2010-11 NBA Preview: 20 Bold Predictions
The 2010-11 NBA season is only a few weeks away and we're already a couple days into the NBA preseason. Translation: Things are already getting interesting.
The defending World Champion Lakers looked less like champions and more like chumps as they coasted their way to a loss against FC Barcelona. I certainly didn't see that coming and I pretty sure you didn't either.
In that vein, here are bold 20 predictions for the 2010-2011 NBA season, things that just might happen because no one sees them coming.
20: The Warriors Will Make the Playoffs
1 of 21
Call me a naive dreamer, but I think the W's have a legitimate shot at the eight seed this year.
With Nellie out and David Lee in, best case scenario I see the Warriors finishing above .500 and surprising a lot of teams.
Finally with a presence down low, Stephen Curry will build on his rookie campaign, establishing a strong outside-in game with Monta Ellis and Lee. If things go south, however, expect Ellis to be the first casualty.
19: Hedo Turkgolu Will Get Back to Form
2 of 21
Out of Toronto and running alongside Steve Nash in Phoenix, expect Turkgolu's numbers to spike.
Nash is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better, so at the very least don't expect Hedo to have a worse year than he did in 2009-10.
18: A Breakout Rookie Year from Tiago Splitter
3 of 21
Remember the name Tiago Splitter.
The newest Brazilian import to the NBA, Splitter is fresh off an MVP campaign in Spanish ACB and will provide immediate production for the San Antonio Spurs.
17: Great Production Out of Shaq
4 of 21
Shaq Daddy is 38 years old, but just won't quit. Though his production has fallen off in recent years, look for him to ride out into the sunset with Boston.
Everybody knows Kevin Garnett isn't a true No. 5 and teaming up with Jermaine O'Neal could provide the competition that Shaq craves. Don't be surprised if The Diesel steals the starting job away from Kendrick Perkins and the "other" O'Neal.
16: Kevin Durant Is the MVP
5 of 21
Lebron and D-Wade's numbers are both going to take a hit, everybody knows that. Meanwhile out west, Kobe's nagging knee issues will cut into his minutes and effectiveness.
All things considered, this year is ripe for Durant to claim his first MVP. He could have won it last year, frankly, and with the shake up in Miami I don't see anyone, anywhere putting up the kind of numbers Durant can.
Get the M-V-P chants started OKC.
16: Stephen Curry Establishes Himself As a Top 3 PG
6 of 21
Steph Curry's rookie campaign was the stuff legends are made of, averaging 17.5 points, 5.9 assists, 4.5 boards, and 1.9 steals per game.
Now that he's got an interior presence to dish to down low, I see Curry putting up Steve Nash type assist numbers, especially with Monta Ellis lighting it up on the wing. Look for an All-Star year out of Curry as he leads the W's to the playoffs.
15: Role Players Matt Barnes and Steve Blake Have a Big Impact in LA
7 of 21
While everybody was talking about Miami's offseason, the Lakers were busy signing the role players they needed to repeat as champions.
Steve Blake has always been a proven floor general and Matt Barnes, an LA native, will provide great spark off the bench for the Lake Show.
With an aging Derek Fisher as the starter, Steve Blake should see major minutes. As should Barnes, because his shooting strike will prove pivotal late in games.
14: John Wall Isn't Mr. Everything—Yet
8 of 21
Everyone thinks John Wall is going to tear up the league this year. Well I'm not sold just yet.
Gilbert Arenas is coming off several disappointing seasons, but is still the franchise's go-to scorer.
Wall still has to make this "his" team and I don't foresee Arenas giving up that easily. The Arenas-Wall combo could either be a match made in heaven or a nightmare in Washington. Keep posted.
13: 'Melo Gets Traded
9 of 21
The 'Melo drama in Denver is this years Lebron drama in Cleveland. Unlike Lebron in Cleveland, 'Melo isn't some kind of demi-god in Denver.
I see the team tanking with all the added media attention and constant chatter and Carmelo getting shipped out of town by the trade deadline.
12: LeBron Will Not Do an Oscar Robertson Immitation
10 of 21
Everybody think LeBron is going to average a triple double this year, something only done by Oscar Robertson. I disagree.
Though Wade-Bosh-James combo is a "match made in heaven," I see the realities of their marriage being darker than most anticipate. Sharing the ball is something neither Wade nor Lebron has ever really had to do, and it's something they'll have to do as never before this year.
LeBron is going to have a great year, no doubt, but not like everybody thinks.
11: Blake Griffin, Rookie of the Year?
11 of 21
Blake Griffin has yet to suit up for the LA Clippers in a regular season game. In preseason action thus far, Griffin has looked like the No. 1 pick he was last season.
Expect Griffin to be a fantasy monster this year, tallying double-doubles on a consistent basis and maybe even winning ROY honors over the favorite John Wall (and darkhorse Tiago Splitter).
10: Miami Heat Are the Only Team to Win Over 60 Games
12 of 21
While individually their production will suffer in Miami, the Wade-Bosh-James "Big 3" will lead the Heat to the NBA's only 60 win season this year. The rest of the league simply looks too weak or too old or too injured to sustain that kind of success.
9: Healthy, the Bucks Win the Central Division
13 of 21
Milwaukee surprised everyone last year, making noise and earning the sixth seed in the East.
This year the NBA will "Fear the Deer" once again. With Carlos Boozer out inured in Chicago, look for the Bucks to capitalize early, taking the division crown with solid play from Andrew Bogut and scoring from Brandon Jennings, John Salmons, and newly acquired Corey Maggette.
The Bucks' biggest issue is whether they can stay healthy. If they can, they'll win the Central. If not, count them out.
8: A Healthy Greg Oden Is Comeback Player of the Year
14 of 21
In three years with the Blazers, Oden has played only 82 games. Ouch. While injuries have plagued the first overall pick's career, it doesn't mean the skills that made him the top pick aren't there.
If (and that's a massive IF) Oden can play more than 50 games this year, he'll certainly put up numbers. In his sophomore campaign the big man was making great strides, showing flashes of dominance in several performances.
Keep your fingers crossed for Greg.
7: NBA's Most Imporved Team Is the New York Knicks
15 of 21
Signing Amar'e over the summer was crucial for the Knicks. After years of futility and disappointment, D'Antoni and Stoudemire's reuniting will allow the Knicks to develop a quicker run and gun style a la the Suns.
Look for big years from Kelenna Azibuike and Raymond Felton, but don't be surprised if one is traded to make room for 'Melo.
6: The Magic Don't Lie Down Easily
16 of 21
The Magic-Heat rivalry is about to get a lot hotter, which is a great thing for the Magic.
While the Heat have the talent edge over the Magic, the Magic have the competitive fire. Furthermore, with a starting lineup of Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson, Mickael Pietrus, Rashard Lewis, and Dwight Howard, and Redick, Duhon, and Q-Rich coming off the bench, I'd argue the Magic have the depth, too.
Everybody expects the Heat to make a mockery of the NBA, but the Magic prove their toughest competitors in the East.
5: Jazz Finish Second in the West
17 of 21
Jerry Sloan will finally get the recognition he deserves as he guides the Jazz to the second seed in the West. Overcoming the Mavs and the Spurs will be difficult for the Jazz, but a little surprise magic out of rookie Gordon Hayward will help lift the squad deep into the playoffs.
4: Yao Is Done
18 of 21
The injury bug has bitten Yao one too many times and this year will be no exception. The big man will continue to see limited action and, with another serious injury unavoidable, he will be done in Houston.
3: Wizards Become the Bullets Again
19 of 21
New owner Ted Leonsis is doing all he can to salvage a diminishing fan base in DC, including establishing a personal email account for fans to contact him.
He recently came out with a list of 101 fan-generated "Visible Improvements" already in development or in consideration by the organization.
Number 31: Change Wizards' team name to Bullets.
Number 28: Change Wizards' colors back to red, white, and blue.
2:Celtics Win the East
20 of 21
The Heat are the more talented team, but the Celtics are so old and experienced that it just might work out for them. Boston brings back all its major pieces and adds two O'Neals, plus Marquis Daniels.
A huge offseason for the Boston Boys, no doubt, but it will be the team's intense defense, anchored by a healthy KG that will lift the C's to the NBA Finals again.
1: The Heat AREN'T NBA Champions
21 of 21
Everyone thinks Miami is going to make a mockery of the league this year and they will. But the playoffs are a whole different ball game.
Miami lacks depth and, when foul troubles manifest themselves late in games, the Heat will struggle. I just don't see the Heat getting past the Celtics, or the Lakers for that matter. There's something to be said for "being there" before, something Miami lacks.
