Fanbay NBA
· NBA Stats.
2008-2009 NBA Standings Predictions: Eastern
· Western
2008-09 Season Preview - Predicted Final Team Standings (April 23, 2008)
2008-2009 COMING SOON
Eastern Conference
Overview: The East continues to be a messy sideshow in the NBA. Maybe the shift of some talented Western
Conference players (Garnett, Ray Allen, and Zach Randolph) to the East will make a difference. Or maybe the West
unloaded some old baggage on the East. We think it's possible Garnett and Allen's Celtics join Shaq's Heat in a fight for
the last playoff spot. Outside looking in is the talented upside in Charlotte and Atlanta, and the Bucks- a team
worthy of rooting for. At the top of the pack, the Bulls have a team with regular season heart and energy. Competing
behind the Bulls-- Detroit, New Jersey, Cleveland, Washington, and Toronto.
1. Chicago Bulls Scott Skiles
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 49-33 (+8)
Record 2005-2006: 41-41 (-6)
Record 2004-2005: 47-35 (+24)
Record 2003-2004: 23-59 (-7)
Upside: More wins hinges on one of two things. Either 1) Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Kirk Hinrich continue to
improve and become legitimate top-tier NBA players at their positions, or 2) head coach Scott Skiles being able to make
the most of a talented and very deep roster-- somehow getting the best out of everyone from PF's Tyrus Thomas and Joe
Smith to role players like Chris Duhon and Sefolosha to newcomers like Joakim Noah.
Recap: The Bulls just missed out on the #2 seed for the playoffs. So fans will be expecting the Bulls to compete
for the best team in the East. The quandry for the Bulls is this: the roster depth gives them an advantage for a successful
regular season. The catch: success in the playoffs likely depends on trading some of the depth for an inside scorer.
2. Detroit Pistons Flip Saunders
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 53-29 (-9)
Record 2005-2006: 64-18 (+10)
Record 2004-2005: 54-28 (no change)
Record 2003-2004: 54-28 (+4 wins)
Upside: The Pistons win total dropped 9 games last season and the frontcourt needs some help to stop a trend
from starting. Maybe the Pistons oughta use Tayshaun Prince as trade bait to shore up the paint. Jason Maxiell and Amir
Johnson have the ability to fill the SF role.
Recap: 'Sheed has the veteran experience and determination to keep this team near the top of the East. But the
Pistons can't afford for his abilities to start breaking down. The Pistons have a problem in the paint that will keep a lid on
their upside this year. The fact is they need 'Sheed to resist the temptation to shoot more and more jumpers and just punch
in to work and bang around in the paint. Bottom line: the Pistons hang near the top for another year.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers Mike Brown
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 50-32 (no change)
Record 2005-2006: 50-32 (+8)
Record 2004-2005: 42-40 (+7)
Record 2003-2004: 35-47 (+18)
Upside: Getting swept in the Finals means the Cavs come back this year with something to prove. But don't
forget, it took a win and Bulls loss on the final day of the season for Cleveland to lock up the #2 playoff spot. So there is
room for improvement, in the playoffs.. and the regular season.
Recap: The Cavs don't have a very striking roster, but they do have one of the NBA's best roster anchors,
LeBron James. This season SG's Daniel Gibson and Sasha Pavlovic should be the juice to complement the solid frontcourt
operations of Varejao, Gooden, and Ilgauskas. And then there's PG Larry Hughes, capable of carrying the team when
needed. Expect the Cavaliers to end up coasting a little in the regular season, in preparation for the playoffs.
4. Washington Wizards Eddie Jordan
Projected wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 41-41 (-1)
Record 2005-2006: 42-40 (-3)
Record 2004-2005: 45-37 (+20)
Record 2003-2004: 25-57 (-12)
Upside: Injuries at the end of last season (Arenas and Butler) spoiled what otherwise could have been a very big
season for the Wizards. So there is some reason to believe the Wizards have what they need to succeed.
Recap: Gilbert Arenas is now a bona-fide NBA superstar capable of carrying any team into the playoffs and
beyond. But the Wizards haven't added much around him. Healthy, they should be a playoff team. Further success
depends on solving the E.Thomas/B.Haywood situation in the paint; and, Head Coach Eddie Jordan having the faith to get
a meaningful contribution from 7-foot Ukranian Oleksiy Pecherov (who proved his ability in the summer leagues).
5. New Jersey Nets Lawrence Frank
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 41-41 (-8 wins from previous year)
Record 2005-2006: 49-33 (+7 wins)
Record 2004-2005: 42-40 (-5 wins)
Record 2003-2004: 47-35 (-2 wins)
Upside: Can the 2nd year UConn grads (Marcus Williams and Josh Boone) add some spark and spice to the team
this year? And can Richard Jefferson and Nenad Kristic stay healthy all year?
Recap: The Nets have the pieces to contend for the title, but they lack something magic that says they should be
title contenders. For several seasons Jason Kidd has usually complained he doesn't have the pieces in New Jersey, but it's
usually just wrong. There's no excuses. The Nets have all the piecs they need. So this is an all-or-none type season. The
Nets could be super good, or bordering on bad. Were picking right in the middle.
6. Toronto Raptors Sam Mitchell
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 47-35 (+20)
Record 2005-2006: 27-55 (-6)
Record 2004-2005: 33-49 (no change)
Record 2003-2004: 33-49 (+9)
Upside: Parker and Bosh are big-time players who proved their ability to step up come playoff time. This year, the
Raptors have all season to mold one or two more guys into a solid supporting cast.
Recap: Last year, the Raptors proved anything is possible. This year, regardless of any ups-and-downs in the
regular season, the Raptors should be poised to excel come playoff time. But don't forget that Mo Pete is gone and so new
coming shooter Jason Kapono has big shoes to fill and the Raptors will need consistent contributions from their 2nd year
players, Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbajosa.
7. Orlando Magic Stan Van Gundy
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 40-42 (+4)
Record 2005-2006: 36-46 (0)
Record 2004-2005: 36-46 (+15)
Record 2003-2004: 21-61 (-21)
Upside: Darko is gone. Enter Rashard Lewis. The scoring will be needed, but the Magic may wish they decided to
model their future around the Spurs roster-- they have Dwight Howard, their rock solid PF (like Duncan), but they need a
body to consistently play C and they need a solid playmaking PG. In this sense, Lewis is a very curious addition--
especially considering he's already entering his 10th NBA season (though he's still just 28-- 1-yr younger than Kobe-- since
he entered the NBA from high school). And with Lewis in, the team has to find a role for Hedo Turkoglu.
Recap: It seemed like Carlos Arroyo was going to breakthrough in the NBA after successfully leading the Puerto
Rico national team to a 2004 Olympics upset of Team USA. But neither the Jazz nor the Magic (nor the Pistons) have
realized that potential. So, Arroyo is left to pick up if current PG Jameer Nelson strugges. The Magic will need Nelson to
create a little more on offense, and then true success will depend on the play of C Tony Battie, A.Foyle, and whether
Trevor Ariza can contribute.
8. Boston Celtics Doc Rivers
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 24-58 (-9)
Record 2005-2006: 33-49 (-12)
Record 2004-2005: 45-37 (+9)
Record 2003-2004: 36-46 (-8)
Upside: What's not to like after adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the offseason? Well, the key thing missing
is depth Especially in the paint, someone like "Big Baby" Davis, or Scot Pollard, (or Leon Powe?) needs to make a
meaningful contribution.
Recap: Free agency makes worst-to-first possible in the NBA. The Celtics played much of last season without
Paul Pierce. With Pierce healthy and superstars Garnett and Allen added-- the Celtics are instant championship
contenders. But, is this a recipe for disaster-- 3 super stars- 30, 31, and 32 years old, without some offsetting youth and
excitement capable of solid play? Whether they click enough in the regular season to have the Eastern Division's best
record may not be the question. Could the Celtics start out slow and play catch-up the rest of the season just hoping to
make the playoffs. We think the Celtics superstars (not exactly known for winning-- even if Garnett can do a good acting
job) will adopt the Shaq-philosophy of doing just enough in the regular season.
9. Miami Heat Pat Riley
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 44-38 (-8)
Record 2005-2006: 52-30 (-7)
Record 2004-2005: 59-23 (+17)
Record 2003-2004: 42-40 (+17)
Upside: With Shaq around it may likely be another year of just waiting around for the playoffs to come. The
problem proved last year is that you can't always just flip a switch come playoff time. The Heat are going to need to
develop some teamwork by playing together to be better prepared for the playoffs.
Recap: The Heat have yet to add any real difference makers in the offseason and that could make the regular
season a little tougher than usual. Shaq and 'Zo are entering their 16th seasons. Will Dorell Wright or Wayne Simien be
able to contribute this season? Can the Heat embrace Jason Williams? He's solid enough for what they need. Or will they
act like they're tolerating a less than perfect situation? The addition of Smush Parker indicates the latter. Looks like the
Heat will stumble through another season. And, this time, the question isn't whether they will be prepared come playoff
time, the question is now: will they make the playoffs?
10. Indiana Pacers Jim O'Brien
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 35-47 (-6)
Record 2005-2006: 41-41 (-3)
Record 2004-2005: 44-38 (-17)
Record 2003-2004: 61-21 (+13)
Upside: The Pacers have nearly remade their roster, save their achilles heal, PG Jamaal Tinsley. Tinsley is loaded
with potential, but has yet to deliver. The upside is that Tinsley is not yet over the hill-- actually he could be hitting his prime
in his 7th season. But for Pacer fans, unfortunately, their destiny seems locked in his hands.
Recap: We give a big shout out to the Pacers for making a whole-hearted attempt at remaking the roster and
bringing in new pieces (including Travis Diener and Kareem Rush). But, can the Pacers score enough. On the roster,
behind Jermaine O'Neal, Danny Granger is the team's 2nd leading scorer. Dunleavy, Murphy, Marquis Daniels, and even
Ike Diogu are capable of helping out on the offensive end. But, ultimately, a bounce back from last season's 35 wins hinges
on Tinsley.
11. Milwaukee Bucks Larry Krystkowiak
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 28-54 (-12)
Record 2005-2006: 40-42 (+10)
Record 2004-2005: 30-52 (-11)
Record 2003-2004: 41-41 (-1)
Upside: The Bucks missing link is more power in the paint. To make the playoffs, someone, like 6-11 Charlie
Villanueva or their 6th pick in the NBA draft, China's 6-11 Yi Jianlian, needs to step up. You gotta admire a team that
drafts Jianlian even though he hates the thought of playing in Milwaukee and a team that steps up and matches the Heat's
offer for Charlie Bell. Now, if they can just find a way to play the guy-- he's loaded with upside talent.
Recap: The success of the Bucks will come down to how well they can play together. They've got pieces with
that kind of potential-- PG Mo Williams, SF Bobby Simmons, PF Charlie Villanueva, back-up C Dan Gadzuric, mixing with
bigger names like SG Michael Redd, PF Andrew Bogut, SF Desmond Mason. But its potential. They've got a coach (who
led the team the last 18 games last year) with a name just crazy enough to put this together-- Larry Krystkowiak (a former
Buck player, known for coaching the University of Montana for a couple years).
12. Charlotte Bobcats Sam Vincent
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 33-49 (+7)
Record 2005-2006: 26-56 (+8)
Record 2004-2005: 18-64 (new team)
Record 2003-2004: Not in league
Upside: Okafor has turned into a solid double-double starter, but last year's top pick (Adam Morrison who
averaged just 11.8 ppg and never broke through) caused the Bobcats to go out and get another scorer-- Jason Richardson.
Recap: If nothing else, the addition of J-Rich makes the Bobcats one of the more exciting teams in the East. Hot
ticket? Maybe not yet, but don't turn away a chance to see them play. Each year the Hornets are improving. And, heading
into their 4th season in the league the Hornets may actually be expected to make the playoffs. If Gerald Wallace and
J.Rich start to deliver on the excitement factor, that kind of contagious momentum could will the team to the playoffs--
a.k.a. the Warriors last year. But, the aging Heat and Celtics may crowd out this kind of upside for another year.
13. New York Knicks Isiah Thomas
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 33-49 (+10)
Record 2005-2006: 23-59 (-10)
Record 2004-2005: 33-49 (-6)
Record 2003-2004: 39-43 (+2)
Upside: "Embattled" is maybe not the best term, but its pretty close to describe the Knicks do-it-all Head Coach
and GM Isiah Thomas. There's the harassment lawsuit and the whole stacking the roster with gazillion-dollar contracts
thing. But, Isiah hasn't stopped trying. And maybe he's gonna have his Knicks turning the corner because of his refusal to
quit. They have a capable roster, especially after the addition of PF Zach Randolph.
Recap: The Knicks have a decent balance of youth (David Lee, Nate Robinson, and Renaldo Balkman) and
experience. The only issue is that the experience (Randolph 6 years, Curry 6, Crawford and Q-Rich 7, and Marbury 11)
isn't playoff caliber experience. The Knicks may do all right, but they lack players with that will to go somewhere. That's
Isiah's in-season challenge.
14. Atlanta Hawks Mike Woodson
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 30-52 (+4)
Record 2005-2006: 26-56 (+13)
Record 2004-2005: 13-69 (-15)
Record 2003-2004: 28-54 (-7)
Upside: If the NBA championship was decided by how many 6-8 interchangeable parts a team has, then the
Hawks could be declared the odds-on preseason favorite. They've got the quadruplets (Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Josh
Childress, and Marvin Williams) filling that role. Fortunately, the Hawks have started the process of fitting pieces around
them instead of adding more 6-8 talent to the madness. At PG Acie Law will push Speedy Claxton to provide consistent
leadership (lacking when the Hawks were relying on the Tyronne Lue plug).
Recap: The addition of Florida's Al Horford complements Sheldon Williams giving the Hawks 2 legitimate tough
rebounders down low that could make a bigger difference then people think. Further success for the Hawks will depend on
how they can get value out of 6-11 C Zaza Pachulia.
15. Philadelphia 76ers Maurice Cheeks
Projected 2008-09 wins:
Record last season: - (-)
Record 2006-2007: 35-47 (-3)
Record 2005-2006: 38-44 (-5)
Record 2004-2005: 43-39 (+10 wins)
Record 2003-2004: 33-49 (-15 wins)
Upside: The Sixers are in-between a contender for a playoff spot and a re-building team. And they aren't either. They shouldn't be expected to be the worst team, but they could be. And they shouldn't be expected to make the playoffs, even though they could.
Recap: C Samuel Dalembert's inconsistency is not worth addressing here. The key players likely to determine the Sixers fate are SG Willie Green and SF Andre Iguodala. Iguodala has all the raw talent but this year he's got to be the closer, getting the team wins. As much as we love Iggies upside (and fantasy value), the prospects of him delivering Sixer wins aren't that great.
|
|