East
Atlantic Division
1 New York Knicks 49-33
The Knicks have the primary pieces in place with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire and even Chauncey Billups is good enough for the Knicks to make a serious run in the playoffs. I think Landry Fields might be in for a sophomore slump and the Knicks will need to have a solid draft and a solid free agency period. The Knicks have enough talent at the top to compete with anyone, but it will be up to what they do in the offseason that will determine how they do in the playoffs next season.
2 Boston Celtics 46-36
The Celtics need an identity change. There identity now is the aging big three hoping to piece together one more run. We saw in the playoffs last season, the Celtics group currently cannot compete with Miami and the probably can't compete with Chicago in a playoff series. The Knicks will certainly give the Celtics a run for their money in their own division. So it will be interesting to see whether the Celtics part with some of the big three, build around Rondo, stock up on draft picks or maybe even land Dwight Howard.
3 Philadelphia 76ers 43-39
The 76ers were one of the NBA's biggest surprises last year and they look to improve on that in the offseason. We'll see whether Monta Ellis comes to Philly for Andre Igoudala but with the squad they have now, anything less than the playoffs will be a disappointment.
4 New Jersey Nets 35-47
The Nets now have Deron Williams, so here starts the rebuilding. This will be their last season in Newark, season or no season and I think that the Nets might be able to sneak into the playoffs. Williams can take games over and make his teammates better, but with their team now, it's not quite enough for the playoffs.
5 Toronto Raptors 25-57
There isn't a lot going for the Raptors right now, but Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozen are nice pieces. They need to have a good draft and maybe bring in a player or two in the offseason, but even then they are a year or two away from a postseason appearance.
Central Division
1 Chicago Bulls 60-22 
The Bulls were the top seed in the East last season but they were exposed in the conference finals by Miami. The Bulls need to decide whether or not they want to part ways with Carlos Boozer or not. They also need a starting shooting guard. Also, I know that they are a deep team, but they need to get even deeper to beat Miami. The Bulls have many of the pieces in place and they are very close from being a championship team.
2 Milwaukee Bucks 43-39
Milwaukee took Atlanta to seven games in the Eastern quarters in 2009 but they were not the same team in 2010-2011. I think that Brandon Jennings is ready to lead this team back to the playoffs, but it would be nice if they could get contributions from a rookie or two.
3 Indiana Pacers 39-43
The Pacers played the Bulls very competitively in the first round this year. They have a go-to guy in Danny Granger along with decent guard play with Darren Collison and solid rebounding from Roy Hibbert. If the Pacers can get back to the playoffs that would be a big step forward for the franchise.
4 Detroit Pistons 36-46
The main problem for the Pistons is that their identity is one of many older star players with humungous egos who create chemistry issues within the locker room. The Pistons need to get rid of a guy like Tracy McGrady and even Richard Hamilton. Out with the old and in with the new because the new is pretty promising with Will Bynum, Rodney Stuckey and Greg Monroe.
5 Cleveland Cavaliers 24-58
If they draft Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers will be beginning to head back in the right direction. Right now they have no good players really because J.J. Hickson isn't exactly what he is supposed to be on the offensive end. The Cavaliers fortunes can change if Kyrie Irving proves to be the real deal, they could even transform like New Orleans, Utah and Chicago did when they landed star point guards in the draft.
Southeast Division
1 Miami Heat 67-15
The most talked about team in the NBA still has not won a title. The pressure will mount until the moment they capture their first title. So why do I think the Heat will fare so well in the regular season? The Heat have finally gelled together as a team and they are far more talented then practically every team in the NBA. They might even challenge the Bulls' 72 win season. But non of that matters because it all depends on what they do in the playoffs. The Heat will play their best in the regular season because they won't feel any of the pressure that killed them when it mattered against the Mavericks.
2 Orlando Magic 57-25
The Magic had a very disappointing campaign last year. Dwight Howard was terrific, but it just seemed like the team never really came together. I think next year, the Magic could get back to playing the type of basketball they played in the two prior seasons to last year. The Magic will also be motivated to add pieces around Dwight Howard so he is content.
3 Atlanta Hawks 49-33
The Hawks have appeared in the second round for the last three years which proves that they are consistent but they lack something to get them over the hump. They need more role players around their starting lineup because they have many of the pieces in place. They are capable of going to the Eastern Conference Finals.
4 Washington Wizards 32-50
The Wizards have John Wall, who may develop into one of the best point guards in the league and they also have young big men like Javele McGee and Andrew Blatche. They are also bogged down by people like Rashard Lewis. That being said, the Wizards are heading in the right direction.
5 Charlotte Bobcats 17-65
The Bobcats are heading in the wrong direction. They were a playoff team two years ago and now it seems that they do not have one good player. The Bobcats will definitely have a top 3 selection in next years draft.
Eastern Conference Seeds
1 Miami Heat
2 Chicago Bulls
3 Orlando Magic
4 New York Knicks
5 Atlanta Hawks
6 Boston Celtics
7 Philadelphia 76ers
8 Milwaukee Bucks
Eastern Playoff Predictions
Quarters
1) Miami over 8) Milwaukee 4-0
2) Chicago over 7) Philadelphia 4-2
6) Boston over 3) Orlando 4-3
4) New York over 5) Atlanta 4-3
Semis
4) New York over 1) Miami 4-3
2) Chicago over 6) Boston 4-0
Eastern Finals
2) Chicago over 4) New York 4-2
So the biggest surprise here is that I have Miami going out in the second round. I think that Miami will have so much pressure on them that once they run into New York, who has a guy in Amare Stoudemire that can dominate the post, a guy that can score at will like LeBron and Wade and a guy who can hit clutch shots like Chauncey Billups. It probably wouldn't happen, but it's an early season prediction, I'll take the Knicks. The Bulls will rebuild off of last seasons disappointing end and head to their first NBA Finals post Michael Jordan era.
West
Southwest
1 Dallas Mavericks 56-26
The Dallas Mavericks will open up next season as the defending champions. They will likely return a bulk of their team and they'll add Caron Butler back into their lineup. It will be tough for the Mavericks to repeat but they will be a forced to be reckoned with in the NBA.
2 Memphis Grizzlies 51-31
The Grizzlies were the surprise team of 2011 after upsetting the top seeded Spurs and taking the Thunder to a seventh game. The Grizzlies are young, so they should be around for a few years. If the Grizzlies make it back to the playoffs, the team will be officially headed in the right direction.
3 San Antonio Spurs 48-34
The Spurs were upset by the Grizzlies in one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. The Spurs had the best record in the NBA and they looked terrible against the Grizzlies. I know that Tim Duncan is older and past his prime, Tony Parker is not one of the game's elite point guards any more but the Spurs still have Manu Ginobili. If he was healthy, the Spurs would've have certainly beaten the Grizzlies and then probably had a long series against the Thunder. If Manu is healthy next year, don't be surprised to see the Spurs win this division.
4 New Orleans Hornets 48-34
The Hornets lost David West last year and it looked like their season was allover. But then Chris Paul took over. By himself, he took over games against the Lakers and gave the Hornets a shot. Chris Paul is the best pure point guard in the NBA so that will get the Hornets into the playoffs. They also have a good supporting cast with West, Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza but they need a few more role players.
5 Houston Rockets 42-40
The Rockets were pretty disappointing last year and I didn't really see how they didn't make the playoffs. But now they have Kevin McHale in to coach the team and maybe he will be able to tap out the potential the Rockets have with Kevin Martin and Luis Scola. The Rockets are a border line playoff team.
Northwest
1 Oklahoma City Thunder 60-22
The Thunder have taken huge strides over the past three years and they hope to get to the Finals this upcoming season. The Thunder have loads of young talent and two star players. They need to have better communication and decide who is taking the key shots when the game is on the line. Kevin Durant can assert himself as the best player in the NBA if he is able to lead the Thunder to the finals.
2 Portland Trailblazers 54-28
Portland has not gotten past the first round in 10 years. This could be their best shot yet. They have scoring, role players, defensive stoppers, rebounders. All they need is good health. If Brandon Roy can stay healthy and maybe even Greg Oden produces, the Blazers are a dark horse for a finals appearance.
3 Denver Nuggets 44-38
The Nuggets parted ways with Carmelo Anthony and it might have even made them a better team. But we will really see what the Nuggets can do in their first full season without Carmelo. They need to establish a number one scoring option while continuing to play team offense, which allowed them to have success in the second half of next year.
4 Utah Jazz 35-47
Utah is in a a similar position as Denver except they didn't pick up nearly as many quality pieces as Denver did. Utah will need to start rebuilding and they will need to figure out who they will rebuild around.
5 Minnesota Timberwolves 26-56
Kevin Love is one of the best players in the NBA and he is the certain future of the Timberwolves. They also have Michael Beasley, a guy who can average 20+. Now, Ricky Rubio is coming to Minnesota to run the offense and prove that he is all the hype. Let's say Rubio is a Steve Nash player, could this team be a surprise playoff team? I think so, but they need a bench to support the starting five.
Pacific
1 Los Angeles Lakers 61-21
Although the Lakers didn't complete the three peat, they still are one of the favorites going into next year. After all, the have Kobe Bryant, one of the league's best players. Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom are still very productive underneath. I think the Lakers need another point guard, someone like Raymond Felton would fit in perfectly. However, with the Lakers roster as it is, they can still very easily head back to the NBA Finals.
2 Golden State Warriors 45-37
They have the best young back court in the NBA, but Monta Ellis could be on the move for Andre Igoudala. New coach Mark Jackson is going to stress defense. If the Warriors buy into the defense and maintain their offensive explosiveness, the Warriors will be heading to the playoffs.
3 Los Angeles Clippers 38-44
The Clippers are only one or two pieces away from being a threat in the West. They have Blake Griffin, they have Eric Gordon, they have other young pieces. They should easily be contending for a playoff spot and if they're not, I think it's time to consider Blake Griffin an exciting yet overrated player.
4 Phoenix Suns 37-45
The Suns are no longer the same team they were a couple of years ago. They might move Steve Nash and change the whole identity of the team or they could keep him and try to sneak into the playoffs. Either way, the Suns at best are an 8 seed in the West.
5 Sacramento Kings 26-56
The Kings literally have zero talent. They don't have a point guard, a solid big man, a big time scorer, nothing. Tyreke Evans can't do it all. The Kings are a few drafts away from heading back to the playoffs.
Western Conference Seeds
1 Los Angeles Lakers
2 Oklahoma City Thunder
3 Dallas Mavericks
4 Portland Trailblazers
5 Memphis Grizzlies
6 San Antonio Spurs
7 New Orleans Hornets 8 Golden State Warriors
Western Playoff Predictions
Quarters
1) Los Angeles over 8) Golden State 4-2
7) New Orleans over 2) Oklahoma City 4-3
6) San Antonio over 3) Dallas 4-2
4) Portland over 5) Memphis 4-1
Semis
1) Los Angeles over 4) Portland 4-2
6) San Antonio over 7) New Orleans 4-2
Western Finals
1) Los Angeles over 6) San Antonio 4-1
So, as you can see I have Los Angeles heading back to the Finals. The Lakers have one more really good run left in them. After all, they were still a 2 seed last year, they just didn't match up with the Mavericks well at all. Also, I have San Antonio heading to the Western Finals. I'm going to say that Manu Ginobili stays healthy all year and the Spurs play the same basketball in the playoffs as they did in the regular season last year. I have New Orleans upsetting Oklahoma City because I think Chris Paul is somehow extremely underrated and the Thunder got lucky last year by getting the luck of the draw. This year, the Thunder look ahead of the Hornets and get upset. I also have Dallas, the defending champions, loosing to the Spurs. I just like the Spurs next year and the Mavericks are going to have a tough time repeating.
NBA Finals Prediction 
Chicago Bulls over Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 The Chicago Bulls, led by Derrick Rose will win the championship over the Lakers. They will learn from their first legitimate playoff run last year and make the necessary adjustments. Derrick Rose will be even more clutch, Boozer will be better than he was last year and the role players will continue to step up. The Lakers will compete with the Bulls, but their youth is too much for the aging Lakers.
Early Awards Predictions
MVP: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Miami (Co-MVP's)
Finals MVP: Derrick Rose, Chicago
Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving
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