5. Who are the contenders for the NBA Championship and whom do you see taking the title?
My prediction is that the Dallas Mavericks will take the title. They’re long overdue to take home a ring with their powerhouse roster that includes All-Star Josh Howard and the league’s reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs will be hungry to redeem themselves for two years of lost opportunity. Humiliation and a desire to prove themselves will drive them out of the gate this season, especially for Dirk who flaked out in playoffs. They suffered the Pearl Harbor of all sneak attacks when the eighth seed Golden State Warriors knocked them out of the first round of playoffs last season. This is after bowing out to the Miami Heat the prior season in the 2005-06 NBA Finals.
The Mavericks had the best record in the NBA last season and beat the San Antonio Spurs to clench the Southwest Division title. Their excellent regular season play needs to translate to their postseason game. They have a great coach in Avery Johnson, who will demand the team play at their peak level. He is great at calling plays and understands what it takes to win championships. They don’t call him the "Little General" for nothing.
The Mav’s weakest link is the center position, but DeSagana Diop will up his play with his impending free agency on the horizon. Dallas also has to hope that the speedy Devin Harris will return from the offseason improved and add to his minutes. These improvements will help propel Dallas, but the most critical factor in determining their success is making Nowitzki a playoff player. He’s the centerpiece of the offense and cannot phase out when he’s needed the most. The Spurs will be gunning for them, but history shows us that San Antonio has struggled to repeat as NBA champions in consecutive years.
Here are my NBA league predictions below:
NBA CHAMPIONS: Dallas Mavericks
Eastern Conference Champions: Chicago Bulls
Western Conference Champions: Mavericks
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division:
- Boston Celtics *
- New Jersey Nets *
- Toronto Raptors *
- New York Knicks
- Philadelphia 76ers
Central Division:
- Chicago Bulls *
- Cleveland Cavaliers *
- Detroit Pistons *
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Indiana Pacers
Southeast Division:
- Washington Wizards *
- Miami Heat *
- Orlando Magic
- Charlotte Bobcats
- Atlanta Hawks
NOTE: * = making the playoffs
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division:
- Dallas Mavericks *
- San Antonio Spurs *
- Houston Rockets *
- New Orleans Hornets
- Memphis Grizzlies
Northwest Division:
- Utah Jazz *
- Denver Nuggets *
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Seattle SuperSonics
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Pacific Division:
- Phoenix Suns *
- Los Angeles Lakers *
- Golden State Warriors *
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Sacramento Kings
NOTE: * = making the playoffs
ATLANTIC DIVISION TEAM PREVIEWS
COMPLETE DIVISION TEAM PREVIEWS
