NBA Midseason Predictions

Before I get to my predictions, I want to explain why I chose Zo for the cover. There's been a lot of debate whether or not he should be in the Hall of Fame. I'm a die-hard Miami Heat fan and obviously want to see him receive the honor. Understandably, I see the argument of why anyone would say he is not deserving. Having said that, I will save my prediction for the end of this one since it has nothing to do with the season.

Most Valuable Player: Lebron James. Everyone knows that he is winning this award. His game has grown immeasurably after his experience in Beijing. He brings it every night. He has finally jumped over Kobe as the best player in the game. And he knows it. Between the shift of powers and the rise of Wade and Bosh, this season has to be remembered as the year the Draft class of 2003 finally took over. Soon, CP3 and Dwight Howard will join them.

Defensive Player of the Year: Kobe Bryant. This guy is smart. He realized he was losing his throne as the most dominant offensive player in the league so he decided to become a ridiculously dominant defensive player.

Dwight and KG will be in the running and Artest will be an outside dark horse if he manages to stay healthy in the second half of the season but my guess is that the Lakers repeat of being atop the West by the end of the regular season will land Kobe the award. Along with a few more games where he shuts down the NBA elite wing players like he has done with Wade and Lebron so far this season.

Rookie of the Year: OJ Mayo. My guess is that Rose will be the best player to come out of this draft (which is not a bold prediction considering where he was drafted) but Mayo has adjusted to the NBA better than any other rookie. Meanwhile, Michael Beasley has been a bit of a disappointment and Rose is still trying to get the hang of it. Also, in Rose's defense, the Bulls look plain horrible. I think of them as the anti-jailblazers. They have too many beta players and not enough alpha dogs.

Coach of the year: Stan Van Gundy. The Magic jumped up a level this year, taking the spot of Eastern Conference elite that Detroit once held. By the way, Detroit should be called the Pistoffs. Everyone looks miserable. They clearly miss Billups. They clearly hate Iverson. And since the team is more concerned with clearing up cap space than making a much needed trade, the logical trade that would send Iverson to the Bulls for a combo of players will never happen.

Most underrated player: Al Jefferson. I know this isn't an actual category but this guy deserves something after being slighted from the all-star team. The Wolves have made steady progress and Jefferson has become one of the best big men in the game. Add him to the list of players who will soon join the draft class of '03 who will be taking over in the near future.

Most overrated player: Amare Stoudemire. First Shawn Marion was getting in his way. Now it seems like Shaq is. Meanwhile, he has already gone on record as saying he will sign with a team in 2010 that will make him the No. 1 option. I hate to say it but if you take Steve Nash away, what is really left of this guy? Is he really a franchise player? I don't think so. And I'd love to see anyone argue otherwise.

NBA Finals Prediction: Any combination of these four teams will be in the Finals: Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, or Cavs.

My prediction: Lakers-Celtics. The Lakers have too much depth, the best player in the Western conference, a great coach, and the Spurs don't have enough size to help Duncan in the post. Not to mention that the Lakers will also probably have homecourt advantage. 

The Cavs-Celtics will also be a great series and definitely go all seven games but I just think the Celtics toughness, Perkins intimidation, Rondo's rise to eliteness, and the 3 headed monster are too much for the two-headed juggarnaut of Lebron and Mo Williams even if Lebron is the best player in the game. As Kobe probably has already learned, one player can't do it all and Mo isn't enough to disregard all the things the Celtics have going for them.

Celtics in seven vs. the Lakers. Because, as much as Kobe has grown as a player, he is still not mentally tough enough to lead a team as young as the Lakers.

Because Lamar Odom is one of the worst players in playoff history. Because Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol are not tougher than Perkins and Garnett nor play as good defense. Because Kobe will feel like he has to do it all like he felt in the Finals last year and get quickly discouraged.

Finally, because the Celtics get under the skin of the Lakers much like the Spurs do to the Suns and history has shown that anytime someone gets under your skin, recklessness follows.

The Celtics are a loathsome, cocky team and no one knows it better than the Lakers. Unfortunately, that's the main reason why the Celtics win this series and repeat as champs.

Alonzo Mourning (H.O.F or no) H.O.F. Was Alonzo one of the best Centers to ever play the game? Not really. Did he ever lead a team to a championship? No. Was he one of the most talented? No. Alonzo Mourning should be on this list because he played to the best of his ability and he literally gave his life to basketball. He was the biggest sacrificer. He was the hardest worker. He was one of the best defensive players the game has ever seeen. Those three factors are why he should be a Hall of Famer. Sacrifice. Defense. Hard work. Alonzo Mourning. A Hall of Famer.