Atlantic
1 New York Knicks
Outlook: The Knicks are ready to become serious contenders. The addition of Tyson Chandler will solidify the Knicks against teams who have dominant big men. The rest of the NBA is also ready to see just how dynamic the duo of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire can, and will be. The Knicks are poised to potentially make a serious run into May this year.
Record: 41-25
2 Philadelphia 76ers
Outlook: Do I smell a changing of the guard in the East? Evan Turner is ready to burst onto the scene and become the next star in Philly, Jrue Holliday is ready to crack the top half of point guards in the NBA and Andre Iguodala is ready to take the 76ers to a second straight playoff appearance. The big question for the Sixers is whether Elton Brand or Spencer Hawes steps up to give the 76ers a true post presence to contend in the East.
Record: 37-29
3 Boston Celtics
Outlook: If the Celtics are healthy and Rondo is happy, sure the Celtics can win the division and be a contender in the East. Here's the problem. It is clear that Doc Rivers wants no part of Rajon Rondo, meaning that Rondo will be miserable for the entire season unless he is traded. A disgruntled Rondo, an aging core of super stars that will not be able to bring it night in and night out in such a condensed season and not much youth to build around means the rebuilding starts now for Boston.
Record: 35-31
4 New Jersey Nets
Outlook: Deron Williams will keep the Nets competitive for most of this season but it will take a few role players at least to make the Nets into a playoff team. I expect the Nets to acquire Dwight Howard eventually and we'll see whether or not Howard is a Net by midseason. If the Nets can acquire Howard, they could sneak into the playoffs very easily. If not, they are headed for another 24 win season.
Record: 24-42
5 Toronto Raptors
Outlook: The Raptors are clearly rebuilding and it would take a miracle to turn this team around and into a playoff team. The Raptors will take a few baby steps towards improvement this year but are very far away.
Record: 19-47
Central
1 Chicago Bulls
Record: 49-17
2 Indiana Pacers
Record: 37-29
3 Milwaukee Bucks
Record: 29-37
4 Detroit Pistons
Record: 21-45
5 Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 20-46
Southeast
1 Miami Heat
Record: 56-10
2 Atlanta Hawks
Record: 39-27
3 Washington Wizards
Record: 29-37
4 Orlando Magic
Record: 27-39
5 Charlotte Bobcats
Record: 11-55
Playoffs
1 Miami Heat
2 Chicago Bulls
3 New York Knicks
4 Atlanta Hawks
5 Philadelphia 76ers
6 Indiana Pacers
7 Boston Celtics
8 Milwaukee Bucks
9 Washington Wizards
10 Orlando Magic
11 New Jersey Nets
12 Detroit Pistons
13 Cleveland Cavaliers
14 Toronto Raptors
15 Charlotte Bobcats
Eastern Quarters
1)Miami over 8)Milwaukee 4-0 - The Bucks don't stand a chance against the Heat in this first round matchup.
2)Chicago over 7)Boston 4-2 - Darren Collison sparks the Celtics and keeps the big three in it for a little while, but too much defense and Derrick Rose allow the Bulls to move on.
6)Indiana over 3)New York 4-3 - In a playoff clash for the ages, an upstart Pacers team defeats the star studded Knicks team to send the Knicks faithful home with another crushing blow.
4)Atlanta over 5)Philadelphia 4-2 - The 76ers put together a nice effort, but too much experience is the difference as the Hawks advance to the second round once again.
Eastern Semis
1)Miami over 4)Atlanta 4-1 - Miami, once again, breezes through another round of the playoffs in dominating fashion.
2)Chicago over 6)Indiana 4-3 - The Pacers will be this years Grizzlies, and they will send the young Bulls team to a seventh game. But like last year, Chicago gets it done in those late game situations.
Eastern Finals
1)Miami over 2)Chicago 4-1 - Chicago, for the second year in a row falls to the mighty Heat, with Miami outscoring the Bulls enough so Derrick Rose can't keep up
Eastern Champion: Miami Heat
Western Conference
Southwest Division
1 Dallas Mavericks
Record: 48-18
2 Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 40-26
3 San Antonio Spurs
Record: 38-28
4 Houston Rockets
Record: 36-30
5 New Orleans Hornets
Record: 34-32
Northwest Division
1 Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 54-12
2 Portland Trailblazers
Record: 40-26
3 Denver Nuggets
Record: 31-35
4 Utah Jazz
Record: 28-38
5 Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 25-41
Pacific Division
1 Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 45-21
2 Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 40-26
3 Golden State Warriors
Record: 31-35
4 Sacramento Kings
Record: 23-43
5 Phoenix Suns
Record: 16-50
Playoffs
1 Oklahoma City Thunder
2 Dallas Mavericks
3 Los Angeles Clippers
4 Portland Trailblazers
5 Los Angeles Lakers
6 Memphis Grizzlies
7 San Antonio Spurs
8 Houston Rockets
9 New Orleans Hornets
10 Golden State Warriors
11 Denver Nuggets
12 Utah Jazz
13 Minnesota Timberwolves
14 Sacramento Kings
15 Phoenix Suns
Western Quarters
1)Oklahoma City over 8)Houston 4-2 - Pau Gasol and the Rockets give the Thunder a run for a little while, but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook prove to be too much as the Thunder advance.
2)Dallas over 7)San Antonio 4-2 - Manu Ginobili keeps the Spurs around but the Dirk Nowitzki of last spring comes alive to eliminate the Spurs
6)Memphis over 3)Los Angeles 4-2 - Blake Griffin and Chris Paul can't keep up with the all around talent of the Grizzlies as the Grizzlies advance to the second round for the second year in a row
5)Los Angeles over 4)Portland 4-3 - Portland's first round misery continues as Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard are just enough to put the Lakers into the second round
Western Semis
5)Los Angeles over 1)Oklahoma City 4-2 - Kobe Bryant the executioner comes alive in this series as he shows Kevin Durant who's boss as the Lakers advance to the conference finals
2)Dallas over 6)Memphis 4-2 - Memphis comes awfully close once again, but the deep Mavericks have just enough to get by the Grizzlies in six
Western Finals
5)Los Angeles over 2)Dallas 4-2 - In an epic playoff series, the Lakers win with their defense led by Dwight Howard as they end Dallas' quest to win two years in a row
Western Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Finals
Miami Heat over Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
The dream team Heat claim their first title behind extraordinary play by Steve Nash, clutch shot making by Dwyane Wade and just enough from LeBron James to escape against Kobe Bryant who gives what could be his last hurrah. The Heat find a way to contain Dwight Howard just enough to scrape by in seven games.
Finals MVP: Dwyane Wade
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