HoopsCentral 2003-04 NBA Season Predictions MVP: Kevin Garnett Rookie Of The Year: Carmello Anthony Defensive Player Of The Year: Ben Wallace Most Improved Player: Kelvin Cato 6th Man Of The Year Bobby Jackson NBA Team Predictions (Overal NBA rank in parentheses) Western Conference: 1. LA Lakers (1) 2. San Antonio Spurs (2) 3. Dallas Mavericks (3) 4. Sacramento Kings (4). 5. Minnesota Timberwolves (5) 6. Houston Rockets (6) 7. Phoenix Suns (8) 8. Portland Trailblazers (10) ----------------------- 9. Seattle Sonics (15) 10. Golden State Warriors (18) 11. Memphis Grizzlies (21) 12. LA Clippers (22) 13. Denver Nuggets (25) 14. Utah Jazz (26) Eastern Conference: 1. New Jersey Nets (7) 2. Detroit Pistons (9) 3. Indiana Pacers (11) 4. New Orleans Hornets (12) 5. Philadelphia 76ers (13) 6. Boston Celtics (14) 7. Toronto Raptors (16) 8. Orlando Magic (17) ----------------------- 9. Milwaukee Bucks (19) 10. Washington Wizards (20) 11. New York Knicks (23) 12. Chicago Bulls (24) 13. Miami Heat (27) 14. Atlanta Hawks (28) 15. Cleveland Cavaliers (Lebron won't be a huge difference right away) (29) Eastern Conference Champion: New Jersey Nets Western Conference Champion: LA Lakers NBA Champion: LA Lakers
I agree with basically everything in that list with the exception of DPOY. I think it's gonna be Artest this year. He's, in my opinion, the best on the ball defender in the league. He doesn't get enough credit for it. People need to realize that Wallace is more of a team defender as he patrols the paint, blocks, and rebounds. Artest is running around the court, stealing the ball, diving for loose balls, rebounding, and smothering offensive players. He deserved it last year and didn't get, he'll get it this year though.
These rankings are the most accurate I've seen. I definitely would have put New Jersey at 7. And I think the Bucks got a fair placement. I can see that happening this year.
Whoa, I just noticed something I TOTALLY disagree with, Chi-town not in the playoffs. No way. They're better than the Celtics every which way. The only thing the Celtics have now is Pierce. They got rid of Delk and Walker. I can't see them in the playoffs. And the placing of the Raptors. They could make the playoffs, but, if they do, it'll be 8. And, looking at this now, the Magic look like they got hosed a little. 8 seed again?? I dunno about that. They finally have a 2nd scorer to compliment TMac and Gooden is getting better and better all the time. And the Hornets that high, my god. They made the playoffs last year as a 6 seed...WITH a good coach. Now, they might as well not have a coach. Plus, they have to win the first like, 3 weeks without Mash. Gonna be hard. Oh, and I think the Bucks are getting unfairly judged also. They still have good players in Thomas, Redd, and D. Mason. The could surprise. Ok, now, after all that ranting, I think I'm done. But, I liked it on first look, but, than I seen it again, and, yea, didn't like it as much.
Jamison will be 6th man of the year...a 20 and 7 player last season....Zach Randolph is my pick for most improved player...
Not to sound biased, but I don't see the Cavs being the worst team. Hawks, Jazz, Nuggets, Warriors, and Knicks I believe we will be better than.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Not to sound biased, but I don't see the Cavs being the worst team. Hawks, Jazz, Nuggets, Warriors, and Knicks I believe we will be better than.</div>I think it is a pretty accurate prediction. They might finish ahead of Nuggets and Hawks, but thats it.
I might be biased, but I think Dez is gonna win 6th man. Been in the running the last 2 years, didn't start tonight and I think Porter will use him as a spark off the bench like Nate did. Zach Randolph or Eddy Curry is my prediction for Most Improved.
There is noway the magic will be as low as eight seed in the east. How are the Raptors and Celtics better than them? They should be at least predicted to finish 6th in the east, still leaving them behind New Orleans and Philadelphia, who they are better than.
I pretty much agree with your list. How bout Tayshaun Prince as most improved. Why is everybody selling the Warriros short this year. They were decent last year and although they lost Jamison and Arenas, Van exel and Dunleavy are better "team players." I think they are a borderline 8th seed. I am positve that they will have a better record than the cavs, even though they play in the west.
Again, I don't like 2nd year players winning the MIP award, I don't even like 3 year players winning it, how can they win it if they are still growing as a player? I like true MIP's.
Im predicting Irk Nowitzki will lead the league in rebounding!!! he had like 18 last night and already has 11 tonight..
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Again, I don't like 2nd year players winning the MIP award, I don't even like 3 year players winning it, how can they win it if they are still growing as a player?</div> Does the NBA have rules for MIP? Didn't troy murphy win it last year? Or at least he was a top canidate rite? You bring up a good point though, if the league doesn't have requirements for MIP, they should add it. Nonetheless, my other pick for MIP is Kwame Brown. (Yes I know he's only 3rd year).
I could see Derek Fisher getting a decent run at 6th man, honestly. Being a first option off the bench and getting minutes at the 1 and 2, he may be good for 25 minutes a game off the bench and get 12ish/4/3
Last season the MIP was Gilbert Arenas. And veteran players have won it before. Take Darrell Armstrong back in...99 I believe it was, that might have been his 6th Man year though. It was somewhere around 98-00 that he did it in. But, it shows veterans have won it before.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Not to sound biased, but I don't see the Cavs being the worst team.</div> I think they have a chance NOT to finish last, but young teams don't win. Thats why I dont expect the Nuggets and Cavs to finish with to many wins. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MVP: Kevin Garnett</div> DING DING DING, we have a winner.
The Nuggets should get alot more wins than last season and more than people expect.They are young but they also have some very good vets....and guys who have settled in the league...
Placing Golden State - PG - Nick Van Excel (injured) SG - Jason Richardson (suspended) SF - Mike Dunleavy Jr. PF - Troy Murphy (injured) C - Eric Dampier over Memphis Grizzlies - PG - Jason Williams SG - James Posey SF - Mike Miller/Shane Battier PF - Pau Gasol C - Stromile Swift/Lorenzen Wright ... was a huge mistake.
