2006-2007 NBA Preview

Halloween is for kids. I decided that a number of years ago, when Vince Carter was regularly assaulting rims for the Raptors, which was also coincidentally a few years before he began assaulting the trainers table by constantly being injured. Yes, that is a personal jab. And yes, for Raptor fans such as myself, there is still bitterness.

Nonetheless, I stopped trick-or-treating. Did I enjoy candy? Sure, I was in my early teens. Everybody had zits, so we all ate candy at each and every whim. But my ditching Halloween was a matter of priority placement, and something more important than candy always took place on October 31.

The NBA season kicks off on Devil’s Night, and it’s a good thing that’s the case because we could only imagine all of the trouble Ron Artest would manage to get himself in if he was allowed to go out and roam the streets on Halloween.

What follows this paragraph is a rather large article, with rather brief looks at each NBA team. This article is meant to give you, the loyal and gracious reader, an overview of who has re-located, who’s making strides and who’s liable to end up in the basement with the bottom-feeders. Do I expect you to read every word? There is certainly no obligation. I am not standing behind you wielding a knife or anything creepy like that. There are a lot of words here—find your favorite teams, or teams of interest, and enjoy the start of the NBA season.

And yes, we are taking over/under bets on how many games are completed before Ron Artest gets suspended. I’m saying 23— not too early in the season, but enough games have passed so that Ron has had a lot of reasons to be annoyed. And then, when he’s had enough…

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets
2005-2006 finish: 44-38; 7th in West
Points- Carmelo Anthony, SF- 26.5 pg
Rebounds- Marcus Camby, C- 11.9 pg
Assists- Andre Miller, G- 8.2 pg
Up and Coming- J.R. Smith, SG
Prognosis- The Nuggets are as deep as they’ve ever been but they play in the deepest conference, meaning that they will end up scraping into the playoffs again.

Minnesota Timberwolves
2005-2006 finish: 33-49; 14th in West
Points- Kevin Garnett, PF- 21.8 pg
Rebounds- Kevin Garnett, PF- 12.7 pg
Assists- Mike James, PG- 5.8 pg
Up and coming- Randy Foye, SG
Prognosis- I wouldn’t be surprised to see big changes in Minny before the end of the season. Mike James won’t be as effective as he was in Toronto because Minny has more guys that want the ball. Ricky Davis is a time-bomb waiting to go off, and if you listen closely, you can hear the ticking already.

Portland Trail Blazers
2005-2006 finish: 21-61; 15th in West
Points- Zach Randolph, PF- 18 pg
Rebounds- Jamaal Magloire, PF- 9.5 pg
Assists- Jarrett Jack, PG- 2.8 pg
Up and coming- Brandon Roy, SG and LaMarcus Aldridge, PF
Prognosis- The Trail Blazers will be a little bit better than they were last season, but it won’t be much because their success depends on how quickly the young guys can improve, and with all the youth on this team, it’ll take more than a few games to get adjusted. I think most of the Blazers will spend half of the season trying to figure out exactly why it is that Darius Miles keeps demanding the ball so much.

Seattle Supersonics
2005-2006 finish: 35-47; 11th in West
Points- Ray Allen, SG- 25.1 pg
Rebounds- Robert Swift, C and Nick Collison, PF- 5.6 pg
Assists- Luke Ridnour, PG- 7 apg
Up and coming- Chris Wilcox, PF
Prognosis- The Sonics starting five is a good one, but the drop-off once they get to the bench is too steep. They’ll be competitive as long as they stay out of injury trouble, but one sprained ankle could shipwreck their season. They’ll miss the post-season again.

Utah Jazz
2005-2006 finish: 41-41; 9th in West
Points- Mehmet Okur, C- 18 pg
Rebounds- Mehmet Okur, C- 9.1 pg
Assists- Deron Williams, PG- 4.5 pg
Up and coming- Dee Brown, PG
Prognosis- Jerry Sloan does more with less better than any coach in the league. That being said, a lot of their season rests on whether or not Andre Kirilenko can stay healthy and whether or not Carlos Boozer can put up numbers in the bigger, badder Western conference. He was dominate in the East, but in the West, size matters. Kirilenko has what may be the best nickname ever- AK47.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors
2005-2006 finish: 34-48; 12th in West
Points- Jason Richardson, SG- 23.2 pg
Rebounds- Troy Murphy, PF- 10 pg
Assists- Baron Davis, PG- 8.9 pg
Breakout Player- Ike Diogu, PF
Prognosis- The Warriors have talent and if they stay out of injury trouble they could make a run at a playoff spot. Don Nelson’s return could mean that the Warriors learn how to win games, something that has been a rarity for them over the last decade.

Los Angeles Clippers
2005-2006 finish: 47-35; 5th in West
Points- Elton Brand, PF- 24.7 pg
Rebounds- Elton Brand, PF- 10 pg
Assists- Sam Cassel, PG- 6.3 pg
Up and coming- Shaun Livingston, PG
Prognosis- Elton Brand is an unbelievable talent, but Sam Cassel is what makes this team go. The point guard position is crucial on every team, and Cassel brings the ability to score and distribute. He also manages to talk more than anyone since Gary Payton, and in general, he resembles an alien. It’s a strange combo, but it seems to work. The Clips should see the playoffs again.

Los Angeles Lakers
2005-2006 finish: 45-37; 6th in West
Points- Kobe Bryant, SG- 35.4 pg
Rebounds- Lamar Odom, SF- 9.2 pg
Assists- Lamar Odom, SF- 5.5 pg
Prognosis- It is remarkable that the Lakers finished where they did last season, given the depth in the West and the opposite of depth on their roster. Kobe’s season was enough to get them to the playoffs and even to force a game 7 against the Suns, but the team’s meltdown in that game cemented Bryant’s inability as a leader. As Kobe goes, so do the Lakers, and that won’t change this year.

Phoenix Suns
2005-2006 finish: 54-28; 3rd in West
Points- Shawn Marion, SF- 21.8 pg
Rebounds- Shawn Marion, SF- 11.8 pg
Assists- Steve Nash, PG- 10.5 pg
Welcome Back- Amare Stoudamire, PF
Prognosis- The Suns start Boris Diaw at center. Boris Diaw! Mais Oui! Everyone loves the Suns, and raves about Steve Nash, and how amazing he is, and that’s great. But the Suns just don’t strike me as a team that will win in the playoffs. I do hope that Stoudamire has a good season, because he’s fun to watch when he’s healthy.

Sacramento Kings
2005-2006 finish: 44-38; 7th in West
Points- Mike Bibby, PG- 21.1 pg
Rebounds- Brad Miller, C- 7.8 pg
Assists- Mike Bibby, PG- 5.4 pg
Sanity or Bust- Ron Artest, SF
Prognosis- The Kings made the playoffs last season but this season, under new head coach Eric Musselman, the focus will switch to defense. This means they’ll be trying to stop all the high-powered offences in the West, whereas they used to try and outscore them. If Ron Artest stays in the lineup for 82 games, it might work. But what are the odds of Ron-Ron the Rottweiler staying in the lineup for 82 games? I bet he has a rap song about it.

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks
2005-2006 finish: 60-22; 2nd in West
Points- Dirk Nowitzki, PF- 26.6 pg
Rebounds- Dirk Nowitzki, PF- 9 pg
Assists- Jason Terry, PG- 3.8 pg
Off-season steals- Maurice Ager, G, Ndubi Ebi, F, Darius Washington, G
Prognosis- They’ve added Devean George, Anthony Johnson and Austin Croshere, which isn’t much different from Marquis Daniels, Darrell Armstrong and Keith Van Horn. No matter, Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Terry, Jerry Stackhouse and Devin Harris will keep doing what it is they do—win games. Lots of games.

Houston Rockets
2005-2006 finish: 34-48; 12th in West
Points- Tracy McGrady, SG- 24.4 pg
Rebounds- Yao Ming, C- 10.2 pg
Assists- Rafer Alston, PG- 6.2 pg
Key Addition- Shane Battier, SF
Prognosis- Tracy McGrady has spent the last few years cementing his status as an other-wordly talent who can’t seem to make his team better. Luckily for him, Kobe has cornered the market of ‘spoiled star that media constantly beats up on.’ Battier makes the team better immediately, because of his commitment to defense and professionalism, but the Rockets don’t have a deep enough team to compete in the post-season.

Memphis Grizzlies
2005-2006 finish: 49-32; 4th in West
Points- Pau Gasol, PF- 20.4 pg
Rebounds- Pau Gasol, PF- 8.9 pg
Assists- Damon Stoudamire, PG- 4.7 pg
Impact Player- Rudy Gay, SF
Prognosis- The Grizzlies are very athletic, boasting guys like Gay, Stromile Swift, Hakim Warrick and Eddie Jones, but until Gasol gets back from injury, they could be in disarray. Swift won’t be able to fill the void that Battier leaves, but he’s active on the glass at both ends of the court. If the Griz can put up a decent record until Gasol returns, they should make the post-season.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
2005-2006 finish: 38-44; 10th in West
Points- David West, PF- 17.1 pg
Rebounds- David West, PF- 7.4 pg
Assists- Chris Paul, PG- 7.8 pg
The X-Factors- Desmond Mason, SG, Tyson Chandler, C
Prognosis- On paper this team looks good. They’ve got a legitimate starting five and Bobby Jackson coming off of the bench, which was a system that worked great in Sacramento. The Hornets lack depth, and what’s worse, should Tyson Chandler not live up to lofty expectations (which has been his tendency in his career) they holes in the Hornets line-up could be exposed.

San Antonio Spurs
2005-2006 finish: 63-19; 1st in West
Points- Tony Parker, PG- 18.9 pg
Rebounds- Tim Duncan, PF- 11 pg
Assists- Tony Parker, PG- 5.8 pg
The Difference- Manu Ginobili, SG
Prognosis- The Spurs trio of Parker, Duncan and Ginobili work so well together, and they get solid contributions from veterans Brent Barry and Mike Finley. As long as this line-up stays healthy they’ll win games, but durability could be their downfall this year. And by downfall I mean they’ll win 53 games instead of 63 games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics
2005-2006 finish: 33-49; 11th in East
Points- Paul Pierce, SG- 26.8 pg
Rebounds- Paul Pierce, SG- 6.7 pg
Assists- Paul Pierce, SG- 4.7 pg
Up and Coming- Sebastian Telfair, PG, Gerald Green, SG, Tony Allen SG, Rajon Rondo, PG, Allan Ray, SG, Leon Powe, PF
Prognosis- The Celtics have an athletic team, but they are extremely young. Doc Rivers doesn’t seem like the type to enjoy babysitting and this line-up is sure to have its growing pains. Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak and Theo Ratliff are the only veterans on this team. Pierce does everything extremely well, but it won’t be enough to propel the Celtics into the playoffs.

New Jersey Nets
2005-2006 finish: 49-33; 4th in East
Points- Vince Carter, SG- 24.2 pg
Rebounds- Jason Kidd, PG- 7.3 pg
Assists- Jason Kidd, PG- 8.4 pg
Pleasant Surprise- Hassan Adams, SG
Prognosis- The Nets have a great big three in Carter, Kidd and Richard Jefferson, but after that the line-up gets thin. They did well in the draft, getting Uconn stars Josh Boone and Marcus Williams, as well as Arizona star Hassan Adams, who should fit in well in New Jersey thanks to his off-the-charts athletic ability. They’ll win a lot of games and make the playoffs because it’s the Eastern conference, but don’t expect more than that.

New York Knicks
2005-2006 finish: 23-59; 15th in East
Points- Stephon Marbury, PG- 16.3 pg
Rebounds- Eddy Curry, PF- 6 pg
Assists- Stephon Marbury, PG- 6.4 pg
Key Addition- Jared Jeffries, SF
Prognosis- The Knicks have had a great pre-season, which would scare a lot of teams, except for the simple fact that the pre-season means absolutely nothing. Not much will change in New York this year, Jamal Crawford will still shoot 3’s the second the ball touches his hand, Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury will continue to underachieve, and Isaiah Thomas will run this team into the ground, eventually quitting, to leave them further in shambles. Good times, NYC.

Philadelphia 76ers
2005-2006 finish: 38-44; 9th in East
Points- Allen Iverson, PG- 33 pg
Rebounds- Chris Webber, PF- 9.9 pg
Assists- Allen Iverson, PG- 7.4 pg
Underrated- Andre Igoudala, SG
Prognosis- Iverson is amazing, putting up 33 ppg and 7.4 apg in a season that everyone thought his numbers would decline. However there aren’t enough pieces of the puzzle around Iverson to produce a .500 record. Drafting Rodney Carney was a great move, except that he is basically Andre Igoudala-Lite. Due to a lack of depth, the 76ers would be wise to use both of them at the same time. Philly will end up in the lottery this season.

Toronto Raptors
2005-2006 finish: 27-55; 12th East
Points- Chris Bosh, PF- 22.5 pg
Rebounds- Chris Bosh, PF- 9.2 pg
Assists- T.J. Ford, PG- 6.6 pg
Translator Required- Andrea Bargnani, PF, Jorge Garbajosa, PF
Prognosis- The Raptors underwent a serious roster overhaul and it should pay dividends. This team is already more talented than they’ve been in previous years, and depending on how quickly all the new faces get on the same page, the playoffs are certainly not out of the question. Acquiring T.J. Ford gives them their first true point guard since Damon Stoudamire was in town, roughly 1 million years ago.

Central Division

Chicago Bulls
2005-2006 finish: 41-41; 6th in East
Points- Ben Gordon, SG- 16.9 pg
Rebounds- Ben Wallace, C- 11.3 pg
Assists- Kirk Hinrich, PG- 6.3 pg
Key Addition- Ben Wallace, C
Prognosis- The Bulls have a good starting five of Hinrich, Gordon, Luol Deng, Andreas Nocioni and Wallace. Their bench is decent too, boasting Chris Duhon, P.J. Brown and rookie super-freak Tyrus Thomas. This isn’t a championship caliber team quite yet, but they could challenge for tops in the Central division.

Cleveland Cavaliers
2005-2006 finish: 50-32; 3rd in East
Points- LeBron James, SG- 31.4 pg
Rebounds- Drew Gooden, PF- 8.4 pg
Assists- LeBron James, PG- 6.6 pg
Difference Maker (when healthy)- Larry Hughes, PG
Prognosis- LeBron does it all and the rest of the Cavs are along for the ride. His size, strength, quickness, instincts and durability are something to marvel at. It’ll be a long time before we witness a player like this yet again. Though the Cavs didn’t make many changes, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if LeBron found a way to will them to more wins this year and at least an appearance in the Conference Finals.

Detroit Pistons
2005-2006 finish: 64-18; 1st in East
Points- Richard Hamilton, SG- 20.1 pg
Rebounds- Rasheed Wallace, PF- 6.8 pg
Assists- Chauncey Billups, PG- 8.6 pg
New Faces- Ronald Murray, SG, Nazr Mohammed, C
Prognosis- A lot of people seem to think that the Pistons will be fine without Big Ben but I think they’ll miss him a ton. He altered every shot that came into the paint, and though Rasheed Wallace is good defensively, he’s about half of what the other Wallace is. The brunt of the defensive responsibility will fall on the guards. They’ll need to keep people out of the lane, as they don’t have Big Ben to bail them out. They’ll be among the best in the East, but the Finals are certainly not a foregone conclusion.

Indiana Pacers
2005-2006 finish: 41-41; 6th East
Points- Jermaine O’Neal, PF- 20.1 pg
Rebounds- Jermaine O’Neal, PF- 9.3 pg
Assists- Jamaal Tinsley, PG- 5 pg
Great Acquistion- Marquis Daniels, SG
The Bottom Line- The Pacers have become the Trail Blazers of the East, with Stephen Jackson and some other Pacers getting in gun trouble over the off-season. Marquis Daniels was a great pick-up from the Mavericks, especially since all they had to give up was Austin Croshere. He can defend, score on the break, and generally provide a lot of the little things that most young players refuse to do.

Milwaukee Bucks
2005-2006 finish: 40-42; 8th in East
Points- Michael Redd, SG- 25.4 pg
Rebounds- Andrew Bogut, C- 7 pg
Assists- Steve Blake, PG- 4.5 pg
Break Out Player- Charlie Villanueva, PF
Prognosis- This team will finish roughly in the same place they did last season, relying nearly entirely on Michael Redd’s ability to score the basketball. The Bucks have a difficult time getting stops, and that won’t change this year, as they didn’t do much to add a prime-time defensive stopper. If they make the playoffs, they’re scraping in.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Hawks
2005-2006 finish: 26-56; 13th in East
Points- Joe Johnson, SG- 20.2 pg
Rebounds- Zaza Pachulia, PF- 7.9 pg
Assists- Joe Johnson, SG- 6.5 pg
Baby Sitter Required- Josh Smith, SF, Marvin Williams, SF, Salim Stoudamire, PG,
Prognosis- The young and talented Hawks will again be basement dwellers in the Eastern Conference. Youth and talent are nice to have, but neither win basketball games. Another year of learning through losses, and another high lottery pick in June.

Charlotte Bobcats
2005-2006 finish: 26-56; 13th in East
Points- Gerald Wallace, SG- 15.2 pg
Rebounds- Emeka Okafor, PF- 10 pg
Assists- Brevin Knight, PG- 8.8 pg
Break Out Player- Raymond Felton, PG
Prognosis- Similar to the Hawks, the Bobcats have a tonne of youth and talent, but growing pains are no doubt what lingers on the horizon. I won’t even get into those horrible orange jerseys. If Michael Jordan comes out of retirement again to don the electric orange, I’ll surely die of a brain aneurysm.

Miami Heat
2005-2006 finish: 52-30; 2nd in East, NBA Champions
Points- Dwyane Wade, SG- 27.2 pg
Rebounds- Shaquille O’Neal, C- 9.2 pg
Assists- Dwyane Wade, SG- 6.7 pg
Geriatric Club- Alonzo Mourning, C, Gary Payton, PG
Prognosis- There’s no reason for me to say the Heat can’t win it all again, because if we learned anything during last season’s playoffs it is simply that we should never doubt Dwyane Wade. Not under any conceivable circumstance.

Orlando Magic
2005-2006 finish: 36-46; 10th in East
Points- Dwight Howard, PF- 15.8 pg
Rebounds- Dwight Howard, PF- 12.5 pg
Assists- Jameer Nelson, PG- 4.9 pg
Prognosis- The Magic won’t likely make much noise in the East this year despite ending off last season by stringing together some wins and making the battle for the 8th playoff spot a little more exciting. They caught some teams napping, mostly due to the fact that everyone assumed they were down and out. Dwight Howard is a beast, and a great guy, and numbers like 18 and 13 aren’t out of the question for him.

Washington Wizards
2005-2006 finish: 42-40; 5th in East
Points- Gilbert Arenas, PG- 29.2 pg
Rebounds- Antawn Jamison, PF- 9.3 pg
Assists- Gilbert Arenas, PG- 6.1 pg
They’ll Really Miss- Jared Jeffries, SF (Knicks)
Prognosis- No real significant changes for the Wizards, other than losing do-everything wingman Jared Jeffries to the Knicks and replacing him with DeShawn Stevenson. Caron Butler has become a great third option behind Arenas and Jamison, putting up 17.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 2.5 apg. To get to the next level, the Wizards need to commit to defense. Last season they were third in points for, but 21st in points allowed. The numbers added up to a first-round exit at the hands of the Cavaliers.

Posted on November 1, 2006 12:00 AM