Room for Improvement? (Part 2)

The NBA season started yesterday. Absolutely, positively excited. Big matchups in yesterday's season opener. Boston already won, but I thought LeBron played very well (if you don't look at those turnovers - 8). D-Wade added another 6 turnovers to that. And combined, Wade and Bosh had a plus minus stat of -35. Not exactly the best. Rondo had 17 assists. The man is amazing. Ray Allen is wetter than my pet goldfish. And so, I had the TV on, turned to TNT to watch the Lakers - Rockets game. And...Brad Miller ran a break by himself and got to the line. Great stuff. My boy, Brandon Roy, played last night as well. And everyone that knows me, knows that I love Brandon Roy. But back to the reason why I'm making this post, part dos of my season previews for the bottom teams. Let's go!

5. Philadelphia 76ers: Last season's record: (27 - 55), Predicted record: (26 - 66)

Why in the world do the Sixers get worse? They just got Evan Turner, you say? Well, let's take a look at things shall we?

1. Evan Turner is going to have a rough start to this NBA season. It's going to hurt the Sixers record, but towards the end, he's going to start playing like the player he was in college. Much like Stephen Curry did. I'm sorry Sixers' fans if you're reading this, but I just don't feel that Mr.Turner is ready for the NBA yet. Doug Collins doesn't even trust the man enough to start him.
2. As you may or may not have had noticed, the power has shifted from West to East over the summer. (I'm pretty sure Boston, Orlando, Chicago, and Miami are better than any Western Conference team that's not the Lakers.) So that means, the Sixers' schedule is a lot tougher than if they were to be in the West this year. So sorry Sixers' fan.
3. Samuel Dalembert, who in my opinion was the most consistent player last season for the Sixers (except for maybe Iggy), is gone.
4. Elton Brand is simply a shadow of the man he once was. He hasn't 20 and 10 numbers since he was a Clipper. He only had two 20 and 10 games last season as apposed to his twenty 20 and 10 games in the 06 - 07 season.

Just because they have a poor record, doesn't mean they aren't going to have some bright spots in their season. Andre Iguoldala should be putting up career numbers coming off of that gold medal this summer, but I still think it's going to be highly overshadowed by the fact that Evan Turner's first half of the season won't be everything that everyone expects it to be.

Keys to the season: Evan Turner needs to play like he did in college, and adjust quickly to the fast-paced, NBA game.

Wild prediction: Spencer Hawes becomes a bigger part of the team's success than Elton Brand is.

This picture leaves me speechless...

6. Detroit Pistons: Last season's record: (27 - 55), Predicted record: (16 - 66)

I really don't have much to say about this team. I have no idea what direction they're going in. I can't tell if they're rebuilding or if they think they can make the playoffs with this team, but Tracy McGrady really shouldn't have joined this team. He doesn't fit in, and he's going to get even less playing time than he would in Chicago or Cleveland. The Piston's golden years are behind them. Sheed and Chauncey are gone, all that remains are Tayshaun, Rip, and Big Ben. The only bright spots, I would say, are Stuckey and Jerebko. The Pistons have a team that's filled with role players and sixth men, but no one that can really do much on their own. Rodney Stuckey has been coming along nicely and should improve some more this season, but other than that... the Pistons are going to have a pretty rough year.

Keys to the season: Rodney Stuckey is going to have to step his game up and lead this veteran squad if they want to have a shot at the playoffs.

Wild predicition: Tayshaun and/or Rip are gone by the trade deadline.

"I need you like the Pistons need Chauncey."
"You're just a Prince like Tayshaun, but I'm a king like LeBron"

7. Los Angeles Clippers: Last season's record: (29 - 53), Predicted record: (42 - 40)

Blake fudging Griffin is playing this year. I'm thoroughly convinced that the Clippers have all the pieces to make the playoffs for the first time since the 05 - 06 season. Eric Gordon is injured for now, but the man should be amazing when he gets back. Yes, he was on that gold medal team. And yes, he was wetter than the ocean. I originally posted the predicted record at 49 and 33. But after some reviewing and looking over some things, I really can't give that to them. One problem could possibly be Vinny del Negro. del Negro is my negro, but many people that watch NBA basketball have had their number of doubts. The man is a decent coach, but he's not the best in the business like the Clippers cross-town rivals' coach. Prove me wrong Vinny, I sure hope you do. Baron Davis should be motivized to play the way he did when he was back in Golden State. Chris Kaman is now delivered of his ADD (not really, but whatever makes you happy) and should put up borderline All-Star numbers much in the fashion he did last year. However, Blake Griffin will eat up some of Kaman's stats just because he's Blake Griffin. Randy Foye should be a fine addition to the team, and should backup Davis and Gordon pretty well in case Boom's beard is out of whack. Ryan Gomes is also a solid starter at the 3-position. High expectations for this team.

Keys to the season: The entire team's season rests on how well Baron Davis plays. Without an inspired Baron Davis, the team will not be able to meet those expectations.

Wild prediction: The Clips make the playoffs. Blake Griffin gets All-Star consideration, but fails to make the team due to some sort of misplacement (Allen Iverson and T-Mac last year?).

"You'll deliver Chris of his ADD..."

8. New York Knickerbockers: Last season's record: (29 - 53), Predicted Record: (41 - 41)

Big things in the big apple? Let's hope for the best on this one. The Knicks only managed to pick up 1 of 6 superstars this summer (Amare, LeBron, Chris Bosh, D-Wade, CP3, 'Melo). The Knicks should still have a shot at the playoffs. There should be no doubt on anyone's mind on whether or not they can score. But with Mike D'Antoni teams, it's always a matter of defense. The Knicks cleared up most of their roster over the summer and put a bunch of guys together. Raymond Felton has a shot to prove himself this season. But he's going to need to be more than just another point guard this season if he's going to shine. Draft classmates, Deron Williams and Chris Paul have emerged as premiere point guards in the league. While Felton has failed to get any All-Star consideration at all. During the summer, the Knicks got rid of David Lee and replaced him with perennial All-Star, Amare Stoudemire.The additions of Anthony Randolph and Ronny Turiaf should help with the work on the boards. Turiaf will also be a presence in the middle on defense and will provide much needed energy off the bench. Amare has also been surrounded by great shooters. Roger Mason and Danilo Gallinari are terrific shooters and are among the top shooters in the league. They'll be able to spread the floor on the kickout when teams double or triple Amare. The one question for this team is still whether or not they can defend.

Keys to the season: Defense, defense, defense. Raymond Felton has to run the show at the point.

Wild prediction: Anthony Randolph averages 10+ PPG, 7 - 8 RPG, and makes the Warriors front office look bad.

"It's the shoes."