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

6. Cavaliers

The Cavs finally have a season to look forward to where their hopes don't solely depend on how much LeBron has improved. The acquisitions of Mo Williams and Lorenzen Wright address the ballclub's main weaknesses from last year.

Williams  is a legit starting point guard that can create both for himself and others, which will considerably lower the load on LeBron's shoulders. Wright gives the Cavs a veteran big that can play both the PF and C positions, as well as make plays inside.

LeBron no doubt will be looking to add an NBA championship ring to the gold medal—and with his best supporting cast ever, I expect him to have his biggest season yet.

Prediction: Finally win the Central Division and clinch the second seed in the East. With LeBron they are easily the scariest team in the playoffs, and now he can even use Kobe's locker room quote, "I ain't playin with butter knives no more!"

7. Pistons

The Pistons were starting to look a bit more entertaining with the flair Flip Saunders added to the offence. Now, with defensive guru Michael Curry taking over the reigns, they will go back to the Larry Brown era—and that should suit them just fine.

I expect more effort out of them in the regular season since Curry, being more of a players' coach than Saunders, will be able to get more out of his players than Flip. They also will have learnt that they can't just turn on the intensity when the playoffs begin, since even one more half of sloppiness against the Sixers last year might have seen them take an early exit.

Prediction: This is truly the end for the Pistons. They will have another solid regular season and finish as the third seed, but it will be absolutely meaningless since they will have to let go of their one silver lining of the past as well—the Central division title. An abrupt end to their postseason should result in Joe Dumars making wholesale changes.

8. Rockets

Easily the team to watch this season. Yao will be allowed to ease into the season due to his involvement in the Beijing games, allowing him to get stronger as the season progresses, and into the postseason.

The acquisition of Artest not only gives the team a lockdown defender, but greatly eases the pressure on McGrady and Yao offensively. This should be a breath of fresh air for T-Mac, and I expect him to thrive with less responsibility.

Three stars appears to be the key to becoming a true contender, and GM Daryl Morey definitely deserves a pat on the back for addressing that issue. The loss of Yao last year gave their role players a chance to contribute, and their new confidence could be the biggest factor of all.

Prediction: Expect them to challenge for the best record in the West. Will finish as the third seed, only because I cannot see them going 82 games without any Ron Artest controversy.  In the postseason, your guess is as good as mine, ranging  from another first round exit to a trip to the Finals.

9. Suns

The Suns' universe has clearly switched from revolving around Kid Canada to the Big Cactus. They will go as far as Shaq's fitness takes them. It was his lack of conditioning last year that made him a step slower, resulting in more fouls and less playing time. This is significant since the Suns do not really have a decent backup that can make contributions for more 15 minutes, so Shaq needs to find a way to stay on the floor.

Terry Porter is a very good coach, but perhaps not the best fit for Phoenix. The added emphasis on defense for a team with no natural defenders outside of Raja Bell will expose its deficiencies even more. Porter will still have them run 'n' gun, but certainly not as effectively as D'Antoni.  Shaq could probably go from being the Big Cactus to just the Big Thorn.

Prediction: Will have a solid, but not great regular season and finish as the sixth seed. This is their one final chance. With the window almost closed, Terry Porter's plan will have to work to perfection if "the Sun is to rise in Phoenix."

10. Mavericks

When the trade happened last year, people wondered why Dallas was willing to give up so much for Jason Kidd. It was because Mark Cuban became sick of the same tape being replayed over and over.

With the exception of the Finals against Miami, the Mavs have been nothing but postseason pretenders. Mark Cuban knew it was make or break time, and hopes his team can either get over the hump with Kidd, or reassemble once his contract expires. Cuban has always been about the big picture, and the fact is, the pre-trade team was not going to win it all.

This team will continue to pride itself on the regular season, and then reload once Kidd's huge contract comes off the books.

Prediction: This will be a difficult season. It's clearly apparent that this team is not good enough to win the championship. and that will be a hard pill to swallow for their German leader. Will battle at the end of the regular season to clinch the eighth seed, only to be dismantled in the first round.

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