C M Y K D4
D4 ■ Wednesday, October 27, 2010 ■ THE LONDON FREE PRESS
nbadivisionpreviews
atlantic
1. Boston Celtics
Predicted finish: 3rd in East Last year: 50-32
Key additions: Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal.
Skinny: With C Kendrick Perkins sidelined until the new year, they
signed aging O’Neal who has little left in tank ... Rajon Rondo keeps
improving but teammates going the other way.
Burning question: Will this old gang have anything left for the
playoffs? Doc Rivers will have to give the aged Celtics plenty of minutes
off in the regular season but it will prove costly if it lets Miami and
Orlando get homecourt advantage.
2. New York Knicks
Predicted Finish: 7th in East Last year: 29-53
Key additions: Amare Stoudemire, Ray Felton, Timofey Mozgov (R).
Skinny: Finally add a superstar in Stoudemire while Felton improves PG
picture ... Will be able to score and added solid defensive role players.
Burning question: Danillo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph and the rest
had better get used to the trade rumours. The Knicks want Carmelo
Anthony and/or Chris Paul badly and will keep making offers for them.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Predicted finish: 8th in East
Last year: 27-55
Key additions: Evan Turner (R), Andres Nocioni,
Spencer Hawes, Craig Brackins.
Skinny: Stacked with quality young guards but leave a
IGUODALA
lot to be desired up front ... Better when they go small,
but that will burn them at the defensive end.
Burning question: Does Iggy stay or go? Andre Iguodala
is expendable with the similarly multi-skilled rookie Turner
on board, but he is still Sixers’ best player. If they can
acquire a good big man for him, look for the high flyer to
be shipped out.
4. New Jersey Nets
Predicted finish: 11th in East
Last year: 12-70
Key additions: Troy Murphy, Derrick Favors (R), Anthony
Morrow, Travis Outlaw, Jordan Farmar, Avery Johnson
(coach).
Skinny: NBA’s worst a year ago has gotten bigger and will
improve ... With healthy Devin Harris and young studs
Brook Lopez and Derick Favors learning from Murphy,
10
future looks bright.
Burning question: Will they make a big splash? The
20
Nets have a billionaire Russian owner who desperately
wants to make some noise to get out of the shadow of the
Knicks.
30
40
5. Toronto Raptors
Predicted finish: 13th in East
Last year: 40-42
50
Key additions: Leandro Barbosa, Linas Kleiza, Ed Davis (R).
Skinny: Moving on, again, this time without Chris Bosh
60 ... Lack star talent, a defensive stopper in the middle and
consistent scoring depth to be passable.
70 Burning question: Act now or act later? Need to add top
talent either via the draft or trade. Do they let the season
80 play out and get a much-needed high pick, or set up years of
mediocrity by using large trade exception from Bosh deal in
order to get better quicker (the MLSEL way)?
90
100
Previews by Ryan Wolstat, QMI Agency
northwest
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Predicted finish: 2nd in West Last year: 50-32
Key additions: Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich (R), Morris Peterson.
Skinny: Kevin Durant’s next step is MVP ... Russell Westbrook is
brilliant, as well ... Team gave Lakers a tough time in playoffs ... Nice
young combo in the middle with traditional big Aldrich and athletic
sparkplug Serge Ibaka.
Burning question? How big a step are they ready to take? Super-
talented but extremely young. Will be strong and will win division and
55+ games, but not yet ready to get by Lakers.
2. Portland Trail Blazers
Predicted finish: 4th in West Last year: 50-32
Key additions: Wesley Matthews, Luke Babbitt (R), Rich Cho (GM).
Skinny: Surprisingly, axed GM Kevin Pritchard ... Strong combo of
young star power (Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldrige, Nic Batum) and
veteran savvy (Marcus Camby, Andrea Miller) ... Aldridge has talent but
needs to play harder.
Burning question: As always, what’s the deal with Greg Oden? Needs
to prove he can stay on court. If healthy, Blazers capable of winning
division. If not, Blazers are thin with Camby and Joel Przybilla constant
injury risks.
3. Utah Jazz
Predicted finish: 7th West Last year: 57-25
Key additions: Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward (R).
Skinny: Revamped and reloaded, still brilliantly coached, deep and
talented ... Adding Jefferson was a coup as he basically replaces
the older, more brittle Carlos Boozer ... Will miss injured centre
Memo Okur.
Burning question: Will they run in place for a year? Jazz will
be better equipped a year from now when Andrei Kirilenko’s
onerous $17-million US deal is off the books. They are a
playoff team, but in deep West, aren’t good enough to
beat the elite.
4. Denver Nuggets
Predicted finish: 11th in West Last year: 53-29
Key additions: Al Harrington, Masai Ujiri (GM)
Skinny: Contenders turn pretenders as age,
unhappiness catches up ... Carmelo Anthony wants
out, others will surely follow ... Former Raptors
assistant GM Ujiri likely to lose his superstar after
seeing Chris Bosh walk out the door in Toronto.
Burning question: When’s the fire sale? Once
Melo goes, Chauncey Billups and Nene won’t be
long for Denver. Will be the latest team that cleaned
up in ’03 draft to rebuild (Cavaliers, Raptors).
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Predicted finish: 15th in West Last year: 15-67
Key additions: Luke Ridnour, Wes Johnson (R),
Nikola Pekovic (R), Michael Beasleyr.
Skinny: Turned over a terrible roster and added CARMELO
talent. Trouble is GM David Kahn is still assembling ANTHONY
a flawed roster that is too heavy on point guards and
swingmen.
Burning question: Will No. 2 overall picks Beasley
or Darko Milicic get it? Milicic was solid in a half-
season in Minny. Beasley may blossom now
that he’s in Siberia instead of South Beach.
central
1. Chicago Bulls
Predicted finish: 4th in East Last year: 41-41
Key additions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer.
Skinny: Added cogs of successful teams in new head coach Tom
Thibodeau, mastermind of Boston’s stifling defence, and three
former Utah players ... Boozer the force down low they’ve lacked for
years, Korver brings shooting and Derrick Rose ready to make leap to
superstardom.
Burning question: Will Boozer play enough games to lift Bulls? He has
been riddled with injuries throughout his career and is already hurt.
Team wins a playoff round with him, squeaks in without him.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Predicted finish: 5th in East Last year: 46-36
Key additions: Corey Maggette, Drew Gooden, Larry Sanders
(R).
Skinny: Surprise of NBA a year ago upgraded with Maggette
... Lost depth at PG with departure of Luke Ridnour. More
pressure now on Brandon Jennings ... Andrew Bogut still not
100% after injury last season.
Burning question: What’s Michael Redd’s status? Former face
of franchise still out for months. Would provide lethal scoring off
bench but might be done.
3. Indiana Pacers
Predicted finish: 9th in East
ANDRE
Last year: 32-50
Key additions: Darren Collison, James Posey,
Paul George (R).
Skinny: Stole standout PG Collison ... Can
really score with Danny Granger, Mike
Dunleavy and the rookie George.
Burning question? Are they the worst
rebounding team in league? Minus the
departed Troy Murphy, left with little on
boards. Big Roy Hibbert underwhelms and Tyler
Hansbrough is still hurting. Team launches a ton of
threes and won’t be able to get putbacks.
4. Detroit Pistons
Predicted finish: 12th in East Last year: 27-55
Key additions: Tracy McGrady, Greg Monroe (R).
Skinny: How the mighty have fallen! Former contenders
now a squad of duplication and mismatched parts having
never recovered from trading Chauncey Billups ... Monroe is
a keeper, but defence stinks, and so will this team.
Burning question: How long until the fire sale? Rip
Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Charlie Villanueva and Ben
Gordon are all overpaid and available. GM Joe Dumars did
johnson
little to improve one of league’s biggest disappointments.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Predicted finish: 15th in East Last year: 61-21
Key additions: Ramon Sessions, Ryan Hollins, Byron Scott (coach),
Chris Grant (Promoted to GM)
Skinny: Lost league MVP LeBron James and nobody recovers from
that. Penthouse to outhouse for team which now is in big trouble ...
Will have chip on shoulders but not enough talent.
Burning question: Who is going to score? Mo Williams and Antawn
Jamison are fine secondary scorers but team didn’t put enough points
on the board even with James. Cavs will be in position to draft James‚
replacement, North Carolina freshman Harrison Barnes.
southwest
1. San Antonio Spurs
Predicted finish: 3rd West Last year: 50-32
Key additions: Tiago Splitter (R), James Anderson (R).
Skinny: Aging, but not done ... Tim Duncan is declining but still very
good and has impressive big men Splitter and DaJuan Blair beside him
... George Hill ready to take many of Tony Parker’s minutes.
Burning question: Do they have one more run in them? Will be stellar
rebounding/defensive club but lack scoring punch ... If Duncan, Parker
and Manu Ginobili are healthy for the playoffs, Spurs can give any team
a problem.
2. Dallas Mavericks
Predicted finish: 5th West Last year: 55-27
Key additions: Tyson Chandler, Dominique Jones (rookie).
Skinny: Like Spurs, aging but still effective ... Great depth and MVP
candidate in Dirk Nowitzki but Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and
Jason Terry all slowing down ... Great size up front with
Brendan Haywood and Chandler cleaning up the boards.
Burning question: Too much talent, not enough
minutes? Mavs have great depth and starter/backup
divide at three positions is minuscule, which could
threaten their chemistry.
3. Houston Rockets
Predicted finish: 6th West Last year:
42-40
Key additions: Brad Miller, Courtney Lee,
Patrick Patterson (R).
Skinny: Excelled minus stars Yao Ming and
Tracy McGrady. Yao back and Kevin Martin
replaces T-Mac so offence improves ... Defence
from starters a concern with Aaron Brooks and Martin relative
STEVE
sieves and Yao no longer able to cover as much ground. NASH
Burning question: Too much tinkering? A top chemistry/
intangibles teams has jettisoned good guys like Carl Landry and
Trevor Ariza and getting Yao back changes how they do things.
4. New Orleans Hornets
Predicted finish: 10th West Last year: 37-45
Key additions: Trevor Ariza, Marco Belinelli, Jerryd
Bayless.
Skinny: Brought in Ariza to bolster Achilles heel on the wing,
while Bayless and Belinelli will provide scoring, albeit inconsistently ...
Coming off down year, must bounce back or superstar Chris Paul will
demand exit he is pondering already.
Burning question: Is Paul sticking around? Team committed
to him, even if he isn’t entirely sold on them by ditching future
star Darren Collison. A happy Paul is an MVP candidate and gets
Hornets near playoffs.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
Predicted finish: 12th West Last year: 40-42
Key additions: Tony Allen, Xavier Henry (R).
Skinny: One of league’s surprises a season ago, but primed for a
step back ... Overpaid Rudy Gay then tried to cheap out on paying two
rookies. Horribly run organization that is quickly becoming known as
one players want to avoid. of the Vancouver Grizzlies, who mostly hate
duplicitous owner Michael Heisley.
Burning question? Is Hasheem Thabeet a bust? The former No. 2
overall selection has not seen much action but seems to produce when
called on, if he can avoid fouls.
southeast
1. Miami Heat
Predicted finish: 1st in East Last year: 47-35
Key additions: LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller.
Skinny: Pulled off biggest coup in years by forming Big 3 around
incumbent superstar Dwyane Wade ... But three superstars means less
depth than most and fourth-best player Miller already has gone down
long-term with injury suffered trying to guard James in practice.
Burning question: Can they possibly meet expectations? The 2004
Lakers had four first-ballot Hall of Famers and failed. Pressure high
and James and Bosh both have folded in past playoffs.
2. Orlando Magic
Predicted finish: 2nd in East Last year:
59-23
Key additions: Quentin Richardson, Chris
Duhon.
Skinny: May be 2nd best team in NBA but not best
in division ... Did not upgrade already imposing roster to
keep up with top contenders ... Can score, defend and are
expertly coached ... Injuries in Miami would mean trip to the
final.
Burning question: Are the vets done? Vince Carter
and Rashard Lewis were poor a year ago, but rebounded
with strong pre-seasons. If they are back in form, Dwight
Howard’s Magic will be lethal.
3. Atlanta Hawks
Predicted finish: 6th in East Last year: 53-29
Key additions: Jordan Crawford (R), Larry Drew
(coach).
Skinny: Gave team MVP Joe Johnson a ridiculous
extension which will cost them down line big time.
Johnson was awful in second round of playoffs
against Orlando ... Axed coach Mike Woodson
despite getting better every year ... Have
misfortune of playing in tough division.
Burning question: Have they peaked? Hawks have
a balanced mix of talent but the bulk of it won’t get much
better. That’s not good enough since three East teams are
considerably better than them.
4. Charlotte Bobcats
Predicted finish: 10th in East Last year: 44-38
Key additions: Shaun Livingston, Kwame Brown.
Skinny: Made playoffs for first time and will fight to do it again ...
Have nice options at SG, SF and PF but weakest in league at key
PG/C positions ... New owner Michael Jordan has cut payroll rather
than add to talent base since taking over.
joe Burning question: Will they finally go through with Jose
Calderon trade? He would obviously help and was almost sent
to Charlotte this summer.
5. Washington Wizards
Predicted finish: 14th in East Last year: 26-56
Key additions: John Wall (R), Kirk Hinrich, Yi Jianlian.
Skinny: Lucked out in adding eventual star Wall ... One of most athletic
and explosive teams in loop but lacks basketball IQ ... Will be good with
experience, but it won’t happen this year.
Burning question: What’s the deal with Gilbert Arenas? They didn’t
want him back before finding out they got Wall. Still don’t and he keeps
saying and doing stupid things. But contract is almost immovable so
they are stuck with him.
pacific
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Predicted finish: 1st in West Last year: 57-25
Key additions: Matt Barnes, Steve Blake.
Skinny: Champs got better, upgrading bench with steady veterans
Barnes and Blake ... Andrew Bynum continues to be held back by
injuries but is progressing faster than expected ... With the Heat
needing time to gel, Lakers still the team to beat.
Burning question: Are they better than the Heat? They are bigger,
savvier and grittier. But only stopping Miami will cement Kobe Bryant,
Phil Jackson and the gang as another Lakers dynasty.
2. Phoenix Suns
Predicted finish: 8th in West Last year: 54-28
Key additions: Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress, Hakim
Warrick, Lon Babby (GM).
SKINNY: Championship window has closed ... Lost Amare
Stoudemire and added Turkoglu for Leandro Barbosa,
won’t recover from those missteps ... Not enough inside
scoring.
Burning question: Is this Steve Nash’s final year in
Phoenix? Jettisoned various Nash buddies over the
years and he might want to leave in search of the ring
that has eluded him. He has already said making the
playoffs will be a stretch for this group.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
Predicted finish: 9th in West Last year: 29-53
Key additions: Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes, Al-Farouq Aminu
(R), Vinnie Del Negro (head coach).
Skinny: Getting closer to contention. Blake Griffin could
average 18 and 10 as a rookie and supporting cast is there to
challenge for the playoffs ... Young G Eric Gordon impressed
in pre-season and should be nice complement for Griffin.
Aminu also showed flashes but will need time to adjust to
the NBA.
Burning question: Which Baron Davis shows up? In shape,
Davis is an all-star, unmotivated, he is a costly disaster.
4. Golden State Warriors
Predicted finish: 13th in West Last year: 26-56
Key additions: David Lee, Ekpe Udoh (R), Charlie Bell.
Skinny: Don Nelson out as coach, Keith Smart in ... Team will slow
it down and at least make an attempt to play defence ... Scoring
won’t be a problem, Lee should be a perfect fit and will pair with
Andris Biedrins to form one of best rebounding frontcourts in NBA.
Burning question: Can Monta Ellis/Steph Curry backcourt work?
Both are big-time scorers who aren’t true points. Neither plays
much D, but Curry is the future while another team will pay up for
the explosive Ellis.
5. Sacramento Kings
Predicted finish: 14th in West Last year: 25-57
Key additions: DeMarcus Cousins (R), Samuel Dalembert, Antoine
Wright.
Skinny: Have a couple of blue chip building blocks in rookie of the year
Tyreke Evans and big freshman Cousins, but youth will hold them back
for now ... Scoring depth is a weakness as is inexperience.
Burning question: What will chemistry be like? Cousins/Evans have
wild-card personalities. Front-court depth with Dalembert, Carl Landry,
Cousins and Jason Thompson all capable performers, could lead to
squabbling over minutes.