2008-2009 NBA Preview

Before I get to today's main attraction I want to put a few images in your head first.



and...



Of course, those are videos of the two best players in the league: Lebron James and Kobe Bryant.

Kobe won his first MVP award last season in leading his team to the NBA Finals for the first time post Shaq. But there was a bump in the road when they collided with the Boston Celtics.

The point of this post is to discuss the upcoming NBA season and share who I think will have success and who will struggle.

Of course who I think will have success is Lebron and Kobe, but there are others as well.

The defending champs entering this new season are the Boston Celtics, who won their NBA leading 17th championship in June.

But they lost a key player from that team, defensive specialist James Posey, who now plays for West contender the New Orleans Hornets. But the Celtics are saying we can win another championship this season. Personally I don't see that happening, they might make it to the finals but they will have some issues.

Here are my thoughts on the top four teams from each conference, starting in the East:

- Of course, the Boston Celtics are still the team to beat in the East, but how will they favor without Posey. The big 3 will have to play tough all season long.
- The veteran Detroit Pistons. Their team age keeps climbing year after year and they seem to find a way to play well all season. How will they favor with a new coach? I don't see the Pistons making a deep run in the playoffs this year.
- The Philadelphia Sixers. Brought in a big inside presence in Elton Brand, something they needed badly. A young athletic team hoping to improve on last year's though run in the playoffs. I wouldn't want to play this team come playoff time.
-The Cleveland Cavaliers. I'm going to be honest, this team isn't built for a long regular season or to win 60 games. This team is a playoff team, built for the playoffs. They will probably end up the regular season with between 40-50 wins this season and probably the 4 or 5 seed in the East. But they also have a scoring point guard now to accompany Lebron James, who will be out for blood come postseason time. Expect this guy to be in the running for an MVP award this season, much like every season.

Also the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, and Miami Heat are possible playoff teams in the East.

For the West:
- There are three teams that stand above the rest in this conference this year. LA Lakers, New Orleans Hornets and Houston Rockets. The Lakers will have Bynum back to start the season and if they stay healthy all season, they could easily win 60 games and make another appearance in the Finals.
- The Hornets added a key player in Posey, who will help big time on the defensive end. Paul is the best point guard in the league and will be in the MVP running. Hornets are a scary team.
- The Houston Rockets, added Ron Artest to the team. T-Mac is back, Yao is back, if, if, if they stay healthy they could make another run at that 22 consecutive games won like they did last year. I hope they stay healthy because this will be a tough team if they do.
- The remaining teams include Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers.

There are also some big name rookies that could have an immediate impact on the league this season. Players like Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Greg Oden, O.J. Mayo and my sleeper rook, Joe Alexander.

I'm a fan of Oden, so I hope he stays healthy and has an impact for the Trailblazers, who I think is going to be a good team this year. I'm picking Greg Oden as this years Rookie of the Year.

You may be wondering who I am picking to win the NBA Finals. Well, I don't know.

I could easily pick the Celtics and Lakers again, because they are the two best teams in the league. Or I could make a silly pick like I did last year, when I picked the Suns and Bulls. Which was horrible idea. Or I could pick the 'every other year Spurs' since it's that type of season this year.

I'll give you my top two teams from each conference to make it to the conference finals this upcoming postseason and I'll let your mind do that rest.

Starting with the West... Lakers would be a good pick, Hornets too, I really want to pick the Rockets, but they can't even win a playoff series, I don't really like the Jazz, I do like the Spurs, but like the Pistons, I think age is catching up to them, Suns have the Nash running the Diesel, Mavericks, no, Trailblazers that could be my wishful pick, Nuggets, AI and Melo are they a good playoff team?

I'm going to be a lamo and pick the Lakers and Hornets. They are the two best teams in the West, they are both built for playoff success, they each have a MVP type player and have excellent supporting players. Lakers have two towers down low, and excellent shooting on the perimeter. Hornets have the best point guard, shooters on the outside, a perimeter defender to guard Kobe and a decent inside. Lakers-Hornets Western Conference Finals 2009.

Now with the East... Celtics want another title, Pistons want another title, but they are aging quickly, Cavs have the king, who wants a ring to match his gold medal, Magic and Sixers are young talented teams, Raptors don't have a chance, Heat have D-Wade back along side Beasley, Wizards can't beat the Cavs in the postseason and Arenas can't stay healthy.

Any guesses on who I'm taking?

I'll take the Celtics and Cavs in the East. Celtics still have the big three, Pierce thinks he's the best player in the league (I read an article where he said that), I could name 10 players who are better than him easily, Ray Allen can still shoot the three, and KG is the defensive inside presence. Cavs have the best player in the league, brought in a legit scoring point guard, now have extra depth at the guard position, still have Z and big Ben, who are aging quickly and solid bench players who can come in. To be honest, I think the Cavs have a deeper bench than the Celtics this season. Not to mention they don't have anyone that can guard Lebron for a seven game series. Cavs pushed the Celtics to the limit last season, Cavs made improvements this off season, I see trouble for the Celtics. Celtics-Cavs Eastern Conference Finals 2009.

There you have it, my picks for the conference finals. I'll let your imagination do the rest of the work. When it comes time for the Finals I'll let you know who I'm picking.

On to other issues,

Yeah I know I didn't pick the World Series correctly. It's the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies. At the moment, Phillies are up 3-1, game five is tonight in Philly. Hamels is on the mound. I see trouble for the Rays. They had an excellent season and surprised everyone, but can they fight back to push it to game seven?

Philly is trying to win their first championship since 1983 when the Sixers won the NBA championship. So this city is desperate and will surely go nuts if the Phillies win.

NFL news, Titans are the only undefeated team left, big game against the Colts tonight. My Super Bowl picks, Chargers (3-5) and Eagles (4-4) aren't looking too hot right now. Chargers have lost several close games which hurts them big time. Eagles have been fighting injuries, like always. I at least hope they can make it to the playoffs.

Drew Bees is the mid-season MVP with 2,500 passing yards through eight games, which is outrageous. Clinton Portis and the Redskins are 6-2 and Portis has 900 plus yards, leading the league.

My Niners (2-6) fired head coach Mike Nolan and have lost five straight games. Sad face. We need to pick it up in the second part of the season.

College Basketball is right around the corner. Who is this year's preseason number 1?

None other than the North Carolina Tar Heels! Psycho T and company are all back and have a talented freshman class to back them up. I see a special season approaching down in Chapel Hill.