2010-11 NBA Preview

NBA Season is here. Tonight is TNT Doubleheader with Heat @ Celtics followed by Rockets @ Lakers. Here are my projections for the upcoming season.
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers- Back to back defending champs add feisty Matt Barnes and guard Steve Blake. They also hope to get a full, healthy season from Andrew Bynum.
2. Dallas Mavericks- Early playoff exit last year will motivate Dirk, Kidd, and Terry to make run in West again. Full season of Caron Butler and adding Tyson Chandler to Haywood at center makes Dallas deep.
3. Portland Trailblazers- Oden and Pryzbilla return from injuries, and join Marcus Camby and Aldridge in front court, while backcourt of Roy and Miller is solid. Health is key #1.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder- Rising team, took LA to 6 in round one last year. Durant is leading MVP candidate to start season, Westbrook looks to become all-star, while Jeff Green, James Harden will try to take next step to help OKC become West contenders.
5. Houston Rockets- Yao is back and depth of team is tremendous, with Courtney Lee, Patrick Patterson, and Brad Miller added to an already winning team, with Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola emerging stars.
6. Utah Jazz- Losing Boozer and adding Al Jefferson is actually a gain for Jazz, which will expand role of Paul Millsap. Still need depth in backcourt to pair with Deron Williams.
7. San Antonio Spurs- Aging team found life in playoffs, reaching the second round before being run off the floor by Phoenix. DeJuan Blair, George Hill, and import Tiago Splitter add youth to core of Ginobili, Parker, Duncan.
8. Denver Nuggets- To trade Carmelo? Or not to trade Carmelo? That is the question. As far as on the court, Denver adds swingman Al Harrington to help weak front line.
9. Phoenix Suns- Losing Amare leaves Suns without low post threat, but Turkoglu should add perimeter play-making in addition to Steve Nash.
10. New Orleans Hornets- CP3's team cut payroll in offseason, and also made
11. Los Angeles Clippers- Griffin is back and seemingly healthy, and pieces are there for playoff team, but it's the Clippers. They'll screw up some way. They always do.
12. Memphis Grizzlies- Real nice season last year for Memphis, but point guard situation has yet to be resolved, as well as bench depth.
13. Sacramento Kings- Potential sleeper team in West, lot of young, growing players.
14. Golden State Warriors- Lee, Curry combo should be great in years to come, but for now, more growing pains with new coach.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves- Giving Darko that kind of money was ridiculous and Beasley is an over-paid ballhog.
Eastern Conference
1. Boston Celtics- Defending East champs sign two old, injury-prone O'Neals to replace injured Perkins.
2. Miami Heat- LeBron, D-Wade, CB4. Let's see how it comes together.
3. Orlando Magic- Let's see if Dwight has learned anything from working out with Dream in offseason.
4. Atlanta Hawks- Overpaid Joe Johnson and have new coach, but still have talent to make it in the weak East.
5. Chicago Bulls- After recovering from injury, Boozer should be great front-court addition for Rose and co.
6. Milwaukee Bucks- Biggest surprise last season and adding veteran Maggette to Jennings/Bogut gives Bucks chance at central division title.
7. Charlotte Bobcats- Brown's team got offensive boost from Stephen Jackson mid-season. Still no depth at center or point guard.
8. New Jersey Nets- My ultimate sleeper makes jump from worst to playoff spot. Murphy helps Lopez on front line as they bring along Favors, while Harris looks to have bounce-back year.
9. New York Knicks- Amare is no LeBron, but gives Knicks first low-post presence for first time in years. Felton is also nice addition at PG
10. Philadelphia 76ers- Pieces are there for new coach Doug Collins, but too many questions in the front court.
11. Indiana Pacers- Really loved the Darren Collison pickup, gives Pacers a great complement to Granger. Front court improvement of Hansborough and Hibbert will show how far Indiana can go.
12. Detroit Pistons- Gordon/Villanueva failed to live up to contracts, and adding T-Mac to 27-win team won't help much.
13. Washington Wizards- John Wall will have growing pains, especially with little forward talent.
14. Cleveland Cavaliers- No LeBron drops Mo Williams' team to doormat in central.
15. Toronto Raptors- Complete rebuilding mode for Toronto without Bosh. Maybe worst front court in league.