We take a look at the trades that may reshape the competitive and rivalry landscape of the NBA, the controversies that may have ensued from them, the major coaching changes and then preview the Western and the Eastern Conferences with a bid to pin pointing the likely winners as well as crowning the regular season MVP as well as Rookie of the year and the finals MVP.
Major Trades
Richard 'Rip' Hamilton (from Pistons to Bulls) - A great move for the Bulls, Hamilton has developed really well from his days at the Wizards. This is a good defensive addition for the Bulls and definitely will help take some scoring pressure off Derrick Rose with career points scores of 17.7 and 20.6 points in the regular season and playoffs respectively and of course he has championship winning experience.
Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis
The New York Knicks may have lost the championship experience and good head on shoulders of a Chancey Billups; but they have added well with these two trades with the Mavericks and Caverliers respectively. Tyson Chandler is fresh from a championship winning season with the Mavericks which he played a pivotal role in; Baron Davis on the other hand is an experienced campaigner averaging 16.5points in the regular season and 19.8 points in the playoffs; Amare Stoudamare and Carmelo Anthony do need the help.
Tracy McGrady and Jerry Stackhouse
The Atlanta Hawks had their coming of age season last year with the great performances by the likes of Joe Johnson and young guns like Josh Smith and Al Horford. The signings of McGrady and Stackhouse will add valuable experience to the Atlanta stable. Watch out for Atlanta.
Chris Paul and David West
The Hornets had a great season in the West last season, eliminating the Lakers in the Playoffs. This season the Hornets would be much weaker as the loss of Chris Paul, one of the best players in the league to the Los Angles Clippers is one that will take sometime to get over. David West was also a big contributing factor to the success of the Hornets with a points average of 18points last season along with Emeka Okafor.
The Chris Paul deal to the Clippers has ruffled a number of feathers especially at across town Los Angles Lakers particularly with the veto of the NBA Commissioner stopping the three team trade between Hornets, Lakers and Rockets involving CP3, but for him to now end up with their cross town rivals doesn't make for good reading.
Major Coaching changes
With the legendary Phil Jackson retiring from the Lakers, Mike Brown has taken up the reins, he has a hard act to follow and has already started on a rough note. The Lakers inability to conclude the trade for Chris Paul is one, the trade of Lamar Odom under controversial circumstances to the Mavericks as well as the squabbles with his marquee player Kobe Bryant as well as his injury concerns.
The other major coaching changes are; Kevin Mchale to the Rockets, Mark Jackson takes the reins at the Golden State Warriors; Dwane Casey to the Raptors; Lawrence Frank gets a promotion from Assistant coach at the Celtics to head coach at the Detroit Pistons whilst Rick Adelman takes charge at the energetic Timberwolves.
Eastern Conference Preview
The Miami Heat are expected to dominate the East especially with their exploits last season, but then the Bulls are stronger this year along with the Atlanta Hawks; Boston on the other hand are older from last year and all the issues surrounding Rondo may pose as a major distraction; unless Rondo decides to lace down his sneakers and have a five star season. The dark horses in the east are the New Jersey Nets, Devon Williams' Turkish excursion may prove to be the spring board the Nets require for that late season charge; if the Magic lose Dwight Howard it would be a difficult season, although Howard staying may have a negative impact on the team. In this 66 game regular season; i expect the Bulls once again to be the dominant team in the East with 45 wins along the way; it may seem a bold prediction, but i just love the look of the Bulls going into the new season.
My Predictions:
Eastern Conference finals - Chicago Bulls over the Miami Heat over 7 games; this will be a dramatic, bruising and epic battle.
Western Conference Preview
Dallas Mavericks have done well with the Lamar Odom addition, Dirk Nowitzki needs to step up another gear to prove their championship win was no fluke; the Lakers need to get Dwight Howard and trade Andrew Bynum because of his weak knees; Kobe on the other hand is in transition; his adapting his game to suit his age and his injuries. Oklahoma Thunder are my favorites for the West, young ,athletic, gifted and strong and in Kevin Durant they have this year's regular season MVP and potential Finals MVP, forget the Russell Westbrook fall out from last season; this is the year of the Thunder; they are solid both offensively and defensively and of course they have Kendrick Perkins, a genuine Big Man.
Past champions San Antonio Spurs are another year older and i remember a renowned NBA analyst here in Nigeria; who supports the Spurs saying its time to get rid of Tony Parker, well they still haven't gotten rid of him and I make bold to say the Spurs will get knocked out in Round one of the play offs. The outsiders are the Clippers, a lot of fans believe this may be their year, but there needs to be a bedding period for Chris Paul and Blake Griffin; the Clippers will make the play offs this season, but will not get to the finals this time around; but an extended play off run is expected.
My Prediction
Western Conference Finals - Oklahoma Thunder in 6 games over the Lakers (provided they get Dwight Howard).
NBA FINALS
The 2012 NBA Finals will be between the Oklahoma Thunder and the Chicago Bulls; this will go to a decisive game 7 which the Chicago Bulls will take for their first championship since the Jordan era.
Individual Awards
Regular Season MVP - Kevin Durant
NBA Finals MVP - Derrick Rose
Rookie of the Year - Kemba Walker
Defensive Player of the Year - Dwight Howard
As always this remains my individual and personal opinion and perspective, at the end of the season you can rob my face in it if i get it wrong. I know a lot will be said about sticking my neck out for the Thunder and not pitching for the Heat, but then do you really think the Heat and go down the stretch for a second year? I do not think so.
I Love This Game.
NOTE
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Once again, we at Tactics IQ Limited wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and fulfilling New Year.
