playoff prediction nba

Images of Tony Parker torching Cleveland's defense, and the Spurs' general domination over last year's token trial horses of little resistance from the Eastern Conference remain fresh. And yet, tip-off on the new NBA season is fast approaching.
The standard-issue offseason has run its course; teams have retooled their rosters and coaching staffs, and enter the new campaign with a fresh wave of optimism about their chances of contending.
Here are some of the hot topics heading into the season: can the tried-and-true Spurs win another one? Will stylish but title-less teams like the Suns or Mavericks finally break through and reach the pinnacle? Can any team in the Eastern Conference be taken seriously? Is there any rookie talented enough to vault his team into contention?
Who knows? But it's that time of year to delve into the fun of pre-season analysis and give our 2007-2008 NBA predictions. The following is a brief team-by-team breakdown. The information provided in parentheses is last year's record and finish, this year's predicted record and finish, and the Sportsbook.com odds on each team to win the NBA title:
If ever there was a team built to win now, it's this year's revamped Celtics. After trading their whole team and practically half the Red Sox to get Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Celtics picked up a few guys from the downtown YMCA to meet the NBA's minimum quotient of rostered players. But Garnett, Allen, Paul Pierce and assorted warm bodies should be enough for them to immediately become the class of this division.
Toronto Raptors (47-35, first. 45-37, second. 50/1.)
The Raptors got the better end of the trade for T.J. Ford, and they were remarkably improved. Chris Bosh is a rising superstar and Andrea Bargnani had the best rookie season in NBA history for an Italian man with a woman's first name. A fringe contender in the East, but better than most in this division.
New Jersey Nets (41-41, second. 39-43, third. 40/1.)
If you never expect much from the Nets, then you can't possibly be disappointed. Richard Jefferson is soft and overrated, and Jason Kidd is getting old. Head coach Opie Taylor - aka Lawrence Frank - has kept this team running on a treadmill of mediocrity. Expect more jogging.
Philadelphia 76ers (35-47, third, 30-52, fourth. 100/1.)
Dumping Allen Iverson and Chris Webber was a mandatory step in the start of the rebuilding process. But it was just that, a start. Andre Miller and Kyle Korver can only do so much.
New York Knicks (33-49, fourth. 20-62, fifth. 100/1.)
The organization is a wreck in the wake of the Isaiah Thomas sexual harassment scandal. But lost amid the tabloid headlines is the fact that he isn't much of a coach, either. There's plenty of talent on this team, but no leadership on or off the court. Calling on the ghost of Allan Houston won't help.
Central Division
Chicago Bulls (49-33, third. 54-28, first. 13/1.)
Draft additions Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray will help shore up the frontcourt, but Chicago still could use another legitimate scoring threat up front. Even so, the core of Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng and Ben Gordon is solid, and the Bulls are on the rise.
Detroit Pistons (53-29, first. 50-32, second. 13/1.)
Still not sure Flip Saunders is the right fit for this team; he adds too much offensive pizzazz to a team that was founded on hard hats and lunch buckets. But Barry Switzer could probably coach this squad to 50 wins, and the re-signing of Chauncey Billups guarantees the Pistons will contend, regardless of who roams the sidelines.
Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32, second. 49-43, third. 13/1.)
You hate to call any team that reached the NBA Finals a fluke, but the Cavs present a strong argument for the proverbial exception to the rule. In their efforts to provide Lebron James a stronger supporting cast, Cleveland did … nothing, basically.
Indiana Pacers (35-47, fourth, 35-47, fourth. 100/1.)
Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington for Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy? Oops. Jim O'Brien is a pretty solid coach, but he has his work cut out for him. Jermaine O'Neal, Jamaal Tinsley and Danny Granger give the Pacers a reasonable core to work with.
Milwaukee Bucks (28-54, fifth, 26-56, fifth. 100/1.)
The drafting of Yi Jianlian already looks like a mistake. At first, he didn't want to play, now we're wondering if he can play. That question might not be answered for years. The Bucks might have been better off drafting Noah or another big man more prepared to make an immediate contribution. The team was decimated by injuries last year, but is mediocre at best when healthy. Michael Redd is great, but they have too many guys who are less-talented versions of him.
Southeast Division
Orlando (40-42, third. 49-33, first. 25/1.)
The Magic landed the coup of the free-agent market when they picked up Rashard Lewis, a budding superstar who is just hitting his prime. His signing changes the face of this division. Along with fellow blossoming stars Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, and a solid surrounding cast led by Hedo Turkoglu, the Magic should be the team to beat in this division. Billy Donovan did the Magic a favor by turning them down; they got a better candidate in Stan Van Gundy, who is more experienced, less expensive and more prepared to take Orlando to the next level.
Washington Wizards (41-41, second. 42-40, second. 80/1.)
The Wizards are an exciting bunch, with Gilbert Arenas evolving into one of the game's premier scorers and Caron Butler finally living up to the promise he showed coming out of Connecticut. But they've done little to shore up a woeful frontcourt that scares no one with the two-man combination of Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas, and the Wizards don't play much defense to go along with their formidable offense.
Miami Heat (44-38, first. 40-42, third. 18/1.)
Never underestimate Pat Riley's ability to squeeze a contender out of what he's got. But this year, it's the all-Geritol team. Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Antoine Walker are still around, and they aren't getting any younger. The Heat added fellow senior citizen Penny Hardaway, too. This is clearly Miami's last chance to contend before it must undergo a youth-driven overhaul. But Dwyane Wade and the old guys might have one last run in them.
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Charlotte Bobcats (33-49, fourth. 31-51, fourth. 100/1.)
Recent drafts have been disappointing; the Bobcats traded Brandan Wright on draft day for the inconsistent Jason Richardson, Adam Morrison is a defensive liability who has struggled to get his shot in the NBA and Sean May has been injury-prone. Emeka Okafor from a few drafts ago worked out just fine, but he's about the best the Bobcats have to offer under first-year coach Sam Vincent.
Atlanta Hawks (30-52, fifth. 30-52, fifth. 100/1.)
New year, same old Hawks? Maybe. Well, yes, until further notice. Atlanta made two excellent picks in the lottery, grabbing Florida's smooth forward Al Horford and Texas A&M point guard Acie Law. They join a talented young core that includes Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Josh Childress. The Hawks should be improved, but they probably are still a couple of years away from making a push to the playoffs.