Posted on
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Look For Spurs To Repeat
The start of the NBA season supposedly signals a call to pick up the pace.
After all, the league branded its action as fantastic back during the 1980s.
Following an intriguing offseason that featured Kobe Bryant trade demands, blockbuster trades and the controversy surrounding rogue referee Tim Donaghy, the regular season faces a big challenge in trying to maintain the summer buzz - one as daunting as the 31 teams trying to knock San Antonio from its perch.
How things changed since the Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers back in mid-June to win their third title in five years and fourth since 1999. The league with one clear-cut dynasty team now features its fair share of challengers.
After all, the league branded its action as fantastic back during the 1980s.
Following an intriguing offseason that featured Kobe Bryant trade demands, blockbuster trades and the controversy surrounding rogue referee Tim Donaghy, the regular season faces a big challenge in trying to maintain the summer buzz - one as daunting as the 31 teams trying to knock San Antonio from its perch.
How things changed since the Spurs swept the Cleveland Cavaliers back in mid-June to win their third title in five years and fourth since 1999. The league with one clear-cut dynasty team now features its fair share of challengers.
Eastern Conference
Even in the Eastern (no not Leastern) Conference, the right half of the league turned green with envy after the Boston Celtics corralled two of the best from the West - shooting guard Ray Allen from the Seattle Supersonics and power forward Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After the LeBron James-led Cavaliers crept out of the East, minus another high-profile player by his side, the East seems ripe for the taking.
At the least, eight teams seem capable of winning the conference.
In the Atlantic Division, defending champion Toronto comes back armed with the Coach of the Year in Sam Mitchell and two-time All-Star power forward Chris Bosh. New Jersey's trio of Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson rivals almost any in the NBA, while New York upgraded its roster significantly with the addition of Zach Randolph from Portland. Randolph averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds a year ago, and when paired with Eddy Curry, gives the Knicks one of the league's more formidable frontlines.
In the Central Division, Detroit's starting five that won a conference-best 53 games last year remained intact. Meanwhile, Chicago's chances center around the same nucleus that ousted 2006 champion Miami in rude fashion.
Over in the Southeast Division, Washington warrants mention with Gilbert Arenas back to team with Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, while Miami merits attention with Dwyane Wade expected to make his return in the next month from an injury.
After the LeBron James-led Cavaliers crept out of the East, minus another high-profile player by his side, the East seems ripe for the taking.
At the least, eight teams seem capable of winning the conference.
In the Atlantic Division, defending champion Toronto comes back armed with the Coach of the Year in Sam Mitchell and two-time All-Star power forward Chris Bosh. New Jersey's trio of Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson rivals almost any in the NBA, while New York upgraded its roster significantly with the addition of Zach Randolph from Portland. Randolph averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds a year ago, and when paired with Eddy Curry, gives the Knicks one of the league's more formidable frontlines.
In the Central Division, Detroit's starting five that won a conference-best 53 games last year remained intact. Meanwhile, Chicago's chances center around the same nucleus that ousted 2006 champion Miami in rude fashion.
Over in the Southeast Division, Washington warrants mention with Gilbert Arenas back to team with Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, while Miami merits attention with Dwyane Wade expected to make his return in the next month from an injury.
Western Conference
The wild, wild Western Conference continues to grab headlines, from the Spurs' attempt to win back-to-back titles for the first time to Bryant's unhappiness out in La La land.
With basically its entire team back, the title definitely goes through San Antonio. Despite their so-called aging roster, the Spurs' top three players Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are all 31 and under.
And since when did anything substitute experience anyway?
Moving on, several others factor into the mix out West, starting with the run-and-gun Phoenix Suns, who added more firepower in Grant Hill to form probably the best starting five in the NBA.
But even with Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Hill, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire, the Suns lack key ingredients - like shutdown defense and size - needed to cook the big cake come June.
The Dallas Mavericks, who led the league in wins last year, return basically unchanged - which figures to be a good or bad thing depending on who you ask. The same question(s) loom, like can Dirk Nowitzki lead the Mavs all the way? Or, will Dallas play defense when it counts, and avoid being called the Alice Mavericks - Dallas without the 'D.'
Utah's new point guard-power forward sensation in Derron Williams and Carlos Boozer carried the Jazz to last year's Western Conference finals. Expect Utah to stay in contention, with its uncanny ability to excel in the halfcourt and on the run, and bang with just about anyone.
Two other teams in the Phoenix mold make the West that much more interesting - the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.
The Nuggets boast a lineup with one former scoring champ in Allen Iverson; a forward in Carmelo Anthony who finished second in points per game behind Bryant last year; a center in Marcus Camby coming off a Defensive Player of the Year season; and a former all-star power forward in Kenyon Martin returning from a season-long injury.
The Warriors went to the second round last year with a furious, street-ball style that ignited the country.
Golden State traded team staple Jason Richardson - though they gained promising North Carolina power forward Brandan Wright in the trade with Charlotte - but replaces him with last year's Most Improved Player in Monta Ellis. Throw in Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson and the West gets yet another marquee team.
If the Houston Rockets figure out a way to get out the first round - something Tracy McGrady nor Yao Ming have ever accomplished - then watch out for the team in Clutch City. Besides, no other team in the league possesses as imposing an inside-outside duo.
The Los Angeles Lakers loom as an enigma, with Bryant's future there in limbo. The Lakers still sport a loaded roster, one that could create noise if and when Lamar Odom gets back to being 100 percent after shoulder surgery and big men Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum reach their potential.
Envelope, Please
With so many options, picking a champion now, in October, proved as hard as ever.
One mind suggests going with old faithful, my pick from last year, San Antonio.
Another inclination tells me to go with my gut and take the team I think would win on the playground - the Denver Nuggets (Golden State with size and experience).
Since San Antonio still technically needs to convince some people of their dynasty status - the naysayers like to say they've never won two straight while others think Phoenix would've won had not Stoudemire and Boris Diaw not been suspended during their series
- I'll take the ageless wonders one more time.
In the East, the three-headed monster of Allen-Garnett-Pierce should devour all-comers, regardless who the supporting cast is or what last year's record was.
But keep your eye on Denver. And Boston. And Chicago.
And Dallas. And Detroit. And just about everyone else.
Just stay tuned until June because the year promises to be hard to predict, especially if Donaghy stays out of the picture.
NBA 2007-08 Predictions
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division - Boston
Central Division - Detroit
Southeast Division - Washington
Playoff Teams - 1, Detroit; 2, Boston; 3, Chicago; 4, Cleveland; 5, Washington; 6, Toronto; 7, New Jersey; 8, Miami.
Conference Champion - Boston
Western Conference
Northwest Division - Denver
Pacific Division - Phoenix
Southwest - Dallas
Playoff Teams - 1, Phoenix; 2, Dallas; 3, San Antonio; 4, Denver; 5, Houston; 6, Los Angeles Lakers; 7, Utah; 8, Portland.
Conference Champion - San Antonio.
NBA Champion - San Antonio over Boston.
Award Winners
Most Valuable Player - Kevin Garnett, Boston Defensive Player of the Year - Tim Duncan, San Antonio.
Coach of the Year - George Karl, Denver All-NBA First Team - G Gilbert Arenas, Washington ; G Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers; F LeBron James, Cleveland ; F Kevin Garnett, Boston; C Tim Duncan, San Antonio.
All-Defensive Team - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers; Shawn Marion, Phoenix; Ron Artest, Sacramento; Marcus Camby, Denver ; Tim Duncan, San Antonio .
Sixth Man of the Year - Mike James, Houston.
Most Improved Player - Josh Smith, Atlanta.
With basically its entire team back, the title definitely goes through San Antonio. Despite their so-called aging roster, the Spurs' top three players Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are all 31 and under.
And since when did anything substitute experience anyway?
Moving on, several others factor into the mix out West, starting with the run-and-gun Phoenix Suns, who added more firepower in Grant Hill to form probably the best starting five in the NBA.
But even with Steve Nash, Raja Bell, Hill, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire, the Suns lack key ingredients - like shutdown defense and size - needed to cook the big cake come June.
The Dallas Mavericks, who led the league in wins last year, return basically unchanged - which figures to be a good or bad thing depending on who you ask. The same question(s) loom, like can Dirk Nowitzki lead the Mavs all the way? Or, will Dallas play defense when it counts, and avoid being called the Alice Mavericks - Dallas without the 'D.'
Utah's new point guard-power forward sensation in Derron Williams and Carlos Boozer carried the Jazz to last year's Western Conference finals. Expect Utah to stay in contention, with its uncanny ability to excel in the halfcourt and on the run, and bang with just about anyone.
Two other teams in the Phoenix mold make the West that much more interesting - the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors.
The Nuggets boast a lineup with one former scoring champ in Allen Iverson; a forward in Carmelo Anthony who finished second in points per game behind Bryant last year; a center in Marcus Camby coming off a Defensive Player of the Year season; and a former all-star power forward in Kenyon Martin returning from a season-long injury.
The Warriors went to the second round last year with a furious, street-ball style that ignited the country.
Golden State traded team staple Jason Richardson - though they gained promising North Carolina power forward Brandan Wright in the trade with Charlotte - but replaces him with last year's Most Improved Player in Monta Ellis. Throw in Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson and the West gets yet another marquee team.
If the Houston Rockets figure out a way to get out the first round - something Tracy McGrady nor Yao Ming have ever accomplished - then watch out for the team in Clutch City. Besides, no other team in the league possesses as imposing an inside-outside duo.
The Los Angeles Lakers loom as an enigma, with Bryant's future there in limbo. The Lakers still sport a loaded roster, one that could create noise if and when Lamar Odom gets back to being 100 percent after shoulder surgery and big men Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum reach their potential.
Envelope, Please
With so many options, picking a champion now, in October, proved as hard as ever.
One mind suggests going with old faithful, my pick from last year, San Antonio.
Another inclination tells me to go with my gut and take the team I think would win on the playground - the Denver Nuggets (Golden State with size and experience).
Since San Antonio still technically needs to convince some people of their dynasty status - the naysayers like to say they've never won two straight while others think Phoenix would've won had not Stoudemire and Boris Diaw not been suspended during their series
- I'll take the ageless wonders one more time.
In the East, the three-headed monster of Allen-Garnett-Pierce should devour all-comers, regardless who the supporting cast is or what last year's record was.
But keep your eye on Denver. And Boston. And Chicago.
And Dallas. And Detroit. And just about everyone else.
Just stay tuned until June because the year promises to be hard to predict, especially if Donaghy stays out of the picture.
NBA 2007-08 Predictions
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division - Boston
Central Division - Detroit
Southeast Division - Washington
Playoff Teams - 1, Detroit; 2, Boston; 3, Chicago; 4, Cleveland; 5, Washington; 6, Toronto; 7, New Jersey; 8, Miami.
Conference Champion - Boston
Western Conference
Northwest Division - Denver
Pacific Division - Phoenix
Southwest - Dallas
Playoff Teams - 1, Phoenix; 2, Dallas; 3, San Antonio; 4, Denver; 5, Houston; 6, Los Angeles Lakers; 7, Utah; 8, Portland.
Conference Champion - San Antonio.
NBA Champion - San Antonio over Boston.
Award Winners
Most Valuable Player - Kevin Garnett, Boston Defensive Player of the Year - Tim Duncan, San Antonio.
Coach of the Year - George Karl, Denver All-NBA First Team - G Gilbert Arenas, Washington ; G Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers; F LeBron James, Cleveland ; F Kevin Garnett, Boston; C Tim Duncan, San Antonio.
All-Defensive Team - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers; Shawn Marion, Phoenix; Ron Artest, Sacramento; Marcus Camby, Denver ; Tim Duncan, San Antonio .
Sixth Man of the Year - Mike James, Houston.
Most Improved Player - Josh Smith, Atlanta.
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