2012 NBA Predictions

Eastern Conference:

1. Miami (Southeast Champ) - With the addition of Battier, I don't see how they don't run the table in the East. By "Run The Table" I literally mean a 3 or 4 loss season against the Eastern conference.
2. Chicago (Central Champ) - Record-wise, they will be right up there with Miami, and I think the Eastern Conference Finals is such a lock that it's silly.
3. Orlando - I still think Dwight is a complete buffoon, and I still don't like the way they play basketball. I still think B. Bass is a better player than big baby, and I still think Turkoglu is completely horrendous defensively. But I look at the league and I don't see how they don't finish above the 5 teams below.
4. New York (Atlantic Champ) - This will be down to the wire, and I think the C's will give them a run for their money, but they just flat out have put the pieces together.  Enough pieces to beat Boston, regularly, at least.
5. Indiana - I'm starting to think that the Pacers can finish in the top 4 - and they might be better than the Knicks, but NBA Rules say the Knicks need to be seeded in the top 4 as Division Champs.  Granger, West, Hansborough...I love the roster and I love this team
6. Boston - The Jeff Green injury just killed this team from a roster standpoint, and while I think they are talented, athletic, and skilled, I believe their age is going to hurt them when looking at the athleticism of the NBA.
7. Philadelphia - They are the 8 seed if Jrue Holiday doesn't play like an All-Star, and even if he does they may not be.
8. Atlanta - Most likely I'm wrong, the Hawks are probably better than this, but they still continue to be such idiots, and they let Crawford go, who at least provided something. Josh Smith, as a team leader, is a recipe for disaster. This is more of an "I hope" pick, b/c I hope the Pacers are good, and I really hope the Celtics don't finish worse than 6th.

Western Conference:

1. Oklahoma City (Northwest Champs) - I think its finally the year they put together the run. Last season was somewhat ruined by the brain fart of Russell Westbrook - and his thinking he was the franchise. I think cooler heads have prevailed, everyone knows what is at stake, and guys like Ibaka are still getting better, Perk losing lbs help, and I just think its time.
2. Denver - Ty Lawson & Andre Miller make a great backcourt, and they got so much going on on the frontcourt with Nene, who is better than ever. They are not really all that fun to watch, but they are strong.
3. Los Angeles Lakers (Pacific Champs) - I don't have it in my heart to vote against Kobe. I don't like him personally, but my feeling about a true champion and fighter is to force them to show me they can't cut it anymore. I still think they can cut it. Kobe + Gasol is damned good.
4. San Antonio Spurs (Southwest Champs) - This team is so boring it's painful, but like Kobe I don't think Duncan is done, and Parker/Ginobili are still Parker/Ginobili.
5. Dallas - Dirk makes them a #5 seed, insert basically any other All-Star Power Forward and I don't even think they make the playoffs.
6. Los Angeles Clippers - Everyone calm down. Jordan can't hit a free throw and their bench stinks. Shut it.
7. Memphis - They were fun to watch last year, weren't they? Unfortunately, I don't think they have the mental toughness to win more than 35 games in a short season.
8. Minnesota - They are my Pacers of the East - the underdogs, the little morons that can...Kevin Love had a historic season, and I really like the youth they have on the team, and the athleticism. I think a taste of .500 ball in January will get them sufficiently motivated to make the NBA's Sweet Sixteen.

East Final 4:

Miami v. New York (Miami wins 4-1)....       Miami Beats Chicago 4-2

Chicago v. Boston (Chicago wins 4-0)....

West Final 4
OKC v. San Antonio (OKC wins 4-3)....       OKC Beats Denver 4-3

Denver v. LA Lakers (Denver wins 4-3)....

Trophy:

Miami rips through OKC in 5.