2010-2011 NBA Season Predictions

Durant is set for an MVP caliber season, photo courtesy of everyjoe.com

MVP – Kevin Durant

I look for Durant and the Thunder to have a big season competing for the second spot in the Western Conference. This is the year the Thunder will have to show growth, which will allow Durant to get some more recognition. Fresh off a gold medal in Turkey, Durant has his eyes set on a huge year.

Defensive Player of the Year – Ron Artest

Artest has preached his importance on playing defense. Ron knows that it is his role to be the stopper on the team and has totally accepted it. He has got his weight down in order to matchup to any number 1 guard in the league.

Most Improved Player – Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert has a lot to prove this year. He hasn’t started the preseason off well by faking an injury, but for once it wasn’t about Gilbert. He tried to do it for someone else. Arenas has came out and said this is John Wall’s team and he’s going to teach him the ropes. Arenas seems focused enough to have a big year.

6^th Man – Lamar Odom

Odom is also coming off a huge gold medal win for the US in Turkey and is looking better than ever. He is in shape and has got the experience of the international game which can transfer to big results in the NBA. The international game is a much more physical game and Odom was averaging a double-double in the elimination games. Odom will be the huge spark off the bench for the Lakers.

DMC was the 5th pick in the NBA Draft, photo courtesy of http://www.kingsfans.com

Rookie of the Year – DeMarcus Cousins

I think the Sixers, Nets, and Timberwolves made a huge mistake by passing up Cousins. I think he has more upside than any other player in this draft and the whole bad character issue is just an excuse. If the Wolves were really worried about that, they wouldn’t have picked up Michael Beasly, but that Kahn at his best. This award will go to either Cousins or Wall, but I think Cousins has a better chance due to his team and situation. Cousins has to opportunity to develop as a true post player, something the game is totally lacking.

Coach of the Year – Eric Spoelstra

Spoelstra should have himself the team with best record in the league. He will have to manage the three superstars and it will be interesting to see how he does that. Everyone has been asking who is going to take the last shot, and the answer from the Big 3 has been whatever coach says. I believe Spoelstra is a good coach, but he will be put to the ultimate test this year. Everyone thinks it’s easy to coach when your team has superstars, but it becomes more of a management role than it does coaching. The best example of this is Phil Jackson. Many complain that he never gets up and calls timeouts, but his team already knows what they have to do, so he manages the game. Spoelstra will have to evolve into a manager, and I see him be able to do that.

Eastern Conference Champions – Miami Heat

This team (or trio) definitely has what it takes to win a lot of games. My concerns are the post game and the role players. Haslem and Miller will have to play big roles, especially if one of them go down with injury, a problem already. The Heat haven’t had one full game to really gel together yet and the preseason would have been valuable time to get that done. The competition in the East is fierce; the Celtics will not give up this crown easy either. Other teams have emerged as well such as the Bulls, the Magic, the Hawks, and the Bucks.

Western Conference Champions – Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers clearly have the best roster in the league. Any bench concerns were definitely answered this offseason with the acquisitions of Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, and Theo Ratliff. The Western Conference is weaker than ever, and the Lakers should get through it pretty easily.

LA could be celebrating again come June, photo courtesy of nydailynews.com

Champions – Los Angeles Lakers

The Heat do not have the physicality to matchup to the Lakers, and that is truly where they will feast. The Lakers won last year’s finals because of rebounding, and this will be the case if this series happens as well. Rebounding and defense wins championships, and the Lakers are a much better rebounding and defensive team than Miami.