I have answers for all these questions and then some. This is my First Annual Post All-Star Bold Predictions for the 2009 NBA Season. Ok, so it's a working title.
Let's start with the debacle that's occuring in Phoenix. What a marketing nightmare for their publicist. Admist the All-Star festivities- in Phoenix mind you-there is a report that the Sun's are going to fire first-year coach Terry Porter. In his 52 games at the helm, Porter had his team at a 29-23. The problem isn't Porter, it's the team. They need to keep Amar'e Stoudemire. He is an absolute beast and has become the best player on this team with his 21-point, 8-rebound a night efforts. Keep that man-child happy. Steve Kerr has ruined this team with the addition of Shaquille O'Neal. He single-handedly ruined the most exciting team in the league. Shaq kills the mood of that team like this stimulus bill is killing the mood of Obama's honeymoon. They need to trade him...
...which brings me to the Los Angeles Lakers. Okay L.A., you officially have the attention of the Champion Celtics. The Lakers have played exceptionally well since the loss of their budding center, Andrew Bynum. Their 7-1 stretch-that featured wins at Boston and Cleveland-will not continuel, however if they can't find a long-term replacement for Bynum. Man, didn't Shaq and Kobe look real good sharing that All-Star MVP trophy? And, hey, wasn't that Phil Jacks
on on the bench of the Western Conference team? And I could have sworn the that the West blew out the East in that game. It couldn't be possible to see these three men get in bed together for one last shot at glory, could it? The starts seem alligned for it. Shaq knows that Kobe was the perfect Boy Wonder to his Superman persona. Kobe hasn't won a title since Shaq ran to South Beach. And Phil Jackson is still coaching for one reason and one reason only: to break the tie with Red Auerbach for the most NBA championships. With or without Shaq there's little doubt that they will be the top seed in the Western Conference. San Antonio will be a problem in the playoffs but, the Lakers will rule the regular season.Now the most biased portion of this blog: The Boston Celtics are winning the Eastern Conference. However, I say that with very little conviction. The Cleveland Lebrons scare the you-know-what out of me. James is doing things this year that haven't been done since Oscar Robertson. He is without question the best player in the league. (Aha! A hint!). Having said that, the Celtics are just too good of a team. The Big Three aside, Rajon Rondo is coming into his own nicely (did you see Rondo take a shot at Kobe?! The kid's got brass ones, I'll tell ya.) Kendrick Perkins is slowly becoming a force in the paint. We need another big man though. I don't know how much longer I have to see Glen Davis shoot these 18-foot jumpers. It looks like he's doing the masonry for Xanadu.
Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic can be a scary team, but the loss of All-Star guard Jameer Nelson kills the legitmacy of their championship aspirations.
It's a close fight for the MVP battle between Kobe, LeBron, and Dwayne Wade. But the conversation starts and ends with LeBron James. He dominates the game. Every minute. Every play the dude is there. He's threatening Vince Carter's record for highlight plays a night. Kobe has way too many great options on that team. And if Dwayne Wade had some older options on his team, he might actually have a chance against LeBron. This is just going to be the first of many for the Chosen One.
Defensive Player of the Year: C'mon is it even a question? Kevin Garnett. No one has a bigger impact on a team defensively than the Big Ticket.
Coach of the Year: Greg Popovich, San Antoino Spurs. He continues to get the most out of his team every night. And this Spurs team is an aging one. Thank God for Roger Mason Jr. And Pop's defensive genius.
Rookie of the Year: O.J. Mayo, G, Memphis Grizzlies. The kid has proven he can score at the pro level. His 19 points, 5 boards, and 3 assists stands out just slightly over the number one pick's, Derrick Rose, 17 points and 6 assists.
Sixth Man of the Year: Richard Hamilton, G, Detroit Pistons. I'm sorry Rip, but this award could be worse than Chad Pennington winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award twice. He should be a starter. The Pistons are his team. A back-handed compliment, but he still deserves the recognition.
The Biggest Team Cancer: Allen Iverson, G, Detroit Pistons. Pre-Allen Iverson Detroit Pistons: 334-158, 1 NBA title, and six straight appreances to the conference finals. The Allen Iverson Era: 23-25, good for the sixth seed in the top heavy East. Hhhmm.
Most Overrated Fantasy Player: Tracy McGrady, G, Houston Rockets. He's the hot girl who you can never have. He looks so good on the court, but the moment you get him- he craps out. This current knee injury is making me pull my hair out that traded LaMarcus Aldridge for him.
Most Underrated Fantasy Player: Troy Murphy, F, Indiana Pacers. Doesn't get much love because of the market and the sudden star Danny Granger. But his 13 points and 11 rebounds has been as steady as taxes for me. He makes me forget about not having Aldridge, if for only a moment.
Will Dikembe Mutumbo Ever Retire? I don't think anyone knows at this point. Just when we think we got the door locked, he kicks the door back down!
As for my final bold prediction of such a momentous entry, the winner of the whole shebang. You're probably all thinking that I was just going to pick the Celtics over the Lakers like every one else who's a C's fan. Well...quite frankly I'm offended.
It's going to be the Celtics over the Spurs! HA!
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