NBA Predictions Revisited: Early-Season Flops

But things haven't exactly turned out like I'd hoped they would in '07-'08.

Here's a look at my most glaring mistakes...

1. Miami Heat Will Reach the Eastern Conference Finals

I thought these guys had enough for one last run.

But it's not happening. 

The Heat were swept in the first round of the playoffs last year, so I imagined they would approach the season with a chip on their shoulders.

Not only will they not make the ECF—they won't even make the playoffs.  The Heat currently stand at 8-28.

2. Chicago Bulls Will Win the East

So much for this call—the Bulls have been the most disappointing team in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago sits dead last in Central Division, with only 13 wins so far. 

The Bulls even fired coach Scott Skiles, which I never saw coming. 

Kirk Hinrich has taken a step back, averaging only 11.4 points per game.

3. Houston Rockets Will Reach the Western Conference Finals

The Rockets have been one of the more disappointing teams in the league.

With Rick Adelman as their new head coach, I originally predicted the Rockets offense would flourish with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady running the show.

Now McGrady looks unhappy, and the team is playing better without him.

4. Memphis Grizzlies Will Return to Playoff Form

Grizzlies? Playoffs?

What was I thinking? 

Before last season, Memphis had made the playoffs three consecutive years.

With Pau Gasol injured the majority of last season, the Grizzlies struggled.

Memphis finished with only 22 wins. But hey, at least they got a lottery pick out of it.

With Rudy Gay alongside Gasol, Mike Miller, Damon Stoudamire, Hakim Warrick, and Mike Conley Jr., these guys looked like they could be an eighth seed. 

But the chances of Memphis making the playoffs are slim, considering they're currently 10-24.

5. Charlotte Bobcats Will Win the Southeast Division

I picked Miami to make the Conference Finals, but I chose Charlotte to win the division.

This prediction might have been a little biased, as I'm a Charlotte native and all.

With the offseason addition of Jason Richarson, Charlotte got a reliable scorer behind Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton, and Emeka Okafor. So far, though, they haven't looked like championship material.

6. The New York Knicks Will Make the Playoffs

This team has too much talent to stink this bad.

With the addition of Zach Randolph from Portland, I thought these guys could be a seventh or eighth seed in the East.

Obviously, that hasn't been the case. 

The Knicks are 9-25...and Isiah Thomas is still saying this team has the pieces to be contenders.

He might be right about that, but it just isn't happening.

If Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown was fired after one season, then Zeke's time in NY should have been up.

7. Dwyane Wade Will Win MVP

As bad as the Heat stink, it's impossible for Wade to even be considered a top-15 for the award.