2007 NBA Season Preview
By: Isaac Cohen
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls- After three consecutive early playoff exits the Baby Bulls have finally grown up and are ready to take the East by storm.
2. Boston Celtics- Welcome the new and improved 3 headed monster of the East. With no clear-cut favourite, the Celtics just went from pretenders to contenders.
3. Detroit Pistons- Are they slowly on the decline? Strong leadership, playoff experience and team chemistry still make the Pistons a force to be reckoned with.
4. Miami Heat- Wade’s health is essential for Miami returning to their elite status. With Shaq not getting any younger the Heat is on for another championship run.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers- At 22 LeBron took his team to the NBA finals, something another famous #23 didn’t do until age 28. With higher expectations than ever, the Cavs have too much uncertainty to repeat last year’s run.
6. Toronto Raptors- Bosh’s health will be a concern and after last year’s pleasant surprise the Raptors may come back to earth this season.
7. New Jersey Nets- No longer possesses the best trio and still lacks the depth for a deep playoff run.
8. Orlando Magic- A team full of young talent and excitement. Will have to gel quickly if they hope to grab the last playoff spot.
9. Washington Wizards- Lack of inside scoring will be the Wizards Achilles heel.
10. Milwaukee Bucks- If the Bucks can turn that mediocrity into consistency there could be a sleeper here.
11. New York Knicks- Talent has never been an issue for this team. Controversy? Let’s not go there.
12. Charlotte Bobcats- Addition of J-Rich will bolster the offense. On the right track, just not ready to take next step yet.
13. Philadelphia 76ers- Growing pains are ahead for the Sixers. Everybody knows that two AI’s are better than one.
14. Indiana Pacers- With Jermaine O’Neal likely to be dealt sooner rather than later my suggestion is to watch the Colts instead.
15. Atlanta Hawks- Not a banner year for the Falcons, Braves or Thrashers so far. Don’t expect the Hawks to come to the rescue.
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs- Quiet off-season will still translate into the Spurs making plenty of noise come playoff time.
2. Dallas Mavericks- A team built for the regular season just not the postseason. One more failure may keep Mark Cuban on Dancing with the Stars longer than expected.
3. Phoenix Suns- No one deserves a title more than Steve Nash. Talent is not the problem….San Antonio is.
4. Utah Jazz- Utah surprised everyone last year, including themselves. With Denver as their only competition in the Northwest; the Jazz are in line for an encore performance.
5. Houston Rockets- This is Yao and T-Mac’s team. With Mike James and Steve Francis back to their old stomping grounds, are the Rockets finally ready to shed that underachieving reputation?
6. Denver Nuggets- Watching Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony run the show will be fun to watch. Lack of depth will be Denver’s downfall.
7. New Orleans Hornets- The pieces are in place but Chris Paul just needs that pure scorer to ensure a postseason berth. New Orleans is my underdog pick.
8. Golden State Warriors- Pulling off that historic upset of Dallas took everything out of them. Decent squad, but in a tough Western Conference they will be fighting for those last couple spots.
9. Memphis Grizzlies- If the Grizzlies stay healthy and their youth mature quickly we could be looking at a playoff team.
10. Los Angeles Lakers- There’s Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom and that’s really it. Put the Kobe trade talk aside because the Lakers are not playoff material, period.
11. Sacramento Kings- At one time a powerhouse of this conference. Now can be looked at as a prime seller come trade deadline.
12. Portland Trail Blazers- A team on the rise now has to wait another year for a healthy Greg Oden.
13. Los Angeles Clippers- Losing Elton Brand would kill any team. Looking at the rest of their roster the Clippers don’t stand a chance.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves- Allow me to introduce the Boston Celtics affiliate team.
15. Seattle Supersonics- 2 bright spots here: Kevin Durant and another opportunity at a top 3 pick.
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls- After three consecutive early playoff exits the Baby Bulls have finally grown up and are ready to take the East by storm.
2. Boston Celtics- Welcome the new and improved 3 headed monster of the East. With no clear-cut favourite, the Celtics just went from pretenders to contenders.
3. Detroit Pistons- Are they slowly on the decline? Strong leadership, playoff experience and team chemistry still make the Pistons a force to be reckoned with.
4. Miami Heat- Wade’s health is essential for Miami returning to their elite status. With Shaq not getting any younger the Heat is on for another championship run.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers- At 22 LeBron took his team to the NBA finals, something another famous #23 didn’t do until age 28. With higher expectations than ever, the Cavs have too much uncertainty to repeat last year’s run.
6. Toronto Raptors- Bosh’s health will be a concern and after last year’s pleasant surprise the Raptors may come back to earth this season.
7. New Jersey Nets- No longer possesses the best trio and still lacks the depth for a deep playoff run.
8. Orlando Magic- A team full of young talent and excitement. Will have to gel quickly if they hope to grab the last playoff spot.
9. Washington Wizards- Lack of inside scoring will be the Wizards Achilles heel.
10. Milwaukee Bucks- If the Bucks can turn that mediocrity into consistency there could be a sleeper here.
11. New York Knicks- Talent has never been an issue for this team. Controversy? Let’s not go there.
12. Charlotte Bobcats- Addition of J-Rich will bolster the offense. On the right track, just not ready to take next step yet.
13. Philadelphia 76ers- Growing pains are ahead for the Sixers. Everybody knows that two AI’s are better than one.
14. Indiana Pacers- With Jermaine O’Neal likely to be dealt sooner rather than later my suggestion is to watch the Colts instead.
15. Atlanta Hawks- Not a banner year for the Falcons, Braves or Thrashers so far. Don’t expect the Hawks to come to the rescue.
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs- Quiet off-season will still translate into the Spurs making plenty of noise come playoff time.
2. Dallas Mavericks- A team built for the regular season just not the postseason. One more failure may keep Mark Cuban on Dancing with the Stars longer than expected.
3. Phoenix Suns- No one deserves a title more than Steve Nash. Talent is not the problem….San Antonio is.
4. Utah Jazz- Utah surprised everyone last year, including themselves. With Denver as their only competition in the Northwest; the Jazz are in line for an encore performance.
5. Houston Rockets- This is Yao and T-Mac’s team. With Mike James and Steve Francis back to their old stomping grounds, are the Rockets finally ready to shed that underachieving reputation?
6. Denver Nuggets- Watching Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony run the show will be fun to watch. Lack of depth will be Denver’s downfall.
7. New Orleans Hornets- The pieces are in place but Chris Paul just needs that pure scorer to ensure a postseason berth. New Orleans is my underdog pick.
8. Golden State Warriors- Pulling off that historic upset of Dallas took everything out of them. Decent squad, but in a tough Western Conference they will be fighting for those last couple spots.
9. Memphis Grizzlies- If the Grizzlies stay healthy and their youth mature quickly we could be looking at a playoff team.
10. Los Angeles Lakers- There’s Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom and that’s really it. Put the Kobe trade talk aside because the Lakers are not playoff material, period.
11. Sacramento Kings- At one time a powerhouse of this conference. Now can be looked at as a prime seller come trade deadline.
12. Portland Trail Blazers- A team on the rise now has to wait another year for a healthy Greg Oden.
13. Los Angeles Clippers- Losing Elton Brand would kill any team. Looking at the rest of their roster the Clippers don’t stand a chance.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves- Allow me to introduce the Boston Celtics affiliate team.
15. Seattle Supersonics- 2 bright spots here: Kevin Durant and another opportunity at a top 3 pick.
posted by Isaac Cohen at
7:15 PM
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