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Predictions

Wizards – My darkhorse team. They’re pretty deep at guard and have a good starting front court. 2 things are important for the Wizards: Health and the development of a 3rd frontcourt player. I think the latter can be filled by Andray Blatche. If they stay healthy, they could win the East. Arenas is very good and Butler and Jamison have really played well the last couple of years.

Power Distance – The West and the East will have a large power distance. I think the Bulls and Heat will finish 5-6 in the East and yet I don’t see either team approaching 50 wins, while I think the Wiz, Celts, Cavs, and Magic will all have 50+. In the West, the record might not separate the Spurs and the Lakers from the pack too much but, it will be evident that talent wise, those two are the best.

Hornets – I think the Hornets miss the playoffs. They struggled last year and I think the Okafor is not the type of player for their offense (FYI – Tyson Chandler was and still is that type of player). I think they try to trade some of their players like Peja and Posey. Right now, the Hornets are on the books for $73 million this year and next year. Unless they are playing great, they will not want to keep this team around for a second straight year.

Warriors – The Warriors will make the playoffs. It will be a close race for the bottom of the West and I think the Rockets and Warriors will emerge above the Suns, Clippers, Hornets, and Thunder. The Warriors have a pretty good team and a good offense. Don’t expect them to win 50, maybe a little closer to .500 like 42 wins.

McGrady – I think McGrady will come back at the end of December and will be traded before the end of the year. This is completely dependent upon McGrady coming back. If he doesn’t, then the Rockets will use his open salary number this summer to go after a free agent. I think they’d rather trade him though and bring in someone because they are going to have to pay Scola a lot.

Heat – The Heat are only on the books for 25 million next year and that includes 17 million of a player option for Dwayne Wade. So, they have two choices, one, trade an expiring contract or two for some big time players and try to win or two, keep the expiring deals and go after Lebron. I think they’ll stay pat and most likely lose Wade.

Cavs – The Cavs will struggle on defense. Big Z and Shaq are liabilities against teams that can spread the floor and do a lot of pick n rolls. Think if KG and Rasheed as the 4-5, you have to bench Shaq and Z right?

Thunder - They’ll take a big step forward. Won’t make the playoffs but will do well enough to push for .500. (Don’t forget they only won 23 last year)

Bulls – They’ll have a really good year….at home. They are going to struggle on the road (just like last year) but at home, they may win 34 games.

Raptors – I think the Raptors are the only team that will challenge for a playoff spot but I don’t see them being that good of a team this year. They still lack a good bench and if they struggle, they might trade Bosh if they can get a first and 1-2 good players in return.

Spurs – They will win it all because they have depth and have a finishing 5 (Parker – Ginobili – Jefferson – McDyess – Duncan) that cannot be matched by anybody. Plus, their bench is really, really good.

Spurs over Lakers in the West Finals. Celtics over Wizards in East Finals. Spurs over Celtics in Finals.

East Playoffs (In Order)
Cavs – Celtics – Magic – Wiz – Bulls – Heat – Hawks – Pistons
West Playoffs (In Order)
Lakers – Spurs – Mavs– Nuggets – Jazz – Blazers – Rockets – Warriors