Photo Credit: ESPN the Magazine
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers, 60-22
2. Dallas Mavericks 58-24
3. Oklahoma City Thunder, 55-27
4. Portland Trail Blazers, 54-28
5. Utah Jazz, 52-30
6. Phoenix Suns, 50-32
7. Houston Rockets, 48-34
8. San Antonio Spurs, 46-36
9. Denver Nuggets, 45-37
10. Los Angeles Clippers, 44-38
11. New Orleans Hornets, 42-40
12. Memphis Grizzlies, 41-41
13. Sacramento Kings, 38-44
14. Golden State Warriors, 34-48
15. Minnesota Timberwolves, 20-62
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat, 69-13
2. Orlando Magic, 60-22
3. Chicago Bulls, 55-27
4. Boston Celtics, 50-32
5. Milwaukee Bucks, 48-34
6. Atlanta Hawks, 46-36
7. New York Knicks, 42-40
8. Washington Wizards, 41-41
9. Philadelphia 76ers, 36-46
10. Indiana Pacers, 34-48
11. Charlotte Bobcats, 32-50
12. New Jersey Nets, 29-53
13. Toronto Raptors, 27-55
14. Detroit Pistons, 24-58
15. Cleveland Cavaliers, 22-60
Playoff Predictions
Western Conference
1 Los Angeles Lakers over 8 San Antonio Spurs
4 Portland Trail Blazers over 5 Utah Jazz
7 Houston Rockets over 2 Dallas Mavericks
3 Oklahoma City Thunder over 6 Phoenix Suns
Eastern Conference
1 Miami Heat over 8 Washington Wizards
4 Boston Celtics over 5 Milwaukee Bucks
2 Orlando Magic over 7 New York Knicks
3 Chicago Bulls over 6 Atlanta Hawks
Western Conference Semi-Finals
1 Los Angeles Lakers over 4 Portland Trail Blazers
3 Oklahoma City Thunder over 7 Houston Rockets
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
4 Boston Celtics over 1 Miami Heat
2 Orlando Magic over 3 Chicago Bulls
Western Conference Finals
1 Los Angeles Lakers over 3 Oklahoma City Thunder
Eastern Conference Finals
4 Boston Celtics over 2 Orlando Magic
NBA Finals
1 Los Angeles Lakers over 4 Boston Celtics
Most Valuable Player - LeBron James, Miami Heat – James has won the MVP for two straight seasons and even though he is not going to have as dominant as a scoring role with the Heat, I think he will come very close to averaging a triple-double while having the most efficient season of his career thanks a reduction in long two-point jumpers and more easy flushes on back door cuts. Runner-up: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Defensive Player of the Year – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic – Dwight has led the league in rebounding and block shots for each of the past two season’s and he will do so again in 2010-11. His ability to anchor a defense has made Orlando one of the best teams on that end of the floor despite a group average individual defenders on the wing. Runner-up: LeBron James, Miami Heat
Rookie of the Year – John Wall, Washington Wizards – Wall is an electrifying athlete that will put his stamp on the NBA this season in a big way, leading the Washington Wizards back to the post-season after a dreadful 2009-10 season. Runner-up: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Most Improved Player – Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets – Lawson is the best point guard in Denver and should have already inherited the starting point guard spot from Chauncey Billups. If Billups is dealt mid-season, Lawson should take this award easily. If Billups is kept around, Lawson will contend for Sixth Man of the Year. Runner-up: JaVale McGee, Washington Wizards
Sixth Man of the Year – Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers – Odom looks rejuvenated after a summer with Team USA. His mid-range shot looks like its falling more consistently and his contributions on the boards and on defense rank him amongst the game’s best. Runner-up: James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder
Coach of the Year: Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz – Its about time, no? Runner-up: Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat – Spoelstra wins by default if Miami reaches the win total I predicted them to get (69).
