The 2007-2008 NBA season was jam-packed with emerging stars, controversy, and once great franchises returning to glory. It will surely go down as one of the most memorable seasons the NBA has ever had. So what will the 2008-2009 season bring for an encore? It's never too early to begin predictions.
HOW THEY'LL FINISH
Atlantic:
- Boston
- Philadelphia
- Toronto
- New Jersey
- New York
Not many surprises here. Boston should breeze through the painfully weak Atlantic Division. Don't expect 66 wins from the C's again however, as I cannot imagine them getting through another season virtually injury free. Basically three tiers in this division as Boston is in its own class, Philly and Toronto will battle it out all year for second place, and New Jersey and New York should find themselves in the lottery yet again.
Central:
- Cleveland
- Detroit
- Chicago
- Milwaukee
- Indiana
When making this pick I am going to make a prediction and say Cleveland tries to really make a splash this off-season by adding a true star alongside LeBron instead of role players. I'm looking at the possibility of adding a guy like Elton Brand or Michael Redd. Detroit should be a very solid team but there reign as the class of the East is winding down as each year passes. I don't think the addition of a young head coach to a veteran team is going to work out for the best in Detroit. Chicago is obviously the wild card in this division because of their potential. If they keep Deng, Gordon, and add Rose they have a very formidable group of talent but they don't have enough consistent scoring to compete for the division.
Southeast:
- Orlando
- Miami
- Washington
- Atlanta
- Charlotte
This was easily the toughest Eastern division to predict. Not only does every team have great young talent that could decide this is the year to develop, Washington will have tough off-season decisions with Jamison and Arenas being free-agents. Miami could also look a lot different with Marion as a free-agent and the possibility of trading the second pick in the draft. I could see Orlando, Miami, or Washington all winning this division depending on how the off-season shakes out and Atlanta or Charlotte could sneak into the playoffs depending on how their young players develop.
Northwest:
- Utah
- Portland
- Denver
- Minnesota
- Seattle
Another division loaded with young talent. I love Utah and think they should take care of business in this division. They are a title contender withthe amazing talent and leadership of Deron Williams. Obviously Portland is everyone's sexy sleeper this year because of the young talent. I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade their draft pick this year, regardless, the key is how Oden responds in his first year in the NBA, if he is healthy enough to put up about 14 and 10 they should do very well. Although I think Minnesota is still at least a year away, they could be a sleeper with the inside presence of Al Jefferson and the scoring threat of potentially O.J. Mayo. If Denver can't keep Iverson and possibly unload Camby look for Minnesota to possibly make a run for third place.
Pacific
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Phoenix
- Sacramento
- Golden State
- Los Angeles Clippers
The Lakers should have no trouble at all in this division and will cruise to a huge margin most likely. I don't really like any other team in this division to do much. Phoenix should have enough established talent to take second but will not compete with the Lakers in the end. I only put Golden State below the Kings because of the possibility of Baron Davis moving on to another team. Even if he doesn't than the Kings will have a good chance of taking third because of some young talent mixed with some vets. The Clippers could be looking at a downright awful year if Brand leaves.
Southwest:
- New Orleans
- Houston
- San Antonio
- Dallas
- Memphis
With a great young nucleus, New Orleans is poised to repeat as Southwest champs. Their run-and-gun style is perfect for regular season success. Yao Ming should be back to full strength and the Rockets only finished one game behind the Spurs without him for a lot of last year. I know that every year people say the Spurs are getting too old but I truly think that now their age is catching up to them slightly. Unfortunately, in this loaded division, a slight drop could mean the difference between first and third, or even fourth.
REGULAR SEASON AWARD WINNERS
Rookie of the Year- Michael Beasley: B-Easy is ready to contribute now and traditionally the Rookie of the Year goes to guys that can score a lot. Beasley will get a good opportunity to win right away if he goes to Miami and plays alongside Wade and Marion; a big turnaround could influence voters. If not Beasley look out for O.J. Mayo to turn some heads. Also very ready to play now and a great scorer, Mayo could get some attention from voters.
Sixth Man- Manu Ginobili: With a player as talented as Manu coming off the bench it is almost unfair to other bench players around the NBA. An All-Star in this league, Manu is an elite scorer and took the Spurs on his back at times last year. If Manu were to be injured, look for a player like Jason Maxiell get some consideration, as he is blossoming into a great sixth man.
Defensive Player of the Year- Ron Artest: A free-agent this year, look for Artest's number to be called upon by a team that needs a defensive stopper. After watching them be dismantled in the finals this year, it would not surprise me if the Lakers took the gamble on Artest. A team like that could really showcase Artest's defensive ability.
Coach of the Year- Mike Brown: There are many other coaches with big potential but I think that if Cleveland makes a big signing, than they will have the biggest turnaround among contenders this year. Another possibility is Nate McMillan.
Most Valuable Player-LeBron James: If his Cavs indeed win the Central, like I am forecasting than LeBron should be able to win this award. In the talks this year despite just 45 wins, its about time for James to win his first MVP. I see the top 5 rounding out in the remaining order: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming, Kevin Garnett.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Eastern Conference (* indicates division winner)
- Boston*
- Cleveland*
- Orlando*
- Detroit
- Miami
- Washington
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
1st Round:
- Boston Over Philadelphia
- Cleveland Over Chicago
- Washington Over Orlando
- Detroit Over Miami
2nd Round:
- Boston Over Detroit
- Cleveland Over Washington
3rd Round:
- Cleveland Over Boston
Western Conference
- Los Angeles Lakers*
- New Orleans*
- Houston
- Utah*
- San Antonio
- Phoenix
- Portland
- Dallas
1st Round:
- L.A. Over Dallas
- New Orleans Over Portland
- Houston Over Phoenix
- Utah Over San Antonio
2nd Round:
- Utah Over L.A.
- Houston Over New Orleans
3rd Round:
- Utah Over Houston
NBA FINALS
Utah Jazz Over Cleveland Cavaliers
Finals MVP: Deron Williams
So that's all for now, the playoff tested, tough, and young Utah Jazz take home the title in the very early season prediction. It will be very interesting to see how the off-season plays out and next year should be a fantastic season.
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3 months ago
This is an outstanding piece of work. As Carlos goes, so goes the Jazz.
3 months ago
I like the Utah Jazz, but they couldn't beat a Lakers team minus Andrew Bynum. How are they going to beat a Lakers team with Andrew Bynum?
3 months ago
well its obviously written by a jazz fan... Didn't the Jazz lose in 6 when the Lakers didn't have one of their Big 4? Saying Artest is a FA, and him signing w/ the lakers, and jazz beating the lakers? Lets think about this:
a) Manu-like 6th man in LO - would give Manu some competition
b) Bynum back - would be like adding a first overall pick
c) Ron Artest playing the 3 - a huge upgrade over radmanovic.
d) improvement in Bynum, Vujacic, Farmar, Ariza back +improved.
Basically, you could the lakers team would have, granted that they sign artest at a MLE, a big 5! except one piece of it is a 6th man!
Now, to think they could lose to anyone w/ that is just plain stupid. That is a team that you get in NBA Live Dynasty mode where they would trade Lebron for 2 idiots and LO.
from 3 months ago
First off I am absolutely not a Jazz fan whatsoever, I have lived in Boston for 15 out of 16 years of my life and love the Celtics.
You make a lot of points so instead of responding to each one I'll give a general response.
Basically I think that losing to LA this year will help a potential matchup next year if it happens. I think Utah not only came very close to beating LA this year but LA's weaknesses were exploited in the finals to the rest of the NBA. Bynum has proven himself in a portion of regular season basketball and no one knows how he will come back with his knee/respond to playoff style basketball. And the overall point is that Utah has more upside to get better between now and next year than LA. Williams and Boozer are still young, especially Williams, and he will certainly get better. Ronnie Brewer had to deal with Kobe all series as a rookie so he will definitely come back stronger too. I just think where teams really know how to go at LA now, and the fact that Utah played them almost straight up this year will help Utah beat them if they were to meet up next year.
3 months ago
I meant to say Detroit plays a better regular season *style* (not schedule)
3 months ago
oh man whoops... i mean ORLANDO plays a better regular season style
ok now i think i got it right haha
3 months ago
Toronto will definitely make the playoffs this year. they have Chris Bosh, one of the best PF in the game and they have Jose Calderon a top 10 PG i nthe NBA. not to mention now a Jermaine O'neal, who if healthy can help the Raptors have a top 5 record in the east nad maybe get ot hte conference finals.
3 months ago
i think the raps are a mad playoff contender next year chris bosh, jose caldaron ,jermaine o'neal,not to mention having the best 3 point shooting team in the leauge if they keep it together the raps are gonna shoot the lights out of every team next year now with jermaine o'neal helping on defence!!! raps win raps win take out the salami and cheese mam this season is over!!
3 months ago
Toronto definitely warrants some top 4 consideration with the aquisition of o'neal. I made these predictions beforehand however, and didnt forsee that deal happening
3 months ago
I like what you're saying only it should be CLEVELAND OVER UTAH in 6 games and finals MVP...my man...LBJ!!!
3 months ago
Mostly good predictions, BUT..
The MVP goes to a player on (one of) the most winning teams. For that reason, when Cavs finish 4th (behind Boston, Detroit and Orlando) and Lakers finish first in the toughest conference in NBA history, Kobe Bryant will repeat as the NBA's Most Valuable Player. The addition of Bynum and improvement of the rest of our youngsters should widen the gap between us and other Western teams even further.
As far as Utah beating L.A. in the playoffs - you say Utah has more room for improvement then the Lakers? Vujacic, Farmar, Bynum, Walton, Ariza etc. Kobe, L.O., Gasol and Fisher will bring the same weapons to the table next year, and the 5 aforementioned players will only get better.
Look for the Lakers to repeat their trip to the Finals, this time finishing with a better record than Boston and consequently receiving home-court advantage.
Lakers in 6.
3 months ago
what do you know about the lakers and James Posey?!?! he plays good defense and can shoot the lights out. Utah will be good but their not going to the finals without a significant addition to their team. the Lakers are going back to the finals with Bynum Ariza and a vet coming off the bench. theyll have some problems with CP3 and the hornets but i still think that they can still win it. Lakers will have a better record this year. they'll come back with more confidence and something to prove. Lakers in 2009.
3 months ago
LOL
Where's Toronto on your Eastern Conference playoff predictions? Chicago & Miami just magically stopped sucking and make it into the playoffs? haha
How could you overlook Toronto? T.O. has made it to the playoffs the past two years now.. and you better believe they will be a permanent fixture in the championship run, for years to come!!
The addition of Jermaine O'Neal has given the Raptors a potent front line of BOSH and J.O. add in the emergence of Jose Caledron... and a cast of skilled role players of Andrea, Parker, Kapono, Moon... and you got yourself a recipe for success!!
I predict Toronto & Boston.. Eastern Conference finals... Boston in 6.
from 3 months ago
so im not sure why people arent understanding this, but I made these predictions the day after this season ended. Not many people predicted O'neal to Toronto as well as other moves. This was based upon the current rosters at the time plus some free agent moves I thought could happen as well as draft picks.
from 3 months ago
... which is why it's silly to write such an article the day after the season ends; it instantly becomes irrelevant on July 1.
3 months ago
Kudos for giving it a stab so early. I don't see Utah beating LA though. Spurs, Suns, Hornets/ Maybe, but I i just feel as though the Lakers have the Jazz number. I picked Cleveland to go the Finals this past season and they were one LeBron three pointer from pulling it off. All of their other shooters disappeard in game 7 against Boston or else it was a wrap. Michael Redd is the free agent they need more than anyone. Give LeBron a dead eye outside shooter and the Cavs are back in the Finals for sure.
3 months ago
ok John, if u really hate having a little fun just throwing something out there right after the season than just dont read it...simple as that.
3 months ago
this blog sucks!!! jazz beat l.a? come on? your just fooling your self
from 12 days ago
Dude shut the fuck up faget
3 months ago
It doesn't matter. Portland is going to whoop up on the Jazz AND LA...probably this year, next year for sure. If Oden plays like he should, Portland will be amazing this year.
Oden
Aldridge
Outlaw / Webster
Roy / Fernandez
Blake / Bayless / Rodriguez
All Star Potential At Every Position - Sometimes 2 Deep! Bring it on boys!
2 months ago
Even though they only have an all-star in Chris Bosh & yes the do play in Canada, the fact that they have made the playoffs for two years running and have a solid core for the future (pre J. O. trade), to make the prediction that Miami and or Chicago will be in the playoffs despite their dismal seasons is nothing more than a slap in the face to the Raptors.
Stating that these predictions were made just after the season ended you had to expect that your division seedings were going to tick some fans off.
Sad thing is I'm a Heat fan but I believe in being realistic when it comes to predicting the next seasons standings.
1. Cleveland
2. Boston
3. Orlando
4. Toronto
5. Washington
6. Philidelphia
7. Atlanta
8. Indiana
2 months ago
First of all, you love Lebron, nothing has changed in Cleveland so how they supposed to get better, Boston also nothing changed so Boston has a better chance of winning in the playoffs. Nothing has changed in Utah, and lakers will get Bynum back, giving lakers an upchance. Clippers are going to do better with a line-up with Baron Davis, Cuttino Mobley, Al Thorton, Tim Thomas, Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman on bench. They have potential of making it in the playoffs over Nuggets, Blazers, Warriors, and might even pass Mavs if mavs dont manage to work as a team. Pistons might do better with a new coach. It is ALMOST impossible for Cavs to get coach of the year. Im going for Lakers and Celtics in the finals again. Portland is getting better but i dunt think this is the year i think next year they have the potential to get far in the playoffs and once Ray allen, Kobe, Garnett, Nash n the rest start gettin old Portland is probably going to dominate.
2 months ago
you have to remember cavs team was put together at trade deadline...with a full year together+adding another player ...the cavs will be really dangerous.
2 months ago
I am a Jazz fan, so I like what you're saying, and I hope you're right, but I have to admit, there's so much up in the air out West that it's almost impossible to make predictions.
I think the Jazz will be battling for the top seed in the west with NO and LA. Any of the three could go to the finals this year. If the Jazz met the Cavs, yeah, they'd win. So would La. So would NO.
In the East, I think it's gonna be Boston again, or Orlando. All I know, is Deron Williams had better be in the goddamn all-star game. Brandon Roy over D-Will? What a joke.
2 months ago
you fail Don. Portland wont beat utah anytime soon. And no way in HELL they beat the lakers. And where you say POTENTIAL in every spot thats exactly it. Its POTENTIAL meaning it could happen it may not. how do we know some of those players wont become busts? Im not taking anything away from portland, they have a great young squad, but that doesnt mean their gonna instantly be contenders.
2 months ago
So let me get this straight, Philadelphia adds one of the premier players in Brand, and they drop a place in the final Eastern Conference Standings?
Brand is one of four current players who averages 20 & 10, the others are shaq, duncan and (well the third escapes me at the moment).
Also, they have a returning young fast powerful team that only lacked a low scoring presence.....they should win about 50-55 games this year (Best record in the second half of the season) since they are in the east, and if you think the other 7 teams will win that many you are wrong.
2 months ago
THIS IS HORRIBLE!! THIS IS EXTREMELY HORRIBLE... UTAH WINNING THE WEST?? THEIR GROUP OF ALL-STARS ARE THE WEAKEST CORE IN THE WEST AND DEFINATELY WEAKER THAN BOSTON'S "BIG THREE". WASHINGTON BEATING ORLANDO IN THE FIRST ROUND? CLEVELAND GETTING TO THE FINALS? THIS IS OBVIOUSLY OUT-DATED, SO I CUT SOME SLACK. HOUSTON OVER BOSTON..6 GAME SERIES WITH T-MAC AS THE FINALS MVP.
2 months ago
i dont know when u wrote this but some of your standings are a bit off heres how i think of it
1:boston why: because boston has the biggest three in the nba with a little push of their bench
2: detroit why: because detroit always has a better season than postseason
3:cleveland why: detroit and cleveland will battle for thest 2 spots but as i said detroit has better season than postseason
4:raptors why: raptors added the new addition of jermaine oneal which will make them one of the best rebounding teams in the nba plus the ermergence of jose caledron raptors could go deep and with chris bosh learning from the olimpics raps could go deep
5:orlando why: dwight howard is becomeing a athletic shaq and with hedo turkalu on the rise could also go deep
6:philidelphia why: i dont know why everybody is saying philly is going the finals,conf finals all that they dont have that awesome of a team elton brand is getting old hes getting past his prime andre igudala will have to step it up if their gunna get past the first round
7:washinton: philly and washinton will be head to head for 6th place but areanas wont do as good as everybody thinks he will 8 hawks: why because they have young players ready to rise
2 months ago
westren confrence
1:lakers:why because bynum is becomeing a goof forward/center and kobe in my opinion is at his all around best
2:hornets:why because hornets have i think the best starting lineup in the league and paul will get better from the olimypics
3: rockets why: because rockets have a better season than post season but with ron ron i expect 55wins +
4: spurs why: spurs are still good but i think their title contending days arr comeing to a close not this season but years to come
5:suns why: because suns will spend time together since not much people going to the olympics so they will have good season but not so well post season
6:mavs why: mavs let some guys go and brang new guys in they have new coach now which will move them up a spot from last year
7: utah why: 2 of their best players will improve from olympics so but i think someone will get injured but they will have a good postseason
8:la clips why: baron seems to come in to la with a good attitude plus marcus camby on his side and a little kick they will sneak into they playoffs
2 months ago
playoffs first round eastren confrence
boston over hawks 5 games
detroit over washinton in 7 games
cleveland over philly in 7 games
raptors over orlando in 7 games
westren conf first round
lakers over clips in 6 games(greatmatchup)
utah over hornets in 7 games(it just wont be hornets year)
rockets over mavs in 7 games(rockets have a better big 3 than mavs)
spurs over suns in 6 games( shaq trade was a bad deal for suns)
second round east
boston over raptors in 6 games(boston is 2 good of a team)
cleveland over detroit in 7 games(lbj will be brutal)
west 2nd round
lakers over spurs 6 games
rockets over utah 7 games
2 months ago
east conf finals
cleveland over boston (upset double overtime history game game7)
lakers over rockets 6 games(rockets couldent handle the pressure of the confrence finals
FINALS lakers over cleveland 6 games
awards
rookie of the year greg oden greg oden was all the hype last year but if he played last he would not of got it but now he knows what to do hes healthy he should be rdy to go
manu ginobili exactly what that guy said expect for the maxiell shane battier would be a good sixth man
most improved: tayshaun prince him being on the olympic squad means alot to him so he pays close attention to every word the coach says
defensive player of the year morris peterson mo pete will be glued to any all star hes guarding when he was in t-o and guarding vince carter aganist nets he shut him down
coach of the year nate mcmillian even tho i predicted blazers will finish 8th nate mcmillin will get greg oden to be a 15 10 guy in his rookie season
2 months ago
MVP tracey mcgrady he will lead houston from 5th place last year to 3rd with 55 + wins he will average 31 ppg 3rpg 9apg tracey rebounding number will fall because his passing game will increase because of the options of passing to people yao,ron,shane, schola and more
2 months ago
Maybe all of you didnt read it the first 50 times, but I did this the day after game 6 of the finals this year. I didnt know of any of the transactions so Im sorry if I offended you and all your teams but you guys need to understand what your commenting on before you do it.
2 months ago
Evan,
Now that you know all the transacations that have taken place thus far, why don't you put together another prediction. This might help quiet some of your critics.
about 1 month ago
Boston 64-18 ain't no stopping big three but miami and cavs can take em
Miami 58-24 wade marion beasley, wade is an emerging bryant, but quicker
Cleveland 56-26 lebron the king and his supporting cast build chemisty become deadlier
Toronto 55-27 bosh 22 and 10 guy wit j oneal a 20 n 10 guy with moon n barg tougher def
Detriot 54-28 too old any1 can take em now... no new additions no more at the 1 2 3 spot
Orlando 52-30 only d. howard need another scorer... turkologo is nt consitient
Phil 50-32 elton brand and iggy dats like a similiar combo to wade n shaq in 06
Wash 45-37 big 3 need to be healthy and if they r they can take up to 5th in the est
b vs. w 4-1 garnett dominates, allen wets 3's n pierce does his thing
m vs. p 4-2 wade out plays iggy, beasly n marion handle brand
c vs. c 4-3 no consistent inside scoring for the cavs, superman dominates, the king gets the series
t vs. d 4-2 billups and hamilton out play torontos guards, but moon, barg, oneal and bosh dominate
b vs. t 4-3 allen n pierce the diffenrence, bosh and oneal take garnett out of the series but if barg
heats up trotno can take it
m vs. c 4-3 miami s wade and lebron are evenly matched but wade can shoot better while lebron
can dunk better but beasley n maron out play clevelands insiders
b vs. m 3-4 maimis wade will be clucth n all the games will be decided by less than 10 points
miami vs. n. orelaneas 4-3 miami is the champions again n wade proves he dont need shaq o win
a title
about 1 month ago
Utah's good but Dallas will show everyone
18 days ago
Expect ORL in the East conference finals. You being a Celtics fan leads you to believe that Washington will beat us in Rd 1 only because they owned Boston last year?! lol. With much more attention being given to Dwight and the MIP Turk, Rashard Lewis will avg. 22 this year and Orlando will win 55+. Count on it.
16 days ago
... Detroit anyone? Boston has cooled off a bit and lost Posey. Cleveland is still terrible unless they get a #2 option. Orlando is still a threat but not enough for the East's bigs. Under their new coach, Detroit is going back to a defense-oriented syle... creating their offense from defense. McDyess is back on the bench to anchor the second unit scoring with Rodney Stuckey (08-09 sixth man) Maxy, Kwame, Afllalo. They now have limitless lineups and can match up against anything any team can throw at them.
Look for Detroit in the Finals when they beat the winner of Utah - New Orleans.
13 days ago
PACERS 5 IN THE CENTRAL?!?!
MORE LIKE 5 IN THE EAST AND A CONFERENCE TITLE APPEARENCE!!
DANNY GRANGER IS A SUPERSTAR!! 27 PPG THIS SEASON
12 days ago
no way its got to the lakers back in the finals and this time win it ALL! fisher, bryant, odom, gasol, and bynum there going to be real tough to beat. so im going to say that this prediction is way out of wack! Kobe Bryant is obviously going to get another MVP award at the way he was playing in beijing. but sorry Utah the lakers have it this season! somehow i do not see the Jazz in the finals, they are too young for a big role in the NBA. deron williams still needs a few more years of training until he gets to see the daylights of the NBA Finals. thats my prediction of the finals.
12 days ago
Lol this fucking kid knows jack fuck.
Go slit and watch hockey, faggot.
11 days ago
This is why you don't do season previews BEFORE free agency.
10 days ago
these predictions suck the cavs are no where near as good as people think miami wont be that good and utah......are you serios
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