There are two more awards to add to the list. This should do it for my predictions before the season rolls out. I'm looking forward to another year of hoops and I hope it is as exciting as it was last year.
Defensive Player Of The Year: AK47
Andrei would have at least one defensive player of the year award had he remained healthy. He looks to be in good health and I think he needs a year of health to benefit his team and silence critics. There is no better weak-side defender in the league and he is one of the few players that can change an entire game without scoring a point. I wouldn't be shocked to see him end up with 2.5 blocks and 2.5 steals per game.
6th Man Of The Year: Leandro Barbosa
The scoring has always been there for the Blur but his improved defense will keep him on the court longer. With more time, will come more points and more exposure. I told friends that I thought he could become another Bobby Jackson before his time was done, and he is really nearing that status.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
It is prediction time ladies and gents. I'll look deep within my Magic Eightball and see what lies ahead this season in the NBA. I'll run down the awards and all the teams that I feel are going to be big winners this year. Feel free to agree or disagree, but chances are we will all mostly be wrong.
Rookie Of The Year: Adam Morrison
He will get an opportunity right away to put up points for those tangerine orange Bobcats. While most rookies will struggle to find time, Ammo should be a focal point of an offense in desperate need of a pure scorer. I wouldn't be shocked to see him put up seventeen to eighteen points per game. Foye and Roy should both have good years as well but once again, they will not be a focal point of an offense. You can't stop the stache...
Most Improved Player: Josh Smith
I agree with John Hollinger in regard to this award. The player that wins it is usually just a young bench player or recently traded player that is finally getting some burn. It is great to recognize improvement but the All-Star game and the various other awards around the league should be enough. Being that the award is around though still, I have to pick someone. Josh Smith has a game very similar to players like Shawn Marion or AK47. He's versatile and is a terror on defense. His jump shot is improving and combined with his flash, should create a perfect ingredient for MIP.
MVP:King James
While nothing would make me happier than seeing Steve win another MVP, this will most likely be Lebron's year. His insane numbers will just continue to rise and the Cavs look set to win 55+ games. The first time I saw him play, I told my father that I thought he would average a triple double at some point in his career. It's only a matter of time before he does it, maybe even this year. The crazy thing about all this, is that he's only 21 and all this seems like a possibility.
Coach Of The Year: Brian Hill
All the ingredients are in place for the Magic to have a great year. Dwight Howard, Darko and Jameer should all only be better. The rest of the team is a nice blend of vets like Grant Hill and Pat Garrity to go along with other whippersnappers like Ariza and J.J. They won't win the East by any means but they will make the playoffs and improve enough that Brian Hill should be considered a real option for coach of the year.
Finals: Suns vs. Heat
Deep down inside, I wanted to pick the Cavs or Bulls to be in the finals. I don't feel like the Bulls have enough inside scoring or experience and the Cavs don't really have much outside shooting. Shaq doesn't have much left in the tank and this will most likely be his last hurrah.
Anyone who reads here knows my Suns bias but all the ingredients are there for them to make it all the way. Even without Amare, I would be tempted to put them in the finals now that Kurt Thomas is healthy and Nash has a true backup. With Amare improving day by day and the rest of the youth like Diaw, Barbosa and Banks doing the same, there is no reason this team shouldn't win the whole thing. Besides, we're due after waiting since the late 60's for a title. Give us one!!
Rookie Of The Year: Adam Morrison
He will get an opportunity right away to put up points for those tangerine orange Bobcats. While most rookies will struggle to find time, Ammo should be a focal point of an offense in desperate need of a pure scorer. I wouldn't be shocked to see him put up seventeen to eighteen points per game. Foye and Roy should both have good years as well but once again, they will not be a focal point of an offense. You can't stop the stache...
Most Improved Player: Josh Smith
I agree with John Hollinger in regard to this award. The player that wins it is usually just a young bench player or recently traded player that is finally getting some burn. It is great to recognize improvement but the All-Star game and the various other awards around the league should be enough. Being that the award is around though still, I have to pick someone. Josh Smith has a game very similar to players like Shawn Marion or AK47. He's versatile and is a terror on defense. His jump shot is improving and combined with his flash, should create a perfect ingredient for MIP.
MVP:King James
While nothing would make me happier than seeing Steve win another MVP, this will most likely be Lebron's year. His insane numbers will just continue to rise and the Cavs look set to win 55+ games. The first time I saw him play, I told my father that I thought he would average a triple double at some point in his career. It's only a matter of time before he does it, maybe even this year. The crazy thing about all this, is that he's only 21 and all this seems like a possibility.
Coach Of The Year: Brian Hill
All the ingredients are in place for the Magic to have a great year. Dwight Howard, Darko and Jameer should all only be better. The rest of the team is a nice blend of vets like Grant Hill and Pat Garrity to go along with other whippersnappers like Ariza and J.J. They won't win the East by any means but they will make the playoffs and improve enough that Brian Hill should be considered a real option for coach of the year.
Finals: Suns vs. Heat
Deep down inside, I wanted to pick the Cavs or Bulls to be in the finals. I don't feel like the Bulls have enough inside scoring or experience and the Cavs don't really have much outside shooting. Shaq doesn't have much left in the tank and this will most likely be his last hurrah.
Anyone who reads here knows my Suns bias but all the ingredients are there for them to make it all the way. Even without Amare, I would be tempted to put them in the finals now that Kurt Thomas is healthy and Nash has a true backup. With Amare improving day by day and the rest of the youth like Diaw, Barbosa and Banks doing the same, there is no reason this team shouldn't win the whole thing. Besides, we're due after waiting since the late 60's for a title. Give us one!!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
It's been a while but there has not been much to talk about! I've been riding a roller coaster ride that is called: "Amare Stoudemire's Knee" for over a year now. He looks to be rounding into form and I only pray that Suns curse that began with Lew will not strike again.
I was working on putting together my fantasy team this year and sleepers kept popping up left and right. Nothing is more gratifying than grabbing a guy in the 9th round that ends up not only starting but putting up great numbers for you. We all hope we find a Boris Diaw, not a Yinka Dare. Here are a few cats that could round into form this season.
Josh Smith
Initially, when the Suns traded Joe to Atlanta, I really wanted them to request Josh. I heard Atlanta was expecting that and was shocked when they requested Boris. He is the closest thing I have ever seen to Shawn Marion, who's game is very hard to duplicate. Josh flies up and down the court and attacks the rim relentlessly. Not only that, but he gets a ton of blocks and steals. Hopefully his J will improve a bit, as well as his ball handling, but there is no reason to think the kid won't get any good looks with both Speedy and Joe on board.
Dwight Howard
I know he's already very good but he is about to become great. He is already the best rebounder in the game but his post moves and all around offense are rounding into form. He has all the potential in the world and don't be shocked to see him pull out a 25/25 game at some point this season. That may seem like something that could only happen in NBA Live or Lakers vs. Celtcis, but it could very well be a reality.
Leandro Barbosa
It's been both fun and depressing to watch Leandro over the course of his career with the Suns. He can look like the second coming of the "Microwave" and then look like Robert Pack hopped up on speed. He's finally starting to understand pacing and he is picking his spots rather than constantly pushing the fast forward button. He is starting to focus on defense and with his length, could be a magnet for steals. Don't be shocked if he is 6th man of the year in '07.
Shaun Livingston
Sam I am is bound to get injured at some point this year, being that he is on the cusp of being 1000. Seriously, how long does it seem like he's been in the league? I think both he and Dikembe Mutombo were drafted in 1967. Shaun is putting up great scoring numbers in the preseason and is really working on his J. To top it off, he has great vision to go along with great defense. People compare him to Magic but I see Penny Hardaway with more defense written all over him. This should be the year his numbers rise up.
I can't wait for the season to start and I'll be posting my predictions here very shortly.
I was working on putting together my fantasy team this year and sleepers kept popping up left and right. Nothing is more gratifying than grabbing a guy in the 9th round that ends up not only starting but putting up great numbers for you. We all hope we find a Boris Diaw, not a Yinka Dare. Here are a few cats that could round into form this season.
Josh Smith
Initially, when the Suns traded Joe to Atlanta, I really wanted them to request Josh. I heard Atlanta was expecting that and was shocked when they requested Boris. He is the closest thing I have ever seen to Shawn Marion, who's game is very hard to duplicate. Josh flies up and down the court and attacks the rim relentlessly. Not only that, but he gets a ton of blocks and steals. Hopefully his J will improve a bit, as well as his ball handling, but there is no reason to think the kid won't get any good looks with both Speedy and Joe on board.
Dwight Howard
I know he's already very good but he is about to become great. He is already the best rebounder in the game but his post moves and all around offense are rounding into form. He has all the potential in the world and don't be shocked to see him pull out a 25/25 game at some point this season. That may seem like something that could only happen in NBA Live or Lakers vs. Celtcis, but it could very well be a reality.
Leandro Barbosa
It's been both fun and depressing to watch Leandro over the course of his career with the Suns. He can look like the second coming of the "Microwave" and then look like Robert Pack hopped up on speed. He's finally starting to understand pacing and he is picking his spots rather than constantly pushing the fast forward button. He is starting to focus on defense and with his length, could be a magnet for steals. Don't be shocked if he is 6th man of the year in '07.
Shaun Livingston
Sam I am is bound to get injured at some point this year, being that he is on the cusp of being 1000. Seriously, how long does it seem like he's been in the league? I think both he and Dikembe Mutombo were drafted in 1967. Shaun is putting up great scoring numbers in the preseason and is really working on his J. To top it off, he has great vision to go along with great defense. People compare him to Magic but I see Penny Hardaway with more defense written all over him. This should be the year his numbers rise up.
I can't wait for the season to start and I'll be posting my predictions here very shortly.
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