Magic Rat's 2nd Annual (I think) NBA Prediction Thread

[THUNDER HANDS]

Here's how I see the league shaping up this year....

There are six championship contenders.

1. The Spurs.
2. The Heat.
3. The Pacers.
4. The Nets.
5. The Pistons.
6. The Suns (when Amare gets back).

Any one of these teams can get to the Finals, with the Spurs being pretty much the only lock to at least make it to the Conference Finals.

The East probably has a deeper all-around conference, with Miami being the odds on favorite to capture the Conference title. The Pacers, who are the chic favorites right now, are not going to be as good as everyone thinks they will be. The Pistons are going to probably take a small step backward due to the loss of Larry Brown.

As for my Nets, I see big things for this team. No team in the conference and no team in the leage, (outside of Phoenix) has three players the caliber of Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Jason Kidd - certainly no team has a backcourt as good as that.

I think my Nets will get to the Conference Championship game, but I'm not sure they can get by Miami, if only because they don't have anyone who can match up with Shaq. But then again, Shaq is getting old and very injury prone, so you never know.

Out west, Its the Spurs and a bunch of midgets. They'll coast to the Championship round, and probably on through to the finals as well.

I predict the NBA Finals will be a matchup of the Spurs vs. The Nets in a rematch of the 2003 Finals. This time, I see a 7-game series with my Nets pulling out a huge upset.

Did you expect anything different from my prediction thread? ;)


Anywhoo, this is how I see the playoff seedings....

East

1. Miami
2. New Jersey
3. Indiana
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
6. New York
7. Milwaukee
8. Chicago

West

1. San Antonio
2. Denver
3. Dallas
4. Phoenix
5. Houston
6. Seattle
7. Utah
8. LA Lakers

Oh, and by the trading deadline, expect the blockbuster of all blockbusters, when Kevin Garnett gets traded to a contender in the East. I'm not going to predict to whom (but you can probably guess who I'm hoping for) but I can say its a near-certainty that he will be done in Minnesota by mid-season.

So that's the preview. Discuss.

[democracyindanger]

1. "When" Amare comes back?

I think there's a good chance that he sits out the entire year. He may be ready to go come playoff time, but the Suns will have to think about protecting their $70 million investment and hold him out. The Nets are good, but don't have the frontcourt to get out of the East. I'd put both Indy and Detwah ahead of them, and the Knicks behind Milwaukee--especially after the Bucks got Magliore. And Philly in the mix instead of Chicago.

I agree with your top three in the West, then Hou/Sea, then Pho, then Minny instead of Utah (a rookie PG won't take them to the playoffs).

And Garnett will never be traded as long as he's a franchise-caliber player. Especially this season, when they unloaded headaches Sprewell and Cassell.

[northzax]

2. and who can afford Garnett, under the salary cap?

you'd have to gut your team to get him, so what would be the point? he's too expensive.

[Zech Marquis]

3. all roads go through the Spurs

until someone shows how to beat the Spurs--a healthy Heat team, or Phoenix whe Amare gets back--the Sours are heads and shoulders abover everybody else.

[safi0]

4. I think your

Overrating Phoenix heavily. I was really unimpressed with watching them last night. In crunch time, no one except Nash was willing to take a shot, and you cannot expect to be successful with Steve Nash shooting 25-30 times a night.

[lazarus]

5. San Antonio wins

obviously. :-)

I don't think it even matters who they play. The only thing that can stop this team is an injury to Duncan. Duncan and Ginobili are rested, we reloaded with Finley and van Exel...Heck, our bench will be beating teams. Look for Duncan to get around 30 minutes a game, resting up for the playoffs.

Speaking of injuries, Shaq's ankle is it for Miami's season. Someone that big and slow to begin with isn't recovering. Duncan had to fight off ankle problems all last year.

And the Nets are wildly overrated. I want to see them do something first, like go a season with nobody injured.

Indiana/Detroit in the East, with Indiana coming out if SJax and Artest can behave themselves, Detroit otherwise.

San Antonio will likely face Houston in the West, with the worst coach in the league getting swept despite the talent on the Rockets. (Houston won't go anywhere until they hire a real coach.)

Denver didn't impress me on opening night. Cleveland has a long way to go, too. The Lakers will be lucky to win 39 games.

[safi0]

6. Your completely wrong

About Van Gundy. He's a great teacher and a great coach and he's the one who's transformed Tracy McGRady from a great scorer to a great player.

[lazarus]

7. Great coach?

That's why the Knicks and the Rockets have done so well over the years, then. That must explain it.

You want a great coach, head 200 miles west on I-10.