NBA 2010-2011: Standings, Playoffs and Awards Predictions
It’s finally here: The start of the 2010-2011 NBA season.
As a Celtics fan, I’m more excited than usual about this year’s tip-off.
Will already posted his preseason picks here.
Now, here are my predictions for the coming year.
I’ll go ahead and say it was very difficult to pick the outcome of the Western Conference.
If I’m way off on something, feel free to let me know in a comment.
And I’ll prove you wrong.
Western Conference Standings
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It's very difficult to predict the Western Conference standings.
The top two picks are seemingly obvious, but it starts getting questionable after that.
For picks 6-15, I could legitimately see a difference of three or four spots in either direction.
15. Sacramento Kings
2 of 40
I really like where the Kings are headed as a team.
Tyreke Evans showed what he can do last year and will continue to build on it this season.
The addition of Demcarcus Cousins definitely means there's even more to like.
Sacramento is building nicely, but I still see them in the cellar in their conference.
14. Denver Nuggets
3 of 40
It feels insane to drop this team this far.
When Melo is traded, the team will take a big enough hit as it is. Add in the very real possibility of Chauncey Billups being gone too, and this team is going to be hard to watch.
13. Houston Rockets
4 of 40
Another difficult pick to make.
Yao's health is always a concern.
I like some of the pieces on this team, but I don't see a leader to take this team where it wants to go.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
5 of 40
Most people are picking the T-Wolves to finish last in the conference. I don't see it that way.
I think Minnesota and Michael Beasley are going to help each other out immensely.
Look for big improvement by this team.
11. New Orleans Hornets
6 of 40
I don't like where the Hornets are going.
Even if CP3 doesn't get traded, the overall mood and look of New Orleans leads me to believe they will be underachievers in the coming season.
If Paul gets traded, they'll finish even lower than this.
10. Golden State Warriors
7 of 40
Stephen Curry exploded on to the scene last year. He'll keep it up this year and continue to improve.
I like the addition of David Lee, but I don't see this team as having enough weapons to make the playoffs.
Still, they're improving all the time.
9. Phoenix Suns
8 of 40
It seems easy to mark the Suns for absolute failure this season. I don't think they'll be as bad as some suggest.
They won't make the playoffs, but Steve Nash and company will make a very dangerous team.
Expect to see them run opponents to death.
8. Los Angeles Clippers
9 of 40
The Clippers return to the playoffs.
The depth of talent on this team is going to be fun to watch. Chris Kaman and Blake Griffin make for a very nice frontcourt.
They'll bow out in the first round of the playoffs.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
10 of 40
The Grizzlies' roster has been improving for a while now.
O.J. Mayo appears ready for a breakout year as does Marc Gasol.
There are so many players capable of scoring on this team.
Mike Conley is a very underrated point guard. He's not elite, but he fits this team well.
Still, they will go out in the first round.
6. Portland Trailblazers
11 of 40
This team needs one more piece before it is really ready to take the next step.
They're no longer a sleeper pick, so don't expect the rest of the league to treat them that way.
The Blazers are strong in many areas, but Brandon Roy needs a real sidekick before they take the next step.
5. Utah Jazz
12 of 40
The departure of Carlos Boozer will not help the Jazz. I like Al Jefferson to fill the void, though.
Deron Williams will continue to play like the best overall point guard in the NBA.
4. San Antonio Spurs
13 of 40
The Spurs are going to see a resurgence of sorts. They've never really been gone, but they've been weaker in recent years.
Duncan, Parker and Ginboli will lead the rejuvenated team to the No. 4 seed in the West.
I don't see them making the conference finals, but the Spurs will be back among the contenders this season.
3. Dallas Mavericks
14 of 40
Jason Kidd + Dirk Nowitzki + the surrounding cast = Another good year for the Mavericks.
They don't have the explosiveness of the Lakers or Thunder, but their consistency will serve them well.
There's no reason the experience of the Dallas roster can't push them to the finals.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
15 of 40
The Thunder are here to stay.
I still think they need one more year before they're able to take the banner from the Lakers, but things are looking great in Oklahoma City.
Kevin Durant will continue to light it up every night and his supporting cast will only get better.
Anything less than the conference finals would be surprising.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
16 of 40
The Lakers remain the team to beat.
A lot has been made of Kobe's age, but there's still plenty left in the tank.
Gasol showed in last year's playoffs that he is capable and ready to take yet another step forward in Los Angeles.
The Lakers size and talent make them a matchup nightmare. They'll continue to exploit their physical dominance for at least another year on their way to the Finals.
Eastern Conference
17 of 40
The East is top heavy.
It's somewhat difficult to pick the top four teams, but it gets easier after that.
15. Toronto Raptors
18 of 40
Toronto will feel the departure of Chris Bosh. I don't think Bosh is a superstar, but that team ran off of him.
They have some interesting players this year, but they're starting over.
14. Detroit Pistons
19 of 40
Detroit really has no identity.
There are some talented players on that roster, but they seem like a bunch of disjointed puzzle pieces.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers
20 of 40
It really would be great to see the Cavs make the playoffs the year after Lebron's departure. It's just not going to happen, though.
I don't think they'll be quite as bad as some think, but they will not be good in any way.
Sorry, Cleveland.
12. Washington Wizards
21 of 40
The addition of John Wall will go a long way toward revitalizing the Wizards.
I really like the backcourt of John Wall, Gilbert Arenas and Kirk Hinrich. That dynamic should fit those players well and give Washington some hope for the future.
They still need some help in the frontcourt before they're a playoff team.
11. New Jersey Nets
22 of 40
The Nets are building nicely.
Brook Lopez has become a top center in the league.
They'll continue to build, but I don't see them making the playoffs just yet. They need another player or two to emerge as legitimate quality guys before that happens.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 40
They have a pure scorer in Andre Iguodala. Other than that, they have a lot of questions.
The roster has too much talent on it to finish in the conference basement but not enough to really contend for the playoffs.
Philadelphia needs a solid contribution from Elton Brand and a true emergence from Jrue Holiday. Both of those things could easily happen.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
24 of 40
Milwaukee is like a great-looking car with no engine. Or maybe a sports car with a Geo Metro engine.
There's just no real bread and butter for this team.
If they are going to take the next step, they need Jennings to do just that.
8. Indiana Pacers
25 of 40
The combination of Darren Collison and Roy Hibbert makes this team very good by itself. Throw in Danny Granger, who may score a few points, and you have a dynamic team that will be hard to defend.
The Pacers have a true identity on both sides of the ball. That's why they're getting the honor of losing to the No. 1 seed in the first round.
7. New York Knicks
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I'm jumping on the Amar'e bandwagon. Stoudemire has shown what he can do in Mike D'Antoni's offense.
Things finally start coming together for the Knicks this year.
If they make the trade for Carmelo Anthony, they become an extremely dangerous playoff team. If not, the Knicks will still have a respectable season.
6. Charlotte Bobcats
27 of 40
This team has quietly become very solid.
The Bobcats are one of those teams that will be much better in the regular season than the playoffs.
They're not true championship contenders, but the Bobcats are a virtual lock for the playoffs. After that, don't bet on them.
5. Atlanta Hawks
28 of 40
Think more talented Charlotte Bobcats.
I would bet on a near carbon copy of last year's season for the Hawks.
They've seemed on the verge of taking the next step for a few years now. I think that's where they will find themselves again this year: on the verge.
That max contract to Joe Johnson doesn't project well for the future, either.
4. Miami Heat
29 of 40
I don't really know that I think Miami is the fourth best team in the Eastern Conference, but I don't think they will win their division.
As we have all heard ad nauseum, the Heat will take some time to gel.
The Magic will take advantage of this and win the division.
That said, the Heat are extremely talented and could very well win it all.
3. Chicago Bulls
30 of 40
I love the Bulls' roster. They're a young, talented team that is only getting better.
The addition of Boozer will take them to the next level. They're not quite in the league of the Celtics or Lakers, but Chicago is right there below them.
2. Orlando Magic
31 of 40
Two words: Dwight Howard.
The book is pretty much written on this team.
They're very good.
Their playoff potential depends on the offensive ability of Howard. If he has improved his game, they might be making another trip to the Finals.
1. Boston Celtics
32 of 40
The Celtics are just too talented and too deep to not win the Conference.
Rajon Rondo is the league's most exciting player and the engine that drives this machine.
Boston's success will hinge on health. However, Doc Rivers has shown his ability and willingness to use his bench, so they should be able to maintain their older roster.
Most Improved: Michael Beasley
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Beasley: I’ve already written numerous times about how much better I think Michael Beasley will be this year.
I like that he’s not playing second fiddle to Wade any more.
I love the situation he’s going into in Minnesota. He could easily become the T-Wolves’ leading scorer.
For more on Beasley, check this out: http://rotoprofessor.com/basketball/?p=166.
Scoring Champion: Kevin Durant
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Does this need an explanation?
Sixth Man Award: Kirk Hinrich
35 of 40
As I said earlier, I really like how the Washington backcourt is constructed.
The three guards (Wall, Arenas and Hinrich) seem to all fit together nicely. Hinrich should benefit from being on the floor with either of these guys.
I’ve always liked Hinrich’s game, and I think this is the year he gets more recognition.
Rookie of the Year: John Wall
36 of 40
It seems like everybody is either picking Blake Griffin or Wall.
I like the backcourt around Wall, and I think it helps him make the adjustment to the league more quickly than he might on another team.
Griffin will be good, but Wall will win the “eye test” with the voters.
MVP: Kevin Durant
37 of 40
I think Kobe finishes as a close No. 2 in the voting.
I’m not betraying a bias against Lebron here. I just think the presence of Dwyane Wade will hurt James’ status in the minds of voters.
Durant has good players around him, but he’s the league’s most prolific scorer and the engine that moves the Thunder.
Although, if Kobe wins the MVP, I won’t be surprised at all.
Western Conference Champions: Lakers
38 of 40
Lakers over Thunder.
I love watching the Thunder just like everyone else. I think they take another step forward this year, but I still don’t see them as a conference champion.
The team around Durant just needs another year to refine their games.
This will be a good series, but I think the Lakers take the victory in six games.
Eastern Conference Champions: Celtics
39 of 40
Celtics over Heat.
This pick is all about depth. The Celtics have the deepest frontcourt in the league.
Of course, they also have an aging team, but the depth of their team should help them stay fresh come playoff time.
There’s no good answer for Rajon Rondo on the Heat.
James and Wade will each have a good series, but the overall might of the Celtics roster will prevail.
Celtics in seven.
Finals Champion: Boston Celtics
40 of 40
Celtics over Lakers in seven games.
I didn’t want to pick this matchup again. I really didn’t.
These are the two best playoff teams in the league as they’re currently constructed, though.
The top teams in the NBA are so stacked that it’s difficult to see a series go less than six games.
The Celtic depth makes the difference again here. The size of the Lakers will not give the C’s as many problems in the past thanks to the new additions.
As always, keep checking rotoprofessor.com/basketball for all your basketball needs.
