Given that we are at the All-Star break, I will take this time to evaluate my preseason NBA picks.  I usually do this to remind myself how terrible of a prognosticator I tend to be from time to time, but follow me nonetheless…

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Predicted

1. Toronto Raptors
2. New York Knicks
3. Brooklyn Nets
4. Boston Celtics
5. Philadelphia 76ers

Actual

1. Raptors
2. Nets
3. Celtics
4. Sixers
5. Knicks

Analysis:  Not a shocker that the Raptors are running away with this moribund division.  What’s shocking to me is how bad my Knicks are.  The good news is we are having lots of salaries coming off of the books this season.  I sure hope Phil Jackson knows what the hell he is doing.

Central Division

Predicted

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Indiana Pacers
4. Milwaukee Bucks
5. Detroit Pistons

Actual

1. Bulls
2. Cavs
3. Bucks
4. Pistons
5. Pacers

Analysis:  This has shaped out to a competitive division at the top.  Only three games separate the Bulls, Cavs and Bucks.  Speaking of the Bucks, Milwaukee has exceeded everyone’s expectations.  Looks like Jason Kidd knows what the hell he is doing after all.  As for the other two squads at the top, it should be fun who will earn his squad the division title: LeBron James or Derrick Rose.

Southeast Division

Predicted

1. Charlotte Hornets
2. Miami Heat
3. Washington Wizards
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Orlando Magic

Actual

1. Hawks
2. Wizards
3. Hornets
4. Heat
5. Magic

Analysis:  Nice to see the Hornets fulfilling my bold prediction  in the preseason.  Gee, talk about a no-brainer.  While I have struck out on Charlotte, I have really been wrong on the Hawks.  The fact they have the best record in the East should be a surprise given the fact that they are healthy and have a head coach who learned under the great Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.  The Wizards are healthier and is poised to make a run at a fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.  As for the Heat, think they miss LeBron right now?

Western Conference

Southwest Division

Predicted

1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Houston Rockets
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Memphis Grizzlies
5. New Orleans Pelicans

Actual

1. Grizzlies
2. Rockets
3. Mavericks
4. Spurs
5. Pelicans

Analysis:  Damn, who’d seen the Grizzlies coming?  Hell even their fans didn’t see this coming.  Those boys have been playing together for a long time, and their chemistry shows on the court.  And while the Rockets and Mavs are doing as well as I thought, the Spurs seem to be just middling along while waiting for the playoffs to begin.

Northwest Division

Predicted

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Portland Trailblazers
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Utah Jazz
5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Actual

1. Blazers
2. Thunder
3. Nuggets
4. Jazz
5. Wolves

Analysis:  While the Thunder have struggled through some injuries, specifically to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Blazers have taken advantage in a big way.  Given how bad the rest of the division is, it seems that Portland should moonwalk its way to the division title.

Pacific Division

Predicted

1. Los Angeles Clippers
2. Golden State Warriors
3. Phoenix Suns
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Sacramento Kings

Actual

1. Warriors
2. Clippers
3. Suns
4. Kings
5. Lakers

Analysis:  I knew the Clippers and the Warriors would be good.  I didn’t think the Warriors would be THAT good.  Credit to first year coach Steve Kerr for getting the best out of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and the crew.  Though the Clips are underachievers at the moment, they are going to be dangerous come playoff time.  And who knew that the Lakers will suck THIS bad.  Maybe Kobe should not have signed such a huge extension (not that I would have turn down that money either)?

Categories: NBA

Tags: basketball, NBA, Opinion, Sports