Worst Record: JAZZ
Eastern Conf Finals: Pistons over Nets
Western Conf Finals: SPURS over MAVS
NBA Finals: SPURS over Pistons
Most Valuable Player: Kevin Garnett
Coach of the Year: Larry Brown
Rookie of the Year: CARMELO ANTHONY
6th Man: Jamison
Defensive Player of the Year: Tim Duncan
Most Improved: EDDY CURRY
Exec of the Year: RC Buford (Former A&M Student)


East: Pistons with the addition of Larry Brown, the development of Billups, Okur, Darko and Prince will upset the Nets.

MVP: No way they give it to Duncan 3 years in a row. T-Mac is the other consideration if the Magic do good. I think Garnett wins it despite the Wolves finishing 3rd in the Midwest.

Coach: Pistons arent getting much hype. I think they will get the 1 seed and Brown will show why he is one of the best coaches in the league.

6th Man: Jamison - not many 20-point players sit the bench. He will get 17 PPG and win this. Bjax will get too many starts with the injured Kings.

Improved: Eddy Curry looked good finishing last season. If he can up his rebounding, and score like he did last year, he wins this. If he can't Zack Randolph wins it.

ROY: Melo is gonna lead the Nuggets to be better than people expect. 35 wins.

Defensive POY: Duncan: Robinson's absence makes Timmy step up his play defensively, he will get 3+ blocks and 13+ boards.

Exec: Buford traded Ferry for Hedo and Mercer - two guys that will prove instramental in the Spurs run to the NBA's best record. Horry will provide vetran leadership, and scouting Manu years ago will pay huge dividends this year.

Worst Record: Bucks
Eastern Conf Finals: insignificant...I'll go with Detroit
Western Conf Finals: Mavs over Spurs
NBA Finals: Mavs over Pistons
Most Valuable Player: Kevin Garnett
Coach of the Year: Bill Cartwright
Rookie of the Year: CARMELO ANTHONY
6th Man: Jamison
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace
Most Improved: Jamal Crawford
Exec of the Year: Mark Cuban

East: Pistons and Nets both got better, but Kenyon Martin and Jason Kidd make more news for whining about where they're playing or not getting respect than anything else...Pistons win.

West: The Lakers are injured, on trial, bickering with each other, etc. to the tune of a first round defeat in the playoffs. The Spurs meet the Mavs in the WCF and go down because the NBA will make the refs not screw the Mavs out of the title because another Spurs championship = RIP NBA. (just a little good natured smack)

MVP: If Garnett stays healthy and plays as well as he has the last few years, he'll walk away with his first MVP.

Coach: The Bulls will be the surprise team with a young nucleus of guys who are going to excel...big Bill Cartwright gets some credit.

6th Man: Jamison is obviously the favorite...Bobby Jackson could win too if Jamison is hurt or ends up starting a lot for injured Finley or Dirk.

Improved: Eddy Curry is a nice pick, but his teamate is going to have a good season as well. I'll go with Jamal Crawford.

ROY: Carmello is obviously the best player in the draft at this point...it's locked up if he stays healthy.

Defensive POY: Ben Wallace is still the best defensive player in the NBA, and I've been told I look a lot like him.

Exec: Turning Juwan Howard into Jamison, Walker, Fortson, and Delk is ridiculous...a lot of luck is involved, but obviously Cuban has made the Mavs a team to beat again this year.

Worst Record: Knicks
Eastern Conf Finals: Sixers over Pacers
Western Conf Finals: Spurs over Lakers
NBA Finals: Spurs over Sixers
Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan
Coach of the Year: Greg Popovich
Rookie of the Year: Lebron James
6th Man: Hedo Turkoglu
Defensive Player of the Year: Yao Ming
Most Improved: Sam Cassell
Exec of the Year: RC Buford (if the Spurs win another title with 6 new faces Buford has to get it)

soup - during Parker's rookie yr you said he'd be an all star this yr. Still think so? How bout your prediction that Manu would be one next yr?

I think Manu is much closer to greatness than Parker. Parker is improving a lot, but not as quick as I envisioned.

Right now, Parker is overshadowed by Payton, Starbury and Francis all at his posision. The Spurs' offense goes through Duncan, which means less assists for Parker (much like Sacramento and Bibby.) I think on a team like Utah or Indiana, Parker would have better numbers.

Manu is on the verge and could very well be an all-star next year. If Manu starts shooting consistantly, he will be an all-star next year. He is already an exciting player, has a decent jumper, makes great passes and is a very good defender. On the verge, and closer than TP.

Or I could stay up all season voting for both of them and prove myself right.

Alright, I'll give it a shot:

Worst Record: Utah Jazz
East: New Jersey over Detroit
West: Lakers over T'wolves
Finals: Lakers over New Jersey
MVP: Kevin Garnett
ROY: Carmelo Anthony
Defensive MVP: Tim Duncan
Most Improved: Sam Cassell
6th Man: Cuttino Mobley

The reason that I am picking the Lakers is that I feel like they unfortunately have to many veterans on there team that know what it takes to win. Eventhough the Mailman has never won it all, he has been to the finals twice, and so between him, Shaq, and Kobe they have been to to the finals 8 times. If you throw in the glove it is 9 times. Also, since they all are older players, except Kobe, they will be more likely to play a certain role. I know that Shaq and Kobe are bickering right now, but they have now have two other players that are deemed to be on an equal level as them, and I think they will keep them in line.

That is the main reason I do not think the Mavs will win. I think they have the most talent, but they have too many players on this team that are going to expect the ball. That is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. I actually think they will be worse this year than last.

As far as the Spurs go, I think the T'wolves and Lakers have upgraded enough to keep the Spurs in check this season. I guess we will see though.


"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden

[This message has been edited by aggie_accountant (edited 10/28/2003 3:39p).]

By the way, I pray that I am wrong with my pick for the winner of the NBA finals.

Worst Record: Heat
Eastern Conf Finals: Pistons over Magic
Western Conf Finals: SPURS over MAVS
NBA Finals: SPURS over Pistons
Most Valuable Player: Shaq
Coach of the Year: Eric Musselman
Rookie of the Year: Carmello Anthony
6th Man: Jamison
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace
Most Improved: Drew Gooden

Look for the Mavs to start slow, 5th or 6th in the West at the break and finish strong to have the 2nd best record (#3 seed) in the West. Beat aging Sac to face the Spurs, who survive against Phoenix in 7 games in the other semi. Spurs win in 7 over Mavs, home court being the difference.

LA implodes and lands a 6th seed and first round loss to the Mavs. Team is blown up, Kobe gone, Mailman retires, with sights on rebuilding around Shaq.

Right after Malone and Payton signed with the Lakers, I thought that LA would have no excuse for not winning it all and that the title was theirs to lose. But the Spurs, Mavs, and Wolves have made changes, and Kobe's legal troubles and feud with Shaq might end up being those excuses.

If they can't get it done with that ridiculously unfair squad, then I'll be laughing for years. Here's hoping they don't.

Who is the 8th team to make the playoffs in the West? Houston? Memphis? Seattle? Denver? Clippers?

I think 7 spots are pretty much locked up barring anything crazy like a ton of injuries.

Give me the Grizzlies!

1. San Antonio
2. Lakers
3. Dallas (which has the second best record)
4. Minnesota
5. Phoenix
6. Sacramento (injuries and more)
7. Houston
8. Portland
9. Memphis (the elusive 30-win season)
10. Denver
11. Clippers
12. Sonics
13. GSW
14. Jazz


East:
1. Detroit
2. Nets
3. Hornets
4. Pacers
5. 76ers
6. Bulls (big shocker)
7. Magic (the T-Macians)
8. Heat
9. Celts
10. Knicks
11. Wizards
12. Raptors
13. Cavs
14. Bucks
15. Hawks

I am only preciting the Mavs season.

We have a great offense now but still no D. Our offense can only carry us so far and that will most likely be the WCF. If we have any hope of getting to the Finals it will be bacause of D.

Go Mavs!!!!!!!

Mavs wont get that far without D

Dang, well, I thought the Lakers would do well a while back, so don't jump on me for replying after the first night:

Worst Record: Utah (hell yeah!)
Eastern Conf Finals: Nets over Pistons
Western Conf Finals: Lakers over Spurs
NBA Finals: Lakers over Nets
Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan
Coach of the Year: Jeff Van Gundy
Rookie of the Year: Carmelo Anthony
Defensive Player of the Year: Tim Duncan