NBA Predictions for the Upcoming Season

This past offseason was probably the most talked about offseason in NBA history and possibly sports history.

When free agents LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh signed with the Heat, people started to talk about them being the best team in history.

When Amare Stoudimire signed with the Knicks, people started to talk about the Knicks being a playoff team again. 

So many stories in the offseason have translated into a whole new season in the NBA. Here are my playoff picks and championship pick for the 2010-2011 NBA season.

East No. 8: Washington Wizards

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NEW YORK - JUNE 24: John Wall of Kentucky waits to be drafted as the first overall pick in the NBA Draft by The Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden on June 24, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Wizards are back.

With rookie John Wall now leading the way, and Gilbert Arenas hopefully staying out of trouble, the Wizards will get back to the playoffs. 

East No. 7: New York Knicks

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NEW YORK - JANUARY 24: Amare Stoudemire #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Eddy Curry #34 of the New York Knicks January 24, 2007 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

The Knicks are back as well.

With Amare Stoudimire now leading the way and Raymond Felton at PG, the Knicks should be back in the playoff picture.

East No. 6: Milwaukee Bucks

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ATLANTA - MAY 2: Guard Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks gets set to shoot a free throw during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on

The Bucks pretty much stayed the same in the offseason.

They have a good enough team, though, to make the playoffs with Brandon Jennings leading the way.

East No. 5: Atlanta Hawks

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ATLANTA - MAY 10: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Orlando Magic during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 10, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

The Hawks are the second youngest team in the NBA and the talent is there.

Joe Johnson, Mike Bibby, and Jamal Crawford are three great players leading the way for Atlanta.

East No. 4: Chicago Bulls

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CLEVELAND - APRIL 27: Mo Williams #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers tries to get a shot off around Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 27, 2010

With new additions Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver, the Bulls should have home-court advantage in the playoffs.

East No. 3: Boston Celtics

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to drive on Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

Yes, they won the East last year and pushed the Lakers to seven games.

But the Celtics are getting older, and they will not be able to compete with the Heat and Magic.

East No. 2: Miami Heat

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MIAMI - JULY 09: LeBron James #6, Dwyane Wade #3 and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat speak after being introduced to fans during a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

The Big Three will have too many chemistry issues, and the bench won't be good enough to beat the Magic.

East No. 1: Orlando Magic

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BOSTON - MAY 28: Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Dwight Howard is the best athlete in basketball. Period.

And he has a great supporting cast to beat out the Heat in both the division and conference.

Eastern Conference Winner: Orlando Magic Over Miami Heat

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BOSTON - MAY 28: Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic gets set to attempt a free throw against the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 28, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER

The Heat have great players. But the Magic have the better bench, coach and better center and PG. 

Magic win the series in 7 games.

West #8 Utah Jazz

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SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 10: Deron Williams #8 of the Utah Jazz in action against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2010 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO

The losses of Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver will hurt the Jazz as they fall back to the 8 seed.

West #7 Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX - MAY 29: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns in action during Game Six of the Western Conference finals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on May 29, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns

The loss of Amare Stoudimire will hurt Steve Nash, but he will carry the team to the playoffs.

West #6 San Antonio Spurs

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SAN ANTONIO - MAY 09: Tim Duncan #21 and the San Antonio Spurs huddle in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 9, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

The Spurs are getting older, but they have Tim Duncan to lead the way.

West #5 Denver Nuggets

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SALT LAKE CITY - APRIL 30: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets pumps his fist during their game against the Utah Jazz in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs at EnergySolutions Arena on April 30, 2010 in Salt La

Nuggets will have to many distractions with Carmelo a possible free agent.

West #4 Protland Trail Blazers

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PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 29: Brandon Roy #7 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against the Phoenix Suns during Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2010 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. The Suns defeat

The Trail Blazers are on the rise as they get home court advantage for the 1st round.

West #3 Oklahoma City Thunder

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Russell Westbrook #0 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder sit on the bench late in the fourth quarter while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 20

The youngest team in the NBA will have a great year highlited by Kevin Durant.

West #2 Dallas Mavericks

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SAN ANTONIO - APRIL 29: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 29, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agree

With possibly the best bench in the NBA the mavericks will once again be on top of the West.

West #1 Los Angeles Lakers (who Else)

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GUANGZHOU, CHINA - JULY 29: (CHINA OUT) NBA player Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers pumps his fist during a meet and greet with fans at Jinan University on July 29, 2010 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China. (Photo by ChinaFotoPress/Getty Imag

Do i need to explain?

Western Conference Winner: Lakers Over Thunder

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OKLAHOMA CITY - APRIL 30: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder after after the Lakers won Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2010 at the Ford Cente

As the best team in the NBA the Lakers head back to the finals for the 4th straight year.

NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers Over Orlando Magic

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WASHINGTON - JANUARY 25: President Barack Obama (R) poses for photographs with Kobe Bryant (L) and members of the National Basketball Association 2009 champions Los Angeles Lakers in the East Room of the White House January 25, 2010 in Washington, DC. Th

The Lakers got even better and will beat the Magic in 7 games

Awards

MVP: Kevin Durant

Coach: Phil Jackson

6th man: Jamal Crawford

Defensive man: Dwight Howard