Projected NBA Awards

Kevin Durant will win another scoring title and his first MVP award this season

MVP: Kevin Durant, OKC

The Durantula is a scoring machine. This year he will win his third consecutive scoring title and the first MVP award of his career. Expect Durant to average at least 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. The shortened season benefits the Durantula a lot. Because the season is shortened, he will be able to play more minutes.  Durant will lead OKC to a deep playoff run as well. 

Runner up: LeBron James MIA

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Williams, MIN

The younger D-Will, is playing on a young, rapidly improving Timberwolves squad. With Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio to help him, he should score plenty points and grab boards. Williams will be a factor in whatever the Timberwolves do this season. He will attempt to help the team reach the playoffs for the first time since Kevin Garnett has left the team. This goal is in reach with Williams playing the 4 position. 

Runner up: Jimmer Fredette, SAC 

Coach of the Year: Mike D’Antoni, NYK

Mike D’Antoni will try his best to lead the Knicks to their second consecutive playoff appearance.Tyson Chandler has joined the Knicks, who now have their own Big Three. D’Antoni has the potential to rejuvenate the Knicks franchise. 

Runner up: Frank Vogel, IND

6th Man of the Year: Jason Terry, DAL

Jason Terry had a fantastic postseason off the bench last year for Dallas. He should score at least 15 points off the bench in insurance for the newly acquired Vince Carter. Terry has embraced his role as a sixth man, and scored plenty points. He should do more of the same this season.

Runner up: Udonis Haslem, MIA 

Most Improved Player: Joakim Noah, CHI 

Whatever happened to Joakim Noah? Do you remember him, the guy who stayed for four years in college and won two championships? Well this year, Noah is going to have his breakout season. Each year since he has come to the NBA, his scoring has gone up. The rebounds have also gone up, though Noah took a small dip in boards last season. This year, if the Bulls continue to put the pieces together, which they did by signing two guard Rip Hamilton, Noah could average a 16-10. Noah is the Bulls’ starting center, and primary rebounder. With the Bulls continuing to get better, expect Noah to finally break out this season, and demonstrate why the Bulls drafted him in 

Runner up: Danilo Gallinari, DEN

Defensive Player of the Year: Andrew Bogut, MIL 

If there is an NBA player for which the lockout benefits it could be Andrew Bogut. Bogut has played 70 games just twice in his career. His best year came when he played 69 games. Imagine what he can do in 66? Bogut led the NBA in blocks per game last season, and averaged eight defensive rebounds. If Bogut is able to play a full season, he will get more rebounds, and crash the glass

Runner up: Serge Ibaka OKC 

All NBA Team 

C Dwight Howard ORL

PF Lebron James MIA

SF Kevin Durant OKC

SG Kobe Bryant LAL 

PG Derrick Rose CHI

NBA 2011-2012 Preview

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will win the 2011-12 NBA Championship.

Derrick Rose will lead his Bulls squad to the finals.

Predicted Order of Finish

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (Northwest)

2. Dallas Mavericks (Southwest)

3. Los Angeles Lakers (Pacific)

4. Los Angeles Clippers  (Pacific)

5. Memphis Grizzlies (Southwest)

6. Denver Nuggets (Northwest) 

7. San Antonio Spurs (Southwest)

8. Portland Trail Blazers (Northwest)

9. Utah Jazz (Northwest)

10. Houston Rockets (Southwest)

11. Phoenix Suns (Pacific)

12. Golden State Warriors (Pacific)

13. Sacramento Kings (Pacific)

14. Minnesota Timberwolves (Northwest)

15. New Orleans Hornets (Southwest)

Eastern Conference

1. Chicago Bulls (Central)

2. Miami Heat (Southeast)

3. New York Knicks (Atlantic) 

4. Orlando Magic (Southeast)

5. Indiana Pacers (Central)

6. Atlanta Hawks (Southeast)

7. Boston Celtics (Atlantic)

8. Philadelphia 76ers (Atlantic)

9. Milwaukee Bucks (Central)

10. Washington Wizards (Southeast)

11. New Jersey Nets (Atlantic)

12. Charlotte Bobcats (Southeast)

13. Detroit Pistons (Central)

14. Cleveland Cavaliers (Central)

15. Toronto Raptors (Atlantic)

(See below for playoff results)

After 149 days, the NBA finally returned to work. The players had to deal with abbreviated training camps, and less time for free agent signing and trades.  But now it’s time for Amazing to Happen. The Big Three, Kobe, the Durantula, CP3, Blake the Snake, Dirk, Amare, and more. The NBA is back. 

What happened during the free agency and trading period? Chris Paul almost went to the Lakers. Dwight Howard stayed in Orlando, Tyson Chandler is now a New York Knick, Lamar Odom and his wife Khloe moved to Dallas. The most surprising move however, was the trade of Chris Paul. Chris Paul was traded from the New Orleans Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and a first round pick. The Clippers also added veteran guard Chauncey Billups. (you can read more about the Clippers’ acquisition of Chris Paul here.)

Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Jimmer Fredette, and Ricky Rubio joined their respective teams during the lockout. After a reduced preseason, which of the rookies from this year’s will stand out from the others? Will it be number one overall pick Irving? Irving will try his best to usher in a new era in Cleveland. Or, will it be Derrick Williams? Williams, who with the support of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love, will help the T-Wolves reach the playoffs for the first time since K-G left. Or, will it be Jimmer? Fredette, who was traded from the Bucks to the Kings, is expected to score numerous points off the bench for the Kings.

Playoffs: 

Western Conference Finals                                           Eastern Conference Finals

Lakers beat Thunder 4-3                                                Bulls beat Knicks 4-1

                                                                       Finals: 

                                                                      Lakers beat Bulls 4-2

                                                         

In a rematch of the 1990-1991 NBA finals, the Bulls and Lakers will battle it out. This time however, the Bulls will not have Phil Jackson or Michael Jordan. Derrick Rose has played just 28 career playoff games, while Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, has played in 208 postseason games. Experience always rules in the postseason. Rose and the rest of his team will take lessons from Kobe, and fight for a title next season. The Lakers should take this season as a “last hurrah” and will fight to win one last championship. Who knows when they will have an opportunity to play for another one?