The Realest NBA Preview (Hater Proofed)

Welcome to the realest NBA preview you can find, promise.

First I will start with my predictions for final standings then I will preview each team in brief posts. In those post I will prove why I think I am right and and why I could be wrong. I find this to be fair rather than other writers who use words like "will" or "won't" but instead "can or could" or "may not".

Let's start with the Eastern Conference:

1.  Heat  58-24

2.  Bulls 56-26

3. Knicks 55-27

4. Pacers 52-30

5. Nets 48-34

6. Washington 45-37

7. Pistons 44-38

8. Cavaliers 40-42

Now, West:

1. Spurs 57-25

2. Clippers 55-27

3. Thunder 54-28

4. Rockets 53-29

5. Warriors 50-32

6. Blazers 46-36

7. Grizzlies 43-39

8. Pelicans 41-41

Lastly, teams that will make the NBA Draft Lottery. Don't worry, believe me missing the playoffs might actually be better than barely making the playoffs this season.

Draft Lottery

1. Philadelphia 76ers 15-67

2. Charlotte Hornets 18-64

3. Sacramento Kings 20-62

4. Toronto Raptors 21-61

5. Orlando Magic 24-58

6.  Phoenix Suns 28-54

7. Milwaukee Bucks 34-48

8. Utah Jazz 34-47

9. Atlanta Hawks 36-46

10. LA Lakers  38-45

 11.Denver Nuggets 40-42

12. Dallas Mavericks 41-41

13. Minnesota TWolves 41-41

14. Boston Celtics 41-41

This will be a very exciting NBA season because in belief there are 14 mediocre/horrible teams and 16 pretty good/really good teams. Therefore any match up between the 16 in the playoffs on ESPN or TNT, maybe even NBA TV might be pretty entertaining. Any match up between a top 16 and a bottom 14 might be League Pass worthy because of players putting up high numbers or going for triple-doubles, also the threat of an upset is always entertaining. 

Next up, my playoff predictions along with WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH THIS SERIES.

Started From the Bottom: The Outlook for Lottery Teams

There is a such thing as no man's land in sports. You want to be either really bad or really good, not in between. If you're really good you want to remain that way. But if you're not that good you want to be really bad because that is the only way you will get any better. Confusing, I know, but look at Oklahoma City's record from the time they moved from Seattle (Pour one out for the Supersonics):

20-62 (Last Season in Seattle), 23-59, 50-32, 55-27, 47-19 (Lockout Year), 60-22

See there, no 30-45 win seasons. Mediocrity doesn't go unpunished hence the Atlanta Hawks constantly making the playoffs yet barely making it to the second round. Mediocrity gets you half-decent regular season teams.

This year would be a great year to be bad. The first four picks in the 2014 draft might be the new guard of superstar in the next 2-3 years. There are times teams defy lottery odds, remember the Chicago Bulls were 9th worst team when they won the lottery in 2008. I'll break down each teams I expect to be in the lottery instead of the individual posts for playoff teams.

1. Philadelphia 76ers 

At the draft I was shocked when the Sixers traded Jrue Holliday but should the Pelicans not make the playoffs they will have two lottery selections. This team will be historically bad. I put their win expectation at 15 wins but if they reach that it will be by accident. I heard the other day that they will shut Nerlens Noel down for the season, which is smart. They should also look into trading Evan Turner who could net them another lottery pick from a fringe playoff team like Minnesota or a future first rounder from a contender.

2. Charlotte Hornets 

I'm already calling them the Hornets...that's how much of a non-factor this season is for Charlotte. They have the pieces to be competitive in the future. Al Jefferson will put up big numbers and will help when they trade him in the next few years. They missed out on many of the marquee #1 picks in recent years but if they land a top 4 pick it could go a long way. They will likely look into trading Ben Gordon.

3. Sacramento Kings 

Yuck, just yuck. The same thing I said about Al Jefferson should go for DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins should take this time with this awful team to figure out his game and become a dominant center in a league where there are only a few. Shaq says he will mentor the kid, I sure hope so.

4. Toronto Raptors

I feel bad for Canadian basketball fans. The only team they get to watch is this one. There new "Brand Ambassador" (say that with Dr. Evil finger quotes) Drizzy Drake claims to be a big Raptor fan but can favor a Miami Heat bandwagoner more often than not. This team can win games as constituted but should trade what they can including Rudy Gay and Demar Derozen. Terrence Ross should remain though.

5. Orlando Magic

Thank god the Dwightmare tragedies remnants are being cleaned up. Victor Oladipo was fascinating to watch on Indiana last year and somewhat the year before. Once Aaron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson are traded or demoted to the bench in favor of Oladipo he should be really fun to watch in preparation for the draft.

6.  Phoenix Suns 

The Suns will be always be the team I pick to win the draft lottery but don't. This year won't be any different. They might be the whipping boy of the Western Conference. The only thing I looked forward to was them bringing back the "sunburst" jerseys from the Barkley days and they managed to screw that up.

7. Milwaukee Bucks 

Another yuck team, but like Toronto they should win a good amount of games. Brandon Knight can grow with this team and perhaps OJ Mayo will finally find a home. They could be the team that defies they lottery because with Randle or Wiggins they'll be a tough out in the 2015 playoffs.

8. Utah Jazz 

Can this please be the year Derrick Favors makes that leap? He no longer has to contend with Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson. Unfortunately, Trey Burke was injured in the preseason so hopefully we can see him return in time to watch him develop. Alec Burks should try his best to shine in the meantime.

9. Atlanta Hawks 36-46

Al Horford and the Hawks have sneakily be playoff mainstays and played a slightly more competitive playoff series than the Knicks did against Indiana. I like their draft and outlook for the future but this year I think they play it cool and have a few competitive games when they make the occasional ESPN Friday Night Game.

These last five have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs so I tell you their outlook if they do and if don't.

10. Boston Celtics 

Playoffs: If they make it will be because Jeff Green has a breakout year and Marshon Brooks and the other misfit toys decide they want to compete. The major x-factor in them making it is Rajon Rondo's attitude. If he decides he wants to let Brad Stevens coach him in his first year as the "star" of the C's he should flourish.

Lottery: If Rondo doesn't want to be coached, he should force a trade and let Danny Ainge and Brad Steven construct the new era of the Celtics.

 11.Denver Nuggets 

 Playoffs: They still have the pieces that won 57 games and made former head coach George Karl NBA Coach of the Year in 2013.

Lottery: Brian Shaw has finally gotten the chance to be a head coach. Sadly, this team is in transition. Danillo Gallinari will be out for a bit and the onus was on him to bring the offense lost by Andre Iguodala going to the Warriors.In the competitive Western Conference time waits for no man. 

12. Dallas Mavericks

Playoffs: The Mavs had an okay summer but again lost out on their main free agent target in Dwight Howard. They still have Dirk and the last legs of Shawn Marion. They gained a more consistent player in Monta Ellis over OJ Mayo.

Lottery: The Mavs might be victims of the Conference yet again. They could start a rebuilding period but that idea behooves Mark Cuban.

13. Minnesota TWolves

Playoffs: The Timberwolves can make a lot of noise with their young team and coaching by Rick Adelman. Derrick Williams finally playing like a #2 pick can also help.

Lottery: Irregardless of injuries, the Timberwolves should finish anywhere between 7-10 in the West. 

14. LA Lakers 

Playoffs: They still have Kobe and Pau...

Lottery: ...But not much else I expect the Lakers to score 96 ppg this season and 36 of those points from Kobe. The Lakers have the makings of a fringe playoff team with one of the greatest players of all time (whenever he returns) and a top-5 Power Forward. But they will most likely fall short and if that's the case they may want to look into trading Pau and seeing what they can get for this first rounder if it is not in the top 7 picks.

Playoff Predictions(Sure To Go Wrong?) Part II

Here are the predictions for the second round:

EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND

KNICKS VERSUS BULLS

This is a prediction that with bias, I hope goes the opposite of my prediction. The Knicks and Bulls could put up a great series. The way the teams have played each other year after year varies. One year the Knicks own the Bulls the next year the opposite. Last year the Knicks were slaughtered by Chicago without Derrick Rose. Both teams had face-lifts over the summer along with keeping their major parts. The depth on both squads lead me to believe that both will end up next to each other in the standings separated by very few games. The series will be dictated by Chicago's defense or New York's offense. We know what the Bulls are defensively that's why I lean towards Chicago, but, the unknown factor in this series will be how good of a team the Knicks can be. Mike Woodson's shooters found a way around all defenses except for Chicago last year, but, that was before he found gold in the two point guard set up. Bulls in 7

PACERS VERSUS HEAT

Indiana tested Miami in last year's Eastern Conference Finals taking the series to seven games. This year's match up will happen a round earlier. Paul George will hopefully have Danny Granger going to war against the Heat this year. Luis Scola was very productive when he was amnestied by Houston and also with Phoenix last year. By adding more bigs to the ones they already had presents problems to the other Eastern elite especially Miami due to their lack of front court specialists. It is extremely difficult to three-peat in this league because over those three years teams become accustomed to you and will find ways to expose flaws that before had remained hidden. Pacers in 7

WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND ROUND

SPURS VERSUS WARRIORS

In a rematch of a revealing playoff series from last year, I expect the same result. Don't get me wrong I believe the Warriors will build upon last season and improve. This series can go the other way especially if Manu Genobilli doesn't rebound from his poor play in the Finals. If the Warriors can gel and maybe if they can pull off a low-key trade or two to sure up that bench they might win this series. Spurs in 6

CLIPPERS VERSUS THUNDER

The Clippers seem to be getting better every year and this season should be no exception. Should they win their division and a high playoff seed they should battle for a spot in the conference finals. The Thunder made the least that they could with the James Harden trade, but, with a healthy Russell Westbrook and young players like Reggie Jackson they should remain where they always been at the top of the conference except that now several other teams in the conference are much better. Without Harden, they seem to be a few bullets short in the gunfight in the wild west. Clippers in 6

CONFERENCE FINALS

BULLS VERSUS PACERS

By the time these two play each other they will be so familiar with each other that it should be the most interesting playoff series of the year. I see this as another defensive series where there are at least 2 games where neither team scores more than 80 points. If you haven't figured it out through my writing, I totally expect Derrick Rose to ball out of his mind this year after sacrificing the entire season last year. He might just will the Bulls into their first Finals since the GOAT donned the red and black. Bulls in 7

SPURS VERSUS CLIPPERS

Chris Paul and Blake Griffin should be ready to find themselves in new territory with Doc Rivers at the helm. I might be in the minority that believes Vinny Del Negro might actually be a decent coach being that he made the playoffs 4 of the 5 years as a head coach with the Bulls and Clippers but Doc Rivers would be an upgrade to 80% of the coaches in the league. But, Greg Popovich would be an upgrade over Doc so what does that say? Despite his hiccups in last years Finals which can happen to anyone except Red Auerbach, Popovich will be more on his P's and Q's than ever. Spurs in 6

NBA FINALS

Spurs v. Bulls

The Spurs should successfully defend their Western Conference crown. The Bulls should accomplish something they haven't done in 15 years. In this finals match up strategy will be key. The depth on both benches will keep games entertaining. I believe the Spurs will be ready to win at all costs after coughing up the Larry O'Brien Trophy to Miami last year in Games 6 & 7. Spurs in 6

Playoff Predictions(Sure To Go Wrong?)

Following up on my Season Predictions, here are the playoff series and predictions.

Playoff basketball is always exciting so let's talk about why each series is worth a watch from first round to finals:

1's vs 8's

HEAT V. CAVS

Well here we go! A series where Lebron returns to Cleveland in a playoff atmosphere and we get to see Kyrie Irving make a fool of Mario Chalmers or whoever guards him. This will be a quick series but entertaining because of the energy in Cleveland for the games they host and the possibility of a game or two where Lebron goes for 40, 50, maybe even 60 points. Heat in 5 

SPURS V. PELICANS

I like this series because I expect the Pelicans (Fly, Pelican, Fly) to make the postseason by way of late season push where will also see Anthony Davis transform into a superstar much like KD did in 2010. The Spurs are the Spurs so there's not much to talk about there. The series will be enticing because the Pelicans will put up a fight no one will see coming in the same way the Thunder had against the Lakers in 2010 and the Rockets just a year ago against the Thunder. Spurs in 6

2's v. 7's

BULLS V. PISTONS

Not exactly Jordan versus Zeke and Dumars, but still...The Pistons made big moves in the offseason and have the ability to make some in season because of Charlie Villanueva's expiring deal. The Pistons have the bigs and guards that will allow them to win a few games in this series. Derrick Rose will have Bulls fan aggravated because he will display the kind of play they lacked in last year's playoffs. Defensive series are not exciting but the match ups down low and the guard play of Rose and Brandon Jennings will make up for the lack of offense. Bulls in 6

CLIPPERS V. GRIZZLIES

Now we have a rivalry. Again. The Clippers and Grizzlies are rivals. The fact that these two teams are competitive and competitive against each other to the point that casual basketball fans love to tune in and watch would be unfathomable 10 years ago. I'm already imagining a world where an Andrew Wiggans led-Raptors and Jabbari Parker led-Hornets pull of compelling playoff series in the 2020's. Clippers in 7

3's v. 6's

KNICKS V. WIZARDS

Well, other than hoping Iman Shumpert emerges as James Harden-lite. The player to watch in this series is John Wall (Do the John Wall, Do the John Wall) should ball out as he brings the intensity that made the Wizards the first team on the waiting line outside of the nightclub known as the Eastern Elite. Wall can't do it by himself though...Knicks in 4

THUNDER V. BLAZERS

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will come together hoping to prove many doubters to be wrong. Portland is slowly building through the draft and low-key moves. Damian Lillard versus Westbrook should be fun. Durant making Portland fans cry over the fact that they picked Oden over him will always be fun. I do expect certain players to be swapped between these two, but I will cover that in my trade preview. Thunder in 5 (maybe even 6?)

4's v. 5's

NETS V. PACERS

Well these is the only series I picked in the first round to go seven, only because I see these 4's and 5's as evenly matched and they are the closest in record. Watching Jason Kidd coach his first playoff series against a basketball wiz like Frank Vogel will be fun. Kidd took advantage of the other teams mistakes as a player I expect him to do the same as a coach, it also helps having an Lawrence Frank as his underboss. The Nets will tire down against the Pacers and there's no coaching against that. This intensity of the games in this series will rival the Nets/Bulls spectacle in 2013. Pacers in 7

ROCKETS V. WARRIORS

The Rockets have the de facto best center in the league but the matchups elsewhere favor Golden State and we've seen Dwight Howard nullified in series before. This series will be a nice watch because of the shooters. I'm talking raining 3's. Warriors in 7