2008-09 NBA Season Previews and Predictions

The 2008-09 NBA season is about a month and a half away from tipoff, and I might as well make my predictions on standings, awards, and suprising teams. So let's get started by making predictions on the Eastern Conference.

Eastern Conference

No. 1: Boston Celtics

Predicted Record: 56-26

No. 2: Detroit Pistons

Predicted Record: 52-30

No. 3: Orlando Magic

Predicted Record: 52-30

No. 4: Cleveland Cavaliers

Predicted Record: 47-35

No. 5: Toronto Raptors

Predicted Record: 45:37

No. 6: Philadelphia 76ers

Predicted Record: 44-38

No. 7: Washington Wizards

Predicted Record: 42-39

No. 8: Miami Heat

Predicted Record: 41-41

Nos. 9-15

No. 9: Atlanta Hawks; No. 10: Chicago Bulls; No. 11: Indiana Pacers; No. 12: Milwaukee Bucks; No. 13: Charlotte Bobcats; No. 14: New York Knicks; No. 15: New Jersey Nets

Western Conference

No. 1: Los Angeles Lakers

Predicted Record: 57-25

No. 2: New Orleans Hornets

Predicted Record: 54-28

No. 3: Houston Rockets

Predicted Record: 52-30

No. 4: Utah Jazz

Predicted Record: 50-32

No. 5: San Antonio Spurs

Predicted Record: 49-33

No. 6: Phoenix Suns

Predicted Record: 47-35

No. 7: Dallas Mavericks

Predicted Record: 44-38

No. 8: Portland Trail Blazers

Predicted Record: 43-39

Nos. 9-15

No. 9: Los Angeles Clippers; No. 10: Golden State Warriors; No. 11: Denver Nuggets; No. 12: Sacramento Kings; No. 13: Minnesota T-Wolves; No. 14: Oklahoma City Thunder; No. 15: Memphis Grizzlies

Most Suprising NBA Team

After finishing dead last in the entire basketball world with only 15 wins, the Miami Heat will make the playoffs because of Dwyane Wade, Michael Beasley, and Shawn Marion. They will finish with 41 wins, a huge improvement from the 15 they had a season ago. Beasley wins Rookie of the Year honors and Wade will finish in the top five of MVP voting.

Awards

MVP: LeBron James

I predict some injuries to some of the Cavs starters, and LeBron will just take over like LeBron usually does. He will become the most clutch fourth-quarter player in the league, leading many come-from-behind wins. LeBron will dominate next season and will lead the league in scoring, imrove his defense, and win his first MVP award.

Runners-Up: Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul.

Rookie of The Year: Michael Beasley

He is the most talented rookie from the 2007 draft and will average nearly 20 points per game and grab six to eight boards per contest. He will also gain some votes while helping his Miami Heat make the playoffs.

Runners-up: Greg Oden and OJ Mayo.  

Coach of The Year: Nate McMillan

After missing the playoffs for the past few years, McMillan will lead his young squad back to the promised land. Young players such as Oden, Sergio Rodriguez, Brandon Roy, and LaMarcus Aldrige will help the Blazers make it as an eight seed, and McMillan will be awarded COY as a result.

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard

He will lead the league in rebounds, blocks, and will be a force in the paint, altering shots and making others around him better.

Most Imroved Player: Nate Robinson

Playing under Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense will fit perfectly for Robinson and he will succeed under a terrible Knicks team.

NBA Finals Prediction

Lakers vs. Magic (Lakers in five)

Kobe Bryant and his Lakers will be a force to be reckoned with and make their second consecutive Finals appearence. The only difference is that they will play with a chip on their shoulders and destroy the Dwight Howard-led Magic.

The Magic will make a nice and suprising playoff run, but the magical run will come to and end as Kobe will bring them back to earth.