Boston Celtics Dannie's Take Think this is the year Boston falls apart? Nope. They were 1 quarter away from winning a championship last season when everyone had counted them out. I think they will have the same type of season. Rondo has become their best player, but Allen and Pierce are still very good and productive. They are VERY deep with the additions of Shaq, Jermaine O'Neal, Delonte West, Von Wafer, Avery Bradley and resigning Nate Robinson. Understand Doc and Ainge did this so they … [Read more...]

Atlanta Hawks Dannie's Take Same team, similar results. That's my stance on the Hawks. They screwed themselves by signing Joe Johnson to that unwarranted max contract, and they will feel the pain of it sooner than you think. They will drop to 3rd in the division and will be lucky to win 50 games because of the increased competition, but it won't be because they are any worse. They just haven't improved relative to the competition. And this team has almost no surprise potential (this is my … [Read more...]

Cleveland Cavaliers Dannie's Take Poor Cleveland. They lost their best player, a local kid in the worse possible fashion. I am normally not the most sympathetic person, but I feel bad for them. Jamison and Mo Williams will do just enough for this team not to be the worst in the NBA. J.J. Hickson could break out with increased minutes and touches. But LeBron simply did too much for this team, and they haven't replaced any of his production. Byron Scott's team mantra will likely be: "The … [Read more...]

Dallas Mavericks Dannie's Take I like Dallas this year. Kidd is not getting any younger, but they have a young, good back-up to spell him. And if Carlise is smart he won't overexert Kidd during the regular season, while simultaneously getting Beaubois valuable playing time so he will be ready come playoff time. They upgraded at the center position with a full year of Brendon Hayward and Tyson Chandler. They are good defender/rebounders, and Cuban got them to compete directly with the … [Read more...]

Denver Nuggets Dannie's Take Hardest team to predict with all the uncertainty with Melo. He doesn't want to be there, he clearly won't resign, so you have to trade him. It's just a matter of when. And when that happens, their season will likely go down the tubes. Aside from Al Harrington, this is the exact same team with less unity. Prediction: 4th in Northwest, 7th in West, 12th in NBA. Pete's Take I had them higher, but there certainly seems to be some turmoil with Carmelo making … [Read more...]

Golden State Warriors Dannie's Take I am starting to like the looks of the Warriors. They have scoring and shooting in the perimeter. They have defense and rebounding out of the center position and rebounding and high percentage scoring out of David Lee at PF. On top of that they have Keith Smart coaching. Now I don't know a thing about him, but I know he has to have a more well-rounded approach than Don Nelson. Three major questions: Will they improve their defense? Change has to … [Read more...]

Philadelphia 76ers 2008-09 Record: 41-41 Anticipated Starting Five PG- Lou Williams SG- Andre Iguodala SF- Thaddeus Young PF- Elton Brand C- Samuel Dalembert Key Reserves: Marreese Speights, Jason Kapono, Willie Green, Jason Smith, Jrue Holiday Preseason Wrap-Up Below are two tables.  The first is the Sixers' preseason player totals.  The second has the players' preseason averages on a per-36-minute basis so there is a degree of extrapolation.  (click the image to … [Read more...]

New Jersey Nets 2008-09 Record: 34-48 Anticipated Starting Five PG- Devin Harris SG- Courtney Lee SF- Bobby Simmons PF- Yi Jianlian C- Brook Lopez Key Reserves: Rafer Alston, Josh Boone, Eduardo Najera, Sean Williams, Terrence Williams, Chris Douglas-Roberts Biggest Strength: Perimeter players The Nets have a nice young core of guards in Harris, Lee, Douglas-Roberts and Terence Williams to attack defenses.  What's even better is Lee and Williams will defend as well.  Those … [Read more...]