My cousin, Mirko, and I started a relatively new tradition three seasons ago with his best friend from college, Lubo, about picking the playoff seeds in each conference, a couple of dark horses, conference champions, and the NBA Champion. This tradition is similar to Buffalo Steve's and my pro football picks which goes back about a decade. No money is wagered, just friends and family seeing who is the most correct.
Review: The Tank was thankfully on point by picking the Heat to win it all last season.
Preview: This season proves more challenging as parity rules the roost with many free agents and draft moves. Ben Wallace going from Detroit to Chicago will have profound affect on the balance of power in the Central Division and beyond both this and future seasons. What makes it harder to pick is the fact that Chicago and Cleveland have improved but not to the point of making the NBA Finals, yet. Detroit had a big loss but still has a great core. Depending upon on how the ball bounces, these teams can win from 45 to 60 wins.
Miami and New Jersey play in relatively weak divisions so they should be fine as every night won't be as contested in the Central.
The winner of the Western Conference used to be the NBA Champion but it's hard enough making it through the regular season and playoffs. So many teams have players playing internationally that it also take a toll, i.e. Yao Ming and Dwyane Wade. Wade got banged up by going too inside during the 2004-2005 season but did less so last season (granted all things are relative). He needs to continue to pound the ball into Shaq. Will the Diesel be able to play 60+ games? At his age and weight, it is hard to withstand the 82 game regular season and then about 20 games in the playoffs. The more games Shaq plays, the better off the Heat will be.
Without further ado, please find my picks in order of playoff seeding:
Eastern Conference
1. Miami
2. NJ Nets
3. Detroit
4. Cleveland
5. Chicago
6. Washington
7. Boston
8. Indiana
Dark Horse: Charlotte, Orlando, Milwaukee (if they weren't in rough and tumble Central, they would be in the playoffs.)
Conference Champion: Miami.
Western Conference:
1. Dallas
2. Phoenix
3. Denver
4. San Antonio
5. LA Clippers
6. Utah
7. Houston
8. LA Lakers
Dark Horses: Sacramento, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, Golden State (Donnie Nelson is great but I am afraid for his health because of his age and burning out. Be well Donnie and please stay away from the cigars. The NBA needs you.)
Conference Champion: Dallas
NBA Champion: Dallas (David Stern and the refs finally let the Mavericks win one in a rematch of last season's finals).
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Local Team Outlook:
Knicks (AKA the Bricks after their performance last season):
The Vegas over/under on the Bricks win total this season is 31. I think they will beat that and win about 33 to 39+ games because Isiah's and everyone else jobs are on the line. The Knicks up tempo offense this year will be an improvement even if they lose games by 130-110 which is more watch able than last season's painful and lower scoring games.
NJ Nets:
The Tank is looking forward to the day that the Nets return home to NY, specifically Brooklyn. It can't come soon enough as they are talented and well coached which is more than I can say about the Bricks. The Vegas over/under on the Nets is 48. Take the over as they should win about 50 to 55+ games.
Perspective:
None of the above would have been possible without the herculean efforts of basketball pioneer and genius extraordinaire and Brooklyn born Red Auerbach. R.I.P. Mr. Auerbach, you are missed.
Posted by The Tank in NY.