2007 NBA Twisted Preview: Eastern Conference

Anyone with a beating pulse knows that the Eastern Conference is so boring for the NBA. This year's first annual SSR NBA preview will feature a sneak peek of the 15 teams in the Eastern Conference, and then proceed to make it a joke.

Atlantic Division:


1. Toronto Raptors (47-35 in 2006)

Good: They made the playoffs under Coach of the Year Sam Mitchell for the 1st time since 2001.

Bad: Even the Raptors players can't name the starting five.

Projected finish: 51-31.


2. New Jersey Nets (41-41 in 2006)

Good: Jason Kidd knows how to get the party started.

Bad: Fans officially known as the quietest 20,000 fans ever

Projected finish: 40-42.


3. New York Knicks (33-49 in 2006)

Good: Isiah Thomas knows how to get the party started.

Bad: He can't coach for crap.

Projected finish: 29-53


4. Boston Celtics (24-58 in 2006)

Good: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce

Bad: Human cloning of these three is still not permitted.

Projected finish: 27-55


5. Philadelphia 76ers (35-47 in 2006)

Good: They still exist.

Bad: They still exist.

Projected finish: 26-56



Central Division


1. Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32 in 2006)

Good: So close to winning the NBA Finals, too bad the Spurs bored them to death.

Bad: Larry Hughes is somehow still on the team.

Projected finish: 52-30


2. Detroit Pistons (53-29 in 2006)

Good: Not making the NBA Finals two years in a row has done great wonders from more exciting teams.

Bad: Still boring.

Projected finish: 51-31


3. Chicago Bulls (49-33 in 2006)

Good: A very surprising season in 06 may be their jump start for the future.

Bad: Ben Wallace's afro must be cut down before the arena explodes.

Projected finish: 48-34


4. Indiana Pacers (35-47 in 2006)

Good: ....

Bad: Everything

Projected finish: 30-52

5. Milwaukee Bucks (28-54 last year)

Good: They finally figured out the name of their coach.

Bad: Michael Redd cannot play every position.

Projected finish: 22-60




Southeast Division


1. Miami Heat (49-33 in 2006)

Good: Experienced team.

Bad: Will walk with a cane during game.

Projected finish: 47-35


2. Orlando Magic (40-42 in 06)

Good: Fans know of their existence. Grant Hill is healthy.

Bad: Grant Hill has planned his injury for the 1st game.

Projected finish: 42-40

3. Washington Wizards (41-41 in 06)

Good: They made the playoffs

Bad: Gilbert Arenas can't make 90 foot shots all the time.

Projected finish: 39-43


4. Charlotte Bobcats (33-49 in 06)

Good: Improved with Michael Jordan being a part of the team

Bad: Michael isn't playing.

Projected finish: 34-48


5. Atlanta Hawks (30-52 in 06)

Good: Michael Vick has gone past the Hawks as worst thing in Atlanta.

Bad: WNBA still doesn't accept men playing.

Projected finish: 23-59



So I finished late, and the Western Conference will come a day late, but it's only game 1 of the season.

Previewing Seahawks/Sheep

Who: St. Louis Rams (0-6) vs. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

When: 4:15 PM EST/1:15 PM PST

Where: Qwest Field

TV: FOX Sports, Matt Devlin and JC Pearson are your commentators

Rundown: The Seahawks are reeling from back to back losses to Pittsburgh and the once winless New Orleans Saints. This will be their last game before the bye week for Seattle, while the Rams will face the 3-3 Browns on the 28th of October.


Why the Rams Could Win: Earthquake, Mount St. Helens, some natural disaster Mike Holmgren's predictable playcalling. Other than that, they have nothing. Torry Holt and Issac Bruce are old, Marc Bulger is hurt, and because that offensive line is crapola, Gus Fuerotte better be ready. The only danger I see in them is rookie Brian Leonard from Rutgers.

Why the Rams Could Lose: They haven't won a game, they have no defense, they turn the ball over all the time, no offensive weapon, this list is so long that I could write a novel about it.

Key player to look for: Brian Leonard, RB, Rutgers. With Stephen Jackson out, Leonard has been a good replacement for the Rams, and recorded his first one hundred yard game against the Cardinals in a losing effort to the Arizona Cardinals.

Why the Seahawks Could Win: They have sputtered, but the Rams are so bad, that this defense will dominate St. Louis. The one thing with Seattle, is that Matt Hasselbeck has had a good start so far, and the Rams defense is allowing even the Ravens to score. DJ Hackett is reportedly coming back from his ankle injury, which could help the depleted wide receiver spot. As for that running game, that's a piece of work.

Why the Seahawks Could Lose: Mike Holmgren.

Shaun Alexander Watch: This guy is doing an awesome job of tackling himself. He will not be a factor in any game until he stops being so soft.

Key Player to Look For: Julian Peterson has been phenomenal since making his trip to the Pacific Northwest. Expect him to be a big part in that Seattle defense.


Final Thoughts: The Rams suck, we all know that, but the Hawks haven't been great by any means. Seattle doesn't make anything easy so....

Seahawks 24 Rams 13.



Other predictions will come up next post.

NBA Finals Preview part 3 of 3

Up until Wednesday, I will preview the Cavaliers and Spurs in their quest at the NBA Finals. Today is the official prediction post.




It's picking time! I will pick who will win game-by-game.


Game 1: Spurs 89 Cavaliers 82. The game is close throughout, and the Spurs go on a 10-2 run to end the game after trailing 80-79

Game 2: Cavaliers 92 Spurs 88. Cleveland ices the game and evens the series at 1-1 with 2 free throws by LeBron after Tony Parker's potential game winner rattles out.

Game 3: Cavaliers 104 Spurs 100 OT: LeBron scores 30, and Daniel Gibson chips in 16 as Cleveland takes a 2-1 series lead going on a 9-0 run in the final 2:30 of Overtime.

Game 4: Spurs 85 Cavaliers 73: It's tied 2-2 as San Antonio dominates throughout, holding the Cavs to 37% shooting, and LeBron scores 16 points on 5-13 shooting. Tim Duncan has 28 points for the Spurs, and Tony Parker scores 23 points to go with his 7 assists.

Game 5: Cavaliers 90 Spurs 83: Cavs are one game away from a shocking upset after holding off a late rally from the Spurs, who were down by as many as 18 in the 4th quarter.

Game 6: Spurs 103 Cavaliers 78: Total whipping, Larry Hughes gets destroyed by Parker and Manu Ginobili as San Antonio romps to force game 7.

Game 7: Cavaliers 96 Spurs 89: IT'S OVER! CLEVELAND SHOCKS THE BASKETBALL WORLD! AFTER BEING DOWN BY 12 AT HALFTIME, THEY RALLY TO WIN THE NBA FINALS! Tim Duncan had a remarkable game, scoring 41 points on 12-20 shooting, and Michael Finley scored 26, but it wasn't enough for the stunned Spurs.


MVP: LeBron James. The King scores at least 22 points in 5 out of 7 games, and had 2 double-doubles. In the Finals, he averages 24.7 points, 45% shooting, and 82% from the line.


So I have the Cavs in 7, who are you picking?



Feel free to agree or disagree with these keys in the comments section or by email. Tomorrow will feature the official prediction post. To read the Cavaliers preview, click here. To read the Spurs preview, click here.

NBA Finals Preview part 2 of 3

Up until Wednesday, I will preview the Cavaliers and Spurs in their quest at the NBA Finals. Today's preview will feature the San Antonio Spurs.



The playoff run for the San Antonio Spurs:


Round 1: Spurs def. Nuggets 4-1. Not even a close series.


Round 2: Spurs def. Suns 4-2: Phoenix is still bitter at David Stern.


Round 3: Spurs def. Jazz 4-1: In a word, boring.



When the Spurs are on defense:

• Believe it or not, they'll have to contain Ira Newble LeBron James. There's no explanation required, just remember that King James scored 48 points on the Pistons.
• Prevent easy baskets. The Cavs are not a great perimeter shooting team, and Bruce Bowen and co. should stop Cleveland from driving right through them.
• Force King James to pass the ball. When he takes over a game, your team is doomed. If you take the ball away from James, and force his teammates to make an impact, the Cavs usually falter.

When the Spurs are on offense:

• Drain the threes. You've got Ginobili, Bowen, Barry, and now Tony Parker is making long range shots. Take advantage beyond the arc, something the Pistons almost never did, and that's why Detroit never had a double digit lead in the entire series.
• Dominate the boards. The key to Cleveland's success is the rebound. They have been successful at both ends of the floor when it comes to that category. If the Spurs take that away, the shots will go down for the Cavs, and the 2nd chance points are more likely for San Antonio.
• Make your free throws. I can't stress this enough. Both teams have been garbage from the stripe (save for Daniel Gibson and Manu Ginobili), and I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of these games are decided via the free throw.
• When the game is down to one shot, give the ball to Robert Horry. Big Shot Bob has saved teams everywhere he has gone, and this shouldn't be different
  

Key Players defensively: Everyone. Especially Bruce Bowen.

Key Players offensively: Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Robert Horry.


Feel free to agree or disagree with these keys in the comments section or by email. Tomorrow will feature the official prediction post. To read the Cavaliers preview, click here.

NBA Finals preview part 1 of 3

Up until Wednesday, I will preview the Cavaliers and Spurs in their quest at the NBA Finals. Today's preview will feature the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The playoff run of the Cleveland Cavaliers:

Round 1: Cleveland def. Washington Wizards 4-0. This wasn't even close.

Round 2: Cleveland def. New Jersey Nets 4-2. New Jersey just couldn't play consistently to win this series.

Round 3: Cleveland def. Detroit 4-2. Do I really need to tell you about this series?


What the Cavs need on defense:

• Stop Tim Duncan. Now that is way too obvious, but Timmy has been outstanding in the playoffs, but Duncan has yet to face a 7'0 center throughout the playoffs, with the only exception being the Denver Nuggets' Nene. Cleveland should be in good shape if they double up on Duncan using Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
• Let the Spurs make their shots form the foul line. Realistically, the Spurs have no consistent free throw shooter, and Bruce Bowen does not spell success at the line.
• Prevent easy baskets. In the last series against Detroit, the Cavs allowed way too many easy layups and dunks to any liking of the coaching staff.
• Out-hustle the Spurs. They key to the Cavs trip to the finals has been their aggressiveness at both ends of the court, and constant fighting for the offensive board.

What the Cavs need to do on offense:

• Attack the basket. It doesn't necessarily mean that Cleveland has to score everytime, but putting one of the key Spurs players (especially Duncan) in foul trouble could be damaging to San Antonio.
• They must start out strong in the 3rd quarter. It's no coincidence that Cleveland won both game 5 and game 6 against Detroit, and outscored them in the 3rd. I believe San Antonio is a better team by a mile when matched up against Detroit, and it could be curtains for Cleveland if they go on a cold spell with them.
• Larry Hughes must be told not to shoot the ball. Seriously, the dude only plays well every now and then, and is really only good for defensive purposes, and I wouldn't be surprised if he is benched at some point for Daniel Gibson.
• The time is now for Cleveland to start making some free throws down the stretch in tight games. I know San Antonio absolutely stinks it up at the foul line too, but the Cavs have lost games because of inexperience at the charity stripe.
• Know how to play against the 3-2 zone defense. Everyone (except Tony Reali) knows that the Cavs struggled against the zone of the Detroit Pistons. They couldn't attack the rim, and were forced to settle for outside shots.

Key players defensively: Eric Snow, Larry Hughes, Lebron James, Anderson Varejao, Sasha Pavlovic

Key players offensively: LeBron James, Daniel Gibson, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas.


Feel free to agree or disagree with these keys in the comments section or by email. Tomorrow we will have the San Antonio Spurs preview. Wednesday will feature the official prediction post.