The Hoop and The Harm

EASTERN CONFERENCE - ATLANTIC DIVISION

1. Boston Celtics (2007-08: 66-16, 1st place)

Defending champs should again post the league’s best record.

Head Coach: Doc Rivers (5th season)

Projected Starters: PG Rajon Rondo, SG Ray Allen, SF Paul Pierce, PF Kevin Garnett, C Kendrick Perkins

Breakout Player: SG Tony Allen 

2. Toronto Raptors (2007-08: 41-41, 2nd place)

If Jermaine O’Neal can produce anything next to Chris Bosh, Raptors will be hard to stop down low.

Head Coach: Sam Mitchell (5th season)

Projected Starters: PG Jose Calderon, SG Anthony Parker, SF Jamario Moon, PF Chris Bosh, C Jermaine O’Neal

Breakout Player: PG Jose Calderon 

3. Philadelphia 76ers (2007-08: 40-42, 3rd place)

Surprise team in the East? If Brand is completely healthy, maybe.

Head Coach: Maurice Cheeks (4th season)

Projected Starters: PG Andre Miller, SG Andre Iguodala, SF Thaddeus Young, PF Elton Brand, C Samuel Dalembert

Breakout Player: SF Thaddeus Young

4. New York Knicks (2007-08: 27-59, last place)

Knicks’ biggest victory of the year came the day Isiah Thomas lost his job.

Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Chris Duhon, SG Jamal Crawford, SF Quentin Richardson, PF David Lee, C Zach Randolph

Breakout Player: PF David Lee 

5. New Jersey Nets (2007-08: 34-48, 4th place)

Kidd and Jefferson are already gone; how long until Carter is dealt as well?

Head Coach: Lawrence Frank (6th season)

Projected Starters: PG Devin Harris, SG Vince Carter, SF Bobby Simmons, PF Yi Jianlian, C Josh Boone

Breakout Player: C Brook Lopez

EASTERN CONFERENCE - CENTRAL DIVISION

1. Detroit Pistons (2007-08: 59-23, 1st place)

Window may be closing, but good, young bench ready to break down the door.

Head Coach: Michael Curry (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Chauncey Billups, SG Richard Hamilton, SF Tayshaun Prince, PF Amir Johnson, C Antonio McDyess

Breakout Player: PG Rodney Stuckey

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (2007-08: 45-37, 2nd place)

Williams could be the best point guard LeBron’s ever played with, but Cavs’ big men aren’t getting any younger.

Head Coach: Mike Brown (4th year)

Projected Starters: PG Mo Williams, SG Delonte West, SF LeBron James, PF Ben Wallace, C Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Breakout Player: PG Mo Williams

3. Milwaukee Bucks (2007-08: 26-56, last place)

Richard Jefferson will help, but former #1 pick Andrew Bogut’s play will determine this team’s fate.

Head Coach: Scott Skiles (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Luke Ridnour, SG Michael Redd, SF Richard Jefferson, PF Charlie Villanueva, C Andrew Bogut

Breakout Player: PF Joe Alexander

4. Chicago Bulls (2007-08: 33-49, 4th place)

No offense to Sefolosha, but it’s time to make Ben Gordon a starter, whether he likes it or not.

Head Coach: Vinny Del Negro (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Derrick Rose, SG Thabo Sefolosha, SF Luol Deng, PF Tyrus Thomas, C Drew Gooden

Breakout Player: PG Derrick Rose

5. Indiana Pacers (2007-08: 36-46, 3rd place)

Roster long on former college stars but short on professional production.

Head Coach: Jim O’Brien (2nd season)

Projected Starters: PG T.J. Ford, SG Marquis Daniels, SF Danny Granger, PF Troy Murphy, C Rasho Nesterovic

Breakout Player: SF Danny Granger

EASTERN CONFERENCE - SOUTHEAST DIVISION

1. Orlando Magic (2007-08: 52-30, 1st place)

What will Superman do for an encore?

Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy (2nd season)

Projected Starters: PG Jameer Nelson, SG Mickael Pietrus, SF Hedo Turkoglu, PF Rashard Lewis, C Dwight Howard

Breakout Player: SG J.J. Redick

2. Atlanta Hawks (2007-08: 37-45, 3rd place)

Good, young team with a veteran at the point, but zero depth.

Head Coach: Mike Woodson (5th season)

Projected Starters: PG Mike Bibby, SG Joe Johnson, SF Marvin Williams, PF Josh Smith, C Al Horford

Breakout Player: C Randolph Morris

3. Miami Heat (2007-08: 15-67, last place)

Does a healthy Dwyane Wade really turn the worst team in the NBA into a playoff team? In the East, yes.

Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Mario Chalmers, SG Dwyane Wade, SF Shawn Marion, PF Michael Beasley, C Udonis Haslem

Breakout Player: PF Michael Beasley

4. Washington Wizards (2007-08: 43-39, 2nd place)

Arenas’ injury will hurt. Arenas’ contract, in time, will prove to hurt even more.

Head Coach: Eddie Jordan (6th season)

Projected Starters: PG Antonio Daniels, SG DeShawn Stephenson, SF Caron Butler, PF Antawn Jamison, C Etan Thomas

Breakout Player: SG Nick Young

5. Charlotte Bobcats (2007-08: 32-50, 4th place)

Well, Coach, at least they’re not the Knicks!

Head Coach: Larry Brown (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Raymond Felton, SG Jason Richardson, SF Gerald Wallace, PF Sean May, C Emeka Okafor

Breakout Player: SF Adam Morrison

 WESTERN CONFERENCE - SOUTHWEST DIVISION

1. San Antonio Spurs (2007-08: 56-26, T-1st place)

With Ginobili’s injury, they might not end up winning this division. But I wouldn’t bet against them.

Head Coach: Gregg Popovich (13th season)

Projected Starters: PG Tony Parker, SG Michael Finley, SF Bruce Bowen, PF Tim Duncan, C Kurt Thomas

Breakout Player: SF Ime Udoka

2. New Orleans Hornets (2007-08: 56-26, T-1st place)

Sure, Chris Paul is great, but can Tyson Chandler repeat last year’s performance?

Projected Starters: PG Chris Paul, SG Morris Peterson, SF Peja Stojakovic, PF David West, C Tyson Chandler

Breakout Player: PF Julian Wright

3. Houston Rockets (2007-08: 55-27, 3rd place)

If Yao and T-Mac stay healthy…never mind. They won’t.

Head Coach: Rick Adelman (2nd season)

Projected Starters: PG Rafer Alston, SG Tracy McGrady, SF Ron Artest, PF Luis Scola, C Yao Ming

Breakout Player: PF Joey Dorsey

4. Dallas Mavericks (2007-08: 51-31, 4th place)

The Mavericks will win the NBA championship this year! Oh, sorry, I must have had some of what Josh Howard’s been smoking.

Head Coach: Rick Carlisle (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Jason Kidd, SG Antoine Wright, SF Josh Howard, PF Dirk Nowitzki, C Erick Dampier

Breakout Player: PF Brandon Bass

5. Memphis Grizzlies (2007-08: 22-60, last place)

Sadly, the Gay-Love era ended before it had a chance to begin.

Head Coach: Marc Iavaroni (2nd season) 

Projected Starters:  PG Mike Conley, SG O.J. Mayo, SF Rudy Gay, PF Darko Milicic, C Marc Gasol

Breakout Player: SG O.J. Mayo

WESTERN CONFERENCE - NORTHWEST DIVISION

1. Utah Jazz (2007-08: 54-28, 1st place)

Jerry Sloan may not get as many headlines as other coaches, but he’s as good as they come. 20 years in Utah, ONE losing season.

Head Coach: Jerry Sloan (21st season)

Projected Starters: PG Deron Williams, SG Ronnie Brewer, SF C.J. Miles, PF Carlos Boozer, C Mehmet Okur

Breakout Player: PF Paul Millsap

2. Portland Trail Blazers (2007-08: 41-41, 3rd place)

If Greg Oden is healthy, this team will make the playoffs. If not, they’re in trouble.

Head Coach: Nate McMillan (4th season)

Projected Starters: PG Steve Blake, SG Brandon Roy, SF Travis Outlaw, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, C Greg Oden

Breakout Player: C Greg Oden

3. Denver Nuggets (2007-08: 50-32, 2nd place)

HELP WANTED: DEFENSE

Head Coach: George Karl (5th season)

Projected Starters: PG Anthony Carter, SG Allen Iverson, SF Carmelo Anthony, PF Kenyon Martin, C Nene

Breakout Player: SF Renaldo Balkman

4. Minnesota Timberwolves (2007-08: 22-60, 4th place)

Good building blocks, but still a couple players away from being competitive.

Head Coach: Randy Wittman (3rd season)

Projected Starters: PG Randy Foye, SG Mike Miller, SF Corey Brewer, PF Ryan Gomes, C Al Jefferson

Breakout Player: PF Kevin Love

5. Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-08: 20-62, last place)

New city, new name, same old results?

Head Coach: P.J. Carlesimo

Projected Starters: PG Earl Watson, SG Kevin Durant, SF Jeff Green, PF Nick Collison, C Johan Petro

Breakout Player: SF Jeff Green

WESTERN CONFERENCE - PACIFIC DIVISION

1. Los Angeles Lakers (2007-08: 57-25, 1st place)

On paper, the best team in the NBA. Which explains why Angelenos want to play the games on paper.

Head Coach: Phil Jackson (4th year)

Projected Starters: PG Derek Fisher, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Vladimir Radmonovic, PF Pau Gasol, C Andrew Bynum

Breakout Player: PG Jordan Farmar

2. Phoenix Suns (2007-08: 55-27, 2nd place)

Nash, Shaq running out of time?

Head Coach: Terry Porter (1st season)

Projected Starters: PG Steve Nash, SG Raja Bell, SF Matt Barnes, PF Amare Stoudemire, C Shaquille O’Neal

Breakout Player: C Robin Lopez

3. Los Angeles Clippers (2007-08: 23-59, last place)

With no Elton, Baron Davis will have to be Captain Fantastic to get the Clippers back in the postseason.

Head Coach: Mike Dunleavy (6th season)

Projected Starters: PG Baron Davis, SG Cuttino Mobley, SF Al Thornton, PF Marcus Camby, C Chris Kaman

Breakout Player: SG Eric Gordon

4. Sacramento Kings (2007-08: 38-44, 4th place)

Team in transition needs to find an identity, and a taker for Brad Miller.

Head Coach: Reggie Theus (2nd season)

Projected Starters: PG Beno Udrih, SG Kevin Martin, SF John Salmons, PF Mikki Moore, C Brad Miller

Breakout Player: PF Jason Thompson

5. Golden State Warriors (2007-08: 48-34, 3rd place)

With Davis in L.A., Ellis hurt and Harrington unhappy, don’t expect this team to run Don Nelson’s offense quite as effectively as they have over past few seasons.

Head Coach: Don Nelson (3rd season)

Projected Starters: PG DeMarcus Nelson, SG Stephen Jackson, SF Corey Maggette, PF Al Harrington, C Andres Biedrins

Breakout Player: PF Richard Hendrix

Western Conference Finals: Lakers over Spurs 4-2

Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics over Magic 4-1

NBA Finals: Lakers over Celtics 4-3

Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant, LAL

Regular Season MVP: Chris Paul, NO

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose, CHI

Coach of the Year: Stan Van Gundy, ORL

We’ve got a real doozy tonight with Detroit hosting Boston. Should be a nail-biter. Both teams have had crazy seasons and are on large win streaks, 11 and 8 respectively. I’ll go with Detroit by 2 tonight.

P.S. Detroit will rep the East in the finals. The Celtics could very well win 70 games, but Detroit is a way deeper team and built for the playoffs. Enjoy the game.

My game of the night has to be Blazers V Bulls, i.e. a terrible team hosting a super hot team. I’m almost giddy for this one. The fact that in one game the entire country will see the rise(Blazers) AND fall(Bulls) of a franchise is almost unheard of. Should be a Blazers smack down.

Also, Spurs and Suns win tonight . It is quite possible that all 3 games tonight could end up being blowouts.

UPDATE: went 2-1, no blowouts. I can’t believe how the Bulls played. They actually looked good. It’s like they wanted me to look like a fool. And since when do the Spurs lose!!! Excuse me while I wipe the egg off my face.

With the college basketball season in general it seems as though, the one question that is on everybody’s mind is: Just who are some of the better teams out there? That of course can be and is a really hard question to answer with so much unpredictable and awesome talent out there. However, this is not to say that we cannot predict just who some of the better teams are, and how they may rank as the season begins and progresses. Personally, I feel it is important to focus first on a team that has shook things up in ways that most of us (even the experts) would have never expected. It is a team that has left most of us in shock at times, and astonished in others. That team is none other than Gonzaga, or should I say the ever popular unpredictable’s. This team has caused more trouble for the so-called “better schools” with so-called “better programs”, then any other school I know or have heard of. This could be mainly in part due to the fact that they have an unbelievable ability to make the shot when it counts the most. Thus, we must always be ready, be prepared, and anticipate and not forget about Gonzaga. Yet, another example of just how unpredictable things can be in the world of college basketball is how about that Michigan State/Grand Valley State game, where Grand Valley  pulled it off, and the green and white brought anything but their A-Game to the table. This is not to say that Michigan State did not play well, however it was not the best of their true abilities as the game was a close 85 to 82. In other news and three-point action, I am personally excited to see such teams as: North Carolina, Kansas, UCLA, Duke, and Arizona step out and show us what they are all about. All in all, I cannot make any predictions and I’ll tell you why. This amazing, and fun world of college basketball can not be predicted by anyone, because no matter how great you’re psychic or statistical abilities may be, you truly and honestly never know, just who will step up, and who will be made to shut up.

Tonight’s first match-up we will be our first look at the new look Celtics taking on the Wizards.  We all know that the Celtics will be able to score with the three headed monster we know as Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.  The real question will be how well they can defend.  The Wizards will test them with scoring machine Gilbert Arenas but I don’t think he will have enough to take down the mighty Celtics.

 Behind a combined 65-70 points from the trio, I’ll take Boston 112 - 102 topping the Wizards.

Next up the high powered Nuggets are Travelling to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves.  This one really isn’t even fair.  The Nuggets are loaded and they have actually learned to play a little defense.  The young T-Wolves will impress me if they can make it look respectable as they start the post Garnett era.

 Denver 122 - 96 over Minnesota

Our last game of the night will be a good one.  Kobe and the Lakers at Nash and the Suns.  Something tells me we might see some scoring.  The trade talks may be dying down but it has nothing to do with Kobe’s game.  Look for another 40 plus point effort from Bryant while expect to see Nash have 14 assists and Stoudemire to have another 20-10 game.  This one could really go either way.  Usually in these cases I lean towards the home team.  Tonight I am bucking that trend.

Lakers 107 - 102 over the Suns

Let’s start with the Pistons at the Heat. Both teams will be shorthanded. The Pistons short two rookies in Rodney Stuckey and Amir Johnson with the Heat going without star Dwayne Wade. The advantage here has to go to the pistons. If you look at the history of this match-up, the only way the Heat wins is on Wade’s shoulders.

I’ll take the Pistons 93 - 84 over the Heat in both teams season opener.

Next up, Houston at Utah. Utah was the surprise team last year and with the great play of point guard Deron Williams it is hard to pick against them. Houston is always a threat to blow away the competition with the McGrady/Yao combo and the rest of the team looked pretty good against the Lakers on Tuesday. This one should be a great game and come down to the wire. Look for turnovers to make the difference. Williams know how to take care of the ball but my gut is telling me that McGrady down the stretch will prove too much for the Jazz.

In an overtime thriller I will go with the Rockets 107 - 105 topping the Jazz.

In tonights final game the highly entertaining Suns will be traveling to Seattle to take on rookie standout Kevin Durant and the SuperSonics. All conventional logic says this one is a no brainer. The Sonics are young and inexperienced and the Suns are one of the top 5 teams in the league. Seattle looked pretty good at times against the Nuggets who are also one of the top teams this year in my opinion but they couldn’t hang on and they are playing for the second night in a row while Phoenix is on fresh legs with this being their season opener. Steve Nash will be impressive as always and will end up with double digit assists and Stoudemire will pull down 12 boards to go with his 23 points. You would have to be crazy to think Seattle has a chance. Well I have been called it before and it doesn’t bother me. The Seattle crowd should be crazy with their first look at Durant and we saw last night he is not afraid to shoot. I can’t imagine him not improving his percentage.

With a breakout performance from Durant and emotion from the crowd, look for 30 plus points and 12-15 boards in a 113 - 105 upset special Sonics over the Suns.

Brendan Howe can be reached at hoopsbrendan@yahoo.com

With the 07-08 season is finally upon us, I thought now would be as good a time as any to see who hoopandharmers think are the preseason favorites to win the NBA title. So….., who do you think?

My picks:

West Finals: Mavs V Spurs, Mavs in 6
East Finals: Celtics V Cavs, Cavs in 7
NBA Finals: Mavs V Cavs, Mavs in 5

Quick reminder to start getting amped for tomorrow. I’m so excited I’ll go ahead and make my picks for tomorrow evenings’ games.

Spurs v Blazers:
Blazers; Look for a letdown from the defending champs as the new kids will have something to prove on opening night.

Rockets v Lakers:
Rockets; New look Rockets should dominate the Lakers despite a huge effort from Kobe.

Jazz v Warriors:
Jazz; Even on opening night, the Jazz defense should be strong enough to stifle the fragile Warriors.

There you have it, what do you guys think?

With training camp underway, NBA title predictions are all the rage. In that vein, here are three items I find very contrasting and interesting. The most recent power rankings and the Vegas odds contradict each other quite frequently. It’s a little bit shocking. Take a look, breathe it all in, and then come back in a few days and we’ll discuss. Also, feel free to make your predictions over on the message boards. P.S. I threw in the scoring title odds for a little extra spice. Enjoy!

 

ESPN’s Power Rankings

Vegas NBA Title Odds
Vegas NBA Scoring Title Odds