Quick Recap: Bulls 88, Lakers 84

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The Chicago Bulls have not beaten the Los Angeles Lakers since December 19, 2006. Tonight, the Bulls bucked that trend by defeating the Lakers 88-84. If you missed the action, let me give you a quick recap.

Three Quarters of a Game

If you take out a dreadful second quarter (which you could never actually do), the Lakers outscored the Bulls 74-64. The Lakers only mustered 10 points in the second after starting so strongly in the first quarter. While I credit the lopsided second quarter to the Bulls finding their stroke from the field, part of the blame also goes to the Lakers' offensive approach. In the first quarter, the Lakers got out to a big lead by running the offense through Pau Gasol, who outplayed Joakim Noah early. Gasol shot 5-for-7 (10 points) in the first quarter and had 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 blocked shot. But in the second quarter, Pau was pretty much non-existent. All it took was one quarter--twelve minutes--of lackluster basketball and the Lakers started their road trip (I don't count an "away" game at Staples Center) off on the wrong foot.

M-V-P Chants in Chicago

After a slow start, Derrick Rose heated up and, to this minute, has probably not cooled off. In the first quarter, Rose was throwing up bricks left and right (2-for-8 from the field). After that, however, Rose was unstoppable. The star point guard dominated the second quarter by using his tenacious dribble penetration to get to the rim and make layups and draw multiple defenders and kick the ball out to three-point shooters. On numerous possessions, he demonstrated his great court vision by firing dazzling passes to cutters and spot-up shooters that the defense were not aware of.

In the third quarter, Rose showed off his new and improved three-point shot. Rose hit three three-balls in the game, giving him 32 on the season; interestingly, Rose hit 32 three-pointers in his first two NBA seasons combined.

But most impressively, Rose hit clutch shots down the stretch which had the Chicago fans on their feet chanting "M-V-P!" whenever he touched the ball. Whether he split a double team to get to the rim or threw up a step back jumper with the shot clock running down, Rose made the big plays when his team needed them most (when the Lakers made their late run).

No Answer Down Low

Don't let Carlos Boozer's 10 points fool you; the Lakers had trouble with the Bulls' big guy down low. Sure, Boozer wasn't raining buckets on the Lakers, but his low-post presence/threat caused a big mismatch that the Bulls exploited ad nauseum. Once the Bulls figured out that running the offense through Boozer would be the difference in the game--they did this in the second quarter--it was all over. Whenever the Lakers sent a double-down defender to help, Boozer, a great passing big man, would fire a pass to a spot-up three-point shooter (Rose on multiple occasions) or make a nice pass that would lead to an open shooter two passes later. This really was the difference in the game, despite how dominant Rose was. In summary, the Lakers need Andrew Bynum back.

The Missing Man in the Middle: Why the Lakers Need Andrew Bynum Back

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While the Lakers have gotten off to a very impressive 10-2 start to the season, the team has done so despite the absence of its third-best player, center Andrew Bynum. And while it's generally accepted that Bynum's presence makes the two-time defending champions a better team, it may be hard to clearly see how his presence has impacted the team because the Lakers have generally managed to blow their opponents out of the water. In order to truly understand Bynum's effect, you have to crunch some numbers.

The first and most obvious place to look is shot-blocking. Last season, Bynum's seven-foot frame blocked 1.4 shots per game (keep in mind he played only 30 minutes per game). As a team last season, the Lakers blocked 5.2 shots per game, which put them 11th among all teams. Through twelve games this season, the Lakers rank 24th in the NBA with only 3.9 blocked shots per contest. The lack of a shot-blocker to protect the rim has resulted in an increase in the number of points in the paint per game scored by the Lakers' opponents.

Last season, the Lakers ranked 10th in the league in opponent points in the paint per game, surrendering just 40.2 per game. So far this season the Lakers have given up 44.2 in the paint per game, making them 22nd in the league. While those four points might not seem like a lot, you would be surprised how many games in the NBA are decided by margins like that; through its first twelve games, the Lakers have had four games decided by five points or less. And remember, not only does a shot blocker directly reject balls from reaching the basket, but a shot blocker changes the trajectory of shots and serves as an intimidation factor that forces penetrating players to make the extra pass. The numbers do not capture the full effect.

The increased points in the paint have led to an overall increase in points per game by the Lakers' opponents. If you have watched any Lakers basketball this season, you have probably noticed that the Lakers have only held their opponents under 100 points in four of their twelve games. Last season, it was the Lakers' defense that really enabled the team to win its second consecutive championship. The Lakers held opponents to only 97.0 points per game (10th in the NBA). This season, without Bynum, the Lakers have allowed a whopping 102.8 points per game, which is worse than the defensively-inept Golden State Warriors, (102.7), the 2-10 Philadelphia 76ers (102.4), and the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers (99.1); the Lakers' 102.8-mark is good for 19th-best in the league, definitely not a stat fit for a champion.

Finally, if you are an astute reader and basketball fan, you are probably interested to see the effect Bynum's absence has had on the team's rebounding numbers. Oddly enough, the Lakers are near the top of the league in defensive, offensive, and total rebounds per game. Furthermore, their rebound averages are higher than their averages for last season. However, these stats are a bit misleading. Instead, let's look at how the Lakers' opponents have rebounded against the Lakers without Bynum in the lineup to take up space and grab boards. The Lakers currently rank second-to-last (29th) in opponent offensive rebounds per game, allowing 14.3 offensive rebounds per content to their foes; that number is up from last season (11.2). If you want to win in the NBA, you have to limit your opponents' second-chance points.

Ultimately, although it's great to see the Lakers win shootouts in early November, any NBA fan will tell you that it's much more satisfying to see your team win the close, grind-it-out games in May and June. If the Lakers want to win those games and lock up a three-peat, they will need to get Bynum back in the lineup at full strength so that he can plug up the middle and shore up their defense. Here's to hoping that Bynum's knee holds up better than Greg Oden's. Oh, and for pete's sake, stay out of trouble, big fella!

Is Playing Overseas the Answer?

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Early Monday, former NBA Most Valuable Player and 11-time All-Star Allen Iverson arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, to join his new team, Besiktas Cola Turka. The paparazzi and the groupies were out in full force for Iverson's arrival, as you can see and hear in this video. As strange as it is to see Iverson, his Beats headphones, and his retro Philadelphia Phillies baseball cap amidst dozens of guys who resemble Azamat Bagatov, my feeling is that Americans should get used to the idea of seeing their basketball stars of yesteryear venture abroad to continue their careers. Let's examine some of the different factors that likely contributed to Iverson's decision and will play a part when other players contemplate similar jumps.

NBA:  No Bidders in America

The first reason why Iverson gobbled up Besiktas' offer is because NBA teams gave up on him. After a little more than ten great years in Philly, Iverson moved on to Denver, where he made valuable contributions for three seasons. Then, after the 2008-2009 season began, Iverson was shipped from Denver to Detroit for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess (Side note:  I remember being absolutely shocked when Detroit traded Billups. He was a staple of the Pistons championship-winning and contending teams with Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and the two Wallaces. He was probably the most important element of that team. Denver knew that and after acquiring him has yet to miss the playoffs).

Iverson's career took a dive after this deal. Detroit's roster was filled with younger guards and it was clear that the team was in a rebuilding process. Additionally, Iverson and the offensive scheme did not mesh well. But it became apparent that Iverson was on his way out when his diminished minutes eventually led to no minutes at all as a result of a season-ending back injury. The Pistons cut Iverson at the end of the season, and the Memphis Grizzlies picked him up. The Grizzlies-Iverson marriage lasted only three days as the two parties mutually severed their agreement; Iverson cited "personal matters" as the reason for his leave from basketball. And finally, the 76ers, the team that Iverson starred on for over a decade, gave him one last going-out party. We all knew it would not last long, but it was nice to see A.I. in that uniform again. To summarize, multiple teams hopped in and gave The Answer a chance. But, in the end, Iverson was an aging superstar that had durability and injury concerns, a me-first mentality on offense, and plenty of attitude issues (practice, anyone?).

With no suitors in the NBA and in America, it just made sense for Iverson to take his talents to South Beach Istanbul. Its not that Turkey was the best place for Iverson, but it was a place that wanted him, period.

A Global Sport

Do not let the media's over-coverage of the World Cup every four years trick you into thinking that soccer is clear and away the most popular sport in the world. Sure, kids in grass fields in third world countries can and do kick the ball around quite often, but let it be known that where there is a basketball court, there is a pickup game. They hoop in Turkey, they hoop in China, they hoop in Spain…I could go on all day. The sport of basketball has no borders and it is for this reason that Iverson and other stars will get the opportunity to play overseas after their NBA careers have ended.

The basketball scene abroad is thriving and supported by players that diehard basketball fans will easily recognize. It's not like these European teams throw out five schmucks and call them a team; these teams have good talent. Some of that talent comes from legitimate college basketball programs in the United States, some of it from the pipelines of local European playgrounds. Take Besiktas, Iverson's new team. Prior to Iverson joining the club, you probably had never heard of Besiktas. But here are some of the players that have played for Besiktas in the past:  Lonny Baxter, Khalid El-Amin, Preston Shumpert, Andrew Ogilvy, Mario Austin, and Predrag Drobnjak. The aforementioned list contains players with NBA experience, players that won an NCAA championship, and players with conference player of the year accolades. The popularity of basketball overseas propels club owners to get top talent, and although European basketball may never come close to matching the overall quality of American basketball, the scene is no joke. It should come as no surprise that an American star would jump ship and welcome the change of scenery.

No Matter the Country, Money is Money

Iverson signed a contract that will pay him $4 million over the next two years. I don't care if he gets paid in the Turkish lira, the U.S. dollar, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, or even Monopoly money…that's big money. Whether or not the remaining skills of these past-their-prime basketball stars warrant such large contracts from foreign clubs is irrelevant. The fact is that they will inevitably get paid. And if you're a former NBA star who is accustomed to living a certain lifestyle--who occasionally likes to "make it rain"--then how could you turn down such dumb money? Sure, Besiktas brought Iverson in to help them win its first Turkish league championship since 1975. But I can assure you that even if Besiktas does not win the title, its owner will be content so long as Iverson draws big crowds and sells apparel, two things that The Answer has done very well throughout his NBA career. And when other clubs see how much of a cash cow American players can be in Europe and Asia, the bidding wars will reach a whole new level.

Me, Inc.

Perhaps the biggest incentive for any NBA star to cross the Atlantic and suit up for a European or Asian team is that it provides him an opportunity to grow his brand/image. The sort of iconic fame that a global sports star has the potential to reach cannot be quantified in currency; it just is. You know it when you see it. Think Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Pele. Sorry, LeBron, despite how much you want it, you just are not there yet.

We have already seen numerous reports of how successful NBA jerseys sell in places like China. But imagine how much more popular a player would be if fans could actually see him play in person instead of watching him through the television? Imagine how fans would worship that player if he signed autographs before his shoot-around. Imagine if he promoted his new shoe at a local shoe store in Madrid or Shanghai. Going international is the smartest and fastest way for any American sports star to expand his influence, and I cannot imagine people turning that down. To put this type of move into perspective, do you remember how much attention David Beckham's move to Major League Soccer gained? How much more attention do you think that move would have attracted had soccer been a top-two sport in this country? It would have been insane. Well, that's exactly what it will be like each time an NBA star signs a contract with a foreign team and flies over to play ball on their soil.

Told You So

The final reason (of the big ones) for an NBA star, like Iverson, to sign with a European or Asian basketball team is to prove a point about his basketball abilities. Iverson feels, with the utmost of sincerity, that he has plenty left in his tank. He thinks that NBA teams have too quickly written him off and have made a huge mistake. He thinks he can still make valuable contributions on the court and help a team win games. Well, there is no better way to showcase his supposed abilities than to play with some decent competition for all of the world to see. I doubt it will happen, but let's say Iverson opens his career in Turkey and averages 30 points per game over his first two weeks. Don't you think that will open some eyes in the United States? I understand that Iverson is a special case because of his character and past, but just imagine it was a guy whose attitude was never criticized. I think he'd have a job offer from one or two teams at the very least.

You have to remember that NBA stars are alpha males. These guys have big egos--that's the only way they have made it this far; they want to be the one who dribbles the most, shoots the most, scores the most, gets the most money, gets the most fame, etc. And the second that someone questions their ability to do something or to do something at a high level, their natural instinct will be to step up to the challenge and try to prove that doubter wrong. Look at Kobe. Everyone thought Kobe could not win a championship without Shaq at his side. What does Kobe do? Wins back-to-back titles (and looks as though he is on his way to a third). These guys want to stick it to their haters. And if it means taking some extra cash, living like a rock star in a beautiful foreign country with foreign women, and playing ball with "Besiktas" emblazoned across their chest, then so be it. At least it'll shut you--the media, owners, fans, even fellow players--up.

Related articles

• Iverson Arrives in Istanbul for Turkish Stint (nytimes.com)

NBA Preview: Pacific Division

Bringing the House illustration

Los Angeles Lakers

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  57-25
Division Finish:  1st
Playoffs:  Won NBA Championship

Key Additions:  Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, Theo Ratliff

I love what the Lakers did this offseason. The back-to-back champs got even stronger with the additions of Steve Blake, Matt Barnes, and Theo Ratliff. Blake gives the Lakers an unselfish veteran point guard who handles the ball well and should fit nicely into Phil Jackson's triangle offense. He has good court vision and is a solid passer. What most people don't realize, however, is that Blake has a nice shot, as well. Blake hit 39.5% of his three point attempts and 75.0% of his free throw attempts last season. By comparison, the second-string point guard that Blake replaces, Jordan Farmar, hit only 37.6% of his threes and a putrid 67.1% of his free throws (liability, anyone?).

The Barnes acquisition is genius. In fact, once I realized that Barnes was a free agent, I began campaigning for his pickup. When the rumors came out that said the Lakers were looking at Raja Bell, I openly criticized that potential move and suggested they look instead at Barnes. Well, they listened. Barnes not only gives the Lakers another three-point shooter to stretch opposing defenses, but he gives them attitude and swagger. After teams criticized the Lakers for being too soft a couple years ago, the Lakers answered by signing Ron Artest one offseason and Barnes the next. Oh, the moxie!

Finally, Ratliff is a quiet upgrade over fan-favorite D.J. Mbenga at the backup center spot. Although Ratliff concerns me a bit with his injury tendencies, he is a veteran who has size and can enter a game and make immediate contributions with his shot-blocking ability. If you didn't follow basketball in the late 90s and early 2000s, you probably don't know that Ratliff was once a defensive force on a championship-level Philadelphia 76ers team (led by the newest star of Turkey's professional basketball league, Allen Iverson). In his prime, Ratliff averaged anywhere from 3 to 4 blocks per game. Last season, playing just 22.3 minutes per game in Charlotte, Ratliff managed to block 1.5 shots per game. The guy still has enough left in the tank to be soak up minutes for Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

While the three players above each possess nice skills that fit perfectly into the Lakers team, it is an intangible quality that they all share that has me the most excited about their arrivals. Blake is 30 years old and is going on his eighth season in the league; Barnes is also 30 years old and begins his eighth year in the league; and Ratliff is 37 years old and enters his sixteenth go-around in the NBA. A couple of them--Barnes and Ratliff--have sniffed a championship. But none of them have actually captured one. The key to any repeat, or in this case three-peat, effort is to remain hungry and avoid the disease of more ("I want more touches! I want more money! I want more playing time!"). Kobe Bryant will always remain hungry, but we all know he can't do it himself. By adding these three veterans, the Lakers have thrown in three guys who will be motivated to win their first championships because they realize that this may be their best, and last, chance to do it. On nights when the team needs that extra push, count on Blake, Barnes, and Ratliff to remember why they joined the Lakers and give their new teammates that much-needed spark.

Key Losses:  Jordan Farmar

Farmar's departure is interesting for a couple of reasons. First, the Lakers initiated his departure by deciding not to offer Farmar a qualifying offer, thus letting him become an unrestricted free agent. The Nets then swooped in, offered Farmar decent money (3 years, $12 million), and just like that Farmar was on a plane headed to Jersey. Clearly, then, the Lakers thought that either they were overpaying Farmar for what he gave back on the court or that Farmar was no longer a good fit for the team. Either way, it was the Lakers' decision, not Farmar's.

The second component of this is that Farmar went from playing backup point guard on a potentially historical team to playing backup point guard on arguably the worst team in the NBA. The Nets won 12 games last season. Twelve. By comparison, the Lakers won 12 games in the month of November alone. Yeah, the Nets stunk it up. And while they should be better this season because, let's face it, it's nearly impossible to be worse, I don't think Farmar knows what he's getting himself into. He says he is eager because this will give him an opportunity to play more minutes, but is that even necessarily the case? Nets starting point guard Devin Harris is an exciting talent who, amid injuries, played 34.7 minutes per game last season. Meanwhile, Lakers starting point guard is the aging veteran Derek Fisher, who is pretty much on his way out and only averaged 27.2 minutes last season. If you ask me, I think Farmar would have gotten more minutes in LA than he will in New Jersey.

Most Important Player:  Andrew Bynum

Obviously, Kobe is the main man in Los Angeles. But if the Lakers hope to three-peat this season, they will need a healthy and contributing Bynum in the middle. As talented as the Lakers are top to bottom, their biggest strength is their size and ability to dominate in the paint. If Bynum, Gasol, and Lamar Odom are each healthy, the Lakers have the most formidable front line in the league, and it's not even close. Not only does their size give them a decisive edge on the boards, but their diverse skill sets give them such unique flexibility on both sides of the court. Bynum has so much potential; we have seen flashes of it. Before going down last season, he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game in the month of November. But the key will be whether those fragile knees are able to recover from offseason surgery and hold up over the course of another grinding NBA marathon.

Rookie Spotlight:  Devin Ebanks

Ebanks is a 6'9" athletic forward from West Virginia who gives the Lakers some nice length and versatility off the bench. He will likely only play in blowouts, but expect him to wow the LA crowds with his exciting game.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  1st

The Lakers have all of the right pieces needed to hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy for a third straight season. They have a proven leader and veteran at point guard in Fisher, the league's best player in Kobe, a tough, hard-nosed guy in Artest, a nightly mismatch for opposing power forwards in Odom, and the league's most skilled big man in Gasol. Then they have the league's best bench that got even stronger with the additions of Barnes, Blake, and Ratliff. The only wild card is Bynum's health. If he can pull it together, at the very least for the playoff run, there will be yet another parade down Figueroa Street next June.

Los Angeles Clippers

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  29-53
Division Finish:  3rd
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  Ryan Gomes

Not very many additions for the Clippers this offseason. While some people thought that the Clippers would surprise everyone and win the LeBron James sweepstakes, they instead flew under the radar and made an unnoticed ripple by signing Ryan Gomes. Most fans have no clue who this guy is mainly because he has spent the past five seasons on terrible Minnesota teams. But Gomes can play if he gets opportunities. By all indications, the Clippers will split the time at small forward between Gomes and rookie Al-Farouq Aminu, a talented young player from Wake Forest. Expect both guys to be solid complementary players to the scorers like Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, and Blake Griffin.

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Blake Griffin

Technically a rookie this season because he did not appear in a single regular season game last season, Griffin enters this year fully healthy and determined to live up to the hype. While the Clippers have guys who may end up scoring more points per game, nobody is as important to this franchise now and in the future as Griffin. Basically, all hope for this pathetic, cursed franchise lies on Griffin's boulder shoulders.

What many people have quickly forgotten is that Griffin is an absolute beast on the court. Although his college accolades no longer mean anything, his play in the preseason do. If you have not seen any of the highlights, click here, here, and here, and enjoy. I personally am cheering for Griffin because I would love to see another star burst on the scene, especially in my backyard. The league can never have too many stars, and if Griffin turns the Clippers organization around, he would certainly become larger than life.

Rookie Spotlight:  Blake Griffin

See above.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  2nd

Although I think the Clippers will jump the Suns and finish 2nd in the Pacific Division, I don't think they can win enough games to qualify for the playoffs in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. I bet the Clippers win 40-42 games, become an extremely entertaining team, and play the top dogs tough all season long.

Phoenix Suns

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  54-28
Division Finish:  2nd
Playoffs:  Lost in Third Round

Key Additions:  Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress

The Turkoglu and Childress acquisitions intrigue me. After performing at an All-Star level during the 2008-2009 NBA playoffs, Turkoglu signed a huge contract with Toronto and had his sights set on teaming with Chris Bosh to lead the Raptors to a rare playoff berth. His time in Toronto completely bombed as Turkoglu struggled en route to just 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. The Raptors saw enough and shipped him to Phoenix. The Suns hope that Turkoglu can regain his old form in their open offensive system, and although my heart says he is done, my head says perhaps this is the perfect system for him.

Childress was a pretty big disappointment in Atlanta after the Hawks picked him with their sixth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Childress has nice size and above-average athletic ability, so there is no reason why he can't succeed playing alongside Steve Nash--who doesn't?

Key Losses:  Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, Louis Amundson

With the losses of Stoudemire and Barbosa, the Suns find themselves without two guys who made the Suns so fun to watch in recent years. While you can knock Amare all you want for his lack of defensive effort, you cannot argue that his role in Phoenix's offense was one-of-a-kind amongst power forwards across the league. He was so gifted for his size and the perfect piece for that offense. With his departure, the Suns no longer present that mismatch each night. I think it will be a huge loss for them.

Barbosa was a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate and an incredible player off the bench for Phoenix. With his unique speed, Barbosa ensured that the Suns did not miss a beat whenever Nash needed a breather. Again, this is a luxury that Phoenix will undoubtedly miss.

Most Important Player:  Steve Nash

The two-time MVP will be crucial to the team's success considering the loss of talent this offseason and the uncertainty in terms of team chemistry. Nash has an amazing ability to make everyone around him better, and he will need to use this great skill to lift his teammates to new levels on a nightly basis.

Rookie Spotlight:  None

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  3rd

There is simply no way that the Suns can lose Amare, Barbosa, and Amundson and pick up right where they left off last season. The West is just too competitive and unforgiving. Perhaps the most telling sign of the team's inevitable struggles this season occurred in a recent AOL FanHouse interview in which Nash said, "To be honest, if I was outside this picture and a betting man, I would probably pick us to be outside of the playoffs."

Golden State Warriors

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  26-56
Division Finish:  4th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  David Lee, Louis Amundson, Vladimir Radmanovic

Three great pickups for the Warriors. Lee is an underrated big man who can run the floor and flourish in fast-paced up-and-down offense. Amundson is a high-energy, selfless role player who will clean up the scraps left behind by the speed demons on the wings. And Radmanovic is a sharpshooter who can run the floor and provide an outlet behind the arc for Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis penetrating the paint. I think each of these guys will integrate seamlessly into the high-octane offense up in the Bay Area.

Key Losses:  Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf

While Randolph has tons of potential, he never got enough minutes in Golden State to make his departure painful. As for Turiaf, his services will successfully replaced by Amundson.

Most Important Player:  Stephen Curry

One of my favorite players in the league, Curry is best described as "silky smooth." If you think that all he can do is drain threes, you are severely mistaken. Yes, he does possess a sweet stroke from deep (43.7% on three-pointers last season), but he does so much more. He shot an impressive 46.2% from the field last season and averaged 17.5 points per game. He added 5.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game, as well. Finally, he shot a rock-solid 88.5% from the charity stripe, making him an ideal point guard to close out games. But beyond the numbers, Curry showed a surprising ability to shoulder the majority of the team's ball-handling duties and also demonstrated nice court vision and passing ability. His versatility makes him an ideal field general for the Warriors' offense.

Rookie Spotlight:  Jeremy Lin

Lin is an Asian-American baller from Harvard University. Nuff said. But if you are still curious, check out a piece I wrote earlier this year about Lin.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  4th

I like the Warriors' roster and I like their brand of basketball. Unfortunately, they play in a tough division in an even tougher conference and do not have enough firepower to pose a legitimate playoff threat. Although they will certainly be fun to watch, do not expect more than 35 wins this season.

Sacramento Kings

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  25-57
Division Finish:  5th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  Samuel Dalembert

Dalembert is a solid player who will add a nice defensive presence to the Kings. He rebounds well and has above-average shot-blocking ability.

Key Losses:  Spencer Hawes

Hawes never became the franchise center that the Kings intended him to be. His loss is not necessarily felt on the court, but in lost hope and payroll.

Most Important Player:  Tyreke Evans

With a starting lineup of Beno Udrih, Evans, Donte Greene, Carl Landry, and Samuel Dalembert (or DeMarcus Cousins), is anyone actually scared of the Sacramento Kings? Is Evans the only one who can dribble and shoot the basketball? This might be the least intimidating lineup in NBA history. I would double-team Evans on and off the ball and play a triangle-zone with the other three defenders on the court.

Rookie Spotlight:  DeMarcus Cousins

The big man from Kentucky has well-documented character issues, but his size and skill are eye-popping enough to at least warrant giving him an opportunity. If Cousins can develop into a solid low-post contributor this season, the Kings will at least be competitive in the paint with Landry, Cousins, and Dalembert. Furthermore, if Cousins shows nice development this season, the Kings will have plenty to look forward to in the future.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  5th

Irrelevant.

NBA Preview: Southwest Division

San Antonio Spurs

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  50-32
Division Finish:  2nd
Playoffs:  Lost in Second Round

Key Additions:  None

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Tony Parker

Multiple injuries bothered Parker last season and forced him to miss 26 games. When he was able to play, he looked rusty and could not stay in games for long periods at a time (averaged only 30.9 minutes per game). While Tim Duncan is widely considered the franchise's best player, Parker will be their most critical should they hope to make a playoff run in a deep Western Conference. Behind Duncan, Parker is the team's most prominent leader and someone who can create his own shot. Don't forget, just two years ago Parker averaged 22 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting over 50% from the field. Throughout his career, Parker has been such a unique point guard because of his ability to score in the paint; his career shooting percentage is 49%, which is very high for a point guard. If Parker can regain his All-Star form, the Spurs will be in contention once again.

Rookie Spotlight:  Tiago Splitter

Besides having maybe the coolest name in the league, the 6'11" power forward/center from Brazil is very talented and has potential to be a great player in a few seasons. Because the Spurs are rather shallow in the front court, you should expect to see Splitter get some decent minutes all season behind starting center Antonio McDyess. Not only will Splitter develop nicely by having the opportunity to play, but being under the tutelage of future Hall of Famer Duncan and another veteran McDyess is invaluable.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  1st

I predict that the Spurs will leapfrog the Mavericks in the Southwest Division because their starting lineup is fully healthy and motivated to get back on top. While I don't think they have enough to compete with the Lakers and Thunders of the world, they have enough to make the playoffs and get out of the first round. The Spurs' "Big 3" is still great and they have a solid scorer in Richard Jefferson and some great players off the bench (George Hill, DeJuan Blair). Finally, coach Gregg Popovich is still one of the best in the game and will find a way to make the talent work. That being said, the starting lineup is pretty old (average age:  32) and the window of opportunity for these guys is barely cracked open, if not closed.

Dallas Mavericks

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  55-27
Division Finish:  1st
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  Tyson Chandler

Assuming Chandler can stay healthy, he could give nice support off the bench to the Mavs. But even if he's 100%, his best days are behind him. Not a huge addition to the team.

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Dirk Nowitzki

The Mavs are basically the same team that they were last season, which wasn't enough to make it out of the first round. I was tempted to say that any one of Jason Kidd, Caron Butler, or Shawn Marion was the most important player, but that would be too much of a stretch. While Kidd is still a great fantasy basketball option because of his stat-stuffing potential, the Mavs don't revolve around the veteran point guard like the Suns revolve around Steve Nash or the Jazz revolve around Deron Williams. Butler is good on the wing, but injuries have caught up to him and the argument can be made that the Mavs are better with Jason Terry on the court instead. And as for Marion, the once-dynamic jack-of-all-trades is now past his prime. Nowitzki, on the other hand, is clearly the face of this franchise and still going strong. He can put this team on his back like he has so many times before and lift them to the playoffs. But I think that's the ceiling for this team unless they can find a dependable second option, and preferably someone with youth.

Rookie Spotlight:  None

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  2nd

Like I said above, the Mavs will probably have the same result that they did last season:  a first-round playoff exit. The only hope for them is that this squad somehow gels together better than they did last season simply because they have had more time to play together and adjust to different idiosyncrasies. If these guys were in their prime, this could be a championship team…but they aren't in their prime.

Memphis Grizzlies

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  40-42
Division Finish:  4th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  None

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Zach Randolph

Randolph has always had tons of talent. However, his mind is not always focused. During some seasons he found himself in legal trouble and others he found himself unmotivated and undisciplined. But last season he managed to put everything together and deliver unbelievable performances almost every night. Randolph averaged 20.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, numbers which deserve league-wide attention but don't receive it just because he plays in Memphis. The Grizzlies have plenty of young talent and all the right pieces to become a great team, but none are as important as Randolph because of his ability to dominate a game offensively down-low. Nobody else on their roster can do that. If he puts together another monster season--and I think that he will because he is in a contract year--then the Grizzlies will be an above-average and dangerous team.

Rookie Spotlight:  Greivis Vasquez

With apologies to first-round pick Xaiver Henry, Vasquez earns the Rookie Spotlight honors. During his college career at Maryland, Vasquez showed tremendous leadership abilities. He is a point guard with great size and a nice feel to his game. Vasquez also earned this distinction because I think he will play more than Henry will this season simply by being higher on the depth chart at his respective position; Vasquez currently sits third behind Mike Conley and Acie Law, and while Conley has the starting job locked up (and rightfully so), Law has not done much in his three-year NBA career and Vasquez could easily supplant him.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  3rd

I really like the Grizzlies squad. They have a young, exciting bunch that could give lots of teams trouble, but I think they are a couple of years away from actually contending for a championship. Conley is a nice point guard who has shown flashes of the solid play that everyone expects from him, but he has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career. With Acie Law, the aforementioned Greivis Vasquez, and even Xavier Henry breathing down Conley's neck, perhaps it will motivate the starter to play with a chip on his shoulder for the entire year. On the wings, the Grizzlies are as potent as anyone in the league with O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. Both of these guys are athletic, skilled, and create their own shot. And both of them are go-to guys who want the ball down the stretch. Gay has proven to be the number-one scoring option, and I think Mayo is okay with that mainly because he knows he can't be the leader night in and night out. I already touched on the importance of Z-Bo, but he will need help in the paint from youngsters Marc Gasol and Hasheem Thabeet. Gasol made great strides last season nearly averaging a double-double (14.6 ppg and 9.3 rpg) before bowing out with a neck injury. Meanwhile, former #2 overall pick Thabeet was a huge disappointment in his rookie season, at one point being demoted to the NBA Development League. If Thabeet can improve some more then the Grizz would have a nice 1-2 punch at center. Look for the Grizzlies to play very well this season, improve on last season, and possibly upset a top team in the playoffs.

Houston Rockets

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  42-40
Division Finish:  3rd
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  Brad Miller

Although Miller is past his prime, he still can make decent contributions if in the right system. He is not going to dominate in the low post, but he can run a pick-and-pop and can play high-low with another big man. The Rockets picked up Miller as an insurance policy for the injury-prone Yao Ming. Regardless of whether Yao stays healthy or not, Miller will get plenty of minutes.

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Yao Ming

The fall of Yao is actually a bit sad for any basketball fan. When healthy, Yao is the most skilled center in the game and can dominate anyone, Dwight Howard included. But nowadays Yao is rarely healthy. On paper, the Rockets have a good looking roster. They have exciting, streaky guards (Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin), tough, defensive-minded players (Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes), and versatile forwards who can hit shots from the outside (Luis Scola, Chase Budinger). But if you take Yao away from that group of guys, it suddenly looks like a team guaranteed to find the cellar.

Rookie Spotlight:  Patrick Patterson

The first-round pick out of Kentucky gives the Rockets a young low-post player to develop. Patterson is different from the other big guys on this squad because he has such a strong offensive game. The forwards in front of Patterson on the depth chart--Scola, Hayes, and Jared Jeffries--are not guys who demand the ball. Patterson wants the ball and you can count on him to deliver. I don't think Patterson will get very many minutes this season, but in a few years expect him to be a starter in Houston or somewhere else.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  4th

While the Rockets won't make the playoffs or even finish with an above-.500 record, they will still be an exciting team that could pull off some big wins during the regular season. They have tough, gritty players who simply do not give up. With or without Yao, expect Brooks, Martin, Scola, and Battier to deliver 100% every night; those four guys all have the character and attitude that any contender would want on their roster.

New Orleans Hornets

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  37-45
Division Finish:  5th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  Trevor Ariza

The former Lakers swingman moves to New Orleans after one season in Houston. While Ariza had a stellar year with the Rockets (14.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 sag), I don't think he was fit for that team. Houston wanted him to be the number-one scoring option, and I think Ariza is better suited as a complementary player like he was in Los Angeles. Ariza goes to New Orleans to provide some support for Chris Paul and David West on the perimeter, and I think he will do great there. Paul's penetration and playmaking ability will allow Ariza to spot up for threes, which we all know he can hit. Furthermore, Ariza gives the Hornets a nice defensive player who can fill the passing lanes and make some nice momentum-changing plays (1.75 steals per game last season).

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Chris Paul

Say what you want about David West, Ariza, and Emeka Okafor, but CP3 has the keys to this car. Besides Nash in Phoenix and Williams in Utah, no point guard has as much influence over his offense as CP3. Paul only played about half of last season before being derailed by a knee injury, so a full season from Paul should help the Hornets at least be more competitive.

Rookie Spotlight:  Quincy Pondexter

The forward from Washington is a solid scorer with good length and playmaking ability. I think the Hornets should eventually start Pondexter and move Ariza to the two-guard. This would give the Hornets some length and athleticism in its starting lineup. Meanwhile, Pondexter has the ability to create his own shot, which is something that the Hornets lack outside of CP3.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  5th

It's hard to believe that just three seasons ago the Hornets were one of the best teams in the West with a 56-26 record. The team looks far different now than it did then; CP3 is just as good if not better, but West has since regressed, Chandler has departed, and Peja Stojakovic's age has caught up to him. The Hornets are particularly poor on the wings where neither Ariza nor starting shooting guard Marco Belinelli can create a shot off the dribble. I predict that CP3 will be very overwhelmed this season by being burdened with too much of the scoring load, which will result in disappointing team performances throughout the season.

NBA Preview: Northwest Division

Oklahoma City Thunder

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  50-32
Division Finish:  4th
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  Morris Peterson

It is hard to believe that this will be Mo-Pete's 11th season in the league. I still remember seeing him win a championship on that Mateen Cleaves-led Michigan State squad. The days of Mo-Pete being an impact player are pretty much over, but the guy can still give you decent minutes off the bench. Peterson is actually listed as second on the depth chart at small forward behind Kevin Durant, which means one thing:  he probably won't get much playing time because Durant probably will play most of every game.

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Russell Westbrook

With apologies to my 2010-2011 MVP-to-be Kevin Durant, Westbrook will be critical to the Thunder if they hope to duplicate, or even better, last season's amazing success. Durant is going to get his; he has officially become one of the top four overall players in the league, and maybe the most dangerous player on the offensive side of the ball. But the key will be Durant's supporting cast because, as we have seen in the past, all superstars need at least one other All-Star in order to make a legitimate playoff push. If you haven't seen Westbrook play, and if you think he is just an athlete that can't shoot or handle the ball, then you are very misguided. Yes, Westbrook is a ridiculously explosive athlete (just ask Lamar Odom) and on most nights is probably the best athlete on the court. But Westbrook, since he converted to full-time point guard, has become a monster in every facet of the game. Last season, he averaged 16.1 points per game to go along with 8.0 assists per game--did you ever think he would post those numbers? I certainly didn't. Westbrook also has the hops to be a good rebounder (4.8 per game last year) and the defensive abilities to play solid one-on-one defense and jump passing lanes to steal passes (1.30 steals per game last year). The only knocks on Westbrook are his lack of three point shooting (a fantasy basketball downfall, really) and his low shooting percentage (41.8% last season up from 39.8% the previous year). Regardless, Westbrook looks like he has only scratched the surface of his potential, and if he is able to improve upon last season's effort (and I think that he will), then OKC will be in great shape.

Rookie Spotlight:  Cole Aldrich

The one thing that everyone knew OKC lacked last season was size. In their playoff series loss to the Lakers last season, OKC threw Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka, and Nenad Krstic at Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Yeah, that definitely is not going to cut it. This season, not only will the Thunder have a more experienced Byron Mullens, a 7-footer out of Ohio State, but they will also have the services of recent Kansas star center Cole Aldrich. The big man won't start this year, but should be able to provide solid low-post defense, rebounding, and shot blocking off the bench while their current starters get some rest. And, if nothing else, Aldrich gives OKC a big body to bang around down low with the Bynum's and Duncan's of the Western Conference; that luxury will pay dividends over the course of a long season and during an intense playoff series.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  1st

The Thunder have such a great core (KD-Westbrook-Jeff Green) led by an absolute beast of a superstar. They have some great young players that give them nice options off the bench, like James Harden, Eric Maynor, D.J. White, and Ibaka. And I think they will only get better after last season; they have another year of playing together and more confidence. And did I mention they have Kevin Durant? People just don't realize how unstoppable KD really is. He's the best offensive player in the NBA. And as scary as it may be, he has not even reached his full potential. In case you missed him last season, KD became the youngest player ever to win the NBA scoring title; he averaged 30.1 points per game and shot 47.6% from the field, 90% from the free throw line (automatic for a 6'9" forward and go-to scorer), and 36.5% from beyond the arc. Oh yeah, and he also gave OKC 7.6 rebounds per game, 1.37 steals per game, and 1 block per game. What are the chances that this guy puts up 35 points and 10 boards per night this season? I actually think they're pretty darn good.

Denver Nuggets

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  53-29
Division Finish:  1st (via tiebreak)
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  Al Harrington

Harrington was an interesting pickup for the Nuggets. He gives the team an upgrade on the offensive end over Kenyon Martin, but a downgrade defensively. And I don't think that's what the Nuggets need; they were third in the NBA last season in scoring at 106.5 points per game, but 20th overall in points allowed at 102.4 points per game. They were 20th in rebounding with 41.4 boards per game. Those last two figures are not ones fit for championship teams. So why, then, would they go out and find more scoring in exchange for defense? It doesn't make much sense to me. K-Mart not only gave them 9.4 rebounds per game, but he also added 1.1 blocks per game and 1.24 steals per game. Although his offensive abilities are limited, I think he fit nicely in their starting lineup because of his swagger and defensive intensity. That being said, it remains to be seen whether Harrington will keep the starting job for the whole season.

Key Losses:  Linas Kleiza

Kleiza was a nice piece off the bench for the Nuggets for the past two seasons once he developed some confidence with the basketball. But ultimately, there was just no room for Kleiza in the Nuggest front court. He is a pretty one-dimensional player in my view, and it is tough to get away with such a limited game in today's ultra-athletic league.

Most Important Player:  Carmelo Anthony

Besides being the team's top scoring option and one of the top ten players in the league, Melo will be key this season mainly for an off-court reason; that is, will Melo leave Denver, and if so, when? The rumors swirled viciously during the whole summer, and they have continued to manifest themselves as the season nears its opening tip. There are so many different ways this could affect the Nuggets. If rumors follow Melo the whole season, how much will that be a distraction for him and his teammates? If he is actually dealt, will that signal the end of this team's run in the West? Does that mean Denver is officially in rebuilding mode? What does that mean for veterans like Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin? It will be an interesting season for the Nuggets and their star forward.

Rookie Spotlight:  None

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  2nd

Just to continue what I touched on above, this is an important year in this franchise's history. Melo has the power to single-handedly alter the future of the Nuggets with his decision. Let's imagine Melo signs a contract extension early in the season, thus ending the trade rumors and securing Denver with his services for the next six or so years. In the short term, that ensures that the Nuggets will be the same threat they have been in the past four or so seasons; they will make the playoffs and pose a dangerous matchup depending on which team they face. But they don't have enough to win a championship, at least not this season. So then, what about next year, or in three seasons? Well, Billups will likely hang it up around then, Harrington and Martin will probably be well into their declines, so Denver would be left with a starting five of Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Melo, Shelden Williams, and Nene Hilario. I actually like that lineup quite a bit so long as Williams fulfills expectations and they can get someone else who can score the ball. But for this year, it will either be the same result as last season or a complete overhaul and beginning of rebuilding mode.

Utah Jazz

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  53-29
Division Finish:  2nd (via tiebreak)
Playoffs:  Lost in Second Round

Key Additions:  Al Jefferson, Raja Bell

I actually like the Jazz more this year than I have in previous seasons, and Jefferson and Bell are two of the main reasons. First, the Jazz basically swapped Boozer for Jefferson this past summer, and I think the move will work out in the long run. Deron Williams and Boozer had such great chemistry that the Jazz and their fans will undoubtedly miss that connection throughout the season, especially if the team struggles. But Big Al is a better offensive player than Boozer, and arguably an equal defensive player (not as strong of a rebounder, but a better shot blocker). But Jefferson is three years younger (only 25) and he gives the Jazz some renewed hope and energy. Boozer was never really adopted by the Jazz fans, and maybe all this franchise needed was a new face with similar ability.

Bell gives the Jazz defense and toughness/attitude. Bell flirted with the idea of going to the Lakers this past offseason, but ultimately took the money in Utah. It allows him to play for a contender and nab a starting job. My only concern with Bell is that he is not a good enough offensive player, and the Jazz may need some more offense judging by their starting lineup (Williams, Bell, Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap, Jefferson). But Bell is a nice piece for any team.

Key Losses:  Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver

Everyone has covered the Boozer loss, so I will just save your time. The Korver and Brewer losses are interesting because they are some decent offensive players that fit well around Williams and Boozer in previous seasons. Korver is a nice piece to any team because he stretches the defense. I am certain that his departure will be felt.

Most Important Player:  Al Jefferson

Williams will need to develop a nice rapport with Jefferson if the Jazz hope to be competitive this season. Coach Jerry Sloan has always utilized his talent at point guard and power forward in pick-and-roll schemes and inside-out basketball. Jefferson certainly has the talent to excel in Sloan's system, so it will only be a matter of time. On a side note, I think the health of center Mehmet Okur is something worth watching. When healthy, Okur gives Utah solid rebounding, low-post defense, and outside shooting. But in order to make those contributions, his Achilles will need to heal and then hold up over the course of the season. If it does, Jefferson and Millsap will get some valuable and unexpected help this year.

Rookie Spotlight:  Gordon Hayward

Any college basketball fans in the house? If so, you should be familiar with Gordon Hayward. The 6'8" wiry forward from Butler University made a name for himself as the leader of an underdog team that made it all the way to the national championship game last March. Although he missed a desperation heave that would be cemented the team in college basketball history, Hayward has much more to look forward to in his career. I think Hayward can give the Jazz a mixture of what they lost between Brewer and Korver. Hayward plays very smart, hustles, has a nice stroke, and is a winner. Tough to argue with those qualities in a first-year bench player.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  3rd

I like the offseason moves that the Jazz made. Sometimes when you feel as though you have plateaued with a particular group of guys, the key may be to switch out a couple of them for players that give you similar traits with some tweaks. The Jazz got younger and better offensively by getting Jefferson for Boozer. They added some defense with Raja Bell, and they got a nice, versatile young forward in Hayward through the draft. Utah has always been a smart organization and those moves will help jump to at least 3rd in the division.

Portland Trailblazers

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  50-32
Division Finish:  3rd
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  None

Key Losses:  Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster

Neither Blake, Outlaw, nor Webster were important pieces to this Blazers club. Of the three, Outlaw was probably the best, but the Blazers are banking on youngsters Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews to fill in at small forward. I don't think there will be much of a drop off, so I think the Blazers will weather these losses very nicely. Webster was once a top draft pick that the organization had hoped would become a marquee player for them, but his career has not played out as expected, and the Blazers made the wise choice of cutting their relationship. In a few years, this may happen to Greg Oden, too; only time will tell.

Most Important Player:  Brandon Roy

Although it seems like Roy has been around for a bit, it's only his fifth season in the league. He is one of the better scorers in the game and is definitely not afraid to have the ball with the game on the line. However, I don't think a team can win a title with Roy as its number one option. He is good, but he is no Wade, Kobe, or Durant. Their success this season will be directly tied to Roy's ability to stay healthy and perform as he is capable of performing while sharing the ball with other scorers like LaMarcus Aldridge, Andre Miller, Jerryd Bayless, and Rudy Fernandez.

Rookie Spotlight:  None

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  4th

This is kind of a boring Portland team. Not much has changed from last season, yet the Blazers look solid enough to win another 45+ games. I think the team has plateaued with its current core, but perhaps Batum can step up and give them something new. Ultimately, I think it all goes back to Roy. I have detailed the formula for a championship team, and the Blazers are nowhere close to fulfilling the criteria.

Minnesota Timberwolves

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  15-67
Division Finish:  5th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  Michael Beasley, Martell Webster, Darko Milicic, Luke Ridnour

The starting five only has one holdover from last season, and that is Kevin Love. Other than that, they have new pieces everywhere, and perhaps the shiniest new piece is Michael Beasley. The former Kansas State star's career has gotten off to a rough start as a result of some off-court issues and middle-of-the-road seasons in Miami. Perhaps a change of scenery and smaller market will do the youngster some good.

Meanwhile, the Wolves are taking a chance on butt of jokes Dark Milicic and the disappointing Luke Ridnour. I don't see how these two will play well enough to remain around in, say, three seasons, but you never know.

Key Losses:  Al Jefferson

Jefferson is the second big-time big man to leave Minnesota after starring on their terrible teams for years (first:  Kevin Garnett). Seems like it's becoming a trend. Jefferson was the life of the team, I don't think they can get much worse than last year's 15-67.

Most Important Player:  Michael Beasley

If he lives up to the hype, Beasley could turn this transform this franchise from laughing stock of the NBA to legitimate threat in the West. But that's a lot of hope to put on one man's shoulders (especially a man who doesn't even have full control over his personal issues). But hey, nobody expects the playoffs this season or even next. All they want is some progress. And if Beasley can turn in a season where he averages 22 points and 10 boards, I'd consider it a success for the Wolves and their new star.

Rookie Spotlight:  Wesley Johnson

The former Syracuse star will be a nice addition to the Wolves. At 6'7", he will present a difficult matchup for lots of shooting guards in the league. Johnson should develop quickly and give the Wolves a viable second option behind Beasley.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  5th

Can they top their 15-win total from last season? Woof. I don't even know if I would go that far. I say they match it.

NBA Preview: Southeast Division

Miami Heat

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  47-35
Division Finish:  3rd
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Eddie House

The Miami Heat basically have a completely new roster. Once Dwyane Wade, LeBron, and Bosh had announced that they were joining forces in South Beach, everyone immediately asked what players the Heat management would bring in to support the stars. People thought the team simply did not have enough cap space to run out a complete team. What some may not realize is that each of the three stars took a pay cut to make this all a reality. The pay cut allowed the Heat to retain some young talent, like point guard Mario Chalmers, as well as some solid, unselfish big men, like Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem. The Heat then took the leftover money and began courting players who could fill roles that you commonly see on championship teams:  the outside sharpshooters (Miller and House), veteran big men off the bench (Ilgauskas, Juwon Howard, and Jamaal Magloire), and young guys who can provide sparks of energy (Patrick Beverley and Da'Sean Butler).

I know critics will hate to admit it, but the Heat have a legitimate squad. They have three of the game's top twenty players, including two of the top four, and have other players--Chalmers, Miller, Haslem, and Ilgauskus--that would be starters on many other teams. On paper, this is one of the best teams in the league.

Key Losses:  Michael Beasley

While Beasley has a ton of promise, the off-court troubles and the opportunity to secure a guys who are already superstars led the Heat to give up the former Kansas State star. In essence, the Heat basically traded Beasley for LeBron or Beasley for Bosh, and I do not think you could find a GM who would turn those deals down.

Most Important Player:  Dwyane Wade/LeBron James

The dynamic duo will need to find a way to play together if this team is to have success this season and in future seasons. Miami is clearly Dwyane's world; he brought the city a championship and is the unquestioned face of the franchise. But LeBron has always been the big fish in a small pond, as well. So how will the two find a way to share the ball, the court, and the limelight? Eventually, someone has to defer and play Robin to the other's Batman. Specifically, who is going to take the last shot when the game is on the line? In my opinion, it has to be Wade. Over the course of his career, he has demonstrated on countless occasions the ability to hit the big shot. Furthermore, if there is any knock on LeBron, it is that he does not have that killer instinct or that finisher's mentality. Will LeBron face the truth in Miami and let Dwyane do the honors?

When it comes to the first three quarters of a game, I think coexistence will be easy. In fact, I think the two of them will be extremely fun to watch. In preseason games thus far, we have seen LeBron bring the ball up court as a point-forward. He has great court vision, amazing passing ability, and has always appeared to be an unselfish player. Giving LeBron the responsibility of distributing the ball may actually put him in a more comfortable role than he has ever been. But the success of this venture will depend almost exclusively on how the stars manage their egos.

Rookie Spotlight:  Da'Sean Butler

If you followed college basketball at all last season, then you know all about Da'Sean Butler. The forward from West Virginia made a reputation by hitting numerous, memorable buzzer-beating shots. It was truly amazing how Butler seemed to rise to the occasion and bury his opponents. The final moments of those close West Virginia games were almost comedic; every fan in the arena, every announcer covering the game, and every player on the court knew that Butler would get the ball. The defense would be designed to prevent Butler from getting the ball and prevent Butler from attempting a shot. Yet, time and time again, Butler would get the ball, create a shot, and nail it. Butler is a versatile player with great character and leadership ability. The Heat got a steal when Butler landed in their lap during the draft. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some minutes to spell LeBron and Wade this season, and certainly in the future.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  1st

While some preseason injuries may temporarily thwart this Miami empire, I cannot imagine them finishing anywhere except atop this division. Talent wins out. Always. They have two of the four best players in the game today and the cast to provide valuable support.

In terms of winning a championship, I am not sure whether they win one this season or next or the year after that. But I can reasonably see it happening any season from here on out. Anyone that thinks otherwise is just in denial. The Lakers dynasty under Kobe will come to an end in a few years, if not sooner, simply because of age; the Celtics reign with their "Big 3" is pretty much over; the Spurs dominance with their "Big 3" is even more dead. This season is the start of a new era in the NBA.

Orlando Magic

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  59-23
Division Finish:  1st
Playoffs:  Lost in Third Round

Key Additions:  Chris Duhon, Quentin Richardson

Evidently, the Magic felt as though the pieces that they in place last season are good enough to win this season. They brought back almost every on their two-deep depth chart and added Duhon to spell Jameer Nelson and "Q" to backup Mickael Pietrus. Richardson gives the Magic yet another three point shooter to whom Dwight Howard can kick out the ball. Duhon will share backup point guard duties with the flashy but inconsistent Jason Williams (aka White Chocolate).

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Jameer Nelson

Nelson is key to this team because everyone else in the starting five has either reached his potential or is on the way down. Nelson is the only one on the way up. He does not have the ability to take over any game with his scoring, but he can provide a steady 15-18 points per game if needed. More importantly, Nelson will need to remain healthy and manage a starting lineup filled with three guys who need touches:  Vince Carter, Howard, and Rashard Lewis. The Magic have been plagued by inconsistent point guard play for the past several seasons, and they need some stability at that position if they want to dethrone the Celtics and prevent the Heat from taking control in the East.

Rookie Spotlight:  Stanley Robinson

Robinson is an extremely athletic, lengthy forward who can provide a spark off the bench through rebounding and blocking shots. While the Magic have Howard, they don't really have any other big men who play above the rim; Ryan Anderson is versatile but poses a big threat mainly beyond the arc; Marcin Gortat is a high-energy guy but makes his presence felt mainly on hustle plays; and new acquisition Brandon Bass is strong but lacks the athleticism to play with quicker forwards. Enter Stanley Robinson. He might not get many minutes, but expect him to have some nice highlights every once in awhile.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  2nd

While a lot of teams would be more than happy to finish second in their division and make a deep run in the playoffs, the Magic seem like they do this routine each year. In my opinion, I think this team has plateaued for two reasons. First, I think Dwight Howard is overrated. He is a great rebounder, a great shot-blocker, and definitely a freak athlete. But I don't think he is a dominant offense big man who can lead a team to a title. When you combine his limitations with an over-the-hill Vinsanity (points per game and free throw attempts have declined for three straight seasons) and a declining Rashard Lewis (points per game and free throw attempts have also declined for three straight seasons), you suddenly have a team whose window of opportunity probably closed shut already. And second, Orlando needs to make a coaching change. I will not rip Stan Van Gundy for being a terrible coach because any coach who can get a team to/past the Eastern Conference Finals on a consistent basis deserves some recognition. However, he cannot get them over the hump and on that final podium, which is the main goal of any coach. Clearly, something needs to be done; and the fact that management did not make any significant player changes may be a signal of what is soon to come.

Atlantic Hawks

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  53-29
Division Finish:  2nd
Playoffs:  Lost in Second Round

Key Additions:  Josh Powell

Like the Magic, the Hawks also felt that their current collection of players would suffice for this upcoming season. Again, I find myself confused. How is it that you stick with the same group of guys despite the fact that year after year you do not advance past the second round? Don't you notice a trend? Why not try to make some improvements? Instead, the Hawks decided to stick it out with the same starting five, a couple of bench holdovers, and some new additions, highlighted mainly by former Lakers backup Josh Powell. Powell gives the Hawks some much-needed depth at forward, some decent rebounding ability, and an unselfish personality. But not much else.

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Al Horford

To me, the Hawks will go as far as Horford takes them. Much like Nelson on the Magic, Horford is the only one of the major Hawks players whose stock is going up. Horford has shown great improvement in each of his first three seasons, and if he can develop into a go-to scorer down-low, the Hawks are in great shape. Until then, they lack any sort of advantage when put up against teams like the Heat, the Celtics, and the Magic. Mike Bibby has peaked as a professional and is on his way down; Joe Johnson is a star, but not a superstar; Marvin Williams has proven to be a draft bust; and Josh Smith is still one of the most exciting players in the league. I think what the Hawks need most is a dominant big man who can make a difference, offensively, in games, and a dynamic new point guard. With Horford, one of those things is very possible as soon as this year.

Rookie Spotlight:  Jordan Crawford

The guard out of Xavier has some nice potential for the Hawks. In his college days, Crawford was a number-one scoring option and a nightly guarantee to light up the scoreboard. I am not quite sure if his abilities translate well to the progressional game, but time will tell. He is a bit undersized to play shooting guard, so if he can improve his ball-handling abilities, he may be able to battle Jeff Teague for the backup point guard role. For this season, look for Crawford to get some minutes in garbage time and put together a couple of scoring barrages.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  3rd

While the Hawks will still be very competitive this season, I think they are letting their opportunity fly by them. The Heat have quickly become the team to beat for the next decade and the Magic, as long as Howard is around, will remain a close second. The Hawks have had some decent runs in recent years, but this group of guys is not going to win you anything beyond a first round series. And as deep as the East is this season, the Hawks will be lucky to even get that.

Washington Wizards

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  26-56
Division Finish:  5th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  Josh Howard, Yi Jianlian, Kirk Hinrich

The Wizards added three solid players to their roster this offseason. Howard was at one point one of the best small forwards in the game, though he has since regressed, mainly due to injuries. The potential for more ACL problems will certainly loom over him this season, but if he manages to remain healthy, Howard can still produce at a high level. Remember, during a three-year stretch earlier in his career, Howard guaranteed you 19 points and 7 boards per game. That would be a huge for this Wizards team.

As for Yi, I don't think he'll ever become the franchise center that NBA scouts envisioned. But I do think that he could be a solid contributor, especially because of his ability to draw opposing centers out to the perimeter with his three-point shooting. Unfortunately, the Wizards do not have a dominant inside-scoring threat that draws double teams, or else Yi would do a nice job at stretching defenses and punishing defenders for double-teaming.

Finally, Hinrich gives the Wizards a veteran point guard off the bench and someone who can mentor John Wall. Hinrich is good enough to be a starter on some teams and he will certainly give the Wizards solid play behind Wall.

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  John Wall

With apologies to Agent Zero, Wall became the leader and most important player on this team from the moment NBA Commissioner announced his name on draft night. If you live under a rock and have not seen footage of Wall, all you need to know is that he might be the most talented point guard in the league right now. I'm not saying he is the best, because he obviously lacks valuable experience. But he is explosive, exciting, and an undoubted franchise player. The Wizards are a couple of years and one or two more pieces away from making the playoffs, but Wall will put people in the seats, earn consistent spots on highlight reels, and give the Wizards organization some hope.

Rookie Spotlight:  John Wall

See above.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  4th

I think the Wizards have some nice young pieces and will make a strong run at 4th in the Southeast Division. Wall will be the focus night in and night out, but don't sleep on players like Nick Young, Al Thornton, Andray Blatche, and JaVale McGee.

Charlotte Bobcats

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  44-38
Division Finish:  4th
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  D.J. Augustin

See "Most Important Player" section below.

Key Losses:  Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler

I will get into the loss of Felton more below, but I think his loss will be felt in the standings in a dramatic way. As for Chandler, he has not fulfilled expectations throughout his career and his attitude leaves a lot to be desired. I think the Bobcats did right by letting him go and securing a nice frontline of Nazr Mohammed, DeSagana Diop, Kwame Brown, Boris Diaw, and Tyrus Thomas.

Most Important Player:  D.J. Augustin

Augustin takes over for Raymond Felton as the chief conductor of the Charlotte offense. Augustin is the most important player because I think Felton was a huge part of the team's surprising success last season. Remember, not only did the Bobcats have nine more wins last season than they did the previous year, but the Bobcats were competitive against a lot of tough teams; for example, they lost by 2 against the Lakers at Staples Center and later beat the Lakers by 15 in Charlotte. Anytime you take the point guard of a young team out of the equation, the chemistry can always go south in a hurry. And if the Bobcats hope to duplicate, or even improve on, last season's success, they need a seamless transition from Felton to Augustin.

Rookie Spotlight:  Sherron Collins

If the D.J. Augustin project does not work out, Sherron Collins is not a bad fallback option. The former Kansas star is a tough competitor and someone who does not shy away from big moments. People have questioned whether his size will prevent him from being great at the NBA level, but I don't buy into that criticism. I don't see Collins being an All-Star, but I can easily see him starting on a playoff contender.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  5th

The Bobcats' unexpected success last season probably resulted from a variety of factors including, but not limited to, Felton's emergence as a starting point guard, Stephen Jackson's emergence as a go-to scorer, Gerald Wallace's emergence as a special forward, and Larry Brown's influence as a head coach. Well, this season, Felton is obviously gone, and I don't think Jackson can duplicate the season he had last year; he's simply racking up too much mileage. Those factors coupled with the a dangerous young Wizards club will result in the Bobcats dropping back to cellar of the Southeast Division.

NBA Preview: Central Division

Milwaukee Bucks

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  46-36
Division Finish:  2nd
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  Drew Gooden, Corey Maggette

The seventh-ranked rebounding team in the league last season added to their emphasis on crashing the boards by adding two solid rebounders at the forward positions. Gooden is a proven rebounder who plays decent low-post defense. He is an unselfish player and a solid role player.

Maggette, meanwhile, is a proven scorer (19.8 ppg last season), with a big body that enables him to score down-low against smaller forwards and help on the boards. He shoots for a high percentage from the field and from the charity stripe. If he can stay healthy, Maggette will be a nice scoring option for the Bucks.

Key Losses:  None

The Bucks re-signed shooting guard John Salmons to ensure that any loss suffered would not be a crucial one. While players did leave Milwaukee (Dan Gadzuric, for one), none of the people who departed figured to be important to the Bucks this season.

Most Important Player:  Andrew Bogut

Bogut finally put everything together last season and looked like the franchise center that the Bucks drafted first overall back in 2005. He averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in 69 games before suffering a nasty arm injury (video is not for the faint of heart). But prior to the injury, Bogut was a force on the low block. While he does struggle from the free throw line in Dwight Howard-esque fashion (62.9%), the Bucks need him to return to last season's form if they hope to contend for the playoffs. He is irreplaceable to this group.

Rookie Spotlight:  None

Darington Hobson, the 6'7" swingman out of New Mexico, has officially been ruled out for the season after doctors informed the team that he needed surgery on his right hip (he had surgery on his left hip earlier this week). While this team has no notable rookies, it is a very young team with a young core.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  1st

The Bucks surprised a lot of people in the Eastern Conference last season, and I think they will parlay their success last season into this one. I am a huge fan of their starting line; starting point guard Brandon Jennings is blossoming into a great point guard after a spectacular rooking campaign that was highlighted by his historic night; the Bucks have two wing players who can score the ball in Salmons and Maggette; they have a solid rebounding/defensive-oriented role player in Gooden; and they have a go-to franchise center in Bogut. The bench is also pretty deep and features players like the dynamic Chris Douglas-Roberts, veterans like Michael Redd and Earl Boykins, and unselfish bangers like Jon Brockman and Brian Skinner.

I pick the Bucks to lock up the top spot in this division not only because they are good enough, but because their main competition, the Bulls, will be without star Carlos Boozer until December at the very least. I feel like Milwaukee will get off to a better start than the Bulls, and then the Bulls will need to readjust a bit once Boozer comes back, and those factors will lead to a better overall record for the Bucks.

Chicago Bulls

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  41-41
Division Finish:  3rd
Playoffs:  Lost in First Round

Key Additions:  Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Kurt Thomas

Although the Bulls won 61 games last season, many people thought they were still on the outside looking in when it came to being classified as one of the great teams of the league. What the Bulls needed, many said, was a low post scoring threat. Well, this past offseason, they went out and got someone to fill that void--Carlos Boozer. The Booze gives the Bulls a proven down-low scorer and someone who can run the pick-and-roll ad nauseum with Derrick Rose (a play that the Bulls did not utilize as often as many other teams last season). Boozer has averaged at least 19 points and 10 rebounds in three of his past four seasons and, now that he plays in a weaker Eastern Conference, should be able to easily duplicate those numbers, if not better them. Unfortunately, Boozer fractured the pinkie finger on his shooting hand and will be out until early December, as noted above.

Anytime you have a down-low scorer, you need to add shooters around him to punish teams for sending a double-down defender. The Bulls understood this and immediately grabbed Kyle Korver and Keith Bogans. Korver is one of the best three-point shooter in the league; last season in Utah he shot an absurd 53.6% from deep. He will add a much needed dimension to the Bulls offense that will not only give Boozer some more room to operate down low, but will also give Rose an outlet when he gets swarmed on dribble penetration.

Kurt Thomas provides the Bulls with another solid role player. The Bulls really surrounded their stars--Rose, Deng, and Boozer--with unselfish, gritty players. Thomas not only adds rebounding and defense, but veteran leadership.

Key Losses:  Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Tyrus Thomas

The Bulls lost a lot in Hinrich, Miller, and Ty Thomas, but they ended with a net gain. Hinrich is obviously a great ball handler with the ability to score when needed. Miller is a versatile big man. And Thomas is an athletic guy who makes a difference with his shot-blocking ability. But they tried their best, and I think succeeded, in filling the voids left by these players.

Most Important Player:  Luol Deng

Deng is the least-hyped of the Bulls' core, but I think the most critical if the Bulls hope to go deep into the playoffs this year. We know that they have a franchise point guard and a great low-post scorer. But we also know that every great team has a good wing scorer who can create his own shot and carry the scoring burden on any given night. Deng has shown the ability to be that guy in the past, and the Bulls will need him to be that guy this year if they hope to get deep in the playoffs.

Rookie Spotlight:  Omer Asik

With Boozer on the shelf, new head coach has moved Joakim Noah to the four and Asik to the five in some preseason games. Asik is still a work in progress, but definitely has the size to make some modest contributions off the bench in the regular season. I personally think they should start Kurt Thomas and Noah, not Noah and Asik. But either way, Asik will get some minutes.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  2nd

While I don't think the Bulls will finish with the best record in the division, I think they will be the best team in the group when all is said and done. And I think they will make a deep playoff run. They are a very, very balanced team with all of the right pieces in place to win a championship. But I see two roadblocks to their success. First, can they gel quick enough to make that deep run happen this season? And second, is this squad simply together at the wrong time? They are a great team on paper, but have been assembled in the middle of a dynasty (Kobe and Pau's Lakers) and at the beginning of another one (Run DLC in South Beach).

Indiana Pacers

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  32-50
Division Finish:  4th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  Darren Collison, James Posey

The Pacers made a major upgrade at point guard by acquiring Collison from the Hornets and moving last year's starter, T.J. Ford, to the bench. Collison had a wonderful rookie season that saw the young guard breakout offensively. Watching him at UCLA, I honestly did not think his game would translate to a starting gig in the NBA; I thought he was a backup at best. But Collison put together stretches where he scored 20-30 points on a consistent basis. He is a true pass-first point guard, but he plays great defense (1.03 steals per game) and shoots above average from beyond the arc (40%).

Posey is a solid defender and three-point shooter. But most advantageous for the Pacers is the fact the Posey is a guy with winning experience. He has won two championships as a starter (with Miami and with Boston) and his attitude and approach will help this young team.

Key Losses:  Troy Murphy

I documented the underrated Murphy in my preview of the New Jersey Nets. By losing Murphy, the Pacers will need center Roy Hibbert and power forward Josh McRoberts to step up in big ways. Hibbert made nice strides last season, but this season the onus of Pacers' inside scoring will be squarely on him. McRoberts will likely focus mostly on solid rebounding and defense because he simply does not have the talent to be a big-time scorer in this league. Thus, Hibbert will need to provide the team with at the very least 15.0 points per game if they hope to take some pressure off of the perimeter guys.

Most Important Player:  Darren Collison

With apologies to Hibbert who will certainly need to step up as described above, it is Collison who holds the key to the car. Collison has the ability to take this team to the next level in its development. He won't have to carry the scoring load on most nights as Danny Granger is one of the game's top players, but Collison will have to do everything else:  manage the personalities of a young team, handle the rock, distribute the ball, and make plays on defense.

Rookie Spotlight:  None

I don't see any of the rookies in Indiana getting enough minutes to make any sort of noticeable contributions. A.J. Price will be the third-string point guard and may get some minutes in blowouts, but beyond him, you don't see many rookies on the floor.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  3rd

I think the Pacers' future looks bright, and this season they will take a small step forward with the Collison addition and LeBron's departure from Cleveland (more below). If Hibbert can develop into a dominant center, the landscape of basketball in Indiana would change considerably. But I don't think Hibbert is that kind of player; I think he's too soft. Only time will tell.

Detroit Pistons

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  27-55
Division Finish:  5th
Playoffs:  Did Not Qualify

Key Additions:  None

The only additions even in consideration of being classified as important are two washed up stars of yesteryear:  Tracy McGrady and Ben Wallace. T-Mac will come off the bench and, if anything, at least puts butts in seats. Wallace will provide solid energy and probably some rebounding, but nothing that will make you drool.

Key Losses:  None

Most Important Player:  Rodney Stuckey

Stuckey was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dreadful year for the Pistons. The fourth-year point guard averaged 16.6 points and 4.8 assists per game last season. Stuckey is not very well known outside of Detroit mainly because he played college ball at Eastern Washington University. But don't let the lack of a big name college fool you, this guy is a big-time player. He will have to have a big year for the Pistons to beat out the Cavs for 4th in the division.

Rookie Spotlight:  Greg Monroe

The big man from Georgetown will be third on the depth chart at either center/power forward, but should get some minutes considering the Pistons will not be very competitive this season. The Pistons hope that they can groom Monroe into being their franchise center of the future. And there's no reason why he won't be; Monroe has all the talent in the world and incredible athletic ability. Look for Monroe to make some good improvement this season and try to earn a starting job next year.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  4th

The Pistons have some interesting personnel decisions right now. This is clearing a rebuilding year for them, yet they have veterans at some spots with young players waiting in the wings. Richard Hamilton still provides steady numbers, but you have to wonder when the starting job will be handed to Ben Gordon, who has the ability to score in bunches. Stuckey obviously has a stranglehold of the point guard position. Tayshaun Prince is an underrated player, but Austin Daye, who has the same versatility but maybe even more raw talent, waits behind him. And at center, Wallace will probably start, but the bruising Jason Maxiell waits for his chance. I think they should go young at all of those spots, give those guys some playing time, and make a concerted effort to transition into the next era in Detroit basketball.

Cleveland Cavaliers

2009-2010 Recap:

Record:  61-21
Division Finish:  1st
Playoffs:  Lost in Second Round

Key Additions:  None

The Cavs screwed themselves over this season. Don't blame LeBron, blame Cavs management. The Cavs put all of their eggs in one basket and came out empty. By focusing ONLY on LeBron this past summer, they failed to plan for the "what if LeBron leaves?" scenario that ended up playing out. But perhaps even more interesting is that let's say the Cavs DID court King James back to Cleveland…they did not add anyone else! This would have been the same team that fell short last season, minus Delonte West. How do you expect to get over the hump with the same group of guys who have failed to pull through when it counts? Terrible offseason plan by the Cavs.

Key Losses:  Some guy named LeBron James, who did this, also Delonte James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Never mind the names listed above. The Cavs key loss was any hope of a respectable season.

Most Important Player:  Danny Green

Not because of his on-court play, but because of his dancing ability. He will need to bring impressive performances on a consistent basis to keep his teammates and the twelve fans in attendance entertained throughout this wretched season.

Rookie Spotlight:  None

No rookie, no matter how impressive, can make this season watchable.

2010-2011 Division Outlook:  5th

The Cavs have a couple of players that could win a couple of games this season (Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison). But the drop-off from last season will be astounding. What was once a great show for the city of Cleveland will become a sideshow. Although I initially had the Cavs in 4th in the division, I dropped them to 5th because I think the train will completely fall off the tracks emotionally and psychologically after what happened this offseason.