Here is my team by team preview for the 2010-11 NBA Season. Every team (other than the Charlotte Bobcats who will have a more in-depth preview at a later day) is previewed as well as playoff predictions and award winners.
Atlantic Division:
Boston Celtics:
Look for the Celtics to win the division again this season. Their regular season record won’t be gaudy (much like last season) as Head Coach Doc Rivers rests his aging stars for the long postseason grind. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Celtics bring their “A” game against similar competition (such as Orlando, Miami and L.A. Lakers) but they occasionally lose to mediocre or bad teams due to boredom. Quite simply, Boston proved last year that seeding doesn’t matter. The key to the season will be getting the “Big Three (Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen)” and newcomers Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal rested and healthy for the months of April, May and possibly June. Look for Rajon Rondo to lead the Celtics through the regular season.
New Jersey Nets:
The Nets were undoubtedly the losers of the Free Agent Bonanza of 2010. The Nets hoped that they could land a marquee star such as LeBron James or a lesser name such as Carlos Boozer or David Lee. Instead, they overpaid for a role player (Travis Outlaw) and a backup point guard (Jordan Farmer). There is no chance that the Nets will finish with a record as futile as they did last year (12-70). Look for talented young players like Brook Lopez and Terrence Williams to continue to improve and for Derrick Favors and Troy Murphy (both new editions this season) to help the Nets win more games this year. The one big question is whether or not the Nets will be able to swing a deal for Carmelo Anthony (likely costing Favors and/or Devin Harris). My guess is that it will eventually get done and the Nets could make a run at a playoff berth.
New York Knicks:
The Knicks may have lost out on the biggest prize in Free Agency (LeBron James) but they didn’t come away empty handed (like their neighbors in New Jersey). They were able to sign a star in Amar’e Stoudemire who is excited about taking on the challenge of making the NBA matter again in New York. Amar’e also will look to prove that Steve Nash wasn’t the sole reason for his success. Raymond Felton is a good stopgap option at Point Guard who will add toughness, defense and leadership to this dysfunctional franchise (until Chris Paul possibly arrives in 2012). The Knicks will be one of the teams fighting for the last playoff spot in the East and whether they get it or not will depend on the play of the role players (Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph, Wilson Chandler, and Ronny Turiaf).
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are an interesting team with a contrast of pieces. They have young players (Evan Turner and Jrue Holliday) who have the ability to be a part of the team’s long-term future. Also included in this mix are guys (Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young) at or near their prime who are solid but not “core pieces” on Championship Contenders, a very good player (Andre Iguodala) who is overpaid because he is paid as a superstar, and a long-term albatross of a contract (Elton Brand). The Sixers struggled last season due to the incompetence of former Head Coach Eddie Jordan. Prior to last year, Philly was able to reach the postseason with much of these same pieces in place. I believe that they will likely squeak into the playoffs due to improved coaching from Doug Collins and an answer at point guard (to replace Andre Miller from 2006-09) in the improving Holliday.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors nearly squeaked into the playoffs even though they were horrific on the defensive side of the ball. This summer though, Chris Bosh fled to Miami to form “Miami Thrice” and left Toronto in the cold. This team needs to rebuild since it is full of mediocre players who could never lead a team to the playoffs. Andrea Bargnani is a good player who can spread the floor but he’s their center which is a problem. Jose Calderon can’t guard a lick and you could argue that they would be better with Leandro Barbosa and/or Jarrett Jack instead of Calderon. Lina Kleiza who was their big free agent signing would be a valuable role player on a good team (much like the 2009 Nuggets) but this team isn’t. If I was a Raptor fan, I would go into this season hoping for either Ed Davis or Demar DeRozan to emerge as possible keepers for the future of the franchise and for a high draft pick.
Central Division:
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls entered the offseason as the favorites to land LeBron James and the co-favorite (with Miami) to get Dwyane Wade. Much like the Knicks, they didn’t land the big fish but they weren’t empty handed either. They basically turned into the Eastern Conference version of the Utah Jazz by adding Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer in Free Agency. The Bulls struggled and landed as the eighth and final seed in the playoffs after late season injuries to Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose. Now entering the new season, they are much deeper to fend off the injury bug that has already hit (Carlos Boozer’s injury at his house). The Bulls are definitely a top 4 team in the east and have an interesting mix with few weaknesses. The only question will be how if new coach Tom Thibodeau can bring the same defensive success from Boston.
Cleveland Cavaliers
No summer was as bad as it was for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Not only did LeBron James leave is hometown team, but he broke up with them on a made for television reality special on ESPN. To make matters worse, Dan Gilbert wrote a letter to the Cavaliers fans where he bashed James and made it seem like he (Gilbert) was a sore loser. Now it’s up to new Head Coach Byron Scott and the remaining Cavaliers to pick up the pieces. I think that Cleveland will remain competitive the early part of the season due to the fact that the players will be motivated to show that they aren’t exactly chopped liver. In fact the Cavs have a multitude of point guards (Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions, and Daniel Gibson) and a couple quality “bigs in Anderson Verajao and J.J. Hickson. The team currently lacks a dynamic scorer and playmaker (to replace James) that would help put the pieces together to make a playoff team. Antawn Jamison could maybe have been that guy a few seasons ago, but not now.
Detroit Pistons:
This team is a mess. Joe Dumars used (the key word is used) to be one of the best executives in the NBA. He helped bring the Pistons to six straight conference finals (from 2003-2008) and a NBA Championship in 2004. Nowadays, Dumars has constructed a team that has its three best players (Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon, and Rodney Stuckey) at one position, a frontline that is overpaid (Charlie Villanueva) or well past its prime (Ben Wallace). The one thing that Dumars is good at is finding “diamonds under the rough” in players (Jonas Jerebko, Will Bynum) that come out of nowhere to become contributors. Maybe Dumars struck gold by finding Greg Monroe in the NBA Draft to help fix their frontline. Even if Monroe performs admirably, it won’t be enough to get this team out of mediocrity.
Indiana Pacers:
The Pacers are the epitome of an average team. They have a star (Danny Granger) who has inflated stats due to ineptitude of his teammates. Guys like Mike Dunleavy, Dahntay Jones, James Posey, Brandon Rush and Earl Watson are what they are (average) and are bench players on good teams. The only upside the Pacers have is with Roy Hibbert and the acquisition of Darren Collison. Rookie Paul George has upside but is probably too raw to be a difference maker this year and who knows what Tyler “Psycho-T” Hansbrough will bring since he pretty much missed the entire season last year with an ear infection and concussion.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks were arguably the most surprising team in the league last year. They had a scintillating second half of the season to grab the sixth seed in the playoffs and nearly beat Atlanta without its best player (Andrew Bogut). The Bucks are hard-nosed and tough defensively with overachievers such as Luke Mbah a Moute and Ersan IIyasova. Add in one of the top rookies in the league last year in Brandon Jennings, the routine resurgence of John Salmons and the coaching of Scott Skiles and one shouldn’t be surprised that the Bucks overachieved. The problem is that the Bucks added two chronic underachievers in Drew Gooden and Corey Maggette which could impact the team’s chemistry.
Southeast Division:
Atlanta Hawks:
Management decided that they had to keep this team in its current form (playoff contender) given the sorry history of the Hawks franchise the past ten years. Keeping this team together does come at a high cost though since they had to pay 120 million dollars to resign Joe Johnson. This move was perplexing given that Johnson is now reaching the downside of his career and has proven that he can’t be the best player on a championship contender. I guess they felt that they needed Johnson because he is the only thing that resembles a go-to scorer on this roster. The Hawks have a couple of athletic big men in Josh Smith and Al Horford. Smith is a supremely athletic specimen who still makes highlight reeling plays while Horford does the dirty work near the basket. Marvin Williams is what he is (a slightly above average swingman). Jamal Crawford will continue to be a gunner off the bench but he could be unhappy because he did not receive a new contract in the offseason. The big question with Atlanta is who will start at point guard. Mike Bibby is on his last legs and is probably better suited as a backup. That puts pressure on Jeff Teague to become the starter. Look for the Hawks to again be a 4-5 seed will only get as far as the second round of the playoffs.
Charlotte Bobcats (See Later)
Miami Heat:
The signings of LeBron James and Chris Bosh to go along with Dwyane Wade has started the trend of creating “superteams.” I understand the appeal of all three of these guys wanting to play with each other given the 2008 Olympics and the AAU Basketball climate. The thing that is upsetting is that they chose to do this in Miami. Selfishly, I believe Miami is the last city (well maybe Atlanta) to deserve the tremendously good fortune that it received this summer. However, Miami does offer the appeal of beautiful weather, women and the allure of South Beach so I guess I can’t blame them. The only problem that could derail the Heat’s chances as at capturing the title is their frontline. Bosh while solid hasn’t proved anything in the playoffs and he isn’t the greatest defensively. Jamaal Magloire is really old, we saw what happens when Zydrunas Ilgauskas tries to match up with Dwight Howard (2009 Playoffs), and Udonis Haslem is on the smallish side (6-8, 235). I expect a huge year out of LeBron, the big question will be Wade’s health and off course their frontline. The only teams I see that could beat the Heat in the playoffs are the Lakers, Celtics and maybe Orlando (If Howard somehow turns into Hakeem Olajuwon).
Orlando Magic:
Lost in the hype of “Miami Thrice,” are the three time Southeast Division Champs in the Orlando Magic. The Magic have the best center in Basketball in Dwight Howard. Howard changes games by himself with his sheer size and defensive and rebounding prowess. My question is whether or not their door for success is closing which is remarkable since Howard is still 24 years old. Rashard Lewis is declining, and Vince Carter is a shell of his former self and I still not very clutch. Jameer Nelson is an above average point guard who emerged as the second best player on the team last year. Nelson though is still not that second star that Howard needs to lessen the load on his broad shoulders. The Magic will still be heavily reliant on the three ball with Lewis, Nelson, Mickael Pietrus, and J.J. Redick firing from all directions. The Magic lost some toughness with the loss of Matt Barnes and the acquisition of Quentin Richardson will fail to replace that. Orlando likely will have the second best record in the conference, but come playoff time Boston and Miami will both be better.
Washington Wizards:
Wow, everyone was wrong about this team last year. Many felt that the additions of Mike Miller and Randy Foye would give the Wizards a realistic shot at a high seed in the playoffs. Even before the Gilbert Arenas “gun incident,” the Wizards were awful. They gutted their team by getting rid of Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood who combined with Arenas failed to lead Washington out of mediocrity. The Wizards tanked, got lucky and won the draft lottery. With the first overall pick, they selected Point Guard John Wall. The Wizards could be very guard at guard with Wall, Kirk Hinrich, and Arenas (provided his head is on straight). I sincerely believe that provided he stays healthy that Arenas will have a bounce back year and that the “gun incident” knocked some sense into him. Up front they have two enigmatic big men who figure to get better in JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche. Josh Howard won’t make much of a difference since he is coming off ACL surgery and Al Thornton is one of the most average players in the league. The Wizards will be better, but they would be better served by focusing on player development and getting another high draft pick to build around Wall.
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