2009-2010 Predictions – Eastern Conference

The East is going to be interesting as usual, and maybe in a positive way, finally.  For the past three years, the East has gotten better, and they usually have the two best teams in the NBA. But instead, last year, the Lakers were the solid number two, but they have depth.  Its almost unanimous, the Atlantic will go to the Celtics, some think that the Sixers can make a run for their money, but they don’t have a go to scorer in crunch time, yet.

The Southeast is going to the Magic hands down, Stan Van Gundy may not be the best postseason coach, but he is a terrific day-to-day coach.  No one can compete with that bench, not even their starting lineup, but their bench.  The Magic are a legit 9 to 10 deep.  The whole entire lineup is aching to get in.  I expect a big year for Mickael Pietrus coming off the bench; a definite  6^th man of the year candidate.  They clinch the division with 8 games left, otherwise.

The Central is going to be interesting, the Cavs are going to end up winning it, but the addition of Shaquille O’Neal is overrated. He is out of shape, way past his prime, and surrounded by players that want it more than he does.  The addition of Leon Powe is bigger than Superman.  Anderson Varejao will start the season, but Leon will overtake his spot by the midway point.  The man has so much upside, and the Celtics may be kicking themselves in the butt, especially in the postseason, for letting him go.  You need players like Leon Powe to win championships.  The Celtics never would have won without James Posey two years, and the Lakers wouldn’t have won without the solid play of Trevor Ariza last year.

Going back to why the Central is going to be intriguing, I can’t wait to see what the Chicago Derrick Roses do this year.  The man more than stepped up last year against the defending champs.  He was a little inconsistent from game to game, but the world witnessed how good the Bulls can be when Rose is firing on all cylinders. He will get better week by week, and if he can sustain a solid mid range jumper.  They could take the Cavs to the brink; Shaq is going to slow LeBron James down and may bring some extra baggage to Mike Brown’s plate, but the Cavs are too strong.  Should be fun to watch though.

The remaining five spots are always tough to predict, new teams with new faces and attitudes.  How is Charlotte going to respond to Larry Brown: Year Two?  Can Brook Lopez become a dominate big man?  How healthy can the Wizards remain and can Flip Saunders bring what Eddie Jordan couldn’t? Speaking of Eddie Jordan, how will he control the young Sixers core?  Is Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva a good fit in Detroit? Can Mike D’Antoni control the soap opera rendition of “General Knickerbockers”?  Will the return of Michael Redd bring the Bucks out of their playoff rut?

Eastern Conference Standings Predictions:

1.Magic

2.Celtics

3.Cavs

4.Bulls- Year two of the Derrick Rose era and everyone is excited in the Windy City.  Who could blame them?

5.Sixers- New Coach. No Problem.  This young team is getting better and better, and with Elton Brand coming back with something to prove, this team is going to be a handful.

6.Hawks- Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, and the addition of Jamal Crawford coming of the bench will pay dividends and possibly push the Cavs to seven in the first round of the playoffs. This team is tough at home.

7.Wizards- Everything is coming together this year for this nation’s capital team – Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas enter this year healthy and ready to be governed by Flip Saunders who is an excellent player coach.

8.Raptors- If Jose Calderon and Anthony Parker can stay healthy this year, they would be further up on this list

9.Miami-Michael Beasley’s addictions off the court will determine how  far this team can go.  We all know Dwyane Wade will be the Flash, I almost didn’t want to mention his name. It goes without saying, but I couldn’t help myself.  He is so nasty.

10.Bucks- The return of Michael Redd will bring this team close to the postseason but no cigar.

11.Bobcats-The combination of DJ Augustin and Raymond Felton will not be enough for the Bobcats to make the playoffs.

12.Detroit- Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva will not be able to mesh with Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey.

13.Nets- Devin Harris and Brook Lopez will be exciting to watch, especially when they give top teams all they can handle.

14.Knicks- The team was fun to watch at times last season, a step in the right direction, and hopefully they continue to bring positive energy to the city of New York.  I don’t know how much more this city can handle NBA’s biggest reality TV series.

15. Pacers- Danny Granger cannot do this by himself and the health of Mike Dunleavy doesn’t help either.

-The Ref