Some More 2008-09 NBA Predictions

The other half of my impeccable, astonishingly accurate 2009 predictions.


Western Conference:

1. L.A. Lakers
2. New Orleans
3. Houston
4. Utah
5. San Antonio
6. Dallas
7. Phoenix
8. Portland
9. L.A. Clippers
10. Denver
11. Golden State
12. Sacramento
13. Memphis
14. Minnesota
15. Oklahoma City

I went for the obvious choice at #1 as it's quite hard to find fault in the lakers team. A solid point, the best player in the league (I will adress this issue in time), two quality small-forwards, one coming off the bench, one of the best international players in the league at power-forward, with a young, improving center returning from surgery. This season Los Angeles are most certaintly the favorites.

Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA, possibly the world. Peja Stojakovic is one of the best pure shooters in the league, Tyson Chandler is one of the best rebounders in the league, James Posey is one of the best defenders in the league, and David West is one of the best Power-Forwards in the league. New Orleans is one of the best teams in the league, and will be a serious contender for the title this season.

I know what is destined for Houston. We all know what will happen to Houston. It is almost guaranteed their star players will sit out a portion of the season with injury of some sort. But despite this, I can't help place them 3rd, due to the huge amount of talent on this team.

Utah should win there division again this season, locking up the fourth seed. Their young star point guard Deron Williams is still improving, but this may be the last season we see Boozer in a Jazz jersey.

San Antonio are irritatingly consistent, and will be a title threat yet again this year. The core ages, and Horry's left, but you can count on them being a serious contender come playoffs.

Dallas now have a new head coach and a full season with Jason Kidd. An optimist can see a title run but a realist settles for 45-50 wins.

I just don't see it happening for Phoenix. They still have Nash, who we can count on for another consistent season, and Amare will demonstrate his pure beastliness, but even with Terry Porter, I don't feel it's possible to play an acceptable standard of defense with their offensive system.


On paper, Portland are frightening. They're young and dangerous, will most definately make the playoffs. That said, I do feel some are jumping the gun a little, as the blazers won't be a legitimate threat in the west for a few years.



This offseason the Clippers lost their star player, aquired a star player, and received a DPOY for free. In the east, they're a lock for the playoffs. In the west, they're back to the draft.

I honestly feel bad for the nuggets. It seems that George Karl genuinely finds it impossible to make his team play defense. They gave away their only defensive player for free. I believe with this current squad the nuggets will not make the playoffs.








Any belief left in the Bay area? They're a fast-break team without a fast-break point guard. That''s like a vegetarian steakhouse, or a strip club without the half-naked whores. It just doesn't work.




The Kings are actually a good team, but won't even sniff the postseason in this conference.


Adding O.J. Mayo, Hamed Haddadi and Marc Gasol obviously helps, but the Grizz will be back to the draft come June.


Adding Kevin Love, Rodney Carney and Mike Miller obviously helps, but the Twolves will be back to the draft come June.


Adding Joe Smith, Desmond Mason and Russell Westbrook obviously helps, but the Thunder will be back to the draft come June. Honestly, I'm too lazy to write anything remotely interesting about these last 3 teams.

So there's my predictions for the western conference. As always, I leave you with a smile.