NBA season preview: who can stop the Lakers from repeating?
Posted by The Skyliner on October 28th, 2009Cory Guinn
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For NBA fans, the wait is finally over. The 2009-10 season started last night and gets into full swing with an array of games today. With so much talent coming from the draft and many teams making crucial trades and free agent signings, a multitude of questions surround this season.
Will The Lakers repeat as champions? Can the Nuggets carry over their playoff momentum? How will Shaquille O’Neal perform in Cleveland? What will the Celtics do with the return of Kevin Garnett and the addition of Rasheed Wallace?
These questions and many more will be answered as the season goes on. This edition of Roaming the Sidelines will give you a sneak peek into which teams I believe will finish the year atop each conference.
Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers
-The reigning champion Lakers have done nothing to disprove why they should not be favored to repeat. By keeping Lamar Odom and signing Ron Artest via free agency, Los Angeles has given Kobe Bryant more help and improved on what many thought was the best team in the league. If Andrew Bynum continues to make progress as a low-post threat, the Lakers may be on their way to winning back-to-back championships.
Denver Nuggets
-Carmelo Anthony was finally able to lead his team deep into the playoffs with help from midseason addition Chauncey Billups. If J. R. Smith can get his offseason issues settled and the bench plays up to its potential, this team has enough talent to compete at the top of the Western Conference.
San Antonio Spurs
-Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are still the core of this team. The Spurs have a helathy Manu Ginobili for the first time in two seasons. The team worked hard this offseason getting Richard Jefferson through a trade and Anontio McDyess through free agency, and through the draft, DeJuan Blair fell into their lap. If this team stays healthy, they will be a tough matchup for anyone.
New Orleans Hornets
-The Hornets were another busy team this offseason, trading Tyson Chandler to the Bobcats for Emeka Okafor. Okafor provides more offense down low while providing the defensive stopper that coach Byron Scott looks for. Chris Paul will carry this team once again, along with forward David West, but now the Hornets have the role players they need to challenge for a spot among the Western Conference elite.
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers
-We all know that Lebron James is the best all-around player in the league, but this season he will find that less is more with Shaquille O’Neal handling the work inside and newcomer Anthony Parker able to make shots from the outside. The Cavaliers will roll through the regular season but must prove that they have all the pieces in place to win a championship and “Win a ring for the king.”
Boston Celtics
-Kevin Garnett is back from knee surgery, and Rasheed Wallace has been added to an already veteran team. Rajon Rondo proved doubters wrong in last season’s playoff and Ray Allen and Paul Pierce continue to play lke All-Stars. Boston will most certainly be the biggest contenders to challenge for the East’s top spot. If the injury bug does not bite this aging team, the Celtics could be on their way to their second championship in four seasons.
Orlando Magic
-The Magic have their point guard back in action as Jameer Nelson returns from injury, which helps franchise player Dwight Howard even more. Offseason addition Vince Carter feels like he has something to prove so look for the Magic to be a contender for another season in the Eastern Conference and try to make it to the NBA Finals for a second year in a row.
Atlanta Hawks
-All-Star guard Joe Johnson will find a way to turn this young team into a contender in 2009. Josh Smith and Al Horford play well on the inside, and Jamal Crawford can score points any time he wants. Mike Bibby is a veteran point guard who knows when to shoot and does not make many mistakes. If Atlanta finds a way to work together and mature, they will be a legitimate playoff threat in the NBA.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 7