2007-2008 NBA Season: A Look at Predictions, Right and Wrong
Right vs. Wrong: A Look Back At the Second Predictions from the 2007-2008 season.
This was the best NBA season ever.
It was all that any die-hard NBA fan could ask for. And it saddens me to say, it's all over now.
Who would have predicted one year ago that the Boston Celtics would now be the NBA Champions? Let alone, a Celtics-Lakers match-up that brought back old memories.
Who would have thought that the New Orleans Hornets would have the magical season they had? And who would have thought that Pau Gasol would be in a Lakers' uniform without having to sacrifice Lamar Odom.
There are plenty of questions similar to those that can be asked today. But now the fun part starts.
Before the start of every season, everyone has their own predictions lined up. And at season's end, it is always interesting to see how they held up.
Well, it's now that time once again as the NBA season is now officially over.
Let's start with the predicted outcomes you're never happy with. The flops.
The Wrongs
The Miami Heat will win more than nine games.
The Heat won a disappointing nine games the first half of the season, and second half wasn't any better. Despite having newly acquired Shawn Marion, the Miami's performance was worse than the first half of the season while Shaq still wore a Heat uniform.
Miami finished with the worse record in the NBA, and only managed to win six games after the All-Star break.
And what made matters worse, Dwyane Wade suffered a season ending injury, and Shawn Marion could have been easily accused of tanking.
| It was all that any die-hard NBA fan could ask for. And it saddens me to say, it's all over now. |
Off all predictions, I was certain this one would happen. But that's the best thing about predictions.
You never know until they happen. Shout out to David Williams, who told me this wouldn't happen.
The Houston Rockets will win the race for the eighth seed out west.
I wouldn't exactly call it a flop, but since things didn't turn out the way they were predicted, it's only right.
During the All-Star break, the Rockets were tied for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors. But after the break, Houston went on an unexpected 22-game winning streak.
And due to that, Houston ended the regular season with the fifth seed. Unfortunately, the lost Yao Ming for the season and Tracy McGrady suffered another first round exit in the postseason.
The Phoenix Suns will clinch the No.1 seed in the Western Conference
After acquiring Shaq in the Shawn Marion deal, Phoenix went through a brief hot spell. But it wasn't enough to clinch home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.
I will admit is that I failed to look at the Suns' second half schedule while making this prediction. But my good friend Andrew Ungvari brought that to my attention.
Phoenix went through a tough schedule that featured games against Golden State, Dallas, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Detroit, New Orleans, Philly, Portland, Denver, Utah and San Antonio.
Steve Nash's assist total went down, Shaq slowed down a offense that used to be exciting to watch and Phoenix finished with a 6-4 record during their last 10 games.
The San Antonio Spurs Will Repeat as NBA Champions
San Antonio got through the first two rounds of the playoffs, but they were shut down by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals 4-1.
The Rights
Byron Scott Wins Coach of the Year
The Boston Celtics may have a historical turnaround season that resulted in a championship, but no expected the New Orleans Hornets to be serious contenders. Now this season anyway.
But Chris Paul had an MVP caliber season, David West an All-Star season and that helped the Hornets clinch the second seed in the Western Conference.
That was more than enough to award Scott the Coach of the Year.
Kobe Wins Race To MVP
Kobe Bryant finally won his first regular season Most Valuable Player award this season. But some think he won the award based on his lifetime achievements, and Chris Paul should have won it.
Kobe was named MVP after his Lakers' finished first in the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers Reach the Western Conference Finals
The Lakers were the hottest team heading into the playoffs. They had only lost five games since acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis, and they looked like they were for real.
They did reach the WCF, but lost in the Finals to Boston in six last night.
The Boston Celtics Win the East
Not only did they win the east, but they won their 17th franchise championship. Plus, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Doc Rivers all had their first taste at championship glory.
Boston was the best team all year through the regular season. And showed that defense really does win ball games.
Michael Whittenberg, a senior writer for bleacherreport.com, is also one of two NBA Community Leaders.
