Coming off a dominant year, the Los Angeles Lakers look set to visit the NBA Finals for a third consecutive year, meanwhile in Orlando Dwight Howard will be itching to go a step further with the addition of All-Star Guard Vince Carter adding further star power to the Magic Lineup.
This season seems to be as interesting now as it will be in its inclusion, with the 2003 Draft Class trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all heading towards Free Agency this summer. In what could see the landscape shift dramatically, the Cavaliers, Raptors and HEAT all have a mountain of pressure to further bolster their lineups in order to appease their stars.
When asked about what lies ahead beyond the current season, the reigning MVP LeBron James seemed rather unfazed about his future in Cleveland;
For the past two years, I've seen two straight premature Playoff exits. That’s not good enough. I expect better of myself and this team, and I see no reason to look beyond this season until we’re hoisting the NBA Championship.
Another team to watch closely this season will be the Boston Celtics. Following their Conference Finals loss to the Magic, Coach Doc Rivers was quick to dismiss the claims that the Celtics window may have already closed;
When you look at us against most teams in this Conference, our composure and experience shines through. You may look at that as a negative, but I have full faith that this roster will be standing tall at the conclusion of this season. We definitely limped into last year’s Playoffs with Kevin (Garnett) out, but at full strength we’re hard to deny.
One of the teams that holds some of the biggest question marks is the Oklahoma City Thunder. In their second season in their new home, it seems to only be a matter of time until Kevin Durant is challenging LeBron James as one of the best players in the league. Asked about his meteoric rise to the NBA’s upper echelon, Kevin was humbled;
It’s a massive complement to myself and a bigger testament to the organization that has put so much faith in me to go out and there and produce night in and night out on the floor. I think with this young core of myself, Russ, Serge and now bringing James (Harden) into the fold, we see no reason why teams should consider us an easy W.
Division Previews
Eastern Conference – Atlantic Division
In one of the most diverse divisions this season, a lot of promise and potential can be seen in the Atlantic Division. The Nets will be looking for major production through their tandem of Devin Harris & Brook Lopez, the Raptors hoping a combination of Chris Bosh and the newly arrived Hedo Turkoglu can bring the Great White North a true contender, and the youth of 76ers’ Andre Iguodala & Jrue Holiday as well as leadership through Elton Brand can take the City of Love to greater heights. Though the giant still commands this division in the Boston Celtics, who add championship veteran Rasheed Wallace to their stacked experienced lineup, banner #17 lays begging for Beantown as long as their aging stars can stay healthy.
Eastern Conference – Central Division
In what could be LeBron’s last year in his hometown, the Cavaliers are feeling the pressure after failing to return to the Finals for the second straight year. They add Shaquille O’Neal as a major influence in the frontcourt, but are currently a leg behind their Eastern Conference counterparts in star power. Look for Dan Gilbert to play a major role at the Trade Deadline to appease the King and bring a title to Ohio. Below sit a bunch of mid-standing battlers, with the exciting Derrick Rose in Chicago looking to continue to grow, Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva looking to make their big breaks in Detroit, and the Pacers & Bucks aiming for a playoff berth.
Eastern Conference – Southeast Division
Can the Magic return to the Finals? The Atlanta Hawks will have something to say about that. In what has been one of the most consistent rosters in recent years, the Hawks are primed to make the Southeast division a true dogfight, and their leader Joe Johnson primed for an extension alongside the explosive Josh Smith and Al Horford. Time may be up for the longstanding big 3 in Washington of Antawn Jamison, Caron Butler & Gilbert Arenas, outgunned and outmanned, it could be time to hit the reset button in Washington. The Bobcats look to be joining Washington as the whipping boys of the division, with Gerald Wallace needing some serious help from his teammates to get this team above .500. Miami will be looking to Michael Beasley to improve and make himself the true second option behind Wade, as a playoff berth looks crucial to maintaining the services of their Chicago-born star.
Western Conference - Pacific Division
A new year, same old Lakers. The titans of Los Angeles look set to reign strongly over their Pacific counterparts, with the Clippers, Warriors and Kings all housing young prospects for the future in Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans and #1 pick Blake Griffin. In what seems overdue, the time is no more now than this season for the Phoenix Suns. With the tandem of Amare Stoudemire & Steve Nash waving goodbye to the Diesel, the run-and-gun Suns are reaching the end of their window to make a true postseason push. The Lakers have only gotten stronger this offseason, bringing in full time lockdown defender and enforcer Ron Artest to complete the most powerful starting five in the Western Conference. Anything less than a championship would be seen as a failure in the eyes of Jack Nicholson and the passionate Laker fan base.
Western Conference – Southwest Division
In a division of consistency, I ask you to pick who will reign supreme. The three teams of Texas look set to have long runs into the postseason, none stronger than the Spurs. The time is quickly ticking on the Rockets to find the Yao-McGrady connection strong enough to garner postseason success. The young and gritty Memphis Grizzlies could be a true wild card for the entire Conference, with their young core of Gay, Conley & Gasol adding the scoring Allen Iverson and now seasoned powerhouse down low Zach Randolph, they’re no team to balk at. Following another great season, Chris Paul in New Orleans again finds himself in a tricky position, relying on the seasoned frontcourt of Okafor and West to produce enough to win games. It wouldn’t be too far to suggest a major shake-up in the Big Easy.
Western Conference – Northwest Division
No division looks more competitive across the league. The Nuggets, Jazz and Trailblazers look set to battle down to the wire to taste the postseason. With the addition of Ty Lawson, the Nuggets look set to have deep run and head back to the Conference Finals. If Greg Oden can stay healthy, it’s hard to deny the Blazers causing some serious damage, though the experience of Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and the Jazz will prove a true test. The Thunder and Wolves look set to build up young prospects, with James Harden joining the dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, while Kevin Love teams with Al Jefferson in what could be the most terrifying frontcourt of the NBA for years to come.
Award Predictions
Most Valuable Player
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s almost undoubtable that LeBron will lead his Cavaliers in almost every statistic for the 2009-10 season on the way to a top seed in the Eastern Conference. The King is firmly sat on his thrown, and it could be a long time until we see someone that can unseat him.
Rookie of the Year
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
The hype all points towards this year’s #1 pick. Pairing with Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby in the frontcourt, Baron Davis should run a majority of plays through the young stalwart. Pairing with an outside presence of Eric Gordon, Blake looks set to lead this Clippers team into a new generation.
Defensive Player of the Year
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
If the Magic have any chance of returning to the NBA Finals, the defensive presence of Dwight Howard has to be a key factor. Combining his blocking ability with unmatched strength in the low-post, it’s hard to look past Dwight.
Most Improved Player
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Looking to trade this in for an MVP trophy in the not too distant future, its likely with more help around him this year that Kevin Durants numbers skyrocket, much like their win total.
Sixth Man of the Year
Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks
The undoubted favourite for the coming season, Jamal Crawford is the spark plug that looks set to help push these Hawks to new heights. Look for him to be the factor in close games against opposing benches.
Coach of the Year
Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers seemed destined to bring in 60+ wins with the addition of Ron Artest to an already stacked lineup. The Zen Master will look to collect this trophy on the way to ring #10.
