NBA Predictions 2008-09

Eastern Conference:

1. Detroit Pistons (58-24):
With a new coach, and a bevy of young players – like Amir Johnson and Rodney Stuckey – ready to contribute to this already solid team, the Pistons look poised to keep up their streak of finishing near the top of the eastern conference for at least one more year.
2. Boston Celtics (57- 25):
They overachieved last year, had no significant injuries, and lost James Posey in the offseason. With that being said, they were the champs last season for a reason, so even though they might finish second in the conference, they’ll still be one of the NBA’s best squads.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29):
With the addition of Mo Williams, LeBron James now has his best Cavs team since being drafted by Cleveland.
4. Toronto Raptors (51-31):
Am I overrating them? Yes, definitely. The Raptors are incredibly thin at every position and are far too reliant on their best players – all injury prone – staying healthy. This prediction represents their maximum potential; their likely finish will more likely be 43 wins and seventh in the conference.
5. Miami Heat (47-35):
The Heat will win their division, and the reason why? Dwyane Wade will play out of his mind this year, and win the NBA MVP award.
6. Orlando Magic (45-37):
Dwight Howard needs to refine his offensive game for this team to become a true contender.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (43-39):
This team is still very young, they overachieved last year, and they are relying on Elton Brand, who has yet to prove that he has recovered from Achilles tendon surgery.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (38-44):
There are 7 decent teams in the east; someone’s got to get the last playoff seed.
9. Washington Wizards (37-45):
10. Chicago Bulls (35-47):
11. Atlanta Hawks (32-50):
12. Indiana Pacers (30-52):
13. Charlotte Bobcats (27-55):
14. New York Knicks (27-55):
15. New Jersey Nets (24-58):

Western Conference:
1. Houston Rockets (59-23):
They’re well-coached, play excellent defence, and only suck in the postseason.
2. LA Lakers (58-24):
Defending Western Conference champs, they have a stacked team and look poised to make another deep playoff run.
3. New Orleans Hornets (57-25):
If Chris Paul misses any significant amount of time, this team is screwed. Without him, they’re a borderline playoff team; with him, they’ll challenge for the title.
4. Utah Jazz (53-29):
With Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams, you can bet the Jazz will be among the top teams in the West, but I think that Boozer's best days are already behind him; same for AK-47.
5. San Antonio Spurs (49-33):
The team is ageing and Ginobili is hurt; don't be surprised if the Spurs are out of the playoff picture as late as half way through the season.
6. Denver Nuggets (47-35):
Many experts are writing off the Nuggets chances, but I disagree. Carmelo, AI, and JR Smith are three of the best offensive talents in the league, and the loss of Camby -- one of the most overated defensive players in the league -- won't hurt them nearly as much as some are predicting.
7. Phoenix Suns (45-37):
I wish D'Antoni was still their coach, and I wish Marion was still there instead of Shaq. Their new defensive approach will make the team boring and lose more games than they have since Nash arrived in the desert.
8. Portland Trail Blazers (42-40):
This is a nice young team, but I can't see them improving much more than this. In the West, you need a superstar to propel your team to elite status. The Blazers best guy -- Brandon Roy -- is far worse than any of the other Western conference top teams' best player.
9. Dallas Mavericks (41-41):
10. Golden State Warriors (36-46):
11. LA Clippers (34-48):
12. Sacramento Kings (32-50):
13. Memphis Grizzlies (28-54):
14. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-57):
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-58):
Terrible team, terrible name.

PLAYOFFS:
1st Round:
Pistons over Bucks
Celtics over 76ers
Cavs over Magic
Raptors over Heat

Rockets over Blazers
Lakers over Suns
Hornets over Nuggets
Spurs over Jazz

2nd Round:

Pistons over Raptors
Cavs over Celtics

Spurs over Rockets
Hornets over Lakers

Conference Finals:

Pistons over Cavs
Hornets over Spurs

Finals:

Hornets over Pistons

Awards (Runners Up in Brackets):

MVP: Dwyane Wade (Chris Paul)
Rookie of the Year: Michael Beasley (OJ Mayo)
Most Improved Player: Thaddeus Young (Chris Duhon)
Coach of the Year: Rick Adelman (Michael Curry)
6th Man: Ben Gordon (Leandro Barbosa)
Defensive Player: Josh Smith (Jermaine O’neal)