phoenix
8.) New Orleans
Phoenix in 5
2.) Dallas
7.) Utah
Dallas in 4
3.) San Antonio
6.) Sacramento
San Antonio in 7
4.) Denver
5.) L.A. Clippers
Clippers in 6
1.) Phoenix
5.) Clippers
Phoenix in 7
2.) Dallas
3.) San Antonio
San Antonio in 7
1.) Phoenix
3.) San Antonio
Phoenix in 6
Western Conference Champs: Phoenix Suns.
I aint putting 1000 bucks on it 
lol jk
