NBA Predictions 2010-2011

By Troy Klongerbo

Eastern Conference Regular Season Standings

1.    Orlando Magic (60-22)

Starting Lineup -PG: Jameer Nelson

                        SG: Vince Carter

                        SF: Rashard Lewis

                        PF: Brandon Bass

                        C: Dwight Howard

            Key Bench Players: F Quentin Richardson, G Chris Duhon, G J.J. Redick

            The Orlando Magic will finish the regular season as the best team in the Eastern Conference. From top to bottom, they are a proven team. In the offseason, they added depth by signing the likes of Quentin Richardson and Chris Duhon. Along with the best white dunker in the NBA and 3-point shooting extraordinaire, J.J. Redick, the Magic have all the parts in place for regular season success.

            Dwight Howard will find himself in the top 3 for the MVP voting at the end of the season and the Magic will be seeded #1 going into the playoffs. This pick is a default selection, as the Celtics will be playing for June and the Heat are quite unpredictable. Most importantly, the Magic have the confidence to compete with the likes of the Heat and the Celtics. Newcomer Richardson may have said it best, or worst, by saying simply, “F--- the Heat.”

2.    Miami Heat (58-24)

Starting Lineup -PG: Mario Chalmers

                        SG: Dwayne Wade

                        SF: LeBron James

                        PF: Chris Bosh

                        C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

            Key Bench Players: G Mike Miller, F Udonis Haslem, G Carlos Arroyo

            After a relatively quiet offseason, the Heat re-tooled to make a run for the 2010-2011 season. The Heat can now claim the most dangerous starting lineup in the NBA, showcasing a pair of elusive and potent centers in Ilgauskas and Joel Anthony. Mario Chalmers will blossom into an NBA star and with these three players, coined in Miami as the Big Three, the Heat will make a run at their first NBA Championship in over 3 full seasons.

            Shifting back to reality, the Heat made the biggest splash in the NBA this season on ESPN in July. “The Decision”, offered backlash in the sporting world as three superstars teamed up to, in their opinions, win the next 15 Championships. I am not completely sold on this team. I keep returning to the fact that LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are essentially the same type of player. They want to affect the game in the same fashion. They both love to slash the lanes and take a surplus of their teams’ shots. This team has the personnel to have success and achieve greatness, but head coach Erik Spolstra will need to channel his inner Phil Jackson to pull off this balancing act.

3.    Boston Celtics (54-28)

Starting Lineup -PG: Rajon Rondo

                        SG: Ray Allen

                        SF: Paul Pierce

                        PF: Kevin Garnett

                        C: Shaquille O’Neal

            Key Bench Players: F-C Jermaine O’Neal, F Glen “Big Baby” Davis, G Nate Robinson

           

            Look at this roster in the 2004 and you might think you’re looking at the All NBA Team, but we’re in 2010 and this group of old, but effective, players have teamed up for one last run at a title. After the next few seasons, the Celtics will be living in the lottery, but this year is still a promising one for Boston fans. Defensively this is still a very strong team (come playoff time) and they still have consistent scoring (come playoff time). They are still a very motivated team (come playoff time) and they will be a force to be reckoned with (come playoff time). Once the Celtics get in the playoffs, watch out East.

4.    Atlanta Hawks (50-32)

Starting Lineup -PG: Mike Bibby

                        SG: Joe Johnson

                        SF: Marvin Williams

                        PF: Josh Smith

                        C: Al Horford

            Key Bench Players: G Jamal Crawford, C Etan Thomas, G Jordan Crawford

            The Hawks have seemed to be a threatening team in the East, ever since they took the Celtics to seven games in the first round in 2008. The team re-signed and overpaid their leading scorer from last year Joe Johnson, but the move seemed necessary. The Hawks have a strong nucleus, and Joe Johnson may be the best generic player in the league today. I am unsure of what to expect from this team, but I’m sure they be a playoff team. Jamal Crawford could light it up on any given night, but he is sometimes a defensive burden on this team. The only way they’re getting through the Heat is if former Xavier Musketeer Jordan Crawford can own LeBron James, like he did when he threw it down on the “King” in a summer basketball camp. 

5.    Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)

Starting Lineup -PG: Brandon Jennings

                        SG: John Salmons

                        SF: Corey Maggette

                        PF: Drew Gooden

                        C: Andrew Bogut

            Key Bench Players: G Michael Redd, F Larry Sanders, F-G Chris Douglas Roberts

           

            The Milwaukee Bucks have the chance to make an impact in 2010-2011. After Andrew Bogut’s speedy recovery from a gruesome injury to his elbow (seriously, YouTube that clip…vomit), he is poised to lead this talented roster into the playoffs. I can’t imagine Jennings having a better season statistically in his sophomore season, but he will continue to develop and run his team. John Salmons is a player most coaches in the league would welcome to their roster and the addition of Corey Maggette will also help them get to the free throw line more often. They will also add Michael Redd expected in February, essentially picking up an All-Star at the trade deadline.

6.    Chicago Bulls (50-32)

Starting Lineup -PG: Derrick Rose

                        SG: Ronnie Brewer

                        SF: Luol Deng

                        PF: Carlos Boozer

                        C: Joakim Noah

           

            Derrick Rose is a future potential MVP candidate as we continue to watch him develop into the NBA’s best point guard. Despite the losses of former top 5 picks Tyrus Thomas and Ben Gordon over the past year and a half, the Bulls have added and still remained relevant in the East. Carlos Boozer was added from Utah, supposedly to join LeBron James in the Windy City. LeBron was sick of the cold weather, but the Bulls will still compete without him. They will compete in a sense of making the playoffs, but they will not be competitive outside of a mediocre regular season. Boozer is injury prone and they will need to adapt to a new coaching regime under Tom Thibodeau.

7.    Detroit Pistons (45-37)

Starting Lineup -PG: Rodney Stuckey

                        SG: Richard Hamilton

                        SF: Tayshaun Prince

                        PF: Charlie Villanueva

                        C: Ben Wallace

            Key Bench Players: G Ben Gordon, G-F Tracy McGrady, F Jason Maxiell

            The Detroit Pistons grew very comfortable living at the top of the Eastern Conference for the better portion of five years. They won a title and even though they have lost Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups, their roster still remains full of talent. They drafted well with the addition of Greg Monroe and they have a former All-Star in Tracy McGrady. If Rodney Stuckey can produce at the point and distribute the ball, the Pistons could sort of resemble their own selves from prior seasons. Note, sort of. They will make the playoffs with Rip and Tayshaun healthy, but I am not expecting them to make it deep into the warmth of summer. Sorry Detroit fans soak it up with the Red Wings.

8.    Charlotte Bobcats (43-39)

Starting Lineup -PG: D.J. Augustin

                        SG: Stephen Jackson

                        SF: Gerald Wallace

                        PF: Boris Diaw

                        C: Nazr Mohammed

            Key Bench Players: F Tyrus Thomas, G Shaun Livingston, G Gerald Henderson

            The Charlotte Bobcats under head coach Larry Brown will grind into the playoffs to earn the final playoff spot. They will earn an early trip home as well, but it will be refreshing to Charlotte fans to see their Bobcats in the playoffs for the second straight season. This team making the playoffs is more a product of a top heavy (bottom weak) Eastern Conference and they will be the best of the worst. Stephen Jackson has found good form playing in Charlotte and he and Gerald Wallace together could work this team into the playoffs. Thomas and Livingston will be sparks off the bench, riding their starters into the playoffs, but the season will end there. This type of season is considered a success in Charlotte.

9.    Philadelphia 76ers (38-44)

Starting Lineup -PG: Jrue Holiday

                        SG: Andre Iguodala

                        SF: Thad Young

                        PF: Elton Brand

                        C: Spencer Hawes

            Key Bench Players: G Evan Turner, G Lou Williams, F Andres Nocioni

           

            I like the team they’re building in Philadelphia. Evan Turner is the player I most coveted in the 2010 NBA Draft as he fell into the hand of the 76ers at the #2 pick. They acquired a young center named Spencer Hawes from Sacramento who has produced well for the Kings early in his career. Elton Brand still has the potential to dominate the post the way he did as a Clipper. They have a potential playmaker at the point guard position with the UCLA product Jrue Holiday. There is potential and talent in Philly, but there isn’t enough to get into the playoffs this season. They may face some salary issues in the future.

           

10. New York Knicks (35-47)

Starting Lineup –PG: Raymond Felton

                        SG: Wilson Chandler

                        SF: Danilo Gallinari

                        PF: Amar’e Stoudemire

                        C: Ronny Turiaf

            Key Bench Players: G Toney Douglas, G Roger Mason Jr., C Eddy Curry

            The Knicks persuaded Amar’e to come to New York to join a, well, bad team. They also signed Raymond Felton from the Bobcats. I can’t imagine the Knicks building a playoff type team this season. I like Amar’e joining his former coach in Phoenix in Mike D’Antoni, to hopefully create an up-tempo fast team, but it’s not enough for the playoffs. It’s good for fantasy owners though. Toney Douglas can make an impact, as he was an extremely effective scorer while he played at Florida State. Danilo is developing well too; league experts liken him to Dirk Nowitzki. The Knicks need to get Eddy Curry’s contract off the books, and then build for the future.

11. Indiana Pacers (34-48)

Starting Lineup -PG: Darren Collison

                        SG: Mike Dunleavy

                        SF: Danny Granger

                        PF: Josh McRoberts

                        C: Roy Hibbert

            Key Bench Players: F Tyler Hansbrough, G T.J. Ford, G Brandon Rush

             I love Danny Granger in Indiana. He is the complete package. With a team built around Granger, I think the Pacers could have a chance in the East. There is one problem though; the Pacers don’t have a team built around Granger. This roster actually looks like a college All-Star team, with most of these players known for their impacts at the college level. Darren Collison is an interesting addition from the Hornets as he is an electric player. His electric play has a tendency to turn reckless, leading to a plethora of turnovers. Dealing one of their leading rebounders in Troy Murphy may hurt the Pacers, not that it will matter because they’re missing the playoffs this year.

12. New Jersey Nets (30-52)

Starting Lineup -PG: Devin Harris

                        SG: Anthony Morrow

                        SF: Travis Outlaw

                        PF: Troy Murphy

                        C: Brook Lopez

            Key Bench Players: F Derrick Favors, G Terrance Williams, G Jordan Farmar

            New head coach Avery Johnson will bring energy to New Jersey, a good fit in developing the young players for the Nets. The Nets were a laughing stock of the NBA last season, but they will win over double the games they won last season. This isn’t because they’re a great team, but the fact that they couldn’t possibly be worse. Harris and Lopez are talked about as the players to build around, both solid players with solid futures. It’s fair to say that Favors is in the mix as well as a great young player to build around. Rumors surround the Nets and Carmelo Anthony, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

13. Washington Wizards (26-56)

Starting Lineup -PG: John Wall

                        SG: Gilbert Arenas

                        SF: Kirk Hinrich

                        PF: Andray Blanche

                        C: JaVale McGee

            Key Bench Players: G Josh Howard, G Nick Young, F-G Al Thornton

           

            On paper, the Wizards have some players. They have talent, some proven and some raw. Andray Blanche has had episodes in his character in the past, but his talent cannot be denied. Another talented big man, JaVale McGee is liked by some scouts more so than Blanche. Gilbert Arenas is moving from the point guard position to make way for the new future of the team, John Wall. Gilbert is unpredictable. He could score 50 and could be held scoreless. He could be a caring teammate with his team’s back and he could pull a gun on his teammates. He could be coachable and he could be a team obliterator. Gilbert may embrace the role of a tutor to John Wall while playing off the ball, but he may turn into a trade option later this season. He can’t fake his way into the playoffs.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-58)

Starting Lineup -PG: Mo Williams

                        SG: Anthony Parker

                        SF: (Does it even matter anymore)

                        PF: Antawn Jamison

                        C: Anderson Varejao  

            Key Bench Players: G Booby Gibson, F J.J. Hickson, F Jamario Moon

            The Cavaliers suffered a massive blow this offseason, losing the most iconic figure in their sporting town since Jim Brown. LeBron leaving Cleveland will take years upon years to recover from. Almost every player on the roster today was a player brought in to help LeBron reach the pinnacle. They were all second fiddles to the LeBron show. Antawn Jamison was an All-Star who was traded from a non-contender to a contender, only to be a member again of a non-contender. This team is in trouble, but that was obvious directly after LeBron was quoted as saying, “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach.” Mo Williams even declared he wanted to retire at the age of 27. It’s sad to be a Cleveland fan.

15. Toronto Raptors (24-58)

Starting Lineup -PG: Jose Calderon

                        SG: DeMar DeRozen

                        SF: Linas Kleiza

                        PF: Amir Johnson

                        C: Andrea Bargnani

            Key Bench Players: G Leandro Barbosa, G Jarrett Jack, F Ed Davis

           

            After losing out in their Plan A, get LeBron to Toronto, the Raptors now face an uphill battle for the following season and seasons to come. They lost their All-Star and best player in Chris Bosh and I see them as being the bottom dwellers in the East. They couldn’t make the playoffs with Bosh and they have about as little chance as any team in the East to make the playoffs. Andrea Bargnani is the team’s best player, but he hardly resembles a player to initiate building a team around. I don’t even feel like wasting my time writing about the Raptors this year, only an attempt of comic relief makes this worthwhile.

Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics over Magic

Eastern Conference Champions: BOSTON CELTICS