Players To Watch

Danny Granger, F, Indiana Pacers
I've been following this kid and watching him since college, he slipped in the draft because of his knee, but that's not holding him back now, he's a great athlete, can shoot it from anywhere from the floor, shooting 40% from the arc last year (I believe), he can drive it on you, can fill out the stat sheet, he should become an all-star, and with TJ Ford running the point and O'Brien wanting them to run-n-gun, he should have a break out year.


Amare Stoudemire, F/C, Phoenix Suns
Here's a fun guy to watch, one of my favorite players (other being Joe Johnson), IMO the best offensive big man in the game, and since the acquisition of Shaq, his overall average went up, should have a great year, and become a starting all star this year.





Devin Harris, G, New Jersey Nets
Lets get to know Devin Harris. I don't know much, but from what I do know, and remember, was that him being a really good on-ball defender. And then when he got traded to NJ and I got the chance to watch him, I remember him being very inconsistent but fast, really fast. Having a really quick first step, blowing by you to get to the rack, or when he gets the ball and brings it up the court to stop and shoot the tray. Him playing under a system like Franks, where he lets the PG loose, will really help him this year to learn to become a leader on a team and a better player. He is fun to watch to watch though, young, quick guard, who will drive it in between 2 players and get to the rack or just bring the ball up quickly and just stop and shoot the long 3. I don't know where I'll put him as a top player , but I do know him playing on a team like NJ, they're going to need him to score because they really don't have anybody else outside of Vince Carter, I'm expecting 19 and 6 numbers, and an All-Star appearance for him next year
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Andre Igoudala, G/F, Philadelphia 76ers
So when is this guy going to emerge into a superstar? He reminds me of a vintage Vince Carter, or a 'Baby LeBron James', he has all the tools, he's a triple threat player, but the lack of his consistent jump shot is really holding him back from becoming 'Next', maybe with Elton Brand being there, it'll help him(?) Maybe. Either way he's a fun guy to watch, from his flashy passes, to his flashy dunks, I'm just waiting on to see when he's going to break out to a 25/7/7 player, and then the bandwagonning of "Igoudala is my favorite player" comes.


Deron Williams, G, Utah Jazz
Here's a guy that's over shadowed I'll say, with the great of a year that Chris Paul had, it seems to me everyone forgot about Deron, this guy was in the WCF (Western Conference Finals) just 2 years ago. I think coming into this season he'll feel like he has something to prove to the world and will break out to a greater year.






Dwight Howard, F/C, Orlando Magic
Dwight improved his post game and freethrow from last season, and can even make 10 foot jumper (judging from preseason), and the Olympic Experience did wonders for Howard's swagger, expecting him to have a big year.











Other players to watch: Rudy Gay, Marvin Williams, Randy Foye, Al Horford, Greg Oden, Jose Calderon.

Serious/Competitive Teams To Watch

Serious/Competitive Teams To Watch:
Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Portland Trailblazers, New Orleans Hornets, Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs

Fun Teams To Watch

Fun Teams To Watch:
Portland Trailblazers, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks (surprised?), Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers

-Side note: I'm a huge fan of young teams, I wish the Knicks will just get some young pieces, and rebuild around them, but that won't be happening. I told my close friends who watch basketball last year to watch the Hawks, Hornets, & 'Blazers, and look how they turned out...I even remember telling people that Chris Paul will be MVP before the season even started, and look how that turned out...

NBA 2008-2009 Award' Predictions

Coach Of The Year:
1. Stan Van Gundy
2. Mo Cheeks
3. Rick Adleman (if the Rockets get the 1 seed, I think he'll win it)

Honorable Mention:
Phil Jackson, Nate McMillan, Mike Brown (no particular order)

MVP:
1. LeBron James
2. Tracy McGrady (if he stays healthy, and the Rockets are the 1 seed, I think he'll win it)
3. Dwight Howard (because of the seed they finish in, in the East)

Honorable Mention:
Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire

Rookie Of The Year:
1. Michael Beasley
2. Greg Oden
3. Kevin Love

Honorable Mention:
OJ Mayo, Derrick Rose

Most Improved Player Of The Year:
1. David Lee
2. Randy Foye
3. Kelenna Azubuike

Honorable Mention:
Ronnie Brewer. JR Smith

-Side Note: In my opinion, it's this award is almost impossible to predict because any player is capable of coming out of no where, but lets just see how these choices go. & Devin Harris/Danny Granger were my first top choices, but they've been consistent and improving every year.

Sixth Man Of The Year:
1. Lamar Odom (if he comes off the bench for the entire year)
2. Shane Battier
3. James Posey

Honorable Mention:
Kelenna Azubuike, Leonardo Barbosa (if he continues to come off the bench)

-Side Note: Noticed I didn't say Ginobili, it's because I heard that he's out for a long period of time, and due to that I it's going to cost him for this award.

Defensive Player Of The Year:
1. Dwight Howard
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Ron Artest

Honorable Mention:
Josh Smith, Marcus Camby, Kevin Garnett

NBA 2008-2009 Standings Predictions

Alright, so a new season of the NBA is coming, and I just figured I'll do a prediction of the standings for each conference (Eastern & Western)












1. Boston Celtics

2. Orlando Magic
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Detroit Pistons
6. Toronto Raptors
7. Atlanta Hawks
8. New York Knicks

9. Washington Wizards
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Indiana Pacers
12. New Jersey Nets
13. Miami Heat
14. Chicago Bulls
15. Charlotte Bobcats

-Side note: Defending champions, will be the number 1 seed again, but I don't see them winning 60+ games again this year, maybe somewhere around 57, or 58. You might have noticed how high [the] Orlando [Magic] is, it's because with the addition of Mickael Pietrus who's a huge upgrade from Bogans & [Maurice] Evans, who will bring for them hustle, defense, rebuilding, and 3 point shooting, . Why are the Cavs so high you might ask? Well, I think with the Pistons bringing in a new coach (who I do think is a good coach, and a good teacher) but I just think it's hard to coach Detroit now, if you've noticed last year in the playoffs against the [Philadelphia] 76ers, they seem to have these mood swings, and choose when they want to play, and I think with that kind of attitude, especially towards a new coach, I think that's just going to cost them, but they definitely have the talent to be the best, also a lot of the other teams in the East' has improved, and Detroit are still the same. Caveliers added Mo' Williams this off season who's a huge upgrade to their backcourt, and adding offense to a team that probably already has one of the top defenses in the NBA (I think), if not then definitely in the East. & especially having one of, if not then the best player in the league on your team... it'll get you places. Honestly, the last 2 seeds for the playoffs (7th and 8th) is hard to predict IMO, I feel like any team can make it, the Heat, Bucks, Wizards, Pacers, maybe even the Bulls, and the rebuilding Nets.













1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Houston Rockets (IF! they can all stay healthy, I honestly think they can be number 1)
3. New Orleans Hornets
4. Utah Jazz
5. Phoenix Suns
6. San Antonio Spurs
7. Dallas Mavericks
8. Los Angeles Clippers

9. Portland Trailblazers
10. Denver Nuggets
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
13. Sacramento Kings
14. Memphis Grizzlies
15. Oklahoma City Thunder'

-Side note: Lakers number 1 seed again, no surprise is it? But with a healthy Bynum back, the Lakers will be even better. I know Houston is really high, but I believe that this might be the year, where McGrady & Yao' will stay healthy for 3/4's of the season, and will go deep. Spurs are low, because of Manu's health early on, but honestly whatever seed they are, I don't think it matters, to them it seems like as long as they're in the playoffs, they'll make a run deep into the playoffs as always. The 8th seed is really a toss up between the Clippers & Trailblazers, I think down the stretch the inexperience of the young fella's will hurt them, and that ill make them miss out on the playoffs this year.

Welcome...

Welcome to the blog, I hope you guys enjoy the read. This blog is basically about basketball (NBA mainly), and I'll just be giving out my thoughts and predictions on things such as awards (e.g. MVP, Rookie of The Year, Coach of The Year & etc...)