Sleeper Team: Milwaukee Bucks: Last year's record: (46-36), Predicted record: (44-38)
You're probably wondering how this team can be a sleeper if my predicted record is worse than their record last year. Well the top three teams in the East rankings will have a ton of wins and this conference is a lot tougher. I still think the Bucks are flying under the radar in the league, and not too many people know how good this team can actually be. I like these Bucks because of the offseason moves they've made and the fact that they've added a lot more depth to their roster, especially their bench (CDR, Keyon Dooling, and Larry Sanders) which already has Carlos Delfino, Ersan Ilyasova, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Last year this team could not score to save their lives, but this year they have some guys who can. Let's start with their best player, Brandon Jennings. Now this guy loves putting on a show for me and Josh, it seemed like everytime we watched him play last year he put up buckets (55 against the Warriors, witnessed, 16 straight points or more against the Hawks in the playoffs, witnessed, etc.) The one thing about Young Money that worries me is a sophomore slump and his terrible shot selection, but I think he won't drop off and he'll have a good season maybe similar to last. John Salmons is a question mark cause he never plays basketball until he is traded to a new team in the second half of the season. Corey Maggette is solid, super buff, and will score but shoot in high volume to score. Drew Gooden is a good NBA role-playing power forward and he will be just that. Lastly, Andrew Bogut, the key to this team's success. last year he had that horrific arm injury, but he should be back to full strength soon, and this man's game is beautiful (unselfish, underrated passer, and good post-moves). He is definitely a top 5 center and that inside/outside game of he and Brandon will work well. If this team puts it all together, they can actually crack the top 4 in the East, but there's a lot of "ifs" mainly because this team's second option (Salmons) and third option (Maggette) in scoring are guys that need the ball in their hands all the time to be effective and scoring is this teams' biggest concern.
"I like big Bucks and I cannot lie" - Scott Van Pelt
5) Chicago Bulls: Last year's record: (41-41), Predicted record: (45-37)
The Bulls have spent the last two seasons? I believe as the 8 seed in the East. They had front office issues and a pretty bad coach in Vinny Del Negro. However this season, they've made some very solid offseason moves, first with their coach, Tom Thibodeau, who will definitely bring that winning mentality with him from Boston, and then with their offseason acquisitions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson, and yes even Kurt Thomas (solid). The Bulls can be a dangerous team because of their starting five, especially with Derrick Rose and his limitless potential and I truly believe that this will be his breakout season (plus he was my second round pick in my fantasy draft, so he better come through). If the man says "I don't know what's stopping me from being the best player in the league this year" then I am convinced as long as he learned how to shoot a jumper this offseason. The rest of the lineup has Ronnie Brewer (excellent role player, in my opinion the third-best defender in the league at guarding Kobe) although Keith Bogans may end up starting, Luol Deng (X-factor of the team), Carlos Boozer (he'll fit in fine and get double doubles when he returns from the broken hand, but if he doesn't, this team can drop off immensely), and lastly Joakim Noah (one of the most underrated centers in the league, plays his role perfectly). The one thing that makes me doubtful of this team is its depth, their bench is pretty bad. If Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson, and Taj Gibson are your best bench players, that may be a problem, but then again, Korver provides the offense to Brewer's defense, and Kurt Thomas and Taj Gibson just add minutes to a strong starting frontcourt, and Rose will definitely play 38+ minutes a night. This team won't be the most fun to watch, but they'll be solid all-year, barring any injuries. They'll be out in the first round losing to my 4th ranked team though.
"My shorty always on some "Bull"shit like Chicago so I flip that middle finger and the index finger follow"- Kevin McCall
Less wins predicted for this year than last year does not make me think of the Hawks as being worse than last year. I just believe that with a stronger conference, their record will decline just a little bit. The Hawks aren't much different than last year, they didn't make too many significant offseason moves besides Josh Powell and trading for Jordan Crawford (who I really like, and he did dunk on LeBron, just saying.) on draft night and all they lost was Joe "Beast" a.k.a. Joe Smith. The biggest change this team made is their coach, from Mike Woodson to Larry Drew (fun fact: his son was the starting pg for North Carolina last year) and his new Princeton-style offense. The team on paper is actually really good. Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams, their frontcourt, are still young and have a room full of potential. Horford is a beast in the paint, I had Josh Smith as high as 6th on my fantasy board and he is a poor man's LeBron, and Marvin Williams is this teams X-factor, but I hate Marvin Williams cause he will never play to his potential, such a waste. The backcourt is another year older, but should be exactly the same, Joe Johnson won't drop off much and he'll stay hoisting those shots, Jamal Crawford won't be as great and he'll stay hoisting those shots, and Mike Bibby will most likely start declining and he'll still stay hoisting those shots, but that's why I'm super high on Jeff Teague because I think he will be a very good backup for Bibby and be their best bench player. The Hawks could be scary if they put it all together, but when do they ever? Sorry, out in the second round of the playoffs for these guys to the 2nd ranked team.
"They be jockin and they Hawkin, I call them hoes Josh Smith" - Wale
The Magic are a dangerous, very dangerous team, but many things must fall in place for them to be on that level. Matt Barnes is gone, but Chris Duhon and QRich have been added, and Malik Allen as well. I would say I am one of the toughest critics of Dwight Howard and when I watch him play he gets me really angry. Yes he gets hacked and takes a beating inside by all opposing players, but he could be the best center to ever play the game, no lie, but he is following the footsteps of Shaq and settling for dominant but not the best ever. This will be his seventh year in the league and he still has no hook shot, it's flat. Patrick Ewing has been basically his personal assistant for the last however many years and he hasn't learned how to even get a touch on a jump shot from 10 ft. How is that possible?? And even though he lacks an offensive skill set, the man averages 18 and 13 for his career, but just imagine if he just learned one of those facets of the game. He's worked with Hakeem the Dream this offseason and hopefully he learned something cause this team is all on the shoulders of Superman and he can take them very far, far enough to beat the Heat and the C's. The rest of the team is really the same. Word around the league is that Jameer Nelson is in shape and primed for his best season, Vince Carter is a phonie and doesn't know what "team basketball" is and I actually believe J.J. Redick deserves more playing time, Rashard Lewis will be Rashard Lewis but a year older, and I don't even know who their fourth starter is, Pietrus? Brandon Bass? Regardless, they need a new fourth starter because Pietrus and Bass are great bench players, and this team has a good bench, but I really wish they signed someone like Al Harrington to be their 4. Overall, they can achieve a lot and I truly believe Dwight will actually have an improved offensive game this year, but this team is out in the 2nd Round to the 1st ranked team.
"Get some rebounds Dwwwwigghhhht!!!" - Stan Van Gundy
What hasn't been said about this team already? In a summer night in July, LeBron James turned the Miami Heat into the NBA's version of the New York Yankees. You can either hate this team, from my best friend Calvin: "I hope when LeBron goes back to Cleveland, a fan shoots him, actually I hope a fan runs on to the court and cripples him like Tonya Harding." or you may love this team. One thing I do know, is that this team will win many games this year and they will be a joy to watch. Chemistry is not lacking and the "Super Friends" will have no problem sharing the spotlight. As for the roster, it's stacked and the man wearing number 6 is playing mad at the world. Just look at his preseason stats and I don't care if it's preseason, he'll average close to a triple double when it counts, trust. Eventually this will be LeBron's team as the offense is already run through him, but D. Wade will be the primary scorer, and Bosh will be the biggest beneficiary of these two (two footers, offensive rebounds, and dunks for days) and Pat Riley has done a hell of a job filling out the rest of the roster as well. With this team, it's honestly pick your poison, you can stop one or two of the stars, but you're not gonna stop the third. And even if all three sturggle one night, there will be nights where Mike Miller picks up the slack, Mario Chalmers will have some big games, Udonis Haslem will be the same (defense, mid-range jumper, and boards) which is perfect, and Big Z, Joel Anthony, Carlos Arroyo, James Jones, Eddie House, Stack, and whoever else is on this team will fit their roles fine. The biggest concern I have for this team is their center, and there's a team in Southern California who I believe have an answer for these guys. The Heat are ranked 2nd now but eventually they will finish the season ranked 1st, I'm just not ready to give them that spot until they play some real games together. As for where they'll finish, they'll be in the Finals, but you'll have to wait to see how they finish tomorrow.
"I keep three Heats on me: 45, glock, and a gauge, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, & D. Wade" - The Game
Last season I really didn't like this Boston team at all. Not until I got to watch the brilliance of my favorite point guard in the league, Rajon Rondo, during the playoffs and witness my favorite coach, Doc Rivers, call the show. This Celtics team is really old, and the window of opportunity closes after this year. This is a must-win-championship season for these guys and they've made all the moves to make a final good run and they've done it by revamping that bench. I know a lot of people criticize the signing of Shaq, but I love it. He looks like he's in great shape and he will provide that offense that Kendrick Perkins lacks, oh and 6 extra fouls for Dwight. Jermaine O'Neal, he'll fit in nicely as well (6 fouls to put on Dwight, solid interior offense, and he'll get put on a poster a couple times this year). However, my favorite offseason move this team made was signing Delonte West. Even though he has offcourt issues, a 10-game suspension, and does freestyle raps outside of KFC, the dude plays defense and can score the basketball, he just fits this team so well. The rest of the bench include Marquis Daniels (good defender), and Shrek & Donkey, Glen Davis (6 fouls for Dwight, mid-range jumper, cry-baby) and Nate Robinson (can light it up, but kill a team with decisions). The starting five is the same, except for Perkins who is out for the first half of the season and more, whcih is actually really important because he actually does everything right on this team, offensive boards and shot blocking, which they really missed in Game 7 last year. Rondo will be a year older and a year better, Sugar Ray will be on the decline, but that's why they have Delonte, and Jesus Shuttlesworth still has the prettiest jumper in the league. Everyone expects Paul Pierce to decline, but this guy stays the same, super unorthodox game, but super effective. But the most important player will be Kevin Garnett. If he can be 75% of the KG the year they won their first title, they will be ok. This teams' fortune is all on their health, and I highly doubt they will all stay healthy during the course of the season. But they will be around in the playoffs and there is nothing that beats experience. This team will fall short though in the conference finals to the Heat, but for now until proven otherwise, they're still the Eastern Conference champions, and still ranked 1st in the East.
"RondOOOoooooOOOOooooOOOOoooo" - Anson Toy
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