NBA season getting underway

By Anthony Bonagura
Collegian Staff
November 1, 2006

Another season, another draft class, another champion, another MVP, another victim of Iverson’s crossover, another defensive player frozen in time while he watches Vince Carter glide through the air with finesse, and with the addition of a brand new basketball, another generation.

This is the 2006-2007 NBA season that numerous fans have anticipated since the moment Dwayne Wade and Shaq held up the NBA Trophy in glory last June.

A lot of questions have to be answered. With Stoudemire healthy, is this Phoenix’s season? How will Detroit do, now that their team leader, Ben Wallace, is donning the red jersey for Chicago? Will the Knicks improve to the point that they will be able to beat a Division III college team?

As much as I would like to say the Sixers will win the NBA Finals, A.I. will win another MVP and Rodney Carney will be the Rookie of the Year, I am going to try to stay as realistic as possible. Here are my predictions for the ’06-’07 NBA season:

Teams on the Rise

Chicago Bulls: They are probably the most exciting team to watch this season. The Bulls contain one of the best backcourts in the league, consisting of Ben Gordon (16.9 ppg), Kirk Hinrich (15.9 ppg, 6.3 apg) and Chris Duhon (5.0 apg). With the additions of long-time veteran P.J. Brown, first-round pick Tyrus Thomas and Ben Wallace, the best defensive player in the NBA, the Bulls seem unbeatable. Throw in defensive-minded Andres Nocioni and Duke alum Luol Deng, and the Bulls may find themselves playing in late June.

Los Angeles Clippers: The organization that has been the laughing stock of the NBA for the past decade (along with Atlanta) may very well be one of the top teams in the Western Conference (Atlanta will have their time but they are still a laughing stock). Elton Brand (24.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg), a potential MVP, is the chief of this team, and he is accompanied by three-point shark Cuttino Mobley and veteran Sam Cassell. Tim Thomas was picked up via free agency, and Shaun Livingston is showing signs of becoming a young Pete Maravich who can score and pass. Unfortunately, they are in the same division as the Suns, but the Clip Show will clinch a playoff berth.

Other teams to watch out for: New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors

Teams on the Bottom

Houston Rockets: Without a doubt, the Rockets, on paper, look like a playoff contender. They added Shane Battier, swingman Bonzi Wells and guard Kirk Snyder, but if Yao Ming (23.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg) and Tracy McGrady (24.4 ppg) cannot stay healthy, similar to last year, they may be looking at another 34-48 season. And things turn bad for T-Mac when times change for the worse. Remember Orlando?

Seattle Sonics: In the Northwest Division, the Sonics are looking at themselves simply asking the question, “Why?” Sure, they have offensive threats in Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, but when no moves were made during the off-season and their third-year center Robert Swift (the 12th pick in the 2004 draft) tore his right ACL and is now lost for the season, the only question they can ask themselves is, “Why?”

Other teams on the bottom: New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors

MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Last year, at the age of 22, LeBron put up jaw-dropping numbers of 31.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 6.6 apg. As long as he stays unselfish, and the rest of his team can feed off his production, this may be LeBron’s best season yet. Not to mention, Cleveland had one of the best drafts in 2006, as they picked up Shannon Brown from Michigan State and PG Daniel Gibson from Texas. In fact, this may be Cleveland’s best season yet, as well.

Honorable Mention: Allen Iverson – If you’re looking at just individual performance.

Rookie of the Year: Adam Morrison, Charlotte Bobcats

Adam Morrison couldn’t have asked to be placed in a better position than he is right now. With a young but maturing Bobcat team, Morrison will be asked right away to contribute, and he has no problem with that. Placing this team on his shoulders from the get-go and improving game by game will land him the R.O.Y. trophy.

Honorable Mention: Randy Foye – Minnesota Timberwolves

Most Improved: Shaun Livingston, Los Angeles Clippers

There were many players in the last few years who bounced from high school to the pros, but Shaun is one of the few who actually have future potential. Shaun will average double figures in points this year and possibly in assists as well, and he will be awarded “Most Improved.”

Honorable Mention: Tyson Chandler – NO/Oklahoma City Hornets

Coach of the Year: Mike Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers

Mike Dunleavy should have been awarded the trophy last season for bringing the Clippers to the playoffs, but Commissioner David Stern and the rest of the NBA will realize this year what Dunleavy is capable of.

Sixth Man of the Year: Kyle Korver, Philadelphia 76ers

It’s difficult to foresee who will be the Sixth Man of the Year considering all the starting and bench roles that will be moved throughout the season. Korver is a solid scorer, and it looks like he will be coming off the bench. If he can average around 11 a game, he will be awarded for his accomplishments.

Players That Won’t Finish the Season in the Jersey They Started In:

Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Ray Allen (Seattle Sonics), Stephen Jackson (Indiana Pacers)

The Best Kept Secrets:

Raymond Felton (Charlotte Bobcats), Shaun Livingston (LA Clippers), Darko Milicic (Orlando), Zach Randolph (Portland Trailblazers), Marvin Williams (Atlanta Hawks)

NBA Finals: Miami Heat over Phoenix Suns (4-2)

With Amare Stoudemire finally healthy for the Suns, Steve Nash and Company will be the dominant force in the Western Conference, and they will advance to the NBA Finals. Since Shaq not only promised, but guaranteed another championship, it would be hard to go against the Big Aristotle. Everyone has returned for the Heat, including aging future Hall of Famers Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning. They will win it all, for their second consecutive title.

bonaguraa1@lasalle.edu