People's Champ
Bleeding Teal
With the NBA season just around the corner, its time to preview the stories and predict the playoffs of this upcoming season.
Top 5 Stories for the 2010-2011 Season
1. Can the Lakers 3-peat?---The Lakers are returning just about everyone, with the exception of new additions Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. Both are seen as upgrades. The West doesn't look to be as strong as in the past or compared to the now loaded East. The Thunder could give the Lakers trouble again, but the Lakers are deep and are the favorites.
2. Can the trio in Miami deliver in season 1?---Obviously the biggest story in the offseason was that of Bosh and James deciding to join Wade in Miami to form a superteam in the NBA. There was concern that these 3 would take up too much money to sign anyone decent. However, as we have seen, they have put together a good roster to surround them. However, the focus and pressure is squarely on the Big 3 to perform and put Miami back at the top. While regular season success is a guarantee, the question is can they take it all the way. Can these 3 coexist and bring home the title?
3. If/When will Carmelo Anthony be traded?---there was a lot of talk during the offseason that Anthony would be traded. He is a free agent at the end of the season, and seems to want to move East and potentionally join Amare and possibly Chris Paul in New York to form their own Big 3. The Nuggets have offered Anthony an extension, which would give him more money than any contract he could sign as a free agent, yet he hasn't signed it. The Nuggets don't want to trade away their best player, but at the same time don't want him to walk away and get nothing in return. This could potentially cause trouble for the Nuggets, and will be monitored throughout the season.
4. The maturation of Kevin Durant.---Kevin Durant has skyrocketed up to being the 3rd best player in the league behind Kobe and LeBron. He was the league's leading scorer last season and helped put a scare in the Lakers in the 1st round of the playoffs last season. He quietly signed an extension this offseason to stay with the Thunder, and gained praise for how he handled that move compared with how others were handling theirs. He has a chance do damage this season and lead his team in the playoffs with some expectations. The growth of this fantastic young player will be enjoyable to watch.
5. The new technical foul rule.---this has been somewhat discussed in another thread, but it will be curious to see how its enforced during the regular season. If its anything like we've seen in the preseason, there will be a lot of controversy. Will big time players be ejected from games, changing the outcome? What will come from the NBAPA's legal action over this? Something to watch for this season.
Now, onto the predictions for this upcoming season:
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers---They have the most talented team in the league and are playing in a rather weak conference compared to years past. They still have the best player in the league and best coach. They should have no real challenge claiming the top spot in the West.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder---They are a young, fast team led by the Durant. They have learned from their experience with the Lakers in the playoffs, and now are another year better. This team can be dangerous this season and may in fact be the team that could surprise the Lakers.
3. Dallas Mavericks---Dirk took a discount to remain with this team and allow Cuban to try and reload once again for a run in the playoffs. They are talented enough to win the division, but the question still remains, can they win when it matters the most, in the playoffs?
4. Utah Jazz---The loss of Bozzer was big, but maybe not as big as a lot of people may think. Al Jefferson will fill in nicely, and having Deron Willams running this certainly helps. Sloan will have this team ready to play and make it in the playoffs, just as has been his custom.
5. Phoenix Suns---Stoudimire's decision to leave won't hurt the Suns very much. As long as Nash continues to play at a high level, which he has and most certainly will, this team can contend. They added Turkoglu, Childress and Warrick, which shouldn't hinder their offense.
6. San Antonio Spurs---This team is another year older, but they still know how to win games. They may not be on top of the conference like in years past, but they still have Parker, Duncan and Ginobli, which is enough to get in.
7. Portland Trailblazers---I would like to put them higher, but it seems like every time I do, they disappoint me. Injuries have been the issue with this team, but now they have everyone healthy. The key now is keeping it that way. Oden needs to stay healthy because he can have a big impact. Roy should be good to go as well, so they should be able to make noise, finally.
8. Memphis Grizzlies---Another young team team with some talent, although they're not as deep. I like the combination of O.J Mayo and Rudy Gay who, along side Randolph and Conely, can win some games and sneak into the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat---Too much talent here to fall below the top spot. They will be the best team in the league in terms of wins this season. Will be curious to see how well they will be able to play as a unit. But I don't see major problems that will derail them.
2. Chicago Bulls--- My pick to meet the Lakers in the Finals. This team has overall a better team than the Heat. Rose will elevate his game, and the addition of Boozer certainly will add to their frontcourt. With Noah, Deng, Korver, Brewer, this team will be tough to beat.
3. Orlando Magic---I have them as the 3rd best team, but I don't know how much longer they have here. Teams are catching up or have past them (i.e Bulls, Heat, Bucks). Howard needs to step up this season and dominate offensively. There is no question that this team will make the playoffs, but can they show up when they have to will be the question.
4. Boston Celtics---This is the last gasp for an aging team. They signed Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal to help out with their frontcourt while they wait for injuries to heal. They have an old team but one that made a push to the Finals and almost won it. Unfortuntely for them, everyone around them has gotten better and is younger, which will make another run almost impossible.
5. Milwaukee Bucks---This starts the 2nd tier teams, and I really like the Bucks. Brandon Jennings had a great rookie season and will only improve. Bogut will be a forcus down below the basket. This is a solid team with Salmons, Maggette and Gooden. They will be fun to watch this season.
6. Atlanta Hawks---I won't lie, I seriously was thinking of putting the Bobcats ahead of the Hawks. This team has been an utter disappointment. Joe Johnson is a good player, but was not worth the money he was given by the Hawks. They needed him though to compete for a playoff spot. This team is still young, but is going the wrong way.
7. Charlotte Bobcats---The reason the Bobcats aren't higher is A)too many good teams, and B)their bench, or lackthereof. They have a good group is Wallace, Jackson and Diaw, and Augustin coming up to replace Felton. But again, no bench will really hurt this team.
8. Philadelphia 76ers---I had a tougher time than I thought I would with deciding who I thought would take the 8th spot. I thought N.Y for a minute, but couldn't pull the trigger. I'd like to think that the 76ers could surprise people this season, but Brand has to be healthy. Brand along side rookie Evan Turner, Holliday, and Iguodala should fight and slip on in to the playoffs.
NBA Finals
Lakers over Bulls in 6 games
I like the Lakers to win the West because of the talent that's on their team, and the fact that Kobe will be extra motivated this season. That will mean a lot for this team considering how they like to get complacent. As I said before, I think the Bulls have a lot of talent as well, and are the most talented team in the East. They will beat out the Heat to win the Eest. I like Kobe and the Lakers though to 3peat this season.
Ok so I actually got through that. Now I'll leave it up to you. Discuss stories your watching for this season or just make your predictions here.
Top 5 Stories for the 2010-2011 Season
1. Can the Lakers 3-peat?---The Lakers are returning just about everyone, with the exception of new additions Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. Both are seen as upgrades. The West doesn't look to be as strong as in the past or compared to the now loaded East. The Thunder could give the Lakers trouble again, but the Lakers are deep and are the favorites.
2. Can the trio in Miami deliver in season 1?---Obviously the biggest story in the offseason was that of Bosh and James deciding to join Wade in Miami to form a superteam in the NBA. There was concern that these 3 would take up too much money to sign anyone decent. However, as we have seen, they have put together a good roster to surround them. However, the focus and pressure is squarely on the Big 3 to perform and put Miami back at the top. While regular season success is a guarantee, the question is can they take it all the way. Can these 3 coexist and bring home the title?
3. If/When will Carmelo Anthony be traded?---there was a lot of talk during the offseason that Anthony would be traded. He is a free agent at the end of the season, and seems to want to move East and potentionally join Amare and possibly Chris Paul in New York to form their own Big 3. The Nuggets have offered Anthony an extension, which would give him more money than any contract he could sign as a free agent, yet he hasn't signed it. The Nuggets don't want to trade away their best player, but at the same time don't want him to walk away and get nothing in return. This could potentially cause trouble for the Nuggets, and will be monitored throughout the season.
4. The maturation of Kevin Durant.---Kevin Durant has skyrocketed up to being the 3rd best player in the league behind Kobe and LeBron. He was the league's leading scorer last season and helped put a scare in the Lakers in the 1st round of the playoffs last season. He quietly signed an extension this offseason to stay with the Thunder, and gained praise for how he handled that move compared with how others were handling theirs. He has a chance do damage this season and lead his team in the playoffs with some expectations. The growth of this fantastic young player will be enjoyable to watch.
5. The new technical foul rule.---this has been somewhat discussed in another thread, but it will be curious to see how its enforced during the regular season. If its anything like we've seen in the preseason, there will be a lot of controversy. Will big time players be ejected from games, changing the outcome? What will come from the NBAPA's legal action over this? Something to watch for this season.
Now, onto the predictions for this upcoming season:
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers---They have the most talented team in the league and are playing in a rather weak conference compared to years past. They still have the best player in the league and best coach. They should have no real challenge claiming the top spot in the West.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder---They are a young, fast team led by the Durant. They have learned from their experience with the Lakers in the playoffs, and now are another year better. This team can be dangerous this season and may in fact be the team that could surprise the Lakers.
3. Dallas Mavericks---Dirk took a discount to remain with this team and allow Cuban to try and reload once again for a run in the playoffs. They are talented enough to win the division, but the question still remains, can they win when it matters the most, in the playoffs?
4. Utah Jazz---The loss of Bozzer was big, but maybe not as big as a lot of people may think. Al Jefferson will fill in nicely, and having Deron Willams running this certainly helps. Sloan will have this team ready to play and make it in the playoffs, just as has been his custom.
5. Phoenix Suns---Stoudimire's decision to leave won't hurt the Suns very much. As long as Nash continues to play at a high level, which he has and most certainly will, this team can contend. They added Turkoglu, Childress and Warrick, which shouldn't hinder their offense.
6. San Antonio Spurs---This team is another year older, but they still know how to win games. They may not be on top of the conference like in years past, but they still have Parker, Duncan and Ginobli, which is enough to get in.
7. Portland Trailblazers---I would like to put them higher, but it seems like every time I do, they disappoint me. Injuries have been the issue with this team, but now they have everyone healthy. The key now is keeping it that way. Oden needs to stay healthy because he can have a big impact. Roy should be good to go as well, so they should be able to make noise, finally.
8. Memphis Grizzlies---Another young team team with some talent, although they're not as deep. I like the combination of O.J Mayo and Rudy Gay who, along side Randolph and Conely, can win some games and sneak into the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat---Too much talent here to fall below the top spot. They will be the best team in the league in terms of wins this season. Will be curious to see how well they will be able to play as a unit. But I don't see major problems that will derail them.
2. Chicago Bulls--- My pick to meet the Lakers in the Finals. This team has overall a better team than the Heat. Rose will elevate his game, and the addition of Boozer certainly will add to their frontcourt. With Noah, Deng, Korver, Brewer, this team will be tough to beat.
3. Orlando Magic---I have them as the 3rd best team, but I don't know how much longer they have here. Teams are catching up or have past them (i.e Bulls, Heat, Bucks). Howard needs to step up this season and dominate offensively. There is no question that this team will make the playoffs, but can they show up when they have to will be the question.
4. Boston Celtics---This is the last gasp for an aging team. They signed Shaq and Jermaine O'Neal to help out with their frontcourt while they wait for injuries to heal. They have an old team but one that made a push to the Finals and almost won it. Unfortuntely for them, everyone around them has gotten better and is younger, which will make another run almost impossible.
5. Milwaukee Bucks---This starts the 2nd tier teams, and I really like the Bucks. Brandon Jennings had a great rookie season and will only improve. Bogut will be a forcus down below the basket. This is a solid team with Salmons, Maggette and Gooden. They will be fun to watch this season.
6. Atlanta Hawks---I won't lie, I seriously was thinking of putting the Bobcats ahead of the Hawks. This team has been an utter disappointment. Joe Johnson is a good player, but was not worth the money he was given by the Hawks. They needed him though to compete for a playoff spot. This team is still young, but is going the wrong way.
7. Charlotte Bobcats---The reason the Bobcats aren't higher is A)too many good teams, and B)their bench, or lackthereof. They have a good group is Wallace, Jackson and Diaw, and Augustin coming up to replace Felton. But again, no bench will really hurt this team.
8. Philadelphia 76ers---I had a tougher time than I thought I would with deciding who I thought would take the 8th spot. I thought N.Y for a minute, but couldn't pull the trigger. I'd like to think that the 76ers could surprise people this season, but Brand has to be healthy. Brand along side rookie Evan Turner, Holliday, and Iguodala should fight and slip on in to the playoffs.
NBA Finals
Lakers over Bulls in 6 games
I like the Lakers to win the West because of the talent that's on their team, and the fact that Kobe will be extra motivated this season. That will mean a lot for this team considering how they like to get complacent. As I said before, I think the Bulls have a lot of talent as well, and are the most talented team in the East. They will beat out the Heat to win the Eest. I like Kobe and the Lakers though to 3peat this season.
Ok so I actually got through that. Now I'll leave it up to you. Discuss stories your watching for this season or just make your predictions here.