Ray-Ray Today, kids, we look at my half-baked predictions for the NBA and we wonder if I should be able to write about professional sports again.
Predicted Record
Actual Record
Miami Heat -- 60-22 -- 58-24
If you thought the Heat would fail you are an idiot. I would also venture to say that you might be a little racist. Yeah. I went there. This is the NBA. It's where you can literally half-ass your way to 40 wins most seasons with a superstar. With another superstar and a very good third gun, you can get into the 50s. The Spurs and Mavericks have done it for a decade.
Orlando Magic -- 58-24 -- 52-30
Yuck. You can't like the make-up of this team and this includes Dwight Howard. More than any other sport, the NBA is a series of contridictions. We hate the "me-first" player that shoots 40 percent and takes 30 shots a game. Yet, we like to criticize a player like Howard who should have Moses Malone-type numbers, but failes to assert himself game in and game out. Five years from now, we might look at Howard and another player like we do Kobe Bryant and Shaq O'Neal. It's no longer a league where one superstar does all the lifting and the day and age of that superstar completely dominating outside of the team dynamic is gone.
Milwaukee Bucks -- 51-31 -- 35-47
A swing and a miss. Thought they would take a step up and pull the trigger on a mid-season trade. Injuries ate them alive. Only Keyon Dooling and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute played more than 70 games.
Boston Celtics -- 50-32 -- 56-26
I think of them as the Spurs of the east. A ton of veterans. An exciting point guard that can tip the scales of a game or series at will. I do wonder if they have the fire anymore. I also wonder what they will look like in a year ... or two in case of work stoppage.
Chicago Bulls -- 49-33-- 62-20
Initially, I liked the team and I thought very highly of Derrick Rose. Why I didn't have them at at least 50 wins is a mystery. We're learning as the post-season lumbers on that their bench and role players are a lot more impactful than we might have thought.
Atlanta Hawks -- 46-36 -- 44-38
The Hawks find themselves in a really tough spot. They're peaking as a roster and franchise right at the moment when the Bulls, Heat, Celtics and others are playing otherworldly with superior talent. Eight years ago, the Hawks would have ruled the east. They're like the Cleveland Cavaliers of the 1990s. Good, but two tiers below the competition. \
Washington Wizards -- 43-39 -- 23-59
"There is a 100 percent chance that I screw this up by 20 games." I called it.
New York Knicks -- 42-40 -- 42-40
Hindsight is a bitch. Looking back, you play out the season, probably still wind up 42-40 with the players you had, keep all those players, sign Carmelo Anthony in the off-season.New York Knicks -- 42-40 -- 42-40
Charlotte Bobcats -- 41-41 -- 34-48
Blech. A really good example of a franchise in need of shutting down. Also, proof that ex-superstars should not be handed keys to a franchise.
Cleveland Cavaliers -- 38-44 -- 19-63
I overestimated one thing: Pride. I clearly didn't think the Cavs would do much. However, I thought Lebron's snub would light a fire under their asses and get them to within throwing distance of .500. Looks now like Lebron was pretty good.
Philadelphia 76ers -- 35-47 -- 41-41
Ironically, Evan Turner could not have had a worse season, Andre Igoudala plays insane defense and Elton Brand actually turned in an OK season.
Ironically, Evan Turner could not have had a worse season, Andre Igoudala plays insane defense and Elton Brand actually turned in an OK season.
Toronto Raptors -- 35-47 -- 22-60
Say what you will about Chris Bosh, but that was a 40-win team a year ago with him in the line-up.Indiana Pacers -- 32-50 -- 37-45
Although my prediction here is not far off, I did not think 37 wins would get you into the playoffs. The world and NBA are a better place when Indiana is good. Let's hope next season gets them a winning record.
Although my prediction here is not far off, I did not think 37 wins would get you into the playoffs. The world and NBA are a better place when Indiana is good. Let's hope next season gets them a winning record.
New Jersey Nets -- 25-47 -- 24-48
The Nets will get better. Give Avery Johnson time.
Detroit Pistons -- 25-67 -- 30-52
Remember like eight years ago when the Pistons were really good and winning a ton of games? How they can in good conscience keep Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton is beyond me. Throwing bad money at Chuck Villanueva and Ben Gordon in addition to some bad drafts have sunk them.
