One Man's NBA Preview: 2009/10 Edition

Folks,

The NBA season kicks off tonight… While this may not be a big deal to those still firmly entrenched in the NFL season, there are still some die hard NBA fans such as myself in the world and of course there are those poor Raiders and Redskins fans, who have no reason to watch the NFL anymore, so must turn their attention to the NBA. For those folks, I present the annual, One Man's NBA Preview.

10 Questions prior to the upcoming NBA season:

Will the Celtics or Lakers win 72 games?

So Rasheed says that the Celtics can do it. Phillip says that a coastal team would never be able to do it because of the travel times. Frankly, I don't see a team being able to put together 82 games of hard core competitive basketball every night. Especially hated teams like the Celtics and the Lakers. Basically every time the Lakers or Celtics come to town, the games are sold out locally and the home team is pumped up to give their best effort. Basically, every game is a big game for your opponent. The 1996 Bulls were a perfect storm. MJ was coming off his suspension for gambling (don't believe otherwise) , and it was his first full season back, so teams were just in awe of getting to play against MJ again (so not exactly giving their full competitive effort). MJ, perhaps the most competitive person ever, had to reclaim his crown as the league's best player in the game after getting stripped by Nick Anderson in the deciding game of the Orlando series the year before. So MJ was pushing everyone is practice everyday and he had the team to respond because… Rodman was on his best behavior after being booted from the Spurs, Kukoc was excited to be playing with MJ and Pippen was just happy to not have all the pressure on him again. Basically, it all fell into place fort he Bulls and they won 72. I don't see veteran teams like the Celtics or Lakers being able to pull it off.

Can Shaq put together one more season?
I think he has one last good season left in him. Shaq was rock solid last year in carrying a mess of a Suns team. And we all know he's motivated, so he should be in shape and ready to go. Lebron has the personality and the game to mesh well with Shaq. They will put together a solid season and battle the Celtics for the eastern conference championship obviously… the question is whether Lebron and Shaq will be enough. Sadly, the real problem in is Coach Mike Brown. Someone needs to pull his play calling duties like the Redskins did to Jim Zorn. Barring that, I think they fall short to the Celtics.

Crazy summer of free agency… Which title contender added the best new piece? Orlando, Boston, San Antonio, Cleveland, or Lakers?
Vince doesn't play D, so I'm sure he'll bump heads with Coach Ron Jeremy at some point, but he gets to play 4th fiddle to Dwight, Jameer, and Rashard… so no pressure. Rasheed is 35 years old and is a shadow of his under-achieving self. The Spurs added a 29 year old RJ, who is right in his prime, a good fit, but not the shooter that the Spurs need. Cleveland added a 37 year old Shaq, previously discussed. And the Lakers added a 29 year old Ron Artest, who is the wild card in all of this mess. I like all the pick ups with the exception of Vincanity. RJ is the safest pickup. Solid defensively, a nice guy, soft, Spurs-like player. Should fit in well. Artest has the most upside. Gives the Lakers front court toughness, another scorer, takes the defensive pressure off Kobe, allowing him to gamble in the passing lanes more (not necessarily a good thing), but might be create chemistry issues. Artest will need a few more shots than Ariza did, and with Bynum's return, he will need a few shots. The key is can Kobe sacrifice a few shots and drop his average to 24-25 ppg to accommodate his teammates. We'll see if Phil can use his Zen Jedi mind tricks to get everyone to buy in.

Is Portland ready to make the leap?
My guess says no. Bill Simmons doesn’t think that Andre Miller is a good fit. I'm not sure I agree with him. Miller does like the ball, but I think his game can adjust to the talent that he is surrounded with. The real key is Oden. He has looked good in the pre-season and if he stays healthy, then they are dangerous. I'm not sold on Aldridge either. I like my power forwards to dominate the glass… Aldridge thinks he's a small forward. Plus, I’m not sure that Brandon Roy hasn’t already peaked. He’s nice, don’t get me wrong, but I think we are close to his ceiling.

This rookie class is not getting a lot of hype... Anyone for real?
The best player in the draft is playing in Barcelona. Yes, Rubio would have emerged as the best player in this draft in 4 years. He still may… Does a couple of seasons overseas help him? We'll see. Griffin is the truth… a beast, an athlete, good motor; unfortunately he's just stuck in Clipperland. And like most Clipper draft picks (Manning (knee), Harper (knee), Kandi-man (heart))… he’s already injured. Poor kid. Other rookies I like… Jonny Flynn in Minnesota… and the steal of the draft is probably Dujuan Blair for the damn Spurs. Questions about his knees made him a 2nd round pick, but he is a beast and the Spurs once again prove that their front office knows what they are doing.

What player will have the breakout seasons in 2009/10?
Kevin Durant is going to explode this season. Stuck in Oklahoma City unfortunately, but the talented scorer will put up huge numbers this year. Look for him to take the best SF in the league spot away from Melo this season and he will challenge ‘Bron for league scoring leader in 2009/10. He could carry his team to the playoffs with some luck. Also looking forward to year 2 of the Derrick Rose era. Rose is special.

Who are this year's award winners?
RoY: Griffin, though he’s missing 6 weeks. Jonny Flynn perhaps.
CoY: Rick Carlyle… Yeah I said it.
DPoY: Dwight Howard
6th Man: Manu (unfortunately, he’s back)
MVP: Lebron… it's his league. Maybe CP58.

Who will make the playoffs?
West:
1. Lakers (68 wins is possible)
2. Spurs (damn, they are back)
3. Dallas (my sleeper)
4. Nuggets (I think Chauncey has one more run in him, before handing it to Ty Lawson)
5. Utah (Deron Williams is the truth)
6. Portland (not the leap that they were hoping for)
7. New Orleans (CP58 has something to prove… maybe by not having your team lose playoff games by 58)
8. Oklahoma City (I believe in Durant)


East:
1. Boston (Big 3 plus Sheed)
2. Cleveland (underrated pickup is Leon Powe)
3. Orlando (Vince doesn’t have the pressure with Dwight, Jameer and Rashard)
4. Chicago (Rose raises his game)
5. ATL (too much talent here)
6. Washington (Agent 0 has something to prove)
7. Miami (DWade can’t wait to join Rose in Chicago)
8. Toronto (Hedo, Bosh, Calderon, Bargnani… there is something here)

First to 5? Duncan, Shaq, or Kobe? Or does Boston win #19.
We know if comes down to these 4 in the conference finals… unless Orlando crashes the party, which I doubt. I have the Lakers over the Spurs in 6 and the Celtics over the Cavs in 7. Which gives me the rematch that every Laker fan and Kobe himself have been waiting for. Lakers vs. Celtics baby!!! This is where the addition of Ron artest pays off. He’ll make life miserable for Paul “The Wheelchair” Pierce. Jesus is just about done and I think the Lakers big men Lamar/Gasol/Bynum will be too much for KG/Rasheed/ Perkins. Plus Phil Jackson will outcoach Doc in critical moments. Too much firepower in purple and gold… Lakers in 6. Back to Back!!!!

Any predictions for the summer of Lebron?
Lebron stays put… though the Clippers would be sick with him. Dwade to Chicago. Bosh to the Knicks as a consolation prize. Joe Johnson to Miami to replace DWade. Amare to Golden State finally. And my huge call of the year… Rajon Rondo to the Blazers! Just what a young Portland squad needs.

How long did this take?
Time stands still when talking about the NBA… enjoy the ride my friends.