If you are a die-hard basketball fan like me, this time of year feels like Christmas — kind of like old Santa just gave you a present, and you saw Rudolph, Dancer, and Prancer flying through the sky. It’s basketball season, and in addition to both the men and women Colonel’s basketball teams beginning play, basketball fans also have the NBA season in full swing. These are my predictions on how the five best teams from the Eastern and Western Conference will do this season.
The Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons: The Detroit Pistons will make a strong run at the Eastern Division title. The Pistons are now coached by Larry Brown, and he will have players both younger and older that can contribute. Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Darko Milicic, and Richard Hamilton will all have a good season under Brown.
New Jersey Nets: Jason Kidd will greatly benefit from having Alonzo Mouring at center. Look for Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson to provide Kidd with loads of jam targets this season.
New Orleans Hornets: The New Orleans Hornets will try to put all of the pieces together to make a run at the championship. Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn will lead them this season. I think this team would have done themselves a favor by keeping coach Paul Silas, but new coach Tim Floyd has a good team with young stars like Jamaal Magliore, that can change the outcome of a game.
Orlando Magic: The Orlando Magic will be led this year by superstar Tracy McGrady. Helping McGrady will be Juwan Howard and Drew Gooden. The Magic will do well under coach Doc Rivers. Expect McGrady to lead this team to the post season and earn MVP type numbers.
Philadelphia 76ers: This team only has one answer, and his name is Allen Iverson. Iverson will not have to carry the team offensive by himself this season; the 76ers have acquired Glenn Robinson to help “AI” put points on the board.
The Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers: With four players who have proved that they can win solo, the Lakers have put together a super team with the addition of Gary Payton and Karl Malone. If Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal can play together, look for this team to make a run at the Chicago Bulls’ record for wins in a season.
San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan will not have David Robinson by his side this year guarding the paint, but look for Duncan to make another run at the league MVP title.
Dallas Mavericks: Are you kidding me? The Mavericks have more firepower than two armies. Look for Michael Finley, Antawn Jamison, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, and Antoine Walker to beat teams by double digits this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett might just led the T-wolves to a postseason win this year. If he does, Michael Olowokandi, Sam Cassell, and Latrell Sprewell will have a huge part in the success of the franchise.
Sacramento Kings: An injury to All-Star forward Chris Webber will not keep this team out of the playoffs. Brad Miller and Mike Bibby will pick up where Webber left off. The Kings bench will also play a key role in the team’s success.
Rookie of the year: LeBron James. If you’re not a believer, he’ll make you one soon enough.
MVP: Kevin Garnett or Tracy McGrady
NBA Champions: Los Angeles Lakers
In my opinion this year will be one of the best since the Michael Jordan era. At the end of the season, look for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks to shock the Lakers or the Kings in the West, and in the East look for the Cavaliers to win big and possibly have a shot at the playoffs. LeBron James will be one of the biggest reasons for the success of the league. Thank you for reading.
To a great basketball season, I love this game.