The Sporacle's NBA Predictions for 2011-12 (Part 2 of 3)

With the trade deadline having passed, the Dwight Howard fiasco all settled (for this season that is) and teams prepping and getting healthy for the playoffs, this seemed like a good time to post an update on my playoff predictions and how I see things panning out the rest of the season.

1,498 games down and we're ~73% through this shortened 66-game season. The sun is setting on this wild, compressed, yet thoroughly awesome season and playoff time a.k.a. Christmas for a month in April is coming.

Here's how I see things netting out.


Individual Merits

Rookie of the Year	Kyrie Irving
Most Improved Player	Ryan Anderson
6th Man of the Year	James Harden
Defensive Player of the Year	Dwight Howard
Coach of the Year	Frank Vogel
MVP	Kevin Durant

I've made a few changes here after the season has progressed.

My sixth man pick changed from Louis Williams to the bearded-one a.k.a James Harden. If there's one true starting guard that's coming off the bench, it's Harden.

I almost switched my Coach of the Year pick to San Antonio's, Greg Popovich, but I think the Pacers have picked up some big wins--and for such a small market team, they've done a terrific job.

Lastly, in this past Sunday's dismantling of Miami,--Lebron's best chance to make his case for MVP--he came up a bit lame in a less than inspiring performance versus Kevin Durant.

NBA Playoff Predictions

Eastern Conference

1	Chicago
	No Change
2	Miami
	No Change
3	Indiana
	No Change
4	Orlando
	Ever since Dwight confirmed he's staying in Orlando at least until next year, Orlando has picked up it's level of play. I guess a little focus is all it takes sometimes.
5	Philadelphia
	Doug Collins and Philly have progressed and with the emergence of "Ohio State Evan Turner", they might cause a little scare for a top seed come playoff time.
6	Atlanta
	Atlanta for some reason feels less and less imposing as the time goes on. It cost them two spots in my playoff predictions.
7	Boston
	Boston is still sitting at #7 but I get the feeling that this is "Boston's last stand" and Miami better take them seriously or they'll be in for a long series.
8	New York
	With an new semi-emphasis on defense, I don't really know what to expect out of this New York team come playoff time.

Western Conference

1	Oklahoma City
	No Change
2	San Antonio
	With the return of Ginobili (and the unfortunate loss of  TJ Ford out for the season), the Spurs still look strong. Most importantly, coach Popovich is doing a terrific job of resting his veterans. Should be energized come playoff time.
3	L.A. Lakers
	Kobe is very much a different person than I expected under Mike Brown. Humble, timely and a very willing teammate at times--even though he's breaking usage rates records. Playoff time is Black Mamba time.
4	L.A. Clippers
	With Billups out for the season, their chances are severely depressed, but after what Chris Paul did with the Hornets last year I can't count them out.
5	Memphis
	The Grizzlies of are the same team they were last year, plus Rudy Gay. With Randolph getting healthy for playoff time, things are looking up for the Grizz.
6	Dallas
	No Change.
7	Denver
	The Nuggets don't particularly scare any playoff teams, but they always play with a "nothing to lose" attitude--which for a 7-seed is exactly what should do.
8	Houston
	Not sure how Houston has made it's way into the playoff hunt. But honestly, they'll probably be the only team to be swept in the 1st round if they face OKC.

NBA Finals Predictions

Eastern Conference Champions

Miami Heat

Western Conference Champions

Oklahoma City Thunder

2011-12 NBA Champions

Miami Heat