Basketball & NBA 15 Nov 2009 12:08 pm
2009-2010 Season Predictions
This year, I am approaching my season predictions a little bit differently than what I have done in years past. Instead of publishing them before the season started, I waited for about two weeks to see what the teams would look like (injuries, rotations, etc.). This will enable me to make more accurate predictions. So, here they are:
Eastern Conference Champion: Boston Celtics
In my opinion, the C’s will reach the Finals more because of their competition in the East rather than by their own dominance. Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic seem to have dropped a level from last season after making some questionable summer moves. Both Vince Carter and Shaquille O’Neal have yet to show that they have enough left to bring their teams to the Finals. As a result, Boston is my pick.
Western Conference Champions: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are by far the best team in the West. With Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and the rest of the bench, there is no team in the league as deep or as talented as Los Angeles. I also cannot see the Denver Nuggets or San Antonio Spurs matching up with the Lakers in terms of size, length, skill, or depth, so the Lakers are hands-down going to the Finals.
NBA Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
My reasoning behind this goes two ways. First, the Lakers are a much younger team than the Celtics, giving them more energy going into the Finals. As a result, they will be more motivated as well, considering that it was Boston who embarrassed Los Angeles two years ago. Kobe and his crew will not forget this. Second, and more importantly, the Lakers are simply a better team than the Celtics. The C’s cannot match the Lakers’ depth, which is headlined by the starter-caliber Odom.
NBA MVP: Dwyane Wade
If the Miami Heat reach 50 wins this season, which is possible considering that the East lacks four potentially great teams (like the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, Blazers, Suns, or Mavericks in the West), the MVP should end up in the hands of D-Wade. Simply put, the Heat would be the worst 50-win team in the league and it would take another magical season from D-Wade to even get the team to the 50-win mark. Also, Kobe and LeBron have won the trophy the past two seasons and it is only fitting for it to fall in the hands of arguably the best player in the league this time around.
These are my season predictions for 09-10. Check back soon for my early season notes and thoughts.