Unlike last season, there is one clear cut team that is favored to win the national title. That team is the USC Trojans. A lot of people are also picking the Texas Longhorns to be their opponent in the BCS title game. Well, I agree with half of that assessment. I’m sticking to my guns and taking the Trojans to win the 2007-2008 national championship. I picked them to win it all last year, and everybody laughed but in the end they almost had an opportunity to compete for the title. For their opponent I’m going with a surprise pick in the defending champion Florida Gators
1. USC Trojans
Everybody is picking the Trojans to win the title this year. I guess I was a year early for the bandwagon, but as I said last year the Trojans are the most talented team in the nation. It holds again this year because head coach Pete Carroll is the best recruiter in the country. If you look at the starting offense and defense then you will see about seven rivals.com five-star recruits, and about ten rivals.com four-star recruits. That is a potential that is unmatched across the country. John David Booty is now an established performer at quarterback and should be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. With ten starters returning to the 20th best defense in the nation expect a tough time for opponents. The Trojans lost two games by a total of six points last season so don’t expect too many losses this year. The Pac-10 is very talented this season, but I fully expect the Trojans to run the table.
2. Florida Gators
I know that you probably think I’m nuts now, but I don’t care. I’m picking the Gators to get back to the National Title game. Sure, the Gators lose 16 starters overall—including 10 on defense—but I picked USC to win it all the year after Leinart and Bush left. The Gators are defending champions, but I don’t think Urban Meyer has really even begun to hit his stride yet. Meyer has just started getting players who fit his system, he has just started getting the best talent in the nation, and this year should be the first one in which he fully unleashes his amazing offense. Look for sophomore Tim Tebow to contend for the Heisman Trophy and post a season similar to Alex Smith’s at Utah a couple of years ago. Tebow is the perfect fit for Meyer’s system and with playmakers like Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell, plus four of the five offensive line starters returning the Gators will have plenty of offense. A tough schedule bodes for the Gators with games at home against Tennessee and Auburn, on the road against LSU, and in the world’s largest cocktail party against Georgia, but if the defense can come along quickly then don’t be surprised if the Gators return to the BCS National Championship game.
3. Michigan Wolverines
I’m going with the Wolverines as my third ranked team. I think Michigan has a good chance to make the National Title game. The Wolverines return Chad Henne at quarterback, Mike Hart at running back, Mario Manningham at wide receiver, and Jake Long at left tackle. Look for an offense that will score more than 30 points per game. The only question is the defense which only returns four starters. If defensive coordinator Ron English can put together another coaching job like he did last season then we shouldn’t have to worry. The Wolverines have tough games against Notre Dame, Penn State, Ohio State, and at Wisconsin but with the second best talent base in the nation don’t expect more than two losses at the most.
4. LSU Tigers
The Tigers lose a number one pick overall in JaMarcus Russell, two first-round wide receivers in Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis, and a top-ten safety in LaRon Landry, but these Tigers are still going to be tough to tame. LSU will return eight starters from the third best defense in the land last season. So expect the Bayou Bengals to have the one of the very best defenses in the country this year. The Tigers have plenty of question marks at wide receiver and running back, but quarterback shouldn’t be a problem. Senior Matt Flynn and sophomore Ryan Perrilloux are very talented and very good. They should provide more than enough at the quarterback spot to keep the offense running. The LSU-Florida game on October 6 should be the best game of the year. One loss should be all the Tigers have this season.
5. Wisconsin Badgers
It’s been a long time since the Badgers have been ranked this high, but you shouldn’t be shocked. Wisconsin went 12-1 last season and return 16 starters from that squad. The Badgers worked very hard for first-year head coach Bret Bielema and if they continue that work ethic in season two then another one loss season should not be out of the ordinary. P.J. Hill is a force at running back, but the Badgers must face Ohio State this season as well as Michigan. If the Badgers can get through the Horseshoe unscathed then expect a BCS Bowl berth.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes have lost a ton of talent, but don’t expect the good times to stop rolling. Heisman winner Troy Smith, and first-round picks Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez will be gone, so the offense is a big question mark. However, Bronko Nagurski award-winner James Laurinatis returns to lead the defense. The Buckeyes have been good every year under Jim Tressel, so don’t expect a rebuilding year but instead more of a reloading year. Tressel will have the Buckeyes in good shape, but expect at least two losses.
7. Texas Longhorns
I have the Longhorns pretty low compared to most people, but they didn’t really impress me much last season. Colt McCoy played well most of the season, but I can’t get past his injury late in the season and how he performed afterwards. McCoy didn’t look the same as he threw two touchdowns and three interceptions in his last two games—a loss against Texas A&M and a close win over a disappointing Iowa team. If McCoy can rebound then Texas could finish higher. The Longhorns return 14 starters and have an easy schedule. The only tough games will be against Oklahoma and TCU, so anything short of a Big 12 championship is ridiculous.
8. Oklahoma Sooners
This is the same spot I put Oklahoma last year. The Sooners will return 14 starters from a team that finished 11-3, barely lost against Boise State, and was robbed at Oregon. The Sooners do have question marks at quarterback, but senior running back Allen Patrick is a monster. This kid would run through a brick-wall if he had to. I love watching him run, but he’s not as flashy or as explosive as Adrian Peterson. However, Patrick does seem more durable. The defense finished 16th in the nation and will once again be a force. The Sooners have tough games against Miami and Texas, but one loss should be all that is expected.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers have the fastest quarterback (Pat White) and running back (Steve Slaton) in the nation and that doesn’t bode well for opposing defenses. The Mountaineer defense, with seven starters returning, should also be better than 62nd overall this season. West Virginia returns 13 starters overall and their only hard games will be against Louisville and at Rutgers. The Mountaineers could theoretically run the table, but the Big East talent level overall is not extremely high so expect an upset somewhere along the way. With that said, anything short of a Big East title and BCS Bowl bid would be a disappointment.
10. Louisville Cardinals
The biggest question marks for the Cardinals are their new head coach, Steve Kragthorpe, and their defense. With Brian Brohm returning at quarterback I wouldn’t expect to see any drop off due to Kragthorpe until next season. Brohm is the best returning quarterback in the nation. The defense will have to work out some kinks, but I would expect the Cards to run through the Big East. Their only tough games all year are at West Virginia and at home against Rutgers. One loss is all Kragthorpe should have on his record at the end of the season.
11. Penn State Nittany Lions
Joe Paterno is back for yet another season. So what can the ancient coach serve up this year? He should serve up a quality team. The Nittany Lions have all the parts returning to be a solid team. PSU returns 13 starters including eight on offense and they return one of their best defenders in linebacker Dan Connor. Connor is an absolute beast and should be a favorite for linebacker of the year. If Anthony Morelli can reach his vast potential as a senior then watch out for the Nittany Lions. JoePa will face tough games at Michigan, but he gets Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Ohio State at home. With the 20-10 momentum-building win over Tennessee to end last year the Lions are looking good heading into ’07-’08. If JoePa can get his team to lose less than three games then that should qualify for an excellent season in what will be a very top-heavy Big Ten.
12. Auburn Tigers
The Tigers lose a lot on offense with Kenny Irons and six other starters leaving, but expect Auburn’s defense to help carry them. The Tigers do return one key offensive starter in senior quarterback Brandon Cox. Cox had a disappointing year last season as he threw for only 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, but don’t expect that in 2007. Cox should be unleashed and quickly help return the Tiger offense to good times. The Auburn defense returns seven starters including three of the four starters on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield. The Tigers finished 19th in total defense last season and should be even better this year. The Tigers have a very tough schedule with games at Florida, Arkansas, LSU, and Georgia. The Tigers have big-time bust potential, but they could also get out of the season with only two losses.
13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
When you talk about Rutgers then you talk about one thing—Ray Rice. Rice is a dynamic offensive force as he finished 2006 with 1,794 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. Without Rice the Scarlet Knights are nothing. With Rice they are Big East title contenders and dark horses for a BCS bid. With 13 starters returning, Rutgers should be a solid team overall and their defense actually finished 4th overall last year. Of course they did play Howard, Illinois, Ohio, and North Carolina in 2006 non-conference games. The schedule isn’t much harder in ’08 and Rutgers should have no more than two losses overall.
14. California Golden Bears
The Golden Bears are returning plenty of offensive talent in quarterback Nate Longshore, running back Justin Forsett, and uber-wideout DeSean Jackson. The defense, however, returns only five starters but they did finish 91st last season in total defense. That means they should have nowhere to go but up. Cal should average about 35 points per game on offense; but with tough games at UCLA, and at home against Tennessee, Oregon State, and USC; the Golden Bears will need every point they can get. Cal could still only lose one game and another second-place finish in the Pac-10 should be expected.
15. Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers bounced back with a 9-4 season last year. Expect even more improvement in the second season under offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. Erik Ainge returns at quarterback and will hopefully be able to stay healthy. Ainge threw for 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions last season but he battled injuries throughout. Back-up Jonathan Crompton didn’t look quite ready when he had to take over for Ainge so Vols fans better hope Ainge can stay healthy. The Vols only return 11 starters overall and playing in the tough SEC definitely hurts, but only two losses shouldn’t be a surprise. The Vols have a top-10 talent base and if they can reach their potential then they should be a very solid team.
16. Georgia Bulldogs
The ‘Dawgs should be back to their outstanding ways this year. Georgia disappointed people last season when they finished 9-4, including four losses in five games, but this season should be different. The Bulldogs won their final three games of 2006 and should be positioned for more good things in 2007. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford made great strides at the end of last season and should be somebody to keep an eye on. Overall, the talent on offense is very good with seven starters returning. The defense finished eighth overall last season, but only returns three starters. The ‘Dawgs open the season with Oklahoma State, South Carolina, and Western Carolina at home so they might be able to buy some time in finding good defenders. Look for the Bulldogs to be a force by the time they play at Tennessee. Another four-loss season would be a disappointment in Athens.
17. Virginia Tech Hokies
The Hokies are my biggest dark horse to have an amazing season. Virginia Tech returns 16 starters from a team that lost only three games. I still wasn’t extremely impressed with VT last season, especially quarterback Sean Glennon, so that is why I place them 17th. The defense is a beast, though, as they finished first overall in 2006. If VT can improve on offense and remain great on defense then watch out. The biggest reason VT is a darkhorse, however, is what happened this spring. The VT shootings were horrendous, but I would look for that to somehow bond this team together and maybe produce a great season. Anything short of an ACC title is a huge disappointment for these Hokies.
18. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish sure did lose a lot from last season’s ten-win team. Gone are quarterback Brady Quinn, wide receivers Jeff Samardzija, Rhema McKnight, and running back Darius Walker. Overall, Notre Dame brings back only nine starters, plus the Fighting Irish always play one of the most difficult schedules in the nation. So right now you probably think I’m crazy, but I just have faith in Charlie Weis. I think Weis will surprise people and do a great job coaching. Weis has recruited well and has a top-10 caliber talent base to work with. Safety Tom Zbikowski returns on defense and should be a great leader for the young defense. If true freshman Jimmy Clausen starts at quarterback as expected then look for some rough patches but also look for no more than three losses.
19. Boise State Broncos
The Broncos had a dream season in ’06. Their popularity couldn’t be any higher after the amazing Fiesta Bowl, but their potential for the upcoming season could be. The Broncos should be good with running back Ian Johnson returning, but with Jared Zabransky and 10 other starters missing a repeat undefeated season will be hard to accomplish. Never-the-less the Broncos should win the WAC and have a small chance at doing the near-impossible and going undefeated again.
20. Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have certainly had their troubles over the last couple of years, but you just can’t deny the talent. I do have questions about the hiring of somebody in-program when the program has sank so much the past few years, but you can’t really say it was because of Randy Shannon. Shannon has done his part and kept the defense at the very top of the nation each and every year. Look for Shannon to bring accountability to the rest of the team and also don’t be surprised if quarterback Kyle Wright and wide receiver Lance Leggett finally reach their vast potentials. A two-loss season should be the perfect way to bounce back from last season’s horrible 7-6 record.
21. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks got a little bit of momentum going last season with their 10-4 record and then their fans and the program wanted to throw it all away. Houston Nutt was dogged by fans all off season and then lost his offensive coordinator and his five-star quarterback. This program could be on the verge of going in the toilet, but lucky for the ungrateful fans and coaches they have a superstar at running back. Darren McFadden is a great tailback and his back-up Felix Jones is a good back also. Arkansas’ fate rests on these two backs’ shoulders. I trust them and I expect the Razorbacks should have no problem reaching nine wins.
22. TCU Horned Frogs
Texas Christian is year in and year out one of the very best mid-major programs. The Horned Frogs have a great coach in Gary Patterson and they should once again be a good team in ’07. The Horned Frogs return monster defensive end Tommy Blake as well as eight other starters from the second-ranked defense in the country. The offense returns only four starters, but one of them is dynamic tailback Aaron Brown. The Horned Frogs will be very good and should easily win the Mountain West Conference. Don’t be surprised if the Horned Frogs only lose one game and that would be their match up against Texas, but also don’t be surprised if they surprise the Longhorns. That would make a good upset.
23. UCLA Bruins
Look who is back in the top 25. It is the UCLA Bruins. Karl Dorrell finally has everything in place to bring the Bruins back to the national spotlight. UCLA beat USC 13-9 last year, but finished the season 7-6. With a whopping 20 starters returning they should win many more games this year. Quarterback Ben Olsen returns and should be an upgrade over Patrick Cowen so look for at least nine wins and maybe more.
24. Boston College Eagles
Steady and consistent Tom O’Brien is gone as BC’s head coach, but will the program still stay steady and consistent? It is up to Jeff Jagodzinski to find out. The former Green Bay offensive coordinator will try to keep things running smoothly and with past ties to the program expect that to happen. The Eagles return 16 starters including senior quarterback Matt Ryan, and senior tailbacks L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender. Don’t expect a drop off in the program until next season. BC should get at least nine wins this year.
25. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State finished with a surprising 10 wins last season including a shocking 33-31 win over USC. Expect the good times to keep rolling for the Beavers. With 15 starters returning and stud tailback Yvenson Bernard back, the Beavers should win at least nine games.
Other teams to watch: Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Hawaii, Texas A&M, Wake Forest, and Brigham Young
Here are my thoughts on the winners and losers of the 2007 NBA Draft. You can’t really grade a draft until a couple of years have passed, but right now I’ll try to shed some light on what teams may have risked the future and what teams may be headed for good times.
Portland and Seattle are obvious winners since they got Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, respectively, but other teams had just as good of drafts if not better. Here are my three biggest winners:
1. Milwaukee Bucks Grade: A+
I loved what the Bucks did in the draft. The biggest need for Milwaukee was at the power forward position and they went out and addressed that by taking Yi Jianlian. While Yi’s representatives keep saying they won’t let him play in Milwaukee, I’d be surprised if he didn’t. Yi said himself that he will play in Milwaukee and in the end I think that is what will happen.
It is also worth congratulating GM Larry Harris for ignoring what Yi’s representation said and taking him anyway. The Bucks got what is possibly the third-best player in the draft at the sixth pick. That is real value.
In the end, Yi’s representation can say what they want, but this is a draft! You can’t choose where you play. You play where you were chosen. If Yi’s team forces a trade then I think they will miss out on what should be a great opportunity for the Chinese big man.
Yi should fit right in with the Bucks and Andrew Bogut. Yi and Michael Redd will stretch defenses and should allow Bogut to dominate inside. Charlie Villanueva is a similar player to Yi, but he should be able to play some small forward. A lineup with Bogut, Villanueva, and Yi in the frontcourt will be imposing on offense, although, they’ll also be horrible on defense. If nothing else, Yi will be able to play behind Villanueva for a few years until he matures.
The other pick of the Bucks was one of the best picks of the second round. With the 56th pick in the second round, Milwaukee took point guard Ramon Sessions of Nevada.
Sessions was said to be a possible late first-rounder or early second-rounder before the draft. While I believed all along Sessions was a solid second-rounder, I do believe that he is an excellent pick late in the second.
The Bucks had three big needs heading into the draft: power forward, small forward, and point guard. They came away with two of those three needs filled. Sessions has the potential to develop into a solid starting point guard, and should at least be a great back-up.
Sessions probably should have stayed in school another year, but he is in a good situation with the Bucks. Mo Williams is a free agent and will probably leave. While Sessions is probably not ready to start right now, it’s not too far fetched to see him develop and start a year or two years from now. He’s at least a good start for Milwaukee as a back-up option if Williams leave.
2. Golden State Warriors Grade: A
The Warriors wheeled and dealed on draft night and in the end that helped them get an A. I really loved the Jason Richardson for Brandan Wright trade. Unlike Stephen A. Smith, I believe this is a great move for both teams. Richardson brings the veteran scoring and leadership the Bobcats need, while the Warriors get an extremely talented frontcourt player that is a perfect fit for their system.
I must say that I was not at all enamored with the Bobcats selection of Wright. The last thing Charlotte needed was a 200 pound power forward whose best skill is blocking shots. Last time I checked, Emeka Okafor played pretty good defense.
Charlotte also didn’t need to take another Carolina player just to sell tickets. Raymond Felton and Sean May haven’t sold too many tickets or helped win too many games. So when Charlotte took Wright I figured his vast potential would be wasted, but not anymore.
Golden State is just the team for Wright. Wright fills a big need at power forward, and besides that look at his strengths--running, jumping, dunking, and blocking shots. What kind of big man do the Warriors need? They need ones that can run, jump, dunk, and block shots. Wright will be a big contributor from day one for Golden State.
I graded down a little since they had to trade an established performer like J-Rich, but it did free up salary that will really help in resigning young stars like Monta Ellis and Andris Beidrins. On talent alone, Wright is one of the top five players in this draft and teamed up with Beidrins in the front court the Warriors should have an excellent defensive duo for years to come.
However, I believe the Warriors second first round pick was their best selection because Marco Bellinelli fulfills one of the Warriors biggest needs at shooting guard. The Warriors took Bellinelli as just the right spot (18th) and didn’t reach at all. Bellinelli is also a foreign player so he will fit right in with Don Nelson’s up-tempo offense.
Bellinelli will bring excellent outside shooting to a squad that was already dangerous from the perimeter. I’m sure the Dallas Mavericks just love the thought of Bellinelli raining threes from the perimeter alongside Baron Davis and the rest of the Warriors.
The final pick for Golden State was Stephane Lasme at number 46. Lasme may not be the best runner but he has one excellent skill—blocking shots. The Warriors took Lasme a couple picks high for my taste. I’d rather seen Golden State take a good shooting small forward like Demetris Nichols or an athletic three-man like Quinton Hosley. With that said, Lasme is still a solid pick.
Lasme should immediately help contribute on the defensive side, much like former second-rounder Paul Millsap did for the Utah Jazz this year. He rounds out what should be a great 2007 draft class for the suddenly en vogue Warriors.
3. New Jersey Nets Grade: A
Okay, I know what you are saying. How can a team that takes a guy in the first round who was booted off his college team for smoking pot be in the winners circle? Easy, Williams is a heck of a talent.
I have my own problems with putting the Nets and Williams up here. I struggled with this choice. I read a couple of weeks ago that one executive said that Williams going in the first round shows exactly what is wrong with the NBA, and I do agree with that point.
However, from talent alone the Nets can’t go wrong with this pick. If Williams keeps clean, and yes that is a big if, then the Nets have the perfect guy to pair with Nenad Krstic down low. Williams was the best defensive player in this year’s draft besides a guy by the name of Oden.
New Jersey’s biggest need was for a frontcourt player that could play defense and complement the offensive-minded Krstic. Williams fills that role perfectly. New Jersey isn’t too far from competing for a Finals appearance. They just needed those big guys.
With a healthy Krstic, an improved and healthy Josh Boone, and Williams, the Nets have three bigs that should be able to really produce with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson. If healthy, expect bigger and better things from New Jersey next season.
Honorable Mention: Washington Wizards
Losers
Here are the three biggest losers besides Cleveland and Denver, who didn’t have picks:
1. Phoenix Suns Grade: F
Once again the Suns top my list of losers. Why do they keep selling picks? It is bad enough you gave away Luol Deng, then you gave away Nate Robinson and Sergio Rodriguez, and now Rudy Fernandez.
The Suns wouldn’t have a cash problem right now if they had kept Deng, because they would have quickly figured out, ‘Hey, Deng is better than Marion and makes a lot less,’ then it would have been bye-bye to Marion.
Deng is a growing star and will soon be one of the best players in the league. Marion on the other hand is near his peak and only complains about being a third wheel. If the Suns had Deng then they’d be better off, plus Marion could have netted them some nice complementary talent, of course it wouldn’t matter since D’Antoni only plays eight guys.
Anyway, this year the Suns once again sold their first pick, Rudy Fernandez, a guard from Spain. At first I was like, ‘Man, that’s an excellent pick-up for the Suns.’ Fernandez is just the type of player who would flourish in Phoenix’s system, and he’s an overseas player so they could stash him away for a couple of years. All the signs pointed to an A for Phoenix.
Then they sold him for cold-hard cash. What is funny is that Phoenix really thinks they can win it all with Marion, Amare Stoudemire, and Steve Nash…but they can’t. This team isn’t tough enough to get past San Antonio or Dallas. If they go out and replace Marion with Kevin Garnett then watch out, but I doubt that happens.
Phoenix actually kept their other first round pick, Alando Tucker. Unfortunately, Tucker will not be as good of a match as Fernandez.
I really like Tucker. He was a good four-year college player and in a system like Utah or San Antonio then I believe he could be a very good NBA player, but I just don’t see it happening in Phoenix.
Phoenix didn’t really need a small forward, but they still took Tucker. They also reached on Tucker who was more of an early-second round type talent.
Phoenix likes players who can shoot and run and neither is Tucker’s strong suit. Tucker is a tough-minded defensive player who is best down low. Phoenix needed toughness, but I just think they could have done better than Tucker at 29. An investment in foreign point guard Petteri Kopenon would have been a much better pick.
However, I did love Phoenix’s second round pick, D.J. Strawberry. He will prove to be a steal. Strawberry tested as the best athlete in the draft, he plays excellent defense, and he should have went about 10 picks earlier than 59. Plus, he fills a hole at shooting guard.
Just watch, Strawberry will eventually crack the rotation in Phoenix. If Strawberry goes to work each day and learns from Raja Bell then you’ll see a player that in a few years will be much better than Bell. Strawberry was just what the doctored ordered for Phoenix in the second round. Unfortunately, one good second round pick can’t erase two bad first round mistakes.
2. Toronto Raptors Grade: C
My main problem with Toronto is what they didn’t do. Toronto didn’t have a first-round pick because of a trade for Lamond Murray in 2002. Well, we all have seen how that trade worked out.
Murray never played as well for Toronto as he did for Cleveland. So that’s one first-rounder down the drain for a player who never really helped you out. The Raptors could have used that pick, #22 overall, on a player to fill their need for a shooting guard. You could have seen Rudy Fernandez playing in Toronto, but instead Toronto gets nothing. That trade automatically drops them down big in my mind.
All the rumors before the draft had Toronto talking trade with a number of first round teams like Atlanta and the Clippers. The biggest piece to a new pick would have been Jose Calderon.
I like Calderon and I understand that you need an insurance policy for the tiny T.J. Ford, but he’s only your back-up. Atlanta supposedly had a great interest in acquiring Calderon for the 11th pick, but Toronto didn’t want to give him up. This was stupid.
The Raptors could have traded into the first round and gotten Marco Bellinelli. Bellinelli would have been a perfect fit for Toronto and would have immediately upgraded their perimeter game. Instead, Toronto keeps Calderon who is good but will not start anytime soon.
I didn’t care much for Toronto’s second-round pick either. I know taking Giorgos Printezis in the second round isn’t much of a risk, but I think they could have done better. The Raps traded a 2008 second-rounder, which will probably be higher than the 58th pick, for the rights to Printezis.
I think Toronto would have been better off getting San Antonio to take the hard-nosed D.J. Strawberry with this pick or trading with Phoenix one spot later. Strawberry would have helped out at shooting guard and added some serious defense on the perimeter which Toronto really lacked last season. Instead, they took Printezis an international small forward who may or may not ever play in America.
The Raptors could have been a big winner had they traded into the first round and took Bellinelli or even if they had just gotten their hands on Strawberry. The shooting guard position went unaddressed and I think Toronto could have easily done something about that need and gave their team a much better shot in the Eastern Conference next season.
3. L.A. Clippers Grade: C+
The Clippers went from good two years ago to bad last year, and I doubt they’ll be any better next year. One reason is because this draft doesn’t help out.
I like Al Thornton. He’s a good scorer and really carried Florida State to some surprise victories last season. Unfortunately, Thornton is 23 and plays the same position as Corey Maggette. Thornton is also a bit of a combo forward and the Clips also have Elton Brand.
If the Clippers can get rid of Maggette then the Thornton selection could look better. The main thing I don’t like is that the Clips really needed a point guard and I think Acie Law IV would have been a perfect fit. Law plays the game with the same moxie as Sam Cassell, but without the negative personality.
The Clips should have tried to trade up to 8 or 10 and took Law. The Clips could have also took Javaris Crittenton at 14 or traded back and got him. The Clips really needed a point guard and while they got Jared Jordan in the second I don’t think he’s the real answer.
I do think that selecting Jordan was a solid pick. The Clippers had to take a point guard sometime, but my one problem is that Jordan was selected in the mid-second round. That’s a bit high considering Jordan has little to no shot and even less athleticism.
Plus, Ramon Sessions and national champion Taurean Green were still available. Green would have been a much better and safer pick than Jordan.
The Clippers could have had a better draft if they had taken Crittenton in the first and Taurean Green in the second. That would have really helped fix that point guard problem, but that is why they are the Clippers.
The Vikings had the best draft by far and it was because of their excellent selections from the second round through the fifth. The selections of Sidney Rice, Marcus McCauley, Brian Robison, and Aundrae Allison were all some of the best picks in each round.
Minnesota’s biggest need in the draft was at wide receiver where Troy Williamson has turned out to be a bust. The selections of Rice, Allison, and Chandler Williams will significantly upgrade the receiving corp. Rice has excellent hands and while he lacks speed he should provide a steady receiver for the Vikings with the possibility of becoming a number one wideout down the road. Rice being from South Carolina could also help get his former teammate Williamson back on track. The Vikings hope so.
Allison is a blazer who ran in the 4.3s at the NFL combine. He should be a great compliment to the slower Rice. Allison is truly a third round talent and landing him in the fifth round was extremely good value. Williams was a seventh round pick and is very small at 5’10” and 190 pounds, but he stands a good chance at making the roster with the dearth of quality receivers. Williams was a great choice because the Vikings need receivers and have nothing to lose by taking the Florida International product.
Minnesota’s other two big needs were at defensive end and cornerback. The selections of McCauley and Robison will help solidify those positions. McCauley, a third-round pick, has the skills that belong to a second-round pick and the size that belongs to a first-round pick. Had his production not dropped off during his senior year at Fresno State then McCauley is probably staring at a late first-round/early second-round selection. McCauley has all the tools to become a big-time corner and if he can put it all together than the Vikings will have a steal of a pick.
The Vikings have talent at defensive end with Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus James so it’s kind of puzzling why there is not more production. Robison should help challenge both Udeze and James to produce more or he may even take one of the ends’ starting positions. Robison should help from day one on special teams and has the tools to eventually succeed as a rush end in the Cover 2 defense.
The Vikings had three other selections in the draft and those were all solid picks as well. Rufus Alexander of Oklahoma was a very good pickup in the sixth round. Alexander was a first day talent and it’s surprising that with his production he slipped. Alexander is undersized but makes plays and while the Vikings didn’t need anymore help at linebacker, the value of taking Alexander in the sixth round is unmistakable.
The selection of quarterback Tyler Thigpen is somewhat questionable, but the need for a quarterback was there. Taking a raw prospect with solid tools like Thigpen is a risk, but using a seventh round pick to do so is not too big of a risk. The Vikings took a developmental quarterback, Tarvaris Jackson, in the second round last year so you would think that maybe they would go with somebody more polished like Chris Leak of Florida, who would have been an excellent fit for the West Coast offense. I still think Thigpen was a solid selection, but Leak would have been a better pick.
The worst pick for the Vikings was running back Adrian Peterson. It’s hard to say such a thing because Peterson is a phenomenal talent at running back. Peterson can do it all and if he can avoid injuries then he should become an upper-echelon running back in the NFL. The problem I have is that Minnesota had very little need for a running back besides maybe taking a late flyer on one. With Chester Taylor in the backfield, the Vikes had many other needs on the table. I also find it hard to believe they couldn’t field any trade offers for the pick. Even with all that, Peterson is still a solid pick and was the second-rated player on my board.
The Vikings worst pick has the potential to be a Hall-of-Famer. That should tell you all you need to know about their draft.
Grade: A
2. Denver Broncos
Four picks, four A’s. The Bronco’s have been bashed on television, and in magazines for their picks. I will not bash them. In fact I feel that they had an excellent draft even if they did take character risks. With their veteran team the Broncos should be able to reign in these characters and help them reach their massive potential.
I think the best pick of the Broncos is one that has been universally regarded around the sports world as their worst pick, Marcus Thomas. Thomas is a defensive tackle from the University of Florida. Instead of being a key member of the national championship team, Thomas was instead kicked off for not meeting his responsibilities and obligations. This was after Thomas had been suspended for marijuana use. So is Thomas a character risk? Yes a huge character risk, but before the suspension and all the trouble, Thomas flashed the ability of a top-10 pick. The Broncos had a big need for a game-changing defensive tackle and may have found their answer in the fourth round. I believe Thomas is an excellent selection and will find a way to get past his troubled past.
Overall, the Broncos had a huge need for game-changers on the defensive line and they realized that. The Broncos used three of their four picks on defensive linemen and this should eventually help turn a problem into a plus. The first and second round picks were defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder. The Broncos traded up to get Moss and the gamble should pay off. Moss missed games over the last few years with a variety of ailments, but most of them were fluke injuries. Moss has excellent speed off the corner and while he is lanky and undersized at 6’5” and 256 lbs. the Florida prospect should get better and better. Crowder is a thicker end at 6’3” and 271 lbs. and while he doesn’t possess Moss’ tools, he does have a non-stop motor. Crowder, Moss, and Thomas should combine to fill out three of the Broncos four starting line spots in the future.
The non-defensive line pick was offensive tackle Ryan Harris of Notre Dame. Denver had a legitimate need for a tackle after trading away George Foster, and Harris should help fill that need. Harris fits the Denver cut-blocking scheme as he weighs only 292 lbs. but has excellent quickness, footwork, and athleticism. He should join the history of solid Denver offensive linemen.
The Broncos realized a huge need and attacked it full force. This is how you remain a top team for years and years as Denver has done.
Grade: A
3. Houston Texans
Houston is another team that I picked even though they have been ridiculed for their picks. Last year, everybody booed Houston and I said they had an excellent draft. While the verdict is still out on Mario Williams, Houston did select the defensive rookie of the year in DeMeco Ryans. Houston had another good draft this year and I think they deserve credit for that.
Houston had three really excellent picks and it all started with the selection of Fred Bennett at cornerback in the fourth round. Houston had a great need for defensive backs and Bennett has the talent to really help out. Bennett has excellent size and speed. If he can improve his technique and fluidity then he could become a solid to premium starter in the Houston defensive backfield.
The other excellent selections were tackle Brandon Frye at offensive tackle in the fifth round and linebacker Zach Diles in the seventh round. Houston has needed a solid offensive tackle ever since they re-joined the league. Frye may not be the answer, but spending a fifth round pick on him is an excellent chance to take. Frye is raw, but at 6’4” and 305 lbs. he has the physical ability to eventually become a solid starter or better. Frye needs a lot of coaching but he should get it in Houston.
Diles also has great physical tools as he runs in the 4.6 range while coming in at a size of 6’2” and 233 lbs. Diles has a lot of potential and while Houston doesn’t have a great need for a linebacker, they could have taken a linebacker on the first day and nobody would have complained. Diles is the kind of seventh-round pick that has a chance of becoming a starter given the opportunity.
Houston took a first-round defensive lineman again this year. This time is was Amobi Okoye and what a pick he is. Okoye has excellent physical tools and at 19 years of age should only get better. With Okoye, Williams, and Travis Johnson the Texans have the talent to field a dominant defensive line. So it will be interesting to see if they can even scratch that massive potential. Okoye was a great pick-up and is really somebody that you want representing your organization.
The Texans’ third-pick, Jacoby Jones was also a good pick. The wide receiver from tiny Lane University was a bit of a reach, but the need for receiver was there. Jones at 6’2” and 191 pounds runs a 4.49 and will face a steep move in competition. What gives Jones a real chance at succeeding is the fact that he is a quality route-runner. When you run excellent routes then you have a chance to succeed in the NFL no matter what your physical tools.
The Texans did have some bad picks in Brandon Harrison and Kasey Studdard. Studdard, a guard from Texas, was Houston’s sixth-round pick. Houston’s real offensive line holes are at tackle, not at guard. Studdard has the talent to justify the pick, but Houston could have used somebody who could play a little offensive tackle and Studdard cannot fill that role.
Harrison was the worst pick. Harrison, a safety from Stanford, was a major reach in the fifth round. Harrison is more of an in-the-box safety and doesn’t have hardly any cover skills. Houston’s defensive backfield needs players that can cover, not players that are extra linebackers.
It’s true the Texans didn’t do enough to help Matt Schaub, but when have the Texans ever been known for having a good defense? They are rapidly assembling the pieces to become a good defense and that will in itself help take pressure off of Schaub.
Grade: A
Honorable Mention: San Francisco, Cleveland, Arizona, Kansas City
Losers
1. New Orleans Saints
The Saints found excellent small-school players last year in Marques Colston and Jahri Evans. Apparently, the Saints’ success with small-school players has made them change their draft approach to focusing on small-school talent because how else can you explain choices from Towson, Wingate, Kent State, and Akron.
The worst pick for the Saints was Jermon Bushrod of Towson. The pick gets a big fat F in my book. New Orleans did not even need to draft an offensive linemen, but they still took Bushrod in the fourth round and guard Andy Alleman of Akron in the third round. Alleman was a reach and Bushrod was a huge reach. The Saints didn’t need to take offensive linemen and if they were going to take them then they shouldn’t have reached.
The Saints botched their first and second round picks as well. Wide receiver is a need for the Saints but not one that required a first-day pick. So the selection of Robert Meachem in the first round was really a luxury, and one they couldn’t afford with their holes at linebacker and cornerback.
The second round selection of Usama Young was a semi-solid pick. There is no doubt the Saints need a corner but why take one from Kent State. Young is only 5’11” 194 lbs. and runs a 4.46. The physical tools aren’t really there and the competition level isn’t there, but the Saints needed a corner bad so at least they took one.
The Saints took another corner in the fifth round as they selected David Jones of Wingate, once again a small-school kid and one that doesn’t have great physical gifts. Jones is no-doubt a reach, but with the immense need for corners and the pick coming in the fifth round it’s a little bit easier to make a reach. For that reason I say Jones was a good pick.
Another good pick for the Saints was tailback Antonio Pittman in the fourth. I didn’t like the fact that the Saints traded up for Pittman as they had absolutely zero need for a running back. Pittman is a second-round caliber talent, though, and it’s amazing that he even fell to the fourth round. For that reason, I give the selection of Pittman a good grade.
The best pick for the Saints was their final pick. Taking linebacker Marvin Mitchell in the seventh round filled the need for a linebacker, while grabbing a player that has more talent than the usual seventh-rounder. An added-plus is that Mitchell is capable of playing middle linebacker. Mitchell is injury-prone and lacks speed, but he is a very good tackler and with the Saints lack of talented linebackers should see the field often enough to make an impact. Mitchell can develop into a starter and is an excellent pick for the Saints.
The Saints must realize that one playoff appearance doesn’t solve everything and that they still have holes at linebacker and cornerback.
Grade: D
2. Indianapolis Colts
Good thing the Colts won the Super Bowl because they had a horrible draft. Part of that is probably because of the Super Bowl victory. The Colts have really been able to select the best players available in the last couple of years because they haven’t had many needs. After winning the Super Bowl, though, the Colts were raided in free agency and as a result have a lot more pressing needs than usual. The Colts would unfortunately end up neglecting a majority of those needs.
The Colts had two absolutely horrendous picks. Those picks are the selection of safety Brannon Condren in the fourth round and defensive end Keyunta Dawson in the seventh round. The Colts need cornerbacks in the secondary, not safeties and they should not have selected Condren in the fourth round. The need wasn’t there and Condren, from Troy State, is not talented enough to justify a fourth-round selection.
Defensive end is also another area that there is no need at. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis hold down the starting positions and the backups are solid. So why do you take Dawson? Dawson, from Texas Tech, was not talented enough to get drafted and if the Colts wanted him they could have signed him as an undrafted free agent. The Colts had bigger needs like running back, quarterback, and guard and could have instead selected a developmental quarterback like Chris Leak to work with.
Another bad pick for the Colts was the selection of wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez in the first round. Gonzalez is not a first-round prospect, and the Colts did not need to take a receiver on day one. If they wanted a receiver so bad, Dwayne Jarrett was on the board and he has better physical tools and hands than Gonzalez. The worst thing about the pick really is that the Colts passed on Paul Posluszny. Posluszny is going to be an NFL starter and possibly a Pro Bowler. The Colts lost Cato June and then passed on Posluszny who would have been an excellent fit for Indianapolis’ Tampa 2 scheme.
The Colts made three solid selections with their pickups of offensive tackle Tony Ugoh, wide receiver Roy Hall, and cornerback Michael Coe. I didn’t agree with the Colts giving away their first round pick next year to get Ugoh. Ugoh is definitely a first-round talent. I had him as the last first-round caliber talent and the Colts have plenty of skills to work with in the big tackle from Arkansas, but considering how much they needed an offensive tackle (should have spent day two pick not day one pick) and how much they gave up for him this pick was only solid instead of good.
Taking Hall in the fifth round was another solid pick. There were a lot of receivers with more talent than Hall and for that reason I graded the Colts down. They took two Ohio State receivers and both times there were many receivers on the board that were better. Being in the fifth round, though, wide receiver is the kind of second day selection that the Colts should make.
The Colts needed to take a corner sometime on the second day and did that by taking Alabama State product Coe. Coe is a big corner at 6’1” and 187 pounds. He is slow with a 4.55, but he fits the Tampa 2 scheme. Coe is a bit of a reach in the fifth round because he probably would have went undrafted had the Colts not taken him, but a solid pick none-the-less.
Two of the Colts’ better selections were cornerback Daymeion Hughes and outside linebacker Clint Sessions. Hughes, a third-round pick from California, is a great fit for the Tampa 2 scheme. Hughes has great hands and could start this year. Hughes has the talent of a second-round pick and had he ran faster than 4.5 would have been a mid-first round selection. He is a very good pick.
Sessions was a good fourth round pick. The Colts’ biggest need area in the draft was outside linebacker and Session helps fill that need. Session is quite a reach for a fourth-round selection, but the Colts desperately needed a linebacker and Session’s body type (6’0” 233 lbs.) fits the Tampa 2 scheme.
The best pick of the draft for Indianapolis was defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock of Ohio State. The Colts took the college All-American in the third round and he is a great selection for the champions. Pitcock is undersized at 6’2” and 301 lbs., and he overachieved in college. Even with all that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him succeed in the NFL, especially with a team like the Colts. Pitcock is a blue-collar type that will work till the whistle, and he’s just the kind of player that can help steady what was a horrendous run defense last year.
The Colts abandoned needs and reached for players, but unlike years past I have a feeling they will not be able to overcome those areas of needs.
Grade: D+
3. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have had a horrible offseason so far as they have lost Travis Henry and Drew Bennett to free agency, and Pacman Jones to a suspension. They really needed a good draft and with 10 picks they were in good position to do just that. Unfortunately, they squandered their two most important picks.
The worst picks for the Titans were their first and second round selections. The Titans had absolutely zero need for a safety, but they still took Michael Griffin of Texas in the first round. First off, I didn’t even grade Griffin as a first round talent so taking him with the 19th pick is ridiculous. Second off, the Titans passed on a home-state wide receiver in Robert Meachem of Tennessee. Meachem would have filled a huge hole at receiver, while increasing fan appeal. The Griffin selection was probably the worst pick in the entire draft.
The second round wasn’t much better as the Titans took Chris Henry of Arizona. Henry, a running back, does fit a need but not a great need. The Titans needed to take a running back this weekend but not on Saturday. I guess they just had to have a running back even though they selected LenDale White in the second round last year. So instead of grabbing somebody that was very productive in college like Antonio Pittman or Michael Bush, the Titans select workout-wonder Henry. Henry had a horrible college career and only gained 500 yards last year at Arizona. Just because he is 6’0” 227 lbs and runs a 4.4 doesn’t mean he is a great talent. He had no production and as a result this was the worst pick of the second round. The Henry selection is just a really bad pick
After two rounds, the Titans had the worst selections in both the first and second round and were headed to a monumentally bad draft but they rebounded by scoring excellent grades on half of their final eight picks, and great grades on two of the other four picks.
The Titans needed wide receivers bad and though they passed on Meachem they did take solid receivers in the third, fourth, and sixth rounds. In the third round, the Titans made a great pick in Paul Williams of Fresno State. Williams underachieved at Fresno State, but he has great physical tools at 6’1” 200 lbs and 4.43 speed. Williams had enough college production to justify a third-round selection, unlike the lack of justification with the Henry pick.
In the fourth round, the Titans made one of the best picks in the round when they took Florida State speedster Chris Davis. Vince Young needs guys who can stretch the field and that is exactly what the diminutive Davis does. Da vis also adds to the punt return game which is big with the loss of Jones.
The sixth round selection of Joel Filani was one of the best picks of that round. Filani should have gone a round earlier and with the Titans’ needs at receiver this made for an excellent selection. Filani is big and should provide a reliable target over the middle for Young.
The other excellent selections for the Titans came in the sixth and seventh rounds. Tennessee helped fill their massive need at cornerback in the sixth round by taking Florida corner Ryan Smith. Smith has first-day talent and it’s surprising that he slipped to the sixth round. Smith is undersized, but has good hands and makes a lot of plays. He should develop into a quality corner for Tennessee.
In the seventh round, Tennessee took offensive tackle Mike Otto of Purdue. Otto is another guy who fell for some reason or another. He should have went two rounds earlier and the Titans were lucky to get him in the seventh. Otto is 6’5” 307 lbs. and reminds some of current Titan’s tackle Michael Roos. He should be at least a solid back-up for the Titans.
The second great pick was defensive tackle Antonio Johnson of Mississippi State. The Titans had a great need for a defensive tackle and Johnson should help fill that need. Johnson, a fifth-round pick, is raw but has excellent skills to work with. If the Titans can coach him up then there is no reason that Johnson could not become every bit the player that current Titan Randy Starks is.
The Titans had two other draft selections in fourth-round pick Leroy Harris and sixth-round pick Jacob Ford. Harris, a center from NC State, can help out on the offensive line and is a good pickup for Tennessee. Ford, a defensive end from Central Arkansas, is undersized but has some good tools for Tennessee coaches to work with so he was a solid pick.
Tennessee’s horrible first two picks eclipse what was a number of solid picks from round three through seven.
This year should be another good year of NBA ball. What we will see and what to expect is hard to figure out. The good teams from last year should be good again this year but expect some surprises. It seems like there is always at least one. With that said, I’m going to go with the San Antonio Spurs this year. I believe with a rested and healthy Tim Duncan they should be the team to beat. The New Jersey Nets are my favorites from the East.
Eastern Conference Finals: Nets over Pistons
Western Conference Finals: Spurs over Mavericks
NBA Finals: Spurs over Nets in 6
Here are the rest of my predictions:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Look for the New Jersey Nets to win the Atlantic Division easily. With the additions of rookies Marcus Williams and Josh Boone plus veteran Eddie House the bench that held the Nets back last year has been fortified. The Nets should get the second seed in the East and look for them to hit their stride in the playoffs. A trip to the Finals should be final destination for the Nets. The Philadelphia 76ers will finish second in the Atlantic but don’t expect a winning record. I like the addition of Rodney Carney but with Allen Iverson and Chris Webber still on the team don’t look for much improvement on last season. The Boston Celtics have plenty of talent but its all young talent. So don’t expect much improvement from the Celtics and look for another of Paul Pierce’s prime seasons to be wasted. The New York Knicks are a joke. They might win 25 games this season. Luckily for them, Isiah Thomas should be gone at the end of the year. Only then will there be some light for this franchise. Finally, you have the Toronto Raptors. I like the hiring of Bryan Colangelo and the trade for T.J. Ford, but I don’t like putting so much faith in European players like Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa. They might make me look wrong but right now I just don’t feel they will succeed in the NBA. With that said, the Raptors are my pick to be the worst team in the NBA this season.
Southeast Division
There should be three playoff teams from this division starting with the defending champion Miami Heat. Don’t expect any championships from the Heat this year. The Heat will win the division but won’t win as many games and won’t go as far in the playoffs. Look for less than 50 wins and a three seed. The Heat’s age will become very apparent this year and a second-round exit at the hands of the Nets should be the end of their championship defense. The Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic will be the other two playoff teams from the division. Both teams will struggle to make .500 but should still get into the overall weak Eastern Conference playoffs. Losing Jared Jeffries really hurts the Wizards defensively. The Magic, meanwhile, will show marked improvement over last season as Darko Milicic blossoms into a frontcourt stud alongside Dwight Howard. The Charlotte Bobcats should reach 30 wins this year and expect Adam Morrison to be a big part of that. The Atlanta Hawks should be their same dreadful self. Don’t believe that Speedy Claxton is the answer at point guard, maybe Chris Paul was but the Hawks blew that shot.
Central Division
The rest of the Eastern Playoffs teams will come from this division as every team in the division should compete for a spot. The Detroit Pistons will be fine in the regular season without Ben Wallace. Look for the Pistons to even get the first seed in the Eastern playoffs as they reach the high 50s in wins. Where losing Ben Wallace hurts is in the playoffs and the Pistons won’t reach the Finals without him. The Cleveland Cavaliers will once again get a four seed in the playoffs and once again fall to the Pistons in the second round. LeBron is great but still needs help that just isn’t there. A healthy Larry Hughes just won’t make that much of a difference. The Indiana Pacers will be better this year. Without Ron Artest’s problems for a year and with the additions of Al Harrington and Marquis Daniels, the Pacers should be much refreshed and claim the five seed in the playoffs. The Chicago Bulls are everybody’s darling this year and everybody is pegging them for big things. Well, not me. The Bulls didn’t add much besides veteran leadership in Ben Wallace. That’s without mentioning that Wallace is 32 years old and could very well be on the decline. I like the addition of P.J. Brown more than Wallace, but in the end the Bulls are the same as last year. They have no inside scoring threat and not one single dominant go-to scorer. Ben Gordon can be for spurts but not for a whole playoff series. The Bulls will lose to the Heat in the first round again this year. The Milwaukee Bucks are a team that will probably do about the same as they did last year. Trading T.J. Ford for Charlie Villanueva is a move that will probably work for the Bucks but not this year. They still need to get a point guard because Mo Williams is a better back up than starter. Don’t look for a return to the playoffs, but the Bucks will come extremely close to making it.
Western Conference
Southwest Division
The San Antonio Spurs will be back this year. Expect 63 wins, the number one seed, and the NBA Championship. The Spurs were good last year but Tim Duncan’s injuries really hurt the team in the playoffs. Duncan should be healthy this year after resting in the off-season and if Manu Ginobili can stay healthy then Spurs will have the right mix of defense and offense to win it all this year. The Dallas Mavericks should get the number two seed this year with the new seeding rules. But last year’s seeding was more advantageous because the Mavs faced the Spurs in the second round instead of the third. This year the Mavs will face the Spurs in the third round and won’t beat them as they did last year. Also look for playoff years from the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. Many are predicting that the Grizzlies will be horrible this year but don’t believe that. The Grizzlies play excellent defense and will be able to weather Gasol’s loss. Rudy #### will surprise a lot of people and should be a solid player for years to come. Look for the Grizzlies to hover around .500 and then take off once Gasol comes back. The Houston Rockets should be much improved over last season especially if Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming can stay healthy. The additions of Shane Battier and Bonzi Wells really help out too. Don’t expect either the Grizzlies or Rockets to make it past the first round though. The New Orleans Hornets should improve to .500 this year with the additions of Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic. I also like the additions of long rookies Cedric Simmons and Hilton Armstrong. The Hornets would be a playoff team in the East.
Northwest Division
The Utah Jazz will win this weak division. The Jazz should be much improved from last year and it all starts with the continued maturation of Deron Williams. The Jazz play good defense and if Williams improves as he should then the Jazz will grab the third seed in the playoffs and make it past the first round. The Minnesota Timberwolves will be back in the winning column this year but it won’t be enough to make the playoffs. The addition of tough point guard Mike James will help the squad win but will hurt super rookie Randy Foye’s development. This may be Kevin Garnett’s last season with Minnesota. I think the Denver Nuggets will really regress this year. I have a feeling that they won’t make the playoffs or pull down a winning record. There is definitely talent on the squad with Carmelo Anthony, Andre Miller, and Marcus Camby, but there are too many bad attitudes like Kenyon Martin, Nene, and J.R. Smith. Look for the team to struggle at some point in the season and then look for the wheels to come off and fingers to be pointed. This will likely be coach George Karl’s last year with the squad if that happens. The Seattle Supersonics and Portland Trail Blazers will be horrible once again. Seattle will be worse than last year and because of that look for the team to be dismantled at the end of the year. Rashard Lewis, Luke Ridnour, and even Ray Allen could be gone from a squad that is just terrible on defense. The Trail Blazers will improve some over last year but don’t expect 30 wins. I think the Trail Blazers have many bright spots on the team but unfortunately they still have plenty of ugly stains too. Brandon Roy, Jarrett Jack, Martell Webster, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Joel Przybilla should all be bright spots for years to come but unless the Trail Blazers can get rid of plagues like Zach Randolph and Darius Miles then it won’t matter.
Pacific Division
This division contains my biggest surprise for the upcoming season. That surprise is the downfall of the Phoenix Suns. I really do not expect the Suns to make the playoffs. I don’t expect Amare Stoudamire to play the whole season and frankly I don’t expect him to ever reach the level he had before his knee injury. Steve Nash has had two years injury free but I have a feeling age and injuries will catch him. If that happens then the Suns will not be anywhere near as good as they have been the last two years. The Suns have squandered too many good draft picks the last couple of years and it will catch up with them this year as the bench is just not deep enough. I expect a .500 finish for Phoenix and no trip to the playoffs. My pick for the division winner is the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers won’t win 47 games again but the
