Considering we're a bit past a third of the NBA season, it seemed like a good time to make some playoff seeding and individual accolade predictions.
This season has been great so far. Fast-paced, unexpected and full of good story lines. (I'm thinking they should make this lockout-to-build-hype strategy a regular thing).
Take a look at these here predictions and see if you think The Sporacle knows what he's talking about.
Individual Merits
Rookie of the Year
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Kyrie Irving
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Most Improved Player
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Ryan Anderson
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6th Man of the Year
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Lou Williams
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Defensive Player of the
Year
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Dwight Howard
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Coach of the Year
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Frank Vogel
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MVP
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Lebron James
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NBA Playoff Predictions
Eastern Conference
1
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Chicago
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The Bulls have developed
a special rapport. They click as a unit. They're hungry. Barring injury, they
should wrap up the #1 seed this year.
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2
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Miami
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Miami is deeper than ever
and healthy up and down for the first time in a while. That's a scary thought
for the rest of the league.
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3
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Indiana
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Last year, when the
Pacers played Chicago in Round 1, I warned that it wouldn't be an easy
series. The Pacers are well built and well coached. They'll be a tough out
come playoff time.
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4
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Atlanta
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The Hawks to me are the
same Hawks they've always been (minus Jamal Crawford)--good but not good
enough. A great regular season team--not much of a playoff threat.
| |
5
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New York
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I'm just going to say
it--Jeremy Lin just may turn the Knicks season around. (But I don't really
mean that). New York is talented, but until they learn to play some "D",
they're a one-and-done team.
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|
6
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Boston
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Old, slow, and broken
down--yet still resilient, experienced and probably going to be a nuisance to
eliminate in the playoffs this year.
|
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7
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Philadelphia
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Philly has kind of
surprised me this year, even after last years impressive showing. Doug
Collins has done a phenomenal job.
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8
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Orlando
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Assuming Dwight Howard is
actually in Orlando after seasons end, the Orlando Magic should have the
privilege of being swept in Round 1.
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Western Conference
1
|
Oklahoma City
|
The Thunder should've
beaten the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals last year, but they
just weren't quite experienced enough--or there was some "destiny"
in play. This year, they are.
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|
2
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L.A. Clippers
|
What a difference a trade
makes. Add Chris Paul, Caron Butler, Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams to a
team with well, Blake Griffin and you've got yourself a legitimate playoff
team.
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3
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San Antonio
|
They're like the Celtics
of the East but they've figured out a way to preserve their aging players,
surround them with young talent and let the youth feed off the experience of
the greats. Still contenders.
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4
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L.A. Lakers
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After Kobe's vampire,
steroid knee injections in Germany, he's a new man--a lot like the Kobe of
old shooting more than anyone else in the league. The Lakers are weaker, but
they're still the Lakers.
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5
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Portland
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Add Jamal Crawford to a
team that's been consistently strong the past few years; subtract the
inconsistencies of injury (Brandon Roy and Greg Oden) and you've got a
dangerous playoff team.
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6
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Dallas
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Jason Kidd has been the
most disappointing fantasy player this year. Having had him on two fantasy teams
(before cutting him for Jeremy Lin) made it worse for me, personally.
Although, the Mavs are still a playoff calibur team.
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7
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Memphis
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Memphis is the same team
that bounced the #1 seed Spurs in last years playoffs + a healthy Rudy Gay.
Once they get Zach Randolph back, I'm curious to see how they'll gel.
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8
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Denver
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This is an example of
what having a team full of "pretty good" players on your team can
create. They're fast, young and talented, but without a real star player.
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NBA Finals Predictions
Eastern Conference
Champions
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Miami Heat
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Western Conference
Champions
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Oklahoma City Thunder
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2011-12 NBA Champions
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Miami Heat
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