I may run a D-League blog, but I’m also an NBA fanatic, and I cannot help but write the occasional NBA-focused post. After all, the two leagues are interrelated.
Today is step one on the long and winding road that is the 2010-11 NBA season. Well, depending on your perspective, you could argue that step one was back in June or July with the draft or the start of the free agency signing period, but you get the idea.
After the most high profile offseason in NBA history, it’s time for the new season to tipoff Tuesday night. Will Kobe match Jordan for titles and lead the Lakers to 3-peat (again)? Will LeBron thrive as a villain in Miami? Will the Celtics defy Father Time and make another title run? Will Dwight Howard channel Hakeem Olajuwon and become a dependable, dominant go-to guy for Orlando? Will Kevin Durant make the leap to super-duperstar?
All of these questions and more will be answered starting tonight, and I cannot wait. Just so I’m on the public record with my thoughts, I’ve included my predictions below. No real shockers here, but I’d hardly call this season “predictable.” The pool of possible champions may be as small as four or five teams, but those teams will produce some epic battles, and there are sure to be other storylines galore worth following. Be sure to check back in June to confirm how wrong right I was with mypicks, which you can find after the jump.
EAST
Atlantic Division
1. Boston
2. New York
3. New Jersey
4. Philadelphia
5. Toronto
Central Division
1. Chicago
2. Milwaukee
3. Indiana
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
Southeast Division
1. Miami
2. Orlando
3. Atlanta
4. Washington
5. Charlotte
WEST
Northwest Division
1. Oklahoma City
2. Utah
3. Portland
4. Denver
5. Minnesota
Pacific Division
1. L.A. Lakers
2. L.A. Clippers
3. Phoenix Suns
4. Sacramento Kings
5. Golden State Warriors
Southwest Division
1. Houston
2. San Antonio
3. Dallas
4. Memphis
5. New Orleans
PLAYOFFS
1st Round
1. Miami over 8. Washington
4. Chicago over 5. Atlanta
3. Orlando over 6. Milwaukee
2. Boston over 7. New York
1. L.A. Lakers over 8. L.A. Clippers
5. Dallas over 4. San Antonio
2. Houston over 7. Portland
3. Oklahoma City over 6. Utah
2nd Round
1. Miami over 4. Chicago
2. Boston over 3. Orlando
1. L.A. Lakers over 5. Dallas
3. Oklahoma City over 2. Houston
Eastern Conference Finals
1. Miami over 2. Boston
Western Conference Finals
1. L.A. Lakers over 3. Oklahoma City
2011 NBA Finals
L.A. Lakers over Miami Heat in 6 games
I know, I know, I’m not really going out on a limb picking the Lakers, but can you blame me? All the key pieces are back, including Kobe, Pau, Fisher, Phil and the 24/7 wildcard that is Ron Artest. Plus they added veterans Steve Blake (decision maker, added 3-point shooting) and Matt Barnes (defense, toughness) to bolster their bench.
As a Lakers fan, I like my chances of celebrating a third straight championship this June. As an NBA fan, I can’t wait to see how the three-way battle in the East plays out and whether someone breaks out as a true threat to the Lakers in the West (OKC? Houston? Utah? San Antonio? Dallas?) As a basketball fan, I’m just happy to have real games back in my life. The offseason was entertaining, but nothing beats the on court action.
The D-League season is only a few weeks away, starting with the D-League Draft on Monday. But for now, for tonight, it’s time for the NBA to take center stage. It may not be the official tagline anymore, but it still holds true for me: I love this game.
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