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| Just like last night it'll be Celtics vs. the Heat in the ECFs |
I know the season started last night and the Heat are already well on their way to another championship, but there's still time for predictions. And since the NBA is the only sport I think I really know, I'm going to take a shot at predicting the 16 playoff teams, how the playoffs will shape out, the All-Star teams and the awards (Bar Down Style).
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat (61-21)
The only way the Heat don't take first place in the East is that they sit D-Wade in order to keep him from beating himself up, otherwise this team is LeBron-centric which means they will be once again unbeatable. LeBron really has no more pressure on him as most of the haters have died off, that probably is a bad thing for the rest of the league. Jalen Rose predicted that he'd average a triple-double and as mind-blowing as that thought is, it's totally realistic. If Ray Allen can simply knock down the (wide) open looks he gets, this win total could be 70.
2. Boston Celtics (56-26)
Rajon Rondo is a MVP candidate for me and if he can put up scoring numbers like I think he can, he'll contend with LeBron for the award. The additions of Jason Terry, Courtney Lee and Leandro Barbosa will more than fill the void left in Ray Allen's wake. Honestly, Ray Allen faded really hard down the stretch last season anyways. The only issue here is Kevin Garnett at the center position. He publicly stated he felt run down from playing the 5 and I believe him. I think he will have to play it because Sullinger and Fab Melo are just too young and immature.
3. New York Knicks (54-28)
HOMER ALERT: This rendition of the Knicks is going to be like the Bulls are, a defensive team with a monster scoring at the helm. Obviously father time is their biggest issue, but this team is going to a phenomenal defensive team with the additions of Camby and Ronnie Brewer (and whenever Shumpert comes back). They might even beat the Heat once or twice this season! Oh and I'm really not too worried about Amar'e being out, I kind of like them better off without him.
4. Indiana Pacers (53-29)
I know there's a ton of people on this team's bandwagon, but I'm not 100% sold on them because I don't really trust Danny Granger as their superstar. I like the addition of D.J. Augustin to back up George Hill, but I really enjoyed the up-tempo style of Darren Collison (who probably would start) who they let go this offseason. Hibbert also has a chance to be a superstar, but he's got to be absolutely dominate if Indiana want to contend with the big boys.
5. Brooklyn Nets (49-33)
The Nets got exponentially better this season, but there still not an elite NBA team. Deron Williams faded in the two years with the putrid version of these Nets and we'll see how much he can carry the load with a good team. Joe Johnson is a pure scorer, but he doesn't really do much else. He's probably the most overpaid player in the league and isn't going to be the sidekick that can take this team to the top. Brook Lopez is a highly overrated big man, and gets pushed around worse than the loser kid in the playground.
6. Philadelphia 76ers (47-35)
Last year we learned that the 76ers were a team built with 10 sixth man's. That was nice in the beginning when they shredded an easy schedule, but they came back down to life in the second half. This year they'll be better because of Bynum's presence, but injuries and his lackadaisical attitude makes him a serious issue with Coach Hustle (aka Doug Collins). This team is the last of the really good teams in my eyes.
7. Chicago Bulls (44-38)
The Bulls are going to have one interesting, two-halved season. Derrick Rose will be out til at least December (if rushed) or, as I think, all the way until early February. If the latter is the case then boom their record will be even worse. If the former happens, then they'll win more like 50-plus games. Either way this team is not what it used to be even with a healthy Rose. Carlos Boozer continues to prove his ineptitude with every step. I think the loss of garbage man Omer Asik and stalwart defender Ronnie Brewer will affect them more than originally predicted. Kirk Hinrich running the show in the Windy City just seems comical to me.
8. Atlanta Hawks (41-41)
Atlanta rounds out our Eastern Conference playoff teams and do so in interesting fashion. This team shipped Joe Johnson and his horrendous contract off to New Jersey, and while they didn't get any better, I don't think they got worse. However, they're still tied down to the sporadic play of Josh Smith. Al Horford will do his best to carry this squad, but once again the highly talented Smith will force this team to come up short.
Playoffs:
EC-Quarterfinals
1. Heat over 8. Hawks (4-1)
2. Celtics over 7. Bulls (4-3)
3. Knicks over 6. Sixers (4-2)
4. Pacers over 5. Nets (4-1)
EC-Semifinals
2. Celtics over 3. Knicks (4-3)
1. Heat over 4. Pacers (4-2)
EC-Finals
1. Heat over 2. Celtics (4-2)
All-Star Squad:
Starter-Tyson Chandler
Starter-Lebron James
Starter-Carmelo Anthony
Starter-Paul Pierce
Starter-Kyrie Irving
Roy Hibbert
Kevin Garnett
Deron Williams
Dwyane Wade
Greg Monroe
Chris Bosh
Rajon Rondo
Awards (Eastern conference only)
Best Addition
Jason Terry, Boston
Trash talking, free wheeling, better defensive style fits the Celtics team more than Ray Allen did.
Biggest Underachiever
Andrew Bynum, Philly
Might as well name this award after him. He and Doug Collins will not co-exist well.
Rookie of the Year
John Henson, Milwaukee
Will provide a serious defensive presence down low with Dalembert.
Best Player not Named LeBron
Rajon Rondo, Boston
He's really going to propel the Celtics this year and if he can score, he'll challenge LBJ for MVP.
Ready for Takeoff
Greg Monroe, Detroit
Better start recognizing the former saxa Greg Monroe because he'll be the only watchable player on the Pistons.
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