It’s almost gametime in the 2009-10 NBA season and as expected, lots of pundits are divided in their forecast or prediction on which team will claim the most-prestigious pro cage league diadem in the universe, the Larry O’Brien trophy.This corner browse over the following favorite hoop sites and look upon on what their respective crystal balls said:
Sports Illustrated (SI.com)
- “The Celtics will beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals”
"It isn't easy to pick between the five title contenders -- the defending champion Lakers, Celtics, Cavaliers, Spurs and Magic (that being the hierarchy as things look today) all made big moves to improve over the summer, and any one of them would be a credible choice to win in June.
I'm picking the Celtics because they should be the best defensive team in the league based on the return of Kevin Garnett, the arrival of Rasheed Wallace, the continuing improvement of Rajon Rondo -- who could emerge as the top defensive point guard this season -- and the Tom Thibodeau schemes that make the most of Kendrick Perkins, Paul Pierce, Marquis Daniels and others.
This Celtics team has the capacity to be deeper and more reliable than the champion of two years ago. Wallace should be an upgrade over James Posey and the same should apply to Daniels over Tony Allen, who was third on the team in minutes off the bench two years ago. They still have sniper Eddie House and a useful second big man in reserve in Glen Davis, who proved in the playoffs last year that he can hit big shots -- a luxury from your ninth man. Unlike last season, the Celtics also have two expiring contracts belonging to Allen and Brian Scalabrine that could be dealt in January or February for a backup point guard or additional length in the frontcourt.
As for the Lakers, I'm not one of those who believes that Ron Artest will ruin them. On the contrary: He's an upgrade over Trevor Ariza, Phil Jackson will strike a constructive relationship with him and he's joining a championship team that can live with his unique personality.
Artest will improve the Lakers defensively at small forward, but the Celtics will be stronger defensively overall, enabling them to control tempo and overcome the Lakers' likely home-court advantage. By picking Boston to win the title, I'm predicting that the Celtics' defense will be the dominant story in the league -- not necessarily in the first month but rather as the year wears on. Age may limit them during the regular season as Doc Rivers sacrifices a win here and there while resting Ray Allen, Wallace and Garnett (all 33 or older), but let's assume they've been well paced and they're healthy going into the playoffs. By then, their age and experience should rally them as they realize this may be their final chance at a title together."
USA TODAY (www.usatoday.com)
“Cleveland Cavaliers over the LA Lakers”
Hoops World (www.hoopsworld.com)
“The Cleveland Cavaliers will beat the San Antonio Spurs”
"The Cleveland Cavaliers will win the NBA title in 2010. They will face the San Antonio Spurs in that championship round, robbing the networks yet again of their dream Kobe-LeBron NBA Finals match-up."
NBA.COM (www.nba.com)
GM SURVEY RESULTS
“The Los Angeles Lakers to repeat, this time over arch-rivals Boston Celtics”
On paper, it seems the Cleveland Cavaliers are the faves to win it all this year mainly because of the acquisition of “the diesel” Shaquille O’Neal, who will team up with “the king” himself, LeBron James. But in reality the effectiveness of that tandem remains to be seen. O’Neal is already in the twilight of his checkered NBA career and likewise is injury-prone the past few years.
And yes, my crystal ball is pointing east this time. No not the Cavaliers but the retooled Boston Celtics. The entry of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels plus the return of Kevin Garnett from sickbay will definitely boost the chances of the Beantown squad of netting their second title in the last three years.
I could be wrong but by all indications, my prediction will most likely happen. Color it GREEN and I’m outta here!
*****
Hereith are the completed transactions covering the period October 8 to 25, 2009:
Sunday, October 25
Los Angeles Lakers waived forward Tonny Gaffney.
Sacramento exercised the contract options forwards Jason Thompson and Donté Greene and center Spencer Hawes through 2010-11.
Saturday, October 24
New Orleans waived guard Larry Owens and center Earl Barron.
Friday, October 23
New York exercised the contract options on forwards Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari through 2010-11.
Minnesota waived guard Antonio Daniels.
Houston waived guard Brent Barry.
Miami waived guard John Lucas.
Oklahoma City waived forward Mike Harris and exercised the contract options on guard Russell Westbrook and forwards Jeff Green, Kevin Durant and DJ White through 2010-11.
Boston named Tyronn Lue director of basketball development.
Indiana fired Director of Player Personnel Mel Daniels.
Thursday, October 22
Portland signed forward LaMarcus Aldridge to a contract extension and waived forward Ime Udoka and center Jarron Collins.
Cleveland waived guards Andre Barrett and Russell Robinson and center Darryl Watkins.
Chicago waived forward Chris Richard.
Boston waived forward Mike Sweetney.
Charlotte waived guards Dontell Jefferson and Antonio Anderson.
Dallas waived center Jake Voskuhl.
Memphis waived guard Mike Taylor.
New Jersey waived guard Will Blalock and forwards Bennet Davis and Brian Hamilton.
New York waived guard Joe Crawford and center Chris Hunter.
Oklahoma City waived forward Michael Ruffin.
Philadelphia exercised the contract options on forwards Thaddeus Young, Marreese Speights and Jason Smith and through 2010-11.
San Antonio waived guard Curtis Jerrells.
Washington waived guard Vincent Grier.
Utah waived guard Paul Harris and forward Ronald Dupree.
Wednesday, October 21
Atlanta waived guard Mario West and centers Garret Siler and Courtney Sims.
Denver waived guard Dontaye Draper, forward James White and center Kurt Looby.
Detroit waived forward Maceo Baston.
Golden State waived forward Shaun Pruitt.
Houston waived guards Romel Beck and Garrett Temple.
Los Angeles Lakers waived guard Thomas Kelati.
Minnesota waived center Jared Reiner.
Oklahoma City waived guard Tre Kelley.
Orlando waived guards Morris Almond.
Philadelphia waived guard Dionte Christmas and forward Brandon Bowman.
Sacramento waived guard Lanny Smith and forward Melvin Ely.
Utah waived forwards Alexander Johnson and Spencer Nelson and center Goran Suton.
Tuesday, October 20
Phoenix waived guard Dan Dickau and forward Carlos Powell.
Dallas traded forward Nathan Jawai and cash to Minnesota for a 2012 conditional second-round pick.
Atlanta waived guards Mike Wilks and Juan Dixon.
Miami waived forward Anthony Tolliver and exercised the contract options on guard Daequan Cook and forward Michael Beasley through 2010-11.
Monday, October 19
Cleveland waived forward Rob Kurz and center Luke Nevill.
Indiana waived forwards Lawrence Roberts, Demetris Nichols and Rod Benson.
Minnesota waived guards Mustafa Shakur and Devin Green.
Los Angeles Clippers waived guards Jerel McNeal and Anthony Roberson.
Friday, October 16
Portland signed guard Patrick Mills and exercised the contract options on guards Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless, forward Nicolas Batum and center Greg Oden through 2010-11.
Center Dwayne Jones signed with Red Star (Serbia).
Thursday, October 15
Guard Damon Jones signed with Napoli (Italy).
Wednesday, October 14
Golden State exercised the contract options on forwards Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph through 2010-11.
Tuesday, October 13
Los Angeles Clippers exercised the contract options on guard Eric Gordon and forward Al Thornton through 2010-11.
San Antonio waived center Dwayne Jones.
Atlanta waived guards Aaron Miles and Frank Robinson.
Monday, October 12
Miami signed guard Carlos Arroyo.
Philadelphia waived guard Sean Singletary and forward Stromile Swift.
Saturday, October 10
Los Angeles Lakers waived forwards Michael Fey, Mickael Gelabale and David Monds.
Friday, October 9
Atlanta exercised the contract option on forward Al Horford through 2010-11.
Los Angeles Clippers waived forward Taj Gray.
Miami waived forwards Alade Aminu and Andre Brown.
Thursday, October 8
Memphis waived guard Thomas Gardner.
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