I know you all have been waiting with anxiety for my first ever official NBA preview. And I have heard your cries. So please stop flooding my inbox with requests of my NBA expertise. Take a chill pill, it's right here.
Wait a minute, let's be honest. I am about as excited for the upcoming NBA season as I am to invite all my friends over and host my A Wedding Story marathon. I actually would probably rather have that party, come to think of it.
Anyway, the NBA season begins tonight. Already, we have been dealt a healthy dose of Kobe-talk. Man, I hate Kobe-talk. It's just so nauseating (spelled that right on the first try by the way). And the only other I keep hearing about is how the Boston Celtics are somehow a godsend to the NBA.
It's just getting out of hand when every magazine that is doing a preview of the NBA has a pic similar to this one below on their cover. It's a little bit over-the-top. Last I heard, Boston still plays in the Eastern Conference, so there you go.
So to keep this post rather non-lengthy, I am just going to give you quick non-expert opinions of what I think about each team.Atlantic Division:
1. Boston Celtics
I am fully behind KG this year (he is on my fantasy team, screw you Paul Pierce & Ray Allen). Teams usually never live up to the hype, but Boston will be pretty good. And as mentioned above, they still are playing in the Eastern Conference.
2. New Jersey Nets
They could use a couple big men to fill up the middle, while their back court takes turns getting injured. Still a better team than most in the East. I don't think Jefferson and Carter can go all season without getting hurt, but we'll see.
3. Toronto Raptors
They don't really have anyone to drool over, except Chris Bosh. And as we saw last year, there is only so far a team with only one star can go in the NBA.
4. New York Knicks
I love the enthusiasm and optimism that New Yorkers have about their team's chances. But I think these guys will have more success getting into trouble than winning basketball games.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
This was a bad team and they got worse over the summer. They had a horrible draft, and didn't get any help via free agency. Every team goes thru the "rebuilding" phase...I guess this year is Philly's turn.
Central Division:
1. Detroit Pistons
The NBA's model of consistency. They don't play defense like they used to, but the Pistons are still the best team in the East top-to-bottom if you ask me. And if they face a Boston team in the playoffs, I believe the Pistons' experience wins out.
2. Chicago Bulls
I think the Bulls are finally starting to come around. They have all the pieces in place, and I think they make the conference finals this season. That is, if they can stay healthy.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
This division is stacked with most of the talent in the East. Too bad for the Cavs. LeBron will be LeBron as usual, but don't count on any playoff run to the Finals, as we saw last year.
4.Milwaukee Bucks
I have no idea why I am putting the Bucks here, ahead of the Pacers. I don't really know a thing about this team, except that they have Michael Redd. Oh I just checked their roster and they do have that Chinese dude, Yi something or rather. So there ya go. Take that Indiana.
5. Indiana Pacers
Sure they have a new coach, but it wasn't what you would call an "improvement." No one that is any good, wants to stay on this team. Everyone wants to be traded, so that's probably a lot of fun for Larry Bird. I don't think they're too concerned with the amount of games they win.
Southeast Division:
1. Washington Wizards
I think this team is finally going to be good. They better be, cuz Gilbert Arenas sure talks a lot of trash for a dude who guided them to a 41-41 record last year. They have got lots of talent, but that talent is getting older.
2. Miami Heat
I don't get it, but Miami somehow keeps winning just enough. Like last year, I had them written off, and lo and behold, they get into the playoffs. They're still too old to do much in the playoffs though.
3. Atlanta Hawks
"Welcome to Atlanta, where the playas play..." Lots of young talent, and they're finally going to get to .500 after years of misery. I see them as sort of the Portland TrailBlazers of the East. Oh and Joe Johnson is really good.
4. Orlando Magic
In my opinion, dropping the kind of money on Rashard Lewis was a little misguided. Lewis has never been able to carry a team that he was on. But there wasn't much to choose from in the free agent market, and Lewis is a damn good player. I just don't get the feeling Orlando is going to be very good, at least this year.
5. Charlotte Bobcats
This team and the Magic will be about even. Playing without Morrison AND Sean May isn't exactly an ideal situation. Much like the Clippers and Elton Brand's injury, there is little hope for this squad for this season.
Stay tuned...Western Conference picks coming shortly.
