2010-11 NBA Preview & Predictions

 

SAGE: Roy Hibbert:

I think is going to have a huge year. He is averaging about a 17-9 this preseason, and is the only rotation-worthy big on the Pacers. At a legitimate 7'2" very few players have the size to match up with him, as the league seems to trend smaller and faster. He is my pick for Most Improved Player of 2010. Andray Blatche: 

When the Wizards decided to stick a stick of C4 to their roster last year, one of the jewels they discovered in the ruffage is that Blatche had finally figured out how to play basketball. An enigma since being drafted out of high school, Blatche put his diverse skill set (especially for a 7 footer) together and averaged. 21 ppg and 8rpg over the last months of the year. I think he continues this for the whole year and gets All-star buzz. Eric Gordon: 

After his time with Team USA this summer, I (and most NBA followers) came away very impressed. Essentially beating out Rajon Rondo for a roster spot, he earned playing time in a crowded backcourt by playing steady D, and knocking down open shots. On a team with a good penetrating PG, and two legitimate post scorers, I expect Gordon to see a steady diet of open shots in addition to the shots he create himself.

TIBS: Kevin Love: 

While those who followed Team USA noticed Eric Gordon's play as Sage notes above, they may have noticed similar impressive play by another one of its members: Kevin Love. Or maybe you just noticed the intense towel waving in the title game, but while Love found his minutes more limited during the tail end of USA's gold medal run, he did damage while he was in there and played a more prominent role in the first few games. This preseason, Love has done more of the same averaging 17.8 PTS, 10.6 REB, and 1.8 3PT per game. For the first time in his career, Love will be a consistent starter and should put up similar big numbers in the absence of Al Jefferson. Plus, he now blogs for GQ. So there's that too.

Blake Griffin:

I am proudly in the increasing line for the Blake Griffin Kool-Aid (OH YEAH!) that was probably formed shortly after the Sports Guy Bill Simmons wrote this gushing piece on Griffin a couple weeks ago. Admittedly, the gushing sounded a little outrageous, but when I went to look for other opinions, I found similar gushing and this unbelievable display of athleticism. He's been tearing up the preseason at 17.3 PTS and 12.2 REB a game and I don't see why he can keep up the double double average on his way to the Rookie of the Year trophy (if healthy, of course).

Derrick Rose:

I am going to ignore your 'homer pick' thoughts and say with absolute confidence that Derrick Rose is going to make the leap from all-star to top 10 NBA player this year. Reports of Rose practicing hard all summer immediately after the Bulls' first round exit last season surfaced, including his much-publicized work on the 3 pointer. He undoubtedly stayed sharp with Team USA, learning to become more vocal and more of a leader. And of course his, "Why can't I be the MVP?" statement. I could go on much longer, but I see Rose taking the leap to the elite echelon of point guards and players this season. In fact, I would go as far to say that Rose can be the #1 player on a title-winning team. Not that I'm saying the Bulls are winning the title this year (that is still unlikely) but if the Bulls continue to grow as a team, "why can't" he?

What teams are gonna make the leap? What teams are going to fall down the standings? SAGE: Leap: New Orleans
Remember when people were discussing CP3 as maybe the best PG in the last 25 years? Then he got injured and everyone apparently forgot how freakishly good he is/can be. If he is healthy, a crunch time lineup of Paul, Marcus Thornton (who averaged about 20ppg as a rookie starter last year) Trevor Ariza (great athlete to fill the wings for Paul), David West, Emeka Okafor has to be a playoff team. Two concerns: 1.) An absolutely appalling lack of depth behind Okafor and West, I bank on them staying healthy 2.) Slight risk is if CP3 gets disillusioned and pouts for a trade. But I don't see it. Look for New Orleans to get to the playoffs. Fall: Denver
Denver: With injuries to the Birdman and Kenyon Martin, anything that resembled the Nuggets defensive identity will be sidelined until at least December. Combine that with a veryyyyy volatile Carmelo situation, a Chauncey Billups who looked a step slow in the FIBA Worlds this year, and it looks like Denver may fall apart a little this year. I don't think they will be able to find the playoffs this year, not in the West where playoff outsiders from a year ago (Rockets, Hornets, Clippers???) look poised to rise up. Someone has to fall, and I think it is Denver. TIBS: Leap: L.A. Clippers

The Clippers?! Yeah, I may look stupid come April, but given my confidence in Blake Griffin, and my head-nodding with the Sage's assessment of Eric Gordon and Baron Davis earlier in the preview, I think the Clippers can become a playoff team this year. (And this is where I am reminded that Vinny Del Negro is their coach... and that they are the Clippers).

Fall: San Antonio

I agree with Sage's predicted fall of Denver, and it is almost too easy to pick Phoenix after the loss of Amar'e Stoudemire, so I am going to go a little more bold with San Antonio. The aging dynasty led by Tim Duncan is clearly on its last legs and I predict another finish in the latter half of the Western Conference seeding. But I am tempted to pick them out of the playoffs altogether with some young teams on the rise and injuries a little more likely to occur to the Spurs' aging stars.
Most underrated off-season acquisition?

SAGE: Al Jefferson, Jazz. 

The Jazz went from 100% out of the playoffs to playoff contenders until Deron Williams leaves for the cost of Kosta Koufus and what will be two late 1st round draft picks. Unbelievable steal. They lose Boozer and are able to replace about as well as humanly possible. Also, Al is now a full year recovered from ACL surgery (the amount of time it takes players to start looking like they once did) and gets to play with the best non Canadian pick and roll PG in the game. Raymond Felton, Knicks. (Runner-up)

While Felton is nothing more than a league average point guard, that puts him about 3 tiers above the Chris Duhon/Sergio Rodriguez crapfest that the Knicks manned last year. Seriously, the only excuse for Mike D'Antoni starting PG to average less than 8 ppg and 6 apg is to missing a limb. Look for Felton, who gets to play with the best pick and roll dive man in Amar'e to average something around 16 ppg and 8 apg. TIBS: Brian Scalabrine, Bulls. 

I gotta say: I am psyched for the Brian Scalabrine Era in Chicago. The lovable Will Ferrell look-a-like has now found a new home with our hometown Bulls, which leaves the door open for Jackie Moon references to be broken by yours truly. A hidden fun part of this Bulls season will be following the unintentional comedy of Scalabrine's interactions on the bench, bolting to be the first player to greet the incoming Bulls players after the timeout, and his stretching that was immortalized on Jimmy Kimmel. He has actually showed that he will contribute on the court during the pre-season, using his smarts and ability to knock down an open jump shot to counter his lack of athleticism. To answer the caption's question, no. I don't think Scal is the off-season's most underrated acquisition. I agree with Sage; there's no better pick than Al Jefferson, who should dominate on a winning team with Utah. Who wins the 2011 NBA Title? SAGE: As much as I don't want Kobe to get another ring, I don't want LeBron to get his first that much more. And even putting personal biases aside, I think the Lakers are well constructed to win a seven game series against anyone. They have the size, moxie, defense, experience, and dominant individual scorers: these characteristics reek league champion. Also I think the Lakers realize this is their last best chance for a ring. The Thunder are only going to get better over the next 3-5 years if they can keep a core around Durant, the Heat will gel better in year 2 as chemistry improves. Lakers will get Phil his foruth three-peat (an absolutely, disgustingly impressive feat). TIBS: Amidst the buzz around Miami winning the ring in its first year, I don't see it happening if the Celtics and Lakers are healthy. Kobe and Phil want to wrap up another 3-peat and have an extra edge of motivation with the new talents in South Beach. Furthermore, Gasol is going to be a mismatch for everyone out West, and the Heat if they make it out the east. Boston and Orlando wouldn't shock me, but in the end I think Boston matches up well with both Miami and Orlando to take the East. I think the C's got one more run in them and will prevail over the Lakers, with the increased size they added, in a rematch of last year's finals. Although, part of me is really rooting for the Lakers for the potential 2011 version of this.

What are the odds on these players getting suspended? SAGE: Gilbert Arenas, 1:1.

Not even counting his preseason suspension, I foresee at least one more boneheaded move out of NBA's version of Ochocinco. Ron Artest, 3:1

Others may put him higher. I think he is truly terrified of Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant. While the suspension from the league doesn't scare him, I think Kobe would use @KobesJaw as a weapon and take aim on Ron's head. Rasheed Wallace, 10:1

I know he isn't in the NBA, but I still really like the odds here. Now that he isn't on a team, he is liable to say and do just about anything. The NBA will find a way to punish him.

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