'07-'08 Predictions Thread

<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">That's seven teams. We'd still make the playoffs along with those other teams. I think Orlando has the potential to be better than all of those teams except Detroit and possibly Chicago.</div>

I left out Toronto

So that's eight teams. Detriot, Chicago, New Jersey, Cleveland, Washington, Tornoto, Miami, and Boston. I could possibly see you guys beating out Boston though...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I left out Toronto

So that's eight teams. Detriot, Chicago, New Jersey, Cleveland, Washington, Tornoto, Miami, and Boston. I could possibly see you guys beating out Boston though...</div>

Thanks I think the Magic will mkae the playoffs. They only got bette this offseason.

 

Why are the Magic ranked so low in the East?? Rashard Lewis and Dwight could dominate especially since the Magic have Patrick Ewing as their big man coach.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This is just my opinion, but I don't think you guys are better than Detriot, Chicago, New Jersey, Cleveland, Washington, Miami, and Boston...</div>

Yeah Cleveland is better but we beat Cleveland anyways. Washington is always injured so they might slip again. We can beat Miami because we've proven that we could and also be higher than them in the seeds.

 

Need to change picks now people. KG will be a Celtic.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Legacy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Need to change picks now people. KG will be a Celtic. </div>

I made this thread two days too soon.

I'm moving Boston to #1 after this move. You've got to love not only the talent but the potential chemistry and hunger that all three of the Celtics' star players have. This isn't the '03 Mavs all over again, because the very rarely did any of these stars on this Celtics squad manage to crack the playoffs with their former clubs, so now that they're all on the same team, out in the East none the less, they've got to be more ready than ever to seize the opportunity and play selfless, team-oriented basketball, unlike in Dallas, where it seemed like just a collection of talented individuals with no chemistry.

 

With KG in Boston, that just changes everyone's lists...

 

Seems like a good thing I was too lazy to put up my list a few days ago.

 

I don't see the big deal. All anyone needs to change are their projections for Boston and Minnesota, and maybe an award prediction or two. I'm about to edit mine. It shouldn't take more than a minute.

 

It isn't a big deal, but I don't like to go back and edit crap like that once I'm done. Pet peeve of mine I suppose.

 

East Standings

Detroit
Chicago (will make a deal to get an interior post scorer)
Boston
Miami
Cleveland (will have the 3rd best record but will be seeded 5th)
Toronto
Orlando
New Jersey
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Washington
New York
Indiana
Charlotte
Atlanta
Philadelphia

West Standings

San Antonio
Phoenix
Dallas
Denver
Houston
Utah
Golden State
Memphis
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

LA Lakers
LA Clippers
Portland
Seattle
Sacramento
Minnesota

ECF: Cleveland vs. Chicago
WCF: San Antonio vs. Dallas

Finals: Chicago vs. San Antonio
San Antonio in 6

MVP: Tim Duncan
ROY: Kevin Durant
COY: Scott Skiles
DPOY: Bruce Bowen
6th MOY - Emmanuel Ginobli
MIP - Randy Foye

 

KG for MVP!

 

Let's watch KG or Pierce get injured. Then where will Boston be?

 

Standings based on overall records...
<u>
East Standings

</u>1) Chicago
2) Boston
3) Detroit
4) Toronto
5) New Jersey
6) Cleveland
7) Washington
8) New York
-----
9) Charlotte
10) Miami
11) Orlando
12) Milwaukee
13) Atlanta
14) Indiana
15) Philadelphia

<u>West Standings</u>
1) Phoenix
2) Dallas
3) San Antonio
4) Houston (Battle to the end for division title)
5) Utah (3-4-5 will be fairly close
6) Denver
7) New Orleans
8) Golden State
-----
9) LA Clippers
10) Portland
11) LA Lakers
12) Memphis
13) Sacramento
14) Minnesota
15) Seattle

MVP: Amare Stoudemire or KG
ROY: Kevin Durant
MIP: Marvin Williams
COY: Based on my standings...no clue
6th man:?

 

Based on records,

East

1. Detroit
2. Boston
3. Chicago
4. Cleveland
5. New Jersey
6. Toronto
7. Washington
8. Orlando

West

1. Dallas
2. Phoenix
3. San Antonio
4. Houston
5. Utah
6. New Orleans
7. Denver
8. Golden State

MVP: LeBron James
ROY: Kevin Durant
MIP: Rajon Rondo
COY: Byron Scott
6th man: Manu Ginobili

 

<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"><u>East</u>
1. Detroit Pistons
2. Boston Celtics
3. Chicago Bulls
4. Washington Wizards
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Toronto Raptors
7. New Jersey Nets
8. Miami Heat

<u>West</u>
1. Phoenix Suns
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Utah Jazz
5. Houston Rockets
6. Golden State Warriors
7. L.A. Lakers
8. Portland Trailblazers

<u>East Playoffs</u>
Round 1: Detroit over Miami, Boston over NJ, Toronto over Chicago, and Washington over Cleveland
Round 2: Detroit over Toronto, Boston over Washington
Round 3: Boston over Detroit

<u>West Playoffs</u>
Round 1: Phoenix over Portland, Los Angeles over Dallas (homer, I know), San Antonio over Golden State, Utah over Houston
Round 2: San Antonio over Phoenix, Utah over Los Angeles
Round 3: Utah over San Antonio

<u>NBA Finals</u>
Utah over Boston in 6.

MVP: [n]Gilbert Arenas--Yes, such a homer pick but if Washington stays healthy, I think they're a top team in the east.[/n]
MIP: LaMarcus Aldridge
ROTY: Kevin Durant
COY: Nate McMillan
DPOY: Shane Battier
6th MOY: Manu Ginobili</div>

I think picking the Lakers to make the playoffs is more of a homer pick than Arenas being the MVP. He has a better chance of winning the MVP than LA making the playoffs.

 

Based on seeds:

Eastern Conference

1. Chicago- A very talented team with the right mix of youngsters (Tyrus Thomas, Sefolosha, Noah), stars who are nearing their prime (Hinrich, Gordon, Nocioni) and seasoned vets who bring valuable experience to the team (Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Adrian Griffin). Throw in one of the top 10 small forwards in the league (Deng) and you have yourself the East's best team. Predicted record: 54-28

2. Boston Celtics- The Celtics are no longer a cellar dweller in the East and their trio of Garnett-Allen-Pierce is probably the best in the league, so why are they ranked behind the Bulls? Simple: depth. With only 11 players on the roster right now and both Pruitt and Davis unsigned, the Celtics have a thin roster and little money to bring some backups. With Garnett, Allen and Pierce all prone to injuries (Garnett and Allen because of age, Pierce because of history), the Celtics may have to play more than a bit of games without one or more of the trio, and with the current roster most of those games will probably end up as L's. Also, young Rajon Rondo is still too inexperienced to lead a team full time and has no true point guard to back him up. Not to mention that the team will need more than a few games to gel, which means a bumpy beginning of the season for the C's. But, barring injury, the Celtics look like a definite contender for the ECF this season. Predicted record: 52-30

3. Detroit Pistons- The Pistons have been built around a fixed core of good players for years now and it's worked so far. But how long can that core last? Billups, McDyess and Wallace are set to hit 31, 33 and 33 years respectively this coming September, while Rip Hamilton reaches the hated 3-0 in February. Prince is at the peak of his prime right now and is the only member of the 03-04 championship team who will be under 30 this season. The additions of rookies Afflalo, Samb, Meija and Stuckey help, as do talented youngsters Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson, but none of them other than maybe Stuckey and Afflalo are ready to contribute much this season. With Webber still a question mark and no major offseason additions, the Pistons aren't looking like a Finals team this year. But Billups, Hamilton and 'Sheed are still great players who are at/nearing the end of their primes and will be determined to take this team as far as possible. With their experience and determination, who knows what could happen? Predicted record: 50-32

4. Orlando Magic- The Magic aren't the 4th best team in the East right now, that's for sure. But it looks like the Southeast division is slowly becoming the new Atlantic, and with the addition of Rashard Lewis the Magic look like the best team in their area. With Howard and Lewis forming a dangerous inside-outside duo, the Magic may surprise the rest of the league and survive the 2nd round. But that appears highly unlikely right now as they're in need of a more talented point guard than Jameer Nelson in order to reach that level. Predicted record: 45-37

5. Cleveland Cavaliers- The same team that made the Finals last season is back with no major additions or subtractions from the roster. LeBron is still LeBron and his supporting cast is still inadequate. Gooden, Gibson and Hughes look like James's best supporters right now, with Varejao, Jones and Pavlovic as decent conrtributors as well. Ilgauskas is at the end of his career right now and you can expect him to leave the NBA and return to Lithuania in a few years in order to finish him career there. The Cavs still don't have a decent point guard and without one they aren't a threat to Chicago, Boston and Detroit. Predicted record: 50-32

6. New Jersey Nets- The Nets haven't done much in the offseason, with Jamaal Magloire joining in order to fill the hole left by Mikki Moore. But with Krstic coming back and at least one more player to join the roster, the Nets look better than last season. If Magloire can regain his all-star form or get anywhere near it and Krstic plays like he did pre-injury, the Nets will be a contender to in their division and in the conference. But if they endure another injury riddled season, they're looking at another early exit from the playoffs. Predicted record: 48-34

7. Toronto Raptors- Last year's Atlantic division champs lost longtime contributor Morris Peterson in the offseason and managed to add Jason Kapono to fill in the hole. But Kapono won't bring the same defense that Mo-Pete did and will need to miraculously duplicate his 06-07 3 point percentage in order to be considered a decent replacement for him. The Raptors are a very young team and will need to experience the playoffs again in order to be considered a real contender in the East, but Bosh has one of the best supporting casts in the league in Parker, Ford, Bargnani, Calderon, Garbajosa and Kapono. Throw in Carlos Delfino and Maceo Baston and you have a very formidable 9 man rotation which can challenge Boston and New Jersey for their 2nd straight division win. Predicted record: 46-36

8. Washington Wizards- The Wizards will have to endure strong efforts by the Knicks and Bobcats in order to win the final spot in the East's playoffs, but I have a feeling that Arenas, Butler and Jamison (a poor man's Garnett, Allen and Pierce) will be just good enough to beat the competition for the 8th seed. Arenas will need to have a huge season (contract year) and Jamison and Butler can be counted on to post good enough numbers to give him the help he needs. An injury to Arenas would be of devastating proportion for this team, but barring injury they should be fine. Predicted record: 43-39

9. New York Knicks- 4 out of the top 9 teams in the East are from the ATL division? It can't be... Predicted record: 41-41
10. Charlotte Bobcats- One season away from a seed. Predicted record: 41-41
11. Miami Heat- Wade and the Oldies won't be enough to extend the Heat's season beyond April. Predicted record: 39-43
12. Milwaukee Bucks- They're always contenders for the 8th seed, but the East has gotten stronger while they've wasted a 6th pick in a loaded draft on a Chinese guy who won't play for them. Predicted record: 37-45
13. Indiana Pacers- They've endured an unbelievable free fall in the last 5 years and Jermaine O'Neal is on the way out. Time to rebuild. Predicted record: 34-48
14. Atlanta Hawks- They keep on improving and aced the draft, but are still ways to go from a playoff seed. Predicted record: 34-48
15. Philadelphia 76ers- The first season post-Iverson is on the way and Andre Milguadala will lead this team to no man's land. Predicted record: 30-52

Western Conference

1. Phoenix Suns- Looks like the Suns WERE robbed in that Spur's series after all. What a surprise. Steve Nash and Co. enter this season with a gigantic chip on their shoulder and will look to crush any team in their path. Of course, it won't be easy with the league looking overall stronger than last season. The window of opportunity for a ring with Nash at the helm is closing and 07-08 is the perfect season for one. Nash, Marion and Stoudamire challenge Boston's trio for the best in the league and their supporting cast isn't too shabby. But the big question is whether than Suns can finally reach the WCF and in turn, the Finals. Predicted record: 64-24

2. Dallas Mavericks- The Mavs were beat at their own game by Golden State in the 1st round, plain and simple. Like the Suns, they will be very determined right off the start of the season (especially Mr. MVP). They're basically the same team that won 67 games last year, and while they may not repeat that performance, they'll definitely stay one of the league's teams to beat. Predicted record: 62-26

3. Houston Rockets- Shouldn't the defending champs hold this spot, you might ask? I don't think so. Barring another injury filled season for T-Mac and Yao, and with addition of Steve Francis (who will accept his role as 6th man and contribute more than some may think), Mike James and Luis Scola the Rockets are set to finally join the West's elite. I can even see them beating the Mavs and Suns when it counts, in the playoffs. They will have a VERY tough road to the Finals, but if Yao and T-Mac stay healthy and Battier, James, Francis and the rest of their supporting crew gives 100%, Houston may just add another championship banner to the Toyota center next summer. Predicted record: 58-24

4. Utah Jazz- If Kirilenko can regain his form, which he seemed to have lost last season, the Jazz can make a strong push in the West. Other then Denver, no team in their conference is nearly as good as the Jazz and if Boozer and Okur can repeat their surprisingly good play from last year, Utah will compete with the elite. Predicted Record: 54-28

5. San Antonio Spurs- The defending champs are still built around the same core than won the 02-03 championship, but unlike Detroit that core can still lead the team to another title. The Spurs stood pat in the offseason, adding the talented but bench-destined Marcus Williams through the draft along with Tau Vitoria standout Tiago Splitter. At the end of the day, the Spurs are still the team to beat in the playoffs, but will probably continue their "once every two years" title pattern (won in 03, lost in 04, won in 05, lost in 06, won in 07) and get eliminated by the Rockets or the Mavs. Predicted record: 56-26

6. Denver Nuggets- The Nuggets missed out on an excellent opportunity to keep the point guard position manned well for the next 3 years by not resigning Steve Blake and that'll hurt them this season. AI and Carmelo will do their thing and keep the Nuggets competitive even in the tough West, but won't be good enough to prevent a 1st round loss to Houston. Predicted record: 48-34

7. LA Clippers- The Clippers will make the playoffs this season after barely missing out last year despite a good season. Brand will once again be the centerpiece of this talented team and with help from Maggette, Cassell (who continues to defy age), Ross, Kaman and Mobley will lead LAC to the 7th seed and a 1st round loss to Dallas. Predicted record: 48-34

8. LA Lakers- Portland will make a strong push for this spot as will Golden State and Memphis. But Kobe will come out on top again and lead this team of hobo's to another May. The question is, will Kobe even BE in LA to lead the team? Stay tuned. Predicted record: 44-38

9. Portland Trailblazers- Oden is a great addition to an already exciting squad. But the Blazers are still very young and will need this season's seasoning and another lottery pick in order to reach the playoffs in 09. Predicted record: 44-38
10. Golden State Warriors- Without Richardson, the Warriors don't have enough talent to snatch the 8th seed in such a deep conference. Baron Davis will have another great season but Brandon Wright needs time and won't be able to contribute right away, which means a trip back to the lottery for Oakland. Predicted record: 43-39
11. Memphis Grizzlies- They won't be in "tank" mode anymore, which means Gasol won't be out with timpukalitis anymore and will be able to join his fellow Grizzlies in a journey to the playoffs. Too bad they won't make it. Yet. Predicted record: 41-41
12. New Orleans Hornets- The Hornets don't have much sting left and are stuck between rebuilding and competing. Julian Wright is solid, but Peja is past his golden years and the addition of Mo-Pete won't be enough to help this squad reach the playoffs this season. Predicted record: 39-43
13. Sacramento Kings- On paper, the Kings look great. But Brad Miller and Mike Bibby had their chance 5 years ago, Abdur-Rahim is past his prime and they have a log jam at center and shooting guard. The only positive on this team is Artest, but he obviously won't be enough to lead this team anywhere close to the playoffs. Predicted record: 36-46
14. Seattle Supersonics- Durant is seemingly a lock for ROY, but that's about it for Seattle right now. Good thing the future looks bright, because Seattle will have a long season (not literally, of course). Predicted record: 32-50
15. Minnesota Timberwolves- The post-KG era begins. Everyone knew it was coming, but somehow it still came as a surprise. Minnesota's future looks very sunny right now, but currently they are probably the worst team in the league. With Ricky Davis and Al Jefferson forming a talented duo, Minnesota will win 30 games but that's about where it ends. Predicted record: 30-52

Award Predictions

MVP: Kobe Bryant

Kobe will finally get his first MVP by leading the Lakers to yet another far-fetched playoff seed. That is, if he's still a Laker by season's end.

Runner up: LeBron James

MIP: Rajon Rondo

Rondo will be leading the Celtics at PG full time this season and that means a much more productive year from him.

Runner up: Darko Milicic

ROY: Kevin Durant

Durant will be counted on more than any other rookie in the league to lead his team this season, and with Seattle going nowhere this season, he'll have a lot of minutes to do that.

Runner up: Mike Conley Jr.

DPY: Shane Battier

With Houston finally looking like a Finals contender, the media will turn their attention to the team's best defender and that's Mr. Battier, who'll finally get his due.

Runner up: Gerald Wallace

6th Man: Steve Francis

Francis is returning to the Rockets knowing that he's not as good as he once was and that this is McGrady and Yao's team, so expect him to excell as the team's 6th man, much like the one Jerry Stackhouse had on the Mavs. A former superstar returning to his former team with determination to finally go far in the playoffs but still accept a smaller role than he's used to is always a good 6th man candidate.

Runner up: Corey Maggette

COY: Rick Adelman

Adelman will take the improved Rockets further than they've gone in a long time and bring the best out of each and every player.

Runner Up: Doc Rivers (who probably won't deserve it, but his players will do the work for him)

All NBA 1st Team

PG: Steve Nash
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: LeBron James
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Yao Ming

All NBA 2nd Team

PG: Dwayne Wade
SG: Tracy McGrady
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Dwight Howard

All NBA 3rd Team

PG: Jason Kidd
SG: Gilbert Arenas
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Elton Brand
C: Amare Stoudamire

All Defensive 1st Team

PG: Deron Williams
SG: Bruce Bowen
SF: Shane Battier
PF: Emeka Okafor
C: Marcus Camby

All Defensive 2nd Team

PG: Kirk Hinrich
SG: Ron Artest
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Andrei Kirilenko
C: Greg Oden

All Rookie 1st Team

PG: Mike Conley, Jr.
SG: Corey Brewer
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: Al Horford
C: Greg Oden

All Rookie 2nd Team

PG: Acie Law IV
SG: Marco Belinelli
SF: Thaddeus Young
PF: Yi Jianlian
C: Chris Richard

 

<u>East</u>

1. Detroit Pistons
2. Boston Celtics
3. Chicago Bulls
4. New Jersey Nets
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Toronto Raptors
7. Orlando Magic
8. Charlotte Bobcats

Just missed it: Washington, Miami, New York

<u>West</u>

1. Dallas Mavericks
2. Phoenix Suns
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Houston Rockets
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Golden State Warriors
7. Utah Jazz
8. Los Angeles Lakers

Just missed it: New Orleans, Portland, Clippers

MVP: Lebron James
MIP: Jamaal Magloire
ROTY: Kevin Durant
COY: Mike Brown
DPOY: Shane Battier
6th MOY: Manu Ginobili