2008-2009 NBA Season Preview

2008-2009 Basketball Preview

 

Due to the great success of my predictions last year (including people saying stuff like, “yo, this is wacky.”), I am back with predictions for the upcoming season. I want to note that various trades may occur between now and the beginning of the season. So, the line-ups I project may be completely different from what the real starting line-ups turn out to be (Note: Anywhere you see (?), I wasn’t sure who would play the position for the team. Usually this means the team is weak at that position).

 

Also, note that the teams are done in alphabetical order first. At the end of the article I will post my predictions for records, playoffs, and personal awards.

 

Eastern Conference

 

Atlantic

            - Boston Celtics:

                        Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Kendrick Perkins

                                    PF – Kevin Garnett

                                    SF – Paul Pierce

                                    SG – Ray Allen

                                    PG – Rajon Rondo

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F/C – Glen Davis

                                    F – Leon Powe

                                    F – Darius Miles

                                    C – Patrick O’Bryant (since he did so much for the Warriors)

 

                        Mike’s Take:

                                                The Celtics won the championship last year. So, I’m going to have to give them some credit. I thought a team devoid of bench help would struggle, but I was proven wrong. The Celts are the early favorites to win the Eastern Conference.

 

            - New Jersey Nets

                        Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Brook Lopez (?)

                                    PF – Sean Williams (?)

                                    SF – Bobby Simmons (?)

                                    SG – Vince Carter

                                    PG – Devin Harris

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F/C – Stromile Swift

                                    F – Yi Jianlian

                                    G – Chris Douglas-Roberts

                                    F – Eduardo Najera

 

                        Mike’s Take:

I’ve never been a fan of the Nets. I was always amazed when they would make the playoffs each year. They never seemed to have the talent to make the playoffs, but they always did. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that they aren’t going to make the playoffs this year. There are too many question marks on the team. Also, they had one of the worst trades of the off-season when they lost Richard Jefferson (coming off an All-Star caliber season) and only got Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons in return.

 

 

            - New York Knicks

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Eddy Curry

                                    PF – Zach Randolph

                                    SF – Danilo Galinari

                                    SG – Jamal Crawford

                                    PG – Chris Duhon (?)

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – David Lee

                                    F – Wilson Chandler

                                    F-G – Quentin Richardson

                                    G – Stephon Marbury (?)

                       

Mike’s Take:

The good news is that they got a very good coach in Mike D’Antoni. There is no further good news. The line-up doesn’t fit D’Antoni’s style (except Jamal Crawford). Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph were a disaster last year. After they fired Isaiah Thomas, they hired Donnie Walsh. You saw how great Donnie Walsh worked out for the Pacers (Anyone remember the Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy trade?). The PG position is a mess (Is Chris Duhon a starter? What’s happening with Stephon Marbury?). Looks like the Knicks will be back in the lottery next season.

 

            - Philadelphia 76ers

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Samuel Dalembert

                                    PF – Elton Brand

                                    SF – Andre Iguodala

                                    SG – Kareem Rush (?)

                                    PG – Andre Miller

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Thaddeus Young

                                    G – Louis Williams

                                   

Mike’s Take:

The Sixers made some of the biggest splashes in the off-season. First they looked like they would snag Josh Smith from Atlanta. Then they grabbed Elton Brand. Last, they finished by re-signing Andre Iguodala. For a team that made the playoffs last year, these are some pretty solid movements. It looks like the Sixers will be back in the playoffs this year. They might even make a run at the division/conference title.

 

 

            - Toronto Raptors

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Jermaine O’Neal

                                    PF – Chris Bosh

                                    SF – Jamario Moon/Andrea Bargnani

                                    SG – Anthony Parker

                                    PG – Jose Calderon

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Jason Kapono

                       

Mike’s Take:

Last year, the Raptors were my hot pick. I liked their bland of International ballers and thought they had something great going on. It turned out that the foreign players either didn’t play up to their promise (Bargnani), were injured (Jorge Garbajosa), or were stuck playing back-up (Calderon). If Bargnani and Calderon have great seasons this year, the Raptors could squeak into the playoffs. Even with a healthy Jermaine O’Neal, the Raptors are a borderline playoff team.

 

Central

            - Chicago Bulls

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Joakim Noah

                                    PF – Drew Gooden

                                    SF – Luol Deng

                                    SG – Kirk Heinrich

                                    PG – Derrick Rose

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Andres Nocioni

                                    G – Larry Hughes

                                    F – Tyrus Thomas

                                    G – Ben Gordon (?)

 

Mike’s Take:

I don’t know what to think about the Bulls anymore. Two years ago, they looked like they had the beginning of a dynasty on their hands. Then last year they looked like the same old post-Jordan Bulls. Now they have #1 overall draft pick, Derrick Rose, on the team. But Rose looked kind of bad in Summer League play. The Bulls are a team that could win the division or end up in the lottery again.

 

            - Cleveland Cavaliers

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Zydrunas Ilgauskas

                                    PF – Anderson Varejao (?)

                                    SF – LeBron James

                                    SG – Daniel Gibson (?)

                                    PG – Mo Williams

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Wally Szczerbiak

                                    G/F – Sasha Pavlovic

 

Mike’s Take:

The Cavaliers are going to make the playoffs. As long as LeBron is playing in Cleveland, they will win enough to make the playoffs. Now they have a “go-to” number 2 guy in Mo Williams. The only problem is that Mo isn’t good enough to be a number 2 guy. Look for the Cavs to win their first round series and then fall off in one of the following rounds.

 

            - Detroit Pistons

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Rasheed Wallace

                                    PF – Jason Maxiell

                                    SF – Tayshaun Prince

                                    SG – Richard Hamilton

                                    PG – Chauncey Billups

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    C – Kwame Brown (?)

                                    G – Rodney Stuckey

                                    G – Arron Afflalo

 

Mike’s Take:

I took a lot of flack for leaving the Pistons out of the playoffs last year. It was an accident and I did it unintentionally. They are going to make the playoffs again this year (and probably win their division). But don’t look for them to make the Finals or anything like that. They have a good team, not a great team.

 

            - Indiana Pacers

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Roy Hibbert/Rasho Nesterovic

                                    PF – Troy Murphy

                                    SF – Danny Granger

                                    SG – Mike Dunleavy

                                    PG – T.J. Ford

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    G – Brandon Rush

                                    G – Jamaal Tinsley

                                    G – Marquis Daniels

                                    G – Jarrett Jack

                                   

Mike’s Take:

I liked the moves the Pacers made this off-season. They flipped the ghost of Jermaine O’Neal for a solid PG (T.J. Ford) and a draft pick (Center Roy Hibbert – who could end up playing better than O’Neal this season; taking O’Neal’s injuries into consider). That being said, the Pacers are still a middling team. They have good players, but there is no go to guy (Danny Granger is great, but he’d be better suited as a strong second banana). They could luck out and make the playoffs, but I think the more likely scenario is that they will be in the lottery again next season.

 

            - Milwaukee Bucks

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Andrew Bogut

                                    PF – Joe Alexander/Charlie Villanueva

                                    SF – Richard Jefferson

                                    SG – Michael Redd

                                    PG – Luke Ridnour/Ramon Sessions

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    C – Francisco Elson

                                    G – Tyronn Lue

 

Mike’s Take:

 I was pretty high on the Bucks last season. They shut me up pretty quickly. While they got a steal in the Richard Jefferson trade, I’m not sure they are good enough to make the playoffs. If they get outstanding play from one of their PGs and Jo Alexander, they have a good shot of making the playoffs. More likely, they will playing with the ping-pong balls come April.

 

Southeast

             - Atlanta Hawks

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Al Horford

                                    PF – Josh Smith

                                    SF – Marvin Williams

                                    SG – Joe Johnson

                                    PG – Mike Bibby

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    C – Zaza Pachulia (?)

                                    G – Acie Law

 

Mike’s Take:

Well, Josh Smith ended up staying put. This is great news for the Hawks. With a strong core of Smith, Joe Johnson, and Al Horford, they have the makings of a playoff team. The problem, though, is the team around them. Mike Bibby and Marvin Williams are fine, but what this team needs is a solid, high energy guy coming off the bench. Where’s Josh Childress when you need him? Oh yeah, playing in Greece. The Hawks are another boarder line playoff team. I could see them getting as high as a 6^th seed or they could be in the lottery.

 

            - Charlotte Bobcats

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Nazr Mohammed (?)

                                    PF – Emeka Okafor

                                    SF – Gerald Wallace

                                    SG – Jason Richardson

                                    PG – Raymond Felton

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    G – D.J. Augustin

                                    F – Sean May (if healthy)

                                   

Mike’s Take:

 The Bobcats did little to improve their team this year (Larry Brown is not an improvement). I’m not too high on draft pick D.J. Augustin. Look for the Bobcats to be in just about the same position they were last year.

 

            - Miami Heat

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Udonis Haslem

                                    PF – Michael Beasley

                                    SF – Shawn Marion

                                    SG – Dwyane Wade

                                    PG – Mario Chalmers

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    G – Daequan Cook

                                    C – Alonzo Mourning (?)

 

Mike’s Take:

I took a lot of criticism for saying the Heat wouldn’t make the playoffs. Well, not only did they not make it, but they had the worst record. Chalk another one up for the bad guys. Anyway, the Heat will make another flip-flop in their standings this year. They have the ability to run with anyone, score with anyone, and even play defense to lock other people down. I’m going to go ahead and say they will win their division this year.

Note: If I hadn’t seen Dwyane Wade in the Olympics, I would have probably had the team as a boarder line team. Having seen that he is healthy and kicking ass, the Heat get the upgrade to probable division winners.

 

            - Orlando Magic

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Dwight Howard

                                    PF – Rashard Lewis

                                    SF – Hedo Turkoglu

                                    SG – Courtney Lee (?)

                                    PG – Jameer Nelson

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Mickael Pietrus

 

Mike’s Take:

Did the Magic make any moves this off-season? Oh yeah, they signed Mickael Pietrus. They are good enough to make the playoffs, but they would have trouble winning their division. Look for the Magic to take a middle playoff seed (like 4^th through 7^th seed).

 

            - Washington Wizards

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Brendon Haywood

                                    PF – Antawn Jamison

                                    SF – Caron Butler

                                    SG – DeShawn Stevenson

                                    PG – Gilbert Arenas

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    C – Etan Thomas

                                    G – Nick Young

 

Mike’s Take:

For the past couple of years, the Wizards have been defaulted into the playoffs. They had a good team, but not one that anyone would hoot or holler about. Now the rest of the East has improved and the Wizards have stayed the same. Do they still have enough to make the playoffs?

 

Western Conference

 

Pacific

            - Golden State Warriors

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Andris Bierdrins

                                    PF – Al Harrington

                                    SF – Stephen Jackson

                                    SG – Corey Maggette

                                    PG – Monta Ellis (injured until around December)

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Brandan Wright

                                    F – Anthony Randolph

                                    G – Marcus Williams

                                    C – Ronny Turiaf

 

Mike’s Take:

The Warriors missed the playoffs last year and their team didn’t really improve this year (swapped out Baron Davis for Corey Maggette). The best they can hope for is a hot streak to make the playoffs or an injury plague to hit the Western conference. If neither of those happen, they’ll be back in the lottery.

 

            - Los Angeles Clippers

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Chris Kaman

                                    PF – Marcus Camby

                                    SF – Al Thornton

                                    SG – Eric Gordon

                                    PG – Baron Davis

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Ricky Davis (?)

                                    G – Jason Williams (?)

 

Mike’s Take:

Things were looking up when the Clips signed Baron Davis and drafted Eric Gordon. Then they fell apart as Elton Brand walked. But the Marcus Camby steal came through and saved the hopes of all Clipper fans. But then they went out and got chemistry killer Ricky Davis and the artist formerly known as White Chocolate. Then Eric Gordon failed to play in the Summer League because of injuries. I think the Clippers season will play out similarly to their off-season. They’ll have ups and downs, and in the end things won’t look too good. They won’t make the playoffs this year.

 

            - Los Angeles Lakers

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Andrew Bynum

                                    PF – Pau Gasol

                                    SF – Lamar Odom

                                    SG – Kobe Bryant

                                    PG – Derek Fisher/Jordan Farmar

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    G – Sasha Vujacic

                                    F – Luke Walton

                                    F – Sun Yue (?)

 

Mike’s Take:

Last year’s NBA Finals losers (or Western Conference champs if you are into that positive spin thing), the Lakers look like they will continue on their winning ways. This year they will have Andrew Bynum show up (probably). If he is anything like he was before the injury, the Lakers have a devastating line-up. If he regresses, then they still have the goods to make a playoff run. Pencil them in as division winners.

 

            - Phoenix Suns

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Shaq O’Neal

                                    PF – Amare Stoudamire

                                    SF – Grant Hill

                                    SG – Raja Bell

                                    PG – Steve Nash

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    G – Leandro Barbosa

                                    F – Alando Tucker

                                    G – Sean Singletary

                                    F – Matt Barnes

 

Mike’s Take:

It is another year older for the Suns. Ever since they dropped the high energy score-fests, they have struggled. If they can’t find a winning identity, they could miss the playoffs. I think they have enough talent to avoid the lottery, but their playoff seed might be a bit lower than in previous years.

 

            - Sacramento Kings

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Brad Miller (?)

                                    PF – Shareef Abdur-Rahim (?)

                                    SF – Francisco Garcia

                                    SG – Kevin Martin

                                    PG – Beno Udrih (?)

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    C – Spencer Hawes

                                    C/F – Shelden Williams

                                    F – Mikki Moore (?)

 

Mike’s Take:

The Kings have my pick for worst team of 2008-2009. Outside of Kevin Martin, the team is a mess.

 

Southwest

            - Dallas Mavericks

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – DeSagana Diop

                                    PF – Dirk Nowitzki

                                    SF – Josh Howard

                                    SG – Jerry Stackhouse (?)

                                    PG – Jason Kidd

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    G – Jason Terry

                                    F – Brandon Bass

                                    C – Erick Dampier

                                    F – Devean George

 

Mike’s Take:

Why did the Mavericks bring DeSagna Diop back? Is it that hard to find a Center that will give you more than 3 ppg? With Josh Howard a mess (how can the Mavs say he is untradeable, the dude is overrated) and their SG position up in the air (Stackhouse is more of a sixth man), the Mavs looks like they might be in for a long season. The problem is that the only guy you want shooting at the end of the game on this team is Dirk. But everyone else knows that too, so they swarm him. Thus he ends up looking like he chokes in the pressure, but he just doesn’t get a fair chance. The Mavs should be able to win a good amount of games, but they are looking a bit worn out now. Right now they are only a boarder line playoff team.

 

            - Houston Rockets

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Yao Ming

                                    PF – Shane Battier

                                    SF – Ron Artest

                                    SG – Tracy McGrady

                                    PG – Rafer Alston (?)

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    C – Dikembe Mutombo

                                    F – Luis Scola

                                    F – Carl Landry

                                    G – D.J. Strawberry

 

Mike’s Take:

The Rockets have a good team. But they have issues. First, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are injury prone. Add to that the bit of turmoil Ron Artest has already brought and there could be some issues. The good news, though, is that they should be good enough to make the playoffs.

 

            - Memphis Grizzlies

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Marc Gasol

                                    PF – Hakim Warrick

                                    SF – Rudy Gay

                                    SG – O.J. Mayo

                                    PG – Mike Conley

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    C – Darko Milicic

                                    F – Antoine Walker

                                    G – Kyle Lowry

 

Mike’s Take:

The Grizzlies have silently built a solid team of athletic, talented players. Marc Gasol looked pretty good in the Olympics. O.J. Mayo showed that he’s got skills while in the Summer League. Meanwhile, rumors have been flying about possible trades (I’ve heard a rumor about a Darko for Zach Randolph deal and a Mike Conley or Kyle Lowry for Travis Outlaw deal). I’m not sure if either of those trades help the Grizzlies or not, but the fact that they aren’t afraid to shake things up is a good sign. They will be in the lottery next summer, but the future looks a bit brighter than it did 5 months ago.

 

            - New Orleans Hornets

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Tyson Chandler

                                    PF – David West

                                    SF – Peja Stojakovic

                                    SG – Morris Peterson (?)

                                    PG – Chris Paul

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Julian Wright

                                    G/F – Bonzi Wells

                                    F – Rasual Butler

                                    F – James Posey

 

Mike’s Take:

The Hornets made the big jump last season. They no longer have the element of surprise. Also, they no longer have their starting shooting guard. They do have the greatest player to ever where the multi-colored mouth-guard, James Posey. According to the people who commented on my blog last year, Posey is quite possibly the greatest player in the league. He basically clinches the Hornets the title. All joking aside, he is a solid role player and the Hornets will be a high ranked playoff team.

 

            - San Antonio Spurs

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Kurt Thomas

                                    PF – Tim Duncan

                                    SF – Bruce Bowen

                                    SG – Manu Ginobili

                                    PG – Tony Parker

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Michael Finley

                                    F-C – Robert Horry

 

Mike’s Take:

The Spurs win ever year… but they are getting older. I see them falling to the middle of the playoff field this year, but still doing well.

 

Northwest

            - Denver Nuggets

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Nene/Chris Anderson/Stephen Hunter (?)

                                    PF – Kenyon Martin

                                    SF – Carmelo Anthony

                                    SG – Allen Iverson

                                    PG – Chucky Atkins (?)

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Linas Kleiza

                                    F – Renaldo Balkman

 

Mike’s Take:

I don’t like the Nuggets this year. They don’t have an answer at the PG position and they dumped one of their strengths (Center Marcus Camby) and got nothing in return. They will struggle to make the playoffs this season.

                                   

            - Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Al Jefferson

                                    PF – Kevin Love

                                    SF – Ryan Gomes

                                    SG – Mike Miller

                                    PG – Randy Foye/Sebastian Telfair

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Corey Brewer

                                    C – Mark Madsen (?)

 

Mike’s Take:

 The Timberwolves are still terrible. How much longer will Kevin McHale be allowed to drive this team into the ground?

 

            - Oklahoma City “Robber Barons” (no team name as of this writing)

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Joe Smith/Chris Wilcox (?)

                                    PF – Nick Collison

                                    SF – Jeff Green

                                    SG – Kevin Durant

                                    PG – Russell Westbrook

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    PG – Earl Watson

                                    G – Damien Wilkins (?)

 

Mike’s Take:

The players on the team have talent, but no one is going to root for this team. Give them 5 years and they might be able to emulate the New Orleans Hornets. They should be in the lottery next season.

 

- Portland Trailblazers

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Greg Oden

                                    PF – LaMarcus Aldridge

                                    SF – Travis Outlaw/Rudy Fernandez (?)

                                    SG – Brandon Roy

                                    PG – Steve Blake

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    G – Jerryd Bayless

                                    G – Sergio Rodriguez

                                    F – Channing Frye

                                   

Mike’s Take:

The Trailblazers have the tools to make the playoffs. If they can avoid injuries (yes, I’m talking to you, Greg Oden), they will only have to compete with the Jazz for the division title.

 

            - Utah Jazz

Projected Starting Five

                                    C – Mehmet Okur

                                    PF – Carlos Boozer

                                    SF – Andrei Kirilenko

                                    SG – Ronnie Brewer

                                    PG – Deron Williams

 

                        Notable Bench Players

                                    F – Paul Millsap

                                    F – Matt Harpring

                                    F/G – Kyle Korver

 

Mike’s Take:

This is the same team as last year. They are good enough to win the division. They will make the playoffs.

 

The Playoff Picture

Eastern Conference

1) Philadelphia 76ers

2) Boston Celtics

3) Miami Heat

4) Detroit Pistons

5) Cleveland Cavaliers

6) Orlando Magic

7) Atlanta Hawks

8) Chicago Bulls

 

Western Conference

 

1) New Orleans Hornets

2) Los Angeles Lakers

3) Portland Trailblazers

4) Houston Rockets

5) San Antonio Spurs

6) Utah Jazz

7) Phoenix Suns

8) Dallas Mavericks

 

 

First Round Match-Ups

Eastern

 

76ers vs. Bulls ——- 76ers win

Celtics vs. Hawks — Celtics win (awesome rematch of last season)

Heat vs. Magic ——- Heat win

Pistons vs. Cavs —— Cavs win

 

Western

 

Hornets vs. Mavs —— Hornets win

Lakers vs. Suns ——– Lakers win

Blazers vs. Jazz ——– Blazers win

Rockets vs. Spurs —– Spurs win

 

Second Round Match-Ups

Eastern

 

76ers vs. Cavs ——- 76ers win

Celtics vs. Heat —— Heat win

 

Western

Hornets vs. Spurs —- Hornets win

Lakers vs. Blazers — Blazers win

 

Conference Finals

Eastern

 

76ers vs. Heat ——– Heat win

Hornets vs. Blazers — Blazers win

 

NBA Finals

 

Heat vs. Blazers

 

Champs

 

Portland Trailblazers – I might be giving them too much credit too early, but they have the makings of a dominant team.

 

Personal Awards

 

NBA MVP

 

LeBron James – It’ll either be him, or the league will continue it’s trend for giving out the award a year late and go with Chris Paul.

 

Rookie of the Year

 

Greg Oden – Does he qualify? If not, go with Michael Beasley.

 

Defensive Player of the Year

 

Tyson Chandler

 

NBA Finals MVP

Brandon Roy – They just pick the best player on the winning team, so I’ll give it to Roy.