Blake Griffin Top 10 Dunks
January 10, 2011
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Personal Favorite of Favorite Player
January 10, 2011
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Top 10 Moments of 2010 So Far
December 25, 201010. John Wall’s Triple Double
In only his 6th NBA game of his career, John Wall became the 3rd youngest player to record a triple-double (behind LeBron James and Lamar Odom). He finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists against the Houston Rockets.
9. Paul Milsap Happened
Milsap and the Jazz handed the Miami Heat their first home loss of the season. Milsap helped the Jazz overcome a 22 point deficit, as he scored 46 points, 11 of them coming in the last 28 seconds of regulation, including the game tying tip in to send the game to over time. Just watch the video. It’s unreal.
8. Paul Pierce Scores 20,000
On November 3rd, Pierce became the 3rd Celtic of all-time to score 20,000 career points behind Larry Bird and John Havlicek. Pierce has solidified himself as one of the best Celtics of All-Time, which is saying something.
7. Rajon Rondo Happened
Aside from setting the Celtics’ career assist record in the 2009-2010 season, Rondo started the 2010 season with an absurd amount of assists averaging nearly 16 per game through the first 10 games of the season. To date he is averaging a league best 13.8 assists per game, and is making a case for the best point-guard in the NBA.
6. Dirk Nowitzki Passes Larry Bird on All-Time Scoring List
On December 21st, Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki passed Larry Bird for 25th on the All-Time NBA scoring list with his 21,782nd point scored. Enough said.
5. Amare Stoudemire 30 Point Game Streak
Amare lead the Knicks to a 9 game win streak at the end of November while setting a Knicks franchise record 9 straight 30 point games. He is averaging 26 points per game and is an MVP candidate.
4. Kevin Love First 30-30 Game in 28 Years
Love became the first player in 28 seasons to record a 30 and 30 game. The last player to do it was Moses Malone. He scored 31 points and grabbed 31 rebounds against the New York Knicks earlier in the season. To date, Love is averaging just under 16 rebounds per game.
3. LeBron Returns to Cleveland
LeBron James made his return to Cleveland since breaking their heart and embarassing not only the franchise, but the city of Cleveland on national TV. The hatred in the arena was incredible. James quieted his haters by finishing with 38 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, only in 3 quarters of play.
2. Blake Griffin
All that needs to be said about this rookie, is watch his highlights. He is establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in the NBA with unbelievable (literally) dunks every single night.
1. Pat Riley Signs LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh
In the off-season of 2010, Miami Heat GM Pat Riley managed to pull off one of the best moves in the history of the NBA. He managed to re-sign Dwyane Wade along with signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh, who by the way are all in their prime.
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Russell Westbrook’s Case for NBA MVP
December 4, 2010To say Russell Westbrook is becoming one of the best point-guards in the NBA, would be an understatement. This season, he is having a career year putting him in the conversation with Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, and Derrick Rose. At this point in the season, he could be the best as his position. Before you think I’m an idiot for saying that, finish reading this.
In his 3rd NBA season, Westbrook is averaging over 24 points per game, nearly 9 assists per game, 5 rebounds per game, and 2.2 steals per game, which are all increased from last season.
Through the first 20 games of the season he has scored 30 or more points 5 times, all while helping lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 13-7 record. The only point guards who put up 30 point games are typically Rose and CP3, and so far this season Westbrook is the second leading scorer for all point guards, just one point per game behind Rose.
In comparison to Westbrook’s season averages of 24, 9 and 5, the only other elite point guards who can compete with him are Derrick Rose at 25, 8 and 4, and Deron Williams at 21, 10 and 4.
Westbrook is top five in the NBA in scoring, assists, and steals. This gives the Thunder two of the top five leading scorers in the league. Scoring wise, he is right up there with Kevin Durant (27 ppg), Kobe (26 ppg), Dirk Nowitzki (25 ppg) and Monta Ellis (25 ppg). Statistically, he is ahead of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, and Danny Granger. Yeah he’s that good.
Over the last five games he is averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. This stretch includes a career best 43 point, 8 assist, 8 rebound game at Indiana. This was followed by consecutive double-doubles against Houston and New Orleans. He then played inarguably the best game of his career in a triple overtime win at New Jersey. He lead the Durant-less Thunder to a win, stuffing the stat sheet with 38 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists.
He also is continuously making NBA Highlight Reels and SportsCenter’s Top 10 with his thunderous (no pun intended) dunks. He could legitimately be a contender in the Dunk Contest as well.
On a list of NBA players who need to be taken more seriously and/or given more credit, Russell Westbrook is the headliner.
Yet again, there is an MVP candidate playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Surprisingly, it is not #35, its Russell Westbrook.
Although Durant is averaging 27 points per game, and coming off a cheated-out-of-winning-the-MVP-award last year averaging 30.1 points per game, he is not the team’s most valuable player.
KD’s scoring is without a doubt helping the Thunder, as would a 27 point contribution from any player every night, but so far, Westbrook is carrying the bulk of the work load. Westbrook is shooting a career high 45% from the field, whereas Durant is shooting 41%. Although this is very close, Durant needs more attention.
As the 2009-2010 scoring champion Kevin Durant now has a slightly bigger ego, and slightly more hunger to put up 30 ppg again, or more. Analysts, coaches, and players were all saying how if KD gets up a couple more shots in every game, and increases his three-point shooting, he could be averaging close to 40 points per game. Well, that’s working out great.
Durant is averaging about one more shot every game, as well as one more missed shot every game. This has brought his field goal percentage from 48% (2009-2010) to 41% (2010-2011). He is also shooting nearly two more three-point field goals every game.
Something else KD is known for is getting to the free-throw line. This year he averages 8.9 free-throws a game. If you think that is a lot, well Westbrook is averaging 9.2 free-throws a game. So he gets to the line even more than Durant.
Needless to say, KD is not having as good of a season as last year, but he is still without a doubt an All-Star.
Needless to say, Russell Westbrook is the most valuable player on the Oklahoma City Thunder, the best point guard in the NBA, and a contender for the 2010-2011 NBA MVP.
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Rondo-ing To New Heights
November 3, 2010
With a very exciting, highly anticipated start to the 2010-2011 NBA season, all eyes are presumably on the Miami Heat. Not if Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo had something to say. As he is beginning his 5th season in the Association out of the University of Kentucky, not only is the spotlight on him, but he has captured the eyes of the entire country, and most likely the entire basketball world.
Through the first five games of the season he has totaled up an astonishing 82 assists, breaking an NBA record. His seasonal averages thus far are 10 points per game and 17 assists per game. And no, that was not a typo. Regardless of whether or not he will keep this up, Rondo is putting up John Stockon and Jason Kidd-like numbers. On the 29th of October, Rondo posted a record-tying triple double against the New York Knicks in which he scored 10 points, snatched 10 rebounds, and dished out 24 assists. Not to mention this 24-assist record was set by a man named Isiah Thomas. All eyes will be on him from here on out.
Had I not gotten caught up in my first semester of college,(aka if I actually made an effort to) I would have posted my pre-season rankings and pre-season awards and predictions. Putting Rondo on an All-NBA team for this season would probably not have popped into my mind. I would have put Chris Paul on the first team, Deron Williams on the second team, and probably Steve Nash on the third team, all at the point-guard position. Secondly, I would not have said anything about Rondo having a break-out season, or a record breaking season. If he came up anywhere in any preview, I probably would have said something about him averaging about 10 points around 6-9 assists, and an impressive 2-3 steals per game. All-in-all he’d be a quiet fill-in for the All-Star game.
At this rate, he is literally going to shatter every NBA assist record, and win the 2011 NBA MVP.
As an unbiased NBA fan in Massachusetts, I can’t go about 100 feet without hearing the name Rondo. Not that this bothers me, but the University of Massachusetts at Amherst is turning into University of Rajon Rondo at Amherst. If I were a Celtics fan, I would probably wear a Rondo jersey 24/7, even to sleep in. I probably would never take it off. And that isn’t an exaggeration . That’s how awesome he is.
The upside-down-headband-less Rondo is playing at a new level. He is making extremely flashy behind the head/back/ear passes and weaving bounce passes through the congested lane and through defenders legs. I take back that last sentence because he has always done that.
As much as I’d like for him to keep this up, I think his assists per game will level off and he’ll finish the season averaging around 10-12 which will still be towards the top of the entire league.
Its probably really fun being a Celtics fan. Actually, I probably appreciate the assists and Rondo’s playing just as much as the C’s fans do.
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To The One They Call David Kahn,
September 3, 2010
Ricky Rubio
I’m going to start out real blunt, and say a barely literate second grader would do a better job running an NBA franchise than you have done. Okay maybe not barely literate, but definitely once they reach the Roald Dahl stage of manhood. I’d also like to start out by apologizing for all the Bill Simmons “Kahn” references I may or may not use in this column (apparently he took it from Star Trek, but I’d much rather be caught quoting Bill Simmons than…I’m not even going to say it). Some will find it annoying, and some will tell me I didn’t do BS justice. Although that kinda side tracks from the whole “letter to David Kahn” theme, KAAAAAAAAAAAHN!!!
I have a serious problem with you being entitled “president of basketball operations” for the Minnesota Timberwolves. I have a problem with you being entitled the “president” of anything, be it the Hawaiian Little League team. You are nothing short of an embarrassment, and you make me wonder why I’m not the general manager of an NBA team already. I’m cut for the job; know a lot about the game, and a lot about the players, kind of to the point where its sort of abnormal- with that being said, myself or anyone with the slightest knowledge of the NBA (Kobe Bryant is on the Lakers will suffice) could do a better job than you have. There are in fact reports of U2 changing their 2004 album “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,” to “How To Dismantle An NBA Franchise,” in honor of you. There are also reports of curriculum changes in most high schools nationwide from lessons on the fall of the Roman Empire, to the fall of the Minnesota Timberwolves. What you have done is truly remarkable.
No need to waste my time, or your valuable time discussing the notorious point-guard issue in Minnesota. The amount of jaws dropping to the floor is approaching six figures. We are all aware of you drafting 45-billion point-guards in the ’09 Draft, and as if that wasn’t dumb enough, you couldn’t even manage to keep more than one. Johnny “turnovers” Flynn (debates on whether or not that is a nickname or his middle name still continue). Why you signed another point-guard this off-season in Luke Ridnour is also funny because you still have the rights to Ricky Rubio, who easily cracks my top-three favorite players. At this rate, Rubio will never play for the T-Wolves, for it is “too cold in Minnesota.” Nice negotiating. KAAAAAAAAAHHHHHN!!!!! (Sorry for incidentally wasting everyone’s time)
Maybe in the upcoming 2011 Draft you’ll go with point-guards Brandon Knight AND Kyle Erving! This would only be a result of you landing one lottery pick (which is guaranteed), and trading Kevin Love, Wes Johnson, Wayne Ellington, Corey Brewer, Michael Beasley, and the rights to Ricky Rubio, for another lottery pick in which you pass up on stars like Perry Jones, Fab Melo, Enes Kanter, and Kyle Singler, just to stack up on point-guards! There are some promising floor-generals I play with every Saturday morning, a few D2 and D3 players 5-20 years past their prime, perhaps you’d be interested?
While I’m on the discussion of the draft, I’d like to point out how getting Wes Johnson over more promising pro-prospects like DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe is NOT a good idea. At least you didn’t pick a point-guard. I count that as .001 steps in the right direction. I’d also like to make fun of you, in hindsight for picking Johnny Turnovers Flynn, over Stephen Curry and Brandon Jennings. Besides wearing the hell out of headbands, there’s nothing Flynn really brings to the table.
On a different note, lets go to the big-men end of the spectrum. You get rid of arguably the core of what you have today in Al Jefferson, who is a 20 and 10 guy every night, and then you bring in three European big men to replace him, and potentially the biggest bust in pro sports since Ryan Leaf; Darko Milicic. Sweeeet! His backups are Kosta Koufos and Nikola Pekovic, who could not be more unproven. Go big or go home Kahn, I like it. Milicic, who was drafted ahead of Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh in the ’03 Draft has averaged 5 points and 4 rebounds a game throughout his overwhelming career in which he plays about 5 minutes a game. Nice acquisition Kahn. Really. But you don’t stop there, you continue by comparing this washed-up European model-want-to-be to Vlade Divac and Chris Webber on national TV. I’m sorry but comparing Darko Milicic to Divac and C-Webb, is not allowed. In fact, I’m sure its illegal in most countries.
Lastly, I would like to express my disapproval in your signing of one-time college standout Michael Beasley. He has been getting in trouble for marijuana use literally since his Rookie Training Program started in 2008. Nothing against him as a player, but I’d like to quote you when you said, “he’s a very young and immature kid who smoked too much marijuana and has told me that he’s not smoking anymore.” Oh! So the immature kid who smoked too much marijuana isn’t smoking anymore? I wouldn’t exactly buy that Kahn. When Beasley gets busted again this season, I’ll laugh at you. KAAAAAAAAAAAAAHN!!!! You’ve got issues to work out in Minnesota.
All in all, thank you for ruining one of thirty teams that the NBA has, making this season slightly less fun and exciting due to the terrible basketball quality of the Timberwolves.
There will come a day when the T-Wolves get rid of you. This day will go down as a national holiday, similar to Memorial Day, or Columbus Day, but BIGGER, seeing as your firing is more important than the discovery of America. Kahn, on this day every year, I will personally throw the biggest and “baddest” (I may make up words, but I don’t ruin NBA franchises…yet) celebratory party down in Amherst (banking on you being out of Minny in the next four years). Fan favorite “How To Dismantle An NBA Franchise” will be playing all night on the speaker system.
Sleep with one eye open Kahn, I’ll be taking over your job in due time.
Sincerely,
(insert signature here)
D. Dobbs
P.S.
KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHN!!!!!
P.P.S.
Probable party for when Beasley gets busted this winter.
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First Contestant for Miami Heat: Team Chemistry
August 8, 2010
As I laid in bed the other night, a million things rushed through my head. Not only how I continuously fail to get a summer job, but also the fact that I head off to college in less than a month. But more importantly, I couldn’t realistically fathom how the Miami Heat are possibly going to play together. Yeah that’s right I said it. Putting two of the top three NBA players together, and three of the top ten. It’s a perfectly drawn up recipe for a brutal “ego-thunderstorm.” It would be like having Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco on the same team…oh wait….
Basketball-wise it would be like Jordan teaming up with Larry Bird and Karl Malone in the 90s…hence the “Dream Team.” So is it possible to have Dwyane Wade coincide with LeBron James, and then Chris Bosh on top of all that? I just can’t imagine how the basketball would be played.
Granted they’ll run the east coast, but it’s going to be a slow start for the newly established powerhouse.
Let’s start out with the main attraction, LeBron James. Averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game throughout his 7-year career, it is without a doubt that his scoring will decline. When you have the 2006 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and inarguably the third best overall player in the entire NBA at your side, LeBron’s chance of averaging 30+ points has essentially been negated.
His scoring will drop to about 18-24 points per game, but his assists will increase. He should be able to average double-digit assists pretty easily and will flirt with Oscar Robertson’s 1961 record of averaging a triple-double in a single season. We could very well witness the second player in NBA history average a triple-double over the course of a season. We clearly see how LeBron fared with shooting-guards like Anthony Parker and Delonte West, but never would anyone imagine LeBron teaming up with the next best player in the NBA.
Miami Heat shooting-guard Dwyane Wade.
Two players, on the same team, both averaging 25+ point per game over their seven-year-career (both drafted in 2003)? I don’t think so. Lets face it. They know they’re the best. Just like Kobe is king of Los Angeles, just like Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Sidney Crosby, Usain Bolt, Roger Federer, Michael Phelps. They’re the best at what they do and they know it. There’s absolutely no hiding it, especially when the entire world knows it. Mix two of the top three basketball players in the world together, and things might not go so smoothly.
Ever since Dwyane Wade has entered the league in ’03 I’m convinced he is one of few professional athletes who is impossible to hate. 
Instead of glowing with rays of cockiness, rudeness, selfishness and any other –ness that most athletes are plagued with, he is a man who loves what he does, and just focuses on it. He glows with rays of swagger, hunger, passion, and an obscene knowledge for the game. He is a fearless competitor who plays with his heart. The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear “Crunch-Time-Player”, Dwyane Wade. In my opinion, and as my friends would know too well, Dwyane Wade literally defines “Crunch-Time-Player.” Five second left, down one, you’re going to want to get the ball in Wade’s hands. There is no one else (robots don’t count) on this planet who would rather take the shot.
Trying as much as possible not to get side tracked, we move on to Chris Bosh, the only player in the NBA who emulates the team mascot in which he plays for (not counting the Heat…a forecast is barely a mascot). (Part 2 just for fun)
Bosh, who was also drafted in 2003, has established himself as one of the elite big-men in the entire Association. With the exception of light-out-shooting, there is really nothing Bosh can’t do. He can fly, dunk, rebound post-up, dribble, consistently knock down 18-footers, and make flashy passes (and even act?). He is the perfect size for a power-forward, but too small to match up against most centers. In my mind he is essentially the black Pau Gasol, but with more confidence, swagger, and the super-star mentality.
Bosh’s numbers will go down because there isn’t enough time in the 48-minute-span to get him the touches and looks he was used to getting in Toronto. Safe to say, he is the third option.
This brings me back to my point on team chemistry. Sure they were all “brothas” or what not on the ’08 USA Olympic team, and have told every source of media they’re all extremely close and team chem won’t be an issue. Come December or January, when LeBron doesn’t get as many shots as he wants, or when Wade doesn’t like the looks he’s getting, or when Bosh isn’t getting enough touches in the paint, there will be issues. Coach Erik Spoelstra will have his hands full trying to baby-sit a bunch of grown men who can’t yet get their act together.
Who is gonna be the alpha-dog? All three players have huge egos, and they’re all in their prime. Their journey to a legendary career has barely started and they’re already teaming up.
Compare it to when Garnett and Ray Allen teamed up with Pierce on the Celtics. You can’t. Both players
were past their prime, at their last resort to do anything to win, luckily, the pieces fit the puzzle and all is well in Beantown. On the other hand, LeBron is coming off back-to-back MVPs, Wade is coming of an NBA Championship, and a Championship MVP in ’06, and all three players are coming off countless, literally, countless numbers of all-star selections and all-NBA team selections. Needless to say, they are all in their prime.
Rocky start for the ’10-’11 Miami Heat. Their checklist is as follows: need to disregard all previous accolades, figure out how to play selfless team-basketball, contact Ron Artest, hire a psychiatrist or two, start a reality show, get prime-time on VH1, compile a record breaking win streak of 34+ games sometime in February-March, make an expected Finals run.
Should be an interesting year in the NBA.
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10 Candidates for 2010-2011 NBA MVP
August 5, 201010. Steve Nash- Phoenix Suns
Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in 2005 and 2006, and since then he has always found a way to sneak himself into the MVP discussion. Nash will be leading the Amare-less Suns, which shouldn’t be a problem for this fearless leader. The only problem is the competition in the West.
9. Brandon Jennings- Milwaukee Bucks
Young Buck, who was a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year last year, will carry the Bucks to higher places. Last year he shocked the world and helped lead them to the six seed in the Eastern Conference. Entering his second season, expect bigger things this year from Jennings, and the Bucks. Watch out for this team.
8. Carmelo Anthony- Denver Nuggets
With the LeBron James chip constantly always on his shoulder, Melo his hungrier than ever to prove he is more valuable than The King was. Since this could be his last year in Denver, he wants to show just how valuable he is, as he is one of the most underrated players at making his teammates better.
7. Tyreke Evans- Sacramento Kings
Evans, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is about to carry the whole town of Sacramento on his back, along with teammate DeMarcus Cousins. Evans will lead the team to the playoffs which will instantly put him in the discussion for Most Valuable Player.
6. Brandon Roy- Portland Trail Blazers
With Roy leading the young exciting Trail Blazers potentially as high as a 4 seed in the West, Roy becomes an instant candidate for MVP like he has previously. If he can stay healthy for the entire season, he is just about as good as any other 2-3 guard in the league.
5. Deron Williams- Utah Jazz
No Carlos Boozer? No problem. Deron’s got a new teammate in town to run the highly effective pick and roll offense; Al Jefferson. Quite possibly looking at a better season than last year numerically.
4. Derrick Rose- Chicago Bulls
Rose will lead the Bulls yet again, this time with a stronger supporting cast. If Rose can limit the turnovers, keep up his steals, and average close to double-digit assists, he can be one of the top players in the Association this year.
3. Kobe Bryant- Los Angeles Lakers
Another player who will always be an MVP candidate. Winner of the 2008 MVP, Kobe’s already sky-high chances go up now that LeBron is no longer an MVP threat.
2. Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic
For the rest of his career, Howard will always be a top-three MVP candidate. Defensively, he’s untouchable. The only thing holding him back from hoisting the trophy is a higher free-throw percentage resulting in a higher points per game average.
1. Kevin Durant- Oklahoma City Thunder
Had LeBron James made his move one season earlier, Durant already would have snagged his first MVP, at a record breaking 21-years of age. The record for youngest player to ever win the MVP award will not be going anywhere, as KD will win it this season at 22-years-young. As the reigning scoring champ in only his third year (30 ppg), and a summers-worth of overseas exposure, he will return better than ever. He’ll lead the Thunder towards the top of the Western Conference averaging nearly 35 points per game.
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Mark the Shark
July 27, 2010Mark Titus, former Ohio State benchwarmer, author of the Club Trillion Blog, and now member of the Harlem Globetrotters. God among men.
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Top 10 Moves of 2010 NBA Off-Season
July 27, 2010With the five worst moves of the summer already covered, here’s a Top-10 breakdown of the biggest winners of this NBA off-season. The list is in order from “thank god we resigned Joe Johnson” to “we are now serious title contenders.” Who sweeps away the competition and lands the #1 move of the summer?
10. Joe Johnson
Consider him the luckiest man alive, signing a 6-year, $123 million extension with the Atlanta Hawks. He is the highest signed free-agent this summer as his contract is over $20 million more than LeBron James’, and over $25 million more than Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh’s. Without Johnson resigning, Atlanta would be a black hole for basketball…but $123 million for a 30-year old shooting guard who can’t carry a team out of the second round of the playoffs? Come on, the guy is no Kobe Bryant. Johnson better be counting his blessings for this max-out contract deal.
9. New York Knicks
Losing their big-time player David Lee, the Knicks managed to sign an upgrade in Amare Stoudemire. Although he is no LeBron James, Carmelo Anothny, or Chris Paul, this will certainly improve the quality of basketball in the city for the next couple years. They also upgraded at the point-guard position, signing Raymond Felton. Who knows, by the time July 2011 comes rolling around, they could sign ‘Melo. Potential bright future for the Knicks, above 
average off-season. They’ll just miss the 2011 Playoffs, but have a safe spot in the spring of 2012.
09-10 record: 29-53, Projected 10-11 record: 40-42
Projected starting lineup:
PG Raymond Felton
SG Bill Walker
SF Danilo Galinari
PF Amare Stoudemire
C Ronny Turiaf
8. Washington Wizards
Although they lost Mike Miller, Randy Foye and Shaun Livingston, there is hope in the city of Washington! This October, John Wall and Gilbert Arenas will take the court together, forming a “Batman/Robin” type backcourt. They also signed gutsy-veteran Kirk Hinrich who could be a possible 6th-Man-of-the-Year Candidate. And if you thought they were weak in the big-man department, think again. Center Javale McGee, the two-year player out of Nevada, has literally erupted out of nowhere in the Summer League and during Team USA training camp, where he could land a spot representing our country. This franchise will slowly turn around. Oh and one more thing, ladies and gentlemen, Gilbert Arenas is back.
09-10 record: 26-56, Projected 10-11 record: 31-51
Projected starting lineup:
PG John Wall
SG Gilbert Arenas
SFAl Thornton
PF Andre Blatche
C Javale McGee
7. Boston Celtics
Not the best moves this off-season, but enough to keep them in contention of an NBA Championship for the next couple of seasons. They managed to land All-Star free-agent Jermaine O’Neal, as well as resigning Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, keeping the Big Three intact. Need I go into depth on how valuable these two players are for the Celtics? I think not. They also had a pretty solid draft, snagging point guard Avery Bradley out of Texas, as well as the defensive stalwart out of Notre Dame, Luke Harangody (hopefully replaces 6-time award winner for Hands Down Worst Player in the NBA, Brian Scalabrine). Don’t be surprised if they reach the finals again this year, it’ll be a tough task, but definitely possible.
09-10 record: 50-32, Projected 10-11 record: 52-30
Projected starting lineup:
PG Rajon Rondo
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O’Neal
6. Utah Jazz
The Jazz did about the best job this off-season in replacing their key losses. They lost Carlos Boozer, whom they signed Al Jefferson to replace, and they lost Wes Matthews, signing Raja Bell to replace their former shooting guard. Al Jefferson could potentially put up better numbers day in and day out than Boozer did in Utah, which
could get them a few more wins. They will still be a strong playoff contender in the West.
09-10 record: 53-29, Projected 10-11 record: 54-28
Projected starting lineup:
PG Deron Williams
SG CJ Miles
SF Andrei Kirilenko
PF Al Jefferson
C Mehmet Okur
5. Sacremento Kings
Hats off to the Kings for winning the “We Somehow Escaped the Draft Secretly Snagging the Best Pick” Award. California, meet DeMarcus Cousins, your savior. He will revive basketball in Sacramento to potentially the Bibby-Christie-Stojakovic-Webber-Divac Days. The Kings also signed center Samuel Dalembert, making their front court officially the most intimidating in the NBA. Also, with guard and reigning Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans maturing, things will only get better for Sacramento. I refuse to get off my high horse about Cousins, he will win
Rookie of the Year and Sacramento will make the playoffs (due to a slight weakening in the Western Conference).
09-10 record: 25-57, Projected 10-11 record: 48-34
Projected starting lineup:
PG Tyreke Evans
SG Francisco Garcia
SF Omri Casspi
PF DeMarcus Cousins
C Samuel Dalembert
4. Chicago Bulls
For a team that failed to land LeBron, D-Wade, or Bosh, they turned out to have one of the best off-seasons thusfar. They made key improvements, and could make a much deeper run in the playoffs than before. They lacked a real big-man; they signed Carlos Boozer, they lacked perimeter shooting; they signed Kyle Korver, they lacked that “Super-Star Charisma”; they signed Tracy McGrady (almost done). They also signed defensive mastermind Tom Thodaeu as their new Head Coach. The pieces to this puzzle fit almost too perfectly. This is one of the few teams in the NBA that can counter-act Miami’s three-headed-monster. They should finish somewhere in the top four of the Eastern Conference.
09-10 record: 41-41, Projected 10-11 record: 48-34
Projected starting lineup:
PG Derrick Rose
SG Kyle Korver
SF Luol Deng
PF Carlos Boozer
C Joakim Noah
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Even though they weren’t the talk of the summer, like the Heat, Knicks, Cavs, Lakers, or Bulls, the Thunder can thank Mr. Kevin Durant, for just about everything. This summer he signed a five-year contract extension, showing his devotion and loyalty to his team. Coming off a shocking season, where they battled Kobe and the Lakers in a 6 game series in the playoffs, the Thunder have improved immensely in maturity. Point guard Russell Westbrook is looking to lead team USA this summer in the FIBA tournament and Durant is the star of the team. Bold prediction here, but with the subtle moves this off-season, the Thunder will soar to the top-three in the Western
Conference with an evening more shocking season. Since LeBron isn’t a one man show anymore, this means the 2010-2011 NBA MVP will be Kevin Durant (who will also be the scoring champion for a second time, at age 22).
09-10 record: 50-32, Projected 10-11 record: 56-26
Projected starting lineup:
PG Russell Westbrook
SG James Harden
SF Kevin Durant
PF Jeff Green
C Nenad Krstic
2. Los Angeles Lakers
No superstars are heading for Hollywood, but the back-to-back NBA Champions strengthened their championship caliber team as they resigned point guard Derek Fisher, and also replaced Jordan Farmar with veteran point guard Steve Blake. The organization also got one last year out of legendary coach Phil Jackson. They are one of three times I believe that can contend for the Championship this year. Kobe couldn’t care less about what’s going on in South Beach. He will destroy anything that comes in his way. This starting five will be remembered for a very long time.
09-10 record: 57-25, Projected 10-11 record: 56-26
Projected starting lineup:
PG Derek Fisher
SG Kobe Bryant
SF Ron Artest
PF Pau Gasol
C Andrew Bynum
1. Miami Heat
The winners. This much hated “super-team” will not dissapoint this season, as they should come out with the leagues best record. They may not win the title this year due to figuring out the team chemistry, but they will win three out of the next six titles. Miami Heat. Los Angeles Lakers. 2011 NBA Finals. Seven game series. Book it.
09-10 record: 47-35, Projected 10-11 record: 65-17
Projected starting lineup:
PG Mario Chalmers
SG Dwyane Wade
SF LeBron James
PF Chris Bosh
C Zydrunas Ilgauskus
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