David Stern is one sly fella. I mean, he really outdid himself with this whole lockout thing. Sure, the delay of the season stung a little bit, but can you remember a more highly anticipated start to an NBA season in recent memory? The shortened free agency period provided a whirlwind of player movement and the shortened season provides a chance for any team to find itself in the playoffs. The lockout was the best thing to ever happen to basketball!
Wait, you mean the lockout wasn't just a ploy to stir up the excitement for the season? Oh. Well, regardless, here are my predictions for the outcome of the 66-game season:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic: Boston
Central: Chicago
Southeast: Miami
Rounding out the playoffs: New York, Orlando, Indiana, Philadelphia, Milwaukee
Eastern Conf. Finals: Miami over Chicago
Western Conference
Northwest: Oklahoma City
Pacific: LA Clippers
Southwest: San Antonio
Rounding out the playoffs: Denver, Dallas, LA Lakers, Memphis, Portland
Western Conf. Finals: Oklahoma City over Denver
NBA Finals: Miami over Oklahoma City
For what it's worth...
- So what, I like a trendy pick. If you can make an argument against it, I'll listen. However, there's almost no way you can convince me LeBron James and Dwyane Wade will not end up with the O'Brien Trophy in their hands at the end of the season.
- LeBron and D-Wade will earn the rings, but Kevin Durant will take home some hardware of his own when he will receive his first NBA MVP Award. LeBron and Derrick Rose will finish second and third, respectively.
- Kyrie Irving will play a big role in Cleveland's performance this season, but Minnesota's Derrick Williams will take home Rookie of the Year honors thanks in part to the publicity he'll receive from his weekly appearances on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays.
- Speaking of the T-Wolves, expect them to compete for the final playoff seed in the West. They are young and (brace yourself) talented. Ricky Rubio now finds himself in Minny along with the NBA's leading rebounder in Kevin Love, and a solid small forward tandem in Williams and Michael Beasley.
- So the LA Clippers are the new hotness. This comes as no surprise, considering they have an NBA Finals-caliber starting five on paper. However, the shortened season will require many teams -- including the Clips -- to play four games in five days and five games in a week. That's a lot of basketball, especially for a group of guys who have had a myriad of knee complications. I foresee a second-round departure in the playoffs.
- What will be important during the shortened season is depth. The Denver Nuggets have a roster that goes 10-12 deep and they'll ride that to the Conference Finals.
- John Wall will be the breakout player of the NBA this year. He showcased his elite speed and handles this summer playing in the Drew-Goodman games and he's poised to do the same in D.C. this season.
