2008-2009 NBA Season Preview
Boston Celtics Defend Title
The 2008-2009 NBA season is full of unique stories that promise to satisfy fans' interest all year. If it weren't enough that a new Celtic-Laker rivalry was brewing, several faces are playing for new teams, numerous up-and-comers should enjoy breakout seasons, the rookie crop looks good, and there have been many basketball interest stories, as well.
Atlantic Division
Predicted finishes:
- Boston Celtics 58-24
- Philadelphia 76ers 48-34
- Toronto Raptors 43-39
- New Jersey Nets 29-53
- New York Knicks 19-63
It's hard to imagine the Celtics winning as many games as they did last season. They didn't really replace James Posey, who was their top player off the bench, and their big three aren't getting younger. The 76ers are looking great with the addition of Elton Brand, but still need to add some perimeter shooting help if they want to be among the elite teams of the NBA. The Toronto Raptors should expect good things from Jermaine O'Neal. He'll finally be motivated to stay healthy. Still, the East is getting better overall, so they'll have to dig deeper than their top three if they want to compete in the Atlantic. The New Jersey Nets have a solid foundation for the future, but how long will Vince Carter be with them? Don't be fooled. The Knicks are still bad. D'Antoni will not be able to pull them out of the mud. Eddy Curry has already been reported as being in lousy shape. Surprise, surprise.
Southeast Division
Predicted finishes:
- Orlando Magic 53-29
- Washington Wizards 43-39
- Miami Heat 38-44
- Atlanta Hawks 36-46
- Charlotte Bobcats 26-56
The Orlando Magic have a good set up with its front line. Both Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis can play either forward spot and are able to spread the floor with their three-point prowess. The Washington Wizards will await the return of Gilbert Arenas in mid-December. Meanwhile, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison hope to mirror the type of season they had last year. The Miami Heat should be much better with a healthy Dwayne Wade, Shawn Marion for a whole season and the addition of Michael Beasley. The Atlanta Hawks will miss Josh Childress off the bench, who will be playing in Europe next season. They needed to address their center issues, but failed to do so in the off season. The Charlotte Hornets hope proven head coach Larry Brown can turn their ship around. However, it probably won't be this season.
Central Division
Predicted finishes:
- Detroit Pistons 56-27
- Cleveland Cavaliers 44-38
- Milwaukee Bucks 41-41
- Chicago Bulls 33-49
- Indiana Pacers 27-55
The Detroit Pistons should have a good season as its youngster continue to develop and it reverts back to its defensive focus with new coach Mike Curry. The Cleveland Cavaliers are bogging themselves down with more and more bad contracts, but the addition of Mo Williams should help LeBron James a bit at the offensive end. The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to win now by adding Richard Jefferson. Luke Ridnour and Ramon Sessions will battle for minutes at point guard. The Chicago Bulls have a lot of talent, but are a mess. They very badly need a post player who can score on the block. The Indiana Pacers will turn to Danny Granger to lead them out of the basement, but they look like they're a couple seasons away from doing anything.
Northwest Division
Predicted finishes:
- Utah Jazz 53-29
- Denver Nuggets 45-37
- Portland Trail Blazers 44-38
- Minnesota Timberwolves 28-54
- Oklahoma City Thunder 23-59
The Jazz are still a piece or two away from becoming something great and they did nothing this off season. The Denver Nuggets traded center Marcus Camby away for a song and will regret it. The Portland Trail Blazers could do great things this season. The talent's there, just not the experience. Minnesota has a lot of young talent, but will the Al Jefferson/Kevin Love experiment work? Oklahoma City (formerly the Seattle Supersonics) are trying to focus on defense, but still have a long ways to go.
Midwest Division
Predicted finishes
- San Antonio Spurs 58-24
- New Orleans Hornets 56-26
- Houston Rockets 56-26
- Dallas Mavericks 46-36
- Memphis Grizzlies 24-58
The San Antonio Spurs are far from finished. Critics who say otherwise don't consider that they reached the 2008 Conference semifinals (in a very difficult conference) despite Manu Ginobili playing hurt. The New Orleans Hornets added James Posey, who's had playoff success with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. The Houston Rockets add Ron Artest in hopes he can get them over the hump of first round playoff defeats. The Dallas Mavericks have been heavily declining and Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki aren't getting any younger. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies will be young and fast, with OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay and Mike Conley on the perimeter.
Pacific Division
Predicted finishes:
- LA Lakers 62-20
- Phoenix Suns 48-34
- LA Clippers 44-38
- Sacramento Kings 33-49
- Golden State Warriors 32-50
The Lakers should have another great season with Andrew Bynum returning. The Phoenix Suns probably won't win more games with Terry Porter as head coach, but it should give them more of a fighting chance in the playoffs. It's hard to imagine that the Clippers could be much improved after losing franchise player, Elton Brand, but they also landed Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Ricky Davis and drafted Eric Gordon. The Sacramento Kings are getting younger. Does that mean that Brad Miller's next to be traded? The Golden State Warriors will miss Baron Davis and Monta Ellis more than people realize.
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