A year removed--NBA preview

    Remember back a year ago...what was happening in the world of sports? Timothy Tebow's hype had become a sincere "Let's bring the NBA back before even Rush Limbaugh has Tebow (no reference to THE Beibs) Fever" kick in the face. Game 162 happened and provided us with the best MLB night in the past decade. The Cardinals upset the (starting to question the following reference in italics) Mighty Rangers and sent a Rangers scout to Japan to decipher Yu (The Asian Defector) Darvish and ultimately send another check to the Dallas Rehab Center signed "Josh Hamilton". The Oakland Raiders traded their shirts and future for Carson Palmer. David Stern was inching closer to Roger Goodell as the worst Commissioner in professional sports after locking out the NBA. The most surprising part, on Stern terms, was that the NBA's controversial Commish was overshadowed by the talk of another Paranormal (I should have just set up video cameras around my house, slammed doors open and closed with a string, inserted loud noises and filmed on a windy night) Activity. The lockout was a sad, drastic, appalling, tragic time for all of us. Finally, Mark Cuban threw some money down, cussed out David Stern and offered the Players Association a spot on Shark Tank, inevitably ending the lockout.

    That (Vietnam) flashback for all of us NBA fans was a sad, dismal time. The signing of an agreement signaled the starting of the final year we were able to make jokes about Lebron and Cellular phones (If you need to reminisce of all the jokes told, here you go:  http://www.jokes4us.com/celebrityjokes/lebronjamesjokes.html). Another year beginning with fingers crossed that Stephen Curry's "Paper Ma-shay" ankle would hold up. Jimmer Mania transforming from college campus's to the NBA. Another dysfunctional year featuring the Sacramento "pick up team from Hell" Kings. Tyson Chandler signed with the always laughable New York Knicks. Our Christmas gift was a new season of basketball and a shortened season. The Miami LebronJames won the Finals over the upstart Thunder and their rabid fans. But, can Lebron win a championship in a full season? We still don't know. .

    Amid the Dwight Howard saga, the Deron Williams Dallas' mishap and an abundance of trades, we are shaping up for a great year. 

    NBA champions conference first-- The East. I see 3 teams from the East having a real shot at shaking David Stern's apprehensive, guilty hand and hoisting the trophy. The favorite, of course is that team down in South Beach. Adding Ray-Ray Allen, Rashard "Big 'ol contract" Lewis and a revamped starting 5, the Heat are the team to beat. Bosh at the 5, Lebron at the 4 and a smaller lineup puts their most talented roster on the floor but can be attacked. Bigger teams will cause the Heat problems, however no one on the East Coast can match their talent.          The Boston Celtics are a better team than last years' team that easily could have been in the championship. Rondo should have his best year, a ton of depth and an interchangeable roster will equal an Eastern Conference Finals for the Bean Town boys again.        The New York Knicks have a ton of talent and I believe Carmelo will have an MVP-caliber season. Paired with Amare', Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith, this is a scary team. However, the lack of an elite point guard will hurt this team. Never has Linsanity(tm) needed to stick around the Big Apple for so long, he will be missed. There are plenty of interesting, upstart teams in the East, but those 3 will be the elite and everyone else will be looking up. 

    The West will still be OKC's to lose until the Lakers show chemistry. I believe the Thunder will come out of the West as long as James Harden doesn't collapse again. They match up so well and always have a certain "we can beat the Lakers" swagger about them. That being said, the Lakers should finish in either the 1 or 2 spot. Flip a coin. The off-season of a lifetime for Mitch Kupchak will rely on Dwight Howard's back and Kobe not wanting to be "too involved" in that potent offense. The Left Coast's third best team will be the San Antonio Spurs and the best coach in the NBA. Kawhi Leonard will win most improved player and will be on the verge of an all-star bid. The Clippers will be another tough out. With the best Point Guard in the league, Blake Griffin and a few underrated signs, they are a solid team. I believe the 5th and final team that may flirt with a conference championship is the team from Mile High. The Nuggets are everyone's new favorite team. I believe Danilo Galinari will have a monster year. Look out for the team from Denver. I believe the Warriors will be invited to the party this year and secure the West's eight seed. The Timberwolves will miss out on the postseason. 

    Teams that will be interesting are the Jazz, Grizzlies, 76er's, Raptors and Hawks. I believe these 4 teams can make some noise. Disappointing teams and cellar dweller teams are as follows, Suns, T-Wolves and the team that will finish with the worst record-- the Houston Rockets. I also guarantee a fight between two players on the Sacramento Kings. My money is on Aaron Brooks vs. Marcus Thornton. I laugh at the team that Sacramento has assembled. Everyone on this team just wants to shoot. Whoever brings the ball over half-court will just launch. Having sad that, I can see Thornton, Tyreke and Salmons all wanting to play the point. Even Thomas Robinson wants the ball in his hands and wants to shoot. 

    My picks for major Awards: 

MVP- Lebron James (again) 

Most Improved- Klay Thompson 

Defensive Player of the Year- Dwight Howard

Underrated off-season acquisition- Lou Williams 

Overrated off-season acquisition- Ray Allen 

Comeback Player- Jeff Green 

ROY-Anthony Davis 

Coach of the year- Doc Rivers

West Finals: Lakers vs. Thunder

East Finals: Celtics vs. Heat 

Finals: Thunder vs. Celtics 

2013 NBA Champion: OKC Thunder