NBA Betting: Vol. 2

Well, the long-awaited NBA season finally kicks off this Christmas.
After a grueling 160-day lockout, an agreement has been reached—the new season can finally get underway.



Last year, the Dallas Mavericks claimed the title in style, taking down a star-studded Miami Heat squad in the Finals.

We’ll find out who sits on the throne of the world's premier basketball league in a few months. In the meantime, use this thread to discuss games, rosters, and players—but primarily, let's talk betting. The goal here is to help one another pick some winners at the sportsbook.

The preseason was filled with speculation regarding major trades. Some came to fruition—like Paul joining the Clippers—while others fell through, such as Howard to the Lakers.

Some teams are undergoing significant transformations, while others have opted to change almost nothing, clearly believing they already possess a championship roster.

To break all this down, several members have stepped up to provide previews for specific teams. Each has selected a division to analyze.

The breakdown is as follows:

EAST:

Atlantic (Celtics, Knicks, Sixers, Nets, Raptors)--- Anthony Brooks8

Central (Bulls, Pacers, Bucks, Pistons, Cavs)--- Arthur Hill2

Southeast (Heat, Magic, Hawks, Bobcats, Wizards)--- James Smith50

WEST:

Northwest (Thunder, Nuggets, Blazers, Jazz, Timberwolves)--- James Taylor3

Pacific (Lakers, Clippers, Suns, Warriors, Kings)--- Jacob Taylor57

Southwest (Spurs, Mavs, Hornets, Grizzlies, Rockets)--- Keith Moore21

Gentlemen, please try to have your analyses posted before the first tip-off this Sunday. 😉

Of course, everyone is welcome to comment on team statuses, specific matchups, and so on.

I would appeal to everyone to ensure that for every game played, you include at least a few sentences explaining your reasoning. I see little value in seeing five or six picks posted daily without any context—which was unfortunately the trend in the previous thread and across this forum in general.

I hope this thread gains traction. There are people here who follow the NBA deeply and know their stuff; together, we can help each other build winning tickets.

That is the short version. I'll leave the floor to the rest of you. 😁

NBA, where amazing happens! 👋

Old NBA Betting thread:

Joshua Garcia8 said:In line with the new direction for the sports betting subforum—aiming to improve quality and make it easier to find reliable information—we are opening this specialized NBA betting thread.

Unlike previous daily threads, simply listing picks—for example,

James Taylor3 said:Anderson (Orlando) (15.5) 1.85 More
A. Jamison (Cleveland) (19.5) 1.85 More
L. Deng (Chicago) (15.5) 1.85 More
D. Nowitzki (Dallas) (23.5) 1.85 More
T. Evans (Sacramento) (17.5) 1.85 Less

What are your thoughts on these five players? Who should I keep and who should I cut? 🙂
DraftKings.com

omcho said:Chicago vs. New York (+9.5) 2 1.85
New Jersey vs. Philadelphia KP2 1.65

For a mid-tier parlay

david030 said:-6.5 / Cleveland vs. Charlotte 1st half 1.85

etc...

Posts like this will be flagged and deleted.

When posting a single pick or a parlay, you need to include a brief rationale—the key reasons why you are taking that play. When we select a matchup, the assumption is that it isn't a random guess; we have specific reasoning for choosing it. If we have those reasons, explaining them shouldn't be an issue. For instance,

Christian Ruiz said:Marc Gasol under 14.5 points

[Apologies for the late analysis; I couldn't get to it earlier]

The race for playoff positioning is heating up, and the defense is tightening up. I’m expecting a gritty, playoff-style game tonight. I’ve already mentioned how well Memphis has been playing lately. As I predicted, Gasol's numbers have dipped now that the Grizzlies are fully assembled—though T. Allen is out tonight, it doesn't really impact this specific bet. Z-Bo is back, bringing his usual leadership to the rotation; he'll start from the bench, but he remains a major factor in deciding shot distribution. You also have Speights getting minutes at the 4 and 5 spots, plus Cunningham, and perhaps Haddadia if he sees any action. Essentially, there is plenty of depth in the paint, and when you consider their perimeter shooting, it’s easy to see why Gasol's production has slowed down. Tonight, he faces Jordan, who can play solid defense, though he's a bit temperamental depending on his nightly rhythm. Given the stakes and the defensive intensity, I think the margin is a bit too high, especially considering Gasol's recent slump. Against the Clippers earlier this season, Gasol put up 12 points in two games. This matchup is a better indicator given the current rosters. I tend to follow players in a slump, particularly when other factors align to challenge their seasonal averages.
UPDATE: Just wanted to mention—Randolph was in a car accident today. He'll be fine, I think—he was driving a Honda, so he's likely okay. 😁

Discussing pairings is permitted—in fact, it’s encouraged.
Feel free to comment on the games you played, provided you follow the forum rules.

Avoid using terms like "100% lock," "freebie," or "guaranteed wins." Aside from being factually incorrect, such language is misleading.

Oklahoma Thunder (last year: 55-27, 4th in the West; lost 1-4 to Dallas in the Western Conference Finals)

Oklahoma is young—but they are also formidable. They played exceptionally well all last season, specifically after adding the Perkins/Mohammed center duo, which provided the interior defensive grit they previously lacked.
They enter this season with nearly the exact same roster. There haven't been any major shakeups; a few fringe players joined, while a handful of bench pieces departed, though neither move significantly alters their depth.
Offensively, Oklahoma is diverse—as they should be, given they possess the league's premier scorer, Kevin Durant. He is essentially unguardable for most; it will be interesting to see if he continues to draw as many free throws as he did last year, especially since the league has signaled that officials will be less inclined to whistle contact clearly engineered by offensive players looking to "fish" for fouls. Alongside him is one of the most explosive talents in the game, Russell Westbrook. He’s an incredible player still finding his footing, but he still carries too many erratic habits that cost Oklahoma games—specifically, overplaying his hand, forcing shots, and excessive turnovers. This is a new season, so hopefully, there's some growth there. The sooner he accepts he isn't the sole focal point, the better off the team will be. We all know who actually leads this group.
Following that primary duo, James Harden is steadily emerging as a third option. He’s a highly talented young guard with a sharp jumper and excellent driving ability; in my view, he'll be a star in the coming years. He'll provide scoring punch off the bench while Durant and Westbrook rest. The starting shooting guard is Jeff Green, a player who may lack offensive polish but offers significant defensive value. At center, we have Perkins, who arrived from Boston mid-season and immediately stabilized the defense. He is vital to this rotation, provided he stays healthy—and his knees aren't exactly reliable. If he remains on the floor, Oklahoma could go very far. The starting four is rounded out by Serge Ibaka, an elite shot-blocker with ideal physical tools who truly broke out last season.
The Thunder bench is deep. Beyond Harden, you have Maynor, Mohammed, Cook, Robinson, and Collison—a functional blend of youth and veteran savvy. They can certainly fill in for the starters, and the team's ceiling depends heavily on how much production they provide.
The team's greatest strength is its offensive versatility, particularly at home where the crowd is loud, coupled with fast transition play and Durant's sheer efficiency.
After winning 55 games last year, I expect them to potentially improve on that mark, simply because they are a year more seasoned.

Denver Nuggets (last year: 50-32, 5th in the West; lost to Oklahoma in the first round of the playoffs)

Last year, Denver boasted perhaps the deepest roster in the league. It was safe to say they had two viable options at almost every position, especially following the Carmelo Anthony trade to the Knicks—a move that turned out to be quite shrewd. After he left, the team found a rhythm and went on several winning streaks, though they couldn't get past the first round of the playoffs because Oklahoma was just too much.

For this season, they’ve lost Raymond Felton, who was traded to Portland for the veteran Andre Miller—a highly intelligent and efficient playmaker. The roster also added shooting guard Rudy Fernandez (who arrives in good shape after a successful stint playing in Spain during the lockout) and Corey Brewer. That covers the primary movement. However, three key players—Kenyon Martin, Wilson Chandler, and J.R. Smith—decided to chase a paycheck in China during the lockout. Unlike other players who sought opportunities abroad, they don't have an automatic right to return to their NBA clubs now that the lockout is over. Martin is attempting to buy out his contract to rejoin Denver, but that won't happen until March once the Chinese season concludes. He hasn't pulled it off yet, though he likely will, and it's unclear if the others will follow suit. Regardless, these three are unavailable to Denver until at least March.

Denver remains a powerhouse even without him—certainly good enough for a deep playoff run. After all the rumors and potential destinations floating around, their center, the Brazilian Nene, decided to sign an extension rather than test the market. He’s a vital piece of this roster; paired with Afflalo, he should be more than enough to keep Denver in the hunt come postseason.
Then you have the quickness of Ty Lawson—who was playing overseas during the lockout—the Italian standout Galinari, who spent his lockout stint in Milan, the Russian big man Mozgov from his time with Khimki, and the veteran presence of Al Harrington.

Denver lacks superstar firepower—no big names here—but they make up for it with incredible chemistry and pure grit. Their strength lies on the perimeter, where they’re stacked with solid playmakers and reliable shooters. However, their interior presence is a glaring weakness. They're going to feel the absence of someone like Kenyon Martin deeply; outside of Nene, there isn't much quality in the frontcourt. Harrington doesn't fit the bill, and it's clear the others haven't quite adjusted to the pace of the NBA yet. It leaves you wondering—if Nene goes down with an injury, how is Denver supposed to survive?

Denver is one of the league's premier home teams—they went 33-8 at their place last year—and that home-court advantage is going to be their primary engine again this season.
If they tighten things up defensively—and we saw them figure that out during the second half of last season—they could realistically take another step forward. That’s my take. I don't see much room for them to go beyond that.

The Portland Trail Blazers finished the season at 48-34—sitting at 6th in the West—before dropping a 2-4 series to Dallas in the opening round of the playoffs.

Portland is an incredibly talented team—and an incredibly unlucky one. Despite making the playoffs and playing a solid series against the eventual champions, the Mavericks, they managed to exit in the first round for the third consecutive year. Honestly, Blazers fans should take some pride in that; making the postseason is no small feat when your franchise cornerstone is sidelined for most of the season, and your center—who arguably had the ceiling of an elite league leader—misses yet another year, inching closer to the end of his career before he even truly hit his prime. We’re talking about the now-retired Brandon Roy, a brilliant player who was universally respected, even by opponents, and Greg Oden, a center with massive potential. If Portland had stayed healthy, they would have undoubtedly been title contenders. Instead, fate intervened. On the very same day Roy announced his retirement because his knees simply couldn't hold up anymore, the team doctors delivered the news that Oden's season was likely a wash too. He had just returned to practice and was aiming to be game-ready in about two months. It’s a shame—a real shame.
It all falls on LaMarcus Aldridge now—an elite talent who’s going to have to shoulder upwards of 40 minutes a night if the Blazers want any shot at the playoffs. He had a career year last season, averaging north of 22 points while remaining solid defensively. With Roy gone, the real question is whether Batum and Matthews have actually matured enough to lead this group. Then there’s Gerald Wallace—experienced, high-motor, and always reliable on both ends of the floor. As for the backcourt, Andre Miller steps in for the lightning-fast Raymond Felton, who is still finding his footing. Felton can be a bit reckless—he loves taking those questionable early-clock shots—but I suspect Coach Nate McMillan will rein him in, which should benefit everyone. His arrival has already injected a much higher tempo into the lineup; the Blazers are playing significantly faster than they did last year. It’ll be interesting to see how that pace translates to the standings.
Jamal Crawford will be a massive addition—a lights-out shooter who should provide much-needed energy off the bench while the starters catch their breath.
The center position is clearly the Achilles' heel for the Blazers. They’re leaning heavily on two veterans—Camby, at 37, and newcomer Kurt Thomas, who's already 39. While both are elite defenders and solid on the glass, their age is a massive liability—especially Camby, whose injury history is a constant concern. Ultimately, Portland's success hinges entirely on whether these two stay healthy, given that they have virtually zero depth behind them.
Chris Johnson is also riding the bench—a guy who looked solid whenever he got minutes last season and hasn't missed a beat during this preseason. He’s an impressive jumper and holds his own as a blocker; if he keeps this up, Aldridge might actually get a decent breather now and then.
Defensively, Portland is legit—easily one of the better units in the league and undoubtedly their biggest asset. Most of these guys are pure athletes, and the coach has them positioned perfectly on the floor, which clearly shows in the box score.
On the offensive side, everything revolves around Aldridge—he’s a reliable shooter and proved last season his post game is still there. Beyond him, they have Crawford and Matthews providing perimeter spacing, Felton driving hard to the rim, and the sheer talent of Batum.
Portland has a strong roster and, quite possibly, the best fans in the NBA. I’d say a playoff berth is a safe bet—somewhere between the 6th and 8th seed—but everyone is looking for a real leap forward compared to previous years. If they catch a bit of luck, making the Western Conference Finals would be a massive ceiling for them.

Utah Jazz (last year 39-43, 11th in the West, missed the playoffs)

Utah took two massive hits last season—blows they won't recover from anytime soon. They lost their legendary coach, Jerry Sloan, along with their franchise cornerstone, superstar Deron Williams, whom they intended to build everything around.
Following those departures, a string of losses left the Jazz nowhere near the playoffs. It’s unlikely they’ll be much closer this year, either.
There hasn't been much movement in terms of significant signings or departures, leaving the roster largely unchanged. The one notable addition is the talented Enes Kanter from the draft, who should bolster an already deep frontcourt. To be fair, Utah’s presence at the 4 and 5 spots is impressive—ranging from established names like Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap to veteran Al Jefferson and Okur, down to young talents like Favors and Kanter. They likely boast the best frontcourt in the league. However, their perimeter game is thin—bordering on weak. Devin Harris is the only standout, sitting somewhere in the middle of the pack for his position. The rest aren't worth mentioning. Players like Bell, Evans, Evans, and Watson struggle to offer anything substantial, so expect them to languish in the bottom half of the Western Conference this season.
The Utah roster is too one-dimensional; the entire offense relies on big men, which isn't sustainable long-term. Their perimeter lacks the shooting necessary to stretch defenses and create space for the bigs—sophisticated teams will exploit that weakness.
New coach Corbin served as Sloan’s assistant and is essentially in his first full season as head coach—having only finished out last year after Sloan stepped down. He lacks experience and certainly doesn't possess Sloan's charisma.
It’s going to be a rough season for Utah fans.

Minnesota Timberwolves (last year 17-65, 15th in the West, missed the playoffs)

Minnesota was the worst team in the West—and arguably the entire league—last year. They managed only 17 wins in an 82-game season. Consequently, Coach Rambis was let go and replaced by Rick Adelman. The players didn't particularly care for the previous coach, especially star Kevin Love, so it remains to be seen how the squad adapts to Adelman's system. The Wolves are adding some depth this preseason. They grabbed Derrick Williams with the second overall pick—a versatile wing who can slide between the three and four spots. They also picked up veteran Brad Miller and the breakout sensation from last year's playoffs, the undersized Jose Juan Barea. After some deliberation, the NBA also saw the arrival of Ricky Rubio, who is expected to bring a lot to the table in Minnesota.
As for departures, the only notable exit was Sebastian Telfair, a player who wasn't much of a factor in the rotation anyway.
Last season, Minnesota boasted one of the better offenses in the league, averaging 101.1 points per game, but they also had the absolute worst defense among all 30 NBA teams, giving up a staggering 107.7 points per game. Interestingly, they were also the best rebounding team in the league—which makes sense given that Kevin Love alone pulled down 15.2 rebounds per game. Love is the sole star here. He absolutely exploded last season, putting up numbers that were nothing short of fascinating: 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game. The expectation is that he simply repeats that performance. The Wolves' success will depend heavily on the play of the athletic and talented Michael Beasley, provided he stays focused. We'll see. With Ricky Rubio, Minnesota gains an excellent playmaker capable of high assist numbers, though his lack of a jump shot is a glaring issue. The team's best pure shooting prospect is Wes Johnson, a solid three-point shooter still in development. In the center position, they have the duo of Miličić and Peković. Barea and Ridnour should provide much-needed energy and scoring off the bench, alongside Johnson.
Minnesota’s roster is currently bloated with big men and versatile forwards—maybe even too many. I suspect they’ll have to move some pieces this season, likely starting with Ridnour. They have genuine talent on this squad, but it's entirely up to Adelman to figure out how to actually fit them all together.
The issue is that none of these new additions bring much defensive grit—which means we can expect Minnesota to surrender a massive amount of points every single night.
That said, I think this group is an improvement over last year and could potentially see a better record, though they shouldn't hold their breath for a deep playoff run. Making the top eight? Not going to happen.

2010-11 Season: 23-59, 5th in Division

In: F Jan Vesely, F Chris Singleton, G Shelvin Mack, F Larry Owens, C Ronny Turiaf
Out: G-F Josh Howard

Coach: Flip Saunders
Starting Five: McGee-Blatche-Lewis-Young-Wall

The 2010-11 season was an absolute disaster for the Washington franchise... they didn't even sniff the playoffs, the play was lackluster, and the defense was nothing short of catastrophic. While you couldn't really expect much from this young Wizards squad to begin with, they still managed to fall short of even those low expectations...

Now the Wizards are entering a new era with an even younger roster and some fresh jerseys. This new chapter isn't going to go anywhere if they don't fix their defensive schemes immediately, considering they were ranked as the 24th worst defense in the league last year. They have the coaching staff to address it, but with such a green roster, there is a massive amount of work ahead of them...

There is also the nagging uncertainty regarding where this team’s ceiling actually lies and what kind of windfall awaits them in the upcoming draft. To be honest, there is absolutely nothing left of those powerhouse Wizards teams we saw a few years back—those guys with Haywood, Jamison, Butler, Stevenson, and Arenas. That group boasted three genuine stars, yet Jamison, Butler, and Arenas never quite reached the summit... Unfortunately, while nobody expects the Wizards to contend for a high playoff seed right now, securing a top pick in an exceptionally talented draft wouldn't be the worst outcome for them. Furthermore, Washington has to figure out what to do about Rashard Lewis, who clearly has no interest in being just a veteran presence in the locker room...

The Wizards possess legitimate talent in players like Wall, Blatche, Crawford, and McGee, but it will likely take a season or two of grinding before they can actually cause any real trouble in the East...
Prediction: 4th in Division, no playoff berth



2010-11 Season: 34-48, 4th in Division

In: G Kemba Walker, F Bismack Biyombo, F Derrick Brown, G Reggie Williams, F Corey Maggette, F-C Melvin Ely, C Byron Mullens
Out: C Kwame Brown, G Stephen Jackson, G Shaun Livingston

Coach: Paul Silas
Starting Five: Thomas-Diaw-Maggette-Henderson-D.J. Augustin

Unlike Washington, which seems to be building its entire identity around John Wall, the Charlotte franchise is essentially run by its owner, Michael Jordan, and frankly, that is a recipe for trouble...

The reason the Bobcats haven't produced a single All-Star is quite simple: this organization lacks both luck and foresight when it comes to hitting on draft picks. We saw it with Adam Morrison, Sean May, Emeka Okafor... and the list goes on. Now they’ve landed Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, and all they can do is pray these two become the cornerstones of the franchise. They'll get their shot...

Under former coach Paul Silas, this team established a decent defensive identity, but the offense was abysmal, ranking as the second worst in the league last year. Back then, they at least had Wallace and Jackson to work with. I don't even want to imagine what the offensive production will look like now that the heavy lifting falls on Maggette, a guy who’s already been in the league for 12 seasons. There are high hopes for Tyus Thomas as well...

The Bobcats might also face a serious struggle with ticket sales. They don't have an All-Star, they don't have statistical leaders, and they certainly don't have a player people actually pay to see. It is a well-known fact in the NBA that you won't get far if your roster doesn't include anyone with millions of followers on Twitter. Sadly, at the Bobcats, that distinction belongs solely to the owner...
Prediction: 5th in Division, no playoff berth



2010-11 Season: 58-24, 1st in Division
2011 Playoffs: Defeated Philadelphia 4-1 in the first round, beat Boston 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, took down Chicago 4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, and lost the NBA Finals to Dallas 4-2

Added: F Shane Battier, G Norris Cole, C Eddy Curry
Departed: C Jamaal Magloire, G Mike Bibby

Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Starting five: Anthony-Bosh-James-Wade-Chalmers

The 2010-11 season was one where absolutely nobody wanted to root for the Miami Heat... James faltered during the NBA Finals, and the squad simply had no answer for the sheer dominance of Dirk Nowitzki.
Miami’s Big Three are heading into year two with perhaps a slightly more mature outlook, though they still carry that heavy target on their backs as the perennial favorites.

Shane Battier will provide a massive defensive boost, which should hopefully alleviate some of the pressure on both Wade and James... As for Eddy Curry, he could be a genuine wildcard if he can prove he’s still capable of dropping 10 to 15 points a night.

A critical priority for Coach Spoelstra will be managing the schedule to ensure Wade gets enough rest heading into the playoffs, given that he hasn't exactly been able to finish a full season without hitting the injury list before.

If a few small pieces fall into place for Miami, it’s going to be incredibly difficult for anyone to stop them from reaching another NBA Final... New York and Chicago will certainly be chasing their tails, and a potential showdown against one of them in the Conference Semifinals might just exhaust them enough to clear the path for Miami.
Prediction: 1st in division, Finals matchup against Oklahoma City



2010-11 Season: 44-38, 3rd in division
2011 Playoffs: Won first round against Orlando 4-2, lost Conference Semifinals to Chicago 4-2

Added: G-F Tracy McGrady, F Vladimir Radmanovic, C Keith Benson, F Magnum Rolle
Departed: F Damien Wilkins, G Jamal Crawford

Coach: Larry Drew
Starting five: Horford-Smith-Williams-Johnson-Teague

Ever since this franchise relocated from St. Louis, they haven't managed to move past the Eastern Conference Semifinals... Looking at the landscape, with Miami, New York, and Chicago in the mix, it doesn't look like they'll break out of the top four this year either. Because of that, plenty of "experts" claim the team is missing that one big trade necessary to actually compete for the East crown.

Personally, I think this roster looks solid enough for such an undertaking... Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, and Al Horford are four versatile players who can slide across multiple positions. After struggling with point guard depth for so long, the Hawks have finally found a solution in Jeff Teague, who was absolutely captivating during his series against the Bulls last season. Bringing in Hinrich, Pachulia, and Radmanovic provides some excellent depth off the bench. Then there is the X-factor, the very player who made James Smith50 start following the NBA back in 1999—Tracy McGrady. T-Mac is 32 now, claiming he's healthy and ready to go. His exact role in Atlanta remains to be seen; if his health holds, he could slot in as a starter at either SF or PG, but if those knees act up again, expect him to come off the bench. My only hope is that the injuries stay away long enough for him to show everyone he's still got it...

In terms of pure team chemistry and cohesion, the Hawks are actually one of the most formidable squads in the league... If they can dodge the injury bug and play at a higher level than they did last year during the postseason, anything is possible.
Prediction: 2nd in division, Eastern Conference Semifinals



2010-11 Season: 52-30, 2nd in division
2011 Playoffs: Lost first round to Atlanta 4-2

Added: G DeAndre Liggins, F-C Justin Harper, G Larry Hughes, G Gabe Pruitt, F/C Glen Davis, G Von Wafer
Departed: F Brandon Bass, G Gilbert Arenas

Coach: Stan Van Gundy
Starting five: Howard-Davis-Turkoglu-Richardson-Nelson

The Orlando Magic has been my NBA obsession since day one... From the arrival of Tracy McGrady, through watching Shaq highlights on YouTube, all the way to the Dwight Howard era. Along with Orlando, I’ve only ever dreamed of rooting for two other teams: Houston during the Ming-McGrady years, and Washington during the Arenas-Butler-Jamison era.
I am writing this because I honestly cannot believe how my favorite NBA team is falling apart yet again. It isn't just crumbling, though; it feels like this entire franchise is being run by ten people whose actual jobs have nothing to do with basketball, operating as if they were managing some completely different sport entirely...

A string of disastrous decisions—reminiscent of those Shaq-era blunders—has essentially tied one player's motivation to the entire franchise's survival. Dwight Howard will eventually walk out on this team, most likely as a free agent next year, yet management isn't lifting a finger to prevent it. In fact, it feels like they’re actively pushing him toward the exit... First, they traded away absolute cornerstones like Penny Hardaway and Charles Barkley—guys who gave everything for the Magic—along with Vince Carter, just to land that mediocre Turkish center who practically begged to come back here, only to be welcomed like a savior. Then there was the forced departure of Rashard Lewis just to bring in Monta Ellis, whom they proceeded to bury on the bench. Now, they’ve swapped Brandon Bass for Glen "Baby" Davis. Just another catastrophic move in my book.

Back in '95, Shaq carried Orlando all the way to the NBA Finals, even if they fell short of the ring. Looking at the wreckage now, losing that '09 championship series against the Lakers was likely the last gasp of hope for this era. All we can do now is wait for Howard to leave, an exodus that will undoubtedly leave a permanent, painful scar on this organization...
Prediction: 3rd in division, first-round playoff exit

Arrivals – Delonte West (PG/SG), Vince Carter (SG), Lamar Odom (SF/PF), Brandon Wright (PF)
Departures – J.J. Barea (PG), Deshawn Stevenson (SG), Corey Brewer (SF), Caron Butler (SF), Peja Stojakovic (SF), Tyson Chandler (C)
Likely Starting Five – Jason Kidd (PG), Vince Carter (SG), Shawn Marion (SF), Dirk Nowitzki (PF), Brendan Haywood (C)
Coach – Rick Carlisle
So, looking at the numbers above, the defending champs have definitely shaken things up quite a bit. At point guard, honestly, you don't even need to say much about Kidd—he’s a legend. He’ll probably see some time shared with West, who can cover both guard spots, though I guess West will mostly be running the show at the point. He’s a solid role player, and his shooting is probably his biggest asset here. I'm not entirely sure how many minutes Rodrigue Beaubois is going to see, though, especially given all the experience Kidd and West bring to the table. For the shooting guard spot, we've got Carter, who I think could actually have a pretty killer season; he won't have to carry the entire load like he did back when he was the main man for the Toronto Raptors or the New Jersey Nets, so he should find plenty of space—you know, maybe after defenses double-team Dirk, or during those Kidd or Terry pick&roll plays with the bigs. Of course, Terry will step in as the "sixth man," and we all know what he brings to the party—great shooting, tons of confidence, and he's a core piece of this squad. Moving to the small forward spot, it'll likely be Marion or Odom (who can also slide to PF). Marion is an absolute beast on defense, moves great in transition, and can still knock down shots from deep. Then there's Odom, who's basically a Swiss Army knife—can play almost anything, good on the glass, solid defender, and offensively he can create his own shot, drive to the rim, or just pop out for a three... At power forward, we have Nowitzki, and well, I mean, enough said. He'll be backed up by Odom and I assume Brandon Wright, who should do a decent job—he's a really strong rebounder—and maybe a veteran like Cardinal gets some scraps too. For center, they're leaning on Haywood. In my opinion, he’s a good player, but man, his injury history is a bit concerning, so we’ll just have to see if he stays healthy this season. He'll be backed up by Mahinmi, who is a bit of a journeyman, but he can definitely handle whatever duties come his way given his expected minutes—playing defense, grabbing boards, throwing down a dunk here and there, stuff like that.
Everyone seems to agree that Dallas has another title run in them this year. The big "if" is obviously health. It's a shorter season, fewer games, which means less wear and tear on—I won't call them old, since they're the reigning champs—but let's say this very experienced group, and more time for rest and prep heading into the season. On the flip side, though, there's the motivation question. It sounds weird, I know, but you have to wonder how "hungry" they still are, and people always say it's easier to win a ring than it is to defend one. As far as the actual play goes, I don't think they'll have any issues on offense; we know what Kidd, Carter, Terry, Odom, Marion, and Dirk can do. The main mission for Coach Carlisle is gonna be getting this defense sorted out. We saw last year they can play elite defense—I mean, they wouldn't have won the whole thing if they couldn't. They did lose a bit of that grit with Chandler and Stevenson gone, but I think if Haywood stays upright, he can hold down the fort defensively. Plus, against teams without a dominant center—maybe ones with a stout PF instead—they could probably slide Nowitzki to the five and move Odom to the four. That way, Dirk doesn't have to burn all his energy on defense, and Odom can handle the forwards, or even slide to the perimeter to guard guards and wings. Offensively, everything is gonna flow through Dirk, Terry, and Kidd orchestrating things, plus Odom's versatility and the slashing from Marion and Carter... So yeah, they've got plenty of options and a deep bench (West, Terry, Odom, Wright). Again, I'll say it: if they stay healthy and if Haywood, Odom, and Carter can fill the defensive void left by Chandler and Stevenson, they could go real far again.



Arrivals – Jeremy Pargo (PG), Josh Selby (PG, rookie)
Departures – Shane Battier (SF)
Probable Starting Five – Mike Conley (PG), Tony Allen (SG), Rudy Gay (SF), Zach Randolph (PF), Marc Gasol (C)
Coach – Lionel Hollins
The Memphis Grizzlies haven't really shaken things up much in terms of the roster—it’s pretty much the same crew. At point guard, you're looking at the usual guy, Conley. He isn't exactly a superstar, but he gets the job done, I guess... though he probably needs to tighten up his shooting and stop coughing up the ball so much. He’ll likely be backed up by Pargo, a guard who spent last season playing over in Europe for Maccabi Tel Aviv, and from what I’ve seen, he should be able to hold his own when Conley needs a breather. He’s an explosive, bouncy player—maybe even the "ideal" type for the NBA—and his penetration is definitely his calling card. For the shooting guard spot, Allen will probably start. He’s a defensive beast and does great in transition, but man, his shot is shaky—let's just say his three-point percentage last season was a rough 15% or so. O.J. Mayo will likely step in as the "sixth man," and honestly, he's a much better offensive threat than Allen (he was hitting about 40% from deep during the playoffs last year). We might also see some minutes from Greivis Vasquez there too. Moving to the small forward position, you've got Rudy Gay, who—alongside Randolph—is easily one of the best players on this squad. He missed the playoffs last year due to injury, but he's recovered and ready to go. He's got a good drive, decent shooting, and can play well with his back to the basket since he's got the height (around 6'8") to make it work; he's pretty explosive and overall a fairly complete player. I assume Sam Young will fill in for him, but he's just an average dude who might cover some wing minutes, though I don't expect him to see much more than 10-15 minutes if Gay stays healthy. At power forward, we have the team's biggest star, Zach Randolph. If he stays healthy, he'll probably put up another 20 and 10 kind of season. He’s a complete player—great footwork, a lefty which makes him a nightmare to guard, physically tough as nails, and he can actually hit the occasional three. I'm not entirely sure who's going to give him a rest, though it should have been Darrell Arthur, but he's likely out for the whole season with an injury. So, it'll probably fall to veterans like Brian Skinner or Walter Sharpe, neither of whom I expect to do much with. Finally, at center, we have the younger Gasol brother. He’s a really solid player with great footwork, a decent mid-range game, and he's strong enough to hold his own against almost any center in the league. Like I mentioned, Skinner is probably the only guy left who could slide over to cover center if needed, so he'll likely see some action there.
Most of their offense is going to run through the bigs inside, since that's clearly where their strength lies—they've got guys in Randolph and Gasol who are absolute monsters in one-on-one post situations. Of course, Rudy Gay is going to get his touches too, especially if teams start doubling down on Randolph, and then you've got Mayo's shooting, plus the drives from Conley and Allen... But, if I'm being honest, my gut tells me Memphis might be a bit weaker than they were last year. Losing Battier hurts—he was such a reliable defender and a decent shooter—and they don't really have a legitimate backup for Gay, who's probably going to have to log nearly 40 minutes a night. Plus, losing Arthur, who was the only real backup for Randolph, leaves a hole. They don't even have a real contingency plan for Gasol. Even though they proved they could win a few games without one of their main guys (like during the playoffs when Gay was out), I think they're going to run into serious trouble if either Gay or Randolph goes down. If those two stay healthy, they'll probably cruise into the playoffs, and maybe even scrape past the first round (though even that feels like a toss-up if they run into OKC or Dallas), but I wouldn't bet on them going much deeper than that.

Arrivals So, looking at this lineup—we’ve got Jeremy Lin running the point, Jonny Flynn stepping in at PG, then you've got the rookies Chandler Parsons and Marcus Morris holding things down at the forward spots, plus Samuel Dalembert anchoring the paint at center. It's... an interesting mix, I guess. A little bit of everything, maybe? Just feels like a real patchwork squad if I'm being honest.
Departures... or whatever you want to call them. So, you’ve got Chuck Hayes playing the power forward spot against a literal giant like Yao Ming... man, that is just wild to think about. I mean, looking at the matchup, it’s basically a David and Goliath situation—if David was a gritty, undersized defender and Goliath was a seven-foot-six skyscraper. It’s kind of crazy how much heart you have to have to step into the paint against someone that massive, even if you're as tough as Chuck. I guess you just have to pray your positioning is perfect, because if you're even an inch off, you're getting swallowed up by Yao. Just a total mismatch on paper, honestly.
So, here’s my take on the probable starting five—and honestly, I might be totally off base here, but I've been chewing on this all morning. I guess you could say it's looking like... well, this. So, looking back at this roster—it’s kind of a wild ride, isn't it? You’ve got Kyle Lowry running the point, then Kevin Martin coming in at the shooting guard spot... I mean, if you need scoring, he’s your guy, I guess. Then there's Chase Budinger at small forward, followed by Luis Scola at power forward—which, honestly, is a pretty solid veteran presence to have in the paint—and finally rounding things out with Samuel Dalembert holding it down at center. It's definitely an interesting mix of guys, maybe a little unconventional depending on how you look at it, but hey, that's basketball for you.
Coach – Kevin McHale
So, first things first—Houston just brought in Kevin McHale as their new head coach, and honestly, most of the pundits seem to agree that he can actually pull some real results out of this squad. Looking at the starting lineup, you’ve got Kyle Lowry at the point—solid dude, really physically tough, decent shot, and knows how to drive to the hoop. Then there’s Goran Dragic, who’s also got a great drive and shooting touch; he’s maybe a little light physically, I guess, but he makes up for it with pure speed. You’ve also got Jonny Flynn and Jeremy Lin on the roster, though they probably won't see much meaningful floor time. Moving over to the two-guard spot, the standout player here is definitely Kevin Martin. He’s an incredible shooter, but—and there's always a "but"—he's a bit undersized, which means he struggles a little when facing those beefier defenders. Courtney Lee will likely step in for him; he's a reliable player whose main thing is his perimeter shooting. Now, the small forward position? Yeah, it’s pretty weak, to be blunt. I think Chase Budinger might start—he can shoot and he's alright in the air, but there isn't much else to him, really. One option could be Lee again, though he lacks the height for that wing spot. Then you have guys like Terrence Williams, who can slide into a shooter role, and Marcus Morris, who looked pretty decent during the preseason—even if his natural fit is more at the four. There's also Marqus Blakely and Chandler Parsons in the mix. If I had to bet, I’d say Marcus Morris has the best shot at seeing some real minutes, just based on how he was looking in the preseason stats. At the power forward spot, you're looking at Luis Scola, who is easily one of the best players on this team alongside Martin. He doesn't exactly have the massive physical frame, but he compensates for that with high-level technique and just being a smart player—plus, his footwork is great and he’s got a killer mid-range jumper. He’ll likely be backed up by Jordan Hill, whom the front office is expecting to make a big impact. Once Patrick Patterson gets back from injury, he'll be in the rotation too. And then there's the rookie, Donatas Motiejunas, but I don't see him getting much action anytime soon. Finally, at center, the newcomer Samuel Dalembert should start—he's a steady guy, good at rim protection and rebounding. He’ll probably be rotated with Hasheem Thabeet, who is... well, he's an average player. He's one of the tallest guys in the league at 7'3", but he doesn't quite seem to use all that height the way he should.
So, looking back at last year, the Rockets missed the playoffs entirely—and honestly? I’ve got a gut feeling they’re headed for the same fate this season. It’s a shame about Yao Ming having to hang it up early because of those brutal foot injuries, but let's be real, the Houston squad has been playing without him for a while now anyway. They've kind of adjusted to life without the big man. They lost Hayes too, which leaves a massive hole in their rebounding—they're definitely going to miss that energy around the rim. Plus, with Patterson sidelined for a bit, the whole weight of the rotation is basically falling on Scola's shoulders. Their new coach is preaching this heavy inside-out game—basically trying to hammer away in the paint to rack up points—but man, the depth on this bench is thin. If either Martin or Scola catches an injury, the Rockets are basically cooked. They aren't exactly known for being a defensive powerhouse, either, so fixing that scheme is probably going to be the coach's biggest headache right out of the gate. I guess we just have to wait and see how these rookies shake out. If one of them actually steps up like a legitimate contributor and the coach can actually get the defense sorted, maybe—just maybe—they could sneak into a playoff spot. But it's looking pretty uphill from here.



Arrivals So, looking at this lineup—we’ve got T.J. Ford running point, Cory Joseph backing him up, Kawhi Leonard at the small forward spot, and then David Bertans and Adam Hanga holding things down at the forward positions... I mean, it's an interesting mix, I guess. You’ve got that elite perimeter defense with Kawhi, which is obviously huge, but then you're trying to balance out the scoring and the physicality in the frontcourt. It feels like a group that could really grind teams down defensively, though whether they have enough offensive firepower to keep up in a high-scoring shootout—well, that's probably up for debate. Just a bit of a gritty, defensive-minded rotation if you ask me.
Departures So, you’ve got George Hill holding things down at the point—and honestly, he’s alright—plus Antonio McDyess working the power forward spot... I mean, it's an interesting look, I guess. Maybe? It feels like a bit of a throwback vibe, if that makes sense. Just one of those lineups that makes you stop and think for a second about how much grit you actually need on the floor.
My money’s probably on this starting five—it feels like the most likely lineup to actually take the field. So, looking at this lineup—Tony Parker at point, Manu Ginobili in the shooting guard spot, Richard Jefferson at the small forward position, Tim Duncan holding things down at power forward, and DeJuan Blair coming in at center—it’s an interesting mix, I guess. You've got that legendary core with Tony and Manu, which is obviously huge, paired with guys like Richard and DeJuan to round out the frontcourt... it's definitely a specific vibe, maybe a bit unconventional depending on how you view the spacing.
Coach Gregg Popovich
So, looking at the San Antonio Spurs roster, they haven’t really shaken things up much—at least when it comes to the core starters. On the play, you’ve got the veteran Tony Parker, and honestly, there isn't much to say there; he's fast, he's experienced, he just gets it done. I'm guessing T.J. Ford will step in for him, though I've been reading that the rookie Cory Joseph might actually see some floor time too. Ford—who we caught watching back when he was playing over in Europe—is incredibly quick and has that aggressive drive to the hoop, so he should be able to hold his own whenever Parker needs a breather. Then you've got Manu Ginobili at shooting guard, who is just... man, he's such a smart, complete player—shooting, driving, vision, all of it. He'll probably hand the reins over to Gary Neal, who's a solid physical specimen with a decent stroke from deep. I wouldn't be surprised if Danny Green grabs some minutes there too, especially since he can slide over to the small forward spot. Speaking of which, Richard Jefferson is holding down that wing; he's a vet with great athleticism, a reliable shot, and he's pretty stout on defense. For depth there, besides Green, I think the rookie Kawhi Leonard might actually get a decent rotation, maybe serving as the primary backup for Jefferson. At the four, it's Tim Duncan. I mean, what else is there to say? Even with the years on him, the guy is still easily capable of putting up something like 15 and 10 on any given night. Behind him, you've got Matt Bonner, whose whole thing is being a specialist from beyond the arc. Finally, at center, we're looking at DeJuan Blair. He’s definitely undersized for the position, I guess, but he makes up for it with pure bulk and strength—I'm expecting him to chip in around 10 points and maybe 5 to 10 boards. Rounding out the bigs is Tiago Splitter, whom many of us followed over in the European leagues—he's a high-IQ player and has really impressive post technique.
So, the Spurs—who actually had the second-best record in the league last season, just behind the Bulls—ended up getting bounced in the first round after losing 4-2 to Memphis. They lost George Hill and McDyess over the offseason, which... I guess might be an issue? Honestly, though, I don't think it’ll be a huge deal. For the playoffs, they brought in T.J. Ford to step in for Parker, and he should be able to hold his own reasonably well. Plus, McDyess didn't really move the needle for them much anyway; you can probably make up for those 4 or 5 rebounds a night by giving Splitter more minutes—maybe sliding Blair down to the 4 spot, or maybe even giving Bonner a bit more run. You pretty much know how the offense is gonna look: lots of drives from Parker and Jefferson, while Ginobili can basically do whatever he wants, including dropping down to help Duncan. These guys are notorious for being a nightmare to beat at home because their crowd is always so loud. The starting five is super strong and experienced, sure, but man, they are old. It’s a real question of how much gas is left in the tank. Making the playoffs seems like a given to me, but going any further? I have my doubts, depending on who they run into in the first round. Then again, they've been champs before—they know the drill—and they’ve got a great coach. For some of these guys, this might honestly be their last shot at grabbing one more ring.



Arrivals – Eric Gordon (SG), Al-Farouq Aminu (SF), Chris Kaman (C)
Departures – Chris Paul (PG), David West (PF), Aaron Gray (C)
Probable Starting Lineup – Jarrett Jack (PG), Eric Gordon (SG), Trevor Ariza (SF), Emeka Okafor (PF), Chris Kaman (C)
Coach – Monty Williams
The Hornets have been through the ringer these last couple of weeks. After a trade with the Lakers fell through, they finally worked out a deal with the Clippers—basically swapping Chris Paul for Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Chris Kaman. Jarrett Jack is likely going to start at point guard, which is a pretty thankless job since he's trying to fill the shoes of the best floor general in the league. We'll see if he can pull it off, though we all know he isn't in the same stratosphere as Paul. They've also got Jerome Dyson and Carldell Johnson, and judging by preseason action, Johnson will probably see more action. At shooting guard, you've got Eric Gordon—he's young, super talented, has the handles, the drive, the physicality... he really needs to step up as the leader here. His backup is Marco Belinelli, who's a solid player for whatever minutes he gets and a killer shooter. Trevor Ariza takes the 3; he's a stout defender, and his main weapon on offense is his shot. He'll probably be rotated with the newcomer Aminu, who's got great tools and size, even if his jumper is kind of shaky. Okafor will probably start at the 4—he's a powerhouse defensively, so I'm expecting about 10 boards and a few blocks a night. They also have Carl Landry, who's a good player and a beast on the glass. Then there's Chris Kaman at center; he's a veteran with great post moves, really tough, and decent on defense. There isn't a particularly deep bench behind him, so maybe a rookie will grab some minutes.
Looking at the Western Conference lineup (OKC, Dallas, San Antonio, Clippers, Memphis, Lakers, Denver...), it’s gonna be a struggle for the Hornets to even make the playoffs. Losing two pillars like Chris Paul and David West is massive. The only way they make up for that loss is through pure team chemistry. Jack gets a chance to prove what he can do, Gordon has to be the guy and average maybe 20 points a game, Ariza needs to lock things down defensively and hit his open looks, Okafor needs to grab those boards and finish strong, and I think they really need to feed Kaman in the post since he's so good one-on-one. If they get decent production from the bench—Aminu, Belinelli, and Landry—they might be able to scrap for that 8th seed, which is the last spot in the playoffs. To go any higher than that? I just don't think they have the depth.

CENTRAL 1/2

The Detroit Pistons are a franchise caught in a state of uncertainty. For decades, they were perennial title contenders, but that era feels like ancient history now. We are a long way from the days of the legendary "Bad Boys" or the championship run in 2004 led by guys like Billups, Wallace, and Rip Hamilton. Right now, the Pistons are just hovering in the middle of the Eastern Conference—not quite bad enough to be bottom-feeders, but lacking that one transformative superstar needed to restore the franchise to its former glory.
Perhaps that savior arrives via the 8th overall pick in this year's draft, a promising prospect named Brandon Knight, but as things stand, there is no clear escape route from mediocrity for Detroit.
They finally moved on from Hamilton after years of friction, creating some much-needed cap space for new talent, though we have yet to see any significant names arrive.

Prediction: 4th in division, 20-46.


The Milwaukee Bucks represent a small-market team with modest ambitions; they’ve only tasted NBA glory once, back in 1971. Today, they find themselves in a similar position to the Pistons within an overall weak Eastern Conference.
It isn't all grim, however. They possess a solid point guard in Brandon Jennings, though he desperately needs to work on his efficiency—shooting under 40% is simply unacceptable for a serious player. Salmon is also a capable asset at the shooting guard spot.
Their standout player is Andrew Bogut, an Australian who was the victim of a unfortunate fall two seasons ago. He has recovered well this year, ranking second in the league for blocks, trailing only Dwight Howard. Last season, they finished 9th in the East and narrowly missed the postseason. To right last year's wrongs and secure a playoff berth, they brought in veteran Mike Dunleavy from the Pacers.

Prediction: 30-36, 3rd in division.


The Cavaliers serve as the ultimate case study on how much a single superstar can define an NBA franchise. It isn't just about their play on the court; it's their gravity—their ability to attract talent that would otherwise never dream of playing in a city like Cleveland. After the chaotic period of clearing out everything tied to LeBron, the Cavs plummeted from a 61-21 powerhouse to a team that lost three times as often as they won. It was a disastrous campaign; they set an American record for the longest losing streak in history with 26 straight losses, many of which were blowouts. But, strangely enough, hope has arrived through pure luck.
In a move where the odds were stacked heavily against them, they traded the Mo Williams/Baron Davis duo for a first-round pick from the Clippers. Despite there being only a 2.6% chance of such a scenario unfolding, the Cavs walked away with the number one overall pick, while also securing the 4th pick through their positioning.
With those picks, they selected Kyrie Irving at point guard and Tristan Thompson at power forward. Now, we can only wait and see if these selections pay off.

Earlier this summer, they also acquired J.J. Hickson in exchange for Omri Casspi and their first-round pick for next year's draft.

Prediction: Last in division, 19-45 record.

The Pacers are the kind of squad many people view as a potential dark horse this season, and frankly, they aren't far from the mark. They possess an incredible young core; players like Danny Granger, Paul George, Hansborough, and PG Collison represent significant prospects with bright futures ahead of them. The strongest argument for labeling the Pacers as legitimate title contenders stems from their coach, Frank Vogel. Even now, he likely tosses and turns at night, drenched in a cold sweat, haunted by a single thought: "We shouldn't have lost to the Bulls in the playoffs." He is a top-tier motivator and strategist who builds his entire philosophy around maximizing individual talent—much like how legendary coaches build around a specific superstar's rhythm.
A massive advantage for them is their flexibility under the salary cap. Even after landing a major signing like David West, they still have enough room to pick up at least one more high-level player. It’s just a shame that the free agency market is currently so thin, making it difficult to find elite talent willing to join smaller-market teams.
In the postseason, they showed real grit against the Eastern Conference champions and regular-season leaders, the Chicago Bulls, but ultimately fell 4-1. That result is somewhat misleading; they actually led most of those games, only to mentally crumble in the closing moments and hand the momentum back to Chicago.

Prediction: Second in the division. Record of 40-26.



Last season, the Bulls did almost everything right. They boasted the best defense in the league, the deepest bench in the league, and even the league MVP. However, they had one glaring Achilles' heel, and that weakness was defined by Keith Bogans. Now, it isn't Bogans' fault for being who he is—he fulfilled his defensive responsibilities perfectly. The issue was the offense, where he was about as useful as a wooden post; you basically had to hit him at a very specific angle just to hope the ball went through the hoop. (Fun fact: in every single game where Bogans managed to score 6 or more points, the Bulls won.)

Bogans has since been waived, and Hamilton has stepped in. With his "winner" mentality, he should provide the spark Chicago needs to finally scale the Great Wall known as the Miami Heat. Hamilton looked sharp in his debut for Chicago, but that's far too small a sample size to draw any definitive conclusions.

Injuries also plagued the Bulls last year. Both Noah and Boozer missed significant stretches of the regular season, which prevented them from building that essential chemistry and learning each other's tendencies on the court. Not to mention that Boozer significantly underperformed during the playoffs—though one could argue he was playing through injury. He was frequently subbed out, either due to foul trouble or coaching decisions (specifically, Tay Gibson was providing better offensive production at times, even if his defense was three times worse). Much like Hamilton, Boozer had a solid showing in the final preseason game, but I will be cautious and bury my optimism ten feet underground for now.

Prediction: 50-16, division champions.

The Los Angeles Lakers.

Last season's Pacific division champions finished with a solid 57-25 record, yet their campaign ended on a disastrous note. They were dismantled in the Western Conference semifinals by the eventual champion Mavericks. To make matters worse, they lost Phil Jackson, who decided to retire, and Andrew Bynum faced a five-game suspension following a flagrant foul on Bareia...

Mike Brown has been appointed as the new head coach. Lamar Odom, last year’s Sixth Man of the Year, has been traded to Dallas in exchange for a first-round pick. Ron Artest has rebranded himself as Metta World Peace. Kobe Bryant is dealing with a torn ligament in his right wrist, and he's a year older... However, the defining moments of this Lakers season were the two trades—the failed attempt to land Chris Paul, and the finalized deal that sent him straight to our crosstown rivals, the Clippers. The Lakers are wounded and demoralized. The competition is stronger than ever, and most analysts are predicting a complete collapse...

Mike Brown arrives following a five-year tenure with the Cavaliers. During that stretch, he steered them to the Finals and secured the top seed twice. At the Lakers, he will encounter nearly identical conditions to his time in Cleveland: a roster built around a single superstar, immense pressure, and sky-high expectations. Replacing Phil Jackson won't be an easy feat, nor will establishing authority over the team's primary star—especially considering Kobe would have preferred Brian Shaw in that role...
With Gasol and Bynum—whose suspension was just cut down to four games—the Lakers possess one of the most formidable frontcourts in the league, both offensively and defensively. Once again, the weight of the world falls on Kobe’s shoulders, though I see no reason for him to fail. He’s dealt with nagging injuries for several seasons now; playing through discomfort won't be a new experience for him. World Peace can still hold his own on defense, and Derek Fisher remains a reliable option for perimeter shooting and playmaking. However, those two might actually lose their starting spots, as Matt Barnes and Steve Blake are making strong cases for more minutes. While the core of this roster is undeniably high-quality, the bench is where things fall apart. There isn't a true sixth man or any legitimate depth behind the starters—just a handful of serviceable players like Josh McRoberts, Jason Kapono, and Troy Murphy, alongside some inexperienced youngsters...
With an accelerated pace expected this season, the Lakers' roster—given their high veteran age and lack of depth—could run into significant trouble. However, once they make it to the playoffs, which they will, they become a dangerous threat. They shouldn't be overlooked when considering the top tier of Western Conference contenders...

The Phoenix Suns.

In their inaugural season, without Studemir, the Suns fell short of the playoffs with a 40-42 record. This year, the outlook is even bleaker. It’s safe to say the sun has set on Phoenix...

During the lockout, Aaron Brooks signed with the Guangdong Southern Tigers and won't be back until March. Vince Carter was waived before eventually signing with the Mavericks. Mickael Pietrus has also departed. We’ve brought in three free agents—Shannon Brown, Sebastian Telfair, and Ronnie Price—and selected Markieff Morris in the draft...

Alvin Gentry won't be under any real pressure this season, mainly because nobody is actually expecting them to make the playoffs. Steve Nash is still on the roster, which is a double-edged sword. His experience and playstyle offer clear benefits to the squad, but that contract is a massive anchor dragging down an otherwise poorly defined rebuilding process. After struggling as the weakest unit in the paint last year, the interior looks like the team's biggest strength right now. Marcin Gortat has finally earned a starting spot, and he’s more than justified the trust placed in him. Alongside Nash, they form a high-quality offensive duo, supplemented by solid defense and dominance on the boards. With Channing Frye slotted in at the four, and Robin Lopez and rookie Morris providing quality depth at the big man positions, the frontcourt is set. The small forward spot will be handled by veterans Grant Hill and Hakeem Warrick, while Jared Dudley will likely lock down the starting shooting guard role. Expect decent minutes from Brown, Childress, and Telfair off the bench. It’s an offensively potent group, even if they aren't anywhere near the level they were a few years ago... though their defensive lapses remain the most glaring issue...
The Pacific Division is stronger than last year, but that isn't because of the Suns. A decline is inevitable for them. They can forget about the playoffs for a few seasons; all their fans can do is enjoy

Golden State Warriors

The team with arguably the best jerseys last season failed to defend anything, finishing 36-46—well short of the playoff contention even they didn't truly believe in. However, it appears they viewed that as a final growing pain and are approaching the new season with significantly higher ambitions.

The Warriors have a new head coach—Mark Jackson left his role as an analyst at ESPN to launch his coaching career. They signed free agents Kwame Brown and Brandon Rush, while parting ways with Radmanović, Amundson, Wright, Williams, and Lin. On the draft, they selected shooting guard Klay Thompson and playmaker Charles Jenkins. Bell was waived, and Monta Ellis faces sexual harassment allegations.

Mark Jackson has promised to build the system around defense, which is quite odd considering he didn't practice much defense during his own playing days. He also aims for a playoff berth, which is ambitious but not unrealistic given the talent on this roster. Specifically, looking at the backcourt, the duo of Curry and Ellis is excellent. Steph Curry should take another step forward in his third season to become the true offensive engine of this squad, while Ellis should be sufficient to maintain the elite scoring level he has shown over the last couple of years. Dorell Wright is one player who showed significant improvement last season; beyond his great shooting, he provides solid defense. What the Warriors absolutely must improve is their interior presence. David Lee and Andris Biedrins need to play more aggressively on offense and tighten up defensively after a lackluster prior season. Kwame Brown and Ekpe Udoh look like defensively capable backups.
The bench seems thin, but this is one of those rare teams that might actually benefit from a shorter, faster-paced season. If Jackson truly prioritizes defense, if the team increases its level of professionalism, and if Curry matures into a leader, the Warriors could be a pleasant surprise in the West. Still, it wouldn't be the first time they disappointed...

Los Angeles Clippers

Last season, the Clippers became an attractive squad, drawing attention through the play of Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. However, due to chaotic management, they finished 32-50 and remained far from the playoffs. Now, for the first time in a while, there are signs of actual progress...

There isn't much need to dwell on how the Clippers prepared for this new season—they pulled off a blockbuster trade to land Chris Paul, arguably the best playmaker in the league, while Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Chuck Kaman departed. They also picked up the veteran Chauncey Billups and free agent Caron Butler. Overnight, they transformed into the most talked-about team and a group that is actually fun to follow.

Chauncey Billups will likely start alongside Chris Paul, providing a lethal perimeter threat since he won't be the primary target for opposing defenses. Butler remains a question mark; we have to see how he looks coming off that knee injury. Under the rim, the young duo of Griffin and DeAndre Jordan looks excellent. As for Blake, there isn't much to say beyond expectations of another high-scoring season, perhaps with slightly better defense and teamwork. Jordan needs to step up; he should be the defensive anchor, increasing his blocks and rebounds. At the point guard position, Mo Williams and Eric Bledsoe serve as backups, though a trade is possible given how thin the bench is at other positions. The rotation includes Randy Foye, Ryan Gomes, and rookie Travis Leslie on the wings, with Hubbard, Cook, and Thompkins in the paint. Alongside the players, Coach Vinny Del Negro needs to increase his level of professionalism; if this fails, he will be the one held accountable...
Hype inherently carries a degree of bias, and that applies to this Clippers squad as well. While they certainly aren't lacking in star power, the real question is whether they possess the toughness required for big games and how they will handle the pressure. A high playoff seed is a realistic goal, but anything beyond that remains uncertain...

Sacramento Kings

The worst team in the Pacific Division last year, finishing 24-58, was the Kings. Beyond the lack of ambition, injuries, and poor results, the main concern for fans was the potential relocation of the franchise. Ultimately, the Kings stayed in Sacramento, left with a grim outlook and no clear vision...

In the first round of the draft, they selected Jimmer Fredette, presumably as a move to attract fans, alongside Tyler Honeycutt and Isaiah Thomas. The roster saw departures like Samuel Dalembert, Beno Udrih, Omri Casspi, Marquis Daniels, and Pooh Jeter, while bringing in John Salmons, J.J. Hickson, Travis Outlaw, and Chuck Hayes.

The core of the team rests on youngsters Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, both of whom struggle with maturity. They can score plenty and improve their individual stats, but they primarily need to grow up. Following a sophomore season marred by inconsistency and injury, Evans needs to step into a leadership role. Coming off the bench at his position is the highly hyped rookie Jimmer, a player with limited team play and almost no defense. Marcus Thornton integrated well after being traded from the Hornets last season and looks poised for a starting guard spot. John Salmons should start at the forward position, rotating with Garcia and Honeycutt. In the frontcourt, the Kings look decent with Hickson and Cousins starting, supported by Hayes and Thompson. Improving their defense and reducing turnovers might help mitigate the inevitable struggles ahead...
The Kings look like a fractured team attempting to rebuild without cohesion or a true leader. With a heavy schedule of road games early in the season, their record, morale, and ambitions could suffer significantly. The Kings could very quickly find themselves looking toward next season, considering trades, and stockpiling draft picks...

Boston Celtics

Boston feels like an aging squad—they always talk a big game about titles, but they usually lack that certain... something. Whether it’s depth, freshness, or just bad luck with injuries, they struggle. Last season, they couldn't get past a mediocre Miami team in the Semifinals. This year looks different, though. They moved on from guys like Krstić, Murphy, Davis, and West—not that they added much to compensate, really. The real headache will be their interior presence; they're left with just J.O'Neal, Wilcox, Stiesma, and a rookie named JaJuan Johnson. That’s thin—dangerously thin—for a contender. Plus, there's the health of the core to consider—Paul Pierce is already sidelined for a few early games with a heel injury. They did bring in B.Bass, K.Dooling, M.Daniels, plus the duo of Stiesma and Wilcox, and even inked deals with Jeff Green and Sasha Pavlović. If they stay healthy, making the Semifinals would be a win; anything beyond that would be a genuine shocker.

New Jersey Nets

I actually had high hopes for this group, but everything just fell apart once B.Lopez went down—he's looking at being out anywhere from six weeks to the rest of the season. He was supposed to be the centerpiece of a major trade for Howard, so that's dead in the water now. Deron Williams is essentially flying solo here, which means he might just head for the exits at the end of the year since the Nets didn't land the help he wanted. The one bright spot? Signing K. Humphries to a one-year deal.
The roster hasn't changed drastically—B.Wright and Sasha Vujačić are gone, replaced by three different Williamses (Shelden, Shawne, and rookie Jordan), along with Udok and rookie M.Brooks. With that injury, they're stuck with Johan Petru as their only true classic center—so, how much can the perimeter carry them? If Avery Johnson can somehow organize this mess and they find a decent big man, we might see some decent basketball, but honestly? I don't see them making the playoffs.



The big spenders are back in the hunt. They actually did a pretty stellar job cleaning up the roster this year. They cleared out the excess—R.Mason, D.Brown, A.Carter, Turiaf, Rautins, those two Williamses from the Nets, and even the amnestied C.Billups (though he wasn't really "excess," let's be real :P). From the draft, they snagged Immanuel Shumpert, who should be a huge asset, along with Josh Harrellson and Jerome Jordan. Then they added Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, and Tyson Chandler—it's a deep, well-rounded roster. You've also got young talents like T.Douglas, Shumpert, and Landry Fields, though with Bibby, Davis, and the superstar Anthony, things might get a little crowded at the one and two spots. Under the hoop, they have Stoudemire, Chandler, Harrellson, and Jerome Jordan. It's a solid setup with real championship aspirations. If D'Antoni can gel this group, they'll be dangerous. I'm predicting a much better run than last year—maybe even a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.



They're the basement dwellers of the division this year, though I suspect they won't be quite as bad as they were last season.
Not many changes—S.Weems left, while J.Magloire, R.Butler, A.Carter, Aaron Gray, and Gary Forbes joined. Nothing groundbreaking. The roster is a bit more veteran-heavy, and I'm expecting DeRozan to really explode this year alongside Ed Davis. The backbone will likely remain the international contingent—Calderon, Bargnani, and Kleiza—plus Brazil's Barbosa. Nothing spectacular here; maybe 10th in the East if they're lucky.



My favorite squad is heading into the season again—not with massive expectations, mind you—but with a solid roster and just a few tweaks. We lost guys like J. Kapono, D. Songaila, and A. Daniels, but we brought in two rookies, Nikola Vučević and Lavoy Allen. It’s an incredibly young group, with only two veterans holding things down—our primary center Elton Brand and Tony Battie, who just inked a new deal. They have two stellar young guards, Jodie Meeks and Jrue Holiday; if they can find some consistency—think Russell Westbrook style—they could be absolute stars. Then there's Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner, the seasoned Nocioni, and our leader, Iguodala. Young Vučević shows real promise—his post technique is quite good—he just needs to tighten up his defense to become a mainstay for the future. We still have Spencer Hawes, Marrese Speights, Craig Brackins, and rookie Allen at center. Honestly, this team is brimming with potential—it should only get better with age—though right now, Iguodala and Brand are the ones keeping everything from drifting apart. During preseason, we faced Washington, which was a total change of pace. We had a dominant showing in the first game, winning 103-78 behind 19 points from Williams, followed by a real grind in the second, eventually pulling away for a 101-94 win led by Holiday's 24 points. All in all, I think it'll be a decent season—making the playoffs shouldn't be an issue—and anything beyond that would just be a wonderful bonus, even if it is a steep climb.

I don't even know where to start with this one, honestly, because it’s just one thing after another lately, isn't it? You look at what's happening and you just have to wonder if anyone is actually paying attention or if we're all just drifting through this chaos without a clue. It's like, seriously, how does this even happen? One minute everything seems relatively normal—you know, just living your life, grabbing a coffee at Starbucks, minding your own business—and then suddenly, boom, the whole system feels like it's glitching out right in front of your eyes! Does anyone else feel that? Or am I just losing my mind here? Because I swear, every time I turn around, there's some new ridiculous headline or some nonsense policy coming out of D.C. that makes me want to put my head through a wall. It's exhausting, man. Just totally draining. And don't even get me started on the sheer incompetence of it all! You see these people in charge acting like they've got it all figured out while the rest of us are left picking up the pieces of their massive screw-ups. It's enough to make you scream! Anyway, I'm just venting, I guess. What can you even expect anymore? kaže:
What do you guys think about us slowly migrating over to a brand new NBA thread? I mean, all the deep-dive analyses are already posted and ready to go, plus the new season is officially kicking off, so why are we still hanging out in this old fossil of a thread? Let's get moving! 🤷

Man, I honestly think it wouldn't hurt if I just threw out a few picks for today that I managed to pull together, you know? Just figured I'd lay them on the table since I've been staring at these numbers all morning.🤷

I’m telling you guys, Bargnani is staying under 22.5 points tonight, and if you don't believe me, what are you even doing? Seriously, why would anyone bet against this? He’s just not finding that rhythm lately, you know? It’s like he’s out there running through molasses or something! I mean, look at the defense they're throwing at him—it’s basically a brick wall, like trying to drive a sedan through downtown Chicago during rush hour. How is he supposed to score when he can't even get a clean look at the rim? It’s frustrating just watching it, honestly. So yeah, mark my words, he stays under. Don't come crying to me when the buzzer sounds and he's sitting there stuck in the low 20s!
Man, I’m telling you right now, if you aren't betting on Granger to stay under 20.5, what are you even doing with your life? Seriously, are we watching the same game?! He’s been looking totally off lately, just completely out of sync, and honestly, I don't see him hitting that over. It’s like he can't find his rhythm for anything, you know? One minute he's there, the next he's just ghosting. I mean, why would anyone think he's going to blow past that number when he can barely stay consistent against a decent defense? It just doesn't add up! Just take the under and stop overthinking it, because it's as obvious as it gets.
Man, I am telling you right now, if you aren't riding with Gallinari for over 15.5, what are you even doing with your life? Seriously! Does anyone actually think he’s going to stall out below that mark? He’s got that rhythm, that absolute flow where once he gets going, there is no stopping him, and honestly, who wants to bet against that kind of momentum? It’s almost insulting to suggest otherwise, isn't it? Just look at how he plays—he’s hungry, he’s aggressive, and he’s basically looking to tear the nets apart every single night. I don't care what the doubters say, because they clearly haven't been watching the same game as the rest of us. It’s a lock, plain and simple. Over 15.5, easy money!
Look, I’m telling you right now, if you aren't taking Durant under 28.5, what are you even doing with your life? Seriously, what's the endgame here? Are we just throwing money into a shredder for fun? He's playing with this level of focus lately, man, it’s almost scary, and people are sitting there acting like he’s gonna hit some impossible ceiling when he’s already tearing it up. It’s honestly ridiculous how much people overthink these lines. You see the matchup, you see the rhythm, and you realize the math just doesn't add up for the over. Why would anyone bet against him being efficient while simultaneously betting on him hitting a number that's just slightly too high for the current flow of the game? It’s a lock, okay? Just a straight-up lock. Stop overcomplicating it!
Man, I am telling you right now, if you aren't riding with D. Williams for the over 20.5, what are you even doing with your life? Seriously, are we just going to ignore how he's been playing lately? It’s like everyone is suddenly blind to the obvious! He’s got that momentum, that absolute hunger, and honestly, who do you think is going to stop him once he gets rolling? You really think some random defense is gonna hold him under that number? Please. I’ve seen enough to know he’s absolutely crushing it right now, and thinking he stays under 20.5 is just asking for a bad beat. Just take the over and stop overthinking it!
I’m telling you guys, I am putting my money on Parker to go over 17.5, and honestly, if you don't see it, what are you even doing? Are you actually watching the games or just staring at the wall? He’s been absolutely tearing it up lately, playing like he’s got something to prove to the entire league, and quite frankly, I think he’s just getting started! You look at the matchups coming up and it’s like, hello, is anyone else seeing this? It’s almost too easy! I mean, why would anyone bet against him right now when he’s clearly in that zone where everything just clicks? It’s ridiculous! Just grab the over and stop overthinking it, for crying out loud!
Man, I’m telling you right now, if you aren't taking Oklahoma under 107.5, what are you even doing with your life? Seriously, are we just ignoring the defensive stats this season? Because I certainly am not! Every time I look at the matchup, I see these guys struggling to find any rhythm in the paint, and honestly, who expects them to suddenly turn into the 90s Bulls overnight? It’s just not happening! You've got teams playing tight, scoring droughts that feel like they last an eternity, and frankly, I think anyone betting the over is just asking for a headache. Why would you risk it when the numbers are screaming at us to stay low? It’s a total no-brainer, and if you disagree, well, maybe you just enjoy losing money! Under 107.5, easy. Period.🤷So, I'm seriously thinking about just pulling the trigger and putting some money down on this... I don't know, does anyone actually have a solid suggestion or something? Like, what am I even looking at here? Any ideas before I go off the deep end?

Keith Moore21 said:Solid opening day for the NBA. All the favorites pulled through... who’s gonna choke today?! 🤣

Taking the Lakers at 1.60 looks tempting, but only if we see that Kobe is actually good to go. He hit the floor hard yesterday and banged his right shoulder toward the end of the game. 😕
If he's fine, they shouldn't have any issues against a weak Sacramento team. No way they let themselves start the season 0-2, right?

So, all the favorites swept today. Naturally, I’ll probably wait until tomorrow to place my bets, which is exactly when my picks will fall apart... classic luck. That's just how it goes.

Honestly, my betting luck has been pretty incredible lately!
If I actually had any sense, I would've closed my account at DraftKings by now.

😁😁😁

Does anyone have any NBA picks for today? Let me know.

Yesterday, I put down a tiny little amount—just a casual bet—and somehow everything went perfectly. But hey, who could have possibly predicted that, right?

Bryan Adams6 said:Taking the Lakers at 1.6 seems pretty tempting, I guess—but only if we get word that Kobe is actually good to go. He took a nasty fall toward the end of yesterday's game and caught his right shoulder on the hardwood, which isn't ideal😕
if everything turns out fine with him. They shouldn't have much trouble against a weak Sacramento squad, right? I mean, they probably won't let themselves slip into an 0-2 start to the season, surely?

Hmm, I don't know... the Lakers should probably take it, but I have a feeling this Sacramento team is going to be tricky this year, especially playing at home... that lineup of Evans, Thornton, Salmons, Hayes, and Cousins doesn't look half bad, and with guys like Jimmer coming off the bench ready to pop off at a moment's notice, plus Hickson and Outlaw...
edit: My main play today is Dallas at 1.6 in the spread... yeah, the Heat absolutely dismantled them yesterday, but they rested a few guys (Dirk didn't even play the whole fourth quarter), and Denver is missing J.R. Smith, Martin, and Chandler. Even though Denver isn't exactly terrible, I'm thinking the champs are going to try and make up for yesterday's disaster for their fans today...

Hannah Roberts66 said:Does anyone have any solid NBA picks for today? Give me something to work with!

Man, I went ahead and dropped a little something on yesterday's slate—nothing crazy, just a small play—and honestly, everything hit perfectly. But hey, who could've actually seen that coming, right? Luck is a funny thing, I guess.

So, my humble take? I’m leaning toward Dallas at 1.6 in the spread... honestly, that’ll probably be my main anchor for today. I'm gonna spend the afternoon digging through the stats and seeing how the matchups look, then we'll see where things land...

Portland - Philadelphia 1
I mean, this feels like a pretty solid bet, even if we’re just getting the season kicked off. Portland is legendary for being a tough place to play, probably having some of the most intense fans in the NBA. Sure, Terry Porter moved on, but with guys like Aldridge, Wallace, and Batum, they’ve got enough grit to take down Philly. Honestly, Philadelphia never seems to love traveling out West, and they rarely put up their best numbers on the road anyway. At 1.55, I guess the odds are more than fair. It looks like a winner to me.
Cleveland - Toronto 1
So, yeah, Cleveland had a rough go last season, but I don't think they were actually that bad—it felt more like they just ran into a string of terrible luck. Now, they've brought in two massive rookies, the #1 and #4 picks from the draft, and the hype in the city is real. They should be heavy favorites at home against what I honestly think is the worst franchise in the league right now. The Raptors are struggling big time; between Bargnani, Calderon, and DeRozan, I just don't have much faith in them. At 1.65, I’m taking this one for sure.

WilliamsD(-18,5+)-Is-Not-NJer from SS

In Germany, they set the line at 22.5 😲😲

HL...20.5

Unless we're talking about the same player 🤷 😁 😁

Looking over today’s slate, I find myself somewhat drawn to the 2.85 odds on Memphis playing against the Spurs. I suppose there might just be enough room for an upset to occur down in San Antonio tonight, but I wonder what everyone else thinks about that possibility?
Furthermore, it strikes me that the 3.0 line for the Houston game against Orlando—which took place earlier this evening—might actually be a bit excessive. I would certainly appreciate some insight or perhaps a detailed analysis regarding these specific matchups if anyone is willing to share. Thanks.

Michael Diaz said:WilliamsD(-18,5+)-Was-NJer from the NFL

In Germany, the line was set at 22.5 😲😲

HL...20.5

Unless we're talking about the same player? 🤷 😁 😁

That’s exactly what I was just about to type. It's weird, right? A four-point gap like that? Seems like the lottery guys set it at 20, which would mean he hits the over in the NFL and the under in Germany. Just how that works, I guess. 😍