The time has come, and the wait for NBA fans is over. The 2006-2007 season starts this week with the Miami Heat returning as the defending champions. Each team has a clean slate. Here is team-by-team preview, divisional standing predictions and playoff predictions.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
New Jersey Nets-Jason Kidd isn’t getting any younger, and Vince Carter is in the last year of his contract. The real key to the Nets’ season lies in the emergence of power forward Nenad Kristic, along with Marcus Williams and Josh Boone, two rookies from UConn. Prediction: First.
Boston Celtics-With only one impact offseason move, trading for Theo Ratliff and Sebastian Telfair, the team retains Paul Pierce and an array of young players. Youth takes a while to develop, so don’t expect much. Prediction: Second.
Philadelphia ’76ers-Ever since their 2001 Finals appearance, this team has been mediocre at best. With no impact offseason moves, this will be another year in where Allen Iverson scoring 30 points per game is the only 76er news. Prediction: Third.
New York Knicks-Either the team improves or head coach/general manager Isiah Thomas gets thrown out into the streets of Times Square. You can anticipate five to ten more wins but not much more. With selfish players like Marbury and Francis at the helm, this will be another down year for the Knicks. Prediction: Fourth.
Toronto Raptors-Chris Bosh and Co. might win a few more games this year, but the playoffs are a stretch. Italian number one draft pick Andrea Bargnani will need a year or two to learn the NBA game, but new point guard T.J Ford will help the team. Prediction: Fifth.
Central Division
Chicago Bulls-Jordan Who? The Bulls made the best move by far this offseason in the NBA, snagging Ben Wallace away from Detroit. With a team of talented youngsters and rookie Tyrus Thomas adding size and strength, the Bulls will win the Central Division and have their first real shot at winning a championship since that Jordan guy wore red and white. Prediction: First.
Detroit Pistons-Losing Big Ben will cost them the division and will weaken their trademark of tenacious defense. They still have All-Stars at three out of five starting positions and a good sixth man off the bench in Antonio McDyess, so expect them to reach the playoffs. Prediction: Second.
Cleveland Cavaliers-Lebron, or rather the Cavs, made a huge push toward becoming a championship contender last season. If Larry Hughes can provide a good one-two punch with King James, expect more improvement this season. Prediction: Third.
Indiana Pacers-In the offseason they traded for power forward Al Harrington who will add some depth and shooting ability. If point guard Jamal Tinsley, along with power forward Jermaine O’Neal can stay healthy, the team will make a playoff push. Prediction: Fourth.
Milwaukee Bucks-Star guard Michael Redd averaged a career best 25.4 ppg last season, but the Bucks barely made the playoffs. They made one of the best trades in the offseason, trading often injured T.J Ford for Charlie Villanueva. If the young players like Villanueva, Maurice Williams, and center Andrew Bogut play well, this team could surprise some people. If they don’t, they won’t make the playoffs. Prediction: Fifth.
Southeast Division
Miami Heat-The defending Champions made no notable offseason moves, and that will spell doom for them. With the exception of Dwayne Wade, this is an OLD team. Injuries, along with a lack of drive from team veterans who finally won their championships last year, will ultimately spell a new champion in June. Prediction: First.
Orlando Magic-This will be the surprise team of the year. With young players like Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Darko Milicic and rookie JJ Redick, this team can make some noise in the Eastern Conference. If the youngsters breakout, don’t be surprised to see the Magic deep in the playoffs. Prediction: Second.
Washington Wizards-They have become a consistent playoff team, but this is a mediocre team at best. They let one of their best defenders, Jared Jeffries, go to the Knicks this offseason, and their bench isn’t that good. Even with a star in Gilbert Arenas, they might take a step back this year. Prediction: Third.
Charlotte Bobcats-The Bobcats are a young and inexperienced team, entering their third year in the league. Injuries hurt them last year, so if healthy, the team should improve by a few wins. They drafted the possible Rookie of the Year in Adam Morrison, who should help them with their offensive struggles. Prediction: Fourth.
Atlanta Hawks-Losing Al Harrington does not help the cause and second year guard Marvin Williams disappointed many in his rookie year. They will need their 2007 cap space to change Atlanta’s losing ways. Prediction: Fifth.
Western Conference
Southwest Division
San Antonio Spurs-Hampered by injuries to Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili last season, the Spurs are looking to revenge their game seven Western Conference Championship loss at home to Dallas. If the two players mentioned above stay healthy, the team will go far. They made some small, but good, offseason moves, and their trademark team chemistry and team play could help them to their fourth title in nine years. Prediction: First.
Dallas Mavericks-They were so close to winning a title last year but collapsed at the end. With no impact offseason moves, the core of the team remains the same. Dirk Nowitzki has a legitimate change at winning MVP, and if his team stays hungry, they are one of three teams in the West that could make it to the Finals and win. Prediction: Second.
Houston Rockets-They had one of the best offseasons, signing forward Bonzi Wells and trading for a gritty player in Shane Battier. If Tracy McGrady’s back problems hold up and Yao Ming continues his development as the best center in the league, this team has a shot to win 50 games and surprise people in the playoffs. Prediciton: Third.
New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets-The Hornets surprised many last season with their win total, only to falter at the end of the season and miss the playoffs. With some good offseason moves like signing Peja Stojakovic and trading for a big man with potential in Tyson Chandler, the team has improved itself significantly. If Chris Paul improves from his Rookie of the Year season and the team improves its post-up play, they could make the playoffs. Prediction: Fourth.
Memphis Grizzlies-This team will take a step back this year, especially since star forward Pao Gasol will be out with a foot injury until January. They made a good decision in trading for the draft rights to Rudy Gay, but as a rookie, he won’t help that much. Look for the team to miss the playoffs. Prediction: Fifth.
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets-They improved in the offseason, signing Carmelo Anthony and Nene to contract extensions, and traded for J.R Smith. They have a serious weakness in outside shooting, but if Anthony and role players like Marcus Camby and Andre Miller stay healthy, another division title is in their sights. Prediction: First.
Minnesota Timberwolves- They have a good chance at ending their two-year playoff drought, possibly by sneaking in as an eigth seed in the West. They signed guard Mike James, who is coming off a career year in Toronto and will provide scoring help. Drafting Randy Foye will help them as he is the slasher they need to help move the ball. If all goes well, they will improve. If not, the unthinkable will happen in the offseason: Kevin Garnett will be traded. Prediction: Second.
Utah Jazz-Trading for veteran point guard Derek Fisher will help this pretty young team. If forward Carlos Boozer stays healthy and Andre Kirilenko continues to improve, this team has a legitimate shot at sneaking into the playoffs. Prediction: Third.
Seattle Supersonics-This team was one of the best offensive teams l
ast year but was horrendous on the defensive side. If they decide to show a pulse on the latter end, they could win a lot more games. Ray Allen is still shooting lights-out, and if Chris Wilcox continues to improve from his breakout season last year, there is reason to think they can contend for a playoff spot. Prediction: Fourth.
Portland Trailblazers-They drafted two players out of the top ten in the draft, but this team scares nobody. They have a bunch of overrated players with big contracts (Zach Randolph, Darius Miles), and the youngsters won’t have much of an impact this season. Prediction: Fifth.
Pacific Division
Phoenix Suns-All the necessary pieces are there and this team has inched closer and closer to winning a title in the last two years. But their hopes hinge on Amare Stoudemire’s surgically repaired knees. If he can come back healthy and give them some added muscle and inside game, the Suns might make it over the hump. Prediction: First.
L.A. Clippers-The surprise team of the year last season, the Clippers made a questionable move in signing forward Tim Thomas. Thomas played great during the playoffs but has been a bust in other years. If Sam Casell doesn’t let age slow him down and the younger players like Brand, Magette, Livingston and Kaman continue to grow, this can be a big year for the Clips. Prediction : Second.
Sacramento Kings-Their decision to fire head coach Rick Adelman and replace him with Eric Musselman is questionable, but with Ron Artest on the team from the start of the season, this team has a chance to make some noise. Artest brings much needed defense and some extra scoring. If Mike Bibby and Shareef Abdur-Rahim have good years, and rookie Quincy Douby contributes right away, the Kings will contend. Prediction: Third.
L.A Lakers-They exceeded everyone’s expectations last season, but the road will be harder this season, with many other Western Conference teams improving in the offseason. Vladamir Radmanovic will help take the scoring load off of Kobe Bryant, who has a legitimate shot at winning his first MVP award if he plays out of his mind like last season and also makes his teammates better. Prediction: Fourth.
Golden State Warriors-Losing veteran point guard Derek Fisher will weaken them considerably. New coach Don Nelson will energize their offense and help the team win a couple more games. But that’s about it. With no real team leader and questionable players at three of the five starting positions, the Warriors will miss the playoffs again. Prediction: Fifth.