Well since tonight are the first pre-season matches I figured it was the right time to start the thread for the new season and slowly move away from the offseason thread.
I say a good way to start it would be for all of us to predict who we think will make it to the playoffs this season from both conferences, so w/o further ado:
EAST
1 - Miami Heat (Southeast winner) - do I even need to explain myself here?
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers (Central winner) - I know a lot of you won't agree with this one but I think that with the additions of Hughes and Mashall they have what it takes to win the best best division in the NBA (that's right better than the Southwest).
3 - New Jersey Nets (Atlantic winner) - IF Kidd, Carter and Jefferson can stay healthy the whole year they'll win the Atlantic easily.
4 - Detroit Pistons - will have a slightly better record than Indiana who will suffer from yet 2 or 3 more Artest suspensions (I don't care what he says, he's a manian and he will probably hit a ref and get tons of technicals this season).
5 - Indiana Pacers - they are good but people will realize that the loss of Reggie will be more important than some initially believed.
6 - Chicago Bulls - Hinrich, Gordon, Duhon the best young backcourt in the NBA, they will get it done and will be the 4th team to make the playoffs from the Central division.
7 - Philadelphia 76ers - the East is crappy they'll make it.
8 - Orlando Magic - people say that the Wizards are better but I don't buy it, if it wasn't for the late season collapse last year they would of made it. Washington will suffer from the Hughes loss even though they got Butler and it feels about right for a Jamison injury...
WEST
1 - San Antonio Spurs (Southwest winner) - see East 1.
2 - Phoenix Suns (Pacific winner) - they won't win 60 games again but 55+ sounds about right.
3 - Denver Nuggets (Northwest winner) - they will dominate this division, their only true challenger for the NW title are the 'Wolves.
4 - Houston Rockets - I'm tired of ranking this team high and then seeing them dissapoint so the 4th spot sounds about right, they should be very good with the additions they made through free agency.
5 - Dallas Mavericks - they have Nowitzki, that's about all you need to know.
6 - Minnesota Timberwolves - KG won't miss the playoffs two years in a row, MVP year for him.
7 - Sacramento Kings - they just always seem to make it somehow, won't be any different this year.
8 - Golden State Warriors - best backcourt in the NBA Davis - Richardson, they will be like the baby Suns.
I say a good way to start it would be for all of us to predict who we think will make it to the playoffs this season from both conferences, so w/o further ado:
EAST
1 - Miami Heat (Southeast winner) - do I even need to explain myself here?
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers (Central winner) - I know a lot of you won't agree with this one but I think that with the additions of Hughes and Mashall they have what it takes to win the best best division in the NBA (that's right better than the Southwest).
3 - New Jersey Nets (Atlantic winner) - IF Kidd, Carter and Jefferson can stay healthy the whole year they'll win the Atlantic easily.
4 - Detroit Pistons - will have a slightly better record than Indiana who will suffer from yet 2 or 3 more Artest suspensions (I don't care what he says, he's a manian and he will probably hit a ref and get tons of technicals this season).
5 - Indiana Pacers - they are good but people will realize that the loss of Reggie will be more important than some initially believed.
6 - Chicago Bulls - Hinrich, Gordon, Duhon the best young backcourt in the NBA, they will get it done and will be the 4th team to make the playoffs from the Central division.
7 - Philadelphia 76ers - the East is crappy they'll make it.
8 - Orlando Magic - people say that the Wizards are better but I don't buy it, if it wasn't for the late season collapse last year they would of made it. Washington will suffer from the Hughes loss even though they got Butler and it feels about right for a Jamison injury...
WEST
1 - San Antonio Spurs (Southwest winner) - see East 1.
2 - Phoenix Suns (Pacific winner) - they won't win 60 games again but 55+ sounds about right.
3 - Denver Nuggets (Northwest winner) - they will dominate this division, their only true challenger for the NW title are the 'Wolves.
4 - Houston Rockets - I'm tired of ranking this team high and then seeing them dissapoint so the 4th spot sounds about right, they should be very good with the additions they made through free agency.
5 - Dallas Mavericks - they have Nowitzki, that's about all you need to know.
6 - Minnesota Timberwolves - KG won't miss the playoffs two years in a row, MVP year for him.
7 - Sacramento Kings - they just always seem to make it somehow, won't be any different this year.
8 - Golden State Warriors - best backcourt in the NBA Davis - Richardson, they will be like the baby Suns.
:P
PP is more than likely gone, this will be more of a transitional season for the Celtic. I wouldn't be surprised, I think, if they don't make the playoffs.
