NBA 2010-2011 Season: Breaking Out the Boldest Predictions

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade,Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant.

Just typing and reading out loud the NBA’s top players' names gets me pumped for the season.

After watching the USA team bring home the gold the only thing on my mind was the official start of the NBA season.

With tip-off roughly 56 hours away, NBAPrimetime’s Brandon Ribak presents the boldest predictions for the upcoming season.

NBA commentator Jeff Van Gundy voiced his predictions on the Miami Heat.

The former NBA coach had this to say about the team, “They will break the single-season win record [of 72]. And I think they have a legit shot at the Lakers’ 33-game [winning] streak [in 1971-72], as well. …They will never lose two games in a row this year.”

 

Analysis

While it would really be incredible to see Miami break Chicago’s epic 72-10 record, I don’t see it being a top priority for the Heat.

Even though the cast of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh has a better chance than any other team in the league to break the record, it doesn’t seem likely to happen—especially since chemistry is still an issue.

The Heat will face off against the Orlando Magic (four times), Boston Celtics (four times), and the Los Angeles Lakers (twice).

Although fully capable of doing so, the team even winning all 10 of those games seems unlikely as of right now.

 

Prediction

Miami exceeds 60+ wins for the first time since the '96-'97 season.

 

ESPN’s NBA cast gave their playoff predictions and the New York Knicks‘ Eastern Conference seed average was a 7.5.

 

Analysis

Amare Stoudemire, Raymond Felton, Anthony Randolph and TimofeyMozgov have the ability to uplift this Knicks team into playoff contention.

With the East’s top six already in place (Miami, Boston, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee, in no particular order), the Knicks have the opportunity to sneak in as the No.7 or No.8 seed for the playoffs.

 

Prediction

Unless Stoudemire falls to a serious injury, or a team like the Pacers and/or Wizards compile an unpredicted number of W’s, the Knicks have the talent to secure their first playoff spot in six years.

 

ESPN’s Chad Ford predicted that the Portland Trail Blazers “could” be the best team in the West this season.

 

Analysis

The Blazers locker room was seriously affected by the injury bug last season, and the team still managed to win 50 games due to their massive amount of talent.

With a virtually healthy roster (with an exception to Greg Oden) Portland undoubtedly has the ability to emerge as a dominant powerhouse out in the West.

Portland has been known to give the Lakers a difficult time when matching up (Blazers went 2-1 against LA last season), and just the other day when Kobe Bryant was asked who is the toughest player for him to guard in the Western Conference, he stated:

“Roy 365 days, seven days a week. Roy has no weaknesses.”

 

Prediction

The Trail Blazers have the coaching, leadership, depth and talent to become a top team in the West. If Oden can somehow remain durable once he returns from injury, Portland will have a chance to overthrow the Lakers in the playoffs.

For more of Brandon's content be sure to check out NBAPrimetime.com and follow him on twitter @_nbaprimetime