NBA Preview/Predictions

The National Basketball Association is set to begin play today with three games scheduled, including my favorite love-hate player, Kobe Bean Bryant in action (hopefully) against the Houston Rockets.

Divisional outlook according to First To Third L.J.:

Atlantic: Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto

Top dog: Boston
Golden retrievers: New Jersey, Toronto, New York
Love Park lovable loser: Philadelphia

This has been one of the weakest divisions in basketball the last couple of years but now has a new triple threat in Boston with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Philadelphia is still several years away from competing and we never know what we are going to get out of New Jersey. Although I think they addressed a glaring need in the center position by signing Jamaal Magloire.

I like the Knicks roster (maybe I am biased because I grew up following the Knicks as my East Coast team), but with Isiah Thomas at the helm I never will bank on them going far.

Toronto will be second or third in the division behind Chris Bosh and one of my personal favorites, TJ Ford. Carlos Delfino is a big pickup for the Raptors and cannot wait to see what he does with more playing time.

And to the new three-headed monster... I do not want to see Boston rise to NBA glory again because I am a Lakers fan and do not want them to raise another banner. This Celtics team is deeper than people are going to give them credit for, and could possibly get a nice addition in Juwan Howard in the next couple of weeks. Allen does not get as much love as he deserves... Pierce will play better with less work on his shoulders... and Garnett will be Garnett like always.

Celtics taking the division.

Central: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee
My favorite division in the East this year.

The obvious culprits: Chicago, Detroit
Hanging tough: Cleveland
Outside looking in: Indiana, Milwaukee

Chicago's young Bulls are gaining experience as each year passes, and will be more dangerous this year. But, if the rumors are true and they trade for Kobe Bryant, things may be different for them. If they do make the trade, it will all depend on who they send to the Lakers. No matter what, Kobe in the East will make this Bulls team a contender.

Detroit is solid with a deep bench and veteran leadership. They will always be contending in the East as long as they have Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, and Rasheed Wallace. And you cannot forget about my boy Arron Afflalo. He is a baller.

Indiana and Milwaukee are in the developing stages. I look at the Pacers as the Golden State Warriors of the East. They can run on opponents. I hope Mo Williams was not working for a contract last year and continues his strong play of yesteryear.

Now Cleveland you ask? Why are they hanging tough? Them being the defending Eastern Conference champions. I do not like the supporting cast of Lebron James. His team is essentially the Lakers of the East. Chicago and Detroit are better.

Pistons taking the division.

Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington

Head of the beer: Washington
Couple of sips behind: Orlando, Miami
Improved with age: Atlanta
Bottom of the barrell: Charlotte

Washington is the easy pick, especially with Shaq getting older, and Wade still recovering from surgery. The Wizards are returning most of their squad and will be at the top as long as they stay healthy.

Orlando is the sexy pick. Dwight Howard is a beast, the next coming of Shaq, and Jameer Nelson should have a good contract year. Stan Van Gundy was the perfect selection to be their coach.

Like I said, with Shaq getting up there in years and Wade not 100%, it is going to be hard to see these guys as a contender. It is not going to be fun for them to fight their way back into the Eastern conference race after a slow start.

Atlanta will be better this year as their young players will make improvements. Watch out for Acie Law, another baller made for the NBA. Good draft by the Hawks.

Charlotte gets hurt too much and that is why they are at the bottom of the division.

Wizards taking the division.

Northwest: Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, Utah

Belvedere vodka: Denver, Utah
Smirnoff: Portland, Seattle
Popov: Minnesota

Denver can easily take this division if they get a healthy Kenyon Martin for at least 70 games. If not, AI and Carmelo will be able to handle the load.

The Jazz are coming off a very successful season, but have a unhappy AK. As long as they have Boozer and Williams these guys will be fine.

Portland has been hit by the injury bug already and are looking forward to next year, when they will see Greg Oden for the first time. Darius Miles and Oden to become best friends on the bench.

This year will be Kevin Durant's year to shine. He will be the man in Seattle but they will not go far with the squad they have.

The first year without KG will be a long one for the Wolves, but have some young, exciting players. Al Jefferson hopefully will get more love this year, he is the real deal.

Denver taking the division.

Pacific: Golden State, LAC, LAL, Phoenix, Sacramento

Newcastle ale: Phoenix
Bass ale: Golden State, LAL (with Kobe)
Bud Light: LAC, Sacramento

Phoenix are the obvious favorites in this division with Nash, Stoudemire, and Marion ready to get deeper into the playoffs.

The Warriors had a great run last year, and will no longer be in the sleeper role. They play fun basketball to watch and will get more exposure this year. Baron Davis is a baller.

The Lakers season will rest on whether Kobe is traded or not. If they trade Kobe, the team will be fourth or fifth in the division, and will not make the playoffs. With him, they are second or third in the division with a seventh or eighth seed in the West. The drama will no doubt unfold. Bynum is going to have a good year if Jackson gives him the bulk of the minutes at center.

Los Angeles' other team has a hurt Brand, likely out until after the all-star break, and older point guards. The Clippers will once again be Staple Center's second best team.

Sacramento's rookie coach, Reggie Theus, has to resolve a bad relationship between two of their best players in Mike Bibby and Ron Artest. Brad Miller needs to lose the cornrows. Kevin Martin cannot carry this squad.

Suns taking the division.

Southwest: Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: San Antonio, Dallas
Johnnie Walker Gold Label: Houston
Johnnie Walker Black Label: New Orleans
Johnnie Walker Red Label: Memphis

I could have put Houston in the Blue Label status with San Antonio and Dallas, but refrained from doing so because T-Mac and Yao have not made it past the first round of the playoffs. But they made some nice additions and think Adelman will do better with this squad than Van Gundy did.

Going into the season, the defending champion Spurs are the obvious favorite to get back to the finals out of the West. Nothing more to say about them, except their winning is boring. But they are good, really good.

Dallas, we will see how they react to their meltdown in last year's playoffs, and their yearly disappointments in the playoffs. This will be a big test for Dirk, who spent the summer searching for answers and not shaving.

Memphis has some good young players, but are a couple of years away from a playoff berth especially being in a tough division. Might sneak in next year as an eighth seed though.

The Hornets will be in New Orleans full-time and will be in the playoff hunt at the end of the season. Chris Paul is worth the price of admission and has good shooters to get the ball to in Peja and Mo Pete.

Spurs taking the division.

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West champ: Phoenix Suns
East champ: Boston Celtics

NBA Champ: Phoenix Suns

Awards:
Rookie of the year: Al Horford
Most improved: Andrew Bynum
Sixth man of the year: Leandro Barbosa
Scoring champ: Gilbert Arenas
Defensive player of the year: Marcus Camby
MVP: Kobe Bryant (no matter where he plays)

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Final note: Will someone pick up Earl Boykins?!?! The NBA is not the same without the most exciting player in the game! I will be making a petition that the Lakers sign him.