My 2008-2009 NBA Predictions

It's that time of the year again...where several experts express their predictions for the new, already strarted, NBA season!

Two of my favourite columns: The Race to the MVP and the Rookie Rankings are two examples of the extensive analysis behind any expert prediction.

Well, as a fan of the game, i would have a go at predicting this year's best of the best. Not that i am an expert like Kenny and Charles at TNT , but i think i can get preety close...well let's see:

1) Eastern Conference Finals:
I have to go with the defending champions, Boston Celtics versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. The champs, although they have lost their best bench player, James Posey, they managed to keep all the other players on the team. On the other side, Lebron James and his Cavs are ready for their big run, which i think will start this year and go on for years to come...

2) Western Conference Finals:
Without a doubt, Kobe and the Lakers are the team to beat this year. They set the standard for the rest of the teams, and i think only the Houston Rockets, with the valuable addition of Ron Artest, will have a chance at competing against the Lakers' super-team.

3) Most Valuable Player (MVP):
I can't really decide between Lebron James and Kobe Bryant for this award...I think it will be close but Kobe will win it because his Lakers will finish with the best record in the NBA for the regular season (which i believe it will be around 65 wins).

4) Rookie of the Year:
For this award i have two players in mind which i think will make the difference for their team, both offensively and defensively: Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Greg Oden of the Portland TrailBlazers. If Oden can stay healthy, i believe he can win this award. Otherwise, Rose will not have any problem rising to the top.

5) 2009 NBA Champion:
Finally, the most important award in the NBA, the Larry O'Brian Trophy! I believe we are going to watch a repeat of last year's NBA finals, Celtics against the Lakers, where Los Angeles will get it right this time while its bench will match up and overcome the Celtics' bench force.

NBA Player Movement 2008-2009

As with every year, NBA teams are looking to become stronger, faster and smarter before the start of the next season with additions of free-agent players or by trading key players with other teams.
Although the summer and the pre-season is still long, some significant trades and free agents' signing has tricked me into thinking, as it stands now, who can win it next season.

3: Toronto Raptors obtaining Jermaine O'Neal has to be in number 3 spot in this year's player movements. O'Neal will add value and strength to Toronto's front line and along with Chris Bosh will hope to take the Raptors a step further in this year's playoffs.

2: Although, it can not be considered as a trade or a new signing, the debut of Greg Oden with the Portland TrailBlazers can be seen as an introduction of a new player in the team, therefore i think it fits in this discussion. Furthermore, the rookie Jerryd Bayless who won this year's best summer league player award makes the Blazers a significant force to be reckoned with.

1: Without a doubt, the signing of free-agent James Posey by the New Orleans Hornets has been the highlight of this year's movements! The two-time champion with Miami and Boston can bring an eclectic range of options to the Hornets. If Byron Scott lets him do what he does best, coming off the bench and shutting down the opposite team's star-player, while continuing to shoot high percentage 3s, the Hornets will be West conference champions this year.