2009/2010 NBA Season Thoughts and Predictions

On the eve of the new NBA season here are a few thoughts and  predictions.

Break out player of the year:  Anthony Morrow, Golden State Warriors.  One of the best shooters in the world, Morrow will have a permanent green light from Nellie.


Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin.  Hum, hard choice.


Under the Radar Rookies:  Gerald Henderson, Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson, Ty Lawson.


How sweet will it be to see a Cavs vs. Lakers Finals?  Lebron vs Kobe, Shaq facing his old teammates/nemesis.


MVP:  Bronbron


Sixth Man of the Year:  Who cares.

Worst NBA Team:  Timberwolves.  Flynn will add some excitement, Jefferson is a beast, Brewer is starting to come into his own but the T-Wolves will still be atrocious.  With Kevin Love out for the first part of the season and Ricky Rubio hiding out overseas, the Wolves will struggle to reach 15 wins.  Question:  If they are drafting #1 next year will they take John Wall and trade Flynn or Rubio?  Question #2:  How much longer can Minnesota support an NBA franchise?


Other thoughts:  Greg Oden will have a breakout year, as will Mo Speights.  Gilbert Arenas will not be the same, nor will Elton Brand.  NBA analysts will talk and talk and talk so much about the Summer of 2010 free agents that they'll loose track of who's actually playing this year.


It all tips off tomorrow!

Wally Judge - Sentenced to Greatness

A 6,9 combo forward who enters Kansas State as the highest profile recruit since Michael Beasely, Wally Judge seems to be flying under the radar when it comes to his NBA draft prospects. Judge is a great athlete, able to run out on the break and finish above the rim. His running and leaping ability have scouts drooling and he also possesses a nice set of basketball skills. He has good form on his jump shot which should allow him to improve his consistency from long range and good court awareness. Has college three point range and should be able to stretch out to NBA three point range with a little more work. Has good defensive potential due to his physical attributes and feel for the game.

While some of the other 6,9 forwards in this freshman class use their physical ability to dominate on the block, Judge plays a multifaceted game, floating around the perimeter, slashing to the rim and raising up for jump shots. A natural basketball player who seems to have all the makings of an elite combo forward at the next level, look for Judge to be a one and done player and a potential lottery pick in 2010.  NBA player comparison: Marvin Williams/Scottie Pippen

The New New Jersey Nets

12/10/09 addition:  ouch!  The Nets have gotten off to a horrible start and have been anything but exciting.  They are a very young team and the loss of star point guard Devon Harris for a few weeks hurt a lot.  But still...... ouch!  I got this one wrong.....so far.


begin original article:


A few years ago the aging Jason Kidd, the disgruntled Vince Carter and the inconsistent Richard Jefferson formed the nucleus of a promising but enigmatic Nets team. In reality, those Nets were a playoff team at best but had no real chance of winning a championship. So management tore the team apart, trading Kidd, Jefferson and most recently Carter.

Trading star players for young prospects is risky business, often leading to regret for the fans and unemployment for the GM but in this case the Nets leadership got it right! President Rob Thorn and GM Kiki Vandeweghe have put together a group of young athletic players who should gel into a formidable team in the years to come.

Devin Harris, acquired in the Kidd trade is the star. A point guard who controls all aspects of the game, scoring, passing, defense and leadership. Then the Nets have a trio of young wing players all hoping to earn minutes and recognition. The recently added Courtney Lee (Carter trade) showed flashes of brilliance towards the end of last season and in the playoffs. A classic two guard with all the skill and athletic ability of a future NBA All Star.

At the small forward position rookie Terrence Williams will battle Chris Douglas-Roberts for minutes. These players should complement each other nicely and bring a ton of energy to the defense and transition games. Also battling for minutes at the 3 and 4 is Yi Jianlian, a crafty offensive player who needs to man up and learn to battle in the trenches.

The Nets are not as loaded up front but have some nice prospects in Brook Lopez and the talented but often troubled Sean Williams. Lopez could be an All Star center for the next decade but adding a true back to the basket threat at the power forward position would open space for the young guards and solidify the Nets rebounding and defense which, as we all know, "wins championships".

So look for the Nets to build around their new young nucleus of guards and wing players and look for a lot of excitement in New Jersey (or Brooklyn) for years to come. I never thought I'd be saying this but..... I can't wait to see the Nets play!

The Up and Comers

The 2010 NBA Draft could be loaded with talent if the underclassmen declare, or extremely weak if the youngsters stay in school. Here's an updated list of top prospects for 2010:

1 John Wall PG

2 Donatas Motiejunas PF

3 Derrick Favors PF

4 John Henson PF (pictured to the right)

5 Greg Monroe PF/C

6 Willie Warren G

6 Cole Aldrich C

7 Ed Davis PF

8 Avery Bradley PG

9 Craig Brackens PF

10 Xavier Henry SG

11 DeMarcus Cousins PF

12 Al-Farouq Aminu F

13 Devin Ebanks SF

14 Larry Sanders PF

15 Kemba Walker PG

The Freshman Class holds the key. John Wall looks like the clear cut number 1 pick. But the rest of the lottery could be full of one and done players including Favors, Henson, Bradley and Henry. A few of these names would be in the NBA right now if not for the NBA's age limits but this one year of school will be good for them.

Henson will have some time to develop his body to go along with his advanced game (think of a bigger Lamar Odom). Favors will gain an understanding of the right way to play b-ball going against the likes of UNC and Duke. Bradley will still be the best athlete on the floor but will be forced to develop his game in the tough Big 12. And Henry should step in and shine for the Jayhawks.

These underclassmen should bring lots of excitement to college ball and if they declare for the 2010 draft the teams picking in the lottery will be excited as well.

The Young Warriors, look out!

Anyone paying attention to this years Summer League action knows that the young players on the Golden State Warriors have serious game. Last year we saw the emergence of Anthony Morrow as a shooting star and the globs of potential packed into the 6,10 frame of Anthony Randolph. This summer those two have taken their game to new heights, dominating their opponents, albeit only rookies and select veterans.

Randolph led the Summer League with 26 points a game average, including a 42 point performance while Morrow tossed in a record 47 points in his final game of Summer League.

Add in the controlled play and deadly shooting of rookie Stephon Curry and this group of young Warriors looks ready to make a big difference in the regular season.

Curry will be paired with returning young star Monta Ellis in the backcourt while the front court is also loaded with young talent including center Andris Biedrins and Brandan Wright (who might finally be ready to emerge). Throw in returning vets Cory Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Marco Belinelli and Ronny Turiaf and the Warriors look poised for a breakout year.

Whether the Warriors will make the playoffs in the tough Western Conference remains to be seen but these things we do know: the Warriors will score, they will struggle on defense, their young talent is the envy of almost every team this side of Oklahoma City. I can't wait to watch this team run!

The Young 76ers, playoff bound

19 year old Jrue Holiday will have a rough wake up call when the NBA season begins. Assuming the 6ers sign a veteran point guard Holiday will likely spend much of the season on the bench, playing garbage minutes at the end of games and waving a towel when his teammates score. But Holiday is not the only young 76er hoping to contribute to the team next year.

Mo Speights, the 6,10 second year Power Forward from Florida is ready to make an impact. His offensive game is smooth and effective and he seems to have taken a page out of Tim Duncans playbook with his soft jump shot and effective post moves.

Thad Young is a star in the making. He showed in his second season that he not only belongs in the NBA but has an extremely bright future. And let me ask you this: Given what you know today would you rather draft Greg Oden or Thad Young?

7 foot center Jason Smith was injured last year but is getting back to full speed and will be ready to step in when starting center Sam Dalembert commits his third foul in the first quarter and is left to earn his millions on the bench. The 6ers are trying their best to trade Dalembert but will not likely find a taker. Either way, look for Jason Smith to find valuable minutes and contribute much to the team.

Louis Williams is due for a break out year. Drafted out of high school and relegated to the bench for the early part of his career Williams now has a chance for major minutes and needs to show that he's ready to handle the pressure. He's a streaky shooter and is at his best taking the ball to the rim and drawing fouls. This season should show us if Williams is a star in the making or a pure athlete struggling to learn the nuances of the game of basketball.

With Andre Iggy, Elton Brand returning and the likely addition of a veteran point guard the 76ers should ride a nice mix of veterans and youngsters into the playoffs again this coming season.

The Young Kings, not enough

The Kings drafted much needed outside help when they selected Tyreke Evans with the #4 pick. Evans has the ability to get into the lane, set up his teammates and bring the ball up the court. Look for veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin to benefit from the attention that the rookie will draw when he has the ball in his hands.

It remains to be seen whether or not Evans can really play the point guard position in the NBA but I think he'll get a long look at that position. He showed in his one season at Memphis that he is at his best with the ball in his hands and has a natural passing ability and superb handle. His length will make him a match up nightmare for opposing teams both on offense and defense.

Young big men Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes should benefit as well with Evans dishing the ball in the lane and drawing attention on the perimeter. The offseason addition of Sergio Rodriquez and late first rounder Omri Cassipi provide an extra glimmer of hope in dreary Sacramento.

Look for the Kings to struggle for wins in the 09/10 season. Look for them to trade either or both of Kevin Martin and/or Andres Nocioni and look for the ping pong balls to bounce in their favor next May. Tyreke Evans is a nice building block for the Kings but they are a few young star players away from being considered up and coming contenders. Next years draft will be key to the success of this franchise.