Now that the finals are a part of the history books and the draft has been completed to bridge the 2012 and 2013 seasons, it's time to look back on my predictions to see how wrong I was. Basketball writers love to make predictions, but few ever review them for the public.
Link to Western Conference preview.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Golden State Warriors
Key sentence:
I would argue that a compressed schedule will help an up-tempo team, but the new coach Mark Jackson has vowed to remake them into a defensive team. I’m not sure how he can do that, short of trading Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis and David Lee for Dwight Howard and a good wing defender. ... The best move forward for the team is to trade Ellis to a delusional GM in exchange for first round picks and young player(s).
Prediction: 29-37
Random prediction: Biedrins will average double digits in rebounding for the second time in his career but will fail to eclipse the same mark in points.
Actual record: 23-43
Okay, so I was totally wrong on Biedrins (3.7 a game) and they were a bit better than I had anticipated, but I wasn't fooled by their new zeal on defense. They were tied for 26th in the league in points allowed per possession and last year they were ... 26th. Great coaching, Mark Jackson! Trading Ellis for Bogut could turn out to be a great move if Bogut can stay mostly healthy. It's a gamble that you need to make in a competitive league like the NBA where one piece can make all the difference. It's also not like they were going anywhere with Ellis. In return they got a "true" center who if healthy is good enough for defensive player of the year consideration, and Ellis is a guy whose only strength is scoring but his shooting percentages are low. Now they just need to use the amnesty on Biedrins ... wait, they used it on Charlie Bell? Who stood to make 4 million a year expiring at the end of the season? And they did it to lure DeAndre Jordan of all people and instead of making room by using the amnesty option on a guy who plays the same position, makes more money with a longer contract, and has been horrible ... Charlie Bell? Good luck in the offseason, and I look forward to your wise moves.
LA Lakers
Key sentences:
The lone bright spot for the Lakers is Bynum, and any basketball fan knows why that’s a terrible kind of hope. ... The Lakers were slipping last season, and without their sixth man their fall will accelerate.
Prediction: 37-29
Random prediction: Josh McRoberts will become an instant Laker fan favorite with his powerful dunks.
Actual record: 41-25
I was more pessimistic than what actually happened, but how was I supposed to know Bynum was never going to miss a game after coming back from his suspension and start in the all-star game? However, their point differential was only 1.4, and if Bynum had even missed a handful of games my prediction would have been accurate. The Lakers were just good enough that their fans held onto the delusion that they were a real contender, and when they move Pau Gasol for what will likely be a disappointing package I hope the ax finally drops and the Lakers are stuck in contract hell paying Kobe 30 million a year and surrounding him with the cast of a local reality show. Josh McRoberts didn't exactly become the fan favorite for his dunks, but he was coined with the nickname McRambis for his physical style and stupid flagrant fouls. I'd say I'd get a half-point for that one.
LA Clippers
Key sentences:
In the playoffs, the Clippers will face problems when other teams exploit their weaknesses. ... Memphis, in particular, would plow through them. ... Their success also depends on how Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan develop defensively, as both were disappointing given their athleticism and size. However, the main reason I’m lukewarm on them this season is that they hired Vinny Del Negro as their head coach and Donald Sterling still owns the organization.
Prediction: 43-23
Random prediction: Chris Paul will break the single season alley-oop record, which someone like the Elias Sports Bureau will uncover after many Griffin-Jordan dunks.
Actual record: 40-26
The Clippers have quickly turned from league cellar-dweller joke to up-and-coming to overrated unlikable. I'm not sure how they did that because they have the best point guard in the game who uses not size or athleticism but skill, and an exciting young player who's this generation's Shawn Kemp without the baggage. I hope fans move on from blaming Stern for this team. Chris Paul would have been wasted on the Lakers because Kobe demands the ball so much. Why can't people realize that? I couldn't find many official numbers on alley-oops, but it appears Chris Paul didn't break the record and the Lakers led the league. That doesn't mean the Lakers are now Lob City. Bynum and Gasol get those old extremely tall man alley-oops where they stand on their toes and daintily throw the ball through the rim.
Phoenix Suns
Key sentences:
They will not compete with this version of the Nash Suns. ... I’m afraid the season will pass, they’ll make no major trades, and miss the playoffs with a record that ensures a middling draft pick.
Prediction: 30-36
Random prediction: Steve Nash will be contacted by Michelle Obama to help her campaign of healthy eating in the US.
Actual record: 33-33
They actually broke even, but it was only three more wins than I had predicted and another lottery team, the Rockets, had more wins. It was a lost year in the desert, and despite Gortat having a good year nothing important happened for the team. They missed out on their chance to trade Nash for something of value, and instead they could force the nice Canadian/South African to spend his twilight years throwing crisp passes to mediocre talent. Just go to Indiana or Portland, Nash. Do it for basketball reasons. Michelle Obama and Nash didn't exactly become best buds, but his organization does have strong ties to her health organization.
Sacramento Kings
Key sentences:
The Kings definitely have talent, but it’s unclear if that talent can be harnessed into real basketball games. ... The team also has no real point guard, mostly because they are insistent that Tyreke Evans is a point. I’m not sure when management will finally realize this, but until they do the Kings will remain the worst passing team in the league. The rookie Isaiah Thomas is a letter and a couple inches in height away from helping in this regard.
Prediction: 22-44
Random prediction: Cousins will have a game with six turnovers, six missed shots, and six fouls.
Actual record: 22-44
Unfortunately for the Kings, I was actually exactly correct on their record. The bright side is that improbably their 60th pick in the draft, Isaiah Thomas, actually turned out to be a good player and started point guard in the latter part of the season, pushing Evans to a more comfortable 2-guard role. That in itself is an accomplishment, and now they just drafted arguably the second best player in the draft, Thomas Robinson, for a now imposing and physical frontcourt. It might be crowded because both are post players; it would behoove them to find floor spacers. Cousins, however, never had the dreaded 6-6-6 game; he was only one foul away.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
Denver Nuggets
Key sentences:
The Mavericks made the mistake of giving up Rudy Fernandez for nothing so they could play a decrepit Vince Carter more minutes, and as a Portland fan I can’t wait to see how they use him in Denver, where they hope to push the tempo and fire away. ... Andre Miller will have another strangely healthy season where he shakes off his bad conditioning habits to pass four players to the tenth position on the all-time assists leaderboard. ... The Nuggets will be one of my favorite teams to watch, and they have a chance to post the top record in the west despite not having any players who were all-stars previously.
Prediction: 45-21
Random prediction: Nene will be an all-star because the coaches and the media will need to justify Denver’s record.
Actual results: 38-28
Between China and injuries the deep Nuggets had their roster devastated, and it's remarkable they were as good as they were. It was so bad they thought it was a good idea to trade a guy they just signed to a big contract for JaVale McGee. Andre Miller, after serving his time on a Portland team legendary for injuries, cruised along and never missed a game again, even though he separated his shoulder in the middle of the season. He also passed a few players into tenth all-time on the career assists leaderboard as I had said he would. Fernandez also lived up to my hype. I was definitely wrong on how their season would go, but at least at this point you can't predict injuries.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Key sentences:
I don’t think this will be the season where they approach 0.500 basketball when so many of their young players are still learning how to play and Kevin Love’s unusual combination of 15 rebounds and 40% three-point shooting wasn’t enough to pull them out of the cellar. ... With Rubio’s lack of shooting touch and Love’s defensive deficiencies, it’s a team that needs careful roster management with the right personnel to complement the best players.
Prediction: 25-41
Random prediction: Rubio will have a game with ten rebounds, ten assists, and zero made field goals.
Actual results: 26-40
I was pretty accurate with how I thought the team would do even though Pekovic was better than most people thought (though it was counter-balanced by Rubio's injury.) Rubio, however, did not have the 10-10-0 game; his closest was 7-8-1. They gave away a lottery pick so they can't build through their awfulness this year, and it's troubling to figure out how they could get better from here. This team had their moments, but ultimately they were too far from anyone important to make a difference.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Key sentences:
They’re one of the youngest contenders in league history, and during a weird season they could reach the finals. ... With the Lakers faltering, the Spurs still quietly good but likely to rest their veterans, and the Mavericks as old any team, the Thunder are poised to take the western title crown.
Prediction: 46-20
Random prediction: Ibaka will lead the league in blocks per game with close to 3.5 and will receive heavy consideration for Defensive Player of the Year, even if he isn’t deserving.
Actual results: 47-19
The Thunder were probably my best prediction. I was only off one game for their record, I suggested they could make the finals, right before the playoffs started I said they would make the finals as well, and the crème de la crème was Ibaka. Ibaka led the league with 3.7 blocks, close to 3.5, and he did in fact receive heavy consideration for the defensive award even though he didn't deserve it. (There's a reason why he didn't play more minutes: he wasn't that great of a defender to justify more, and Collison was arguably better.) Though in all honesty I didn't exactly take a risk predicting the Thunder would reach the finals. It was an amazing year for the young team, but reality is about to set in as the rookie contracts for Harden and Ibaka near their ends.
Portland Trailblazers
Key sentences:
The Blazers were very good even with little production from Roy and Oden, so it shouldn’t be a surprise this year if they’re very good again. ... I imagine this year will be a pleasant surprise for Blazers fans, because their varied depth at least in positions 1 through 4 will do well in a compressed schedule, and the lack of a dominating western team at the top two or three seeds could lead to an upset and a second round visit for Portland -- yes, the Thunder, Mavericks, etc. are still good, but not overwhelmingly so.
Prediction: 38-28
Random prediction: Crawford for sixth man of the year.
Actual results: 28-38
I was dead wrong here. I'm a Blazers' fan, and as such I don't really want to talk about this year. Portland tanked and traded a very good player in Wallace for a draft pick, and the guy they drafted is someone who I think will be a bust because he's a senior and played against weak competition. Let's just move on and pray someone like Steve Nash decides to rescue this team.
Utah Jazz
Key sentences:
In other words, they’re a mediocre team in the middle of a rebuilding project. ... They’re not going to contend with this crew, and they could bottom out this year depending on who they move and how guys like Hayward and Kanter progress.
Prediction: 26-40
Random prediction: Enes Kanter will be a bust.
Actual results: 36-30
The Jazz somehow managed to take a rebuilding team to the playoffs, although they were destroyed in the first round. I still don't like the Millsap-Jefferson frontcourt, and I'm sure their fans agree with me. It'll be interesting to see how Favors pans out because some people are really high on him, especially defensively. His athleticism would be the perfect complement to Al Jefferson's below the rim game. The Jazz don't get nearly enough credit for the job they've done in assembling a quality team with little resources. Gordon Hayward has surprised a few people, and he's the type of young athletic wing many teams covet. Being able to find talent while competing for a playoff spot is the elite tier of good management and it's something few have been able to do. The Spurs are probably the best example as they haven't dipped into mediocrity since they drafted Duncan. I'm not saying the Jazz are as good as the Spurs, but they need to receive proper credit. Kanter hasn't shown anything yet as I had predicted earlier, but it's too early to call him out as a bust. There's a possibility the team saw something in him I did not; I saw him as a seven-foot stiff who was uneasy in the NBA game.
SOUTHWEST DIVISION
Dallas Mavericks
After winning a title and essentially trading Chandler for Odom, the Mavericks are once again neglected in the media. They’ll miss having a good defensive center, but an Odom-Nowitzki frontcourt will be devastating offensively and they will have cap room next year. This season won’t be a terrible title defense like Miami’s last one, but they’re not out for blood like Boston was. They have enough depth to weather the weird schedule, and will likely play small line-ups whenever the match-ups allow them to unless they pick up a decent center. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if they force a center into their starting line-up because they’ll worry not having one will drag them down, but in fact playing a subpar player of any position will have the effect they’re trying to avoid.
The success of Dallas is hinged on the amazing offensive play of Dirk Nowitzki, a consistently efficient scorer who’s a match-up nightmare as a seven-foot jump shooter who can take fellow seven-footers off the dribble. He sets up in the middle of the floor, making double teams dangerous as the floor opens up, and Dallas has always surrounded him with shooters. This year is no exception – Kidd, Terry, Carter, Roddy, even Odom, and new arrival Delonte West are great from long-range. Dirk shouldn’t slip too much due to age; his playing style is built for low impact on the body and his shooting skills and huge frame won’t deteriorate as he goes further into his 30’s. The problem with the Carter signing, however, is that Dallas traded a first round pick for Rudy Fernandez, and then traded Rudy to clear space for Carter. Right now, Vince Carter is not significantly better than Rudy, who’s eight years younger. Rudy’s even a better dunker presently.
Dirk has been great for over a decade with alarming consistency, meaning his supporting cast will make or break this season, as it’s been for every season. Roddy Beaubois is their x-factor, but one should also watch Brandon Wright, who has shown huge potential but never stuck the landing while playing in Golden State and New Jersey. With Kidd’s ability to guard shooting guards, Roddy can forget about feigning interest as a point guard and attack the basket. Vince Carter will probably end up being a mistake because he’s a guard who’s relied on his athleticism all his life and is in his mid-thirties. If you lower your expectations and think of him only as a spot-up shooter from deep, then he should attain success. Aging shooting guards like Michael Finley and Jerry Stackhouse had to make similar sacrifices to keep playing in the NBA.
I’m not down on Dallas’ chances, but the west is loaded with teams who are “weak” contenders, and both the Heat and Bulls should be better. I’m afraid Dallas won’t be able to find another decent center, and will by habit start the next best center they have, Brendan Haywood, even when going up against opponents who don’t have a big center worth guarding. They’ll drop a spot in the standings because of this, but when they play without a useless big man like Haywood or Mahinmi they’ll be as good as last year.
Key sentences:
This season won’t be a terrible title defense like Miami’s last one, but they’re not out for blood like Boston was. ... I’m not down on Dallas’ chances, but the west is loaded with teams who are “weak” contenders, and both the Heat and Bulls should be better.
Prediction: 42-24
Random prediction: Mark Cuban will make negative public comments about Kim Kardashian, and it will be funny.
Actual results: 36-30
I think most of the difference between them winning 42 and the reality of 36 is Nowitzki's weak start to the season and Odom's refusal to be a professional basketball player and an adult. The funniest part of the season was how Chandler left the team to win a defensive player of the year award and Dallas didn't slip defensively as they were eighth this year and seventh the year before; their offensive production is what fell off a cliff (8th to 20th). They're a rich, spoiled team who throws around money like it's nothing, and this offseason after whiffing on Odom and investing in guys like Vince Carter they could lure the all-star Deron Williams. The league is full of the superrich and the rest.
Houston Rockets
Key sentences:
Instead they’re a near 0.500 team too good for a high lottery pick and too bad for a playoff run. ... This is a hard team to predict because they could make a major trade during the season. I think they’ll be patient, however, and could do something smart like play Kevin Martin heavy minutes to showcase his scoring and increase his trade value. ... They won’t make the playoffs, but they’ll be one of the most active teams in the trade market.
Prediction: 31-35
Random prediction: They’ll wait until the summer of 2012 to make a big splash in the trade and free agent market
Actual results: 34-32
I was surprised they didn't make any big moves but it wasn't for lack of trying. Near the draft they threw around some small moves and ended up drafting a bunch of players who will almost undoubtedly end up being better than people thought. They're in the hunt for a major player like Howard and have been stockpiling assets. They just missed the playoffs again, and it was basically a lost season. I think the management has done everything well, but it shows you how much of an impact luck and circumstance are in the league.
Memphis Grizzlies
Key sentences:
After a surprising run in the playoffs, the Grizzlies still have a lot to prove. They remain intact, yet they’re in a competitive conference where only a few games will separate first from eighth. ... Unfortunately, depth and a stacked western conference will keep them from the top spot, but in the playoffs they could again plow through opponents with a frontcourt of Randolph and Gasol.
Prediction: 36-30
Random prediction: Rudy Gay will make his first all-star team and could cement his status as one of the go-to forwards for the game now that Carmelo is in New York.
Actual results: 41-25
I really thought they would be more successful in the playoffs, but the Clippers unearthed one of the greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history to help win in seven games. It was still a successful year for the team, and if they can make it through free agency with enough of a bench intact they'll do well next year as well. I was right about their depth being a problem because they were stretched to the limit way too often. Randolph was injured for most of the year, yet I underestimated their win total. I think I was really off on assessing their talent. Rudy Gay had a good year, but Marc Gasol oddly enough was granted the Memphis all-star representation in the game.
New Orleans Hornets
Key sentences:
Even David West left, and the remainder of the team is assorted flotsam and jetsam. ... As with too many teams, this season the Hornets are playing for the ping-pongs balls of the NBA draft. It’s an unfortunate time to try to sell the team, and if they get the number one or two spot in the draft David Stern will come under even more fire.
Prediction: 18-48
Random Prediction: Eric Gordon sneaks onto the all-star team despite paltry team record since Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony defected to the eastern seaboard. David West also left, eliminating another competitor for the 12th man.
Actual results: 21-45
I somehow underestimated their wins even though Gordon was out the entire year. I was completely wrong about Gordon being an all-star because of his "injury" -- some could argue he was DNP-tanking -- but they did win the lottery causing an uproar about Stern and a conspiracy. I'd say they won the lottery because they were a terrible team and had a good chance at winning. It was a dreadful season after losing Chris Paul, but they're getting one of the surest stars in years. I think one year of awfulness can be excused. I also think I should have seen from my projection of 21 wins that Gordon wouldn't have had much of a chance at making the all-star team anyway.
San Antonio Spurs
Key sentences:
I don’t expect them to repeat their success when the compressed schedule will cause Popovich to rest his aging veterans to even more extreme lengths. I think they’ll be content to cruise to a four-seed and unleash hell in the playoffs. ... Additionally, with the keen eye for talent the Spurs have they may have found a diamond in the rough with Kawhi Leonard, a Shawn Marion type who can rebound like a power forward and finishes at the rim well. ... If you adjust the shortened lockout season of ‘99 to 82 games Tim Duncan has never known a season worse than 50 wins, and this year will be one more.
Prediction: 42-24
Random prediction: The Spurs will have another rookie or related player from out of nowhere who will be a steal, most likely Kawhi Leonard.
Actual results: 50-16
They rested their starters to insane lengths and Ginobili was injured for half the year, but they still managed to lead the west in wins and blitzed through opponents after picking up Diaw up to meeting the Thunder in the playoffs. Tiago played more as I suspected, and Leonard was also another nice draft pick. I think the real find was taking a player who lost his starting job on one of the worst teams in league history and putting him in their starting lineup, causing them to improve their play with blowout after blowout. Diaw, however, is a great passer and a surprisingly good defender, so he's a nice piece to a good team but wasted on one where he can't pass to anyone good. Unfortunately, the only pick the Spurs had this year was a late second-round one, and I doubt they can recreate the magic of Ginobili. But who knows? Betting against this organization is stupid. If the Kings could find a starting point guard at pick 60, I think the Spurs can at least find a rotation player. I think that whenever I do a season prediction for the Spurs I should automatically add five or so wins after my best educated guess. That's the sign of the best run organization in the league, and it's a pity it hasn't drawn interest from high caliber free agents. You want to win? Go here.
Link to Eastern Conference preview.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston Celtics
Key sentences:
Expect their veteran trio to be rested early and often until the playoffs, while Rondo could use the trade rumors as motivation to post a career season. ... There is a hole at center, but if Jermaine O’Neal is halfway healthy he can at least provide them with defense, and Boston will try to use Garnett more at center this year. ... This could very well be the last year with this incarnation of the Boston Celtics, and with a title and a few high win seasons already under their belts they have fewer reasons to stay together.
Prediction: 44-22
Random prediction: The New York-Boston first round match-up ends up being an all-time class, as the relatively disappointing season from the Knicks from their lack of depth is not a problem in the playoffs as they can play Anthony-Stoudemire-Chandler huge minutes, and Rondo and Spike Lee become enemies.
Actual results: 39-27
I was fairly confident on Boston playing well, and by the end of the season I was correct. They got off to a slow start because Garnett's vertical jump had to be measured with a micrometer, and when he finally refound his athletic ability their defense once again destroyed the competition. It was supposed to be their last year together, but they're bringing (most) of the band back together. One key to their season was responding to their injury and production problems at center with moving Garnett there, who is tall enough to be a center anyway. They were an underdog by some definitions and through a bit of luck wound up nearly knocking off the eventual champions, the Heat. New York also played the Heat instead of the Celtics, rendering my random prediction very wrong. Also, I wondered if Allen would leave (yes) and what kind of money Garnett would get (a big sum). They haven't done much else with their roster, however.
New Jersey Nets
Key sentences:
There are many rebuilding teams in the NBA, but no one else is actually physically rebuilding – the New Jersey Nets will become the Brooklyn Nets. ... The last season for the Nets will be fairly unremarkable, other than watching the deft playmaking skills of Deron Williams, but it will be followed by earth-moving reforms in the free agency/trade market and the relocation to Brooklyn.
Prediction: 21-45
Random prediction: Kirilenko and Williams rejoin forces, and the Kirilenko-Humphries line-up provides a rare bit of entertainment for the Nets as the AK-47 finally lives out his destiny as a small-ball four.
Actual results: 22-44
Well, I was correct on the outcome of the season, but my wild prediction about Kirilenko and mentioning that Okur was a basketball player was completely wrong. It was a mess of a season compounded by a bizarre trade for Gerald Wallace in exchange for their lottery pick. Draft picks are usually overrated and the Blazers will be lucky if their sixth pick, Lillard, is ever as good was last season, but the pick could have been used in a trade. However, trading for Wallace and resigning him was part of the chain reaction from the Deron Williams trade, and after that (arguable) mistake they're making countless other ones trying to justify it. Yes, it's a remarkable coup to steal a player of his caliber, but you have to plan better than that. Deron was thrust into the middle of a rebuilding project; that's no way to treat a star player in his prime with a soon-to-be expiring contract. They scrambled to find a way to keep him, and they did at the cost of some other bad personnel decisions. Really, all you need to know about the future of the franchise and the management is that Billy King, known as one of the worst GMs in basketball the past few years from people who pay attention, was hired on purpose. The season itself, the actual basketball, had little to discuss because it was like a game at the end of a blow-out: they were just dribbling out the clock.
New York Knicks
Key sentences:
It would take a surprise season from one of their young players or the Baron Davis of old to move this team to the top three in the east, and it’s obvious from that sentence how unlikely that is. Instead Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire will score a lot, keep the team over 0.500 but not by much, and will feature in a number of big games on TV. ... It won’t be a perfect season, but it’s better than about everything that happened last decade.
Prediction: 36-30
Random prediction: Baron Davis will have a run where he’ll average over 10 assists a game with impressive dishes right to the basket, but an injury will derail his campaign and after he comes back he’s limited and jacks up unwarranted threes.
Actual results: 36-30
I wasn't impressed with their pairing of Amare and Carmelo like many fans were, and it looks like I was right. Chandler, however, was an inspired signing, and his season made up for Stoudemire replacing his body with moldy garbage. What else do say about the season? No one besides delusional Knick fans were surprised they weren't a contender. They were even helped out by the magical appearance of Jeremy Lin, who may not come back because the Knicks would rather invest in a nearly 40 year-old Kidd. Baron was a nonfactor and I was correct in his injuries derailing his campaign; I was a bit off in thinking he could produce anything on the court though. The Knicks' fans were clamoring for big changes and big names on the roster to compete with the best teams, because with their large population they assume they deserve as much, so after settling on Stoudemire because no better free agents wanted to play for a team with little else they demanded Carmelo Anthony. Unfortunately, they got what they wanted.
Philadelphia 76ers
Key sentences:
With a shallow field of contenders in the east and the turmoil in Orlando, Philadelphia hopes to improve on their 0.500 basketball least season and secure a better seed. ... No major roster moves helps them with continuity important with a short training camp and preseason, and they’ve retained a mostly young crew of talented players.
Prediction: 35-31
Random prediction: Iguodala finally gets the defensive credit he deserves after impressive games against the top scorers like Lebron on TV games and makes the first team all-defense as a small forward alongside Tony Allen.
Actual record: 35-31
My second perfect record prediction in a row, and the one before was only off by 1 game. Somehow I knew the Atlantic division well. Unfortunately, Iguodala did not make the defensive team, but he made the all-star team. He should have gotten voted in over Chris Paul, Bryant, or (counting Iggy as a forward) Serge Ibaka. No sane person who knew Iguodala well as a player would ever consider someone like Paul or current Bryant as a better defensive player this year. At least Tony Allen made the first team, half-saving my prediction. Philly was one of the best defensive teams, and he was their best defender (it certainly wasn't Spencer Hawes.) Regardless, the season was uneventful in that they survived unscathed and steadily improved to a decent record. I was correct in their roster continuity advantage because they came out of the gates very stronger relative to the competition, but by the time other teams adjusted they fell back.
Toronto Raptors
Key sentences:
Their young players still have a tenuous grasp on NBA-level defense, and as a result they’ll be contending for the worst record in the league for the strong upcoming draft. ... They are another team who’s playing for future seasons, and will provide fodder for the rest of the league, but with some young talent, an upcoming likely high pick in the draft, and a good international player, Jonas Valanciunas, overseas for the season they are building toward a brighter tomorrow.
Prediction: 18-48
Random prediction: Recovered from his hamstring injury a couple years ago, Jose Calderon posts a 50-40-90 season with 9 assists a game.
Actual results: 23-43
They were better than I'd thought they'd be, which speaks volumes to their new coach, but it wasn't good enough that it really meant anything. Bargnani appeared due for a breakout year and started playing well but got injured, killing any deluded hope they'd make the playoffs. Otherwise it was a forgetful year for a franchise whose best player in history was the third wheel for a champion, unless you count Carter as their best, which only further depresses the fans. At the start of the season I mentioned Jonas, and it appears he will be coming over; he is the only hope they have at this point. Their number one overall pick has quietly become one of the worst ever, and they couldn't even convince Steve Nash to play for his home country. But, hey, they won five more games than I thought, so there's that.
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Bulls
Key sentences:
Chicago broke through last season on one of the best defenses in the league, where Rose carried their mediocre offense and won an MVP for doing so. ... This year will be one of the best chances to win a title, as their best players are either entering their prime or just leaving it.
Prediction: 49-17
Random prediction: With Lebron and Wade on the same team, Howard stuck in purgatory wondering where he’ll go, and Durant one of the few competitors, Rose nearly wins the MVP again after he improves his outside shooting, but before mirroring Nash’s back-to-back awards he loses in a close vote as the NBA sabermetric community finally has enough sway.
Actual record: 50-16
It was a weird season for the Bulls because even with 50 wins in a shortened season and the top seed their star Rose suffered an injury-addled season culminating in the devastating ACL-trauma. In a way, they proved my hypothesis that Rose wasn't a true MVP because they were winning with their defense: when he missed games during the regular season they kept on truckin', though he was still an important enough piece they couldn't go far in the playoffs without him. Rose, of course, didn't "nearly" win the MVP again, and with his clean injury history before last season I can't be at fault. Suddenly one of the most promising teams is scrambling to keep the ship from going off course, reminiscent of the Blazers when Roy's knee problems started to materialize. Rose's problems actually mirrored what happened in his MVP year: Noah and Boozer, among others, were missing games but the Bulls kept winning, so people naturally figured it was the high-scoring game. In actuality it's their defensive system and arguably the best coach in the league, Thibodeau, that deserve the credit. The team is almost like a monster whose head you cut off and another immediately pops up replacing it. At this point, however, all they care about is reaching the finals, and however impressive it was to win 50 games with injuries to Rose it was still a disappointing season.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Key sentences:
Rebuilding teams have to understand that not only do they have to redo the roster when they run into trouble; they need to remake the entire organization. ... They’ll race to the bottom against Toronto and other terrible teams in full knowledge that they squandered one of the best number one picks in league history and that there’s little chance they’ll acquire another player of equal talent.
Prediction: Eyenga jumps over a small point guard for a dunk and earns a trip to the dunk contest, where he has one amazing dunk and another that kicks him out of contention.
Random prediction: 18-48
Actual record: 21-45
I think the difference in my predicted record and the actual is entirely Kyrie Irving, who everyone thought would be good but, you know, not this good so soon. He's a 19 year-old point guard whose rookie year arguably should have placed him on the all-star team for his production. Cleveland went from doomsday scenario of losing LeBron to what looks like the next great point guard. The season may have featured way too many losses, but hope and the future propel the Cavs and other teams in their situation. I was wrong about Eyenga, but was strangely prescient about someone jumping over a small guard because LeBron did that very feat in a real game. They kept Varejao, which is odd considering his age and their rebuildling, but they did get the 4th draft pick. Meanwhile Irving is doing things like destroying Team USA in the open court and making Cleveland forget their record.
Detroit Pistons
Key sentences:
Decent enough to beat cellar-dwellers but nowhere near a playoff seed, Detroit is neither truly rebuilding nor playing for the present. ... The Pistons’ most important player, however, is Greg Monroe, a sweet passing big man with enough size for the center position who even as a young rookie scored at a high percentage and frequency. ... Now they’re a shell of their former selves, mirroring the desolation in the economic ruin of modern day Detroit.
Prediction: 26-40
Random prediction: Unable to run an offense effectively through their guards, the Pistons often play through Greg Monroe, who nearly posts an impressive 3 assists a game for most of the season and conjures comparisons to Brad Miller.
Actual record: 25-41
Detroit's season went exactly as I thought it would: they weren't terrible enough to compete for the Anthony Davis lottery, but they weren't good enough to compete for the playoffs. Their team was basically a mess, and aside from one player no one was noteworthy. Greg Monroe, however, improved on his intriguing rookie year becoming a larger part of the offense while maintaining healthy efficiency along with his periphery stats like his his rebounding, which actually improved, and the Brad Miller comparisons continued as they had since he was a draft prospect. He did not average close to 3 assists -- though 2.3 per game is good for a frontcourt player -- but that was partly because of his fairly low playing time. He actually wasn't unfathomably far from leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game. He led the team in points, rebounds, and steals while his blocks were only 5 from Ben Wallace's total; the assist category is the hardest because Stuckey led with 251 to Greg's 152. Only Dave Cowens, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James have led their teams in those statistics ('78, '95, '03, and '09, respectively.) I think the most impressive feat was that Monroe as a center totaled 83 steals while the closest was Brandon Knight at 49. He's an offensively-inclined center with a load of talent in an era where that is rare, but it actually leads to a dour note: the reason there are so few is that they aren't as effective as they once were. With the expanded use of the three-point line and hand-checking rules enforced on the perimeter, guards and now forwards are scoring more effectively while quick, collapsing defenses make it harder to even throw an entry pass into a post player. Now defense is more important for big men, and that's unfortunately Monroe's weakness as he's not huge for a center, can't jump, and doesn't move well laterally. I'm worried he's the next Al Jefferson, Zach Randolph, et al, but at least he can pass.
Indiana Pacers
Key sentences:
Most teams would claim a densely packed schedule work hurt them, but Indiana is one of a very few that definitely benefit. ... Orlando is receding, Boston is aging, and Atlanta is stalled. ... Indiana can capitalize on their descents and move up in the east either this year or the next.
Prediction: 36-30
Random prediction: With a good crop of forwards in the east, some of the media throw a fit when no Pacer is selected to the all-star game, as David West and Granger are edged by guys like Bosh and Stoudemire.
Actual record: 42-24
I underestimated Indiana, and I know I wasn't the only one. Hibbert improved, as well as youngsters like George, but perhaps I didn't give them enough of an advantage for a deep team (though they're really not that deep; just exchangeable) with an intact core through a weird lockout season. They were also lucky in that they traversed the year with few injuries where most of their rotation players were available in at least 60 games with the only exception being George Hill, who nonetheless showed up for 50; and that's with defining rotation player as only 15 minutes a game with 9 eligible players and 5 of those missed one game or less. Going forward into next season, it would be wise to keep their remarkably lucky clean bill of health to dampen expectations. It was a fun year because it was a team rather than a patchwork collection of big names (New York Knicks finished with a worse record despite the media attention.) The media indeed threw a fit for the selection of a Pacer because as ESPN writer John Hollinger says they pretend the game is a representational democracy and every good team needs a representative even if no one's deserving -- hence, Roy Hibbert and his sub-30 minutes per game. I thought it would be someone like Granger, but it's been easy to make it as a center on the team, especially with Horford out with an injury.
Milwaukee Bucks
Key sentences:
Nothing has changed last season, trading out Dunleavy from Maggette, but a full season with a healthy Bogut could prove the difference between a playoff berth and the lottery. ... Alas, they’re doomed to repeat 0.500 basketball with one of the best defenses in the league while being led offensively by Brandon Jennings.
Prediction: 34-32
Random prediction: With the theatrics in Orlando and voter fatigue in awarding Dwight Howard, Andrew Bogut wins the defensive player of the year after his healthiest season yet nearly leading the league in both charges and blocks per game with 11 rebounds.
Actual record: 31-35
The theatrics in Orlando actually presented a chance for a New York Knick to win defensive player of the year. Who could have guessed that? But my greatest mistaken was expecting Bogut to be healthy. It was actually more of hope than a prediction, which is why I only pegged them for 34 wins. They hilariously traded for Ellis, the archetypal example of why points per game shouldn't be used without extensive context to rate a player, and they started losing defensive acumen when the pieces started leaving. Ellis and Brandon Jennings combined to form a backcourt whose efficiency hearkened back to the game in the 60's when guards were lucky to eclipse 40% from the field. They were a little worse than I expected, and I think that's mainly because of Bogut. They weren't have to worry about his injuries anymore, but now they don't have to worry about how they'll do in the playoffs because they reduced their chances of making them.
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Atlanta Hawks
Key sentences:
Once an up and coming team, the Hawks may have reached their ceiling, cap space absorbed by their trio of Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford while the rest of the team declines. ... I wouldn’t be surprised if Atlanta made the playoffs, but the middle class of the east with Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia, and Indiana is playing musical chairs and one team has to sit out the playoffs. They don’t have any room next year to sign Deron Williams or someone of his caliber, and the Johnson contract will be eating up nearly a third of their salary space for five years.
Prediction: 33-33
Random prediction: Despite a career year, Smith once again misses a trip to the all-star game and watches Horford return again because of the lack of centers and Joe Johnson just missing out because the back-up guard slots go to point guards and their disappointing record precludes anyone from taking two Hawks.
Actual record: 40-26
The funniest thing happened -- they lost their starting center for most of the year, and they still finished with 40 wins and a trip to the postseason while I said they'd miss it. Part of this is because Teague came out of nowhere to have a good season from a point guard slot that was starting to become the Spinal Tap drummer of NBA positions. But, hey, I said I wouldn't be surprised if they made it either. Horford is also not the kind of star that anchors an entire team. I was right on Josh Smith inexplicably missing the all-star game again, but with Horford gone Joe Johnson got the nod, which makes it even worse. And, boy, was I wrong about Joe Johnson's contract because, and this is comedy that can hardly be believed, the former Hawks GM who did a terrible job traded for the contract. Danny Ferry is getting high praise for redoing their roster, but people have to remember he did the same thing in Cleveland to a lesser extent but failed to use that cap space once he opened it up wisely.
Charlotte Bobcats
Key sentences:
It’s the awkward stage in an NBA franchise where people have waited patiently for the expansion team to develop, and instead the highlight of seven years is 2010 where they went to the first round of the playoffs and had Gerald Wallace represent them in an all-star team. ... Causal fans still know little about the team, and most are faintly aware of even their existence. They’ve wasted years in the league to build to very little, and it’s disappointing Charlotte will have to suffer through at least two more years of major rebuilding.
Prediction: 20-46
Random prediction: Diaw ties Lebron for the lead in triple doubles with four on the season largely because the Bobcats have no choice but to run a good portion of the offense through him with major minutes.
Actual record: 7-59
Ouch. Well, Diaw was a huge disappointment, but he helped trigger one of the most impressive half-season runs by a team when he was traded to the Spurs. It makes sense, because who was he going to pass to on the Bobcats anyway? Gerald Wallace is an underrated player, and the sole piece of evidence you really need is that the Bobcats completely fell apart when he left. At the time, I thought 20 wins was too high, but the east was so weak someone had to win. They were arguably the worst team in modern history, and their offense in particular was absolutely dreadful; they nearly outranked New Jersey in defense (points allowed per possession). The combined point differential of Washington and Cleveland, the closest teams in wins in the east, didn't even equal Charlotte: -13.9. They were outscored by an average of nearly 14 points per game. But, hey, at least fans are aware of their existence now.
Orlando Magic
Key sentences:
The Magic are the latest team to be overshadowed by the potential move of a star player. ... If he stays they’ll be good again this season because Howard single-handedly makes them a great defensive team and distorts defensive attention like a black hole to a gravitation field. ... Even though talks have stalled, I expect Howard to leave Orlando, where the legacy of the organization is to squander the talent of the big center of his respective generation.
Prediction: 37-29
Random prediction: Ryan Anderson has a breakout season with over 200 three pointers made, contending for the league lead.
Actual record: 37-39
I'm really tired of hearing about Howard and where he'll go, so I'll just leave it with just this sentence: he should have left already and please don't talk about it again until something actually happens. I split the difference between Howard staying and everyone engaged in the team and him leaving a mess of a roster in Orlando. Consequently, since he wasn't entirely himself and I wouldn't doubt if some players gave up hope, I was right on the money with their record. He was still one of the best players in the league and anyone leaving him off a top five list isn't doing so for purely basketball reasons. Ryan Anderson, however, had a break out year, mostly because he got more playing time and he's a young player; you can't be surprised when young players improve. He did lead the league in three pointers, but given that he only played 32 minutes he honestly wasn't that far off, and yes I was aware at the time I was predicting a historical season in hitting three's.
Washington Wizards
Key sentences:
The Wizards will be content to watch their young talent grow and a win a few games to ride into the lottery. ... Quietly building a nice roster, Washington will use this season as practice and eye the next one for the major improvements.
Prediction: 24-42
Random prediction: McGee will attempt to dunk from the three-point line. Or he may try to dunk from the foul line again in a game and make it this time.
Actual record: 20-46
The Wizards were a bit worse than I had anticipated, but Wall did not improve in his sophomore year and it was generally true for a lot of their young players, including McGee who became a laughingstock among the fans and media. No, he didn't try to dunk from the three-point line in a game, but he did several equally stupid things like throwing up a ridiculous running hook and ran back thinking he made the shot while everyone else watched and wondered if his identical twin who had never played basketball before switched into the game. Honestly, no one understands him, and he's a weird guy. He did give sports writers a lot to write about though and some laughs. The team, however, was still a young mess of players who didn't exactly know how to play, and by the end of the season JaVale the wonder was gone and replaced with the scoring talents of Nene. It's the end of an era in a way as they just used the amnesty option on the 25 year-old Blatche, and they followed it up with Okafor, a veteran center who graduated college in three years. We'll see if they blew up the team too soon, but I can't blame them for growing tired of McGee and friends.
Miami Heat
Key sentences:
The most important fact about this year’s incarnation of the Miami Heat isn’t the addition of aging perimeter stopper Shane Battier or even a healthy year from Haslem; it’s that they’re going for a full force transition led offense fed by an energetic defense.... Even with a weak bench, the Miami Heat are the favorites to win the title, and short of anything out of left field like Dwight Howard going to Chicago they should be able to claim the championship. ... With Bosh adding a three point shot and vowing to rebound more after his worst season in seven years, and James finally adding a post-game, the Heat are set to bring the championship back to the south beach in Florida.
Prediction: 50-16
Random prediction: James will post a field-goal percentage of 53 and one of his best years while Wade loses a few games due to injury; Lebron uses the NBA’s best record to claim another MVP.
Actual record: 46-17
Miami was slightly worse in the regular season than I thought, partly because Bosh didn't bounce back and Wade was often injured, but I'm satisfied that I correctly picked the NBA championship at the beginning of the season, as well as the MVP. Here was my best feat: I said he'd average a field-goal percentage of 53, and he finished this season at 53.1%. That's downright prescient. The rumors about the post game were true after years of armchair basketball players saying he needed to deploy one, and the league was trampled by his force. Another preseason rumor was the Heat's transition game and exploiting their athletic due offensively; they followed through on that and it paid off. I also said the Thunder would make the finals, and although my random predictions were usually hilariously bad I got the important ones correct.
The 2012 season was an odd one with a few unexpected storylines and too much ugly basketball, but it was better than I thought it would be for a lockout year. No accomplishment achieved should be downwritten or denigrated either, because in a way excelling in a compressed scheduled is even more of an accomplishment.
To next year: to hope, to renewal, to triumph, to redemption, to new stars, and the NBA.
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