Here we are, a couple of days into the 2010 NBA season. It must be time for me to gaze into my crystal ball and forecast exactly how the season will turn out. Of course I don’t believe that my picks will be perfect. Just marginally correct would be okay. I didn’t finish strong last season, when I picked the Magic in 7. This year we will turn over a new leaf and be better; but it sure won’t be easy. Orlando, Boston and Cleveland are all legit contenders to win the East. To top it off, they all made significant additions to already good teams. Vince Carter (Orlando), Rasheed Wallace (Celtics), and Shaquille O’Neal (Cavs). In the West, a healthy Spurs team with the addition of Richard Jefferson should at least make the Lakers sweat. And lets not completely dismiss the Nuggets. So, with that in mind here are my picks.
PROJECTED 2010 NBA FINAL STANDINGS
(teams in bold are expected to make the playoffs)
ATLANTIC SOUTHWEST
1. Boston San Antonio
2. Philadelphia New Orleans
3. Toronto Dallas
4. New Jersey Memphis
5. New York Houston
Central Northwest
1. Cleveland Denver
2. Detroit Portland
3. Chicago Utah
4. Indiana Oklahoma City
5. Milwaukee Minnesota
Southeast Pacific
1. Orlando LA Lakers
2. Atlanta Phoenix
3. Miami LA Clippers
4. Washington Golden State
5. Charlotte Sacramento
2009-2010 NBA Awards
MVP Rookie
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando Tyreke Evans, Sacramento
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Blake Griffin, LA Clippers
3. Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers Terrence Williams, New Jersey
Coach
1. Eddie Jordan, Philadelphia
2. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio
3. Nate McMillan, Portland
I think that Dwight Howard will make another step forward in his game this season. You could give the award to LeBron almost every year from now on; but I think the voters will reward someone else if he just has a “normal” LeBron season. Evans will get plenty of court time to make an impression in Sacramento. He is helped by Griffin being out for the first two months. The Louisville alum in me really wants to pick Terrance Williams, but I have to at least pretend to be objective. I take 76ers coach Jordan for coach, because if Brand stays healthy I expect a big year in Philadelphia
PLAYOFFS
Eastern Conf. Western Conf.
FIRST ROUND
Boston over Miami LA Lakers over Phoenix
Cleveland over Chicago San Antonio over Utah
Orlando over Atlanta Denver over Dallas
Detroit over Philadelphia New Orleans over Portland
Second Round
Boston over Detroit LA Lakers over New Orleans
Cleveland over Orlando San Antonio over Denver
Conference Finals
Boston over Cleveland San Antonio over LA Lakers
NBA FINALS
Boston Celtics in 6 games over the San Antonio Spurs.
Now you have my thoughts on the season. Have fun until June and we’ll see how I did.
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