Tuesday Predictions…
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There's 9 games on the books today in the NBA and I'm in the mood for some predictions. So here's my take on the games for November 3rd. Now you might raise your eyebrows at a couple of my suggestions, but I'll explain my reasons as we go.
Washington @ Cleveland: There's a big rivalry between these two teams and this game will be no exception. The Wiz are on their way upwards while the Cavs are finding their feet. Prediction: Cavs by 4. Result: Cavs by 12.
Denver @ Indiana: These two teams played each other in China during the pre-season. I think if Indiana get to within 10 points, they can consider it a win. Prediction: Nuggets by 14. Result: Nuggets by 18.
Boston @ Philadelphia: The Celtics aren't going to lose this... there is no way. Philly have some nice emerging talent but the Celtics are WAY too deep and will win easily. Prediction: Celtics by 18. (Side bet: Rondo to have a triple double by 3/4 time to celebrate his contract heist!) Result: Celtics by 31.
This is Rajon showing you how many millions he's going to be earning per year from now on. Also, how many points, rebounds and assists he's likely to get tonight.
Orlando @ Detroit: The Pistons have had an indifferent start and the Orlando Magic are trying to look as deep as Boston. They're not doing a bad job thanks to Ryan Anderson and JJ Redick. I think Ben Gordon will be the only thing that keeps this close for three quarters. Prediction: Orlando by 14. Result: Pistons by 5.
Phoenix @ Miami: A hard one to pick in my opinion. Both teams have a perfect 3-0 record and I really wouldn't have said either of them would be 4-0 to start the season. One of these teams has to be however and I'll have to go for the Heat but only because they are at home. Prediction: Miami by 3. Result: Suns by 8.
Milwaukee @ Chicago: United Center. Where Derrick Rose will happen. Prediction: Bulls by 10. Result: Bulls by 2.
The Bulls need a BIG night from Derrick Rose tonight...
LA Lakers @ Oklahoma City: The Thunder do look exciting and there's a few reasons to predict an OKC victory here but I'm sticking with the Lakers in a close one. Russell Westbrook has the opportunity to score 25 on Fisher and Farmar. I'm most interested to see if Artest guards Durant, and if so... the results. Prediction: Lakers by 8. Result: Lakers by 3.
Utah @ Dallas: I couldn't care less about this game but in the spirit of equality and objective journalism, I will predict a 15 point win to the Mavericks. Mainly because of Okur's gimpy foot. Result: Mavericks by 11.
Atlanta @ Portland: In my opinion the most exciting game of the night. I definitely predict a shoot out. If Oden and Aldridge can have a large impact, I see the Blazers doing it fairly comfortably. However, that is not a certainty. This one is ultimately a flip of the coin for me and I think it'll go overtime. Prediction: Portland by 4 in OT. Result: Atlanta by 6.
Here's to another entertaining day in the NBA!
2010
As far as predictions go, I realize this is practically impossible to get 100% correct. A full scale prediction of every team's win-loss record for the upcoming season. And worse yet, it's only September! However, I thought this would be interesting to look back on in June 2010.
Eastern Conference W L
Western Conference W L
Cleveland 60 22
Boston 56 26
Orlando 54 28
Atlanta 50 32
Toronto 45 37
Chicago 43 39
Miami 42 40
Charlotte 39 43
Indiana 38 44
Washington 37 45
Detroit 34 48
Philadelphia 32 50
Milwaukee 28 54
New York 27 55
New Jersey 24 58
LA Lakers 62 20
San Antonio 56 26
Dallas 54 28
Denver 50 32
Portland 50 32
Utah 48 34
New Orleans 42 40
Oklahoma City 41 41
Houston 38 44
Phoenix 37 45
LA Clippers 36 46
Golden State 35 47
Memphis 31 51
Minnesota 28 54
Sacramento 15 67
In making these predictions, I've taken into account all roster changes up to and including the 13th of September 2009. As soon as a blockbuster deal goes down, I may have to edit these figures.
I'm excited to see what Blake Griffin can do for the Clippers, what Allen Iverson can bring to the Grizzlies and how Amare Stoudemire will handle being stuck on a 37-win team. But most importantly, it will be interesting to see who can secure home court advantage throughout the entire Playoffs. This one fact alone may determine the Champion this year.
As always, time will tell and bring on the upcoming season!!!
Threads of success…?
I've had a theory for a long time now regarding NBA teams and new uniforms. This theory has been ridiculed before but the stats don't lie. If an NBA team makes a significant change to their uniforms, they are historically likely to experience a distinct improvement for the current or next season and in a lot of cases a trip to at least the Conference Finals. I'm not saying this is psychological, it just happens.
Let's run through a list of teams that have changed their uniforms and seen prompt results.
 2009 - Orlando Magic (2009 NBA Finals) |
 2008 - Atlanta Hawks (2009 ECSF) |
 2006 - Cleveland Cavaliers (2007 NBA Finals) |
 2005 - Dallas Mavericks (2005 NBA Finals) |
 2003 - San Antonio Spurs (2003 NBA Champions) |
 2001 – New Jersey Nets (2001 NBA Finals) |
 2000 – Los Angeles Lakers (2000 NBA Champions) |
 2000 – Indiana Pacers (2000 NBA Finals) |
 1997 – Utah Jazz (1997 NBA Finals) |
 1996 – Chicago Bulls (1996 NBA Champions) |
 1996 – Seattle SuperSonics (1996 NBA Finals) |
 1993 – Chicago Bulls (1993 NBA Champions) |
 1993 – Phoenix Suns (1993 NBA Finals) |
 1992 – Portland Trailblazers (1992 NBA Finals) |
I'm sure there's more that I can't recall...
So far I've only heard whispers of Philadelphia, Utah and Golden State making uniform changes for this upcoming 09/10 season. I wonder if any other teams are looking to make changes?
Will the trend continue?
Note: All images sourced from: www.sportslogos.net
Fixing the World – Episode 2
Okay now for another entry in our series on Fixing the World, one team at a time. In this scenario, we might just be able to help two teams with one simple move. Let's look at the teams issues first though.
Utah:
Seriously capped out, with max money to two injury prone non-performers (Boozer and Kirilenko) and big dollars to a player best suited to coming off the bench (Millsap). They could use a quality small forward, but are pretty good at the other positions.
Toronto:
Capped out, with a 'superstar' who is just a little bit overrated because of the draft class he arrived with. They are not going to be able to hang on to him in any scenario and they really need some low post scoring, as well as rebounding.
The Solution:
This one is pretty simple. Utah gets Bosh for Boozer. Both players would have to agree to new contracts to make this a risk free proposition, but it's not outrageous. Boozer is not going to get max money next year any other way. He's just not that good or reliable, but would be a great fit next to Bargnani.
Bosh would look amazing in Utahs constant motion offense, and his only other real option for going to a good team is to go to Miami where there would only be two decent players (since Beasley may be taking a sabbatical).
Next Utah has another huge trade chip up it's sleeve. The completely unprotected number one 2010 pick of the New York Knicks. The 2010 draft is projected to be strong. They need a strong defensive 3 who can knock down the long ball when left open. Tayshaun Prince seems to fit the bill well here and could be had for Matt Harpring's expiring deal and the number one pick, allowing Utah to win now with the roster it has already mostly established and get the most out of Jerry Sloans (possibly) last year.
Could it happen? Yes. Will it happen? No.
Blinded by the light
The Lakers needed 7 games to beat a Houston team without it's two best players (totally nearly 50 million in yearly salary), and they were starting a 6'6" centre! That's shameful. Even Denver, if they had any playoff experience at all would have beaten the Lakers. Talk about a charmed run.
But it is what it is. Wishing that San Antonio, Houston, Utah and Boston were healthy or that Portland and Denver had just a little bit more experience doesn't change the fact that the Lakers caught each team at just the right time. Even if all of those listed teams would have won a seven game series.
A little slice of Cleveland history pie
I agree that Cleveland haven't beat 60 win teams, but they did beat a 54 win team. Atlanta is better people think. I would suggest it's wrong to judge them just by the way they were manhandled by the Lebrons. Granted Detroit was the weakest team in the playoffs, but that’s what you get for finishing topsies. Doesn't change the fact that Atlanta were better than Utah... they started that series relatively healthy, whereas Utah were in freefall entering the playoffs AND had major injury concerns, yet people were still talking about them being dangerous. It's all about perception.
The 8 game streak is hugely impressive... not only for the fact that they’ve done it, but how. With limited doses of Lebon, besides his huge explosion in game 3.