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The 2008 NBA offseason struck with fury, with franchise players finding new homes via free agency and marquee players being swapped...

A Hurricane of an Offseason: NBA Predictions (Part 1 of 2)

by Vivek Jacob (Scribe)

10

984 reads

Preview/Prediction

September 16, 2008


The 2008 NBA offseason struck with fury, with franchise players finding new homes via free agency and marquee players being swapped.

 

This is due to the fact that more teams are in the running for the championship than ever before—and sensing this, teams' front offices are desperate for that potential deal or signing that could take them over the hump.

 

Since it is safe to say that all the significant moves of the this off-season have been made except one—yes Ben Gordon, I'm referring to your lack of commitment here!), I have decided to analyze all the teams moves, or lack thereof, and who will make the biggest leaps as far as improving upon last season is concerned.

 

In this NBA season preview, I will look at all teams, seeing which GMs coasted through the summer, and which ones earned their paycheck. At the end of it all, I will reveal updated rankings based on all the teams' summer ventures—or lack thereof.

 

 

Firstly, lets look at my team rankings prior to the offseason, which will be the order of my team outlook:

 

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10 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Michael Hughes 9 months ago

    The Western Conference will not exhibit the parity it showed last year, when there was not a lot of difference among the top eight teams until the Lakers added Gasol. Because the Lakers, Hornets, Jazz and Eastern Conference teams will win more games this year, it will take far fewer games to make the playoffs in the west.

    Dallas, Denver and Phoenix will be much weaker for various reasons--age, coaching and personnel changes. The Warriors superior coaching, deeper bench and emerging youth will enable it to survive until Ellis gets back. Afterwards, they will be stronger than last year and continue to strengthen in coming years. It's hard to imagine that they won't make the playoffs.

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    • Adam Bernert 9 months ago

      I do agree that Golden State will be strengthening in coming years but its hard to think that they wont make a drop from last year. They lost their biggest star in baron davis and let go of two key contributors in mickael pietrus and matt barnes. they did add maggette, turiaf and williams, but I think that the loss of ellis at the beginning of the season will be to tough for them to handle. they definately have a chance at the bottom playoff spots but I dont think they're a stronger team now then they were with all their players last year.

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  2. Vivek Jacob 9 months ago

    Appreciate the feedback Michael...

    I don't believe any team will win 60 games this year so the belief that the Lakers, Hornets and Jazz will win more games this year isn't something I would bet on. 11 teams won 50 games last year, with 8 of them coming from the West. That definitely won't be the case this year. I expect 10 to win 50 this year, but with 5 from each conference.

    With Golden State, here's how I look at it...they were able to trade Jason Richardson because they felt Monta Ellis could fill that role, and now he is lost for most of the season. You could say that Maggette will now take over that role but Baron Davis has been replaced by Marcus Williams, and that is just not going to do. They will still score a ton of points but my prediction of them not advancing to the postseason is more of an indication of how good this conference is.

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  3. Chuck 9 months ago

    I noted that 10 of the 15 teams you listed were from the west, can't refute that, and in your 15th spot you did disclaim that there are a lot of teams in the East that can go far - but i think it is absolutely criminal that you have excluded the toronto raptors from your list.

    Chris Bosh, Jermaine O'Neal, and Jose Calderon is a menacing combination. They have the same depth as last season and if Andrea Bargnani finally comes to fruition then watch out. The achilles heal of the raptors (other than unpredictable 3rd and 4th quarters) has been rebounds - look for Jermaine O'Neal to have an explosive year and for this team to seed either 3rd or 4th.

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    • Vivek Jacob 9 months ago

      Hey Chuck,

      I never excluded the Raptors from my list of Eastern teams that are very good. This is only part 1 of my article. You can see what I think of them in Part 2. I'm from Toronto and have been a die hard Raptors fan for a long time now so I have a pretty good idea of what they're all about :)

      I would like nothing more than for them to be a top seed in the East, but it's just not realistic. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando will take 3 of the top 4 slots by virtue of winning the division, which only leaves 1 spot that should be filled by Detroit. Like I mentioned in the article before, the East is just that stacked now.

      thanks for your comments

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  4. Vivek Jacob 9 months ago

    Hey Chuck,

    I never excluded the Raptors from my list of Eastern teams that are very good. This is only part 1 of my article. You can see what I think of them in Part 2. I'm from Toronto and have been a die hard Raptors fan for a long time now so I have a pretty good idea of what they're all about :)

    I would like nothing more than for them to be a top seed in the East, but it's just not realistic. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando will take 3 of the top 4 slots by virtue of winning the division, which only leaves 1 spot that should be filled by Detroit. Like I mentioned in the article before, the East is just that stacked now.

    thanks for your comments

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  5. Mikeyyy K 9 months ago

    I want to see the RAPS!!! show me the RAPSSSSS!!!! .. JO and Kapano are going to b the backbone of the team !!! u guys WATCH and SEE.... and mmmmm Celtics.. not gunan do as good !!!... 76er's arnt gunan do as good.... watch out and MAKE WAY FOR HOUSTON BABY!!!.... and myyy spurs and pistons are always the same.... CLIPPERS are gunan do good.... DERON WILLIAMS IS MY BOY!! and he gunna LITE IT UP!!!.... NO is gunan get better .... some1 tell Tyson to add some weight.. i losee track of him at tymes hes so skinny !!! hahahah ... and KOBE for PRezzz....

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  6. GoBears 2008 9 months ago

    Great articles (Part II also). As a Warriors fan, it just figures that Monta would go out after he signs a huge contract and hurt himself on a moped(!).
    I think you're right on about this year actually helping the franchise. It will mean a more experienced bench in the future, as well as a better draft pick (as you said). Besides, even with Maggette, the Dubs were not going to contend in the West this year anyway. The loss of Monta ensures Mullin won't mess with the future of the club by trading players in attempt to be a factor (although Harrington wouldn't be missed too much). I think most Warriors fans are content with the team not sucking too badly, and being better than Baron and the Clips, considering the offseason Golden State had.
    And maybe Nellie will play Randolph at shooting guard now (just kidding).
    Good analysis in both articles. It's certainly going to be an interesting season.

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