NBA Crystal Ball: 10 Predictions For The 2008-09 NBA Season

With two weeks of the 2008-09 NBA season already in the books, there are already plenty of topics to discuss. Are the Rockets for real with Ron Artest? Can the Spurs last without Manu Ginobli?

And though the season is just getting started, it's that time of the year I start making season predictions.

So without any further delay, here it goes.

The San Antonio Spurs Will Miss Manu Ginobli

The Spurs have already played five games and have only managed to win one game. And to make things worse for them, Tony Parker injured his ankle Friday night against Miami that will keep him sidelined 2-4 weeks.

In the five games, San Antonio's defense has been horrific giving up 105 PPG, and their offense hasn't looked any better. Though it's still too early too determine where the Spurs will be sitting in the Western Conference when Ginobli returns, it doesn't look good for San Antonio at this moment. Especially with Parker now sidelined.

One bright spot for San Antonio is the play of Roger Mason. Mason is averaging 16 PPG, and taking full advantage of the absence of Manu. Tim Duncan has alot of work ahead of him the next couple of weeks.

Amar'e Stoudemire Will Be In the MVP Race

We all know that Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and LeBron James are the three favorites to win MVP, but Stoudemire will be a sleeper. Stoudemire is putting up 25 points and eight RPG in his first seven games.

And if Phoenix stays near the top of the Western Conference as they are now, Stat will definitely be in the MVP hunt.

Derrick Rose Will Win Rookie of the Year

In the two weeks of this young NBA season, Rose, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Russell Westbrook and Rudy Fernandez have looked like the best rookies. This year's rookie class is deep, and even has potential sleepers such as the Grizzlies' Marc Gasol (Pau's little brother) and Milwaukee's Luc Mbah a Moute.

So far, Rose leads all rookies in scoring and is second in assists behind Mario Chalmers. The ROY race will eventually be decided by three guys--Rose, Mayo and Beasley, but Rose wins it in a tight one.

With Allen Iverson, Detroit Is Championship Caliber Again

The Pistons are 0-2 so far in the A.I. era, but after about 10 games or so we will know if this trade will work. Chauncey Billups may no longer be there, but their impressive streak of Eastern Conference Finals appearances won't end just yet.

With Iverson, the Pistons now have a real go-to-guy and a scoring threat to complement Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, Jason Maxiell and Rodney Stuckey.

But don't but on them winning it all.

Eastern Conference Dark Horse: Toronto Raptors

The Raptors have reached the postseason the last two seasons, but lost in the first round both times. The addition of Jermaine O'Neal will make them a better team this season. O'Neal isn't the same player he once was, but he doesn't need to with Chris Bosh by his side.

The Raptors are currently 4-2, and Bosh has been unreal averaging 26 and 11 the first six games of the season.

Predicted Record: 47-35

Western Conference Dark Horse: Utah Jazz

Like Toronto, Utah has also made the playoffs the past two season. And so far, the Jazz have managed to win five of their first six games without Deron Williams.

Once Williams returns, the Jazz will be a sleeper the entire season in the loaded Western Conference.

Predicted Record: 55-27

Stephon Marbury Won't Be A Knick the Entire Season

Why Mike D'Antoni has refused to play Marbury this season is a question I've yet to find a answer to. It looks like the solution would be to trade or waive him, but D'Antoni doesn't want to do either.

Dumb? Yes it is. If he were to get traded, teams like Miami and San Antonio could use his services right now. Sooner or later the Knicks and Marbury will come to some kind of reciprocal agreement.

They have to, right?

Lakers and Celtics Will Dominate This Season

It's not really a bold prediction considering both teams went head-to-head in the NBA Finals last season.

Though Los Angeles were dismantled in Game Six of the Finals, they now have one reason to be even more excited this season: Andrew Bynum. The Lakers are undefeated and 5-0 for the first time in five years, but their upcoming schedule will be tough. They have Dallas, New Orleans and Detroit back-to-back-to-back.

As for Boston, the reigning champs are currently 6-1 and have an easier schedule than Los Angeles. Their schedule also includes a return to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett.

With all that said, both teams will run the table this year. If both teams do indeed make it back to the Finals it would be the first time since 1998 that we have witnessed an NBA Finals rematch.

Chris Paul Win MVP

LeBron James, like the past two seasons, seems to be the consensus pick for Most Valuable Player. But Paul will run away with it this season. Paul's numbers are ridiculous so far, and there is no way his production will drop.

Already Paul has gone six straight games scoring at least 20 points and dishing out at least 10 assists. New Orleans will stay on top of the Western Conference Finals the entire season, and the race eventually goes down to Paul, LeBron and Kobe Bryant and Amar'e Stoudemire.

NBA Finals Rematch

As I mentioned earlier, there hasn't been a rematch in the NBA Finals since 1998 when Chicago and Utah squared off in Michael Jordan's last days as a Bull. This year the same will happen.

Though the C's may miss James Posey, Tony Allen and Leon Powe have stepped it up. And of course the Lakers have Bynum back.

Only this time, there will be a different outcome. Los Angeles wins the series in seven games.

Michael Whittenberg is one of two NBA Community Leaders for bleacherreport.com