Division Previews: Northwest

Northwest Division

The Overview

Great division that is stuffed with explosive young talent. Utah and Denver managed to earn a playoff spot last season, leaving Portland out of the post season once again. With Minnesota and Oklahoma City rebuilding, Utah, Denver and Portland are doing all they can to absorb this opportunity to make the playoffs and go deep. Once the other divisions get older, the Northwest will continue to blossom into a much stronger division to avoid. 

The Ranks

1. Utah Jazz
2. Portland Trail Blazers
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Oklahoma City Thunder

 

The Previews

1. Utah Jazz (54-28)

Last season was a strong one for the Jazz. Having the highest winning percentage at .659 since the 2000 season. Both Boozer and Williams have clicked together perfectly and continue to impress the NBA. Williams showed up to all 82 games last season as Boozer played 81 games, so the reliability in these two guys bringing it all season is definitely there. The Jazz endorse their unavoidable rep as one of the most dangerous teams when it comes to shooting the three, players, 9 out of the 15 players on the roster had a decent 3-point shooting percentage. Utah’s playoff run ended dramatically last season, they were one three point shot away from pushing Game 6 into overtime versus the Lakers. The Utah didn’t really make any transactions in the off season, for they didn’t have to. Unless you want to get into their shooting guard dilemma, Deron has made it clear he never wants to play the two-guard, so the Jazz must flex their time with Korver, Brewer and Almond. Utah is arguably the toughest place to play for any NBA team, expect that to continue with the Jazz become a stronger team each year.

Finals Odds: 86%

Player Spotlight: Ronnie Brewer

Ronnie’s an interesting figure. His awkward shot comes from a childhood waterslide injury, but that shot and leaping ability has taken him to where he’s at now. Brewer had a great college career, averaging 18.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. After being drafted by Utah, Brewer crept his way in the team’s rotation as their shooting guard while having a solid rookie season. Last season, Brewer saw success as the Utah’s shooting guard. Brewer started in all 76 games he participated in, averaging 12 points per game for the season while making the Rookie versus Sophomore game, where he put up 13 points. Brewer’s nose for steals (1.7 spg. last season) and aspiring leaping ability ushers him a comfortable spot aside Deron Williams as the Jazz continue to develop together.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Jazz live and die by the three point shot. Last season it took them far and even though both Williams and Okur missed two consecutive three’s in the final seconds before getting eliminated, the Jazz are ready to push forward. The Jazz have most of the important elements for success- great coaching, shooting and chemistry. 

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

While the perimeter shot has its positives, it can easily turn ugly when shots aren’t going their way. The Jazz need more toughness for the grittier games, Boozer and Harpring don’t cut it. 

 

2. Portland Trail Blazers (41-41)

When it comes to talking about this team’s progression, Portland’s final season record perfectly describe it all. At 41-41, the Trail Blazers have finally hit ground level. The “Jailblazers” era is officially over. This team’s potential is sky high, with bright-minded players. Most importantly, the unselfish scorer himself, Brandon Roy. Greg Oden is here, ready to become one of the best-prepared NBA rookies ever. True rookie, Jerryd Bayless will be a handful for defenses. The talent seems to be everywhere for the Blazers for this upcoming season. The Blazers also have the two Spaniards, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez, two extremely talented players. Aldridge has become one of the most impressive players that have elevated their game since slipping on an NBA jersey. The Blazers are a great team in every aspect, all players just need to bring what is individually expected from them and the reward will come.

Finals Odds: 82%

Player Spotlight: LaMarcus Aldridge

The 2nd overall pick from the 2006 NBA Draft has passed has lived up and passed his expectations. Aldridge did great in Texas University, but quickly made himself for the Draft after his second year. When playing for the Blazers in his rookie season, he was given his chance as the team’s starting center when Joel Przybilla went down with an injury. LaMarcus averaged 9 points, 5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game as a rookie, while making the All-Rookie First team in 2007. His sophomore year saw tremendous improvement. Aldridge’s game exploded into 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, placing him third in voting for the Most Improved Player award. It’s going to be interesting watching LaMarcus next to Oden this season.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Trail Blazers pack everything needed for a ring. They just need a couple years to let all the talent sink into the team. But the mindset within the core of the team, being Roy, Aldridge and Oden, remains to be one of the best. Roy can easily lead a team to success, with all the talent in Portland, this team can realistically push for a Finals spot.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Trail Blazers are ridiculously haunted by injuries. It will take a couple of games before Oden fits smoothly into the Blazers system for success. Those “couple of games” turn out to be ball breakers when the playoff race comes to a close in their tough conference.

 

3. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-60)

The rebuilding season went as rough as expected for the Wolves. But there were great signs for the future that Minnesota captured. First off, Al Jefferson can bring it every night for this team. Starting all 82 games, Jefferson averaged 21 points along with 11.1 rebounds per game. Young guards, Randy Foye and Rashad McCants were also solid in their own right. Ryan Gomes is a great unsung hero for the Wolves too. The lenthy rookie, Corey Brewer had a decent first season, averaging 5.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and a steal per game. Newcomers, Kevin Love, Mike Miller will be huge difference makers for this team. This season could be a scary one for Mike Miller, you heard it here first.

Finals Odds: 49%

Player Spotlight: Randy Foye

Out of Villanova’s ‘06 gang, Randy Foye was easily the most NBA-ready player, at 6′4”, 213 pounds. During Foye’s rookie season, he faced extreme competition for playing time with a Minnesota team that had six guards on the roster. Still, Randy Foye went on to earn more time through his efficient play and averaged 10.1 points per game. With a starting spot set for Foye in the 2008 season, Foye fell into injury problems with his knee. One of the most interesting medical stories about Randy Foye was his berth with “situs inversus,” a rare condition that means all of Foye’s organs are arranged exactly the opposite of a typical human being. Such as his heart being on the right side of his chest instead of his left. Getting back to basketball, Foye missed 43 games last season due to his injury. When he came back for the second half of the season, he started 31 games and averaged 13.1 points and 4.2 assists per game. His role will continue to grow with Minnesota each season.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Minnesota is loaded with young, lengthy and unique low post players. Along with their impressive front court, their back court consisting of Miller, Foye, McCants, Telfair and Carney will be a great group. Mike Miller will burn the net nightly. If he remains as hot as predicted, the Wolves could find a rare playoff spot behind Jefferson and Miller.

Why they will not be NBA Champions.

The Wolves are still rebuilding, meaning everything isn’t there obviously. There are still holes in this team that will take a beating throughout the season.

 

4. Denver Nuggets (50-32)

Blessed with one of the best offenses in the league, the Nuggets disappointed many when they got swept in the first round against the Lakers. 33-year-old Iverson, played started all 82 games last season and led the team with 26.4 points and 7.1 assists per game. His sidekick, Carmelo stood tall right behind him at 25.7 points per game. Their season boiled over horribly when they couldn’t put anything together in the post season. With A.I.’s near future a question and Carmelo somehow making trade talks over the summer, Denver’s future becomes a mystery. Despite the loss of Marcus Camby, there’s still plenty of low post bangers like Nene and the newly acquired, Juwan Howard.

Finals Odds: 54%

Player Spotlight: Anthony Carter

33-year-old, Anthony Carter brings wonders to coach Karl’s gameplan when Carter is starting every game for Denver nightly. Carter, who’s packed with experience and an uncanny style to find open looks while having an unlimited amount of unselfishness, only plays 28 minutes a game for the Nuggets. He will start every game, then spectate the rest. Carter has played 8 seasons in the NBA, including overseas, last season he broke every statistic category while averaging 7.8 points and 5.5 assists per game. Denver resigned Carter this off season, in hopes his smart play will help keep this offensively crazy team together for portions of the game.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Nuggets offense would have continue to unload on each team in the NBA while bringing a defensive aspect to their game. Denver can score triple digits each night behind their explosive bunch. Carmelo, Iverson, Smith, Martin and Nene would need to develop a positive and consistent flow to get them deeper into the playoffs.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

No defense, losing Camby only worsens everything. Nene is now isolated down low with an aging Juwan Howard. Leadership could also be a question, with enough losses, this club can very easily lose their composure leading to more problems.

 

5. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-62)

It wasn’t easy for Seattle to swallow the Sonics final season. Everything was just a mess. Their talented Rookie of the Year, Kevin Durant averaged 20.3 points per game at just 19 years of age. There isn’t much to say about such an unfortunate season for this team. This franchise can only hope things are going to get better with their decent off season moves and new location.

Finals Odds: 9%

Player Spotlight: Earl Watson

Watson kicked off his professional career with the Sonics and after playing for two different teams, he continues to improve his game with the Sonics (er, Thunder) once again. Watson has amazing perimeter shooting and great passing skills and has fit perfectly for the Thunder since his arrival. Fighting off Ridnour will result in more playing time for the 29-year-old. Last season, Watson averaged a career high, 6.8 assists per game. His spot is now solidified with Luke Ridnour gone, watch Watson this season for the Thunder.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will not be NBA Champions. Unless Durant becomes Jordan-esqe and rips 40+ points a night and Jeff Green studies 2,000 videos of Scottie Pippen to become his sidekick, it’s not happening.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Not enough talent and a support for their young leader. The Thunder have great size and a good set of young players to develop for the future. It’s a new city, new logo, but basically the same players, leading into the same result.

Division Previews: Pacific

Pacific Division

The Overview

Heading into the post season, both the Lakers and Suns made blockbuster trades to have the upper hand in the playoffs. The Lakers turned out to have the more sensible trade with Pau Gasol filling in their front court for that strong run into the Finals. The Suns on the other hand, went all in by nabbing Shaquille O’Neal for their post season run. The Suns miserably failed with a first round exit against the Spurs. Remaining teams, Golden State, Sacramento and the L.A. Clippers didn’t make the playoffs, but underwent serious reconstruction over the summer. It should be an excellent season for the the Atlantic division. The Lakers will have a chance to come out in full force with Bynum back in their line-up, after missing the young center with a late injury in the season. The Suns are looking to push for a successful season behind Shaquille O’Neal, who ended the regular season with a 18-11 record as a Sun.

The Ranks

1. Phoenix Suns
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Los Angeles Clippers
4. Golden State Warriors
5. Sacramento Kings

 

The Previews

1. Phoenix Suns (55-27)

The Suns brought their high-octane offense once again last season but shifted it all into a different gear when they traded away Shawn Marion for Shaquille O’Neal. The Diesel’s impact to the team became immediate, from hustle plays to powerful finishes. It was said the motive of bringing O’Neal to Phoenix was to help slow down Tim Duncan if there to meet up in the post season. As expected, the Suns met the Spurs but Shaq’s presence made no difference, Duncan tallied 40 points in Game 1. The Suns lost the series 1-4. This season, behind team captains Grant Hill, Steve Nash and Shaq, the Suns are aiming to strain a stronger defense behind new coach, Terry Porter. The Suns also happily welcome young talents, Goran Dragic, Sean Singletary and Robin Lopez to the team, all are young players that carry intense potential behind them. The 34-year-old, Nash returns for his fifth season in Phoenix to try and ignite this team’s ranging possibilities. It should be a big year for Phoenix, players like O’Neal and Nash carry endless experience behind themselves and want to end their careers in the near future with a championship in Phoenix.

Finals Odds: 87%

Player Spotlight: Boris Diaw

Everyone remembers Diaw from the his 2006 season with the Suns. With Stoudemire gone for 59 games that season, Diaw stepped in to be the team’s low post menace. At 6′8”, the small forward played power forward and center that season, averaging 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game on his way to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award. His nickname “3D” couldn’t of fit him any better, as he did end up supplying drives, dishes and defense. In the playoffs that season, Diaw turned in 18.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. He’s made it clear to Phoenix that he can easily step in to provide plenty of numbers for the team. With Shaq and Amare set to go this season, Diaw should expect to be the leader of the team’s offensive surge off the bench.  

Why they will be NBA Champions.

One of the leagues best offenses. The Suns are combining a unique mix of all kinds with the lengthy, athletic players they have. Phoenix has a variety of weapons all across the roster, players that could easily player bigger roles on other teams are sitting pretty on the bench for this team. Everyone raves about Chris Paul and Deron Williams, but Nash remains as one of the most complete point guards in the league today. 

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Mike D’Antoni era is over, all that run and gun offense isn’t over, but it could slow down at times. If Porter’s gameplan backfires and the winning flow gets disrupted, the Suns could find themselves seeing early playoff elimination like last year. 

 

2. Los Angeles Lakers (57-25)

League MVP, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are set to destroy whoever steps in front of them. A bulkier, stronger Bynum is back into the roster and the team is now complete and ready for a definite championship push. Last year brought fourth many positives for the Lakers. Kobe’s now staying put in Los Angeles without any questions asked, mainly because their chance at helping him win another ring is there. The Lakers put up a really strong season, achieving 15 more wins than what they had the previous year. The addition of Gasol for their final 27 games of the regular season gave the Lakers a huge advantage over the other teams in their conference. Gasol averaged 18.8 points along with 7.8 rebounds per game while playing for the Lakers last season. Bryant had his best all-around season since 2003. The 29-year-old Kobe averaged 5.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game. With B.ynum gone, Lamar Odom averaged a career high in rebounding with 10.6 boards a night. All together, the Lakers balled themselves into the Finals behind Kobe. It was unfortunate to not have Bynum in the post season where the Lakers could’ve put up a closer series against the Celtics.

Finals Odds: 88%

Player Spotlight: Jordan Farmar

Farmar blossomed as one of the best 2nd-year players this season. After a solid rookie campaign for the Lakers, Farmar went on to fulfill his role as an energetic substitute for the veteran, Derek Fisher. The former UCLA Bruin, averaged 9.1 points and 2.7 assists while coming off the bench in his second year with the Lakers. Farmer brings a smart leadership and a shooter’s touch when coming off the bench, making sure the Lakers don’t give up a surging run while the starters are taking a breath. Once Fisher is gone, you best bet Jordan Farmar’s future with the Lakers is radiant.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Lakers made their way into the Finals behind Kobe, Odom and Gasol. This year they possess a jacked Bynum to help out their front court even more. Their starting line-up is scary. They possess the best player in the league in Kobe, while owning one of the most clutch players in Fisher. It’s going to be nearly impossible for teams to contain both Gasol and Bynum down low while Bryant continues to kill the perimeter.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Injuries can slow this team down, just how it can slow any other team. But losing a player through injury can hurt the Lakers the most, especially since their time is now. Bryant and Gasol are in their prime and the players are all there for this team to earn a ring. 

 

3. Los Angeles Clippers (23-59)

A team with a .280 winning percentage isn’t pretty, neither is a team led by Corey Maggette and rookie, Al Thornton. The Clippers underwent a frustrating season without their true centerpiece, Elton Brand. With Brand out for 74 games last season, the Clippers could do nothing but watch Al Thornton blossom and Maggette raise his free agent stock. This summer a change was expected, but not as drastic as Elton Brand being gone. Baron Davis is the new head honcho now and the Clippers have brought in Camby, Ricky Davis, Eric Gordon, Brian Skinner and DeAndre Jordon to completely swipe the face of the franchise. The new mix only draws numerous predictions and wonders for this season.

Finals Odds: 63%

Player Spotlight: Al Thornton

Al Thornton flourished immediately after college. Coming out of Florida State University as one of the team’s best players, Thornton made himself comfortable in a Clippers jersey early. The 6′8” forward scored a total of 1,005 points in his pro rookie season in the NBA, something rare among rookies unless they’re destined to be noticeably great. The absence of a player of a caliber as Elton Brand has led to open spots for player such as Al Thornton to step up, and that he did last season. While starting 31 games last season, Thornton went on to average 12.7 points along with 4.5 rebounds per game, leaving him to become one of the best rookies the Clippers have drafted since Livingston. With all the player arrangements, Thornton remains at a dependable spot in the line-up due to his flexibility to play different postions. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Behind Baron Davis, the Clippers could erupt into a more fast paced team with a stronger and more athletic front court. Baron Davis, Marcus Camby and Al Thornton should be players to watch, but with great role players in Skinner, Tim Thomas and Ricky Davis, the Clips could try testing their luck into a fast-paced offense. 

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Overshadowed by the other team in Los Angeles, the Clippers just needed one more big time player to help Baron Davis and the Clippers make some noise in the NBA. It will take more than a season for this team to get it together and figure out a winning formula, therefore this season won’t be the easiest.

 

4. Golden State Warriors (48-34)

Surprisingly, the Warriors had a much better season then they did the year before last season when they made it into the Semifinals. Last season the Warriors capped a 48-win season while not banking a playoff berth, it definitely hurt the locker room and organization. Baron Davis played and started a full 82 games for the Warriors, alongside Monta Ellis. Ellis grew into a 20 points per game threat for the team, while only being 22 years old. His play earned him  a beefy contract extension this summer. Monta averaged 20.2 points, 1.5 steals, 3.9 assists and 5 rebounds a game for the Warriors. Still, the Warriors were just two losses short from seeing the playoffs last season and the end result was changes to the core of the team. With Baron Davis gone, the Warriors have set the stage for young, Monta Ellis to help lead this scoring-hungry team into a playoff berth. That is, after his 30-game suspension.

Finals Odds: 64%

Player Spotlight: Corey Maggette

Newly acquired, Corey Maggette is set to make a difference into this Golden State team. Most may not remember, but Corey began is pro career in Orlando, averaging 8.4 points per game. After being traded, Maggette went on to play eight seasons with the Clippers, his physical play earned him many opportunities into the free throw line. Maggette grew into a reliable 20 point-per-game scorer for the Cippers and averaged 22.1 points per game last season with Brand gone. He can also rebound the ball too, averaging nearly six boards per game last season. Corey’s only 28 years old and 9 years deep into the league, his presence into the Warriors line-up will be tremendous.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Warriors slid their way into recognition two seasons ago through their unstoppable, relentless and loose offense. Their offense basically looked like what you would see at a outdoor pick-up game, expect these players could drain their shots respectively. Belinelli, Ellis, Jackson, Biedrins and Maggette can all do it for the Warriors if they can find that same rhythm from two seasons ago. Give them a couple of teams that take their playoff seeds for granted and there could be pending upsets this season.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

While exciting the Warriors gameplan does have its downside in sloppy play. Nelson isn’t your best defensive coach in the league and if teams can lock down the Warriors’ offense, this team isn’t going to see any success.

 

5. Sacramento Kings (38-44)

Reggie Theus’ first outing as a professional basketball coach wasn’t such a bad one, the losses came of course, but the future seems brighter for this team. A team led by the young Kevin Martin, who averaged 23.7 points per game last season was everything this organization needed. Martin is just simply a scorer for this team and plans to be for the next few years. Ron Artest and Mike Bibby are gone, but Donte Green and Jason Thompson could spark intense progression for this team. Now if only they could find Brad Miller’s true successor and a point guard. The Kings aren’t in anybody’s radar really when it comes to championship talk. Everyone knows it, fans can only hope for the best. Unless they build a new stadium in Sacramento, the Kings are one of the few franchises that could relocate. The Las Vegas Kings sounds fitting, but that doesn’t relate to anything that’s current. The Kings can only hope this rebuilding stage goes smoothly.

Finals Odds: 33%

Player Spotlight: Beno Udrih

The lefty, Beno Udrih came from Slovenia to succeed his game into the NBA. Udrih began his NBA career with the untouchable Spurs of 2005, who went on to win the Finals in his rookie season. Udrih already has two championship rings on his hand and carries a unique talent at the guard spot. At a young 26-years of age, Udrih took full advantage of his oppurtunity to step up for Sacramento last season in the absence of Mike Bibby. His 12.8 points and 4.3 assists per game aren’t gasping, but it was sufficient enough for a 5-year contract extension. Beno brings a great basketball IQ and shooting touch to his game. Udrih is the young point guard of Sac-Town’s near future, alongside the scoring machine, Kevin Martin, Udrih’s low assists per game should improve significantly this season.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Realistically, it’s just not there yet. There is some talent in this team, especially in Martin, Moore, Garcia and their new rookie, Donte Greene. The Kings would have heavily rely on three things. One, Bobby Jackson and Brad Miller’s playoff experience. Two, Moore’s flexibility to move the ball around at a quick pace in their half court offense to create open looks. Three, their great perimeter shooting.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Like many other unfortunate squads, not enough talent to match up with the rest. Like it was said before, the league is all about match ups and from what it looks like, the King’s roster doesn’t match up against the skill level other teams will bring to the court.

Division Previews: Southwest

Southwest Division

Easily the strongest division in the loaded West, with four out of the five teams in the division having a playoff spot. This stacked division held a combined record of 240-170, and that’s including the pathetic Grizzlies ‘08 campaign, where they pulled a 22-60 record. The division was headlined with such players as last year’s runner-up MVP, Chris Paul, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzki, Yao Ming and Manu Ginobili. With more role players sliding into the division and Memphis improving, this division will continue to remain the strongest this season.

The Ranks

1. New Orleans Hornets
2. Houston Rockets
3. San Antonio Spurs
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. Memphis Grizzlies

 

The Previews

1. New Orleans Hornets (56-26)

All fans of New Orleans should be overly proud. The Hornets have become one of the biggest success stories in the sports world. Behind young pioneer, Chris Paul, the Hornets ran away with the division with a 56-26 record before getting edged out by the Spurs in the Semifinals. The Hornets were just one role-player short from becoming a Finals team last year. After their strong season, the Hornets played even better in the post season, Chris Paul evolved to a 24 points and 11 assists per game monster, while David West backed him up, averaging 21.2 points a night. Getting eliminated was a tough thing to swallow after such a dominating season, but the future remained strong. They lost guards, Jannero Pargo and Bobby Jackson but will be set with Mike James playing as a back up. The Hornets settled their role player needs with swing men and ring-winners, James Posey and Devin Brown. With things looking up, the Hornets behind Paul should expect to go farther into the post season.

Finals Odds: 89%

Player Spotlight: David West

Believe it or not, David West has been in the league for five years. West has been a Hornet since being drafted back in 2003, he began to become a factor for the team in his third season, when he averaged 17.1 points per game. Chris Paul was one of the players that helped emerge West’s game into becoming an All Star player last season. West’s game brings forth a physical presence while being able to knock down the jumper from anywhere inside the perimeter. West lead the Hornets in blocks per game, averaging 1.3 a night, while scoring 20.6 points per game. West was respectively Chris Paul’s best look when it came to scoring the basketball and expect no change this season.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Hornets are blessed with one of the wittiest leaders of the game in Chris Paul. The young leader pushed this team all the way to the Semi’s last year and now with nearly a duplicate roster (minus Pargo, plus Posey) they are in perfect shape for a bigger run. Their offensive attack is marked with intense enthusiasm and colors, keeping them above most opponents in the West. Last year was Paul’s first post season and overall it was an impressive outing for his first time. With some playoff experience now intact, as long as Paul stays healthy, this team is realistically a Finals contender.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Hornets still remain in the Western Conference and are sometimes blind-sided by teams with just a bit more persistence. Their loss in game seven against the Spurs help back that fact. Any small slip ups and before they know it, they’re out of the contest. Their need for a definite shooting guard could also be another concern that could hurt them throughout the season.

 

2. Houston Rockets (55-27)

High expectations are in the air when it comes to the Rockets. They seemed unstoppable during their 22-game winning streak, even without Yao in the final 10 games. It was only fitting the streak was ended by Boston. Their season was tailored to become a championship level one until Yao Ming went down with a season-ending foot injury. Tracy McGrady’s career struggle to get out of the first round in the post season came back to haunt him once again. McGrady’s relentless effort in the playoffs couldn’t be argued against, but the absence of Yao was felt as they got the first round boot. The Rockets tuned their roster with a few young players and a veteran shooter in Barry and their expectations toward the ‘09 season remained positive. When the news broke on August 14, that had Ron Artest coming to Houston, the thoughts towards the upcoming season changed, drastically. After several years of being bashed because of their horrid defense, the Rockets are given a much stronger physical presence behind Artest’s defensive tactics and play. Alston and Scola were also two players for the Rockets that became difference-makers last season, with their return the Rockets seem to be well set for a more victorious season.

Finals Odds: 72%

Player Spotlight: Carl Landry

Landry began his collegiate basketball career at Vincennes University, he averaged 19.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game in his sophomore year. He then transferred to Purdue University to continue his push for a pro career. The stats didn’t change, he averaged 18.2 ppg. and 7.1 rpg. He finished his career at Purdue as a fifth year senior, leading the team in scoring and rebounds. After being drafted by the Sonics, he was then traded to Houston for a draft pick. Landry didn’t get much playing time for Houston at first, sitting out the first 33 of the first 36 games of the season. Thanks to Yao’s injury, Landry finally saw some playing time and made the most of it. Landry averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while playing only 16.9 minutes a night. Landry quickly became a fan favorite for Houston through his efficient low post play. After his strong rookie season, Landry nearly became a Bobcat this summer when he signed an offer sheet worth $9 million, but Houston immediately matched the offer..

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Rockets were heading into another season packed with wonder. After an amazing run and early exit, Houston couldn’t afford to lose any of their star players through injury. Right before everyone thought the big names were done shifting, Houston made the big trade for Ron Artest. The Rockets now hone a nearly perfect team, assorted with role players, swingmen, leaders and hustlers. With all these tools, Houston can make their case for a Finals spot this season.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

In the Rockets last six playoff appearances, they’ve been eliminated in the first round. McGrady’s isolated difficulty when it comes to getting out of the first round didn’t help in 2005 when he arrived in Houston. The Rockets are currently better than they have been in previous years, but the players on the roster have their own separate exclamation points. Some are injury prone and most importantly Artest must keep it together to give this team a chance. The Indiana Pacers dominated the league in 2004, with a league best 61-21. The following season brought forth the largest Finals potential ever, until Artest laid his knuckles on a fan that was in the stands. That massacre resulted in the loss of players, chemistry and hope for a championship. The Rockets can only hope Artest holds his composure throughout the season and not bust out into one of his moments.

3. San Antonio Spurs (56-26)

The Spurs failed to capture the championship last season. With their falter and the spur of unfamiliar teams rising up due to young talents, doubts are approaching the cast that have won three championships in the last six seasons. The argument of age is beginning to set in, that same nucleus that brought home limitless dominance is drawing doubts. Or is it? The surge of western firecrackers that fuse with confidence help overshadow the humble wisdom behind San Antonio’s essence. Looking deeper into the picture, the only player from the core offense is 36-year-old, Bruce Bowen. With Duncan at 32, Ginobili recently turning 31 and Parker at 26, the Spurs still have a reliable set of years before they can throw the towel into rearranging things around Parker. Three wins away from hitting the Finals, the Spurs added pieces of talent to pad their roster. To help fix the aging athletes that are loaded in their roster, the Spurs signed their set of young, talented players that don’t make recognizable noise. Players such as Darryl Watkins, an undrafted, tall, shot-blocker from Syracuse. 23-year-old, Anthony Tolliver, a ball player that spent time with the Cavaliers, NBDL, and in Germany, where he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Devin Green, who basically had the same journey, having a short stint with the Lakers before playing both NBDL and German ball. The Spurs are well known for having deep scouting towards humble, no-name’s that turn out to become an efficient part of San Antonio’s quest for another ring. After averaging career-highs in points (19.5), assists (4.5), and rebounds (4.8), all from the bench, Manu Ginobili’s dependability towards becoming the prime scorer of this team will be San Antonio’s main attack, behind Parker’s orchestration of course.

Finals Odds: 76%

Player Spotlight: Roger Mason Jr.

Some may have seen Roger a couple times last season while he was with the Wizards. Mason Jr. is an athlete that’s been across the world and has worked hard to get to where he now. Roger began his basketball career in high school, where he helped his school have their best season. He attended the University of Virginia and had a great three years playing collegiate basketball before declaring for the Draft in 2002. Roger was then drafted as the 31st overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. He was on the Bulls roster for two seasons, but only played a petty three games. The Bulls traded Mason Jr. to the Raptors before Toronto went on to waive him a few days later. After a disappointing professional career, Mason took his game overseas. He played for the powerhouse greek team known as the Olympiacos for a season, then played in Isreal for another year. Mason was ready to continue his basketball career in Japan but was signed by the Wizards a few days before. In his second year Washington, Roger made the best out of Arenas’ and Butler’s absence due to injury. Mason Jr. went on to average career highs in all parts of his game and was given a respectable 21 minutes a night. His 9.1 ppg and 1.7 apg. through limited minutes last season was rewarded with a 2-year contract worth $7.3 million. Playing in San Antonio will further tender his game and make him a smarter guard than what he already his. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

It’s the Spurs. The veterans of the veterans. 28 playoff appearances. Season after season they’ll either be praised or counted out but still pull together the magic to work together to exceed expectations. This franchise hasn’t had a losing season since ‘97, after that Duncan came in and they’ve never missed out on the post season. Duncan has brought this team their first Finals appearance and San Antonio has never lost a Finals series in all four of their appearances. It’s only been a season since the Spurs seen the Finals, so climbing back into that scenario with a bunch of vets that keep getting smarter isn’t a question.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Like it’s been said before, age is the only concern surrounding this club. Being the oldest team in the NBA, the Spurs have all the tools to become champions but they must keep their age behind them. All the players are past their 30’s besides a three our four of them. Their defense was busted last year when they faced the Lakers and lost 1-4 in the Conference Finals. The Lakers, like a set of other teams in the conference were a team much more athletic than the Spurs, giving San Antonio the exit. Though the Spurs made their efforts to get younger and athletic this summer, it might not be enough to get past New Orleans, Houston, Phoenix or the Lakers again this season.

4. Dallas Mavericks (51-31)

After seven straight winning seasons, the Mavericks showed some decay and desperation last season, before capping off their eighth. Dallas lost 16 more games than it did the previous season, before sliding into the playoffs with the seventh seed. They took an early exit in the first round for the second time in a row, this time to the superior Hornets, and so did their head coach, Avery Johnson. The dismissal fired off shocking reactions from all basketball followers, as Johnson possessed a 194-70 total record, along with a Coach of the Year Award while becoming the fastest head coach to achieve 150 wins. Heading into the deadline, the Mavericks gamble to trade away developing guard, Devin Harris for 35-year-old, Jason Kidd. Kidd created more ball movement and open shots but ultimately became ineffective for Dallas in the post season. This off season should be different with Jason Kidd being able spend some time with Dallas before and after the Olympics. They’ve brought back Diop for some size, James Singleton should also get some playing time for Dallas after being acquired. Josh Howard has played good enough to become the Maverick’s second best scorer next to Nowitzki. Still, Dallas hasn’t showed any signs of immense change to put themselves above others in their tough division.

Finals Odds: 69%

Player Spotlight: Jose Barea

The 24-year-old, 6-foot, point guard that went undrafted in the 2006 Draft is easily one of the most talented Puerto Rican guards that the League hasn’t heard of. With his stats reading 4.3 ppg., 1.3 apg., 10.5 mpg., it’ll be a while before Barea hits Arroyo’s status. With that aside, Jose moved to the U.S. for his senior year of high school ball, in high school he averaged 24.8 points per game and attended Northeastern University for four years. In college, Barea’s game improvised smoothly, as they looked better and better through time. 20.7 ppg., 5.8 apg. during his sophomore year, 22.2 ppg., 7.3 apg. in his junior year and 21 ppg., 8.4 apg. in his senior year. After going undrafted, he participated for the Warriors and Mavericks Summer League teams and played nicely. The Mavericks then went on to give him his chance and Barea has done everything he could to hold on to his spot in the league. He was sent to the NBDL in early 2007 and hung more than 40 points twice in four games. Earning the D-League’s Player of the Week, his averages for the games totaled, 31.5 points, 7.5 assists and 6 rebounds a game for his team. Barea’s small size doesn’t stop the guard from his rebounding, passing and shooting ability, his play has kept him close to the Maverick’s roster.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Adding Jason Kidd was a smart move for a team that is desperately in search of a title now. Nowitzki, Stackhouse, Terry can’t stay young forever. Kidd is the smartest and most generous point guard in the league, surrounding him with these explosive players will hurt defenses. With eight months now into the Maverick’s system, Jason Kidd’s full impact will be felt this season.Yes he’s 35. But these aren’t the Nets, Jason just has to bring what’s left of his game to help connect this dangerous team together. This team is still hungry and Rick Carlisle is a great rebound after the senseless Avery Johnson firing. 

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Defense, athleticism and youth could be the three factors that could blitz their Finals hopes. Ever since losing to Miami two seasons ago, things just haven’t been the same. Believe it or not, Dallas isn’t one of the top three team in the Western Conference after previous seasons of holding their own as an elite squad. If Kidd continues to shoot, if Dirk never gives driving the ball into the lane a thought or even if Howard is given camera time during the national anthems, there could be problems.

 

5. Memphis Grizzlies (22-60)

The Grizzlies abandoned their main image last season when trading away Gasol to make room for the younger brother. The trade has helped the shape the future of this young team, with young, talented guard, Javaris Crittenton and two future first round draft picks. The first draft pick was Kevin Love, but with some clever management by the franchise, Love and three other players were traded for the freshmen sensation, O.J. Mayo. With players like Gasol, Miller and Navarro gone, the guard-stacked Grizzlies will have plenty of leadership options. It’s been said that Kyle Lowry wants to take a strong step towards being a leader, after a solid sophomore season. Either way, it’ll be a treat for Grizz fans to soak up the great set of young, productive guards. As expected, Rudy Gay’s breakout year was a success, statistically. Gay improved his stat line to 20 points and 6.4 rebounds per game compared to 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds he had in his previous season. The Grizzlies will remain to have a crafty set in their front court with Hakim Warrick and Darko Milicic returning. Featured players they’ve brought to Memphis includes 23-year-old, Marc Gasol, who’s a more grittier inside player than his older brother. And also, Hamed Haddadi, an Iranian center that stands tall at 7′2”. Haddadi was one of the top players for his Iranian national basketball team during the Olympics, the 23-year-old led the Olympics in blocks and rebounds per game. Grizzlies have made smooth steps toward making a statement in their tough division, their young stars will someday become nightly headliners.

Finals Odds: 34%

Player Spotlight: Darko Milicic 

Known as the player that was drafted before heads such as Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade. Darko came into the league as an 18-year-old, tall, skinny serbian with a ridiculous amount of suspicion towards his game. Darko saw little playing time in his first 2 1/2 seasons in Detroit, behind coaches Larry Brown and Flip Saunders. When Milicic was traded to Orlando in his third year, he was finally given the oppurtunity to showcase his play after watching all the players drafted after him bloom into comfort in the league. With Orlando, Milicic went on to average 8 points, 1.8 blocks and 5.5 rebounds per game in his fourth season. After that season, in his first time being a free agent, Darko was immediately signed on the first day by the Memphis Grizzlies for a three year contract worth $21 million. In Memphis, Darko took advantage of his extended playing time, starting 64 out of the 70 games he played. Milicic’s scoring and blocks decreased a bit, but has improved his game down low making him a tougher big man. Standing at a tall 7 feet and being only 23 years of age, Darko has plenty of basketball ahead of himself, his style shows promise and it’s only a matter of time before he becomes a favorable player for Memphis. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Grizzlies did a great job in revamping their roster after ending the Pau Gasol era. Their roster has great, talented and young post players. Their guards can easily light it up on any given night. Rudy Gay has blossomed accordingly, averaging 20.1 pgg and 6.2 rpg. last season. In the Draft they managed to shift things around to bring O.J. Mayo to this developing squad. If the guards find hot streaks, front court meshes together beautifully and player like Mayo and Gay unload on teams, the Grizzlies could see them selves in the post season for strange surprises.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Grizzlies are in the toughest Division. It’s too difficult to overcome the caliber that’s shared in the Southwest Division. Inexperience will be the main reason why this team won’t be able to keep up with the rest of them. But that’s pretty much it, because the talent is there.

Division Previews: Central

Central Division

The Overview

A division that lacks supreme competition when compared to others. The Central division has been recently represented by Detroit and Cleveland. With both Milwaukee and Indiana undergoing the rebuilding stage, Chicago still remains searching for a playoff spot after a one-year absence. This year shouldn’t prove to be no different for this division. Some stories to take into account are Detroit’s small signs of deterioration, Chicago’s new leader and Milwaukee’s strong rebuilding efforts.

The Ranks

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Detroit Pistons
3. Chicago Bulls
4. Milwaukee Bucks
5. Indiana Pacers

 

The Previews

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (45-37)

LeBron’s five years with Cleveland have been productively heroic. Since his arrival back in 2003, the atmosphere in Cleveland has been relatively positive. In an astonishing career doomed by lavish reliance. LeBron has undoubtly fulfilled all needs besides an actual Championship year for Cleveland a task that carries a strong degree of difficulty. This season bring forth different strokes for James and company. This off season, Cleveland’s roster changes shouldn’t change the team’s chemistry but should bring a stronger winning feel. Their losses weren’t tremendous (Damon Jones, Devin Brown) but they’ll have somewhat of an effect (Delonte West, Joe Smith). Wally Szczerbiak continues to become a small cancer for the rotation and his departure seems near. The main stories stemming from Cleveland include Maurice Williams arrival and his mesh with James on offense. Williams, who averaged 17.2 points and 6.2 assists for the Bucks last season, isn’t the final piece to the Cavaliers’ Championship hopes, but his presence will have a stabbing effect. This will be another phenomenal year for LeBron James, his experience will continue surface across the league.

Finals Odds: 86%

Player Spotlight: Delonte West

Delonte West’s 3-point shot with 5.4 seconds left that gave Cleveland a 3-1 lead over Washington in the first round may have been West’s biggest shot of his career, but there are more to come. West’s game all through college and the pros has been revolved around the killer instinct swirling around his left-handed jump shot. In college, West’s junior year was highlighted by his 23 points and 9.7 assists per game. Upon entering the NBA, West gained wholesome playing time in his second year, starting all 71 games he participated in for the Celtics. As a starting, he averaged 11.8 points and 4.6 assists per game while only having one year under his belt. His role was slowed down when he was traded to the Sonics due to Seattle’s depth in guards, but once he was traded to Cleveland, he once again showcased his game. With Mo Williams now a Cavalier, West will expect to continue his strong play after a great season that awarded him a multi-year contract with the Cavs in September.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Cavaliers were one win away from getting back into the Conference Finals last season. James put the scare on the Celtics after a last steal and dunk to make it a close one before getting eliminated. This season the roster hasn’t changed much really, since it didn’t really have to. Cleveland has the best player in the East and the last thing they want to do is ruin any chemistry that’s obviously building between the team. Instead, they added Mo Williams the quick and talented point guard from Milwaukee. Williams carries crazy ball handling skills along with a polished and deadly jumper. LeBron James will continue to feast on opposing defenses with a great reliable source to kick the ball back to in Williams. The Cavaliers also have one of the best defenses in the East. It’s obvious Ben Wallace has gone back a few steps but he hasn’t lost it all and should be set to lead their tall front court in stopping the ball and clearing the glass. Behind James, anything is possible for Cleveland. His ability to score at will is a factor that will put this club back into the Finals.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Cavaliers would have to run into Eastern heavyweights such as Boston, Detroit, and Orlando. Teams such as those can edge out James and the Cavs just like Boston and Detroit have done in the past. Pressuring Williams and putting a ridiculously strong effort to eclipse James on defense are the solutions to keeping this team away from going the distance.

 

2. Detroit Pistons (59-23)

“Detroit Basketball” remains the same. No grizzling roster changes, no isolated game plans, 8 consecutive winning seasons that have identified them as respectable playoff contenders and gave them six consecutive Conference Finals appearances. It seemed as though the system was about to going serious construction when trade rumors swirled throughout the media that had big-time success pieces such as Chauncey Billups or Rasheed Wallace going elsewhere. Thankfully, no trades were made and the Pistons remain basically the same. The loss of Lindsey Hunter will hurt some hardcore Detroit fans, but Rodney Stuckey’s impressive year last season provides the quick heal. Detroit’s coaching line has been impressive throughout their 8-year run (Carlisle, Larry Brown, Saunders), their 3 year deal with new head coach, Michael Curry will make it an interesting season for the Piston’s game plan. Their 2-year deal worth 8 million with the entertaining Kwame Brown is also another process to take into account for the team’s development.

Finals Odds: 84%

Player Spotlight: Rodney Stuckey

Stuckey’s college career can be explained by his nine 30-point games and three 10-assist games while playing for Eastern Washington University. In Detroit, the 6′5” guard emerged as a fearless player with a scorer’s mentality. Stuckey’s rookie season for Detroit was a solid one at best, but his playoff performances gave him prominent exposure. Stuckey’s pro career began with amazing stats during the post season, 32.1 ppg. and 9.1 apg. Then he broke his hand. The fracture caused him to miss a huge portion of the regular season, but his comeback provided compensation. While in the playoffs, under 23 minutes, Stuckey averaged 8.2 points and 3.4 assists per game last season. He became a reliability along with Maxiell off the bench. With the Pistons nucleus still intact, Stuckey should expect to get more playing time around a crafty set of veterans that should guide him to become a main attraction in Detroit.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Next to the Spurs, the Pistons are one of the playoff teams to stay away from. Their expanding growth and experience in the post season has put them above the rest when it comes to the games that actually matter. Even though they showed some slip up last season to Philadelphia, the Pistons are best at exploiting team’s weaknesses. They were on the verge of completely destroying the team’s nucleus but didn’t in the end. Detroit comes back into this season with Maxiell in the starting line-up, his play will damage opposing defenses nightly. When it comes to serious, realistic talk, the Pistons always have their name in the bag and it should remain that way with their youth players adapting to the winning scheme.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Poor, lackadaisical shooting could be one of the key things preventing this team from moving deeper into the post season. The Pistons can’t run out of gas in the post season, nor show any signs of age. The team still lacks a true center and can’t afford Rasheed to play emotionless in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see what they do to Kwame Brown, as long as they keep the ball away from him when it matters late in the season.

 

3. Chicago Bulls (33-49)

The new era begins. First-time coach, Vinny Del Negro and the number one Draft pick, Derrick Rose arrive in Chicago to give the Bulls a winning face. The six-year extension with Loul Deng is bigger than anyone can imagine for this franchise. The Bulls possess one of the deepest rosters in the league. Tyrus Thomas’ breakout year is still on hold, and the Bulls’ low-post scoring remains as the only issue. Collectively, this group will provide it’s loyal followers a bright season and future. While the Eastern Conference remains to get stronger, Chicago’s playoff hopes turn into a squeeze. Their off season proved out to be strong after finally settling a deal with their most efficient shooter, Ben Gordon in the beginning of training camp.

Finals Odds: 59%

Player Spotlight: Tyrus Thomas

Tyrus Thomas’ pro-career began when he was drafted by the Blazers as the fourth overall pick to then be traded to the Bulls. The Bulls gave up their number 2 draft pick, LaMarcus Aldridge, in hopes that the 6′8” forward would errupt to a killer in the front court. They targeted his freakish jumping ability along with his great shot-blocking skills. In his first year with Chicago, Tyrus had his limited moments of explosiveness, but lacked productivity for the Bulls with 5.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Heading into his second season, many expected Thomas to break out or at least have a much better season but Tyrus just couldn’t live up to the expectations. Heading into future years, it’s relatively hard to count out Tyrus Thomas’ potential with the exclusive shades of blocks and dunks he sparingly has throughout the season.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

With Derrick Rose now on board, Chicago’s upcoming season will catch plenty of attention whether they do good or bad. Rose, who isn’t afraid the attention and can easily get dirty when in the big stage could benefit from this. Derrick’s last college game turned out to be the National Championship game. Despite the loss, Rose tallied 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 rebounds, his play doesn’t change when the stakes are high. After such a bad season, people tend to forget this team was two wins away from playing in the Eastern Conference Finals two seasons ago. The Bulls are a young and talented team that could get it together with new leaders in their coaching and point guard spots.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

It’s kinda hard to completely swap a team’s attack when they were ranked 26th in offense and only notably added Derrick Rose to the roster to change everything. Unless there’s an unmatchable chemistry within the team’s guards, the Bulls could be headed for a better season than last year, while still missing the playoffs.

 

4. Milwaukee Bucks (26-56)

Another team that faced immense changes. Unfortunately, all these changes will move them one or two spots higher than what they finished last season. The woe-shooting Desmond Mason is gone, along with Bobby Simmons and Yi Jianlian. New arrivals such as Richard Jefferson, Luke Ridnour and rookie, Joe Alexander are players worth watching for avid Milwaukee followers. The mix between the new and old players is also an stimulating factor. Michael Redd’s patience with below-average disappointing seasons is beginning to hit Jermaine O’Neal status.

Finals Odds: 31%

Player Spotlight: Ramon Sessions

The 56th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft from the Bucks turned out to be Sessions, a 6′3” point guard with great decision making and passing skills. Sessions’ negatives were listed as a poor shooter that lacks the league’s average athleticism. After spending some time in the NBDL, once averaging 29.6 points, 8 rebounds and 12.3 assists per game in three games for his team, Sessions was moved back up to the Bucks. In his debut, the weaknesses were exposed, when he scored just two points. Sessions continued going at it with the Bucks, play less than 10 minutes in his first five games. In his ninth career game, he sank a game-winning shot to beat the Wizards and get his name cycling through the league. Four days later, Ramon had his breakout game, scoring 8 points and 10 assists. From then on, Sessions averaged exactly 13.4 points and assists in his final seven games for Milwaukee. Most notably, on April 14th, when the rookie went on to break a franchise record, with 20 points and 24 assists. Sessions’ late stats marked him as assist machine for the Bucks’ exotic offense, with Williams gone, he should see more looks for his teammates and possibly new records.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Bucks made a healthy amount of shifts to their roster heading into the 2009 season, adding some more veterans to their young team. Richard Jefferson is a straight baller for the league and even though he may not like his new location, it’s not going to change. Assuming that Redd brings that winning attitude he received from the Olympics, Bogut, Jefferson and Villanueva would help push this team to make them a contender. This team does have size along with perimeter shooting, mixing both of these elements correctly could be deadly.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Neither Ramon Sessions or Luke Ridnour can turn into destructive point guard machines overnight. This team needs a strong point guard with experience to bunch this squad together right. Even though they’re tall, this team could be one of the softest in the league. It’s been five years since this team had a winning record, it’s doubtful they’ll strap things together so quick after a 26-56 finish last season.

 

5. Indiana Pacers (36-46)

After their first year under Coach O’Brien the Pacers couldn’t avoid their need for more weapons on the floor. The season began with an impressive 3-0 start, before dipping into a 6 game losing streak, that became the story of the season. Relying on Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy isn’t always a pleasant compromise, therefore their losses continued to stack up throughout the year. Their off season was expected to be something to watch, and it was. Indiana nearly cleaned house, taking away the former face of the franchise in Jermaine O’Neal. But the current young Indiana crew consisting of newcomers, T.J. Ford, Jarrett Jack, Brandon Rush, Roy Hibbert and Nesterovic isn’t a horrendous bunch.  The Pacers defy reconstruction. With all these guards, Jamaal Tinsley’s days are numbered, which isn’t a terrible thing. The maturation and development of Granger appears to be going super, with Granger averaging 5.7 more points per game than last season. Time will be the only tough thing to swallow for this team’s success.

Finals Odds: 24%

Player Spotlight: Danny Granger

The young Granger entered the NBA during the downside of the Pacers franchise. His rookie year was a decent one, with humbling stats of 7.5 ppg. and 4.9 rpg. As the Pacers continued to deteriorate, Granger’s role grew more and more. He saw much more playing time in his second season, starting 57 games compared to his rookie season’s 17. Last season Granger’s role exploded, averaging 19.6 ppg., 2.1 apg., and 6.1 rpg. Danny became a default starter for Indiana, starting the 80 games he played. Still, the 6′9” forward is only 25 years of age with a bright future in front of him. In a roster stuffed with swingmen around his size, Granger’s unique skill will continue to help lead Indiana to a better future. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Four years ago, Indiana possessed the best record in the league at 61-21 (yes, that includes the Western Conference). Of course, times have changed and so have the people, drastically. With all these new players in the Indiana line-up, players such as T.J. Ford, Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush are paired alongside Daniels, Granger and Dunleavy. Who knows, Ford and Granger could develop some magic wins to develop a winning groove for this struggling team to slip them into the post season. Maybe the player Indiana receives for Tinsley could add on to that groove. 

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Pacers are simply not ready to face what their opponents will bring to the table this season. Nearly every time stacks up better than this club, making it nearly impossible for this team to create runs. The team lacks a true, bonafide, compelling leader and won’t see success until they find one.

Division Previews: Atlantic

Atlantic Division

The Overview

The Atlantic Division this season will, for once, be one of the most interesting divisions to follow this season. That is, in gracious thanks to the revamped teams of Philadelphia and Toronto. This division has dealt with it’s respected amount of changes in some rosters due to monster signings by Philadelphia, notable trades and international losses by Toronto, and massive reloading by both New York and New Jersey.

The Ranks

1. Boston Celtics
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. Toronto Raptors
4. New York Knicks
5. New Jersey Nets

 

The Previews

1. The Boston Celtics (66-16)

The 2008 NBA Champions come into the league with a caliber that is ever-so-hard to ignore. Sure, they’ve lost some huge role players in James Posey and P.J. Brown but they still have the main men who gave them the parade. The loss of Posey could prove out to be one of the biggest losses in role-player-history (it’s that serious). Some small additions such as Patrick O’Bryant and Darius Miles aren’t anything major. The loss of Sam Cassell is a plus for the team, even though they desperately lack a point guard. Stubbornly relying on Rondo to carry the load for another season could eventually have it’s backlash unless Rajon put some serious work into his jump shot this off season.. Another year, is both good and bad for Boston, good in the sense players such as Leone Powe and Glen Davis maturing, but bad with the big three becoming a year older. Ray Allen became 33 over the summer, Garnett 32 and Paul Pierce, who turns 31 in October. The fact remains though, these are the Champions and it will take more than perseverance to take them down, ask the Cavaliers.

Finals Odds: 89%

Player Spotlight: Leon Powe

Besides his crisp haircut, Loen Powe has a story behind him that many couldn’t grasp. He grew up in Oakland, with a father that left him when he was only two years old. When he was seven, his house was burnt down, resulting in he and his family to become homeless for years. In high school his mother died before his state championship game. It’s obvious Powe’s life wasn’t the easiest growing up, but he never let it affect his game. In college, Powe attended California University and in his sophomore year he achieved 20.5 pgg. and 10.5 rpg. while leading Cal to a 20-11 record along with a tournament berth. Once getting drafted, he suffered limited playing time for the struggling Celtics during his rookie year. But with Kevin Garnett’s arrival, the club were given a winning atmosphere and confidence. Powe then went on to average 7.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in only 14.4 minutes per game during his second year with Boston. During last year’s finals, Powe was unleashed during Game 2, scoring 27 points and 11 rebounds. With his presence felt, Leon comes into his third year as an efficient back-up power forward with amazing promise. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Boston will win the Championship this year by replicating what they did last season. They must bring the same hunger they had last season. With a player like Garnett on the team, it’s hard to argue they won’t have the same hunger. Players like Garnett and Pierce laid it all on the floor last year before getting crowned. It’s only been one year for anyone to say there’s nothing left in tank. This roster didn’t undergo any serious changes to put them out of championship talks. The Celtics come into each game knowing they have the best group of players and proved it every time, winning 66 games. They carried the best defensive ranking in the league while having the defensive player of the year in Garnett. Their roster was combined with extensive leadership (Garnett), skill (Pierce), clutch play (Ray Allen), role play (Posey, House), youth (Rondo, Perkins), and veterans (Cassell, Brown). Another year can only mean more time for this untouchable group to become even more comfortable with each other. As long as KG remains on this team, Boston will always be in Finals talk.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Celtics made it hard for most teams to find their true weakness. One of the best ways teams found to attack Boston was to force the young Rajon Rondo to shoot the ball more. Rondo’s shot selections weren’t the best and the guard only made five total three-pointers last season. In the playoffs, Rondo has the third lowest shooting percentage for the team at .407%, the strategy worked for the most part, but no team could get around the talent Boston packed. This season team’s can only hope that Ray Allen’s shooting fails like it did in the post season and Rondo continues to keep up his poor shooting for this team to stay away from the Finals.

 

2. Philadelphia 76ers (40-42)

Stefanski made it clear to Philadelphia that there will be changes in the roster and this summer the 76ers underwent the biggest face lift in the league. The Sixers first nabbed arguably the best free agent in Elton Brand. Then, smartly paid Iguodala and Williams for the future. After that, carefully hand-picked effective role-players, Royal Ivey (defense), Theo Ratliff (size), Kareem Rush (perimeter shooting) and Donyell Marshall (shooting and boards). Their draft pick, Marreese Speights has already gained acceptance in the city of Philly, which is huge. They couldn’t afford to lose Iguodala, for they’ve worked on him since day uno (hence the fat contract). Philadelphia will create problems. Andre Miller must continue his wise-play, Iguodala must improve his shooting and Louis Williams should see much more minutes so that rest will fall into place.

Finals Odds: 73%

Player Spotlight: Louis Williams 

Coming into the league, this cat was given poor comparisons and expectations. Most scouts predicted the high school prospect and to go undrafted after his poor workouts until Philadelphia drafted Williams with the 45th overall pick late in the second round. Young Lou Williams compared himself to Allen Iverson, the Sixers former star at the time. But his first steps in the NBA had no relation to a young Allen Iverson and Philadelphia sent Williams to the NBDL. While playing for the Development League, Williams averaged 26 points and 7 assists in over three games. With Iverson’s days being numbered in Philly in the following season, Williams was brought back up to play for the Sixers. In his sophomore season, he got a hint of more playing time and averaged 4.3 points and 1.8 assists per game why playing under 12 minutes a night. The ‘08 season rolled in and Williams benefitted greatly with a young Philly team that now shared the scoring with Iverson gone. Williams played for the full season, providing electric scoring off the bench. His play caused many fans followers to prefer Williams as the starter over Willie Green, who the Sixers’ starting two-guard. At the end of the season, Louis averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 assists and 1 steal per game, while being the team’s best three point shooter by percentage. Louis Williams’ appreciation and respect was felt and the Sixers resigned for five years, worth 25 million. With things looking up for the franchise, Williams is one of the top players on Philadelphia’s roster with great expectations, his playing time and stats will improve along with his status. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Sixers were the undisputed winners of the 2008 free agency. With a player like Elton Brand on board, Philadelphia’s quest to become a deeper playoff team is becoming a reality. Led by Andre Miller and Iguodala, Philadelphia went into the playoffs under Maurice Cheeks as head coach for the first time. Their success became a surprise to many, with the team not having such great expectations coming into the season. With Billy King finally out as the Sixers GM, new manager, Ed Stefanski made his presence felt immediately by sculpting the roster to a brighter future. The Korver trade will always be argued, with Philly being the worst 3-point shooting team last season. But with Rush and Marshall in the roster, the perimeter should fix the three-point shooting wooes for the most part, while having a future first rounder coming out of the Korver trade. Philadelphia also drafted Maurice Speights, a tenacious power forward that will become resourceful with stud-rookie, Jason Smith gone. Philadelphia is close to become a strong, complete team in the league. While the East still remains open, the Sixers just need to climb over one or two teams before having their glance at the O’brien trophy. Still for the most part, Stefanski fixed the screaming holes on this team and has pleasantly given the league warning shots aiming a Philadelphia’s resurrection to dominance.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Eastern Conference still holds its unique tough set of teams that could easily stop Philadelphia in their run for the Finals. The Sixers shouldn’t expect to be exposed as they were last season by the Pistons in the playoffs, but surely teams will find a way to frustrate Iguodala and Brand. The Sixers don’t have a bonafide scorer and attacker along the lines of Bryant, James, or Stoudemire and you best bet teams with such weapons will shove it to Philadelphia’s face when it matters. The Sixers are relying on a set of borderline, hopeful vets to bring home a championship. Just like Boston did, but with better names. No one will match the heart this team carried when they had Iverson, fans will only hope Brand will help bring it back, while trying to sway away from injury-prone criticisms.

 

3. Toronto Raptors (41-41)

This flexible bunch has done it’s best to extend opposing defenses after the departure of Vince Carter. This season, it’s no different when it comes to that factor, but over the off-season the Raptors underwent tremendous change. Shortly known for their expansion in international talent that opened the perimeter, the Raptors lost a handful of their international weapons in Carlos Delfino and Jose Garbajosa. T.J. Ford finally got beat out of his job in Toronto by Jose Calderon, as expected. Thanks to Calderon, trading away a young Ford for Jermaine O’Neal wasn’t anything but great for the team. The overall look of the roster still remains physically weak and lacking any toughness. The bulkiest player for Toronto is Nathan Jawai, a 280 pound rookie center from Australia that probably won’t see many minutes. The line-up seems electric for Toronto regardless of their lack of toughness. With Calderon leading the crew, Bargnani extending the floor, an encouraging amount of role players and the O’Neal-Bosh tandem down low, Toronto is guarunteed to have a better season than last year.

Finals Odds: 63%

Players Spotlight: Jose Calderon

Calderon carries a special swagger and intelligence to his game that remains unmatched. Former Raptor’s point guard, T.J. Ford, found out the hard way. When Ford was traded away it was clear that Calderon, a Spaniard sensation, out-balled Ford out of his starting spot, which landed him in Indiana. After playing magnificently in Europe, Calderon made the shift to the NBA by signing with Toronto. His rookie season proved to be well solid, critics claimed his poor shooting was a mental factor, for he shot well in Europe. His second season saw great progress, being capped off by averaging 13 points and 5.3 assists per game in the playoffs. Last season, Calderon’s potential was unleashed. The crafty playmaker averaged 11.2 points and 8.3 assists per game under 56 starts out of the 82 games he participated in. Calderon couldn’t be in a better position this season, as he’s expected to play alongside Bargnani, Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Raptors possess one of the most unique offenses in the league. Their offensive attack is sometimes unmatched, as they contain a lengthy set of players that can also shoot the ball well from distance. It was said they needed another big man down low, who better than 6-time All-Star, Jermaine O’Neal. It’s been nearly two year’s since O’Neal convinced watchers that he’s an elite power forward. But everyone knows what big-time trades can do to star players, hence Shaq and Garnett. Sure, O’Neal isn’t on the same caliber, but with Bosh, Bargnani and Calderon on his side, the chances are immense. Toronto is one of the best perimeter teams in the league, with 2-time defending 3-point champion, Jason Kapono and Anthony Parker. Bosh continues to extend his game yearly, Bargnani has been said to be getting stronger and Calderon is just getting started. They could apply pressure to the best teams the Eastern Conference has to offer, leaving them to an easy ticket to the Finals.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

It has yet to be proven whether they have the mental toughness they lacked last season. Teams such as the Pistons and Celtics can easily muscle this squad to create turnovers. Still, with tall, skinny post players in Bosh and O’Neal, Toronto can only hope to not run into big time centers like Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire (with Shaq!), and Garnett. Toughness is the biggest factor that holds this team back from a cham.pionship, and the problem is many teams carry that factor.

 

4. New York Knicks (23-59)

A team that’s currently in the process of Obama-like change. After the hiring of former Sun’s coach, Mike D’Antoni, along with the firing of Isiah Thomas, the 08-09 season came in too soon for New York, Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford sadly remain on the roster. Different faces come into the picture to accompany the Mike D’Antoni leadership with Chris Duhon, Danilo Gallinari, Patrick Ewing Jr., and Anthony Roberson. Renaldo Balkman, one of the few true players for New York now plays for Denver. Thankfully, the Knicks bright light, David Lee still remains on the roster. It’s only a matter of time before more player swapping occurs, resulting in an unbearable mess for the Knicks’ upcoming season.

Finals Odds: 21%

Player Spotlight: David Lee

If you follow a good portion of basketball, you know who David Lee is. The 6′9” power forward from the Knicks is one of the most efficient players off the bench. Lee is a graduate of Florida University, having played three great years in college, Lee was drafted in 2005 by the New York Knicks. Lee began his pro career as a small forward, starting 14 games all season. While averaging 16.9 minutes a game, Lee averaged 5.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in his rookie season. In his second season, his fan base grew quickly. David saw more playing time at 29.8 minutes a game, while putting up an impressive 10.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Many New Yorkers craved for Lee to have a more specific role for the team, after starting less games than his previous season. David became one of the most productive and hard-working players in the Knicks’ line-up, which was surrounded by players with fat contracts while lacking motivation. Lee finally gained more playing time the following season, starting 29 games. Opponents have become aware of Lee’s huge role in the Knicks offense and around the glass. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

With a new coach in Mike D’Antoni, the Knicks will look to change the team’s mind-set. The Knicks will look to be led by newcomer point guard, Chris Duhon. In hopes that Duhon’s game will explode and players like Zach Randolph and Eddie Curry can get it together in the front court, the Knicks will to surprise the league. With a couple of different shifts in the roster, Crwaford’s loose cannon should hopefully contain itself to sensible shot selections. Wilson Chandler is also a baller for NY that can make some noise. Behind all the money, New York’s line-up does have solid talent could create a substantial amount of wins.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Facing the fact that it’s the Knicks we’re talking about, this franchise hasn’t seen a playoff birth since the ‘03-’04 season. With all the changes, this is still the same heartless team it was last season. Relying on players like Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, Jamal Crawford and quite possibly a selfish Stephon Marbury, isn’t going to get this team anywhere different than last season. There’s still a boatload of changes that this team needs to undergo before even thinking about a championship.

 

5. New Jersey Nets (34-48)

Another team with a completely different look heading into the season. But this look is for the future, not for this season. Richard Jefferson, DeSagna Diop, Kristic, Nachbar and Marcus Williams are all gone, is Carter next? Most likely. The Nets have brought in plenty of young size throughout the off-season in Brook Lopez and Yi Jianlian. Their future is marked with abundant questions regarding their path towards a true leader. This will be another season to forget about for New Jersey, but the future for the Nets will be nothing less than epic.

Finals Odds: 19%

Player Spotlight: Devin Harris

Harris came into the league after making a name for himself in college. At the University of Wisconsin, Devin worked his way to become a freshmen starter. His game then emerged during his sophomore year, and in his junior year, Harris’ game took Wisconsin to the Sweet 16. Before getting eliminated by Kentucky, Harris’ amazing skill shined on the big stage. With his great defensive-mindset, quick first step, court vision and uncanny ability to dunk the ball with authority, Devin Harris was drafted fifth overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. In his first set of years for the Mavericks, Harris adapted to the team’s up-tempo offense, while being a combo guard. When he was traded to New Jersey last season, Harris’ role became completely different. Devin ushered his way into the starting line-up in New Jersey as the Nets braced themselves to have Harris become their floor general for years to come. Harris’ stats reached their highest when playing with New Jersey, averaging 15.4 points and 6.5 assists per game. With Marcus Williams recently being traded away in July, Harris’ position as the team’s prime point guard became solidified. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Nets are a team that have completely swapped their image. Trading away the team’s former leading scorer, Richard Jefferson, makes Vince Carter the scoring veteran. If he remains a Net, Carter will be surrounded by many different unique talents, most notably Yi Jianlian. The struggling Nets last season were against the grain after losing Jason Kidd, but defeated Cleveland 3 out of their 4 match ups and put up close games against the Lakers and Celtics. Harris, Jianlian and Carter would have to mesh together to produce reliable scoring and defense to get deep into the season.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Lets face it, the time isn’t quite there yet for New Jersey. Unless Carter explodes to become the player he was four years ago, this team’s history. There’s just too much skill in their division for this team to even hope for a playoff berth. This team just needs more time and maybe some sort of King.

Division Previews: Southeast

Southeast Division

The Overview

A division that was ruled with frustration last season. For Washington, the annoyance of various injuries preventing the team from building the court chemistry. For Miami, the unbelievable inability to win games, with or without Wade. For Charlotte, the failure too show any signs of a breakout season since their debut back in ‘04. The division also had its shares of respected dominance at times, with Orlando putting up a 52-30 record and become the third seed in the playoffs. The Gilbert-less Wizards held their own against LeBron’s Cavaliers, before getting eliminated. And after landing the final eighth seed in the playoffs, the Hawks put a vicious scare to the number one-seeded Celtics, in a series that lasted seven games. Excluding Miami, the division didn’t undergo any monumental changes in each of the teams as the others did, leading to roughly similar results this season.

The Ranks

1. Orlando Magic
2. Washington Wizards
3. Charlotte Bobcats
4. Miami Heat
5. Atlanta Hawks

 

The Previews

1. Orlando Magic (52-30)

The Magic shocked the division with their excellent adjustment to Rashard Lewis’ game. The move gave them 12 more wins compared to their previous season. For Orlando, their offense just seemed limitless with the wing attack coming from Hedo Turkoglu, Lewis, and Bogans. Turkoglu shined amazingly for Orlando, winning the Most Improved Player Award behind 19.5 points, 5.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game last season. Turkoglu didn’t miss a single game last season, his clutch game-winners and leadership brought together this talented crew. Dwight Howard became a stronger headache for any opposing head coach to get around. Howard led the league in rebounding with 14.2 boards a night. He statistically improved his game in every department, from points to steals. Dooling and Evans have left the team but Orlando quickly responded by upgrading the roster with defensive maestro, Mickael Peitrus and the experienced Anthony Johnson. The Magic are a much better team in every aspect this season then they ever were in 12 years.

Finals Odds: 67%

Player Spotlight: Keith Bogans

Keith Bogans, the 27-year-old graduate from Kentucky University, first kicked off his professional career in Orlando. The steady 6′5” guard has been in the league for five years without brushing any erractic attention. His solid game doesn’t glow towards anything specific, unless you want to count his perimeter instinct for the jumper. After his rookie year in Orlando, Bogans was traded to Charlotte, then Houston, before landing back in Orlando in 2006. In his last two seasons with his familiar team, Keith has provided a substantial role as a respected bench player for the Magic. Last season, he pumped his stat line up a bit, with 8.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Though his career high averaged are held in Charlotte during the franchise’s first season, it’s much more appreciated here in Orlando, with the talented set of players he’s around. With the Magic not doing anything major to their shooting guard spot this off season, Bogans should receive more playing time around J.J. Redick and newcomers, Jeremy Richardson and Courtney Lee.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Orlando Magic are packed with respected leadership and clutch play behind players, Turkoglu, Lewis and Howard. Their strong, 52-30 record last season screamed to the league the amount of talent and athleticism this team holds. Even without a stellar shooting guard, Orlando can spread the floor with the best of them, while also being able to dominate in the paint. The Magic have a current unique force to the league that remains unmatched.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Unless you count Hedo Turkoglu, the Magic lack post-season experience and big time play. They currently have the players to build on that, but last season’s 1-4 series exit to Detroit explained their weakness. The Magic continue to be slapped in the post season with either an early exit or no entrance at all. Though last season marked their second consecutive playoff year in a row, the Magic haven’t been in the playoffs before that since 2003 (the McGrady era). They will have extreme difficulty when matched up against teams such as the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

2. Washington Wizards (43-39)

In a season that was left for dead without Arenas, the Wizards pulled together to become one of the most solid teams of the season. Behind Antawn Jamison and Butler’s comeback from injury, the Wizards made strong punches for a deep finish. Stevenson took his dip into publicity by lashing out against LeBron James while jacking numerous three-pointers throughout the season. As expected, Gilbert Arenas came back in time for the playoffs but sat out for the rest of the season after four games, leaving Washington out-numbered in their first round exit against the Cavaliers. Washington didn’t really make any noticeable moves over the summer, besides picking up their drafted rookie, JaVale McGee, a 7-footer from Nevada. Washington didn’t really need any moves anyway, for their roster is well-set for a convincing championship push. Now, if only this team can do the same they did last season until early January, when Arenas returns.

Finals Odds: 40%

Player Spotlight: Andray Blatche

Blatche is a player that has had his own unique journey into the NBA. Declaring himself for the draft straight from high school in 2005, Blatche got the lucky opportunity to play for Washington, after being selected as the 49th pick. Andray then went on to miss the team training camp when he was shot in a carjacking. Luckily, he recovered successfully and had a chance to play for the Wizards as a rookie. His 6′11” stature as a forward has great upside potential. Since he was straight from high school, at one point, Washington had him spend some time in the NBDL. Blatche returned to the Wizards to play for most the season. Last season, Blatch hit career highs in his stats, averaging 7.5 ppg. compared to his 3.7 from the previous season. The injuries in Washington caused Blatche to receive more playing time. He also participated in all 82 games of the season for the Wizards. With such great size, Andray may see more minutes this upcoming season playing different positions.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Wizards highly praise themselves as one of the division’s top elite teams when healthy. Without a question, that statement has its substance. Their big three consisting of Butler, Jamison and Arenas is a dangerous bunch to deal with, on both sides of the ball. With confident companions in Stevenson and Nick Young, while also supplied by a solid set of front court players led by Brandan Haywood. The 31-year-old, Jamison just had one of his best seasons, averaging 21.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Butler showed promise after coming back from his hand and hip injuries. With Arenas’ comeback scheduled to be some time in early 2009, the Wizards will have time for the big three to get comfortable before attacking in the post season.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

While claiming to be one of the division’s top elite teams when healthy, the Wizards have a problem being healthy. Arenas played a career-low, 13 total games last season. Butler’s explosive play led him to miss a total of 43 games in his last two seasons. Their reliable player remains in Antawn Jamison who was present for 79 games last season, while putting up great stats. It’s terrific that players like Juan Dixon and DerMarr Johnson are added into the roster for the season, but they won’t be enough. The Wizards need Arenas to make a strong comeback from injury without suffering another knee injury. Besides Butler, Washington also lacks defense, something that’s critical in this league for a team to even glance at gold.

 

3. Charlotte Bobcats (32-50)

They underwent another struggling season, this time behind their  head coach, Sam Vincent.  This season they come into the season with what is hopefully a vintage Larry Brown. Jason Richardson, individually, had an impressive year for Charlotte, averaging 21.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. The explosive, yet injury prone, Gerald Wallace managed to show up for 62 games last season, his presence has been impacting for Charlotte every game. This upcoming season, the Bobcats haven’t made any moves to stir up the division. With Earl Boykins’ short stint in Charlotte over, the Bobcats went and drafted Texas guard, D.J. Augistin to help back up Raymond Felton. Emeka Okafor is still in Charlotte progressing a reliable center, averaging 13.8 points and 10.7 rebounds last season. The this team is silently talented, but still lack their ability to get together for strong strings of wins for a playoff spot.

Finals Odds: 32%

Player Spotlight: Raymond Felton

The former Tar Heel has been a stud for Charlotte ever since he was drafted. Felton crawled into the starting line-up during his rookie season and has been the team’s default point guard since. His on-court leadership along with unmatchable quickness has put him in the drivers seat for Charlotte’s maturation. Ever since being drafted, Felton has become the perfect recipe for Charlotte’s explosive and high-octane offense. His praise is hurt by the team’s difficulty in stacking up wins. Still, once Charlotte becomes a competitive playoff team, (which could be sooner than you think) Felton will become a fan-favorite guard that possesses a game many envy.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Ever since their debut back in 2004, the Bobcats have been progressing each year to before a true force in their division. This season could give Charlotte fans something to enjoy. The Bobcats are becoming more and more of a complete team as years go by. This year could prove out to be a successful one for the franchise. The Bobcats carry extreme talent in Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, Jason Richardson and Raymond Felton. It’s almost a crime to see this team drop to last in their division with this squad. The Bobcats just need a playoff spot before they grind out upsets.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

Though there’s talent all around, the Bobcats are still short one player and one or two role players before winning anything major. Charlotte desperately needs a stronger scoring threat inside, Okafor’s 13.8 ppg. just isn’t enough. This team needs to build chemistry and develop a respectable character in the league to atleast scare any of the elites in their division. 

 

4. Miami Heat (15-67)

The Miami Heat couldn’t do anything right to win games in 2008. Losing Wade for 31 games really did it to the team, Miami couldn’t even win game with Dwyane suited up either. The Wade-less team made losing a habit, with L’s across the calendar. In December, they notched just 3 total wins for the month, not to mention their 15-game losing streak that carried on into January. The team was a mess without their leader, the scoring was so divided that Wade ended up having the most points for the team, despite playing 51 games. Losing Udonis Haslem for more than half the season, didn’t help either. With a season-worst record of 15-67, Miami turned in their 2nd overall draft pick for Michael Beasley. The moves Miami made this summer can’t do anything but make fans exciting for what’s ahead. Of course, Beasley will make his mark, but the main stories down in Miami include Dwyane Wade’s resurgence from injury and the team’s commitment to win. Dywane Wade’s olympic performance was nothing less than epic, Wade looked relentless when scoring the ball. With the addition of Jamaal Magloire, Miami fixed their post for the most part. Alongside Wade and Marion, rookies Chalmers and Beasley will make significant changes to the team’s overall attack, making this one of the most interesting teams coming into the season.

Finals Odds: 35%

Player Spotlight: Deaquan Cook

Last season rookie, Deaquan Cook came into the league after being formally drafted by Philadelphia before getting traded for Jason Smith. With the absence of Dwyane Wade into his first season with Miami, Cook was given healthy playing time at 24.3 minutes per game. With his great size at 6′5”, Cook explored different parts of his game in the league, shooting threes and taking the ball inside. His play resulted in 19 starts in the 58 games he participated in. Cook ended up averaging 8.9 points alongside 3 rebounds per game. He also had his career high (23 points) against the Clippers back in March. With Dwyane Wade, Beasley and Marion headlining the 2009 season, Cook will look to squeeze himself into the line up with his proficient play.

Why they will be NBA Champions.

Rewind back two seasons ago, Miami were 2006 NBA Champions. Sure, this championship race isn’t solely based on experience and recent events, but Dwyane Wade’s performance blinded us as they went on to uppercut Dallas in the Finals. Though the team did also have Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq’s dominat presence can be backed up statisically, with the players they have now. Another point being, Dwyane Wade’s play this summer proved he’s much better than he was ever before. Wade’s explosive play can lead any team in the league and push them for a run. Hopefully no body forgot about his rookie year, where the 22-year-old Wade dragged his team alongside Eddie Jones and Odom to a close semifinals series. The Heat are an aspiring young group, surrounded by hope and dedication.

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

While the Heat are expanding and upgrading their roster, they still lack the most important positions in the game, a point guard and a center. Dwyane and Marion can’t single-handledly bring gold for Miami either. The Heat still lack a blockbuster trade that would put them in a serious conversation relating to the NBA Finals. The absence of Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning is deadly felt for Miami, they’re need of a physical presence will continue to hurt them also.

 

5. Atlanta Hawks (37-45)

The Hawks were running with a 22-29 record heading into the break, their acquisition of Michael Bibby in a trade developed more character behind a team that’s been in the shadow. Under a whole different offensive scheme, Michael Bibby and the Hawks meshed together to produce a 15-17 record after the trade. The move slipped them into the last seed in the playoffs, resulting in some unparalleled noise against the current NBA Champions, Boston. Bibby who was undergoing thumb, heel and quad injuries, tallied 16.1 points and 6.6 assists per game with Atlanta. Childress left the team to play overseas, but there are plenty of players ready to fill his spot, though his unique play will be missed by some. They’ve added some size with Randolph Morris, and some isolated scoring with Maurice Evans and Ronald Murray. Working out a contract to keep Josh Smith away from places like Philadelphia was tremendous. Atlanta’s roster is exploding with firepower while lacking veterans. Still, their ‘08 campaign only brought them closer to becoming a seriously competitive team this season.

Finals Odds: 32%

Player Spotlight: Marvin Williams

Williams progressed beautifully last season with the Hawks. The lengthy, 6′9” forward, started all 80 games he participated in for Atlanta, showing promise and consistency. Williams also stretched his crafty, all-around game, having better stats in every department besides assists. His 5.7 rebounds per game tremendously helped the Hawks in the front court, alongside young teammates, Josh Smith and Al Horford. Heading into his fourth season with the Hawks, Marvin should continue to expand his game along with his stats. His position on the starting roster continues to be guaranteed and with Bibby on the starting line-up for a full season, Williams should receive the same amount of looks, if not more than what he had with Anthony Johnson has the point guard. 

Why they will be NBA Champions.

The Hawks surprised the NBA when they squeezed a seven-game series against the Boston Celtics in the first round. The Hawks slid into the playoffs as the eighth seed and looked like a 4th seed when facing the top-seeded Boston. Their underdog praise grew immensely as they weren’t phased by the big three. Their re-signing of Josh Smith will prove out to help them for many years to come. 30-year-old Bibby hasn’t lost any part of his game and his leadership will be soaked by Atlanta as the long season begins. The real rookie of the year, Al Horford had an impressive first year and will develop to become a true menace around the boards. If things go as they expect, the Hawks should find themselves in a more comfortable seed and will have the opportunity to go great lengths in the post season. 

Why they won’t be NBA Champions.

The Hawks haven’t won a Championship since 1958, back then when they had Bob Petit and Cliff Hagan. Fifty years later they’re roster is once again composed of young and very talented players. Atlanta horribly lacks veterans. Besides Bibby, Joe Johnson and Speedy Claxton, this group is one of the youngest on the floor. The Hawks have a good set of offensive weapons but also need to put more emphasis on their defense. Horford is a ridiculously tough and physical player, but he solely can’t bring Atlanta the presence they need down low.