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The Blickees.com NBA Basketball Bonanza
- By Patrick Williams
- Published 11/1/2007
- Pro Basketball (NBA)
- Unrated
This NBA season is one of the most intriguing seasons in recent memory. Questions are abound as a result of many teams reloading and upgrading their depth charts in an effort to stay competitive. Can the Heat regain their form as a championship contender, or has Shaq seen his last days? Will the Celtics big three mesh and form a championship contender? Will the Spurs repeat or will the Suns get over the hump before Nash retires?
Here are the projected top eight seeds in the Eastern Conference:
1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are screwing it up for everyone in the East. Not only are they knocking a playoff team from last year out of the chase, but they are knocking last year's Eastern Conference Champion Cavaliers down a notch. The Celtics are the only team in the East capable of winning 60 games. 55 games is more realistic, but if they can avoid the injury bug and make a couple more solid veteran pickups, this team can be special.
2. Chicago Bulls
Chicago is built for a long successful regular season and an underachieving playoff performance. They have depth and several players that can drop 30 in a heartbeat. They've got athletic bigs that don't play fair in the post. They have solid point guard leadership. However, what ultimately spells doom is they just don't have that clutch player who can take over late in tight situations. Gordon is wildly inconsistent and Deng is good, but not quite unstoppable.
3. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are getting old and have a Twinkie-like substance in the middle. They were 18th in the league in total rebounds last year with a negative rebounding differential. But to really see how soft they are, rewind back to the Eastern Conference finals when they allowed Lebron to drive the lane and dunk at will without so much as a slap on the wrist. Against the Bad Boys or any other team with heart down low, we'd have seen Michael Jordan Law prosecuted in full force and effect.
4. Orlando Magic
Orlando is my sleeper team in the East, partly because the addition of Rashard Lewis allows the Magic to spread the floor even more for Dwight Howard. Posting Howard with Lewis, Turkoglu and Nelson on the perimeter is going to be very effective if Howard can continue polishing his offensive game.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs trip to the finals is the worst thing that could have happened to Lebron James. Considering that the Cavs didn't make any moves in the offseason, one would think that the Cavs have taken the stance that they made the finals last year so another year without mixing up the team chemistry should put them over the top. However, the East got tougher this offseason and the Finals should have shown the Cavs how far away they are from becoming true contenders. Maybe if Boobie turns into Mike Bibby....ah nevermind.
6. Miami Heat
The Heat's low post players get older by the second, but a conservative regular season run and health at the right time could make the Heat dangerous come the spring. The Ricky Davis trade gives them a shot in the arm that should perk them up at least for the year.
7. New Jersey Nets
I really didn't want to pick the Nets, but its very rare that a Jason Kidd led team doesn't play in the postseason. I don't think this one will be any different.
8. Washington Wizards
The Bullets roster contains the low budget big three I refer to as the Three Shot Kill. (Gilbert "Halo 3 noob" Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antwan Jamison) This is enough to get them in the playoffs, but I'm not convinced they can guard anyone.
Honorable Mentions: New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors
NBA Playoffs First Round
Celtics over Wizards in 5
The low budget trio is no match for the real deal trio.
Bulls over Nets in 6
The Nets are old and the Bulls are too deep young and talented.
Heat over Pistons in 6
The Heat are on their last legs, but a healthy Dwayne Wade with Shaq and Ricky Davis can put together one last run before Shaq hangs them up for good. Dwayne Wade provided the blueprint for Lebron's success against the Pistons last year.
Cavs over Magic in 6
The Cavs rugged style of play will prove too much for a wet behind the ears, offensive oriented team like the Magic.
Second Round
Celtics over Cavs in 6
Two much firepower for the offensively challenged Cavs. The Cavs play well when they control the boards and it will be tough to keep KG off the glass. Not to mention, who's going to guard KG anyway?
Heat over Bulls in 7
The Bulls don't have a Dwayne Wade. Look for him to come back strong this year. People don't give him enough credit for the Heat championship run.
Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics over Heat in 7
This has the makings of a star-studded series that will come down to whoever has their legs this late in the season. The Celtics have more to play for and too many weapons. People are going to be suprised at how unselfish these guys play together.
Here are the projected top eight seeds in the Eastern Conference:
1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are screwing it up for everyone in the East. Not only are they knocking a playoff team from last year out of the chase, but they are knocking last year's Eastern Conference Champion Cavaliers down a notch. The Celtics are the only team in the East capable of winning 60 games. 55 games is more realistic, but if they can avoid the injury bug and make a couple more solid veteran pickups, this team can be special.
2. Chicago Bulls
Chicago is built for a long successful regular season and an underachieving playoff performance. They have depth and several players that can drop 30 in a heartbeat. They've got athletic bigs that don't play fair in the post. They have solid point guard leadership. However, what ultimately spells doom is they just don't have that clutch player who can take over late in tight situations. Gordon is wildly inconsistent and Deng is good, but not quite unstoppable.
3. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are getting old and have a Twinkie-like substance in the middle. They were 18th in the league in total rebounds last year with a negative rebounding differential. But to really see how soft they are, rewind back to the Eastern Conference finals when they allowed Lebron to drive the lane and dunk at will without so much as a slap on the wrist. Against the Bad Boys or any other team with heart down low, we'd have seen Michael Jordan Law prosecuted in full force and effect.
4. Orlando Magic
Orlando is my sleeper team in the East, partly because the addition of Rashard Lewis allows the Magic to spread the floor even more for Dwight Howard. Posting Howard with Lewis, Turkoglu and Nelson on the perimeter is going to be very effective if Howard can continue polishing his offensive game.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs trip to the finals is the worst thing that could have happened to Lebron James. Considering that the Cavs didn't make any moves in the offseason, one would think that the Cavs have taken the stance that they made the finals last year so another year without mixing up the team chemistry should put them over the top. However, the East got tougher this offseason and the Finals should have shown the Cavs how far away they are from becoming true contenders. Maybe if Boobie turns into Mike Bibby....ah nevermind.
6. Miami Heat
The Heat's low post players get older by the second, but a conservative regular season run and health at the right time could make the Heat dangerous come the spring. The Ricky Davis trade gives them a shot in the arm that should perk them up at least for the year.
7. New Jersey Nets
I really didn't want to pick the Nets, but its very rare that a Jason Kidd led team doesn't play in the postseason. I don't think this one will be any different.
8. Washington Wizards
The Bullets roster contains the low budget big three I refer to as the Three Shot Kill. (Gilbert "Halo 3 noob" Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antwan Jamison) This is enough to get them in the playoffs, but I'm not convinced they can guard anyone.
Honorable Mentions: New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors
NBA Playoffs First Round
Celtics over Wizards in 5
The low budget trio is no match for the real deal trio.
Bulls over Nets in 6
The Nets are old and the Bulls are too deep young and talented.
Heat over Pistons in 6
The Heat are on their last legs, but a healthy Dwayne Wade with Shaq and Ricky Davis can put together one last run before Shaq hangs them up for good. Dwayne Wade provided the blueprint for Lebron's success against the Pistons last year.
Cavs over Magic in 6
The Cavs rugged style of play will prove too much for a wet behind the ears, offensive oriented team like the Magic.
Second Round
Celtics over Cavs in 6
Two much firepower for the offensively challenged Cavs. The Cavs play well when they control the boards and it will be tough to keep KG off the glass. Not to mention, who's going to guard KG anyway?
Heat over Bulls in 7
The Bulls don't have a Dwayne Wade. Look for him to come back strong this year. People don't give him enough credit for the Heat championship run.
Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics over Heat in 7
This has the makings of a star-studded series that will come down to whoever has their legs this late in the season. The Celtics have more to play for and too many weapons. People are going to be suprised at how unselfish these guys play together.
