Bleacher Report - Articles by Vivek Jacob

Ten Of The Best U.S. Open Comebacks, '99 —'09

Vivek Jacob — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:08:22 -0400

It would have been impossible to make a comeback list without having this man on the list. His performance at the '01 Open showcased the heart he brings to every single match. His first big test was against James Blake, a wildcard entry into the tournament that year and Hewitt struggled early on before finding his groove in a 6-4 3-6 2-6 6-3 6-0 victory. Two rounds later in the quarters, Lleyton would play Andy Roddick in what would later be recognized as the match of the tournament. Hewitt won 6-7 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-4, but there was one point that turned out to be the deciding factor. Serving at 4-5 in the fifth set, the chair umpire over-ruled a correct call on a ball hit by Roddick and Hewitt would go on to break in that very game and take the match. Sports can be cruel sometimes, but destiny is meant to happen all the time.

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For The Good of America's Favorite Pastime: How Baseball Can Win Back Their Fans

Vivek Jacob — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:06:59 -0400

It is another sad day in baseball, hardly a surprise really.

The NY Times reported earlier today that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are among the approximately 100 MLB players that tested positive for steroids in 2003. The sad truth is, these reports will soon make it only a sad day for baseball, not sport in general. With each report that divulges a new guilty player every few months, there is less surprise, and the overall interest in the sport dwindles.

For the sake of baseball itself, this needs to stop. Every time fans begin to focus on the game and enjoy the game for what it is, they receive a harsh reminder that all is NOT what it seems and the sport is actually in quite a sorry state.

Today is a perfect example. The trade deadline is less than 24 hours away. We should be eagerly anticipating Roy Halladay finding a new address or one of the other contenders finding a way to match the Phillies acquisition of Cliff Lee. Instead, we now have to deal with all the hoopla that will surround Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz after they were busted.

The solution to stop this mess is quite simple really. It just requires people that are more concerned about the game than themselves. That is the difficult part.

The first and most important step is to have ALL the names of the players on the doping list released when this season is completed. These mid-season distractions from the game are absolutely unnecessary and almost unwarranted. Bud Selig should issue a statement saying that the names will be revealed when the season ends. This will allow the players and fans to focus on the rest of the 2009 season, deal with the steroid issues in the offseason, and perhaps begin the 2010 season with a completely fresh perspective.

The first thought that will probably cross the minds of most of you when I say that all the names be released is, "What about the privacy agreement these players agreed to when they took these tests?" My response is, the game is above the players within it, and it is extremely vital that it be treated this way in baseball's darkest times.

The players need to realize this as well. When someone has a serious problem, the first step is admitting it. If the players can consent to having these doping lists revealed, this would at least give them the opportunity to redeem themselves since fans would recognize this as an effort to save America's favorite pastime.

Fans would finally be given what they deserve in the steroids era, the truth, the WHOLE truth. It would also show the fans that they are valued and that the money they put into the game will not be put to waste.

The next step is to make steroid use the most important rule in the clubhouse. Gambling currently serves as the most forbidden sin and Bud Selig needs to acknowledge that it is steroid use, not gambling, that is indeed the biggest problem in baseball and therefore the most important rule to abide by in this sport. Now don't get me wrong, gambling on the sport you are associated with is a terrible thing to do, but no one can argue what the biggest problem in the game is today.

The next step is closing the case on Hall of Fame eligibility for the stars of the steroid era. I believe the asterisk has to be enforced. Let's face it, players like Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez are supreme talents and they deserve to be recognized. All players found guilty of steroid use that have put up Hall of Fame worthy stats should be eligible, with an asterisk.

Future fans need to know that certain players did put up some incredible stats. However, they also need to know that those stats were put up courtesy of some form of illegal assistance.

All this being said, if a voter decides that they don't want to vote for someone that has done steroids, they are perfectly within their rights to make that choice. Steroid users should deal with whatever negative externalities created by their own irresponsible acts.

Personally, I considerED Manny Ramirez as the best hitter I had ever seen. After today, I refuse to make that claim. However, if I were given the opportunity to vote him to the Hall of Fame with an asterisk, I would gladly do so.

Now lets move on to team-related debates. Should the Red Sox title in 2004 even count? It absolutely should because of the fact that their opponents were probably doing it too. Let's put it this way, if theirs doesn't, then there's probably a bunch of other teams that should have their titles wiped out as well. This should not be done and will be virtually impossible to do if they try anyway. More than anything else, a franchise should not be penalized for the acts of an individual acting in his own interests.

These steps may be viewed as unconventional, but if the sport is viewed as completely clean down the road, these steps would be more than revolutionary.

I hope that these steps are taken to lift baseball from its dark days. If these drastic measures are not taken, I simply cannot see how baseball can remain a marquee sport in the United States of America.

The Other Beckham: Gordon Beckham, A Star In The Making

Vivek Jacob — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:27:00 -0400

David Beckham will never be out of the headlines, even more so now that in-game fan interactions are a part of his North American circus act. Let's face it, as long as he is in the United States, he will always be THE Beckham that is talked about

So where does that leave a baseball player on the rise with the same last name?

Right where he wants to be if you ask him. GORDON Beckham (a shortstop that has switched to third base) has been waiting for his chance at the highest level ever since he was selected with the eighth overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 2008 draft. Courtesy of his overflowing talent, the wait has only been a bit longer than a year.

Through 46 games, Beckham has managed a .295 BA/ 5HR/ 27RBI/ 23R/ 4SB. For comparison's sake, Derek Jeter, the starter for the American League at short-stop put up numbers of .306/ 7HR/ 25RBI/ 31R/ 10SB this season. Now Derek Jeter is Derek Jeter, but those numbers are fairly similar, especially when considering the fact that I'm matching up an established veteran superstar with an up-and-coming rookie.

Numbers don't lie, but they don't tell the whole story either. So what truly makes Gordon Beckham special?

For one, he has the tools that can't be taught. Good speed, a great athletic frame (6'0'/ 180lbs) that once filled out, could see him become quite the power hitter. He has a great understanding of the game which allows him to make difficult plays look routine. Most importantly at the major league level, he's got a good head on his shoulders. This is supported by the fact that he was the SEC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

As for the things that can be taught, only time will tell since things are going so well for the unanimous pick for SEC Player of the Year. His true test will be when pitchers make adjustments and he'll be forced into adjustments of his own.

So far his biggest weakness has been living up to ChiSox fans' expectations at his home ground. He's hitting a miserly .213, with no home runs and 6 RBI in 23 games as opposed to a tremendous .370 BA, with 5 home runs and 21 RBI in the same number of games on the road. He's also still in transition from being an everyday shortstop at the minor league level to an everyday third baseman with the big boys.

Clearly the table has been set for Gordon Beckham to take that next step. The odds are he will, and don't be surprised if he makes an Evan Longoria type of impression in his first full season next year!

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

Vivek Jacob — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:46:02 -0400

Last week, I discussed the top half of the league and how their offseason moves will most likely impact their upcoming seasons.

This week, I've taken a look at the rest of the league, so let's see how they stack up as well. To start off, here's a refresher I had on how I ranked the teams prior to all the offseason transactions:

1.Celtics	6.Cavaliers	11.Magic	16.Wizards	21.Bulls	26.Timberwolves
2.Lakers	7.Pistons	12.Nuggets	17.Raptors	22.Nets	27.Grizzlies
3.Hornets	8.Rockets	13.Warriors	18.Kings	23.Bobcats	28.Knicks
4.Spurs	9.Suns	14.Blazers	19.Hawks	24.Bucks	29.Thunder
5.Jazz	10.Mavericks	15.76ers	20.Pacers	25.Clippers	30.Heat

16. Wizards

A lot was made of Arenas taking a pay cut—and rightly so. Not many players would do what he did. But let's be realistic—is about $2 million in cap room per year really going to allow them to be that much more flexible?

Over the last three years, they've proven that they are incapable of beating Cleveland, let alone making a challenge for the ultimate prize. I really thought this was their big chance to move forward instead of sideways. They should have let go of Arenas and Jamison, and built around Caron Butler.

Imagine if they did that and then picked up Elton Brand. Brand would have been an upgrade over Jamison, and they've already shown they can compete without Arenas.

Unfortunately, that is now something that can only be dreamt of now.

The reality is Washington will be the Denver Nuggets of the East. They will continue to entertain, but will never enter the championship contender conversation.

Prediction:Should win around the same number of games as last season, and that will be a hard pill to swallow if they stay away from injuries. Seventh seed followed by a first-round exit.

17. Raptors

Made a great trade to address their needs. Bryan Colangelo made it quite clear towards the end of the season that Jose Calderon was the point guard of this team's future, and so it was only a matter of time before TJ Ford was dealt. The fact that they could acquire a former All-Star in Jermaine O'Neal is something that the Raps front office is still giddy about.

The Bosh-O'Neal duo will be great—but if this team's true potential is to be realized, their former No. 1 pick needs to elevate his level of play. This conference is now too good for a team's best players to hover around mediocrity, and Bargnani will have to show that his sophomore season was an aberration.

Carlos Delfino wasn't worth the money he was looking for, but his absence will hurt the Raptors nonetheless. His consistency on defense was an absolute parallel to the streakiness of his shooting. His best games were when he was asked to be a playmaker, forcing him to create for others instead of looking for his own offense.

If the Raptors don't sail into the postseason, it could be the last time we see Sam Mitchell pacing up and down Toronto's bench.

Prediction: O'Neal was a big-time acquisition, probably the biggest in franchise history via trade. This should be enough for Bosh's best season yet. The bench is now a question mark.

Will Bargnani step up? Will we see the Kapono of the regular season or the postseason? And how much can fans really expect from Ukic in his first season? This will leave them slotted in the sixth spot, right beind Philly.

18. Kings

The Maloof brothers really seem confused. They really can't seem to decide between completely going into rebuild mode, or whether try and compete and keep the fans coming. As a result, they are stuck in no-man's land.

Kevin Martin is the best player on this team, but not really someone you build a franchise around. The rest of the roster consists of solid role players, but no one that really stands out. John Salmons and Francisco Garcia both showed flashes of becoming the players the Kings envisioned last season, but those flashes became scarcer once Ron Artest returned to the lineup.

The trade of Artest should enable the Kings to focus more on their on-court issues. Reggie Theus has to be given full credit for dealing with injuries and Artest admirably last year.

Prediction:The bottom line is this is a mediocre roster that will struggle to compete. Don't even look at them as a team that could play the spoiler role! Would not be surprised if there were takers (Dallas) for Brad Miller, who has a year remaining on his deal. That would give them the opportunity to truly start rebuilding, especially since Abdur-Rahim recently gave them a head start.

19. Hawks

The future looked so promising after they took the Celtics to seven games.

Joe Johnson showed that he was capable of donning the franchise tag with gusto, Josh Smith was terrific on both ends of the floor, while Al Horford showed great playoff poise and some of the winner's edge he developed in Florida. Their bench was a huge factor in the first-round against Boston, and now they've replaced Childress with Flip Murray and Maurice Evans.

The only unfortunate part of their offseason is that the other teams did a lot more, and got a lot better. A full season with Bibby at the point should benefit them, but it will take a lot more than 37 wins to be a part of the playoff battle this season.

Marvin Williams might be useful trade bait to help them get into the playoff discussion, though, since its clear he won't reach his potential with the heap of forwards on this roster.

Prediction: A decent team finally headed in the right direction, but a sub .500 season won't be enough this year. They are simply atrocious on the road, and as a result will likely be back to hoping the ping-pong balls bounce their way.

20. Pacers

Their roster would have made up a pretty good team a decade ago. They would have been able to run with the best of them with TJ Ford at the point and Granger and Dunleavy on the wings.

This year, though, with the league's competitiveness at its highest level ever, the Pacers will struggle to compete.

I expect TJ Ford to thrive in this situation. He plays with the swagger of being the best player on his team, and he is finally on a team where it is true. Granger and Dunleavy are great complements to his game, since they can both run, finish, and create for themselves when Ford runs out of his own options.

The Pacers are presumably still looking for takers for Jamaal Tinsley, and my guess is they will have to wait for Isiah Thomas to return to a GM posting for that to happen. Tinsley is the last "bad boy" Pacer remaining—and the sooner they can cut ties with him the better.

Prediction: Another wasted season, but trading away Jermaine O'Neal was the first step towards eventually regaining a spot amongst the elite. The question is how long will it take them to get there.

21. Bulls

After this summer belonged to the Redeem Team, could this season be the year of the "Redeemabulls"?

Common sense suggests that's unlikely. This is the same team as last season, except for the fact that Chris Duhon is out, and Derrick Rose is in.

Watching Rose with Memphis, its quite clear that he is destined to become an All-Star in this league. He will have to be an All-Star this year if the Bulls are to return to the playoffs, or what most of this roster would probably rather call the Sweet 16.

Jim Paxson has tried to fill his roster with a variety of college players that come from winning programs, but this was done with the hope that one of them would become that elite-level superstar. It was supposed to be Luol Deng last season, but injuries held him back big time. Kirk Hinrich had a woeful time shooting the ball—and the less said about Joachim Noah's off-court antics the better.

Tyrus Thomas is a bundle of potential, but you can't help but wonder how much better this team would be if they stuck with LaMarcus Aldridge. With a rookie coach, this team seems destined to remain the Horribulls for at least one more year.

Prediction: The lack of a post presence will be hurt them hard again, and so will every tape they see of Gasol in a Lakers uniform. Will miss the playoffs by a mile and I expect more off-court issues as the losing wears them down once again. At least Bulls fans will have a Rookie of the Year campaign to keep tabs on.

22. Nets

The Nets are the feel-bad story of the year. They have now bid adieu to two of their longest servants in Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, and are stuck with a Vince Carter that is slowly but steadily declining physically. This is evident in the fact that people refer to him more when discussing exciting players of the past, rather than in this day and age.

At the beginning of his time in New Jersey, he was rejuvenated and looked to attack the rim, but no one can deny that this dedicated approach had a lot to do with Jason Kidd policing him. With Devin Harris now given the keys to the Nets offense, it will be interesting to see which Vince Nets fans witness.

Devin Harris should take a huge step forward in his development, as he is now the secondary option to Vince. There will be no limitations to what he can or cannot do, since Lawrence Frank knows Devin is at his best when given freedom. The acquisition of Yi does set them up nicely for a great roster in the future—specifically 2010, which is all they truly have to look forward to.

Prediction: Will dwell in the cellar of the East. Teams looking to make a move towards the postseason might look see Vince as a viable option, and the Nets should listen. This season however, will be dedicated to the development of their new young core of Harris, Yi, and Sean Williams.

23. Bobcats

This is a team that plays hard, scraps, and does all the little things that fans love to see. All they need now is a couple of people that can do the big things—i.e. play at an All-Star level and be consistent game-changers—and they'll be well on their way to becoming a very tough team in the East.

Emeka Okafor, Jason Richardson, and Gerald Wallace are capable of being those guys, and Larry Brown could be the right coach to bring out those attributes in them. I expect D.J. Augustin to become a very solid player in the league, and should bring some much-needed shooting to the Bobcats roster this season.

Raymond Felton was up and down last year, so it will be interesting to see how Larry Brown decides to use him. Don't forget that North Carolina's favorite mustache is back with Adam Morrison, and his outside stroke should be an added bonus.

Prediction: They are getting closer to being able to detach their expansion tag. Larry Brown will make sure they work their butts off which wil probably give them a few more wins than most might expect, and might even be enough for their first surge towards the postseason.

They'll fall short to better teams, though, and will simply have to wait another year.

24. Bucks

This is my sleeper team of the East. After another disappointing season last year, John Hammond showed why he was so coveted during his time as assistant GM with Detroit. Yi was never going to be happy in Milwaukee, and so finding a fit for him as well as picking up a marquee player in Richard Jefferson must have made both parties extremely happy.

Charlie Villanueva played very well as a starter, and that role becoming permanent should do wonders for his confidence. The loss of Mo Williams would have hurt a lot more had it not been for the emergence of Ramon Sessions last season.

Even though it was while they were simply playing out a meaningless March and April, some of the numbers Sessions put up were absolutely off the charts. His 24-assist game on a wild night against the Bulls immediately comes to mind.

As much as they have improved, it will be worth nothing if the changes are just on paper. Their schedule is quite difficult for the first month. But if they can survive that initial phase, they should be on course to a return to the postseason.

Prediction: Their lack of a bench will force their starters to play big-time minutes. Their defense has struggled in recent years, but that should change with Scott Skiles now patrolling the sidelines.

I see them clinching the eighth seed in what should be a wild chase for the final playoff spot. All that means, though, is a brief learning experience against the Celtics in the first round.

25. Clippers

Clippers fans are probably still reminiscing about how exciting it would have been to see Baron Davis and Elton Brand work in tandem. Now, they are stuck with a big man that will have to rely on Baron Davis' creativity for scoring opportunities.

Al Thornton and Chris Kaman should continue to play significant roles this year, although more will be expected out of Thornton after the departure of Corey Maggette.

The scariest thing now for Clippers fans has to be the thought of Ricky Davis and Jason Williams receiving playing time together. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be at least a few wild moments with that duo on the court.

Mike Dunleavy Sr. is one of the best coaches in the league right now, and so expect them to put up a fight every night. I expect them to be a solid home team, but it's definitely a benefit that they play the least number of road games in the league, along with the Lakers.

Prediction: No team with Baron Davis at the point will have a problem putting up points on the board.It's the other end of the floor that severely hampers their chances of winning games. Should be improved from last year, but let's not hope this is the beginning of another ping-pong era for the Clips.

26. Timberwolves

The acquisition of Mike Miller gives the team a really nice piece to complement Al Jefferson. Miller thrived with Pau Gasol in Memphis, because his overall game is well-suited to be a secondary option to a dominant inside presence, which Al Jefferson has now become.

The key to the Kevin Garnett trade emerged last season as a true franchise player, one that shoulder the load of a team on his back, as well as compete on a game-to-game basis.

Kevin Love was a solid lottery pick that provides them with a true center to take some of the physical demands of playing with the biggest boys away from Big Al. They really needed to go big with the stockpile of guards and forwards already on the roster.

The Wolves aren't light-years away from becoming a contender, but they certainly won't be giving teams major headaches either. They ended last season on a "high" by winning 10 of their final 24 games—but with the value of a win at its highest in the league, elite teams will be looking to lock up the games they should take.

Prediction: Should win about 30 games this season, but they aren't concerned with wins just yet. Development is the key, and they should be thrilled if they can get numbers from Love similar to those of Al Horford's first season.

For wins though, Randy Foye and Rashad McCants will have to live up to the expectations of when they were first drafted.

27. Grizzlies

It's almost shocking to see a roster this bad in the West. After Rudy Gay and O. J. Mayo, there is not a single name that even catches the eye. Hakim Warrick has shown flashes of how athleticism can impact a player's game, but his overall game is more suited towards that of role player rather than All-Star.

Darrell Arthur seemed to be a good pickup for them—untll he put himself in a completely unnecessary mess with his involvement in the marijuana incident at the NBA Rookie Camp. Lets get back to the positives, though.

Gay might have a sub-par season, since teams will be able to gang up on him on the defensive end. He averaged five three-point attempts per game last year, which is way too many for someone that not only has the ability to create for himself, but shoots just 35 percdent from long distance.

As much work as he might have put in to improve his jumper this summer, he will find it a difficult adjustment to not have a devastating shooter like Mike Miller alongside him on the wings. This is going to be a very long season for Memphis!

Prediction:The fact is they will be one of the few teams playing out the string right from Game One. It would be shocking to see them win more games than last year, but there is no doubting the excitement of watching the Gay-Mayo era take its first steps.

28. Knicks

When Mike D'Antoni was brought in, I really believed that the Knicks roster would be dismantled, allowing D'Antoni to bring in players that would help play his flashy style of ball. Now it appears, with Chris Duhon being their only significant acquisition, their focus is to wait for the offseason of 2010.

They have too many players that are undesirable due to their contract, rather than their skill level. Jerome James, Quentin Richardson, and Stephon Marbury will all be off the books, and it should be safe to say that Zach Randolph will have a new home as well.

For this season, D'Antoni will continue his "run till you hit a wall" offense, but the sad part for Knicks fans is that their defense might be even worse than last year.

Danilo Galinari should be an instant hit, as his game is perfectly suited towards D'Antoni's style of play. If he gets a decent amount of time in the point-forward role, the Knicks offense will benefit greatly. He can dribble with both hands, and with his guard-like stutter step, the rest of the league's forwards will have a nightmarish time guarding him at the top of the key.

The Knicks aren't good enough for the playoffs just yet, but at least D'Antoni can get a couple of years to impose his style on the players he believes to be a part of the core before their big offseason arrives.

Prediction: The Knicks should be exciting, but nothing more. Another high lottery pick should help them setup a true core for whichever free agent they swoop for in the 2010 offseason. There are still too many character issues on the roster, and until they get rid of those players, they will be just like Portland a few years ago.

29. Thunder

With the move to Oklahoma complete, all the off-court distractions are put to rest. Sam Presti decided that Russell Westbrook would be his floor general for the many years to come. Scouts liken him to Rajon Rondo defensively, and Monta Ellis offensively. Just the thought of that is scary.

Obviously, for the foreseeable future this is just potential, how far these comparisons go is always up to the individual. This team has a lot of young players and should be quite exciting to watch. Wins will be hard to come by, but numbers are not what will define the success of their season.

With the young core of Westbrook, Jeff Green, and their franchise player Durant, it is up to the other young guns on this roster to help Presti decide whether they will be a part of the Thunder's future—or be a part of a trade that can enhance this team's reputation.

Prediction: The team will play much better at home than on the road, which is the case with most young teams. Durant really seemed to grasp the nuances of the NBA game towards the end of last season, and should take a major step towards becoming an All-Star this year.

A top three pick in the lottery should see Presti listening to offers, and probably taking this team to the conference's elite via a major trade.

30. Heat

Yes folks, Dwyane Wade is back! The scary part is that he looked better than ever with Team USA. That instantly makes the Heat a much better team than last year. Add to that the drafting of Michael Beasley as a big man that will provide a solid scoring threat. and the Heat will be in contention for a playoff spot late into the year.

Shawn Marion and Udonis Haslem represent the rest of the front court, one that is undersized but not to be taken lightly. Haslem provides toughness and hard work on a nightly basis, and Marion will continue to make his best Swiss-army knife impression.

On the downside for Miami, though, they have a rookie head coach and no true point guard. As of today, their point guards are Chris Quinn and Marcus Banks. Both are quite capable in a backup role, but would likely be overwhelmed with a starting role.

Prediction:The fans will be back in full force for the Heat this season. I wouldn't be surprised if they did return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus, but the lack of a true center and point guard should be enough to deter them from going further.

So there it is—all the teams, all the moves, and now their new rankings:

1.Lakers(+1)	6.Cavaliers	11.Nuggets(+1)	16.Wizards	21.Kings(-3)	26.Pacers(-6)
2.Celtics(-1)	7.Spurs(-3)	12.Mavericks(-2)	17.Bucks(+7)	22.Hawks(-3)	27.Nets(-5)
3.Hornets(+1)	8.Pistons(-1)	13.Blazers(+1)	18.Warriors(-5)	23.Bulls(-2)	28.Timberwolves(-2)
4.Rockets(+4)	9.Suns	14.Raptors(+3)	19.Clippers(+6)	24.Bobcats(-1)	29.Thunder
5.Jazz	10.76ers(+5)	15.Magic(-4)	20.Heat(+10)	25.Knicks(+3)	30.Grizzlies(-3)

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

Vivek Jacob — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:20:40 -0400

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:

1.Celtics	6.Cavaliers	11.Magic	16.Wizards	21.Bulls	26.Timberwolves
2.Lakers	7.Pistons	12.Nuggets	17.Raptors	22.Nets	27.Grizzlies
3.Hornets	8.Rockets	13.Warriors	18.Kings	23.Bobcats	28.Knicks
4.Spurs	9.Suns	14.Blazers	19.Hawks	24.Bucks	29.Thunder
5.Jazz	10.Mavericks	15.76ers	20.Pacers	25.Clippers	30.Heat

1. Celtics

They will be the champs till someone takes that away from them. Unfortunately for Celtics fans, that someone is James Posey.

His defensive presence, timely scoring. and championship swagger gave the Celtics a dimension they will now be severely lacking. Yes, the rest of the roster now knows what it takes, but what will happens when Paul Pierce or Ray Allen exit the game?

Tony Allen has struggled in pressure situations and Eddie House leaves too big of a hole defensively. Darius Miles is a big question mark and isn't even expected to be 100 percent until the new year.

Prediction: Won't have the dominant regular season of last year, but still the class of the East. The big CHAMPION bulls-eye however will be enough to deny the Celtics a repeat.

2. Lakers

The return of Andrew Bynum will function the same as a morale-boosting trade. He will give them everything they were lacking in the Finals, rebounding, shot-blocking, and an imposing inside presence. Allowing the French energizer Turiaf to walk was a clear statement that they believe Bynum is back at full strength.

Kobe's decision to forego surgery was surprising, but I guess he realizes just how tight the West will be, and any amount of time off would jeopardize their shot at first place.

One point to note—they have the best animal nicknames in the league. A black mamba and a monkey king are definitely something to be proud of.

Prediction: Best record in the mighty West. Anything but a trip to the Finals should be termed a disappointment for this team.

3. Hornets

Chris Paul's experience in Beijing should assist him in elevating his game even higher. He emerged as the go-to point guard as the tournament went on, seeing most of the fourth-quarter minutes in key games.

I also expect bigger things from Tyson Chandler and Julian Wright. Tyson will look to show he can block more than one shot a game, since that—along with his terrible free-throw shooting—is what kept him off this summer's Redeem Team.

Julian Wright quickly developed into a true spark off the bench. and he should make strides based on experience alone. The addition of James Posey will give this team the playoff X-factor and swagger they lacked last year.

Prediction: Will challenge for the top seed, but will have to settle for second. Experience and durability will be their big test in the playoffs.

4. Spurs

The Spurs will do the same thing they have done for about the last decade—they will be consistent till about January, then pick up their intensity and take it to another level, entering the playoffs on a high.

It remains to be seen how long Ginobili will be out, but it would be surprising if it was more than two months from now, which would only mean him missing the first couple of weeks of the season.

Roger Mason Jr. replaces Brent Barry, and this should help the Spurs. Mason established himself as a guy that can fill it up off the bench with the Wizards last season, and his ability to shoot the three as well as handle the ball should take pressure of both Tony Parker and Ginobili.

Prediction: I expect the Spurs to be solid as usual and finish as the 5th-best team in the West, but will eventually fall to one of the "new" contenders of the West.

5. Jazz

Like with Chris Paul, expect Jason Kidd's tutelage to rub off on Deron Williams this season. D-Will showed that although his playmaking skills aren't quite at the level of CP3's, his jumper is definitely better.

Boozer was truly devoted to the team cause at the Olympics, but will be eager to seize this season as an opportunity to show he was deserving of more minutes. The two All-Stars combined with Okur and Kirilenko gives them possibly the best Fantastic Four in the league, but they need to win on the road!

Brevin Knight will be a solid veteran addition to the locker room, but I expect Ronnie Price to grab the reserve minutes after impressive performances in the postseason.

Prediction: Will settle into the fourth seed by virtue of winning the Northwest division. Winning on the road has been their Achilles heel, though—and they will have to put that demon to rest if they are to emerge at the top of the heap.

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.

11. Magic

Dwight Howard was definitely Superman against the Raptors in the playoffs, but found nothing but kryptonite against the Pistons. Can he get to a level where he doesn't get bogged down by hard postseason fouls followed by free-throw misery? He will no doubt look to improve his offensive arsenal, and impose even more of a presence in the post if possible.

Anthony Johnson brings in a much needed veteran presence, and Pietrus will be an upgrade over Maurice Evans. This team will go as far as Howard takes them, and it will be interesting to see if Turkoglu was a one-season wonder or whether he truly has turned the corner.

Prediction: I really feel like they will have a down year. Orlando was a "new" team last year due to the play of Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. Teams will be better prepared for them and so I see them finishing up as the fourth seed in the East. The point-guard situation still leaves them short of being true championship contenders.

12. Nuggets

Yes, the trade with the Clippers was bad—very bad. A player that is one year removed from Defensive Player of the Year honors should never be traded for a second-round pick. Yet, the Nuggets cap situation demanded it and the team won't suffer as much as people think.

The fact is they never truly were a championship contender. They still have the best scoring duo in the league, and now their frontline reads Nene, Kenyon Martin, Steven, Hunter, and Chris Anderson. Combined with AI and Melo, that's still a very solid, entertaining team.

Prediction: Play great, high-octane offense and be the most entertaining team in the league. Will lock up the seventh seed, but their lack of defense will leave them served with another first-round spanking.

13. Warriors

This could be a very difficult year for them. For all the promise they showed over the last couple of seasons, this will most likely be a year of turmoil.

Their entire offseason seems to have backfired with the injury to Monta Ellis. Their best point guard is now Marcus Williams, a severe downgrade from Baron Davis. He was unable to cope as a backup in the East, but did put up solid numbers in the short time he had as a starter (11 P, 6 A) in the absence of Jason Kidd and Devin Harris.

Golden State will be hoping Williams can do that on a consistent basis, since Don Nelson's teams depend so much on the play at the point position. Don't be surprised to see Stephen Jackson take the bulk of the ball-handling responsibilities until Ellis returns.

Prediction: Ellis' return will be too little, too late for the Warriors. They will miss the postseason, but improved health and a solid lottery pick could set this team up very nicely for seasons to come.

14. Blazers

Portland has to be recognized as THE up-and-coming team in the West. Their lineup was solid last year, and with their new additions they seem poised to battle for a spot in the postseason.

Jerryd Bayless looks poised to be a star point guard in the league. Greg Oden will be a major bonus inside as he will be a significant upgrade over Pryzbilla, who can go back to his customary backup role.

Last but not least, the player that really excites me. Watching Rudy Fernandez at the Olympics was an absolute thrill. This guy can flat out score! From a lethal quick-release jumper to an array of drives, he has an NBA-effective offensive arsenal already.

Prediction: Portland showed a lot of poise for a young team last year, so if Nate McMillan can integrate his new recruits effectively, they will definitely challenge for one of the lower playoff seeds. Personally, I feel that it will be their inexperience that leaves them short in what should be some pressure games through March and April.

15. 76ers

The signing of Elton Brand has transformed this team to an instant contender in the East. Brand will give them the much-needed inside threat they sorely lacked in years past, as well as defensive help for Samuel Dalembert.

The best part of this signing, though, is the fact that it removes the franchise tag that in reality was never meant for Andre Igoudala.

Philly also signed a couple of key role players that address their biggest issues of last season. Kareem Rush and Donyell Marshall will give this team decent outside threats off the bench. That, combined with the team's overall athleticism, will make for a very fluid offense.

Prediction: Will finish as the fifth seed in what is now a very competitive Eastern Conference. There are a bunch of teams in the East now that aren't quite at that elite level, but they are all very solid teams that have the potential to go far, and how well Philly does depends on whether they can emerge from that bunch.

*PART 2 PREVIEWING THE REST OF THE TEAMS WILL BE AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY*