Every new NBA season brings about expectations for players and teams. High standards and dreams of the playoffs are all fresh and an attainable goal... then they play the games. However, before they do I'm going to put on my Carnac the Magnificent hat on and through basketball divination, predict who's going to win what in the 2006-07 NBA season.
Division Titles
- Atlantic Division: New Jersey Nets
- Central Division: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Southeast Division: Miami Heat
- Northwest Division: Utah Jazz
- Pacific Division: Phoenix Suns
- Southwest Division: San Antonio Spurs
Conference Finals
- Eastern Conference: Cleveland Cavaliers over Miami Heat
- Western Conference: San Antonio Spurs over Utah Jazz
NBA Finals:
- San Antonio Spurs over Cleveland Cavaliers
Most Valuable Player: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
It should be a close matchup once again with the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash, but unlike last season, James should come out on top and win the hardware.
Rookie of the Year: Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
The Charlotte Bobcats' Adam Morrison will make a strong case to be the ROY, but Roy's last name has predicted his victory ever since Roy was drafted. Plus, Roy's overall game will be more impressive to the voters, even though the Trailblazers record won't.
Defensive Player: Ron Artest, Sacramento Kings
Artest is highly regarded as a defender in the league and should once again take home top honors this season on his way to leading the Kings into the playoffs.
Most Improved Player: Mickael Pietrus, Golden State Warriors
Warriors head coach Don Nelson likes his teams to run on offense, which is perfect for the athletic Pietrus who should be more explosive and effective in Nelson's offensive scheme.
Sixth Man: David Lee, New York Knicks
There are sexier picks that could made here such as the Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa or the Houston Rockets' Bonzi Wells. However, I'm going to go with Lee because of his rebounding prowess and ability to clean up around the basket. He really reminds of a paler Dennis Rodman.
Coach of the Year: Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz
To some degree, the Jazz will surprise the league this season, especially if their big men, Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko in particular, can stay healthy. But it won't be a surprise that Sloan did a terrific job once again.
