Let’s take a momentary break from fake basketball to focus a bit on Razzball’s real basketball predictions for the 2010 season. I’m of two minds about making preseason predictions about the league on a grand scale. If I’m wrong, I’ve voluntarily published my wrongness for anyone to see. That’s not good for my self-esteem. Then again, if I’m way off, it means the season was full of surprises and it was well worth the time I spent invested in it. Here are my predictions for basketball’s post-season awards who’s getting closest to a new banner in their stadium.
Eastern Conference Champion – Orlando Magic – The question here is less about why I’m going with Orlando than why am I not going with Miami. I’ll leave the Stan Van Gundy versus Eric Spoelstra argument for another time. As brilliant as Miami’s trio is (and they are), no team in the league is as deep as the Magic. The Heat are a collection of players with varying degrees of talent. The Magic are a team. Having said that, if the Heat end up winning 73 games this season, I’m deleting this entire post.
Western Conference Champion – L.A. Lakers – If not the Lakers in the West, who? The Lakers are like Tiger Woods five years ago. If you could bet on Woods or any other golfer on any other tour, smart money bet on Woods. Also, I’m pretty sure the Lakers as a collective have also schtupped several dozen breakfast servers.
NBA Finals Champion – L.A. Lakers – Anyone get the feeling Phil Jackson’s going to take his dozen rings and disappear like Thomas Pynchon?
Rookie of the Year – Blake Griffin – Truth be told, I think John Wall might have a better season, but the Clippers have a better shot at the postseason. The player with the better team will win this award. You heard me, DeMarcus Cousins.
Most Valuable Player – LeBron James – I’m a bit embarrassed to say it, but I’m really curious if he’s going to toss the talcum powder in the air before each Miami game or if he’s going to leave that shoplifted shtick in Cleveland. He can’t, right? I mean, Hulk Hogan didn’t tell kids to say their prayers and take their vitamins when he turned into a villain.
Most Improved Player – Roy Hibbert – Bill Walton wouldn’t allow anything less. Darren Collison is also on my shortlist for this award. Danny Granger won it two seasons ago. Yet the Pacers won’t win 35 games this season. What’s my point? Three great players do not a great team make. So stop bugging me about my Orlando Magic pick from earlier, okay?
Defensive Player of the Year – Dwight Howard – To paraphrase “The Social Network,” ‘if anyone else were the best defender in the league, they’d have won Defensive Player of the Year.’
Go ahead and drop your predictions in the comments so that I don’t have to go down all by myself.
