The
NBA is different from other sports league. Two seconds after the NBA Finals are over you can name 14 of next year’s 16 playoff teams.
That’s not to say the Association is predictable it’s just how it works. So even though training camps have yet to begin, fans already have a very good idea who are the contenders, the pretenders and the lottery teams.
Below is a look at eight contenders, four in each conference, that are pretty much a lock to be there in May.
The 2009-10 NBA season begins Oct. 27.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Cleveland Cavaliers
After a humiliating exit from last year’s playoffs, the Cavs made the biggest move of the offseason—literally—when they traded for the “Big Sidekick,” Shaquille O’Neal.
He’s in the twilight of the career but all
Cleveland Cavs ticket holders need is a healthy and energetic “Diesel” come playoff time. Until then he can go back to making his television show “Shaq Vs.”
The Cavs also added Leonard Powe, Jamrio Moon, Anthony Parker and drafted Daniel Green. Powe is out to start the season and probably won’t return until the All-Star break.
Deep and possibly more dangerous than last year’s team that won 66 games, the Cavs must find a way to keep all the pieces (egos) on the same page (happy).
Some in the media will purport that if the Cavs don’t win a championship LeBron James will leave Cleveland when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. It probably won’t happen but the discussion, as well as Shaq’s arrival, means the Cavs will be a traveling circus in 2009-10.
Projected Starters:
PG - Mo Williams
SG - Delonte West
SF - LeBron James
PF - Anderson Varejao
C - Shaquille O'Neal
The Cavaliers begin the season on Oct. 27 when they host the Boston Celtics.
Boston Celtics
If you have a
ticket for the Boston Celtics this season be prepared to see a few new faces. The team added veteran Rasheed Wallace and second year players Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens.
Even better news, Kevin Garnett is healthy and ready to go.
The C’s have a nice mix of veterans and young players. The veterans are led by the big three, Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. The youth is led by point guard Rajon Rondo and center Kendrick Perkins.
While Garnett’s health is crucial for the team’s championship aspirations, the play of their burgeoning superstar, Rondo, will ultimately decide the team’s fate.
It will be interesting to see how head coach Doc Rivers uses Wallace. Will ‘Sheed play alongside Garnett or just back him up?
Projected Starters:
PG - Rajon Rondo
SG - Ray Allen
SF - Paul Pierce
PF - Kevin Garnett
C - Kendrick Perkins
To open the season, Boston travels to Cleveland on Oct. 27.
Orlando Magic
Out is Hedo Turkoglu and in is Vince Carter. Some scoffed at the move but when the Orlando Magic signed power forward Brandon Bass and reserve wingman Matt Barnes those same critics said, “Okay, I get it now.”
Realizing they couldn’t sign Turkoglu, the Magic let him go and snatched up the dynamic “Vin-sanity.” He’s a bit long in the tooth but as long as Dwight Howard is down low, the Magic will compete for a return trip to the NBA Finals.
All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson, who missed a big chunk of last season with a shoulder injury, is back healthy and ready to go. Bad news, forward Rashard Lewis will miss the first ten games of the season due to a suspension for failing a drug test.
The NBA front office, along with their television partners, will be rooting for the Cavs and the Celtics to reach the conference finals, but the Magic have the talent and depth to crash the ratings party.
Projected Starters:
PG - Jameer Nelson
SG - Vince Carter
SF - Rashard Lewis
PF - Brandon Bass
C - Dwight Howard
The
Orlando Magic begin their Eastern Conference title defense on Oct. 28 when the Philadelphia76’ers come to town.
Atlanta Hawks
With the Cavs, Celtics and Magic garnering all the attention, most forget that the Atlanta Hawks were the fourth best team in the Eastern Conference last year. Atlanta will be at least that good in 2009-10.
To add depth to the point guard position, the Hawks drafted guard Jeff Teague. The franchise likes the kid and he will definitely compete with Jamal Crawford to backup Mike Bibby.
Speaking of Crawford, the Hawks traded for him this summer. It’s a move, both financially and stylistically, that has left some critics scratching their head.
The team also signed Joe Smith and Jason Collins for size and depth.
The rumor mill is churning that Jerry Stackhouse has been working out in Atlanta and impressing both the organization as well as current players. Fans in
Atlanta with Hawks tickets should expect to see Stackhouse at Philips Arena this season.
While the aforementioned teams are built to win now, the youthful Hawks have a window. However, for the team to take the next step they need Josh Smith and Joe Johnson to become better playmakers. The Hawks occasionally suffer from bouts of offensive stagnation.
Projected Starters:
PG - Mike Bibby
SG - Joe Johnson
SF - Marvin Williams
PF - Josh Smith
C - Al Horford
Atlanta gets the season underway Oct. 28 at home against the Indiana Pacers.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had two major offseason storylines.
Trevor Ariza was allowed to go to Houston Rockets. To replace him, the Lakers signed former Rocket Ron Artest. Ariza’s departure seemed to be about anything other than money. The former UCLA Bruin signed with the Rockets for less money than the Lakers offered.
The second storyline in La-La Land involved the resigning of Lamar Odom. After some headline-stealing drama, the Lakers and Odom finally hugged it out. The versatile forward with the epic sweet tooth will be back to help L.A. defend their title.
At the point guard position look for veteran Derek Fisher to face fierce competition from Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown. Don’t be surprised if you have
L.A. Lakers tickets and Farmar is in the starting five by season’s end.
Lakers Fans are dying to know how Artest will fit in. Not so much on the court but in the locker room. The controversial Artest has already said if the Lakers don’t repeat as NBA Champions fans can blame him. Chances are fans won’t be blaming Artest at year’s end but thanking him during the city’s celebratory parade.
Projected Starters:
PG - Derek Fisher
SG - Kobe Byrant
SF - Ron Artest
PF - Pau Gasol
C - Andrew Bynum
The Los Angeles Lakers begin their title defense against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 27.
Denver Nuggets
Their status as an elite team mainly rests on the calming influence of point guard Chauncey Billups. His floor generalship and ability to make big shots is key to the Nuggets’ success.
This offseason the team lost Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza to free agency. To replace Jones they signed the much cheaper Arron Afflalo.
To replace Kleizia, the Nuggets top brass is looking at Wally Szczerbiak, Flip Murray and Rashad McCants.
Also this offseason the Nuggets acquired point guard Ty Lawson via a draft-day trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nuggets might be looking at a slow start. Starter J.R. Smith will miss the first seven games of the season due to an NBA suspension for pleading guilty to reckless driving. The incident took place in 2007 and a passenger was killed in Jones’ car.
Projected Starters:
PG - Chauncey Billups
SG - J.R. Smith
SF - Carmelo Anthony
PF - Kenyon Marton
C - Nene Hilario
The season starts for the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 28 when they host the Utah Jazz.
San Antonio Spurs
Despite being another year older NBA pundits still list the San Antonio Spurs as legitimate Western Conference contenders. If they stay healthy and take their Geritol, there’s no reason why the Spurs can’t return to the NBA Finals.
This summer their defensive stalwart, Bruce Bowen, retired. To replace him the team traded for scorer Richard Jefferson. They also acquired power forward Antonio McDyess.
The Spurs lacked a first round pick but they did manage to draft Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair in the second round. He’s a tailor made Spur and where they picked him in draft he’s an absolute steal.
Last year the team suffered a rash of injuries and the trend seems to be continuing. Richard Jefferson has a dislocated thumb and Manu Ginobili has a bum ankle. Troubling yes, but both should be ready for training camp.
Projected Starters:
PG - Tony Parker
SG - Manu Ginobili
SF - Richard Jefferson
PF - Antonio McDyess
C - Tim Duncan
Houston Rockets
Okay, those with
tickets to see the Houston Rockets shouldn’t expect to see Yao Ming this year. And the return of Tracy McGrady is anyone’s guess. However, the Rockets are still one of the four best teams in the west.
This overachieving, scrappy team knows no fear and does all the little things necessary to win. They may not always be the prettiest but they get it done both at home and on the road. Did we mention they also know have to play defense?
The Rockets lost Ron Artest to the Lakers but signed former Laker Trevor Ariza (and they got him cheap too).
Approaching training camp, the Rockets are looking to add Stromile Swift, Lorenzen Wright or Jelani McCoy. All three players have been working out with the team.
With Yao out, Houston will go with a center by committee. The committee features David Andersen, Joey Dorsey and Mensah-Bonsu.
The names may not be sexy and they may not have a representative at the All-Star game but the Rockets will be there at the end of the season.
Projected Starters:
PG - Aaron Brooks
SG - Shane Battier
SF - Trevor Ariza
PF - Carl Landry
C- David Anderson
The Rockets’ season-opener is Oct. 27 at the Portland Trail Blazers.
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